Chapter 34: Waning Strength

The arrival of Crown Prince Murong Bo forced the Old Madam to lead her retinue away. Before departing, she cast a vicious look at Tang Chaochao.

"Since you are so disobedient, go to the ancestral hall and kneel! You are not to leave until you realize your mistake!"

Tang Chaochao rolled her eyes, watching them leave. Jianxue hurried over to help Tang Chaochao put on her shoes.

"Miss, the Old Madam has ordered you to kneel in the ancestral hall. If you don't go, I fear she will come to trouble you again later!"

Tang Chaochao slipped on her outer robe. "Let whoever wants to go, go. Expecting me to kneel in the ancestral hall? In their dreams."

Jianxue sighed and went out to prepare breakfast for Tang Chaochao. Because of her mistress's temperament, there were not many people in their courtyard. Aside from her, the other maids were rarely close to the young lady. Jianxue understood this; the Old Madam held all the power in the household now. If the servants offended the Old Madam for the sake of the young lady, they would surely suffer for it. As for herself, she was not afraid. The Second Miss was the younger sister of the First Miss. Unable to repay the First Miss properly, she could only do her best to serve the Second Miss.

No sooner had Jianxue left than A-Bei entered. Tang Chaochao raised an eyebrow at the item in his hands. A-Bei placed it on the table.

"Miss, this was sent by A-Nan. The Prince said you look good in red."

Tang Chaochao's eyes lit up. "So this is for me?"

A-Bei nodded. Tang Chaochao immediately picked up the pelt to examine it closely. The fiery red fur was flawless—a rare treasure indeed. It must be quite valuable. Seeing that Tang Chaochao was pleased, A-Bei added, "The Prince also said that Murong Si is not as simple as he appears on the surface. You should be cautious in your cooperation with him."

Tang Chaochao looked up, puzzled. "Who said I was cooperating with him? I’m just letting them fight like dogs."

Ever since she returned to the General's Mansion, she knew the mastermind must be someone of high status. Even if she rooted that person out, her skills made it easy to kill them, but the consequences would be endless. Not only would her parents be implicated, but her maternal family would also suffer. Thus, Tang Chaochao decided to let them destroy one another. If his own sons were to slaughter each other, surely that man on the throne could blame no one else.

When Prince Lin received A-Bei’s report—that the Second Miss Tang was very fond of the fire fox pelt and had made the comment about "dogs biting dogs"—his thin lips curled upward. "Truly a little fox."

Crown Prince Murong Bo visited again because Tang Yuntao had declined his invitation, using a cold as an excuse. Tang Yuntao donned a veil to hide her disheveled appearance and curtsied to the visiting Crown Prince.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. It is merely a minor cold, nothing of consequence."

Crown Prince Murong Bo said with a pained expression, "Are the servants not taking proper care of you? The Eastern Palace has many experienced matrons and maids from the palace. I shall have some sent over to you later."

Tang Yuntao wore a look of bashful modesty, but inside, she was overjoyed. If the Crown Prince was this worried about her, it meant he truly cared. However, remembering Tang Chaochao's breathtaking beauty, she instantly suppressed the urge to complain. Men are all attracted to beauty. If the Crown Prince were to see Tang Chaochao’s bewitching face, it might well ruin her chances of becoming the Crown Princess. Therefore, Tang Yuntao did not utter a single word about Tang Chaochao’s bullying, nor did she even mention her name.

While they were caught up in mutual affection, Tang Chaochao was visiting the Prince Lin’s residence once more. Her acupuncture treatment required a month of persistence, after which she would gradually reduce the frequency, allowing Prince Lin to attempt to stand and walk.

Prince Lin reclined on his bed. The heating stove in the room was roaring, and compared to the bleak, biting wind outside, his chamber was as warm as spring. As soon as Tang Chaochao entered, a wave of warmth hit her, causing the pores on her chilled face to relax.

There was no one else in the room. Seeing the man with his robes half-undressed, Tang Chaochao couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth. He looked for all the world like a courtesan in a pleasure house. He had gone from resisting being "sold" the first time, to becoming accustomed to it, and now, he was entirely at ease.

Prince Lin watched the person standing at the door in a daze, assuming she was stunned by his appearance again. He unconsciously lifted his lips and said, "You're letting all the heat out of the room."

Tang Chaochao snapped out of it and closed the door behind her. She walked straight to the bedside and said with a playful tone, "Your Highness, in this state, you truly resemble a maiden waiting to be favored by a man."

She expected to see him darken with anger, but to her surprise, Prince Lin laughed. The smile was like the warm sun of spring, making one unwilling to look away. Tang Chaochao was only dazed for a moment before she regained her composure, muttering, "Peacock."

Prince Lin heard her. He suddenly leaned close to her small face. "Is the little fox afraid of being bewitched by my face, too?"

Tang Chaochao glared at him. "I'm worried your face will cramp from smiling, and then I'll have to treat your cramping affliction."

Prince Lin had been in a very good mood lately. He did not know if it was because his illness was nearing a cure or because of the person before him, but he simply wanted to tease this little fox. Perhaps because the room was too warm, faced with his sudden proximity, a faint pink hue appeared on Tang Chaochao’s cheeks, adding even more color to her already beautiful face.

Prince Lin watched this, his lips curling involuntarily. Just as he wanted to lean in closer to see if the little fox was truly shy, Tang Chaochao reached out and pressed her hand against his chest, pushing him away.

Prince Lin’s robes were half-open, and Tang Chaochao’s small hand pressed directly against his innermost undergarment. Her cool hand, through the thin fabric, sent a chill straight into Prince Lin’s body. His heart rate inexplicably accelerated.

Tang Chaochao frowned. "Is there something wrong with your heart, too? Why is it beating so fast?"

Prince Lin awkwardly brushed her hand away. Tang Chaochao immediately grabbed his wrist and checked his pulse. A moment later, she looked up, puzzled. "Nothing wrong?"

Prince Lin had failed to tease the little fox and instead felt as though he had been teased in return. Seeing him press his lips together in silence, Tang Chaochao smirked. *Dare to tease me, I’ll make you suffer a little.*

Sure enough, Tang Chaochao always kept her word. Prince Lin, who had never made a sound during acupuncture before, let out several muffled groans today.

As Tang Chaochao left, she turned back and grinned. "Prince Lin, you’ve been a bit weak lately!"

To this suggestive remark, Prince Lin only smiled helplessly, knowing the little girl was intentionally retaliating. "The Second Miss Tang’s handiwork is truly formidable. I was indeed unable to endure it; I hope you will show mercy next time."

A-Nan, standing at the door, was stunned. *What handiwork? Does he mean the acupuncture? And what does the Prince mean by "unable to endure it"?* He remembered when the Prince had been struck by several arrows while charging into enemy lines, yet he had still managed to behead the opposing general. When they arrived to reinforce him, the Prince was already drenched in blood, yet he hadn't uttered a single cry of pain, leading them out of the fray. Facing a few tiny silver needles, surely the Prince wouldn't even have frowned.