Chapter 171: Heard the Emperor is Ill

Nan Xueyin then settled down to live at the Nan Family.

Qingzhou is quite a distance from Fengdu, but because there is a Nan Lizhu, Nan Xueyin constantly hears news regarding the Crown Prince.

Especially since Nan Xueyin and Nan Lizhu are of similar age and are both young ladies.

Nan Lizhu comes to find Nan Xueyin from time to time, and as soon as she opens her mouth, she talks about the Crown Prince.

Nan Lizhu: "I heard the Crown Prince quarreled with the Emperor because of a woman! I don't know who it is, to be so lucky!"

Nan Xueyin felt guilty and fell silent, then silently felt guilty.

Nan Lizhu: "However, I heard the Crown Prince has already thought it through; he no longer mentions that woman and has reconciled with the Emperor."

Nan Xueyin thought to herself, that is very good.

Nan Lizhu: "The Crown Prince was already very diligent before, but I heard he is even more diligent now, sleeping only two or three hours a day. He has accomplished several impressive tasks, and all the civil and military officials are full of praise for him!"

Nan Xueyin thought to herself, Xiao Youlan is like that; as long as he is willing, he can accomplish anything.

She did not seem to have doubted Xiao Youlan, nor did she worry about whether he had forgotten her or intended to give her up.

She just always missed him very much.

Days passed one by one, and as the end of the year approached, Nan Lizhu came to find Nan Xueyin again; this time, what she spoke of was no longer the Crown Prince, but the Emperor.

"I heard the Emperor is ill."

Nan Xueyin was slightly stunned.

Generally speaking, news of the Emperor's illness would be well concealed and would absolutely not be leaked unless necessary, because that would cause turmoil in the court and the public.

But now, this matter has leaked out, which indicates that the person who truly holds the power in the court is no longer the Emperor.

It is...

Xiao Youlan!

Nan Xueyin's heartbeat accelerated slightly.

"I don't know what will happen from now on," Nan Lizhu sighed and lamented.

In the evening, Nan Lizhu pulled Nan Xueyin into the courtyard to play ball-hitting game.

Nan Xueyin is actually very skilled at this, but most of the time, she deliberately plays poorly to let Nan Lizhu win.

Therefore, Nan Lizhu likes to find her to play together.

Having won two more rounds, Nan Lizhu was not as happy as usual and sighed, "I don't know what will happen to our Ye Dynasty in the future."

"What does the future of the Ye Dynasty have to do with a little girl like you? What use could you possibly be?"

At this moment, a young man's teasing voice came from behind.

Nan Lizhu turned her head abruptly: "Nan Fuguang! How did you sneak back?"

Nan Xueyin turned her head to look.

Standing not far behind were two young men; the one in front, wearing a treasure-blue round-collared robe, looked quite similar to Nan Jiyun, and he said with a cheeky grin: "What do you mean sneak back! Didn't I write to Father and Mother saying I was coming back recently?"

Nan Lizhu clearly did not remember.

Nan Fuguang snorted again: "In your heart, you only care about the Crown Prince; where is there any room for me, your brother..."

While they were arguing, the young man standing beside Nan Fuguang, wearing a silver-gray round-collared robe, noticed Nan Xueyin.

His gaze paused on Nan Xueyin's face for a moment, his cheeks flushed slightly, and he hurriedly averted his eyes.

Nan Xueyin:...

Is she that scary?

At this time, the argument between Nan Lizhu and Nan Fuguang looked like it was about to escalate into a fight, and Nan Xueyin was considering whether to go over and mediate.

To her, the two siblings were just like little chicks; she could easily stop them.

It was just that she didn't know if doing so would make her uncle and aunt unhappy.

Fortunately, Nan Fuguang was still rational; before taking action, he snorted, "I won't argue with you; my classmate is still here."

"Classmate?"

Nan Lizhu only then noticed the young man beside Nan Fuguang and tilted her head.

The young man smiled shyly: "Hello, Miss Nan, I am Nan Fuguang's classmate; my surname is Yu, and my name is Yu Rang."

Nan Lizhu was puzzled: "Why do you hang out with Nan Fuguang? He is a very bad person; don't let him lead you astray."

Yu Rang was stunned.

Nan Fuguang patted Nan Lizhu's head in annoyance, "If you keep spouting nonsense, I will give all the snacks to my cousin and not let you eat any!"

Nan Lizhu hurriedly covered her head, "I'm going to tell Father and Mother! Tell Father and Mother! Brother is bullying me again!"

After saying this, she really began to cry "woo-woo."

Yu Rang had never seen such a big scene and showed a flustered and helpless expression.

However, Nan Fuguang was already very used to it.

Nan Xueyin had been staying here for a few months and was also used to it, continuing to watch the show with a calm expression.

At this time, Nan Fuguang looked at her, clearly filled with amazement, "You... you are..."

Nan Xueyin's tone was neither salty nor bland: "Nan Xueyin."

Nan Fuguang was stunned again, "You are my cousin?"

Nan Xueyin gave a hum.

Nan Fuguang added: "I... I brought back a lot of snacks when I returned, as well as some rare little trinkets; Cousin, would you... would you like to go take a look and pick some out?"

During the few months she had stayed at the Nan Family, Nan Xueyin had developed a habit, which was not to refuse others' enthusiasm and kindness.

Therefore, she nodded slightly, "Alright."

She then added: "Lizhu, let's go together."

This was also a habit she had developed; no matter what gift she received, she had to let Nan Lizhu be at the front.

In this way, both Uncle and Aunt were happy.

As the group headed toward the front hall, Nan Fuguang kept stealing glances at her.

Nan Xueyin was single-minded, focusing only on walking.

Several chests were placed in the front hall, all just unloaded from the carriages.

Madam Wang was sitting on a chair watching them move the items; as soon as Nan Lizhu went over, she complained, "Mother! Brother hit me just now! And he scolded me too!"

Nan Fuguang widened his eyes, his face saying: How can you be the villain who complains first?

Madam Wang smiled and said, "That must be because you scolded your brother first."

Nan Fuguang was triumphant again: See, Mother still loves me more!

Nan Lizhu felt wronged: "It was he who looked down on me first! I said I didn't know what to do in the future, and he said it had nothing to do with a little girl like me..."

"Alright," Madam Wang interrupted her, "Your brother traveled thousands of miles to return, which is very exhausting; why are you still arguing with him? Behave yourself. Besides, he even brought you so many gifts."

Nan Lizhu's eyes turned red: "I don't want his gifts! Mother only knows how to favor Brother!"

After saying this, she wiped away her tears and ran off.

Nan Xueyin looked at her retreating figure, "Aunt, I will go check on her."

Madam Wang shook her head: "No need to mind her. This child has been spoiled by me in daily life."

Nan Xueyin did not know how to comment, but in the end, she stayed behind first.

Madam Wang looked at Nan Fuguang again and greeted him gently: "Good child, come here and let Mother take a good look at you."

Nan Fuguang stepped forward, called out "Mother," and pointed at Yu Rang, saying, "This is my classmate, Yu Rang."

Madam Wang nodded, looked at Yu Rang, and smiled kindly: "I know of you; your father is also an official in Qingzhou, isn't he?"

Yu Rang replied: "Yes. My father recently went to Fengdu; he said he didn't know what would happen later, so he let me come stay at the Nan Family for a few days first."

Madam Wang sighed lightly: "Your father is someone heavily relied upon by the Crown Prince; with the recent turmoil in the imperial court, I suppose even your father cannot say for sure what will happen in the future..."