Chapter 207: Something Has Gone Wrong

When Cui Zhu arrived, Xiao Youlan was still in that grand and magnificent attire.

Cui Zhu looked him up and down, his face full of curiosity, "Why are you dressed like this today? Are you really His Highness the Crown Prince? Could it be that someone has possessed your body?"

Xiao Youlan:...

Too lazy to say much more to him, he simply asked directly: "What brings you to the Eastern Palace at this hour?"

Cui Zhu was still inwardly puzzled by the Crown Prince's attire, but he followed up by answering: "I came specifically to tell Your Highness about some progress on matters within the Supervisory Court."

Xiao Youlan gave a hum of acknowledgement.

Before speaking, Cui Zhu first glanced sideways at Nan Xueyin, who was drinking tea peacefully to the side.

Xiao Youlan said calmly: "She can know anything; there is no need to guard against her."

Cui Zhu nodded; it seemed this Miss Nan was truly the person at the tip of the Crown Prince's heart, as he did not even hide important matters concerning the throne and political power from her.

He said: "Yesterday, Changshi Nan submitted numerous proofs of Prince Duan's crimes to the Supervisory Court. The content was detailed and the evidence was conclusive; Prince Duan had no way to argue against it. Even though Dean Lin still wanted to fight for Prince Duan, there was no way to shield him. That very day, Dean Lin summoned Prince Duan to the Supervisory Court for questioning. At the time, Dean Lin did not let me be present. I heard later that Prince Duan remained silent in the face of all the evidence, and instead said many things regarding the Crown Prince and Miss Nan."

Nan Xueyin listened from the side, thinking to herself, what is this called for Xiao Mingyu—if he can't have it, he wants to destroy it?

That was indeed something he was capable of doing.

Her heart turned cold, and she took another shallow sip of tea.

Xiao Youlan evaluated it simply: "Muddying the waters."

Cui Zhu laughed: "Yes, I think so too. This Prince Duan knows he cannot escape, so he wants to stir up the waters in the court. That way, the focus on him will be less, and his chances of escaping will be greater. Look, today Dean Lin suddenly brought people over. After all, the matter of the Crown Prince being deceived by an Assassin is, compared to things like Prince Duan's corruption and harming the common people, still a bigger deal."

Nan Xueyin listened, and couldn't help but frown, asking: "Why?"

Cui Zhu looked at her, not understanding what she meant for a moment, "What is Miss Nan asking about?"

Nan Xueyin's gaze was sharp and clear, "Why is the Crown Prince being deceived by an Assassin a bigger deal than the common people being killed?"

Cui Zhu was instead somewhat stumped by the question, turning his head to try and look at Xiao Youlan's expression, wanting to know what exactly he had said wrong and how he should respond.

Xiao Youlan spoke slowly: "This way of thinking is wrong, but it has indeed existed for a long time. Little Snow, do not be angry."

Nan Xueyin frowned.

She was one of the common people, and those innocent people who died were her parents and neighbors; it was hard for her not to be angry.

But she also knew that a dynasty like the Ye Dynasty was built upon the faith of the world's masses in the Emperor, and the Emperor, as well as the Crown Prince, were existences that stood above the masses.

The Ye Dynasty was so vast; the fact that common people in a certain place died unfortunately because of a certain Prince was, when viewed from the perspective of the entire country, just an insignificant trifle.

But if something happened to the Emperor or the Crown Prince of the Ye Dynasty, it could easily stir up great turmoil throughout the world.

This was the reason why Cui Zhu and even Lin Fu valued this matter so much.

Even though she understood and grasped the reasons behind it, Nan Xueyin still felt very unhappy inside.

She didn't say anything more and continued to drink her tea.

Cui Zhu looked at her cautiously, then looked at Xiao Youlan.

Feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, he cleared his throat, trying to change the subject, "On the way to the Eastern Palace just now, I ran into Dean Lin. Looking at his expression, it was as if he had returned after being rebuffed."

Xiao Youlan gave a hum of acknowledgement, "He asked Little Snow, but did not get anything he wanted to ask."

Cui Zhu couldn't help but praise, "Miss Nan is truly a divine person! This is likely the first setback Dean Lin has suffered in his life."

Nan Xueyin lifted her eyelids slightly and tugged at the corner of her mouth, "Thanks for the compliment."

Actually, she had been very polite, even saying "thanks," but for some reason, Cui Zhu still felt a kind of chill.

This feeling came inexplicably and could not be explained clearly.

He scratched his head.

After Cui Zhu left, Xiao Youlan came to ask Nan Xueyin, "Are you still in a bad mood?"

Nan Xueyin shook her head, "Not particularly bad."

She pursed her lips and instead asked Xiao Youlan, "Do you think my mindset is very strange?"

Xiao Youlan held her hand, "Not strange. You come from a background of ordinary commoners, and considering their hardships and lamenting their loss of life is a manifestation of your kindness. Do you know, I have seen many scholars from humble backgrounds who, after entering officialdom and becoming successful, stand together with the powerful and wealthy. They were once exploited by corrupt officials and lived miserable lives, but once they turned their fortunes around, they did not do anything for other commoners, but instead followed the corrupt officials and began to exploit other commoners. But you are different. Your conscience is still there."

Nan Xueyin looked at him, "Then what about you? You come from a noble background, why can you understand me?"

Xiao Youlan smiled, "I don't know either; perhaps I was born for this."

Nan Xueyin blinked slowly.

"To bring benefit to the common people and make their lives better."

Nan Xueyin's expression was serious as never before; she took his hand in return and said: "Xiao Youlan, I will help you."

Xiao Youlan smiled and nodded, "Good."

That day, the sky had just turned dark.

Xiao Youlan had washed and changed early, because he wanted to take off those heavy, cumbersome clothes and put on something lighter.

Nan Xueyin was bathing inside; originally Xiao Youlan wanted to go in with her, but was chased out by Nan Xueyin.

In the courtyard, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse; Xiaoyang was pouncing on a few small flying insects, having a great time.

Xiao Youlan was watching with great interest when Feihong stood to the side to report, "The Emperor is still in a coma and shows no signs of waking up yet."

Regarding this, Xiao Youlan did not feel surprised.

"Virtuous Consort basically goes to accompany the Emperor every morning and evening for two hours, wiping his body and massaging his arms and legs."

Xiao Youlan narrowed his eyes.

Over there, Xiaoyang swatted a large flying insect with one paw and poked its head over, looking as if it wanted to eat the bug.

Feihong couldn't help but look over too.

Xiao Youlan looked sideways, "How is it over at the Supervisory Court?"

Feihong reacted a beat late, "The people over there... haven't returned yet."

"They haven't returned this late?" Xiao Youlan frowned.

Feihong was just about to say he would go and urge them again when suddenly, he heard a burst of hurried footsteps.

"Lord Feihong!"

He turned his head to look, and it was indeed the personal guard he had arranged to keep watch at the Supervisory Court.

He had rushed back in a hurry, and seeing him like this, Feihong immediately had a bad premonition.

"What happened?"

"Something has gone wrong!"

The personal guard looked toward Xiao Youlan, his voice trembling, "Prince Duan... has disappeared!"