Chapter 140: Wearing the Exact Same Clothes

Nan Xueyin did not know what to say for a good while.

When it was time for dinner, Feihong came in from outside with a complicated expression; he wanted to say something, but could not help glancing at Nan Xueyin first.

Nan Xueyin focused on eating.

Xiao Youlan did not even lift his head as he asked him, "What is it?"

Feihong cleared his throat: "Baoci Palace... has sent someone."

Nan Xueyin's chewing paused slightly, then she continued to eat.

Xiao Youlan frowned very lightly.

"The one who came is Momo Qiutong, saying that some new snacks were made in Baoci Palace that the Crown Prince likes, and the Empress Dowager specially had her bring them over..."

Although that was what Feihong said, both Xiao Youlan and Nan Xueyin knew the truth in their hearts.

How could this be just to deliver snacks?

Previously, Empress Dowager Zong had told Nan Xueyin that if she had any thoughts, she should feel free to come find her.

It was likely that Empress Dowager Zong had waited and waited without hearing any news, could not wait any longer, and specially sent Qiutong to probe.

It was just that Xiao Youlan had made arrangements long ago, so even Qiutong was stopped outside the gate and could not enter smoothly, having to let Feihong relay the message first.

"I will go take a look."

Xiao Youlan spoke, set down his bowl and chopsticks, and stood up.

Nan Xueyin looked up at him.

"I will be back soon," Xiao Youlan said in a soothing tone.

Nan Xueyin nodded.

After leaving the dining hall and walking some distance, Feihong leaned close to Xiao Youlan again and whispered: "Crown Prince, that... the one who came today is not just Momo Qiutong, there is also... Miss Zhong."

Zhong Yun?

Xiao Youlan glanced sideways, "Why didn't you say so just now?"

Feihong scratched his head, "Isn't it... because I was afraid Miss Nan would be unhappy if she heard? She is quite good to the Crown Prince right now..."

Xiao Youlan interrupted him: "She will not be unhappy because of such things."

Feihong let out an "Ah?"

"Next time, just say it directly in front of her; if you hide it and don't mention it, that is when she will be unhappy," Xiao Youlan said in a deep voice.

Feihong acknowledged this.

Qiutong and Zhong Yun could not enter the Eastern Palace and could only stand outside the gate waiting.

The one holding the Food Box and wearing clothes in dull tones must be Qiutong.

The slender woman beside her was Zhong Yun; when his gaze settled on her, Xiao Youlan could not help but knit his brows.

Because the clothes Zhong Yun was wearing today were exactly the same as the ones Nan Xueyin had worn at the birthday banquet some time ago!

"Greetings, Crown Prince," Qiutong saluted.

Zhong Yun also bowed behind Qiutong.

She looked much more composed than before; having stayed in Baoci Palace for this period, she could be considered to have learned some rules and etiquette.

Xiao Youlan stood still, "A box of snacks, why trouble Momo Qiutong to make the trip personally."

Qiutong smiled: "Answering the Crown Prince, it is not entirely for this box of snacks; it is truly because the Empress Dowager has not seen the Crown Prince for several days and misses him in her heart. However, her health is not very good, so she let this old servant use this box of snacks as a pretext to come and see the Crown Prince on her behalf. If the Crown Prince is well, the Empress Dowager can also be at ease."

These words actually carried a subtle sense of reproach.

It was as if she were saying, how could the Crown Prince have a woman and abandon his grandmother?

Xiao Youlan remained calm and said: "It is my arrangement that was improper; recently, there have been many affairs in the Eastern Palace, and I could not spare the time. It just so happens that the day after tomorrow, the affairs of the Eastern Palace will be slightly fewer. Originally, I had tentatively decided to go to Baoci Palace to pay my respects the day after tomorrow. I did not expect that you would come first, Momo."

There were many things in the Eastern Palace; this was true.

Going to Baoci Palace the day after tomorrow was also true.

However, it was not decided long ago, but rather something Xiao Youlan had arranged on the spot just now.

Why not say he would go tomorrow?

Because tomorrow would be too rushed; one would see at a glance that he was rushing over urgently because the Empress Dowager had sent someone.

Qiutong nodded, "So that is how it is."

As she spoke, she pointed to Zhong Yun beside her and asked with a smile: "I wonder if the Crown Prince still remembers who she is?"

Xiao Youlan was indifferent and glanced at Zhong Yun.

"Miss Zhong has been very diligent and obedient in learning etiquette and rules at Baoci Palace. The Empress Dowager also said that Miss Zhong now has quite a bearing, often reminding her of how Empress Rouyi was when she was the Crown Princess," Qiutong said.

When Xiao Youlan sent Zhong Yun to Baoci Palace, he used the excuse of teaching her the rules.

At this moment, Qiutong used that same topic to force it back.

Xiao Youlan had anticipated this kind of progress, but he did not expect Qiutong to bring up his mother.

Back then, Empress Rouyi was indeed at Zhong Yun's age when she married into the Eastern Palace full of expectations. Xiao Youlan had seen portraits of his mother from that time; she was always smiling with lowered eyes, as if soaked in a honey pot.

But how could Zhong Yun compare to his mother?

Xiao Youlan frowned, "Is that so."

His voice was filled with obvious displeasure, and his expression was icy cold.

Qiutong looked up and felt a wave of panic in her heart.

She realized belatedly that she had said the wrong thing.

Empress Rouyi had always been the Crown Prince's soft spot!

She hurriedly knelt on the ground, "It was this old servant who spoke recklessly; I beg the Crown Prince to forgive my sin."

Xiao Youlan did not let her get up immediately, his gaze turning to Zhong Yun at the side.

Zhong Yun received his gaze and could not help but lower her head shyly, her cheeks slightly flushed, her lips moving as if she had something to say.

Xiao Youlan said coldly, "This outfit does not suit you; do not wear it again in the future."

Zhong Yun was stunned for a moment, her eye sockets suddenly turning red.

Xiao Youlan looked at Qiutong again, "To be aggrieved to this extent after only a few words, it seems Miss Zhong has not learned enough etiquette. Momo Qiutong, take her back and continue the instruction."

"Feihong, having taken the refreshments bestowed by the Empress Dowager, it is time to return."

"Yes."

Xiao Youlan left with Feihong, and Qiutong gazed at the Crown Prince's back, letting out a long sigh.

Once the Crown Prince could no longer be seen, Qiutong climbed to her feet and brushed the dust from her hem.

A choked sob of grievance came from beside her; she turned her head to look and saw it was Zhong Yun, whose eye sockets were completely red as she shed tears.

Qiutong asked her, "What is Miss Zhong crying for?"

Zhong Yun said pitifully, "The Empress Dowager clearly said that if I wore this outfit, His Highness the Crown Prince would surely like me, but just now His Highness the Crown Prince did not like me; he hates me... His Highness will never like me again..."

Qiutong looked at her with some sympathy.

Letting her wear this outfit was indeed the intention of Zong Taihou.

Zong Taihou wanted to test the position Zhong Yun held in the Crown Prince's heart.

Now it appeared that the Crown Prince truly did not care for this Miss Zhong.

But such words were not something Qiutong would tell Zhong Yun directly.

She sighed very lightly, "His Highness the Crown Prince does not hate you, Miss; it is just that this old servant accidentally mentioned the late Empress Rouyi just now, which displeased His Highness the Crown Prince and caused him to vent his anger on you."

"Really?" Zhong Yun raised her teary eyes.

"Really, let us return and report back to the Empress Dowager."

Zhong Yun believed her and nodded through her tears.

Returning to Baoci Palace, Zhong Yun went to rest first, while Qiutong reported the conversation that took place in the Eastern Palace and the Crown Prince's reactions to Zong Taihou in every detail.

After listening, Zong Taihou frowned, "That child, his heart is now only set on that girl surnamed Nan, he doesn't want anyone else!"

Qiutong could not help but sigh, "His Highness's temperament, you know it well, Your Majesty; he is the most persistent and the most steadfast. Last time, because of that palace maid Doukou, His Highness knelt outside Baoci Palace for so long and refused to get up... Since His Highness truly likes that Miss Nan, why not take her into the Eastern Palace? This Miss Nan is likely the daughter of an ordinary family, not a wealthy or noble one, but she is still much better than the palace maid Doukou. If Your Majesty makes the decision to take Miss Nan into the Eastern Palace, and she cannot become the Crown Princess, it would be better for Your Majesty to decide to elevate her to be a Side Consort. In this way, His Highness will certainly remember Your Majesty's kindness more."

"I will not hide it from you, I have been thinking the same thing recently..."

Just as they were speaking, a palace maid entered from outside and said, "Empress Dowager, Prince Duan has arrived."