Chapter 17: The Personal Maid

Suddenly, the breathtakingly beautiful woman did something astonishing in front of Ye Cheng.

With a thud, she dropped to her knees before him, bowing respectfully. “Your Highness, Lin Yurou, your subordinate, greets you.”

Ye Cheng’s brows arched, his expression cold and stern. “Miss, you must have mistaken me for someone else. I am no prince.”

Ye Cheng dared not trust anyone lightly. Within this palace, a single misplaced word could cost him his life.

“Your Highness, do you not recognize me? I am Lin Yurou. We grew up together—I was your personal maid.”

A trace of surprise flickered in Lin Yurou’s eyes. Had the prince truly forgotten her?

Ye Cheng studied her face carefully. Suddenly, memories flooded his mind like a rising tide.

He remembered.

This woman was indeed his former self’s maid.

Her identity was far from simple; she was the daughter of Lin Zhaolie, the former General who protected the nation. After the previous dynasty fell, she stayed by his side. The two grew up together, training in martial arts, reading and writing.

Two years ago, Ye Cheng entered the Prince’s residence alone, and they lost contact.

“So it’s you, Yurou. Two years have passed, and you’ve grown even more beautiful. I didn’t recognize you at first,” Ye Cheng said warmly, tossing aside the wooden stick and taking Lin Yurou’s slender jade-like hand in his own.

“Your Highness, you seem different,” Lin Yurou observed, her gaze curious.

Having grown up together, she knew Ye Cheng well. He had always been aloof and proud, cold to outsiders and to her alike, never once touching her. Yet now, at their reunion, he held her hand, making her cheeks flush pink.

“In the Prince’s residence, one must learn to observe and adapt. There are dangers everywhere.” Ye Cheng smiled, offering an explanation.

He dared not show any weakness before Lin Yurou. Though she was a peerless beauty, her temperament was proud and her martial abilities formidable—a sixth-rank warrior.

He remembered once when they were ambushed by bandits. Lin Yurou alone slew more than a hundred, leaving none alive.

“Now that you mention it, that makes sense…” Lin Yurou considered his words and found them reasonable, with no suspicion about his identity.

After all, the Prince’s residence was within the imperial palace, its hierarchy strict and its atmosphere unlike the outside world. Personality changes were not uncommon.

“Yurou, how did you come to be here?” Ye Cheng asked, curious.

He remembered. Lin Yurou had sneaked into the palace with him. They bribed their way in, hoping to enter the Prince’s residence. But fate intervened—the Empress took notice of Lin Yurou’s beauty and claimed her, separating them.

Though the Prince’s residence was within the palace, it was remote, and from then on, they never saw each other again. The saying goes, ‘once through the palace gates, the sea is deep,’ and so it was.

“Your Highness, I was sent by the Empress. That false prince spoke to her about you, claiming you were her confidant. The Empress grew suspicious and sent me to investigate. Only then did I realize it was you. So under cover of darkness, I came to inform you,” Lin Yurou explained.

Ye Cheng’s heart tightened.

As he suspected, Ling Xiaoyue doubted his identity and had told the Empress.

“Your Highness, why did you claim to be the Empress’s confidant?” Lin Yurou asked, puzzled.

Ye Cheng had no choice but to recount the events surrounding Ling Xiaoyue.

Lin Yurou was shocked. “So the false prince is actually a woman? And possesses the strength of an eighth-rank martial master? She even injured you, Your Highness—that’s unforgivable!”

Lin Yurou gritted her teeth in anger.

Ye Cheng squeezed her hand, smiling. “Yurou, I’m fine. Don’t be angry.”

Such a lovely girl, whose beauty rivaled that of Ling Xiaoyue and Lin Yaoxue, had never been touched by his former self—what a waste.

“Your Highness, why not spread this news? The great Zhou would surely be shaken.” Lin Yurou bit her lip, smiling coldly.

“If I did, I fear I wouldn’t live to see another day,” Ye Cheng replied.

Lin Yurou tapped her forehead in self-reproach. “Ah, I nearly forgot. You’re still in the Prince’s residence—if the false prince investigates, you won’t escape.”

“Now the Empress suspects my identity; I fear the truth will soon be exposed,” Ye Cheng said, worried.

“Your Highness, I have a plan. The Empress trusts me deeply. I’ll tell her you’re my cousin, and her suspicions will vanish. I can even speak well of you in her presence,” Lin Yurou said with a charming smile.

“That could work?” Ye Cheng’s eyes brightened.

If he could connect with the Empress, Ling Xiaoyue would stop doubting him.

“It will,” Lin Yurou nodded.

Ye Cheng suddenly wrapped his arms around Lin Yurou’s slender waist, holding her close. “My dear Yurou, you’re wonderful.”

He patted her round, shapely hips.

Lin Yurou’s cheeks flushed crimson, the color spreading to her ears.

The prince had certainly changed.

“Oh, one more thing—can you contact the loyal ministers outside?” Ye Cheng asked.

“Of course. Haven’t you been in touch with them?” Lin Yurou replied, puzzled.

“I’ve only just gained a foothold; how could I reach out?” Ye Cheng said.

In truth, he had forgotten how.

“That makes sense. I’ll contact them right away, let them know you’re safe,” Lin Yurou said.

“And one more thing—have them deal with someone,” Ye Cheng added.

“Who?” Lin Yurou asked.

“The imperial physician treating the Emperor—Doctor Dai,” Ye Cheng’s eyes turned cold.

“So Your Highness has not lost heart, nor forgotten the mission to restore the dynasty. I’ll notify them at once. If the old tyrant dies, the great Zhou may face upheaval,” Lin Yurou said grimly.

With that, she took her leave.

She had to return to the Empress’s chambers and report.

Ye Cheng inhaled the lingering fragrance on his fingers, his heart stirring. “Heh, I never expected to have such a celestial beauty as my maid. I wonder what my former self was thinking—what’s so bad about being a wealthy lord? With a maid like this, life would be sheer bliss.”

…

Two more days passed.

On this day, Ye Cheng was summoned by Lin Yaoxue to the Palace of Exalted Blessings.

Lin Yaoxue’s attire before Ye Cheng had grown increasingly casual. Today, she wore only a thin white gauze, barely concealing her smooth, fair, luminous skin and her perfect curves—voluptuous and alluring, hinting at mystery and stirring the imagination.