075 A Special “Lesson” An Extra Chapter for Charlotte’s Dream~

Jiang Ye abruptly turned my body, pulling me so that my back was to him, and then pressed himself against me, his entire frame aligning with mine. A shudder ran through me—what was Jiang Ye intending to do to me?

“Fourth Prince, your humble servant—”

Suddenly, Jiang Ye buried his face in the crook of my neck, his breath warm against my skin, making me even more afraid. I had always known Jiang Ye was a dangerous man.

“Why does a little eunuch like you wear such a delicate fragrance on your neck? This prince finds it quite alluring,” he murmured, his voice low and menacing, heightening my fear.

His actions reminded me of that old eunuch from before. If he truly harbored such desires and tried to do something to me, I was even more afraid he’d discover I was a woman. If that happened, there would be no escape—certain death awaited me.

“Fourth Prince, aren’t you afraid others might find out about this? Today is your wedding day, after all—the Emperor himself will be here,” I stammered, desperate for a way out.

At the mention of the Emperor, Jiang Ye’s arm paused for a moment around my neck, before he finally said, “You’re right. Today is not the day for such things. But, Xiao Xiaozi, your repeated defiance has truly piqued my interest.”

It was an injustice—I was only ever trying to avoid him at all costs.

“Fourth Prince, you must be mistaken, your humble servant—”

His arm tightened suddenly, making my neck jerk back, my breath catching painfully in my throat.

“Tell me: why are you so concerned about me, and why were you inquiring after my birth mother?”

So that was his true purpose. The more Jiang Ye cared about this, the more complicated Consort Xian’s situation seemed. For a consort known throughout the palace as one who had taken vows and withdrawn from worldly affairs, she should have attracted no further notice. But Jiang Ye—was he just an overprotective son, or was there truly something deeper at play?

“Your humble servant truly didn’t—” I struggled to speak, “I merely almost wandered into that courtyard by mistake, apologized to the eunuch there, and exchanged a few words about your upcoming wedding. If you don’t believe me, you may ask him yourself.”

“Xiao Xiaozi, I know you’re clever, but you can’t fool me. Do you think that fool would really tell me what you talked about? Do you know what would happen if he did? Death!”

He spat out the word with such venom at my ear that cold sweat broke out down my spine. If the matter was this grave, Consort Xian’s affairs must harbor secrets indeed.

“Last time, you and the Crown Prince were sneaking about. Xiao Xiaozi, you serve in Cuiwei Palace in name, but are you really the Crown Prince’s man? Sent to watch over the princes who threaten him?”

His sharp accusation startled me. “You are mistaken, Fourth Prince, your humble servant serves only in Cuiwei Palace—”

“Don’t think I don’t know what the Crown Prince is plotting. Even if he harbors no such thoughts, the Empress surely does. Our father was not the Crown Prince when he ascended the throne—history could well repeat itself. Which of the princes in the harem has no ambition for the succession? Even Ninth Brother, who never argues with me—do you think I’m ignorant of his secret maneuvers?”

Jiang Ye, it seemed, trusted no one—suspecting I was Jiang Yun’s spy, and that Jiang Xuan was merely biding his time, gathering strength. I wondered if he even suspected his own full brother, Jiang Chen.

“Fourth Prince, you are overthinking this. I truly have nothing to do with any of it. I’m only a servant of Cuiwei Palace, barely surviving these past days—I almost died.”

Jiang Ye gave a chilling laugh. “That’s your cleverness—you escape death at the last moment, and you expect me to believe you’re just an ordinary eunuch? Someone is backing you. If not the Crown Prince, then the Empress. Xiao Xiaozi, I urge you to tell me the truth, or you know the consequences.”

“Would you really do something to your servant on your wedding day, Fourth Prince?”

“Of course I won’t let you ruin my wedding. I know what matters more. But the days are long, and Cuiwei Palace losing a servant is hardly a major event, is it?”

Was he planning to imprison me here outright? Jiang Ye was right—if a servant disappeared from Cuiwei Palace, perhaps they would search for a few days, but who would dare storm a prince’s residence and make an enemy of him?

As these thoughts raced, a pair of cold hands suddenly cupped my cheeks. I trembled and begged, “Fourth Prince, please have mercy. I was wrong before, and today I shouldn’t have wandered into that courtyard. It was an honest mistake—please forgive me.”

“For a little eunuch, your skin is remarkably fair. I’d wager that, were you a woman, you’d be a true beauty.”

You don’t need to wager—I am a woman.

“It’s still early—why don’t I enjoy you for a while first?”

With that, my whole body was lifted—Jiang Ye hoisted me onto his shoulder. This time, I had no way to reason with him, so I began to struggle and strike at him. There was no escape; if I killed Jiang Ye now, at least it would be a life for a life.

Why were the princes of this palace all like this?

Jiang Ye was immensely strong, always skilled in martial arts. My feeble blows were no more than a tickle to him.

Suddenly, he flung me onto the bed. Before I could scramble away, he seized my legs, flipping me over so my face was buried in the brocade quilt. I clawed at the bedding, struggling to kick him off, but his grip was iron—there was no way to break free.

If he pressed down on me, I would aim a kick at his most vulnerable spot. I had no other choice—this perverted bastard!

I tried to use my arms to turn over, but Jiang Ye pinned me down, trapping my legs between his, and wrenched my arms behind my back. I was completely immobilized; even my attempt to kick him was useless.

It was over. If Jiang Ye undressed me, my true identity would be exposed.

Was this how I would end? No—I had to find a way out. I had to.

But fear and panic clouded my mind—I could think of nothing. I felt Jiang Ye’s hands working at my waistband.

I had no choice but to resort to the oldest means of rescue.

“Help! Help!” I screamed, not knowing if anyone outside could hear me.

At my shout, Jiang Ye stopped, then pressed my head down hard into the bedding—my face smothered against the quilt, unable even to breathe, let alone call for help.

My strength was fading, and once again I felt his hands at my waistband.

Biting my lip, I held back tears—crying felt like an insult. In my heart, I swore: Jiang Ye, if I, Xiao Zhi, survive this, I will never forgive you.

I clenched my teeth on the sheets, wanting to rip them to shreds. By now, my trousers were halfway down, leaving only a single undergarment.

I tried to lift my head, teeth bared on the sheet—if I were a lion, I’d tear Jiang Ye to pieces.

Just as his hand touched the bare skin of my waist, the door was suddenly kicked open.

Jiang Ye withdrew his hand, and I finally managed to raise my head—then lashed out with my foot, kicking him away with all my strength.

He staggered back, pain etched on his face, reaching out to grab my legs. But just then, someone strode inside, voice cold: “Fourth Brother, what are you doing?”

Jiang Ye’s hand froze, then he composed himself, replying calmly, “So it’s Ninth Brother. I was just disciplining a disobedient servant. As you can see, he was about to attack me!”

Jiang Xuan glanced at me—my trousers were around my knees, only my undergarment left, utterly disheveled.

He looked away and said, “What you say and what I see do not quite match, Fourth Brother. I never expected your methods of discipline to be so… unique.”

Jiang Ye straightened his sleeve, not the slightest bit flustered at being caught. “This is my palace, my room. Ninth Brother, do you not respect me, barging in like this? Have you become so used to flouting the rules that you no longer care for them?”

The audacity—he was turning the blame on Jiang Xuan.

Jiang Xuan paused, then said, “When I passed by just now, I heard a commotion and thought something was amiss. Our father is nearby. Fourth Brother, why not let me handle things here and go greet His Majesty? If you prefer, we can all go together.”

Jiang Ye was clearly alarmed—not by the Emperor’s presence, but by the uncharacteristic assertiveness of Jiang Xuan, who in just a few words had left him no escape.

In my current state, even if Jiang Ye claimed he was “disciplining” me, rumors would spread, especially on his wedding day.

“In that case, how could I not trust you, Ninth Brother? This is your servant from Cuiwei Palace—you should handle him. Otherwise, I may have to do it for you next time.”

There will be no next time!

“I’ll remember that!”

Jiang Ye shot me a final, wicked smile, then left.

Once he had gone, Jiang Xuan stepped forward and called my name, “Xiao Xiaozi!”

I bit my lip, dressing in silence. When I was done, I stood by the bed and knelt before him. “Your servant thanks the Ninth Prince for saving my life. I have nothing to repay you with.”

This time, my words were not full of gratitude as before, but spoken with icy calm.

“Did Fourth Brother…?” Jiang Xuan began, but could not finish, perhaps out of concern for my dignity.

I stood, head bowed. “Your servant is unharmed.”

“Be more careful in the future. Fourth Brother—”

“I understand,” I interrupted, not waiting for him to finish.

“Very well. Forget the wedding feast. Come back to the palace with me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”