Chapter 103 Still a Benefit (2): Skill Exchange

The prince kissed her forehead, then her eyes, and asked in a low voice, "What nightmare did you have?"

Yun Kui's eyes darted around, and she realized that he genuinely didn't know she was lying, and his voice was gentle and considerate, with no intention of testing her.

Could it be that his mind-reading ability has disappeared?

It was transferred to her?

She was still unsure, and after thinking for a long time, she finally came up with a way to deceive him: "I dreamed that I married the Prince of Moshan, and Your Highness didn't come to save me..."

The Crown Prince frowned: "How could that be?"

Yun Kui sobbed in his arms, continuing to probe along the fabricated dream: "Your Highness has had the ability to read minds since childhood, so you must have known all along that I am ignorant and lustful. Why then did you agree to marry me?"

The Crown Prince said calmly, "If you were to marry into the Western Liang, you would represent the entire Great Zhao. If the King of Moshan were to discover that you are not up to the task, it might damage the friendship between the two countries."

Yun Kui: "..."

Have you forgotten how you snatched the queen consort that King Moshan desired right in front of him? Doesn't that damage the friendship between our two countries?

The Crown Prince said, “As the heir apparent of the country, I cannot allow you to harm friendly nations, nor can I disappoint your father’s loyalty. Although you are not making progress, you are not beyond redemption. I believe I can still teach you well, so it is most appropriate for me to marry you.”

Yun Kui was so angry that she saw stars, but at that moment she heard his inner thoughts.

"I don't want to talk anymore, can we just do it?"

"You can use your mouth too."

Yun Kui: "..."

She silently curled up, trying to escape from his embrace, but he held her even tighter.

The man's warm breath fell on her neck. Knowing his intentions, how could she not remain calm? Last night they had been up until the wee hours, and this morning she thought, even a person made of iron can't withstand this.

But she was also afraid that once he left this door, he would discover that he no longer had the ability to read minds. In the future, he would not only restrain his emotions but also suppress his inner thoughts, making it difficult to probe his thoughts again.

After a moment of internal struggle, Yun Kui slowly hugged him back, her small hands expertly slipping under his nightgown to touch his firm, well-defined breasts.

The crown prince tensed, his voice hoarse: "You've been thinking about it?"

Yun Kui whimpered in his arms, "Doesn't Your Highness want to?"

The crown prince's forehead veins bulged slightly, and after a moment of silence, he said, "I still have official duties to attend to, so please don't act recklessly."

Yun Kui: "..."

Pretend! Keep pretending!

She didn't expose him, but wrapped her slender white legs around him, her voice as soft as water: "But Your Highness isn't attending court today, is it alright if you stay with me for a while?"

She was unusually clingy, her fingertips tracing his chest and abdomen, her warm breath falling almost imperceptibly on his earlobe—even a saint would lose control.

The crown prince closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, his gaze had completely changed, becoming fierce and terrifying, and his voice was deep and resonant: "This is the last time."

Without further hesitation, he rolled over and lay down on top of her.

Yun Kui: ...

Even if you just hold on for one more breath!

She fully understood what it meant to be a hypocrite through him. He spouted a bunch of grand principles, acting like a virtuous and upright gentleman, but in bed he was a completely different person. Now that it was a peaceful and prosperous time with no war on the border, he used all his skills in wielding swords and sticks on her.

Yun Kui was pinned down by him, enduring the tickling of the young prince's stubble, her whole body trembling, sweat pouring down her face, and she almost forgot about the important matter.

She was able to relax for a moment when he kissed her neck. She hugged him and asked in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, was it true that you said you liked me?"

The crown prince paused slightly in his movements. "Why do you suddenly ask that?"

Feeling the man's hot breath against her neck, Yun Kui continued, "I'm still afraid of that dream... What if His Highness doesn't like me, and only likes my body..."

The Crown Prince frowned: "Of course I like you as a person."

Yun Kui persisted, "Then, how much do you like it?"

The Crown Prince was unwilling to answer these questions about love and romance, and only looked at her and said, "You are my Crown Princess, and you will be for the rest of your life."

He gave a measured answer, then kissed her collarbone, brushed aside her dark hair, and kissed her soft, snow-white skin.

Just as Yun Kui was about to give up, she heard his inner thoughts, which were completely opposite to his outward demeanor.

"I love it so much, I want to keep kissing it, I can never get enough of it, I want to keep it inside me forever..."

Yun Kui pursed her lips, and her face slowly turned red.

This person is really something...

"Actually... my baby has always been cute, even since she was little."

Yun Kui was completely taken aback. When they were little, His Highness had never given her a second glance. How could he possibly find her cute?

She really wanted to ask, but if she did, she would give herself away, so she could only keep it to herself. While he kissed and nibbled at her, she listened to his thoughts, and at the same time, her hands were not idle. She reached in and touched his tight, undulating waist to see how he would react.

As I ran my fingertips along the surface, I could hear the man's slightly disordered breathing.

Since he said he likes her, there's no need to hold back. Go for it, Sunflower!

Yun Kui bent her fingers and carefully moved them upwards, like a thief, boldly touching his firm, slightly upturned buttocks.

The man's eyes darkened slightly, his voice carrying a hint of anger as he coldly demanded, "What do you want?"

Yun Kui swallowed hard, nervously replying, "I... I bumped into it by accident..."

But the feel is truly amazing.

It's completely different from other places.

Waaah, I want to pinch him, but I don't dare. I'll wait until he goes crazy and forgets himself, then I'll take the opportunity to touch him.

The man's Adam's apple bobbed, he sighed deeply, lowered his head, and continued kissing her.

"Fine, let her touch me if she wants."

"As long as she doesn't touch other people."

"Her hands are so soft."

"I love it so much..."

Hearing this, Yun Kui's face turned red, and she bit her lip tightly, afraid that she would laugh out loud.

Her smugness was quickly noticed by the observant man. The crown prince looked up and found her expression strange. It wasn't the shyness or unbearable pain she showed during intercourse, but rather a hint of... self-intoxication?

"What's wrong?" the crown prince asked. "Aren't you scared anymore?"

Yun Kui quickly composed herself, "With Your Highness here, I'm not afraid at all."

The Crown Prince remained suspicious, as he hadn't heard her thoughts since waking up today, and didn't even know what she had been indulging in just now.

Yun Kui trembled as she listened, fearing he would discover something amiss. In a moment of impulsiveness, she reached out and grabbed Long Sao.

The man's breathing was heavy; he was indeed not thinking about anything else. He pressed his lips against hers and kissed her deeply.

Getting up early for a session is more exhilarating than practicing swordsmanship for an hour.

Yun Kui was truly frightened by his insistence on doing it again, especially by his wild thoughts, which he dared to think but she dared not even hear.

"No..." she weakly pushed his shoulder, "I still have to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager today. Don't let me be bedridden and become a laughingstock..."

The crown prince finally gave up.

In fact, it had been more than an hour already, and there should already be officials waiting in Chongming Palace. He knew it was absurd and a mistake, but he couldn't shorten the time.

Even if he wanted to finish it quickly, the young prince wouldn't allow it.

When Yun Kui saw him get up, straighten his clothes, and compose himself, his true feelings were quite different from his elegant and solemn appearance.

"I don't want to go to Chongming Palace anymore. What does it matter if I'm lazy in my duties for a day? I just want to hold her like this forever."

Yun Kui clicked her tongue in amazement. Was this what the poem meant by "The spring night is short and the sun rises high, from then on the emperor no longer holds morning court"?

"Why can't there be twenty-four hours in a day? That way, I could spend twelve hours with her."

Yun Kui's expression changed. If she wanted to work for twelve hours straight, wouldn't she be mashed into sunflower paste?

"I really want to keep her by my side forever... I wonder if there's a shrinking technique in this world, so I can shrink her to the size of a thumb, and place her on my desk when I'm doing official business, so I can see her all the time. She can be wherever she wants, even sliding down a slide on her abs..."

Yun Kui blinked: Not bad, you have quite a few ideas!

If she could shrink to the size of a thumb, she would pour some water into her Crown Prince husband's collarbone for a bath, roll around on his high pectoral muscles, sleep on the little plum blossom, become sworn brothers with the young prince, and ask him how he could grow so majestic and powerful...

When the Crown Prince saw her smirking expression, he couldn't help but doubt himself. Had his mind-reading ability failed him?

As everyone stepped out of the main hall, they held their breath and bowed in respect.

Upon arriving at Chongming Hall, the officials discussed state affairs as usual, each offering their own opinion, with the final decision resting with him.

Unlike usual, these people were all unusually quiet. Normally, when he went to crowded places, his ears would be filled with noise like a bustling marketplace. Some were thinking of their wives, some of their concubines, some were having trouble with their hair being too loose or too tight, some were hesitating about whether to go to the outhouse—he was used to all sorts of things. Although he was dissatisfied, he couldn't punish anyone for these trivial matters.

The prince scanned the people before him one by one, his conviction growing stronger, and his mind-reading ability vanished.

He was indeed a little confused, but not to the point of being anxious or at a loss.

It was a supernatural ability bestowed by heaven. Over the years, he had helped his father eliminate treacherous officials and clean up the court. Mind reading had indeed helped him a lot, but he had never relied on this ability excessively, nor had he become complacent or taken things for granted. His ability to stand on his own two feet was honed through his diligent study and real battles on the battlefield over the past twenty years. Even without mind reading, he could still see things clearly and handle government affairs with ease.

On the contrary, Yun Kui's place was much more lively.

Before leaving, Qiu Chan bowed to her from under the eaves, but what she was thinking was:

"The Crown Princess was... ouch" again this morning by His Highness.

Yun Kui was so ashamed that she couldn't face anyone.

After dressing up, she went to Kunning Palace and met the Empress. She heard the Empress secretly sighing in admiration.

"My daughter-in-law looks radiant."

"It seems my son served me well last night."

Yun Kui blushed deeply and could only pretend not to hear, sitting in Kunning Palace as relaxed as possible.

Coincidentally, the two princesses came to pay their respects. The Empress served them tea and snacks, then got up and went to the Buddhist hall, leaving the young women to speak.

The princesses had thought that their sister-in-law would suffer a fate worse than death under their brother's tutelage, but to their surprise, every time they met, their sister-in-law was radiant and smiling.

Upon hearing that her sister-in-law received rewards for reciting texts, Princess Xuanhe became extremely curious: "Sister-in-law, what did my imperial brother reward you with?"

Yun Kui truthfully replied, "Gold bracelets, necklaces, hairpins, gold bars, and a reward for going out of the palace to stroll around..."

With each word she spoke, the two princesses' eyes widened.

Princess Xuanhe was dumbfounded: "When he checked our homework before, we were already lucky if he didn't find fault with us. Even if we memorized it perfectly, we would only get a 'good enough' from him. If we made a mistake, he would hit our palms. Not only did my sister-in-law not get punished, but she actually got so many rewards?"

Yun Kui was a low-key person and had no intention of showing off in front of the princesses, so she quickly said, "I will also be punished if I don't study well."

Princess Xuanhe asked in surprise, "Does your brother also hit your hand?"

Yun Kui blushed. It was not easy to tell the unmarried princess this. Although it wasn't a slap on the palm, it was still embarrassing to be punished by having to count during sex.

Anyway, His Highness is a bit naughty!

Princess Wan Ning, who had long been under the Crown Prince's oppressive influence, was also filled with envy: "My brother, who never goes shopping, is actually willing to go shopping with his sister-in-law. How wonderful."

Yun Kui smiled, pursing her lips.

This marriage was indeed not quite what she had imagined.

Initially, she was indeed attracted to the Crown Prince's handsome face. Even if he was rigid, serious, and unapproachable, it was still much better than marrying far away to Xiliang, not to mention becoming his Crown Princess.

Later, on their wedding night, she experienced the prince's unknown majesty and strength, and felt quite exhausted. He then forced her to get up at dawn to study, and she thought the sky was falling. But to her surprise, the tempting rewards dangling in front of her actually inspired her desire to study and improve. After several times, she had saved up a considerable sum of money!

As for His Highness, she originally thought he wouldn't love her, and that sleeping together would only be a formality to produce offspring as soon as possible. But the seemingly indifferent and stern His Highness would call her "baby" and kiss her again and again in the scorching dark nights.

Now that she has the ability to read minds, she has heard many of his shameless innermost thoughts, and it seems... His Highness also likes her very much.

Yun Kui was overjoyed and smiled all day long.

It wasn't until evening, after Yun Kui finished her homework for the day, that she suddenly realized that His Highness must have already figured out that the mind-reading ability had disappeared!

Or is it that mind-reading has only temporarily disappeared and may have already returned?

Unsure of what was happening, she pretended nothing was amiss and dined with him as usual. Occasionally, a few thoughts would pop into her mind, and she would secretly glance at his face. Seeing that there was nothing unusual, she felt a little relieved.

Freed from the constraints of being mind-read by him, Yun Kui slept extremely soundly.

The crown prince didn't sleep well.

He dreamed of a scene he had never imagined.

Under the dragon and phoenix wedding tent, with the flickering red candlelight, the man passionately kissed the woman's cheek.

The man had his back to her, so her face was not visible, and the woman's eyes were also covered with a layer of red silk.

The prince had no intention of prying into other people's privacy, especially matters of the bedroom, but he heard the man say, "Qingci, you won't be afraid if you cover your eyes."

The voice was particularly familiar. The Crown Prince frowned and stepped forward, only to find that it was indeed Shen Yanyu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Upon waking, the Crown Prince felt conflicted. He glanced at his Crown Princess beside him and felt a sense of unease.

If he had known he could be blindfolded, why would he have shaved his beard... In the end, it only made her more hesitant to approach him.

But the dream he just had left him confused. It didn't seem like his own dream; rather, it felt like he had entered someone else's world. Perhaps it was a scene from reality, or perhaps it was a dream.

He suddenly realized that A-Kui could enter other people's dreams, especially erotic dreams. He had heard her talk about such absurd dreams too many times.

Did he acquire this skill as well?

Unfortunately, he lost his mind-reading ability today.

Connecting this with her unusual behavior this morning—the little girl clearly lacked energy, yet she still unusually came to hug him and ask for things, along with those smug and smug expressions—the Crown Prince had a vague idea in his mind.

Yun Kui was fast asleep beside him and did not hear his speculation.

Another assessment was held the following day.

Yun Kui struggled a bit with memorizing, but thankfully she managed to recite the entire article smoothly, and nervously awaited his judgment.

But the Crown Prince's brows were furrowed, and a voice from his heart entered his ears.

"Your memorization is not fluent enough, and your understanding of the article's theme is not deep enough. You'll have to go back and start over..."

Yun Kui panicked on the spot: "No, please..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the man's lips curled into a smile. He handed the book back to her, giving her a dismissive glance, and said, "Passed."

Yun Kui was stunned for a moment, then realized that she had been tricked!

She buried her head in her arms in a mournful tone, grumbling, "Your Highness, you don't have to bully me like this! I only got pregnant yesterday, and you've already found out so quickly."

The Crown Prince glanced at her: "What, are you trying to test me?"

Remembering that she had overheard his secret thoughts in the tent yesterday, the Crown Prince's dignified image as the heir apparent completely collapsed in her presence, and his expression became somewhat unnatural.

But it's too late to think about it now. She's his wife. If he loves her, should he hide it? Let him hear it.

The crown prince changed the subject and asked, "What reward do you want this time?"

Yun Kui had already decided on the reward yesterday, and it was all for his sake.

"On the fifteenth of September, I wish to leave the palace to spend two days with my mother. I hope Your Highness will grant me permission."

September 15th?

The crown prince frowned, controlling himself to not overthink it, and said calmly, "Go."

Yun Kui nodded: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

With the ability to read minds, she no longer worries that His Highness's serious demeanor means he dislikes her, nor does she need to worry about her true feelings being revealed, or that he will notice even her slightest thoughts.

After the Crown Princess left the palace in high spirits, the Crown Prince's brows furrowed even deeper.

Why did she have to return to the manor at this time? Didn't she know that September 16th was his birthday?

In the days since their marriage, he openly encouraged her to study hard and make progress, while secretly trying to find rare treasures to please her. He had never liked anyone before and didn't know how to love someone, but he was slowly trying to express his feelings.

But on such an important day as his birthday, she had to leave the palace...

The prince closed his eyes and slowly clenched his fists.

He could expose her mind-reading ability with just a few words, but he could no longer hear what she was thinking.

After leaving the palace, Yun Kui took Yue Xiu straight to the Imperial Street and spent two whole days making something herself.

As evening fell, the dark sandalwood carriage slowly came to a stop outside the Marquis of Wuning's residence.

When the Marquis of Wuning and his wife learned of the Crown Prince's arrival, they hurriedly came out to pay their respects.

The Crown Prince seemed to be in a bad mood today. He arrived with a tense face, his already dark and deep eyes were as cold as an icy pool, and his aura was sharp and intimidating.

Marquis Wu Ning forced a smile: "The Crown Princess has gone out and not returned. I have already sent people to look for her. Your Highness, why don't you come into the mansion for tea and wait a moment?"

The Crown Prince said coldly, "No need for trouble, I will wait for her here."

Marquis Wu Ning sighed inwardly, secretly worrying about his daughter.

This girl was truly spoiled and became arrogant, thinking that the Crown Prince was like her parents, able to pamper her unconditionally and let her do whatever she wanted without uttering a word of reproach. Today was the Crown Prince's birthday, and he had reminded her, but the daughter only left a "I know" and slipped out of the mansion, not returning all day. The Crown Prince himself came to pick her up, and they still had to wait for her.

If this were an official from the imperial court, he would have already run to apologize in a panic.

Lady Qi kept looking towards the alley entrance. When she saw her own carriage slowly approaching, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. She bowed to the Crown Prince and then pulled her husband into the mansion. The two of them hid under the eaves to listen to the commotion.

Yun Kui had just heard from a servant that the Crown Prince had personally come to the mansion to fetch her, and she didn't dare to delay for a moment after finishing her preparations, so she hurried back.

The man's expression was indeed displeased; his tall and imposing figure stood imposingly, and the coldness in his eyes was almost tangible.

Yun Kui jumped off the carriage, and before the man could even unleash his fury, she immediately rushed forward and hugged him, nuzzling her face against his chest, and sweetly said, "Happy birthday, Your Highness!"

The Marquis of Wuning, hiding in the shadows, was utterly astonished. His daughter actually dared to hug His Highness the Crown Prince like that!

Lady Qi, who had witnessed the Crown Prince forcibly kissing her daughter, seemed unsurprised and, together with her husband, hid behind the latticed window to peek.

The anger that had been building up in the prince's chest for so long was easily dispelled by the girl's soft touch. He looked down at her, his voice still cold: "You still know that today is my birthday."

Yun Kui hurriedly replied, "Of course I know! The birthday gift has already been prepared for Your Highness! It took me two whole days to prepare. I kept it from you so that I could give you a surprise."

The crown prince, his face taut and his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, pulled her off him. "I don't need birthday gifts."

"If you can't satisfy me..."

Yun Kui linked arms with him: "Whether you're satisfied or not, we'll know after we see it!"

After speaking, she quietly waved goodbye to the Marquis of Wuning and his wife, who were hiding behind the latticed window. With her mind-reading ability, her parents could no longer hide from her!

The young couple boarded the carriage, and Yun Kui excitedly handed him the brocade box in her hand, "Your Highness, would you like to open it and take a look?"

The crown prince curled his lip: "Playing hard to get."

What kind of congratulatory gift needs to be kept from him and can only be prepared after two days away from the palace?

With his fingertips, he unlocked the copper lock, and the contents inside slowly came into view. The prince's affection stirred slightly.

This is... a clay sculpture of a little crown princess.

The tiny clay figure is about half the size of a palm, with a smiling, painted face. It wears a painted, light red ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), just like his crown princess. It's very cute.

The Crown Prince almost immediately remembered that he had indeed had a momentary absurd thought that morning, wanting to shrink her to the size of a thumb and carry her with him at all times. She heard this and secretly sculpted this little clay figure that looked seven or eight parts like her outside the palace, wanting it to accompany him.

Yun Kui stole a glance at his expression, "Does Your Highness like it?"

The Crown Prince held his young Crown Princess in his hands, caressed her for a moment, and said calmly, "The craftsmanship is not bad, very much like yours, but this is too childish for me..."

"Give it back if you don't like it!"

Yun Kui angrily tried to snatch it away, but the Crown Prince easily lifted the clay figure high. Yun Kui threw herself into his arms, and in the ensuing struggle, the little Crown Princess fell from the sky, burying her head in the Crown Prince's clothes, sliding down his chest and abdomen, and finally lying peacefully on his waist.

Crown Prince: "..."

Yun Kui: "As you wish!"

Three days later, the Crown Prince prepared a return gift for her.

"Open the second drawer in the hidden compartment and take a look."

Yun Kui opened it out of curiosity and found two brocade boxes inside.

He didn't say which one, so she opened the left one. When she saw what was inside, Yun Kui was slightly taken aback.

It turned out to be the hair tied together on their wedding day.

That night, the red ribbon was replaced with hair, intertwined with a lock of her black hair, truly becoming husband and wife.

Yun Kui's eyes welled up with tears. She didn't say anything, but stared at him for a long time before closing them.

She opened another brocade box, and her eyes lit up. Inside was a clay figure that looked remarkably like the Crown Prince!

The Crown Prince gazed at melancholyly and said, “I am busy with state affairs and I fear that you will miss me every day, so I made this clay figure to keep you company.”

Yun Kui bit her lip. She had noticed that ever since he had revealed his true feelings, this person no longer pretended and often said shameless things!

Who misses him?

On the kang table, two small clay figures face each other, lips touching.

Inside the red candle-curtained tent, their bodies were tightly intertwined. The night breeze rustled, and the thin gauze curtains rippled. The golden hooks shattered the candlelight, and the spring scenery stirred their hearts.

(End of article)

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Thank you again for your support, everyone! May both Yun Kui and the Prince's storylines be filled with happiness. See you in the next book! [Sprinkling flowers]