Chapter 100 IF Line (11): The Fierce Husband

As dusk settles and the city lights begin to twinkle.

A black ebony carriage with a brocade canopy was parked outside the Donghua Gate. The Crown Prince, holding a scroll, waited inside the carriage.

The light footsteps grew closer, the curtain was lifted, and a fragrant breeze wafted out from the crimson and gold-embroidered begonia dress. Half of the girl's face was covered by a veil with delicate gold tassels, a jade flower ornament adorned her forehead, and her hair was styled in two buns that reached her ears. Her clear, dark almond-shaped eyes blinked at him.

"Your Highness, we've kept you waiting."

The Crown Prince calmly withdrew his gaze. "When we're outside the palace, let's use a different form of address."

"Then what should I call you?" Yun Kui thought for a moment, "Young Master?"

The crown prince glanced at her with a longing look.

He was not wearing a python robe today; his black hair was tied up with a jade crown, and his handsome face showed a touch of the elegance of a prince. However, his moon-white robe could not hide his majestic and awe-inspiring aura, like a sword sheathed, gorgeous and noble, with hidden sharpness.

Yun Kui's face flushed slightly. "Husband?"

The crown prince responded calmly, "Hmm."

Yun Kui pursed her lips and said, "Husband, it's just... next time I pass the test, I want you to grant me one request."

She spoke up in advance this time, to see if he could still preemptively strike and use gold bars and the promise of leaving the palace to shut her up.

The crown prince was silent for a moment, then raised his eyes: "You want to return every two days?"

Yun Kui's upturned lips froze instantly.

How did he know!

He even knows exactly how often she wants to do it?!

“I really can’t take it anymore, and besides,” she tried to discuss it with him, “even though you are a strong man, you can’t keep pushing yourself like this…”

The prince said, "I know my own health well, but this matter cannot be used as a reward."

Yun Kui asked urgently, "Why?"

The Crown Prince sat upright and said, “Father has few children, and you are the only one by my side. Therefore, I can only work hard. If we cannot continue the bloodline for the country as soon as possible, we will both be sinners.”

Yun Kui: "..."

"Returning every two days makes one a sinner? What a high-sounding reason!"

Crown Prince: "Or do you want me to favor someone else?"

Yun Kui was momentarily speechless. She hadn't thought about these things yet, or rather, she hadn't dared to think about them deeply.

When that day truly comes, and he decides to bestow titles upon his concubines, what can she do? She can only feign magnanimity and smile as she calls them "sisters."

The crown prince frowned. "Don't let your imagination run wild."

Yun Kui snapped out of her daze and froze.

How did he know he was overthinking?

In his eyes, the idea of ​​bestowing titles upon concubines and taking concubines was utter nonsense...

The crown prince interrupted her thoughts: "Apart from sexual relations, as long as it's not excessive or violates the law, I can grant your request."

Yun Kui snapped out of her thoughts and thought for a moment before saying, "Since the number of times can't be reduced, then... can it be faster? For example, can the total duration be controlled within one hour, so that I can rest earlier."

The crown prince was silent for a moment before saying, "There's no way to control it."

Yun Kui was still unwilling to give up, "Then could you..."

The Crown Prince interrupted gently, "A-Kui, please don't make things difficult for your husband, okay?"

"You..." Upon hearing that address, Yun Kui's cheeks, hidden behind her veil, flushed crimson. And upon hearing the last sentence, her shimmering eyes overflowed with a shy, spring-like blush.

The Crown Prince noticed that her earlobes, adorned with delicate gold chains, had flushed crimson, and a barely perceptible smile played on his lips: "Besides, don't you like it too?"

Yun Kui bit her lips until they were bright red: "Don't talk nonsense."

The crown prince casually twirled his fingers. "If you don't like it, then I'll have to summon the imperial physician."

Yun Kui was stunned: "Why summon the imperial physician?"

The Crown Prince's gaze slowly descended, "How many times have you soaked my nightgown? If it's not because you like me, then there must be something wrong with your health..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yun Kui hurriedly reached out and covered his lips, preventing him from saying anything more.

Their eyes met, the man's gaze deep and intense, his hot breath spraying onto her palm. The tingling, itchy sensation felt like an electric current drilling into her flesh, instantly spreading to every part of her body.

When she looked up and met his dark, fiery phoenix eyes, she belatedly realized her rudeness and immediately tried to get off him, but the man's strong and powerful hands supported her lower back, pulling her back into his arms.

The early autumn night was cool, but Yun Kui's cheeks felt like they were on fire. The faint woody scent mixed with the fragrance of sunflowers suddenly warmed up the cramped space of the carriage.

The man's calloused hand covered her waist, caressing it lightly, and Yun Kui's body trembled involuntarily.

The prince said, "I told you, bodily instincts are uncontrollable. You see, you can't control them either, can you?"

Yun Kui lowered her head and muttered softly, "I don't understand what you're saying."

The Crown Prince chuckled: "Is that so? Do you want me to verify it on the spot?"

Yun Kui realized what he wanted to do, and blushed with embarrassment. She didn't care whether he was the Crown Prince or not, and pushed him hard before getting off him.

The carriage slowly made its way towards the Imperial Street. Outside the carriage window, the sounds of people gradually filled the air. Yun Kui lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and a cool evening breeze brushed against her face. After a long while, the heat on her face finally subsided.

The Imperial Street was brightly decorated with lanterns and bustling with people, with the beautiful clouds in the sky echoing the bright lights on the ground.

It's no wonder she was attracted by the reward of leaving the palace; she had been trapped in the palace for too long, and with the wedding preparations at home, she hadn't had a proper stroll through the streets for more than half a year.

The carriage stopped at the street corner. The prince got out first, then reached out to help her. Yun Kui lifted her skirt with one hand and placed the other in his palm as she slowly jumped down from the carriage.

She thought he was just lending a hand to help her stand firm on the ground, and tried to pull her hand back, but he grasped it lightly.

Yun Kui's heart pounded, and she awkwardly looked away, gazing at the lotus lanterns on the distant lake.

The two strolled along the bustling street, one bright and flamboyant, the other elegant and refined, quickly attracting the attention of the surrounding crowd.

Yun Kui didn't pay much attention. She used to enjoy strolling around the streets. Because she often ran and jumped around and didn't like complicated things, she usually dressed in a simple and unassuming style, which made her stand out in the crowd. However, today her outfit was particularly bright and dazzling. The gorgeous gold-trimmed veil only made her more conspicuous, which aroused everyone's curiosity.

The Crown Prince disliked being in bustling crowds, especially after he learned mind-reading techniques. The noisy voices mixed with the rising and falling thoughts made it impossible for him to find peace and quiet.

Just like now, passersby might only glance at her, whisper or exclaim in surprise, which wouldn't have much of an impact on her, but all those unrestrained thoughts fell into his ears.

"Whose wife is this? I've never seen her before."

"What a lovely figure! I wonder what stunning beauty lies beneath that veil."

"Is that her husband? Maybe he's being kept as a mistress, that's why she's wearing a veil and doesn't dare show her face..."

"Why don't I go and test her? That veil fell off with a single bump; I want to see what this woman really looks like!"

Yun Kui suddenly felt the large hand holding her tighten slightly, and turned her head to look at him in confusion, "Husband?"

"They really are a married couple."

The crown prince lowered the cold light in his eyes and said gently, "There are many people on the street, so come closer to me."

Yun Kui nodded, and then he pulled her close by the waist and drew her to his side.

Qin Ge saw the hand gesture his prince secretly made and immediately followed.

The Crown Prince coldly swept his gaze across the crowd. Those with ulterior motives were intimidated by his gloomy and terrifying expression, their eyes darting away while they silently grumbled in their hearts. The Crown Prince locked onto a few people through his thoughts and coldly ordered Qin Ge: "Imprison them in Shuntian Prefecture and subject them to severe punishment."

Yun Kui was still looking at the clay figurines on the roadside stall when she suddenly heard this sentence, and saw Qin Ge leading his guards, dragging several people away without saying a word.

Suddenly, everyone on the street was on edge, and no one knew what had happened.

Yun Kui's heart tightened, and she looked at the man beside her: "What happened?"

The crown prince shook his head and squeezed her hand: "There's no need to worry about dealing with a few criminals."

Noticing that her palms were cold, the Crown Prince softened his tone: "Since you're out of the palace for a stroll, buy whatever you like."

He gave De Shun a wink, and the latter immediately stepped forward and handed her the heavy purse in his hand.

Yun Kui's eyes lit up, and she quickly forgot the earlier incident. She strolled through the lantern market and bought a lot of snacks and food.

Seeing a roadside vendor selling candied hawthorns, she suddenly remembered something and said to the Crown Prince, "My lord, I want to go somewhere. If you have official duties, I can go by myself..."

The crown prince said, "I'll stay with you."

Yun Kui nodded and bought all the candied hawthorns from the vendor. De Shun, ever perceptive, stepped forward to help hold up the straw sticks.

Yun Kui plucked a bunch from the tree and asked the Crown Prince, "Would you like some, my husband?"

The crown prince glanced at her and said indifferently, "I don't like sweets."

Yun Kui didn't insist, and took off two more strings for Yue Xiu: "You eat one string, and give the other string to De Shun."

De Shunteng didn't reach out to take it, but unexpectedly, the Crown Princess had Yuexiu feed him. He was deeply grateful and said, "Thank you so much, Madam! Thank you so much, Madam!"

The crown prince stared blankly ahead: "Where do you want to go?"

Yun Kui said, "The orphanage is nearby. I'll go check on the children."

She often went to the orphanage with Madam Qi for free medical consultations and became very familiar with the children. During holidays, especially on the busiest days in the streets, the children at the orphanage had free time to play.

The orphanage was located next to the Zhuque Bridge. After turning two streets, Yun Kui could hear the children's laughter from afar. She happily left the others and ran over to them, waving: "Da Chuan, Xiao Wu!"

A dozen or so children gathered under the locust tree, the oldest being eleven or twelve and the youngest only four or five. The older children were playing Cuju (an ancient Chinese football game), while the younger ones were playing in the mud. Behind the children, a man in a plain-colored robe with dark patterns watched them with a smile.

Hearing the familiar shouts, the children looked up and saw a young woman in a red dress running towards them.

Xiao Wu asked blankly, "Is this fairy calling us?"

Da Chuan said, "The voice sounds somewhat familiar."

Yun Kui quickly removed her veil, and the children recognized her face immediately: "It's the Sunflower King!"

Several older children stepped forward. "Weren't you trapped inside the palace? Why are you here today?"

Yun Kui laughed and said, "I've been granted special permission to go out shopping in the palace tonight. How have you all been lately? Let me see if you've grown taller or gained weight."

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw a slender man, as thin as bamboo, slowly approaching under the locust tree. He nodded gently to her and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Yun Kui was slightly surprised: "Lord Wei is here too?"

The man was none other than Wei Qian, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

The orphanage was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue, and Wei Qian would occasionally come to see how the children were doing. Yun Kui had seen him a few times before.

Wei Qian smiled faintly, his face slightly pale: "I have nothing to do tonight, so I might as well come and play with them."

Yun Kui said, "Lord Wei, you are so kind..."

Before she could finish speaking, the Crown Prince slowly strolled to her side. "Does Vice Minister Wei have official business tonight?"

Wei Qian, neither humble nor arrogant, bowed and greeted the Crown Prince: "Your Highness."

After explaining his purpose, the Crown Prince nodded slightly and smiled approvingly: "If everyone were as loyal and devoted to their duties as Minister Wei, and loved the people like their own children, and there were fewer people who held positions without doing their jobs, I would be at ease."

Yun Kui didn't like listening to them talk about official business, so she distributed the candied hawthorns from De Shun's hands, and took out some loose silver from her purse, giving each person a small piece: "Take these and buy some candy."

The children jumped up with joy.

Xiao Wu tugged at her sleeve, looked up at the unfamiliar, cold-faced man, and asked, "King Sunflower, is this the fierce husband you were talking about?"

Yun Kui was so frightened that she quickly covered his mouth.

She cautiously turned her head and saw that His Highness the Crown Prince's face was dark and gloomy, and her heart skipped a beat.

On the way back to the palace, Yun Kui snuggled up to him ingratiatingly, saying, "Children say the darndest things, Your Highness, please don't take it to heart."

The Crown Prince coldly curled his lips: "In your heart, am I just a fierce-looking person?"

Yun Kui explained softly, "That's because I didn't understand Your Highness before. I always thought you were too cold and dignified. But the children are too young to understand what 'dignified' means, so I used that word..."

The crown prince maintained a cold expression throughout, demonstrating to her through his actions what indifference and authority truly meant.

After getting off the carriage outside Donghua Gate, Qin Ge stepped forward as if he had something important to report, so Yun Kui had no choice but to return to Chengguang Hall first.

After the Crown Princess had walked away, Qin Ge whispered, "Minister Wei Qian... did indeed ask for a marriage proposal from the Marquis of Wuning's family during the time when the Prince of Moshan was making things difficult for him. However, because Minister Wei's parents had died early and he himself was sickly, the Marquis of Wuning's wife was afraid that the Crown Princess would suffer if she married into the family, so she had the Marquis of Wuning reject the Wei family..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Ge heard a sound like the sound of a fist being clenched and the joints dislocating.

The crown prince's face was so gloomy it was almost dripping with water, and his aura was chilling.

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Xiao Kui seems to have quite a few nicknames [poor thing]