That night, I developed a fever due to an infected wound. In a daze, I seemed to hear Gu Xing's voice calling out to me.

I tried to open my eyes, but they felt incredibly heavy, so I drifted back to sleep.

This repeated until I finally woke up completely from the heavy stupor.

Seeing me awake, Chang Ying was excited and tears welled up in her eyes, "Miss, you're awake. The imperial physician said your condition was critical, and Chang Ying thought... thought..."

I weakly said, "Thought that your miss wouldn't wake up? Silly girl."

Chang Ying wiped her tears, joyfully saying, "Miss, wait here, I'll go fetch the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince."

"The Crown Prince?"

"Yes. Miss, you just woke up and don't know yet, it turns out our young master is actually the Crown Prince in the palace. During your three days of unconsciousness, His Highness was especially worried, saying that as soon as you woke up, he would rush to report."

After saying that, Chang Ying hurriedly ran off.

When she returned, she brought Gu Xing with her.

I sat dazedly on the edge of the bed, feeling somewhat out of it, until Gu Xing sat beside me and called my name, bringing me back to reality.

"Jin Yao, how do you feel?"

"I... I'm okay. Husband... no, Your Highness, are you okay?"

Hearing this address, Gu Xing furrowed his brows slightly, "Why not call me husband?"

"Just now Chang Ying said... you are the Crown Prince, is it true?"

"So because of my identity, you don't call me husband?"

I lowered my head, feeling inferior, "I originally thought my husband was just a noble son in the capital. Even though Jin Yao's status is humble, she could still serve by her husband's side without seeking recognition, as long as she could see her husband from time to time, Jin Yao would be content. But now that my husband is the esteemed Crown Prince, how can I, with my status, serve by His Highness's side? No wonder..."

"No wonder what?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, "No wonder Yue said I'm not worthy of Your Highness. I am truly unworthy, please, Your Highness... let me go home."

This retreat as an advance probably softened Gu Xing's heart.

He gently reprimanded, "You have deep feelings for me, even willing to risk your life to save me, how could I bear to let you go? From now on, you can rest assured by my side, no one will dare to mistreat you."

Upon hearing this, I moved into Gu Xing's embrace, accidentally touching the wound.

"Hiss—" Gu Xing's body tensed, "Is the wound hurting again?"

"This is a wound I suffered to save my husband, I'm not in pain. As long as my husband is safe, I can endure a few more swords without pain."

Hearing this, Gu Xing remained silent, gently embracing me.

He softly caressed my uninjured shoulder, as if cherishing a rare treasure.

It seemed like I had won.

After all, any man would be moved by a beauty who loved him wholeheartedly, even willing to risk her life.

Thinking of something, I took the opportunity to praise Feng Yue, "Fortunately, Yue hid herself at that time, otherwise I would have to protect Yue and save my husband, afraid I wouldn't be able to handle both."

After saying that, I continued, "But... if it came to a dilemma, I would definitely save Your Highness first."

Hearing this, Gu Xing kissed my forehead but asked in a very light tone, "Is that so? Speaking of which, you had never seen me before, why did you trust me so quickly?"

Was he doubting me?

Embarrassed, I buried my face in Gu Xing's embrace, "Your Highness... you have a noble and imposing demeanor, at first sight, I felt joy."

Gu Xing chuckled, "Just because of that? If you meet a more handsome man in the future, what will you do?"

"In my eyes, Your Highness is the best."

Seeing my stubborn look, Gu Xing finally let down his guard, "I understand your intentions. I have already reported to the Emperor and Empress, appointing you as a lady-in-waiting to the Crown Prince. In the future, in the palace, there will be a place for you."

I shook my head in refusal, "But I don't want to be a lady-in-waiting, I want to be Your Highness's maid."

"Why?"

"A lady-in-waiting has to share favor with others, wait for Your Highness's favor, and cannot see Your Highness every day. But as Your Highness's maid, I can be by Your Highness's side every day."

The women in Gu Xing's palace were all noble ladies sent by various officials' families. Each one was striving to climb up for their family's future.

But only I, in order to stay by his side, was willing to be just a maid.

Gu Xing looked somewhat shocked, then his expression softened into tenderness.

"Silly girl. If you're just a maid, in the future, everyone in the Eastern Palace could mistreat you. Only by being a lady-in-waiting, can you have a place to stand. Rest assured, I will come to see you often in the future."

Hearing this, I knew, I had completely won the bet.