Chapter 18: Recently, I Seem to Have Become More Handsome

At dawn the next day, Nan Xueyin went to the Crown Prince's bedchamber.

Xiao Youlan was already up, standing tall and straight in the room, his brows furrowed in a way barely perceptible, as if he had something on his mind.

Feihong was just about to help him put on his robes when he caught sight of Nan Xueyin and immediately smiled, "Why has Doukou come over?"

Xiao Youlan's gaze fell upon her face.

Compared to yesterday, the slap mark had faded somewhat, but there were still faint red traces.

His gaze moved upward to the White Jade Hairpin she had tucked into her hair, the one he had sent someone to deliver yesterday.

He said in a slow voice, "I did not grant you permission to rest."

Nan Xueyin smiled and said, "The Ointment bestowed by Your Highness is excellent; after using it, I no longer feel any pain."

She looked at him again, "If Your Highness finds that I am no longer pretty with the injury on my face and feels annoyed seeing me, then I shall return."

Xiao Youlan looked at her deeply, "I am not so fond of pretty things."

Nan Xueyin laughed, walked forward, and took the robes from Feihong's hands.

Feihong was tactful; he smiled and led the others away.

As Nan Xueyin dressed Xiao Youlan, she asked, "When I entered just now, I saw Your Highness frowning. Were you unhappy because you thought I wouldn't come?"

Xiao Youlan remained silent.

Nan Xueyin sighed very softly, her tone gentle, like a breeze brushing past the corridor, "But the moment I thought about not seeing Your Highness all day, I felt sad and lost, so I had to come no matter what."

Xiao Youlan was stunned, his heart suddenly softening.

Nan Xueyin did not look at his expression; she stepped aside, turning her back to him to choose the headwear for the day.

She pondered, "Does Your Highness wish to wear the White Jade Crown or the Gold Crown today? Today Your Highness is wearing..."

"This one."

Xiao Youlan suddenly grasped her hand and placed it upon a Boshan Gold Crown. His voice fell against her ear, cool and clear like the clashing of fine jade.

He stood right behind her, at a very close distance, in a posture of extreme intimacy, as if Nan Xueyin were leaning into his embrace, their heads close together.

For only an instant, Xiao Youlan released her hand, raised it, and curled his index finger to brush her cheek, right where she had been struck by Lin Laixi yesterday.

Through the thin Human Skin Mask, Nan Xueyin could feel the touch of his fingers on her own skin; she felt as if she were suspended high in the air, unable to tell for a moment whether it was the fear of her Human Skin Mask being discovered or some other emotion.

His touch was exceptionally light and slow, as if he were afraid of hurting her.

"Your Highness?" Nan Xueyin called out tentatively, her heart drumming like a beat.

Xiao Youlan lowered his hand and said calmly, "After I return from the morning court session, I will take you out for a stroll."

Nan Xueyin asked, "Where does Your Highness wish to go?"

Xiao Youlan pondered for a moment, "The shop where you and Shu Yu bought pastries last time."

Nan Xueyin turned her face away, "Your Highness..."

"Hmm?"

Nan Xueyin pursed her lips, "Are you... jealous because I am too close to Official Shu?"

Xiao Youlan was silent for a moment before saying, "No."

Once dressed, Nan Xueyin followed Xiao Youlan out the door.

Shu Yu was outside, chatting with Feihong and the others.

"... My martial arts are no boast! All these years, the Crown Prince has faced so many assassination attempts; if I hadn't been guarding and protecting him by his side, the Crown Prince would surely have been injured many times over!"

Feihong, being a straightforward person, punctured his claim, "But the last time the Crown Prince was assassinated, didn't he get hurt? You were by the Crown Prince's side then, too!"

Shu Yu scratched his head, "That... that was because the assassin was too skilled, and I couldn't react in time!"

He patted his chest to guarantee, "Next time, I guarantee the Crown Prince won't suffer even the slightest injury, not even a single hair will fall!"

Feihong hurriedly went over to cover his mouth, "Don't be a jinx! The Crown Prince is going out today; he won't be assassinated!"

Watching this scene, Nan Xueyin felt amazed.

She had never seen such a pleasant atmosphere within the Duan Prince Mansion.

"Feihong, let's go." Xiao Youlan, however, acted as if he were used to it.

After the Crown Prince left, Nan Xueyin prepared breakfast as usual.

Shu Yu could not sit still, and feeling curious, he came over to help.

After he broke two plates and a bowl, Nan Xueyin said with a forced smile, "Official Shu, if you truly have nothing to do, go count how many bricks there are in our Eastern Palace."

Shu Yu opened his eyes wide, "Why do you say that too?"

Nan Xueyin was puzzled, "What do you mean by 'too'?"

Shu Yu laughed, "His Highness the Crown Prince also told me to go count bricks before."

Nan Xueyin:...

Nan Xueyin was getting a bit annoyed with him.

Fortunately, after that, Shu Yu did not interfere or cause more trouble, merely muttering on the side, "Do you know why I haven't been in the Eastern Palace lately? Because I went to handle other matters. Hey, this is the first time; in the past, the Crown Prince had never sent me out to handle tasks."

Nan Xueyin ignored him.

He didn't mind and continued, "I returned today partly because I finished my work, and partly because the Crown Prince is going out. His Highness's status is noble, and many in the court and the public eye covet his position; there's no telling if he might face assassination. Without me by his side to protect him, it's not safe."

Nan Xueyin finally spoke, asking, "What is the purpose of the Crown Prince going out today?"

Shu Yu's expression did not change, "I don't know about that."

Nan Xueyin understood; even though he was talkative, he knew exactly what should and should not be said. Even though it seemed like Nan Xueyin was treated as an acquaintance or friend, in reality, he was always on guard.

"Why do you ask?" Shu Yu leaned in, his eyes fixed on her with curiosity and suspicion.

Nan Xueyin didn't even lift her eyelids, saying calmly, "The Crown Prince said he would take me out today."

Shu Yu was stunned.

Nan Xueyin set down her bowl and chopsticks, looking at him with a half-smile, "When we leave the palace this time, I ask that Official Shu make thorough arrangements; while protecting the Crown Prince, please do not forget me. I am also very afraid of pain."

Shu Yu said with great loyalty: "Rest assured! When I handle things, are you still worried!"

Later that day, Xiao Youlan returned.

As soon as he arrived, he heard Shu Yu incessantly boasting about his past heroic deeds.

Xiao Youlan suddenly wanted to find something to stuff into his mouth.

He then saw the woman on the side with a cold expression, looking completely indifferent.

Upon seeing him, her brows relaxed and she smiled brightly: "Your Highness has returned."

Xiao Youlan was in a good mood, lifting the corners of his lips and giving an "Mn."

After eating breakfast, the group left the Eastern Palace.

Unlike the day they went to the Kang Wang Mansion, today they were traveling light and simple, not using the Crown Prince's ceremonial procession.

Xiao Youlan had also specifically changed into casual clothes, a Lake Blue Narrow-sleeved Round-collared Robe and a Double-wrapped Silver-inlaid Belt, which was the common attire for leisurely, wealthy young masters in Fengdu, but Xiao Youlan was truly born handsome, his entire temperament imposing, naturally exuding dignity amidst his nobility.

Along the way, they attracted many gazes and much attention.

Shu Yu stroked his chin thoughtfully: "I seem to have become even more handsome lately; they have been staring at me the whole way here!"

Nan Xueyin gave him a strange look.

Shu Yu sighed: "What a pity! I am already a man with a fiancée! If this news were to spread, I don't know how many young women's hearts would be broken."

Nan Xueyin:...