Chapter 11: A Thumb Pressing Against the Corner of Her Mouth

Feihong heard it too and chuckled, though the laugh was not entirely proper.

Nan Xueyin entered the inner chamber, where Xiao Youlan was standing before a clothes rack.

Seeing her arrive, he signaled calmly: "Change my clothes."

The left shoulder of his outer robe was damp; he must have accidentally gotten caught in the rain just now.

"Yes."

At first, Xiao Youlan did not speak; the room was quiet, save for the faint rustling of fabric.

After a long while, he spoke slowly, "Prince Kang sent an invitation today, asking me to attend a banquet. I cannot think of what to send him. They say you young women have clever minds; what do you think would be appropriate to send?"

Nan Xueyin muttered to herself, why does the Crown Prince seize every opportunity to test her?

Prince Kang is the current Emperor's own brother, and to the outside world, he has always maintained the image of a carefree Prince who takes no interest in politics and spends his time in revelry.

Nan Xueyin naturally knew that Prince Kang was turning sixty this year and was planning to hold a grand birthday banquet.

But at this moment, she was the palace maid Doukou.

A little palace maid might have heard of Prince Kang, but she would not know so clearly what he was planning to do.

Nan Xueyin focused on tying his belt, "Your Highness hasn't said what kind of banquet the Prince is hosting."

Xiao Youlan's gaze rested on her face as he said, "Prince Kang is turning sixty; in a few days, it will be his birthday banquet."

"If it is a birthday banquet, it is only natural to send gifts that signify longevity."

The belt was tied, but Nan Xueyin still kept her eyes lowered, "This servant comes from a poor background. In my village, few people live to that age. I heard that on the day the only grandmother there turned sixty, everyone pooled their money together to buy her a coffin—I fear I cannot be of much help to Your Highness this time."

Her voice grew softer and softer, until it was nearly a murmur at the end.

Outside the window, the rain grew heavier, the pattering sound drowning out her words.

But Xiao Youlan heard her, and he was momentarily stunned.

He is the Crown Prince, and since his youth, he has been determined to ensure the people of the world live prosperous lives. Hearing this now truly filled him with shame.

After a moment of silence, he said, "In a few days, you will accompany me to the banquet."

Nan Xueyin looked surprised, "Would that not be inappropriate?"

"There is nothing inappropriate about it."

Nan Xueyin obediently replied, "This servant will do as Your Highness commands."

She then asked, "Your Highness, shall we go have breakfast?"

"Yes."

Sitting at the dining table, Xiao Youlan was still preoccupied: "Is that old woman you mentioned still alive?"

Nan Xueyin served him porridge and replied, "She passed away some years ago."

Placing the bowl of porridge by his hand, she added, "She used that coffin, so she had no regrets in the end."

Xiao Youlan nodded and took a sip of the warm porridge.

Nan Xueyin was not afraid of the Crown Prince investigating this matter later. Before she assumed the identity of Doukou, she had stayed in that poor, backward village for a time; everything she said was true.

On the day of the birthday banquet, the spring rain had just cleared.

Cui Mama led Hantao and Linglang to help Nan Xueyin dress.

The clothing and accessories had all been prepared under Xiao Youlan's orders: a jade-green gold-woven damask lined jacket, a yellow skirt with a floral pattern, and a crimson silk shawl.

Linglang could not help but reach out to touch it lightly, the envy in her eyes nearly overflowing, "This fabric, this workmanship—it's so much better than what we wear!"

"These ornaments aren't things you would use on a daily basis either." Cui Mama picked up a gold-filigree inlaid comb and placed it on Nan Xueyin's head, "This is the benefit of Doukou being capable and gaining the favor of a noble person."

Linglang looked at the white jade hairpin on the vanity and was too envious to speak.

Hantao scoffed, "What's so special about that? The things in the palace are much better than this!"

Linglang did not like her much these days and shrugged, "Hantao, you're listening to those good brothers of yours again, aren't you? Someone who didn't know better would think you'd actually seen or used them yourself!"

Hantao glared, "You—"

"Tsk."

Nan Xueyin did not want to listen to them bicker; it was truly meaningless.

Cui Mama also spoke sternly: "Shut up, all of you! If you delay today's birthday banquet, you'll see what happens!"

Linglang stuck out her tongue.

Hantao remained unconvinced and let out a huff through her nose; when she eventually gained the Crown Prince's favor, the rewards would surely be more and better than this!

After dressing, Nan Xueyin set out.

A magnificent carriage was parked outside the palace gate, with personal guards on both sides. Leading them was Shu Yu, who saw her and his eyes lit up, "I always thought you were pretty, but I didn't expect you to look even better all dressed up!"

He tilted his chin toward the carriage, "His Highness is in the carriage; he's been waiting for you for a while."

Nan Xueyin approached the carriage, and Shu Yu pushed open the cloud-patterned fan door. She then saw the Crown Prince inside, wearing a silver-gray round-collared robe with wide sleeves. His expression was calm and cold, and when he looked over with his eyes narrowed, there was always a sense of distance.

After watching her for a moment, Xiao Youlan said slowly, "Come up."

Nan Xueyin obediently agreed, boarded the carriage, and sat opposite the Crown Prince.

As the carriage moved slowly, Nan Xueyin's gaze drifted toward him from time to time.

Xiao Youlan noticed and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Nan Xueyin: "Just now, Officer Shu said I looked even better after dressing up."

Xiao Youlan's tone was cold, "I heard."

Nan Xueyin tilted her head, "And what does Your Highness think?"

Xiao Youlan's gaze fell upon her face, meeting her eyes. His pupils were dark and deep, harboring some obscure and unspeakable emotions.

Suddenly, he raised his hand and placed his finger on her lips.

Nan Xueyin was startled.

Xiao Youlan remained indifferent, his thumb pressing against the corner of her mouth, rubbing back and forth a few times.

Nan Xueyin's face revealed confusion, and her heart was even more nervous—after all, she was still wearing a Human Skin Mask! Had he discovered something?

"Your Highness..." she began to call out to him, but because her lips were being pressed, the words she uttered were muffled and unclear, sounding almost like a coquettish pout.

Xiao Youlan finally withdrew his hand, "Your lip rouge is smudged."

He looked her over and asked, "Are you very nervous?"

Nan Xueyin nodded, not denying it, "Nervous."

Xiao Youlan stared at her.

"I spent so long on my hair and makeup today, and I even troubled Your Highness to wait for this servant. If Your Highness does not think it looks good, then this servant would be unforgivable," Nan Xueyin said.

Xiao Youlan's brows relaxed slightly, and he let out a low chuckle, "It's not that terrible. You look good today."

Nan Xueyin let out a breath, "That's good then."

She could not help but take a few extra looks at Xiao Youlan.

Since arriving at the Eastern Palace, this was the first time she had seen the Crown Prince show such a clear smile.

The carriage drove into the street, and the noise of the crowd outside was clamorous and deafening.

They had not gone far when the carriage suddenly stopped.

Outside, Shu Yu reported, "Your Highness, the road ahead is blocked."

Nan Xueyin looked out through the carriage window, and the street was indeed packed so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through.

After all, it was Prince Kang's birthday banquet; the prominent and influential figures of Fengdu would not let such an opportunity pass. Those who had received invitations naturally prepared generous gifts to attend the banquet, and those who had not received invitations were thick-skinned enough to come and try to get noticed.

At this moment, high-ranking officials and nobles were stuck halfway; some lifted their curtains and stretched their necks to see why it was blocked into such a ghostly state, while others who were impatient simply jumped off their carriages to direct traffic, even getting into conflicts and arguing until their faces were red and their necks thick.

"But it's no matter," Shu Yu smiled, "Your Highness and Miss Doukou, please wait a moment."

With him in the lead, the personal guards aggressively cleared the way.

The carriage soon began to move again; no matter what rank or power they held, they were all a notch below the Crown Prince, so they could only lower their flags and beat their drums in retreat, pulling to the sides and watching helplessly as the Eastern Palace's carriage slowly drove past.

Nan Xueyin sat inside the carriage, gradually understanding why Xiao Mingyu was so obsessed with the position of Crown Prince; it turned out to be the fatal temptation of privilege.

Upon arriving at the Prince's mansion, Prince Kang came personally to welcome them.

Seeing Xiao Youlan, his smile was kindly, and the wrinkles all over his face rippled, "Look at you, with your daily affairs so busy, why did you still come to celebrate the birthday of an old man like me!"

Xiao Youlan smiled rarely, "To the outside world, you are Prince Kang, but inside, you are my uncle. For Uncle's grand birthday, your nephew naturally must come to offer congratulations."

Prince Kang laughed, "You children are all so filial! That child Mingyu also sent me a message early on, saying he was returning to Fengdu to visit his mother, the Consort, and he happens to be arriving today; he will be coming to offer me birthday greetings in a while!"