Chapter 10 A Handsome Young Man, Like a Beautiful Picture

Chu Liuchen was the crown prince when the late emperor was still alive. He was only a few months old when his uncle usurped the throne and scraped his status as the crown prince. He became Prince Chen, half locked up under house arrest in the South Court in the palace. This was why he was also known as the Crown Prince of South Court.

She remembered hearing about him in her previous life. Some said he was a handsome, distinguished gentleman. Other claimed he was a sly and bloodthirsty man. Either way, Qin Wanru didn’t see it as any of her business who he was. She’d only seen him once from far off.

Back then, he was the high and mighty crown prince, looking down at her like she was some kind of lowly creature.

Right now, on the other hand, she had no choice but to face up to this younger version of Prince Chen.

She wanted to keep her distance from him as much as possible, but she couldn’t help but perk at the chance to be recognized by somebody so powerful.

Still, she would not forget how, many years from now, on the day Prince Chen was restored to his throne, he attacked the girls who had come to try and be selected as his concubine. Within one day, the inner palace had been splattered with blood. Those young girls, who have come in filled with hope and expectation, were killed one by one. With their corpses lying face up on the floor of their dormitory, the building became hell itself.

To cover this up, all the people involved were killed as well, leaving more corpses in the dormitory.

It was rumored that such a big percentage of the palace workers were eliminated that many parts of the palace remained empty.

Qin Wanru was implicated at that time as well.

How could she not be terrified when she came face to face again with this same crown prince?

She should never offend this person in front of her. It would be wise to try and get close to him and gain his favor, but she wasn’t sure that was actually a good idea. All she did was to stare blankly at the youth before her.

"Do you know me?" asked Chu Liuchen. He looked over Qin Wanru from her head to her toes. He was all smiles. The bizarre look in his eyes a moment ago had completely disappeared, so much so that it made Qin Wanru wonder if she’d been seeing things.

The frail but handsome young man shot her a refreshing smile. He looked like an immortal being who’d just walked out of a painting. His eyes, half hidden under his long, curly lashes, were smiling as well. He truly looked like a harmless, charming youth.

Qin Wanru would be totally taken if she didn’t know the things he’d someday do.

"I don't. I shouldn't make you wait long for me since you are father's honorable guest!" said Qin Wanru respectfully, as she bowed her head in humility.

She was holding her fists so tightly that her fingernails had dug into her palm. The pain which made her more alert so she could remember to maintain an amicable attitude towards this prince.

She was supposed to be a young virgin who had not been acquainted with Prince Chen.

"You... have disturbed my rest!" Prince Chen was not trying to interrogate her but was merely stating a fact.

Qin Wanru could feel cold sweat going down her back.

"Please forgive me, Prince Chen," she said cautiously.

"You have to be punished for disturbing me," Prince Chen fixed his gaze on Qin Wanru as if it were Qin Wanru who intentionally stirred up trouble with Qin Yuru, thereby disturbing the prince. When in fact, he was the one who accidentally witnessed the drama between Qin Wanru and Qin Yuru.

"Please forgive me, Prince Chen!" Qin Wanru bowed her head lower and continued apologizing. She was keenly aware of the great difference in their status.

"I seldom forgive the sins of people!" said Prince Chen with a chuckle.

"Then... what should I do to receive forgiveness from you?"

"Let me think about it..."

"I will obey Prince Chen's order whatever it is," there was no way Qin Wanru dared to negotiate terms with the prince. She knew her life was in his hands. However, since Prince Chen had spoken to her for a while by now, she was quite sure he did not intend to take her life.

As a person who’d lost his status as crown prince and taken it back by force, he was certainly not kind and harmless character.

"Good! You are indeed a wise girl!" Prince Chen rubbed his palms together, smiling again. "I heard that the Ningyuan Army General has a crystal phoenix lamp which was passed down to him from his ancestors. It is supposed to be exceptionally pretty. If you're able to get me this lamp, I will spare your life."

Crystal phoenix lamp? Qin Wanru was taken aback for a moment. She happened to know that this phoenix crystal lamp was the family heirloom that had been passed down from generation to generation. It was currently with her grandmother. It was very precious to her and she had shown Qin Wanru only once, but her love for it had left a deep impression.

"That's... grandmother's favorite item," Qin Wanru said with hesitation.

"Is your life not worth that much?" asked Prince Chen, raising his eyebrows. He somehow managed to look both interested and dismissive.

"I will definitely get hold of the crystal phoenix lamp for Prince Chen," replied Qin Wanru, gritting her teeth. His look of interest had struck her with deep terror.

The look in his eyes should not belong to a prince who grew up in riches and comfort. It wreaked terror in Qin Wanru's heart. She immediately understood that if she failed to bring him the Phoenix crystal lamp, she really would have to pay him with her life.

"If that's the case, go get ahold of that Phoenix crystal lamp now!" said Prince Chen. He waved her away and leaned back to indicate that he was letting her go.

"Yes!" Qin Wanru felt relieved and immediately got up to leave. Although meeting Prince Chen was entirely a coincidence, she knew she had to be on her toes.

"Wait, did you inflict the injury on your arm yourself?" the youth said with an elegant smile, but Qin Wanru could hear the malice in his voice.

Worse, he held onto her arm where her wound was and pressed down hard. Instantly, blood soaked through the thin gauze of the bandage.

What a lowlife!

This was the first thing that came to Qin Wanru's mind when the pain subsided. Was he not Prince Chen of the royal family? Wasn’t he supposed to behave elegantly and with grace?

Moreover, Qin Wanru was in the body of a child!

"Prince Chen, you..." someone cried out, seeming to try and stand up for her.

“It’s rare to meet somebody so frail, but so fascinating. A little girl daring enough to pierce her own arm… well done you!” Prince Chen's voice sounded near and far off at the same time. His voice sounded so graceful and natural yet the meaning of the words was dangerous. Just then, darkness befell Qin Wanru...