Chapter 4

Chapter 4

At least this fool had a bit of conscience. He knew to worry about my injuries.

Of course I hadn’t spent my own silver on medicine.

I’d traded those tattered books for a bruise-and-sprain ointment instead.

The eunuch who made the trade with me had grinned so wide his mouth nearly split.

Who knew how much those books were worth?

I heard they were rare, one-of-a-kind volumes worth a fortune.

I took the ointment back.

The Fifth Prince was sitting on the edge of the bed, head lowered, looking rather unhappy.

Sigh. Just look at these imperial descendants. They really were different.

Even after turning stupid, he still knew to fight me over books.

Could those things be eaten like food?

I ignored him, took off my clothes, and sat on the bed to apply the ointment to my wounds.

I had scrapes on my back and chest.

When the Fifth Prince heard me hissing in pain, he stopped sulking.

He was a particular sort of man; he even knew to wash his hands clean before helping me apply the ointment.

The two of us sat facing each other inside the bed curtains.

He lowered his eyes and rubbed the salve onto my chest, but his face grew redder and redder.

Seeing that obedient little look of his, all lowered brows and lowered eyes, stirred up a wicked fire in me.

His hand stayed at the edge of my dudou the whole time and never went any farther.

I deliberately pressed close, looped my arms around his neck, and bit his ear. “Are they big? Are they fair?”

The moment I said it, his breathing grew a little heavier.

I said smugly, “Hmph. Back at the brothel, all the sisters said my body could make any man stop dead in his tracks.”

Sigh. Shut inside this palace, there was nothing to do every day.

And the more I looked at the Fifth Prince, the more I felt he really was quite handsome.

As for me, I had a face similar to the Crown Princess. Who knew how many disasters that would bring me in the future?

Rather than wait to be ruined by some other bastard, I might as well enjoy myself properly with the Fifth Prince while I still could.

Back in the prison, I’d already found out very clearly that this man had plenty to offer!

But of all things, he had no sense of the occasion. He lifted the curtain and tried to leave.

I untied my dudou and threw it at his face, snapping, “I’m already willing to let a fool like you have a bargain! What are you running for? If you leave, I’ll call a guard in to warm my bed!”

The Fifth Prince clutched my peach-pink dudou, turned back to look at me, and said in a troubled, aggrieved voice, “Madam hurt.”

Only then did I understand. He was talking about that time in prison.

Fool!

The gloom in my heart scattered at once.

Back then, with so many people watching, I had felt a bit uncomfortable, but I’d also deliberately cried out so dramatically.

I pulled him back in and coaxed him, “Kiss me, and it won’t hurt anymore.”

Sigh!

The Fifth Prince was an excellent student.

Whatever he was taught, he learned, and he even knew how to draw inferences on his own.

I was so tired I didn’t want to move even a finger, yet he still knew to bring water over and wipe me clean.

Before we slept, he held me in his arms and gently stroked my hair.

That attitude made me feel as though I were being treated like a treasure.

My heart softened a little. I patted his back and said softly, “My name is Zheng Yao. The Yao from ‘a graceful and fair lady.’ From now on, you’re not allowed to call me by the wrong name.”

The Fifth Prince lowered his head and nuzzled my cheek, his voice warm and pleasant. “Ah Yao’s voice is so sweet. Even when you call me a fool, I love hearing it.”

Fool! He really knew how to coax a person!

I fell asleep feeling wonderfully pleased.

Living here with this fool didn’t seem so bad after all.