Chapter Five: Your Highness, It's Time to Take Your Medicine

Life is just like that—sometimes, the more you resist, the more exhilarating it becomes!

For Lin Jiangnian, from the very start, fate had cornered him, mercilessly pressing him to the ground, using and toying with him.

Before him lay only one path to survival.

He must impersonate the Crown Prince of Lin!

The real Crown Prince of Lin was already dead; therefore, he must be the true Crown Prince!

Now, the only thing Lin Jiangnian needed to hope for was that the woman in red had thoroughly dealt with the original Crown Prince’s body, leaving no evidence behind.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Jiangnian gradually calmed down, his mind clearing.

Having understood his predicament, if he wished to survive, he had to proceed cautiously, treading as delicately as on thin ice.

At that moment, the knocking at the door sounded again.

Lin Jiangnian’s eyes sharpened abruptly as he cautiously asked, “Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

A familiar, soft voice came from outside.

That voice stirred a memory.

He quickly recalled—it was the young girl who had burst into the room earlier, caught him in a compromising position, and then screamed out loud.

Lin Jiangnian lay back down on the bed, the situation still unclear, and continued to feign illness.

“Come in.”

The door was slowly pushed open.

Soon, the little maid with braided hair stepped inside, carrying a bowl of steaming medicinal soup.

She cautiously glanced around the room before her gaze settled on the young prince lying on the bed. Her bright eyes blinked once, as if recalling something, her cheeks flushing faintly, then she quickly shook her head.

“Y-Your Highness… this humble servant has brought your medicine!”

“Your Highness, it’s time to take your medicine!”

“…”

Lin Jiangnian, lying on the bed, heard the soft, slightly melodic voice and instinctively raised his eyes.

Within the room, not far from the bed, stood a delicate young girl.

She looked about fourteen or fifteen years old, with a slightly refined, youthful face still bearing traces of baby fat, yet the budding features of a beauty were unmistakable.

Even before fully blossoming, her exquisite appearance suggested she would grow into a stunningly beautiful woman.

Her hair was styled into two ponytails draped over her shoulders. She wore a pale green short jacket and skirt that highlighted her slender figure. On her feet were finely embroidered shoes, revealing a glimpse of her small, graceful feet.

Perhaps due to her youth and undeveloped physique, her chest was flat beneath the garment, somewhat incongruous and a touch disappointing.

After a brief moment of regret, Lin Jiangnian withdrew his gaze.

“Put it down there first.”

He spoke.

The little maid stood not far from the bedside, glanced up briefly at Lin Jiangnian, then lowered her head timidly, speaking carefully, “Sister Zhi Yuan instructed that Your Highness should take the medicine promptly…”

Hearing the maid’s weak voice and seemingly resigned attitude, a trace of softness welled up in Lin Jiangnian’s heart.

“Then…”

But as he was about to speak, he suddenly realized something.

No—his current identity was the Crown Prince of Lin.

Who was the Crown Prince of Lin?

According to the woman in red, the Crown Prince was a worthless scoundrel—illiterate, abusive, and disgusting. Could such a bastard be so easily spoken to in his own mansion?

Had he been too gentle with this little maid?

Should he be more arrogant?

More hostile?

Upon this realization, Lin Jiangnian paused, his expression darkening abruptly. His tone hardened as he scoffed coldly.

“I do not wish to drink it. Do you intend to force me?”

His sudden change in demeanor and heavy tone frightened the little maid; her face turned pale, her body trembled slightly.

“I—I dare not…”

“You don’t dare? I think you’re quite bold. What’s your name? Little Zhu?”

“Y-Yes…”

The little maid lowered her head, face pale.

She had heard from the other maids that the Crown Prince was lecherous, brutal, temperamental, and very difficult to deal with.

Now, it seemed that was indeed true!

How could he flip his mood so suddenly?

“I remember you. Consider yourself lucky this time. I’m not feeling well at the moment, so I’ll let you off for now. Next time, I’ll settle the score with you.”

Hearing this, the little maid trembled all over, her hands and feet shaking, her voice quivering with the hint of tears, “Y-Your Highness…”

“What? You don’t want to leave?”

Lin Jiangnian’s gaze fixed on the frightened little maid before him. Seeing how easily she was frightened, he gradually relaxed. This maid’s skills were clearly inferior to Sister Zhi Yuan’s; she seemed new and easy to intimidate.

Thinking this, Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes, sizing her up from head to toe. A faint sneer curled his lips.

“Could it be that you want to serve me in bed?”

The little maid was so frightened she stepped back, her face drained of color. Instinctively, she covered her chest, panicked, “Your Highness, no, please don’t…”

She had only recently entered the Lin family mansion and had been fortunate enough to be chosen by Sister Zhi Yuan to serve the prince.

But Sister Zhi Yuan had never said service meant this!

Seeing the prince’s eyes roaming over her with ill intent, the little maid’s panic and anxiety swelled, tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

So pitiful.

Clearly, she was terrified!

Lin Jiangnian sneered coldly, his gaze burning as he appraised her small frame with malicious intent.

“If you don’t want to serve me like that, then get out quickly. If I change my mind later, you won’t have anywhere left to regret it.”

Hearing this, the little maid felt an immense relief and, without another word, hastily fled the den of danger, her face full of alarm.

Lin Jiangnian narrowed his eyes, watching the girl’s hasty, disheveled retreat, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He was quite satisfied with his acting just now. It seemed he did have a knack for playing the role of a decadent, bullying prince.

Indeed, playing this villainous prince was rather entertaining…

Regaining his composure, Lin Jiangnian thought back to the little maid and contemplated: she seemed very easy to bully.

Perhaps… she could be his starting point?

…

Outside the door.

After fleeing the prince’s chamber, the little maid stumbled down the corridor, head bowed.

At the far end of the hall, a figure in purple stood silently, waiting patiently.

As she approached and saw the maid’s flushed face, panic, and tear-streaked eyes, she spoke without expression, “What happened?”

The little maid lowered her head, trembling, and recounted every detail of what had just occurred in the room.

After listening, the woman’s smooth brows knit briefly, then relaxed.

“You’re saying His Highness tried to force you to serve him in bed?”

“Y-Yes…” the maid stammered, still looking down.

Her expression remained unreadable, emotionless.

No doubt about it!

Such disgraceful behavior could only be His Highness.

…