Chapter 206: I Won't Be Angry With You Either

Xiao Youlan walked in steadily from outside the door, his face like fine jade, his eyes distant and calm. He wore a frost-colored, round-collared, narrow-sleeved long robe, with a gold-threaded jade belt around his waist. The emerald jade pendant hung on his right side, and his hair was meticulously bound within a lotus-patterned gold crown.

Nan Xueyin, meanwhile, was deep in thought; when they had lunch together, he was definitely not wearing this outfit.

She finally realized that the reason Xiao Youlan had gotten up and left at that time was because he had to go groom and dress himself.

No wonder it took so long for him to come over; picking out clothes, changing, fixing his hair, and all that must have taken a great deal of energy and time...

But the effect was indeed excellent. Xiao Youlan was already exceptionally handsome, and now, meticulously groomed and dressed, he was even more handsome and elegant, as if he were an immortal banished from the nine heavens.

Nan Xueyin looked at him, unable to look away for a moment.

Xiao Youlan's gaze fell upon her, and he raised his eyebrows very slightly.

Nan Xueyin suddenly couldn't help it and curled the corners of her lips.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Nan Jiyun realized what was happening and bowed respectfully.

He pondered to himself that he had been at the Eastern Palace for several days now, and whether going out or entering the palace, the Crown Prince's attire had always been quite simple; this was the first time he had seen the Crown Prince dressed so grandly and magnificently.

Xiao Youlan nodded slightly and looked at Yu Rang to the side: "This Young Master Yu must be the only son of Sima Yu of Qingzhou, right?"

Yu Rang was a beat slow to recover, then said in a muffled voice: "Yes..."

Xiao Youlan looked him up and down: "You bear quite a resemblance to your father."

Yu Rang whispered: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness the Crown Prince..."

Xiao Youlan added: "Are you still studying?"

"Indeed..."

"Apply yourself well. The Ye Dynasty is in need of young men like you; study hard and enter the service of the state to benefit the country and the people." Xiao Youlan's voice was calm.

Yu Rang, however, felt an inexplicable pressure—the kind of oppression released intentionally or unintentionally by those in high positions.

He couldn't help but feel inferior in his heart—

In terms of appearance, he could not compare to the Crown Prince.

He had long heard that the Crown Prince was a handsome man; he had thought he must be handsome, but he hadn't expected him to be this handsome.

From childhood to adulthood, many people around him had praised Yu Rang for being handsome, and when Yu Rang looked in the mirror, he also felt he had some charm, but now that he had seen the Crown Prince with his own eyes, even just from the perspective of a man, Yu Rang could not deny that the Crown Prince was indeed a cut above—no, several cuts above.

As for status and breadth of vision...

Yu Rang was also far behind.

He struggled to even grasp certain essays taught by the school master and didn't know if he would be able to pass the examinations and become an official in the future, yet the Crown Prince had already been in the court for many years, and even Yu Rang's own father was working for the Crown Prince.

Yu Rang couldn't help but feel sad; compared to the Crown Prince, he didn't seem to have a single advantage.

It seemed that no matter what, he would never be able to compete with the Crown Prince.

Yu Rang was dejected and unable to speak.

"You must be tired after traveling such a long distance," Xiao Youlan spoke again, "Feihong, take Young Master Yu down to rest."

"Yes."

Feihong stepped forward: "Young Master Yu, please."

Yu Rang hung his head and followed for two steps before remembering something; he turned back and bowed to Xiao Youlan: "Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Xiao Youlan nodded slightly.

Feihong then led Yu Rang away.

Feihong was kind-hearted, and seeing Yu Rang looking so dejected and awkward, he smiled and said: "The last time your father came to the Eastern Palace, I spoke with him a few times."

Hearing about his father, Yu Rang finally showed a bit of interest: "Is that so?"

Feihong chuckled and said: "Your father mentioned you, and from what I heard, he has high hopes for you, his son. You are still young and have infinite possibilities; don't let your father down."

Yu Rang paused, understanding Feihong's subtext—

It is understandable that you have taken a liking to Miss Nan, and fortunately, no great harm has been done.

But you still have a long future ahead of you; do not stop moving forward because of this one thing.

Yu Rang was still dispirited, but recalling his father, he gritted his teeth and said: "I... understand. Thank you, sir."

On the other side.

After Yu Rang left with Feihong, Nan Jiyun also tactfully stood up: "I just remembered I have some things to attend to; Your Highness the Crown Prince, Little Xue, I'll go get busy."

"Take care, Uncle," Nan Xueyin said.

Xiao Youlan also said: "Take care."

Nan Jiyun tried to call Xiaoyang to leave with him.

But Xiaoyang was already squatting at Nan Xueyin's feet and refused to budge an inch no matter how he coaxed it.

Nan Xueyin smiled: "It's alright, Uncle, let Xiaoyang stay here, it's fine."

"Alright then."

After Nan Jiyun also left, the hall became quiet.

Nan Xueyin leaned to one side, resting her elbow on the chair arm and propping her chin with one hand, looking at Xiao Youlan with a half-smile: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this outfit looks really good."

Xiao Youlan walked forward, reached her side, raised his hand to pinch her cheek, and asked: "Is only this outfit good-looking, and the others are not?"

Nan Xueyin couldn't help but laugh: "When did I say that?"

Xiao Youlan raised an eyebrow: "So that means they all look good?"

Nan Xueyin nodded: "They all look good; the Crown Prince looks good in everything."

She thought to herself, he looks good even without anything on.

But saying that out loud in broad daylight would be improper, so she only thought about it in her heart.

Yet, just hearing this much was enough to make Xiao Youlan pleased, and a gentle smile appeared in his eyes.

"Are you not angry anymore now?" Nan Xueyin watched his expression.

Xiao Youlan sat down in the empty seat beside her, "I was never angry with you to begin with."

Nan Xueyin tilted her head, "Really? But you stopped talking at that time."

"I was seriously thinking about what clothes to wear at that time," Xiao Youlan said, "Did I make you worry?"

"Yes, I felt very guilty at the time, thinking it was me who made you angry," Nan Xueyin said truthfully.

"That wouldn't happen. I have said before, even if you truly fell in love with another man, I would not be angry with you."

"Is that so?" Nan Xueyin was quite interested.

Xiao Youlan nodded, his expression earnest, "I would only feel that it was that man who was shameless enough to seduce you, and I would also feel that I lacked the ability to keep your heart."

Nan Xueyin let out a low laugh.

Then, with a smile on her face, she patted the back of his hand, "You don't need to dress so grandly in the future; the Crown Prince is naturally gifted, and you look very good even in ordinary clothes. Moreover, my heart is entirely with the Crown Prince, as clear as the sun and moon; I will not change my affections just because I meet someone younger or better. Liking and loving are not like going to the market to buy vegetables, where you can be picky. Liking and loving are things that are consistent, long-lasting, and unwavering."

After the afternoon, the people from the Supervisory Court left one after another.

As for Cui Zhu, he came to the Eastern Palace once.