Chapter 12: The Servant is His Highness's Person

Hearing that Xiao Mingyu was also coming, Nan Xueyin's heart skipped a beat.

She remained composed, standing beside Xiao Youlan, and bowed to the Prince of Kang.

Seeing her rosy cheeks and apricot-like face, the Prince of Kang's eyes lit up, "Is this the beauty the Emperor arranged for you as a palace maid?"

Xiao Youlan: "Uncle knows?"

The Prince of Kang laughed: "I fear there are few in Fengdu City who do not know."

He looked at Nan Xueyin, "Do you know how many noble ladies in Fengdu want to ask you how exactly you managed to win the favor of the Crown Prince?"

Nan Xueyin lowered her head and smiled faintly, "This servant has done nothing; it is His Highness who is mindful of the Emperor's fatherly love."

The Prince of Kang laughed heartily, "A sweet-talker indeed, no wonder His Highness likes you."

Having said this, he led them to their seats.

Before long, a servant hurried over to report: "The Prince of Duan has arrived!"

The Prince of Kang rose to welcome him, and soon, Nan Xueyin heard voices drawing near; Xiao Mingyu was exchanging pleasantries with the Prince of Kang, his voice possessing the magnetic, clear, and mellow quality she remembered.

Xiao Youlan stood up and said, "Fourth Brother."

Nan Xueyin followed suit and bowed.

She felt Xiao Mingyu's gaze sweep over her, his voice carrying a smile, "It has been a long time; the Crown Prince now has a beauty by his side."

Xiao Youlan said nonchalantly: "Not like Fourth Brother, whose estate is full of beauties."

"The Crown Prince's words sound quite sour; in a few days, I shall pick a few good ones and send them to the Eastern Palace."

"The Eastern Palace has many affairs to attend to, unlike Fourth Brother who is at leisure in Lianzhou; it is better for the beauties to remain by Fourth Brother's side."

The two brothers had never had a good relationship; Xiao Mingyu coveted the position of Crown Prince, and Xiao Youlan knew he was ambitious. Sometimes they would pretend to be brotherly and respectful, but most of the time their words were sharp and biting.

The Prince of Kang stepped in to smooth things over: "Why are you standing to talk? Come, sit!"

Xiao Mingyu had come alone, and his seat was opposite Xiao Youlan.

"Speaking of Lianzhou just now," the Prince of Kang sighed, "that place is not very peaceful these days!"

Xiao Mingyu asked: "Why does Uncle say that?"

The Prince of Kang sighed, "Last year, I was in Lianzhou enjoying the snow when I was invited by a local wealthy merchant to his home. We warmed wine and made merry, returning in the middle of the night—it was truly delightful! Who would have thought that the next day, I heard the merchant's entire family had been wiped out! I know not what kind of thief could be so ruthless and vicious!"

Nan Xueyin:...

That "thief" was her.

That was her previous mission.

The wealthy merchant had offended Xiao Mingyu, so he sent her to kill him, saying not to leave a single living soul.

At the time, the merchant had knelt on the ground, kowtowing and weeping, begging her to spare his life, saying she could have as much silver as she wanted! Nan Xueyin remained unmoved, so he scrambled about, seizing a horse in a desperate attempt to flee.

Nan Xueyin drew her blade and chased him down, severing his head.

Xiao Mingyu likely thought of this as well, and he smiled calmly: "Lianzhou does occasionally have bandits causing trouble. Over these years, the authorities have been investigating and dealing with them; on the whole, it is still very peaceful. If Uncle goes to Lianzhou to enjoy the snow again, just let me know in advance, and I will certainly arrange everything; I will never let Uncle be worried or afraid."

He then turned to Xiao Youlan, "Lianzhou in winter is white as far as the eye can see, a beauty rarely seen in this world; the Crown Prince might as well go and take a look."

As he spoke, his gaze paused on Nan Xueyin.

Xiao Youlan smiled faintly: "If I have the leisure, I certainly will."

Before long, all the guests had arrived.

The Prince of Kang announced the start of the banquet, and beauties from the Prince's estate stepped forward to serve dishes and pour wine for the honored guests. There was one at every table, each with a slender waist and a graceful figure.

Watching this, Nan Xueyin recalled the past.

At such banquets, Xiao Mingyu would always chat with the beauties serving wine; if a beauty was truly exceptional and he took an interest, he would take her back to his estate to dote on her for a few days.

A graceful beauty approached, and with shy hesitation, called out: "Crown Prince, this concubine is here to pour wine for you."

"Not necessary." Xiao Youlan's voice was cold, and he refused her.

Nan Xueyin:...

The Crown Prince and the Prince of Duan were truly very different.

She leaned in slightly and said with a soft smile: "His Highness has me here; you may go attend to others."

The beauty's apricot eyes were watery, and she cast a lingering, reluctant glance at the Crown Prince, but having no other choice, she had to withdraw.

Once she was far away, Nan Xueyin sighed slightly: "So that is why Your Highness brought this servant along."

She reached for the wine pot and, imitating the tone of the beauty from before, said, "This servant is here to pour wine for you."

Xiao Youlan:...

Xiao Youlan: "Just speak in your own voice; why imitate her?"

Nan Xueyin nodded obediently, "Alright."

Xiao Youlan looked at her, "When I am out, I do not like to drink."

"Then have some food," Nan Xueyin scanned the table, "His Highness does not dislike these, and they look quite tasty."

Xiao Youlan seemed to be in a good mood and gave a hum of agreement.

"Mingyu, could it be that these wines and dishes are not to your taste? Or is this woman not serving you well?"

The Prince of Kang suddenly asked this.

Nan Xueyin raised her eyes; the beauty serving wine opposite them hurriedly put down the wine pot and prostrated herself in terror.

Xiao Mingyu, for some reason, looked displeased, but he forced a smile and replied: "It has nothing to do with the wine, the dishes, or the beauty. It is just that my mother, the Consort, is ill and bedridden, and I am worried in my heart. I hope Uncle will forgive me."

The Prince of Kang sighed, "You are truly a filial and good child."

Nan Xueyin was puzzled.

Consort Xian was certainly not ill; what was he worried about?

Gradually, the wine had been served three times, and most of the guests in the hall were becoming intoxicated.

The Prince of Kang, quite drunk, looked at Xiao Youlan, "Eh, why are you only eating vegetables and fruit, and haven't had a single drop of wine?"

Opposite, Xiao Mingyu lifted his eyelids and spoke lazily: "I have heard that His Highness the Crown Prince never drinks when away from home; looking at it now, that is truly the case."

He held a wine cup in one hand, a smile that was not quite a smile on his face, "But today is, after all, Uncle's birthday banquet; for us nephews to not touch a drop of wine... is not quite right."

Nan Xueyin was lost in thought.

As the Crown Prince, breaking the rule to drink because of a word or two from others would, in any case, be a loss of dignity.

Yet, Xiao Mingyu's words specifically brought up the uncle-nephew relationship; if he were to refuse, it would be a failure to give face to Prince Kang.

This was a dilemma.

But... for Nan Xueyin, it was not a bad opportunity.

Prince Kang waved his hand good-naturedly, "Not drinking is fine, what does that matter? As long as the sentiment is there, that is enough!"

Xiao Mingyu smiled without a word, signaling a beauty to pour the wine.

Nan Xueyin suddenly spoke: "His Highness does not like to drink; how about I, this servant, drink on his behalf?"

The smile on Xiao Mingyu's face suddenly stiffened.

Prince Kang was willing to give the Crown Prince face and said with a smile: "That is also fine!"

Xiao Youlan glanced sideways, "How will you drink on my behalf?"

"I am His Highness's servant; if His Highness has the heart, then I have the heart. If I drink the wine, it is the same as His Highness drinking it."

Xiao Youlan stared at her for a moment, a hint of a smile seemingly appearing in the depths of his eyes.

He said: "Good."

Thus, Nan Xueyin poured a small half-cup of wine, held it up with both hands, and faced Prince Kang, "I, the servant Doukou, boldly drink on behalf of His Highness the Crown Prince to wish Your Highness a long life like the pine and crane, and boundless blessings."

Having spoken, she covered her face with one sleeve, drank the cup dry, and then showed the empty wine cup to everyone to see.

Prince Kang, giving face to the Crown Prince, naturally laughed aloud, "Good! This Prince accepts your auspicious words!"

Only Xiao Mingyu could not laugh at all; his handsome face was sullen, his eyes terrifyingly gloomy.