Chapter 66 "Is this the effect you wanted?"...

When the Crown Prince entered, Yun Kui was sitting on the couch with a worried look on her face, flipping through a storybook idly.

Upon seeing him arrive, she instinctively curled her fingers and stood up properly. "Your Highness, you...interrogated my cousin?"

The crown prince sat down to drink tea and simply hummed in agreement.

Yun Kui: "So, what did you ask him?"

The crown prince countered, "What are you afraid I'll ask him?"

Yun Kui pursed her lips tightly. Although she had tried her best to convince herself that wealth and glory were fleeting and love was hard to last, and she was originally just a lowly palace maid, and now she was only in a worse situation.

But deep down, she still didn't want him to know how badly she had been talked about, even though she hadn't done anything wrong. That's just how the world is; her birth was destined to be accompanied by cold stares and insults.

She couldn't choose her birth, but like everyone else, she came into this world in a daze, striving to survive every day. What did she do wrong?

The crown prince listened silently to her heartfelt words, pondered for a long time, and then asked, "Do you want to know who your biological father is?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Yun Kui's heart clenched.

It's as if a thick, old scab has suddenly fallen off, revealing thin, fragile skin. The wound looks like it's healed, but if you rub it hard with your fingertips, bright red blood will still seep out from your heart.

Her hands and feet were ice-cold, and her voice trembled slightly, "Your Highness... you found out? Qi Chengye knows?"

The crown prince shook his head: "No."

Yun Kui seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, her heart filled with mixed feelings, mostly confusion and resistance. She didn't know how to face this man who had never appeared in her life, yet had brought her and her mother endless pain.

She asked, somewhat hesitantly, "Why does Your Highness suddenly want to know this?"

The Crown Prince said, "Some things need to be verified."

He needed to know who this man was who had put his wife and daughter in such a difficult situation.

Whether it's seeking justice for her or reuniting her with her father, he needs to be clear about what to do in the future.

"However, since you are unwilling to mention it, I will not mention it."

Yun Kui asked in a low voice, "Does Your Highness also know about my mother and my uncle's family?"

The Crown Prince stared at her slightly reddened eyes and said, "We know everything that can be found out."

Yun Kui's voice was even lower and trembling slightly: "Actually, my mother was kind-hearted, hardworking and down-to-earth. She earned money with her own hands, and all the neighbors used to praise her. She only made one mistake, but everyone scorned her and branded her with a mark for life... But I have never blamed her."

The crown prince sighed, said nothing more, leaned slightly, and pulled the person into his arms.

Yun Kui was enveloped in the man's warm embrace, her earlobe pressed against his steady, powerful heartbeat. It took her a long time to react before she asked, "Your Highness, aren't you angry?"

The Crown Prince said coldly, "I am very angry."

Yun Kui's body stiffened slightly, and she was about to break free from his embrace when someone pressed her lower back tightly.

The Crown Prince looked down at her. "Don't you know what my purpose was in giving you Huaiqing and Huaizhu? To be insulted in the street and still swallow your anger, you're really something. Don't you even know how to use someone else's power?"

Yun Kui pursed her lips: "How dare I, a mere palace maid, borrow the power of the tiger?"

The Crown Prince scoffed, "If you had even a tenth or a twelfth of the courage you have in front of me, you wouldn't have been bullied like that."

Yun Kui: "I wasn't afraid of causing trouble for Your Highness, but if I really killed someone..."

The crown prince interrupted, "What difference would it make if I killed him?"

Yun Kui stared at him blankly, then suddenly realized something, "Your Highness wouldn't have killed my cousin, would you?"

The crown prince narrowed his eyes slightly: "What, you're reluctant to part with it?"

"How could this be?" Yun Kui wasn't particularly moved. "I just didn't expect to see him here. He's still the same, just as annoying as before..."

The Crown Prince recalled Qi Chengye's words, and how many times he had bullied her since she was a child, even once treating her as his fiancée and making suggestive remarks. He was filled with rage, and even being torn to pieces would not be enough to vent his anger.

Slitting his throat would be too lenient on him. Cutting out the tongue and breaking the limbs of such a despicable scoundrel and leaving him in the middle of the city would make him suffer a fate worse than death, even without his own efforts. The thugs from the gambling dens and brothels would make him wish he were dead. Even if he survived the next ten days, the law would not spare his life.

The crown prince's tone gradually turned cold: "He has committed crimes and swindled people. Even if I don't kill him, he will surely die."

Yun Kui nodded hurriedly.

The Crown Prince's gaze darkened slightly: "If you are so cowardly again, and don't fight back when bullied, I..."

"So what if I'm alone?"

The phrase suddenly popped into Yun Kui's mind. Realizing what she meant, her face flushed red, and she cried out, "Your Highness, I didn't mean to..."

The crown prince laughed in anger, "Do you think I haven't heard you before? You've been incredibly audacious, and this isn't the first or second time. The fact that I've tolerated you is already an act of divine grace."

Yun Kui nodded vigorously, like a pecking motion.

The Crown Prince continued, "If there is a next time, and someone treats you like a pushover, I will not let you off lightly."

His tone was cold and hard, yet it stirred ripples in her heart.

She inexplicably recalled his sudden use of the word "Madam," and his words that she didn't need to consider the consequences, that he would take care of everything. Half-jokingly, she asked, "Can I really use someone else's power to bully me? What if the person who wants to harm me is someone of extremely high status, someone I can't afford to offend?"

The Crown Prince said, "If you can afford to offend me, then what use am I?"

Too.

Yun Kui boldly probed again, "What if it's a high-ranking official like the Marquis of Ningde's heir, or even the Empress herself?"

The prince smiled, half-jokingly, and said, "You can give it a try."

Yun Kui shrugged; she wouldn't dare.

The Crown Prince said, "In short, remember this: I will take care of everything. Huaiqing and Huaizhu will follow you from now on. Don't act like cowards when you go out and embarrass me."

Yun Kui smiled and said, "Mm."

The Crown Prince remained silent for a long time, but she still didn't mention it. Finally, he couldn't help but ask, "By the way, where is that armor? Show it to me."

"Armor?"

Yun Kui was so taken aback by this unexpected remark that her jaw nearly dropped.

"Did someone tell him? Was it Huaiqing or Huaizhu?"

"I'm thinking of waiting a bit before asking him to wear it. After all, something so big happened today, I don't think he'll be in a good mood."

The Crown Prince frowned: "Since you know I'm in a bad mood, why don't you just take it out? Why are you being so secretive?"

Yun Kui: "..."

"Boss, you'll understand once you see the real thing."

The crown prince had a vague sense of foreboding.

Was the armor so ugly, or so useless, that she actually had to beg him to wear it?

Even Huai Qing and Huai Zhu thought that he was very likely to fly into a rage over this.

"It's alright." The Crown Prince acted very magnanimously. "You've always been carefree, so it's rare for you to have the heart to prepare a gift for me. Even if it's unsightly, I'll gladly accept it."

Yun Kui immediately jumped for joy: "Are you really going to wear it for me?"

The Crown Prince sensed something was amiss, but still patted her on the shoulder encouragingly, "Let me see it first."

Yun Kui then went to the display case to retrieve the brocade box, and hesitated before leaving, "Your Highness, why don't you close your eyes first?"

Crown Prince: "Do not close."

Yun Kui: "..."

The prince's curiosity was piqued; he wanted to see if this armor could be anything but extraordinary.

Until the tiny gold chain was slowly taken out of the brocade box, and with the girl's sly smile, the gold chain slowly unfolded at her fingertips, finally transforming into a style resembling a full set of necklaces. The prince's expression changed from initial curiosity to furrowed brows, and finally to gritting his teeth and laughing in extreme anger.

"This is the armor you prepared for me...?"

Yun Kui said awkwardly, "I was originally going to make you armor, but I was afraid you might be attacked outside and get seriously injured, which could kill you..."

The prince pointed to the two gold pieces inlaid with rubies and the sapphire that hung around his navel, his forehead veins throbbing: "Is this what you call protecting your vitals?"

Yun Kui hurriedly explained, "It was the shopkeeper who misunderstood me. He thought I was doing this to... to flirt with someone. I was very surprised when I saw it."

Crown Prince: "But you still bought it back."

He saw right through her little scheme, so Yun Kui simply stopped pretending. Anyway, he could read minds and already knew she was a soft-boiled egg, easily poked until the yolk came out. So she finally saw through him, blinked, and looked at him with a smile.

"Although it wasn't my intention, I really want to see His Highness the Crown Prince wear it! It's just so, so beautiful! If you wore this, you would definitely be the most handsome man in the world! I'd be so smitten I'd get a nosebleed!"

I suddenly realized that it's much easier to express these unspeakable and sentimental words from the heart.

The crown prince coldly parted his lips, refusing decisively: "Don't even think about it, I won't wear it."

Yun Kui pleaded pitifully, "Please, just give it a try, please!"

"I'm so sad today. If someone would wear a gold chain for me even once, I would kiss and hug them. That person is my absolute favorite!"

The crown prince curled his lip: "You still dare to like someone else?"

"What happened to our promised bed partner? I'll be your antidote, so what's wrong with you pleasing me in return!"

His face turned cold, and he turned to leave, but Yun Kui called out to him anxiously in her heart.

"Of course I only like Your Highness! But if Your Highness were willing to wear it for me even once, I would like you even more, I would like you the most!"

No matter how she called out, the person walked away without turning back, and Yun Kui sat back down on the chaise lounge in frustration.

After the Crown Prince finished his bath in the evening, Yun Kui also prepared to go to the clean room to bathe. As she walked along the corridor, she saw the rockery and flowers in the courtyard and couldn't help but sigh in her heart. Although the conditions here were not as good as in the palace, it was still beautiful with carved beams and painted rafters, and every place was picturesque.

Seeing her curiosity, Cao Yuanlu explained, "This is His Highness's private residence in Pingzhou Prefecture. Our Highness has acquired properties in major cities and towns across various provinces, so he has a place to stay when he travels incognito, doesn't he?"

Yun Kui asked in surprise, "With businesses in every place, wouldn't you be richer than a country?"

Cao Yuanlu smiled and said, "Your Highness is the foundation of the nation. He is the very foundation of the nation and will surely be the ruler of the world in the future, possessing the four seas and ruling over the nine provinces. All the land, wealth and treasures of the world will be under the emperor's control."

Yun Kui didn't understand these flowery words, but she understood one thing—His Highness the Crown Prince wasn't just incredibly wealthy; he was the country itself.

Cao Yuanlu smiled and said, "The young lady is deeply favored by His Highness, and she will enjoy endless wealth and honor in the future."

Yun Kui sighed inwardly, thinking that one would have to be alive to enjoy it.

As Cao Yuanlu watched her go inside, he recalled hearing His Highness call him "Madam" on the street and began to understand what was going on.

Although the woman before him was only a palace maid, she was highly favored by His Highness and was called "Madam" by the common people. She held the position of the principal wife in His Highness's heart. Ordinary people might deliberately say some nice things to flatter others, but His Highness's words were as good as gold and as weighty as gold. He would definitely not just say it.

Even now, the girl is still confused, unaware of the great fortune that awaits her in the future.

After the prince finished bathing and returned to his room, the chattering in her mind still echoed in his ears.

Unable to resist, he took out the gold chain again and examined it closely.

Looking at the placement of the tassels and gemstones, he almost laughed in exasperation.

What did she take him for, a male prostitute from a brothel?

How could a prince like him dress like this? Even assassins would laugh three times upon seeing him.

But she said she would be so smitten with him that she'd get a nosebleed, and she'd kiss and hug him. She said that once he wore it, she would only like him, and would like him the most...

The crown prince sneered. She was heartless and thoughtless. What did she know about liking someone? Did she think she would like anyone who dressed up for her?

Is it those bloated, fat rich men who can pull off the look, or those filthy, sweaty guards who can look good in it?

The Crown Prince pondered for a long time, gritted his teeth, got up and walked to the corridor, and said to Qin Ge: "Everyone, retreat outside the courtyard. Without my orders, no one is allowed to approach the main house tonight."

Qin Ge paused for a moment, then quickly cupped his hands in acceptance.

After Yun Kui finished bathing, she returned to find the Crown Prince sitting on the edge of the bed in a snow-white nightgown, gazing at her with a deep, melancholic look.

The thought that he might want her made her legs feel weak for no reason. She cautiously approached and heard a rustling sound of metal scraping that seemed to be hidden in the shadows. Before she could ask anything, her wrist was suddenly tightened, and the next moment, she was pulled close and pressed down on him.

Before her heart had even stopped pounding, she saw a thin gold collar around the man's neck, below his prominent Adam's apple. Further down, inside his slightly open robe, a chain snaked down through his cleavage, its subtle gold shimmering on his smooth, taut muscles.

Yun Kui felt her heart stop beating for a moment.

The crown prince's gaze was deep, and his voice was hoarse: "Is this the effect you wanted?"

Yun Kui was completely stunned, but she couldn't hide the amazement and excitement in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up: "Yes, absolutely!"

She reached out tremblingly, slipped her hand inside his clothes to caress his chest muscles, and then touched the smooth, exquisite ruby ​​gold piece. She gently pressed it down, and the man's breathing immediately became erratic. Then, a domineering and forceful kiss landed on his lips.