Chapter 170: It Couldn't Be That Exaggerated, Could It?

At the first light of dawn the next day, Nan Xueyin caught the sound of footsteps approaching, completely off guard.

Someone had walked to the bedside and was leaning in toward her.

Nan Xueyin's body reacted faster than her mind; with a sudden movement, she seized the intruder's arm and opened her eyes to look.

It was a young maid, Qingdai, whom Nan Jiyun had arranged to look after her yesterday.

Nan Xueyin immediately released her hand and sat up.

However, her grip had been too strong, and a red ring was clearly visible on Qingdai's arm.

Nan Xueyin pursed her lips and said sincerely, "I apologize."

"It's alright," Qingdai shook her head, "Miss, it is time to rise."

"Mm."

Today, she had to go pay her respects to the Madam.

Qingdai told Nan Xueyin that the Madam's surname was Wang, her given name was Jieyu, and she and Nan Jiyun shared a very deep affection as husband and wife.

Madam Wang's health was not good, and a physician had once said she was unfit for childbirth; Nan Jiyun did not mind, but Madam Wang felt guilty in her heart, and mindful that Nan Jiyun was the only seedling left in the Nan Family, she worked hard to regulate her body and gave birth to a pair of children for him, Nan Fuguang and Nan Lizhu, who were born in the same pregnancy.

Nan Fuguang was currently studying at Bailudong Academy and only returned once every six months or a year.

Nan Lizhu was raised at home and had a very lively and active temperament; she loved catching cats and teasing dogs more than anything else in her spare time.

"The Second Miss has an even greater hobby," another maid, Rendong, who had also been arranged to serve Nan Xueyin, spoke up with a smile.

"Hm?" Qingdai did not react for a moment.

"The Crown Prince," Rendong said, the curve of her smile widening.

Nan Xueyin was slightly stunned.

Qingdai also smiled and explained, "The Second Miss admires the Crown Prince; whenever she hears the latest news about him, she always insists on getting to the bottom of it. Some time ago, when she heard that the Crown Prince had favored a palace maid by his side, she was heartbroken for quite a while."

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

During their conversation, the group arrived at Shushi Studio, where Madam Wang resided.

Stepping through the door, amidst the interplay of light and shadow, Nan Xueyin saw Madam Wang sitting on a couch, with Nan Lizhu curled up on her lap, sleeping lazily.

Nan Xueyin envied Nan Lizhu very much.

It had been a long time since she had been able to act spoiled by her mother's side; during the initial period after losing her mother, Nan Xueyin could not help but shed tears in secret, and she would dream of her mother, only to wake up with her pillow soaked through.

Later on, there were times when she could not even remember what her mother looked like.

Seeing Nan Xueyin, Madam Wang lowered her head to pat Nan Lizhu's back, "The hour is late, your sister has come to pay her respects, why don't you hurry up and get up?"

Nan Lizhu sighed and sat up, rubbing her eyes.

Nan Xueyin lowered her eyes, "Aunt. Sister."

Madam Wang looked her over, her voice gentle, "Good child, you have suffered outside all these years. Now that you are back home, tell me if you lack anything. Qingdai and Rendong both served in my courtyard before, and they are both very sensible girls. If they have been negligent in any way, just tell me directly."

Nan Xueyin nodded, "I understand, thank you, Aunt."

Madam Wang kept her to eat breakfast together.

Nan Xueyin asked, "Where is Uncle?"

Madam Wang said, "Your uncle has matters to attend to today and will not be back for breakfast."

Nan Xueyin nodded.

Once at the table, she really did not know what to say and kept her head down, eating her breakfast.

She could feel Madam Wang observing her, and she also knew that when Madam Wang later made an excuse to leave, she was actually going to question Qingdai.

She even vaguely heard Qingdai say, "That gaze was ice-cold, as if she wanted to kill this servant!"

Nan Xueyin knew that Qingdai was talking about what happened when she woke up early that morning.

"Sister, have you ever been to Fengdu?"

Nan Xueyin had originally wanted to listen to what Madam Wang was saying, but Nan Lizhu, who was eating at the same table, spoke up first.

Nan Xueyin could not hear clearly, so she turned her gaze to Nan Lizhu, paused, and shook her head.

Nan Lizhu seemed very disappointed, "I thought you had been there. I heard that Fengdu is so prosperous! The streets of Fengdu are paved with gold!"

Nan Xueyin:...

Nan Xueyin: "It couldn't be that exaggerated."

Nan Lizhu: "You haven't been there, have you? How do you know it isn't paved with gold?"

Nan Xueyin said sincerely, "If the streets were really paved with gold, everyone wouldn't be able to resist prying a few pieces off. They would be pried clean within days of being laid."

"But... but the Crown Prince is in Fengdu! With him there, no one would dare commit any crimes!"

Nan Xueyin:...

Nan Xueyin: "That also couldn't be that exaggerated."

Nan Lizhu was exceptionally firm, "That is exactly how it is! You can doubt anyone, but you absolutely cannot doubt the Crown Prince! He is exceptionally handsome, like an immortal from the heavens! His voice is beautiful, like the spring breeze! He is also gentle, wise, and upright. Sister, if you had seen the Crown Prince, you would definitely worship him and follow him! No one could fail to fall in love with him!"

Nan Xueyin scratched her cheek.

This...

She had seen him, and even kissed him.

The Crown Prince was indeed good-looking, and none of those virtues were wrong.

Worship and following might be a stretch, but falling in love seemed to be true.

"What are you two talking about?"

At this moment, Madam Wang returned after finishing her business.

Nan Lizhu did not even think, "We are chatting about the Crown Prince!"

Madam Wang laughed, "Don't chat about the Crown Prince every time you meet someone; it will only invite ridicule."

After saying this, she looked at Nan Xueyin with a face full of apology, "I'm sorry, Xiaoxue, your sister is young and doesn't know any better."

Nan Xueyin shook her head: "It doesn't matter."

After finishing breakfast, Nan Lizhu quickly began to act like a spoiled child: "Mother, Sister has never been to Fengdu either. Why don't we go to Fengdu to play? Mother—"

However, at least when Nan Xueyin said goodbye to Madam Wang, she had not agreed.

It was estimated that Nan Lizhu would have to pester her mother all day long.

Nan Jiyun returned at dusk.

As soon as he returned, he went to ask Madam Wang: "You've seen Little Xue, right? How is she? Is she getting used to everything?"

"She is very well." Madam Wang straightened his clothes for him.

Nan Jiyun didn't even think: "Then I'll go take a look at her!"

"Wait a moment!" Madam Wang grabbed him.

"What is it?"

Madam Wang frowned slightly: "I just feel that Little Xue is a little bit strange."

"Strange?"

Madam Wang said: "Qingdai told me that when she went to call Little Xue to get up this morning, before she even touched Little Xue, she was suddenly grabbed by the wrist. Little Xue's strength is very great; I have checked, and there is a bruised mark on Qingdai's wrist. This kind of strength does not look like that of an ordinary young lady."

Nan Jiyun waved his hand: "Although my elder brother knew a few characters, he did farm work in the countryside, and Little Xue is the only daughter in the family, so she always helped with the work. Having been displaced all these years, she must have endured all kinds of hardships, so it is not strange for her to have greater strength."

Madam Wang frowned: "I kept her for breakfast, and her habits and posture while eating do not look like someone who has done farm work for many years."

"What do you mean by that?" Nan Jiyun asked.

"She ate in a slow and methodical manner, and she knew all the rules of dining. Is this a person who does farm work? Furthermore, Little Xue's appearance and that bearing of hers are clearly not that of a village woman. It is more like..."

"Like what?"

Madam Wang's expression was serious: "Someone who has spent time in a wealthy family."

Nan Jiyun was stunned.

After a moment of silence, Nan Jiyun sighed: "But, Jieyu, this is truly my elder brother's only daughter."

"I am not saying that I won't let her stay in the house; I just feel that there are some things you don't need to tell her," Madam Wang said earnestly. "Firstly, we don't know what she has experienced in the past, we don't know what purpose she had for suddenly returning, and we don't even know if she is staying willingly or has other motives. Secondly, you want to collect evidence of Prince Duan's corruption to report him to the imperial court, and because of this, you have offended Prince Duan and have been trapped in Qingzhou for so many years. Little Xue is a weak woman and cannot help you with anything; there are some things you don't need to say and let her worry in vain. If she is willing to stay in the Nan Family, then we will provide for her with fine food and clothing. When she reaches the right age, we will find a marriage for her."

Nan Jiyun felt soft in his heart and opened his arms to hug his wife: "Jieyu, Jieyu, you truly are my 'Jieyu Flower'!"

After spending a moment of tenderness with his wife, Nan Jiyun dressed neatly and went to take a look at Nan Xueyin.

When he arrived, Nan Xueyin was staring blankly at the drifting clouds outside the window.

Hearing footsteps, she turned her head abruptly to look.

Nan Jiyun asked with a smile: "Did you see your aunt today?"

Nan Xueyin nodded.

Nan Jiyun walked inside.

Nan Xueyin remembered what she had heard last night, so she asked directly: "Uncle, is there something going on between you and Prince Duan?"

Nan Jiyun recalled the words his wife had said earlier and shook his head: "Nothing at all. As a mere Changshi, what could I have to do with a prince?"

Nan Xueyin was certain she had not misheard that night.

Her uncle was unwilling to say, which was not surprising; she had just arrived, and her uncle did not trust her.

"So that's how it is." Nan Xueyin did not ask again.

"Alright," Nan Jiyun said warmly, "From now on, you will live in the Nan Family; you can stay for as long as you like."