am-books Chapter 556
Chapter 556
The Eastern Palace, Bedchamber.
The sunlight was just right.
A frail seventeen-year-old boy sat at his desk reviewing memorials when a sudden tightness in his chest made him cough up blood.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" The palace maids, who had just entered carrying food, were startled by the sight.
Crown Prince Chu Heng coughed lightly twice, tucked away the blood-stained handkerchief, and said softly, "I’m fine. You may leave."here was no need for such haste—or such blatance.
Her heart ached at his words.
This brilliant young Crown Prince, once the pride of the nation, had been reduced to a man expecting assassination at any moment. Yet even now, he warned her against danger instead of lashing out.
Such kindness, and yet fate had shown him no mercy.
Her eyes reddened. She took a sip from the cup before offering it again, smiling. "See? No poison. I truly just want you to drink."
The Crown Prince hesitated, then grasped for another excuse. "You’ve drunk from this cup. It’s improper for men and women to share..."
Wei Qingrong grinned. "Then you’ll just have to marry me."
With that, she deliberately turned the cup around, pressing it directly against the Crown Prince's lips. She chuckled softly, "Forgive my impertinence, Your Highness. I promise not to do this again."
Chu Heng shuddered, his fingers involuntarily tightening.
The spot where his lips touched was exactly where she had just sipped from...
Since the age of fifteen, his health had been declining steadily. Burdened with court affairs and the successive misfortunes of his maternal clan, he had lost all interest in matters of romance. To this day, the Eastern Palace had no mistress.
The Crown Prince refused to drink, his lips faintly chapped.
"My apologies," Wei Qingrong said, one hand tilting his chin while the other held the cup, coaxing yet firm as she made him drink.
Weak from illness, the Crown Prince struggled briefly before his strength gave out. Though the warm water soothed his body, being forced to drink by a woman wounded his pride.
He turned his face away, a flash of shame crossing his features. Anger simmered within him, but he was powerless—only wishing for this woman to leave at once.
Noticing some color returning to his complexion, Wei Qingrong knelt before him once more, softening her voice. "Your Highness, I know you are a Crown Prince who cares deeply for the people. But you’ve walked this path alone for too long. Let me stand by your side and shield you from the storms ahead... Will you take me as your wife?"