Chapter 145: Friends in High Places

## True Identity

The paper-thin mask is removed, revealing your face. Although it’s swollen after the slap, your beautiful features are still visible.

Darkness dissipates from your eyes, and you see Prince Jin approaching you slowly and gently raising your chin, his cold gaze on your face.

MC: (What’s going on? They haven’t found out my mask?)

Prince Jin: Afu, you just never stop surprising me.

MC: [speaking hardly] Your… Your Highness, I… don’t mean…

Prince Jin: Enough. No more speaks.

Matron: Your Highness, Afu has entered the mansion with her face concealed. I’m afraid she could have some ulterior motives. How would you like to deal with her?

Prince Jin: [eyes faintly flashing] Take her away and tend to her wound. I’ll make the decision later.

You are brought back to your room. The matrons consider for a moment, then gently lay you down on the bed. You can hear their exclamation.

Matron: Afu is such a proper name. She is indeed a lucky girl! All my years in the mansion, I have never seen His Highness be so tolerant to anyone else, not even to Lady Yan’er…

## Intimidation

You fall asleep, and when you wake up, you see a face staring at you, a face that is like a nightmare to you.

MC: [immediately sit up] Your Highness? Why are you here?

Prince Jin: What? So afraid of me?

MC: (I almost died at your hand for so many times. Who else should I be afraid of? But my life is still in your hand, and I have to act as such.)

MC: I’ve made mistake, that’s why I’m afraid of Your Highness.

Prince Jin: [snort] Made mistake? I thought you would never learn.

## Spare No Effort

MC: I understand my faults. I wore the mask at the beginning for my own safety, never expecting to inadvertently intrude Your Highness’ pleasure boat and enter the mansion, but I dared not to tell Your Highness for fear of punishment.

You finish telling your half-true story, but you’re worrying whether the suspicious Prince Jin will believe you.

Prince Jin: I know. You was admitted into my mansion at my whim, so I don’t think you have some ulterior motives to cover your face.

Hearing his “at my whim”, you almost faint again. Whether your luck is too good or too bad, for now he believes what you says.

MC: Thank you for forgiving me, Your Highness. I am eternally grateful.

Prince Jin: I can forgive you for this, but you have been making mistakes repeatedly and I have forgiven you over and over again. What are you going to do?

MC: I shall serve Your Highness until the last moment of my life!

Prince Jin: [chuckle] How can you serve me like this? I would be pleased if you don’t cause me any more trouble.

## Probing Questions

You suddenly realize that there are only two of you in the room. Prince Jin had been watching you for the whole time you were sleeping. Why did he do that?

Confused, you are surprised at Prince Jin’s good mood. Does he have a the solution for the uprising? Are you going to ask him?

* Inquire
* Let it for now
 MC: [probing] Your Highness, the mansion was attacked by the rebel scums previously. Is the situation under control now?

Prince Jin: Are you caring about me or your own life?

MC: I care everyone in the mansion.

Prince Jin: You just stay here. As long as I’m in power, this mansion will stand, and you will be fine.

MC: Yes. As Your Highness commands. You decide to leave the matter for now, but your face has betrayed your troubled mind.

Prince Jin: Why are you not happy seeing me to visiting?

MC: Your Highness, did you come here just for me?

Prince Jin: What else do you think I came here for? You ignorant one.

MC: I’m flattered by Your Highness. I’m just… not used to Your Highness’ kindness.
Prince Jin: Remember how I treat you. By the way, stop making me more trouble, or I can’t guarantee you will keep your life the next time.

## Puzzled

Only after Prince Jin has left do you learn that he has commanded to cure your wound. He even assigned several handmaidens taking care of you.

Carrot and stick? Why would he do so? You are increasingly confused at his behavior, but you have no idea of the reason behind.

Handmaiden: Afu, why do you look so troubled? Aren’t you happy to be spared by His Highness?

MC: That His Highness spared me so easily only makes me more worried.

Handmaiden: Alas, I understand. Afu, I want to tell you something…

MC: What? Is it about me? Just tell me!

Handmaiden: It’s common for powerful people in the capital to gift consorts and handmaidens to each other. Since your real face is so beautiful, perhaps His Highness is planning on this.

## Slipping Away

MC: You mean His Highness is planning to gift me to others?

Handmaiden: Hush! I’m just guessing, but this is a common act… Moreover, His Highness is running into some troubles lately, and he will need to gain the support from more powerful people.

You agree that this could be the case, otherwise there is no reason for the prince to treat you this way.

Unaware of this problem, you have a bad feeling and your heart starts pounding fast.

Handmaiden: Afu, I won’t lie to you. Those men won’t treat the “gifts” they receive well. The girls end up badly most of the time, locked in cages like livestock.

MC: [uneasiness grows stronger] I see. Thank you for reminding me.

Handmaiden: Alas, our fates are beyond our control. All we can do is to follow others’ arrangement…

Matron: [hurry in] What are you doing here? Don’t disturb Afu’s rest! Afu, I’m sorry for hitting you badly, but I was just following my order. Please don’t resent me.

MC: You were just doing as the rules required. It was I who made the mistakes. I have no resentment for you, matron.

Matron: You are a good girl! I feel much relieved at your words!

MC: Matron, I’m still a handmaiden. Now that my wound has almost recovered, it’s time for me to go back to work.

Matron: [flashing in her eyes] Don’t worry. Take some good rest. His Highness will summon you soon!

The matron leaves after finishing her words, and you are more certain of your speculation. If the prince is really going to send you away, you must start planning your escape…