Chapter 20 Fragrant, soft, and beautiful...
The crown prince exchanged a glance with her, then looked coldly at Cao Yuanlu.
What kind of questions are these!
Previously, the interrogation was mostly about "where you previously worked" and "who you met before entering the Eastern Palace," but Cao Yuanlu considered that these women were all palace maids who served the emperor, which was different from ordinary palace women, so the interrogation method was naturally different.
Out of personal consideration, Cao Yuanlu did not want his prince to be too lonely and aloof.
The late Emperor and Empress Huigong were so loving. If they knew that Your Highness is still all alone, they would probably be worried in heaven.
Cao Yuanlu would be happy to see any of these beauties who are not afraid of power, are gentle and dutiful, and wish to stay by His Highness's side.
After all, it was a fact that the late emperor did not have many children. Cao Yuanlu hoped that his own prince would be healthy and have many children. He didn't need to have three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines like Emperor Chunming, but having a few gentle and considerate women by his side would be comforting.
Moreover, after several days of interrogation, Cao Yuanlu could see that his prince had keen eyes. No matter what questions he asked, he could tell at a glance whether someone was a good person or a bad person after a few questions.
The crown prince lowered his eyes and drank his tea, no longer interfering.
The four people took turns answering the questions.
The master of ceremonies racked his brains: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is of noble status, far beyond my reach. It is my honor to serve Your Highness."
Simen racked her brains and said, "Your Highness is brave and skilled in battle, and is very powerful. He has expanded the territory of the Great Zhao. I admire him as if he were a god."
The accountant blushed and said, "Your Highness is so handsome and elegant, a true celestial being. This servant is willing to serve Your Highness wholeheartedly."
With each sentence spoken by the three people in front of her, Yun Kui's heart sank a little further. They had said everything they wanted to say, so what else could she say?
Could it be that she's most attracted to the Crown Prince's body?
The crown prince frowned and glanced at her with displeasure.
The little girl was also peeking at him, but when she saw him look up, she quickly looked away.
The Crown Prince said in a deep voice, "Next question."
Having received the Crown Prince's order, Cao Yuanlu dared not disobey and quickly continued with the next question: "What abilities do you all possess that could be of service to Your Highness?"
Once again, the master of ceremonies took the lead. She secretly groaned in her heart and carefully considered her words before saying, "This servant has some knowledge of poetry and literature and can compose poems with Your Highness."
Referring to the master of ceremonies' reply, the servant replied, "This servant is skilled in playing the pipa and may play for Your Highness."
The accountant added, "This servant is skilled in singing and dancing and can help Your Highness relieve your worries and boredom."
Yun Kui: "..."
"I strongly suspect that everyone here is targeting me."
"Although I don't have any great abilities, I'm fragrant, soft, and pretty, and Your Highness likes to sleep with me. Is this something I can say?"
The prince's hand holding the teacup froze, and his face darkened.
"Next question."
The Crown Prince spoke again, and this time everyone couldn't help but raise their eyes to look at Yun Kui, who was kneeling on the far right.
"Why is she the only one who doesn't need to answer? The Crown Prince's favoritism is too obvious!"
Only when they caught a glimpse of the Crown Prince's gloomy face did they all lower their heads again.
Cao Yuanlu smiled at Yun Kui, cleared his throat, and began the third question.
As the saying goes, courtesy comes before force. He didn't press them with harsh words right away because of their special status. The beauties only said nice things, and Cao Yuanlu couldn't see anything amiss. The Crown Prince didn't judge their fate with just a few words like he had when interrogating others.
When asked the third question, Cao Yuanlu finally got to the point: "Do you all have other purposes for staying in the Eastern Palace?"
After several days of interrogation, Cao Yuanlu discovered that this kind of question was the easiest for the Crown Prince to see through.
Under the Crown Prince's sharp gaze, the master of ceremonies replied in a trembling voice, "This servant only wishes to serve the Crown Prince and has no other purpose."
"If possible, I would like to gain the Crown Prince's favor and ask for his permission to bring my father and younger brother, who have been exiled to this harsh land, back home so that my brother can have the opportunity to take the imperial examinations and continue the family's glory."
The family of the master of ceremonies was implicated and their property was confiscated because of the uncle who embezzled a huge amount of public funds. The men were exiled to the border and the women were sent to the brothel. The once happy family was ruined just like that.
She entered the Eastern Palace hoping to do something for her family, but unfortunately, the Crown Prince is violent and unpredictable, and she still dares not get close to him.
Upon hearing her innermost thoughts, the Crown Prince expressionlessly tapped his little finger.
He was no saint, not someone who would show compassion to everyone. The system of collective punishment had its reasons. Who knew whether her father was completely unaware or concealed it for the sake of wealth and status? Moreover, everyone is equal under the law. Even if it was his own wife's family, he would never easily show favoritism or disregard the law because of a whispered rumor.
Cao Yuanlu looked at the gatekeeper.
The atmosphere seemed to suddenly become heavy. Si Men clenched her fingers and said nervously, "This servant feels the same way."
"The Emperor's brother-in-law wants me to seduce His Highness the Crown Prince, but I have no chance to get close to him at all."
When the Crown Prince tapped his middle finger, Qin Ge knew what was going on.
When it was her turn to be the accountant, she appropriately revealed her ambition: "This servant only wishes to stay by Your Highness's side and gain Your Highness's favor."
"Although His Highness the Crown Prince is seriously injured, he is still the Crown Prince. If one can gain the Crown Prince's favor, one will at least become a concubine in the future!"
The crown prince was slightly taken aback, but he did take another look at her.
This glance wasn't for any other reason than a sudden thought that this same voice had once murmured something to me—
"What's so great about her? Is it just because she's prettier, has bigger breasts, and a smaller waist?"
The accountant had been secretly watching the Crown Prince, and when he realized the Crown Prince was also looking at him, he could hardly contain his joy.
However, the crown prince's gaze only lingered on her for a moment before turning to her side.
The longer that gaze lingered, the more uneasy the accountant felt.
"Why are you looking at that little bitch again?"
Yun Kui noticed the prince's slightly cool gaze, and her shoulders trembled slightly.
Too many people have died in the Eastern Palace these past few days, and she is filled with anxiety and fear. No one has a guilty conscience more than her.
The poison, lip rouge, and silver notes are still hidden in her side hall. She wants to find a place to bury them but is afraid of being discovered. She wants to return the items to the people who came to find her in private, but those two people have never appeared again. Perhaps they have died in this purge.
As for the secret medicine given to her by the Empress, she didn't dare to return it.
Even if she confesses voluntarily, will the Crown Prince believe her innocence? It will only hasten her death!
If we're talking about having ulterior motives or hidden agendas, she at most falls into only two categories: greed and lust.
But does that mean he should die?
Yun Kui was overcome with grief.
The prince sipped his tea, listening calmly to her sobbing heartfelt words. If she were to openly and honestly repent and change her ways, he might spare her life.
"Does being greedy and lustful mean one should die?"
"If I hadn't been greedy for those ten taels of gold, the Crown Prince wouldn't have woken up so quickly after taking the medicine."
"As for being lustful, who isn't? But I only ever had those desires in my heart; I've never crossed the line even once, except for that one time when I offered him my breasts..."
Cao Yuanlu waited for a long time but didn't hear her reply. However, he saw his prince's gloomy and murderous expression and couldn't help but ask, "Miss Yun Kui?"
Yun Kui snapped out of her daze, remembering Si Men's answer, and quickly repeated, "The same goes for me."
The accountant gritted his teeth inwardly: "Who gave you permission to be like me!"
The four of them gave their answers outwardly, but their true feelings continued to surface.
Master of Ceremonies: "I wonder why the Crown Prince asks this? Is there a traitor among us?"
Si Men: "Was the Crown Prince looking at me just now? Does he know something...?"
Yun Kui: "Actually, I'd rather live a peaceful life until I'm twenty-five, leave the palace, save enough money, marry a strong and healthy guard, and live the rest of my life without shame. Hmm, preferably someone with a similar build to His Highness the Crown Prince—tall and upright, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist..."
The Crown Prince gritted his teeth and sneered, rising from his armchair and staring darkly at the reckless young girl before turning and leaving without looking back. Seeing that the Crown Prince gave no further instructions, Qin Ge said to Cao Yuanlu, "The Master of Ceremonies shall send her back to the Music Bureau, the Director shall continue the interrogation, and the other two beauties... shall remain for now."
Si Men's face turned ashen, and he immediately knelt down, crying and begging for mercy. The other three were also terrified.
After all, Si Men was their companion who was chatting and laughing with them just before today, and they didn't seem to have anything unusual about her. No one expected that she would be detained by the Crown Prince and who knows what fate awaits her.
The master of ceremonies was about to be sent back to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution). He felt a sense of loss but also a sense of relief. So be it. Given the Crown Prince's temperament, he might not even be able to save his life, let alone gain favor.
Although the accountant was afraid, she was secretly delighted. She had thought that the master of ceremonies was elegant and refined, while the head maid was charming and graceful, and would be more favored by the crown prince. Unexpectedly, she was the one who was left behind.
Yun Kui was covered in cold sweat, never expecting to escape another disaster.
But every time His Highness the Crown Prince looked at her, it was as if he wanted to devour her alive.
Heaven can bear witness, she did nothing!
Cao Yuanlu was initially worried for her, after all, the girl's room was full of irrefutable evidence of colluding with outsiders to murder the Crown Prince. He wondered if His Highness wanted to observe for a while longer, or wait for her to make a move and then catch her in one fell swoop.
Chengguang Hall.
Liang Jin selected the best incense materials overnight and worked for several days to finally create a blend of incense that most closely matched the scent of the palace maid who had served him. He immediately came to see the Crown Prince.
The incense cakes were lit in the gilded dragon-shaped incense burner on the table, emitting wisps of blue smoke, and a soft, warm fragrance drifted gently in the air.
Liang Jin explained from the side, "I repeatedly blended and tested the scents of sunflower, pear blossom, lavender, bamboo leaves, osmanthus, and water chestnut, and finally came up with this blend. I wonder if it matches the scent on that young lady?"
The prince listened intently and quickly gave his assessment: "The aroma is too strong, and it is too bitter and not sweet enough."
Liang Jin inwardly groaned. A person's scent is inherently difficult to replicate with incense, especially since he had only briefly been in contact with the woman. It was already quite an achievement to be able to create a scent that was seven or eight parts similar to hers.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. Please allow me to try again after I return."
The Crown Prince said calmly, "Hmm."
That night, he did not summon Yun Kui to serve him in bed, but instead used the blended incense prepared by Liang Jin.
In fact, Liang Jin was right; they were already seven or eight parts similar. However, he and Yun Kui slept together every night, and he was more familiar with her scent, so he could naturally detect the subtle differences.
In particular, since he wanted to use this fragrance to replace Yun Kui to relieve his headaches, he had to be even more strict in his perfumery work.
But after one night, the conclusion was that a small difference can lead to a huge error.
Cao Yuanlu led people in to help him wash up, but was shocked to find that his master's face was pale and cold, and his phoenix eyes were bloodshot, indicating that he had not slept all night.
He stepped forward with a worried expression. "Your Highness, has your headache flared up again?"
The Crown Prince remained noncommittal, his fingertips pressed against his forehead, his hoarse voice filled with deep weariness: "Summon Yun Kui in."
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