Chapter 5 "But you're trembling."...

As the saying goes, "to judge a person, you must first look at their face," and "to catch a thief, you must first catch the king." Yun Kui is a sucker for good looks, and even in this extremely tense atmosphere, she can't help but pay attention to the other person's face.

Moreover, the face before her was beyond description with her limited vocabulary.

For a moment, she even wondered if this was a hallucination she had before her death.

She imagined that His Highness the Crown Prince wasn't such a fierce and menacing figure, but rather a gentle and refined gentleman, who would ask her in the most tender tone—

You can choose between a thousand taels of silver and becoming my Crown Princess.

Of course she would choose... the former!

Men will change their minds, but only the money you actually hold in your hands will never betray you.

However, a cold sneer quickly shattered her illusions, "You were the one who fed me medicine last time?"

Startled, Yun Kui quickly came to her senses and lowered her head, saying, "Yes...it was this servant."

The Crown Prince heard her thoughts clearly and was surprised that this girl still had such unrealistic fantasies even when she was about to die.

Does the Empress have no one else at her disposal? She actually sent over such an idiot.

Yun Kui lowered her head and suddenly felt a chill on her neck, which made her shiver.

Then her chin was slowly lifted by the man's cold, pale fingers.

The scene of being choked in my dream immediately flooded my mind.

The prince slowly and deliberately stroked the location of her carotid artery. The seemingly insignificant pressure sent shivers down her spine, making her feel almost suffocated.

She even felt that, even though he was still seriously injured, he could easily break her neck as easily as crushing an ant.

The crown prince stared at her with his dark eyes and spoke softly, "You have served the medicine well. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

"I want to live, can you give me that? Waaaaah!"

Yun Kui was inwardly crying, but she still answered obediently and respectfully, "It is my greatest honor to serve Your Highness. I dare not take credit for it, especially since Her Majesty the Empress has already rewarded me."

“The Empress is the Empress, and I am I,” the Crown Prince said with a smile. “I have always been fair in rewarding and punishing. You may ask me anything, and I will not refuse.”

"I already said I didn't want it, are you still going on and on?!"

"I want to see your pecs, can I?"

The prince's unwavering expression finally changed slightly.

What are those two words...?

It seems he was seriously injured for too long, and even his hearing seems to have deteriorated.

Yun Kui didn't know how to answer. Her service in serving medicine wasn't that great, so how could she ask the Crown Prince for a pardon? Who did she think she was?

If one were to ask for the favor of leaving the palace, it would be to clearly tell the Crown Prince: I am afraid of death and dare not serve you. You should find someone else!

Having no other option, she could only look to Aunt Wei for help.

Aunt Wei forced a smile and quickly said, "This girl is honest and has no improper thoughts. It is already a great blessing for His Highness to keep her to serve him."

Yun Kui nodded obediently.

The crown prince stared at her, a faint smile playing on his lips: "You're willing to serve me?"

Yun Kui was forced to meet his gaze, swallowing hard. "This...this servant is willing."

"Nonsense, would I say no? That would be suicide!"

"But you're trembling," the prince said coldly, exposing her true colors.

Right? She had been trembling ever since she entered the hall. Perhaps it was because of this powerful figure's presence that Chengguang Hall was as cold as an ice cellar, even though it wasn't winter yet. Especially in front of the Crown Prince, she was so nervous that her teeth were chattering.

Especially when those dark, shadowy eyes stare at you, the fear that seeps into your very bones is truly uncontrollable.

Just like now.

She found that she was shaking even more violently.

Before anyone could react, gasps of alarm from the crowd filled the hall: "Your Highness! His Highness has vomited blood!"

At the same time, a few drops of warm, bright red liquid appeared on the back of her hand.

As for the scene before her eyes, Yun Kui was certain that this would be a nightmare for the rest of her life.

The man chuckled softly, his whole body trembling. Blood spilled from the corner of his pale mouth, quickly staining a large area of ​​his chest. He wore a wide, dark robe, looking like a vengeful ghost seeking revenge.

Yun Kui held her breath, the last vestige of her reason telling her that she should quickly step back and let the imperial physician come forward to treat her.

But she found herself unable to move at all, or even breathe—a large, blood-stained hand slowly gripped her neck.

"And now?"

A deep, husky voice rang out.

Now? What do you mean?

Yun Kui found herself increasingly unable to understand human speech.

The crown prince stared intently at her, then asked again, seemingly impatiently, "Do you still wish to serve me?"

Yun Kui was forced to lift her chin, and began to have some difficulty breathing.

"Boss, if you're going to ask a question, can you please not choke me while you're asking it?!"

"Your Majesty, I hate you! I told you I couldn't serve this wretch, but you still forced me to! Waaah..."

Hearing her inner thoughts, the Crown Prince smiled with satisfaction: "Finally, you admit it."

Yun Kui: "..."

Is he talking to her? What did she admit to?!

She didn't seem to say anything...

The force around his neck gradually tightened, and Yun Kui watched as the veins on the back of his hand bulged, his dark, inky eyes growing even more gloomy.

She was overwhelmed by unprecedented fear, and just when she was about to lose her breath, the hand that was gripping her neck suddenly loosened its grip.

Then he lay limply on the bed, still bleeding.

Yun Kui, freed from her restraints, clutched her neck and gasped for breath, tears streaming down her face.

The crown prince vomited blood and fainted, causing an uproar in the palace. Imperial physicians and palace servants rushed forward, while Yun Kui scrambled to escape the danger zone.

She... got her life back?

Or did it merely delay the time of death?

Aunt Wei gestured for her to step aside and asked, "Are you alright? Did His Highness hurt you?"

The girl's face was covered in tears, and her neck and clothes were stained with blood, with clear handprints visible. She looked extremely disheveled.

The fear of impending death slowly subsided. Yun Kui swallowed hard, touched the bloodstains on her neck, and realized that the blood was not hers. Thank goodness.

"I'm fine," she shook her head, "I'm useless, I'm afraid I can't serve you..."

"It's good that you're alright," Aunt Wei interrupted her. "His Highness the Crown Prince not only didn't take your life, but also rewarded you. This shows that he looks up to you. This means he wants you to stay by his side to serve him."

Yun Kui: "..."

No, which eye of yours saw His Highness mean that? Didn't you see him choking me?! She only escaped because he vomited blood and fainted!

Ignoring her mournful gaze, Aunt Wei instructed, "Go and clean her up first, so as not to offend His Highness's eyes."

Yun Kui gritted her teeth and had no choice but to agree.

Turning her head, the three accountants looked at her with mixed feelings: sympathy, lingering fear, a sense of relief that she hadn't been caught in the crossfire, and a very obvious hint of... well, jealousy.

Yun Kui: "..."

Could it be because of Aunt Wei's words about showing favoritism?

Did you guys see the blood on my neck?! Do you want this good fortune?!

Yun Kui went back and took a hot shower, scrubbing the blood off her body vigorously.

Living in Chengguang Hall was not without its advantages. For example, at this time, they did not have to squeeze into the alleyway to bathe with all the palace servants. There was a separate clean room for them in the side hall.

The Crown Prince was fond of cleanliness, so the palace servants had to be clean and tidy from head to toe. Their clothes had to be completely free of dirt and odor. Even the cosmetics, hair oil, and soap used by the palace maids had to be free of strong fragrances. Therefore, Aunt Wei prepared only light and elegant fragrances for them.

The food was also very particular. Onions, ginger, and garlic were forbidden, and all fishy and strong-smelling foods had to be consumed with caution, otherwise the Crown Prince would lose his head if the smell bothered him.

Yun Kui worked for a long time, her hands almost raw, before she could completely wash the bloodstains off her dress.

After being so frightened by the Crown Prince, she couldn't even eat. After finishing all her work, she was completely exhausted and fell asleep as soon as she lay down on the bed.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but she felt her whole body being shaken violently. While she was still asleep, her eyelids were forcibly pried open.

Yun Kui: ...This is murder!

Upon waking up, I realized that the situation seemed to be more serious than murder.

The one who woke her up was Cuixiang, a palace maid from the East Palace, whom she had met a few days ago.

Cuixiang hurriedly woke her up, saying, "Sister Yunkui, why did you sleep for so long? His Highness the Crown Prince needs his dressing changed and his body wiped down. Aunt Wei asked me to call you over..."

Yun Kui, still half asleep, sat up and remained dazed for a while before her senses returned and she immediately opened her eyes wide.

Change the prince's dressings and wipe his body?

Let her come?!