Chapter 123: Is It Good-Looking?

Yan Zhirong sensed that Xiao Mingyu's mood was off, so she touched his face, "It's alright, everyone has times when they are exhausted. Besides, you drank so much wine tonight."

She was very fond of Xiao Mingyu, and at a time like this, she still thoughtfully found excuses for him.

Xiao Mingyu pulled at the corners of his mouth with effort, unable to think of what to say for a long while.

Yan Zhirong climbed down from him, stood on the floor, and straightened her clothes, "Then I will head back first."

Xiao Mingyu's thoughts were entirely on the matter of him being "unable," and being absent-minded, he gave a hum.

Yan Zhirong took one extra look at him and set off to leave.

Hearing the sound of the door closing, Xiao Mingyu only then realized belatedly—he should have at least personally seen Yan Zhirong to the door and instructed the people below to send her safely back to her courtyard.

At this moment, Xiao Mingyu heard footsteps.

He glanced to the side and saw Hua Lianying walk out from where she had been hiding.

Xiao Mingyu looked at her with an indifferent gaze.

"Prince, rest assured, I heard nothing at all; once I go out, I will not say anything that shouldn't be said to anyone," Hua Lianying said tactfully.

Xiao Mingyu did not speak.

"I only hope the Prince remembers your promise to me, to appoint me as a Side Consort of Prince Duan in the future."

After a pause, Hua Lianying's voice lowered further, "After all, if we really want to talk about it, I can be considered the last woman the Prince has slept with."

Xiao Mingyu was startled.

Before he could say anything, Hua Lianying had already turned and walked outward.

Leaving only Xiao Mingyu alone, feeling agitated and vexed, sitting on the bed and nearly unable to catch his breath.

According to the general customs of the Ye Dynasty, an engagement is different from a formal wedding and is relatively simpler, inviting only the relatives of both sides to attend.

The engagement banquet for Xiao Mingyu and Yan Zhirong was set to be held at Jiaoyuan, with the auspicious time being at 9:00 AM.

Recently, Xiao Youlan had not been very busy; after getting up in the morning, he handled government affairs in a leisurely manner for a while before coming to find Nan Xueyin.

"We are going to Jiaoyuan in a while, are you ready?"

Nan Xueyin was feeding meat to the little black leopard and did not even lift her head upon hearing this, saying, "I was ready as soon as I got up. There wasn't really anything to prepare anyway."

She then asked, "What about you?"

"I came to see you first; if you are ready, I will go wash up and change clothes as well."

Xiao Youlan squatted down and also took a piece of meat to feed the little black leopard.

Xiaoyang didn't even sniff it, only intent on rubbing against Nan Xueyin's hand, wanting to eat what was in her hand.

"Ungrateful," Xiao Youlan commented.

"I am just more likable," Nan Xueyin curled the corners of her mouth.

"That is true."

Xiao Youlan smiled and asked again, "When will you write those words for me?"

Nan Xueyin still did not look up, "What words?"

"'To hold your hand and grow old with you,'" Xiao Youlan looked at her deeply, "Didn't you promise me you would write them for me?"

It had been several days and she still hadn't made a move; Xiao Youlan had originally wanted to pretend he didn't care, but after thinking it over, he was still worried she would forget.

"Oh, that," Nan Xueyin's hand paused slightly, but her tone remained very indifferent, "I forgot recently, I'll give them to you in a few days."

"Alright."

Xiao Youlan reached out and handed her the piece of meat that Xiaoyang had rejected, "You continue feeding it, I am going to wash up and change."

Nan Xueyin took it.

Xiao Youlan stood up and went out, returning to his own room to change his clothes.

Nan Xueyin finished feeding Xiaoyang, and the person and the leopard played together for a while, but Xiao Youlan still hadn't come out.

Xiaoyang grew tired from playing and fell asleep, and Nan Xueyin tidied up the room, but Xiao Youlan still hadn't come out.

Nan Xueyin felt surprised inside.

In the past, when she was impersonating Doukou, she had changed clothes for Xiao Youlan; he was taciturn and his movements were always very swift, so why was he taking so long today?

Nan Xueyin suddenly remembered that once before, Xiao Mingyu had brought a woman back to his room to dally, but that woman turned out to be an assassin who suddenly attacked during their intimacy and held Xiao Mingyu captive.

It was Nan Xueyin who had been the first to sense that something was wrong, barging in and saving Xiao Mingyu.

Could it be that Xiao Youlan had also encountered a mishap today?

Even though the Eastern Palace was famously as secure as a fortress, that was not an absolute thing.

After all, such a secure place had still been broken into by Nan Xueyin.

With a stern expression, she went to the room next door.

Standing outside the door, Nan Xueyin heard the sound of fabric rubbing inside; someone seemed to say "this is quite good," but then someone else said "it won't do."

Nan Xueyin took a breath and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

Feihong's voice came from inside, sounding very exhausted.

Nan Xueyin felt even more that something was not quite right, and with a cold, clear voice, she said, "It is me, Nan Xueyin."

"Oh, Miss Nan."

"Why haven't you come out yet?" Nan Xueyin asked directly.

"His Highness the Crown Prince... is not ready yet." Feihong seemed to sigh.

"It has been a long time," Nan Xueyin said, "The time is almost here; if we don't set off now, I fear we won't make it to today's engagement."

She was not entirely reassured, and at this moment, she heard Xiao Youlan's gentle, jade-like voice: "Right away."

Listening to his voice, it did not sound like he had encountered danger.

Nan Xueyin frowned, moved forward decisively, pushed open the door, and strode into the room.

Better safe than sorry.

Nan Xueyin would only be able to rest easy once she saw with her own eyes that Xiao Youlan was safe and sound.

Hearing the sound of the door being pushed open, everyone in the room turned their heads to look.

Nan Xueyin thus saw a whole crowd of people.

In the center was Xiao Youlan, his handsome face slightly taut, looking as if he were in a rather foul mood.

Beside him were Feihong and a group of attendants, six in total, each holding an outer robe—sapphire blue, black, dark red... and so on, all with different patterns and materials; it looked as if Xiao Youlan had tried them all on, yet the one he was wearing at this moment was different.

Feihong was holding up a mirror, specifically for Xiao Youlan to look at himself.

Nan Xueyin suddenly burst in, and as everyone looked over, Feihong's expression was exactly like that of a drowning person seeing a life-saving piece of driftwood on the water's surface.

"Are you... picking out clothes?" Nan Xueyin more or less understood.

"Mm..." Xiao Youlan did not deny it.

"Picking for this long?" Nan Xueyin felt again as if she hadn't understood after all.

"None of them look good." Xiao Youlan's tone was a bit sullen.

Nan Xueyin:?

Nan Xueyin: "Aren't they quite good-looking?"

Xiao Youlan was good-looking, so he looked good in anything; even if he wore a burlap sack, there would be people who thought it must be a trendy style of clothing.

Moreover, he was tall and broad-shouldered, and because he exercised frequently, he had muscles; he wasn't overly thin, but rather had a well-proportioned build, so no matter how luxurious the garment, he could always carry it off.

For instance, the moon-white round-collared robe he was wearing right now would easily look loose and baggy on a thin person, making them look listless, similar to a child stealing their parent's clothes to wear.

But on Xiao Youlan, it looked majestic and noble, radiating an imposing air of grandeur.

"Does it look good?"

Xiao Youlan was skeptical, and went back to examine himself in the mirror.

Nan Xueyin's face showed confusion.

Feihong cleared his throat and explained: "It is like this, Miss Nan. Since we are going to the Jiaoyuan today, His Highness the Crown Prince wanted to dress more formally. He tried on these outer robes but wasn't very satisfied with any of them. Selecting and changing them is why it took a bit more time."

Nan Xueyin was even more confused: "Prince Duan is the one getting engaged, why are you being so picky?"