Chapter 65 Prince Ye’s Hand Regains Movement

Chapter 65: Prince Ye’s Hand Can Move

Ji Yuntang said it lightly, but Luo Junhe knew things weren't that simple.

Prince Qi was the type who never gives up until he gets what he wants. In his eyes, anyone who could bring him benefits, he'd grab them no matter what. Since he had set his sights on Ji Yuntang, it was likely he'd resort to more tricks later.

Thinking about this, Luo Junhe said, sounding a bit worried, “A Tang, Prince Qi is cunning and ruthless. Don't take his word for it.”

“Moreover, him and the Crown Prince are mortal enemies. If you take his side, the Crown Prince might come after you. Maybe he's using the Crown Prince to take you out. You've gotta be extra careful.”

Ji Yuntang poured herself some tea and took a sip. “I know. I'm not siding with either of them.”

“Our place is way too poor. The only reason I'm joining this competition is for the first prize—twenty thousand taels of gold. That's it.”

Luo Junhe was a bit taken aback. Twenty thousand taels of gold?

He hadn't heard Chen Hu say anything about that.

But wait, he remembered the first prize for the medical tournament being ten thousand taels of gold. So where'd the extra ten thousand come from?

Not able to figure it out, Luo Junhe asked, “A Tang, did the prize for first place in the medical tournament get raised?”

Ji Yuntang knew what he was getting at and smiled slightly. “No, the extra ten thousand taels of gold were promised to me by the Crown Prince.”

Luo Junhe: “…”

The corner of his mouth twitched a little, and after a long pause, he finally let out a sigh.

“A Tang, I feel like even if you win the competition, the Crown Prince and Prince Qi might not be willing to cough up the money.”

The medical tournament was really just a front—a way for them to recruit talent. If someone really met Luo Feizhou's standards, he'd do whatever it took to win them over, using power and beauty as bait.

But ten thousand taels of gold? Knowing Luo Feizhou, he's tighter than anyone. Getting him to part with money would be harder than killing him.

As for the Crown Prince, he's even worse—happy to blow money on booze and brothels, but won't help disaster victims or pay soldiers.

People like that only care about themselves, not giving a damn about the lives of common folks or soldiers. If the Dongchen Kingdom ends up in hands like that, it's probably doomed sooner or later.

Ji Yuntang didn't care. She narrowed her eyes. “No big deal. If they don't pay up, I've got ways to make them regret it.”

Just then, Tao Zhi brought in the heated-up dishes and set them on the table.

“Your Highnesses, time to eat.”

Ji Yuntang glanced at the spread. Besides Luo Junhe's nutritional meal, there was a plate of spicy shredded potatoes, braised ribs, West Lake vinegar fish, and a bowl of white rice.

Now that she had some money, she had Chen Hu buy ingredients every day, and the meals in their West Courtyard had gotten a lot better.

Tao Zhi was a good cook, and when Ji Yuntang was out, she handled all the meals in the West Courtyard.

Ji Yuntang helped Luo Junhe sit up in bed, set up a small table for him, and started feeding him.

“A He, eat slowly. Careful, it's hot.”

She blew on the spoonful of yam and minced pork porridge and carefully brought it to his lips. Luo Junhe swallowed, his brow furrowing almost unnoticeably.

He could tell right away that this wasn't made by Ji Yuntang.

But the fact that she was feeding him made his heart start racing again.

She was so gentle and sweet—he wanted to hug her.

Luo Junhe turned his head slightly, a faint blush spreading across his pale face.

“A Tang, after I finish this meal, can I ask for a reward?”

Ji Yuntang's heart skipped a beat. Even though she knew Luo Junhe couldn't see, she still caught the glimmer in his deep, loving eyes.

This was a tenderness meant just for her.

Her heart softened, and she looked at him. “Of course. What do you want, A He?”

“I'll tell you after I finish eating.”

It was the first time Ji Yuntang had seen him be coy with her, but she wasn't annoyed at all.

Because now, he was alive and vibrant, shedding the heavy shroud of lifelessness. Luo Junhe was like a spirited young man, full of renewed energy.

This was what Ji Yuntang loved.

She finished feeding him, then took a napkin to wipe his mouth. Her fingers accidentally brushed against his lips—soft, cool, and faintly glossy.

Her hand recoiled as if shocked, and a faint blush crept onto her fair face.

Fortunately, Luo Junhe couldn't see, or he might have teased her.

But he knew her reaction. He could still feel her unique scent lingering on his lips.

His face reddened again as he imagined whether her lips were just as soft and sweet.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Ji Yuntang changed the subject. “You've finished eating. What reward do you want, A He?”

“But you haven't eaten yet.”

Ji Yuntang: “…”

Luo Junhe's brows softened, and the corners of his mouth lifted, clearly in a good mood.

“A Tang, I meant I'll tell you after you've eaten.”

“Alright, I'll listen to you. I'll go eat first.”

Ji Yuntang was hungry after a long day, so she got up and sat at the table to eat.

Tao Zhi's cooking had inherited her techniques. Though not perfectly authentic, it was still quite good.

Ji Yuntang ate quickly but gracefully, making no noise. Luo Junhe waited silently nearby.

When she finished, she eagerly asked, “A He, I'm done. Now can you tell me what reward you want?”

Luo Junhe nodded slightly, a smile he didn't notice himself flickering in his eyes, though his ears turned red. “I want A Tang to give me a hug. Is that okay?”

Ji Yuntang's eyes widened in disbelief.

Was the reward he wanted really that simple? Just a hug?

Ji Yuntang agreed without hesitation!

She leaned in and wrapped her arms around his back, embracing Luo Junhe in her arms.

Luo Junhe’s body stiffened slightly; the softness of the young woman pressed tightly against him, and his whole body went stiff with nerves, his nose filled with her nice scent.

Clearly, this was what he had wanted himself.

Yet upon feeling it, he was so nervous that he didn’t know what to do, completely at a loss.

Suddenly, Luo Junhe wanted to hug her back. The second that thought crossed his mind, he realized his fingers seemed to be able to move.

Luo Junhe thought he was dreaming. He moved his hand again, and his arm actually lifted up.

This discovery sent him into a fit of uncontrollable joy.

Almost instantly, Luo Junhe wrapped his arms around Ji Yuntang, like he wanted to melt her into him.

His voice shook a little with excitement as he immediately shared this good news with Ji Yuntang.

“A Tang, I can move my hand!!!”

------------