Chapter 143: Coaxing a Man

Nan Xueyin felt puzzled in her heart.

She had truly, earnestly considered their respective statuses, positions, circumstances, and feelings, and only after deep deliberation had she reached these conclusions and taken these steps; she felt this was the optimal solution and the best possible outcome.

Why was Xiao Youlan so angry?

She could not understand it, so she simply used her strength to pry open Xiao Youlan's palm and asked him, "Why are you angry? Is it even possible for you and me to marry? Would your Imperial Father and Grandmother agree to you taking an Assassin as your Crown Princess?"

Xiao Youlan furrowed his brows, "Regarding these, I naturally have my ways..."

"What ways? Do you intend to oppose them to the end? Xiao Mingyu and Xiao Qingling are eyeing your position as Crown Prince with covetous eyes; you should not be so willful."

"Do you not believe in my feelings for you, or do you simply not like me enough?" Xiao Youlan asked suddenly.

Nan Xueyin was taken aback by his question, and after a long moment, she said, "But I don't think that is the issue. Your Imperial Father and your Grandmother must have told you more than once what it is you most ought to do as the Crown Prince..."

This time, Xiao Youlan did not use his hand, but instead blocked Nan Xueyin's mouth with his own lips.

She did not push him away; instead, she took the initiative to wrap her arms around his waist.

As they kissed, Nan Xueyin suddenly felt something slightly salty slide into her mouth.

She wanted to open her eyes to see if he was shedding tears.

Xiao Youlan, however, quickly released her and rolled off the bed.

His voice returned to its usual calm and indifference, "It is very late, go to sleep."

Without waiting for Nan Xueyin to say anything, Xiao Youlan strode away.

Nan Xueyin lay on the bed, stunned for quite a while.

The next day, after Nan Xueyin got up, she went to look for Xiao Youlan.

Linglang, however, told her, "His Highness the Crown Prince has gone out."

"Where did he go?"

"Baoci Palace. His Highness the Crown Prince went to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, saying he would eat breakfast with her, and told you to eat by yourself, Miss."

Ever since arriving at the Eastern Palace, this was the first time Xiao Youlan had taken the initiative to say he would not eat breakfast with her.

Nan Xueyin was not entirely at ease and asked her, "How do you think His Highness the Crown Prince's state is?"

"State?"

"Is there anything unusual about him?"

Linglang recalled, "There's nothing unusual... His Highness the Crown Prince is the same as always."

Nan Xueyin was speechless.

She shouldn't have asked; a person like Xiao Youlan would never let his emotions show on his face.

Forget it.

She would talk to him once Xiao Youlan returned.

After eating breakfast, she waited and waited, but Xiao Youlan did not return, so Nan Xueyin went to the backyard.

The Jiang Family father and daughter were eating breakfast together, just two simple bowls of porridge and two small dishes of pickles.

Because they had been in frequent contact lately, Jiang Lian'er smiled as soon as she saw her and waved enthusiastically, "Miss Nan, you're here!"

Nan Xueyin gave a hum and asked, "Have Xiaoyang and Mulan eaten yet?"

"Not yet."

"Then I will feed them."

Having said that, without waiting for the Jiang Family father and daughter to stop her, Nan Xueyin set off to cut meat and feed the leopards.

Xiaoyang was outside the cage and was very happy to see her, circling her calves several times; Nan Xueyin leaned down and petted it several times before Xiaoyang was satisfied and returned to Mulan's side.

After feeding the leopards, Nan Xueyin went to wash her hands.

Cutting and feeding the meat had left her hands covered in grease and blood.

Father Jiang came over to help her, and his chatterbox opened up, "To tell you the truth, Miss Nan, when you went to save me that day, I was very afraid the first time I saw you."

Nan Xueyin focused on scrubbing her hands and asked without lifting her head, "Is that so?"

"Yes! At the time, I thought this was some new trick cooked up by the people of the Loulan Kingdom."

"Then why were you willing to follow me later?"

"Because you mentioned His Highness the Crown Prince!" Father Jiang laughed, "In this world, who doesn't know that our Crown Prince is a top-notch person."

Nan Xueyin twitched the corner of her mouth.

That was not a lie.

After washing her hands, Father Jiang handed her a cloth, and Nan Xueyin glanced at his severed hand, "How is... the wound?"

After asking, she actually regretted it a little; why did she have to be so talkative?

Father Jiang, however, smiled kindly, "Much better! His Highness the Crown Prince invited a physician for me and also bestowed many precious medicines. My wound hasn't hurt for a long time."

Nan Xueyin did not believe this last half of the sentence.

She had suffered so many wounds that she knew no matter how precious the medicine used, the healing of a wound would still be very painful.

Even if Mafei Powder was used, once the effect of the medicine wore off, the pain would naturally come rushing back, making one wish they were dead.

"But then again, that Princess of the Loulan Kingdom and her guard were also coerced by others; they are equally pitiful," Father Jiang sighed.

"You even know about this?" Nan Xueyin looked sideways.

"I heard them talking about it," Father Jiang said, "I know a little bit of the Loulan Kingdom's language, and I heard them talking about how the Prince had sent another letter."

Nan Xueyin suddenly thought of something and asked, "Then did you hear why their Prince is so insistent on taking the Crown Prince's life?"

Regarding this point, Nan Xueyin had already harbored doubts in her heart.

Why must the Prince of the Loulan Kingdom want Xiao Youlan dead?

Given Xiao Youlan's personality and style of doing things, it would clearly be more beneficial to the Loulan Kingdom if he were to ascend the throne.

She always felt there was an inside story to this.

Father Jiang scratched his head, "This... I wouldn't know. I don't know much of the Loulan Kingdom's language either."

Jiang Lian'er muttered quietly from the side, "Perhaps that prince was also being coerced by someone?"

These words were like a sudden enlightenment, and Nan Xueyin's brow instantly smoothed out.

That's right!

The Ye Dynasty is powerful, and the Loulan Kingdom is a vassal to the Ye Dynasty.

If someone in the Ye Dynasty with power and influence, who had the heart to vie for the position of Crown Prince, ordered or threatened the prince of the Loulan Kingdom, then the prince would have no choice but to obey.

The one who wanted to kill Xiao Youlan was one of his own people; the Loulan Kingdom prince was merely a blade.

But who was this person who harbored the intent to kill?

Prince Kang? Jing Prince? Or Prince Duan?

Or perhaps some force hidden in the darkness that has yet to appear...

"Miss Nan!"

Linglang hurried over, "His Highness the Crown Prince has returned!"

Earlier, when Nan Xueyin was coming to the backyard, she told Linglang that if Xiao Youlan returned, she must be notified.

Nan Xueyin acknowledged this, temporarily setting aside other thoughts.

What was pressing now was the matter between her and Xiao Youlan.

"His Highness the Crown Prince went straight to the study upon his return!" Linglang reported on the way.

"Good."

Nan Xueyin intended to coax Xiao Youlan.

Coaxing people, especially coaxing a man, was something she had never done before, and she felt a bit nervous.

After thinking it over, the key was to seize the initiative, then present the facts and reason things out.

Before Xiao Youlan could cover her mouth again, she would explain the whole matter clearly: didn't he say she didn't believe in his feelings? She would tell him that she knew he was capable.

Thinking this, Nan Xueyin arrived outside the study door.

She took a breath, and before her foot had even stepped through the door, she raised her voice: "Xiao Youlan, I know you were angry last night, but I really didn't think you were incapable..."

Before her voice had faded, Nan Xueyin walked into the study.

Seeing the crowd of men sitting in the study, Nan Xueyin was stunned.

Why... are there so many people?!

And they had clearly all heard what she just said, their expressions each more colorful than the last.