Chapter 219: Right Now, I Really Want to Kiss You

Xiao Mingyu was locked in the Neiyu, awaiting his final sentencing.

Consort Xian was confined to the deep palace, no longer able to stir up any trouble.

While it appeared that Emperor Yongzheng still sat upon the throne, the one presiding over the court was already Xiao Youlan.

Yet precisely because of this, Xiao Youlan became busy, and the time Nan Xueyin and Xiao Youlan spent together grew less and less.

Shu Yu returned to prepare for his wedding with Song Jianing, while Wu Zhui focused on recovering from his injuries, spending his days glued to Jiang Lian'er.

Fortunately, Nan Xueyin still had Xiaoyang to keep her company.

Nan Lizhu and Nan Fuguang also came.

... Actually, Nan Fuguang could be ignored, because he was just as terrified of Xiaoyang as his father, and dared not go near it by even half a step.

Nan Lizhu was much bolder; the first time she saw it, her eyes sparkled and she wanted to come over to pet Xiaoyang's big head. Xiaoyang found it annoying at first and dodged her, so Nan Lizhu used fresh meat to lure and tempt it.

These were experiences Nan Lizhu had gained from raising cats, and the facts proved they were indeed effective.

Within a few days, Xiaoyang and Nan Lizhu had become very familiar with each other, often huddling together to play.

Nan Xueyin watched them playing happily, suddenly remembered something, and called out, "Lizhu."

Nan Lizhu turned her head back, "What is it, Sister?"

Nan Xueyin smiled and said, "Do you remember, in the past you told me that you liked the Crown Prince very much?"

Nan Lizhu blushed instantly.

At the mere thought of the nice things she had said to Nan Xueyin about the Crown Prince, and the admiration and affection she had expressed for him, Nan Lizhu felt a wave of embarrassment.

She had spoken with such certainty, even claiming she understood the Crown Prince best, but who knew that Sister Xueyin and the Crown Prince had such a relationship...

It was truly showing off one's slight talent before an expert!

Showing off one's slight talent before an expert!

"I don't mean anything else," Nan Xueyin said in a gentle tone, "it's just that you told me before that you wanted the Crown Prince to write an inscription for you. The Crown Prince wrote them long ago, and I just remembered it now, intending to hand the three pieces of calligraphy to you."

She had thought Nan Lizhu would be very happy to hear this, but unexpectedly, she only nodded her head and said, "Thank you, Sister."

Nan Xueyin raised her eyebrows, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy? Didn't you say that the person you admire most in the world is the Crown Prince?"

Nan Lizhu pinched her fingers, "I am happy, but..."

"But?"

Nan Lizhu looked at her, "Sister Xueyin, the person I admire most in the world is no longer the Crown Prince."

Nan Xueyin was intrigued, "Oh?"

Nan Lizhu's cheeks were red, "The person I admire most now is you."

Nan Xueyin rested her chin on one hand and smiled lightly, "Because I captured the Crown Prince?"

"That's not it," Nan Lizhu said, "Capturing the Crown Prince is very impressive, but that's not what I admire most. I admire your skills, Sister, and that you are great at fighting. I know this certainly wasn't easy; it must be because of the arduous training in the past. The Prince admires your experiences, not only having been an Assassin and Hidden Guard at the Duan Prince Mansion, but now also being about to become the Crown Princess."

She lowered her head, "Unlike me, I've only stayed at home from childhood to adulthood, stayed by my parents' side, and the furthest place I've been to is Fengdu, which is here. I can read, but my handwriting isn't good, and Nan Fuguang always mocks me for it... I feel like I am good for nothing."

"Good for nothing?"

Nan Xueyin laughed, "Lizhu, if it weren't for you that night, Nan Fuguang would be dead for sure."

Nan Lizhu was slightly stunned.

"Not just Nan Fuguang; if it weren't for you, or rather, if you had made any wrong decision, whether it were me, Shu Yu, or Wu Zhui, we would likely all have died there. You are not good for nothing; you have both courage and strategy, and furthermore, you have rendered service to the state." Nan Xueyin emphasized the last five words.

Nan Lizhu heard it clearly and understood the weight of these words.

Her heart began to thump rapidly, and Nan Lizhu asked nervously and shyly, "Am I really that impressive?"

Nan Xueyin nodded with a smile, "I never lie. And those words, 'rendered service to the state,' were the Crown Prince's assessment of you."

Nan Lizhu blushed with excitement and stared intently at Nan Xueyin, "Sister Xueyin, I've decided!"

"Hmm?"

"I won't let Nan Fuguang have his way anymore!"

Nan Xueyin laughed, "Continue arguing with him?"

Nan Lizhu shook her head solemnly, "Just arguing is too childish; what I want to do is very, very impressive..."

She took a deep breath, "Sister Xueyin, I want to be a very impressive female general!"

Nan Xueyin was interested, "A female general, huh."

"Yes! The kind that leads troops into battle!" Nan Lizhu clenched her fists, "I feel that I am still young now, and I will study hard and then become very impressive!"

The experience that night gave her a feeling that when facing pressure, she could actually keep a cool head and make correct judgments.

Moreover, Nan Lizhu inexplicably liked that kind of tense atmosphere herself.

After accomplishing something, her heart would gain an endless sense of satisfaction and happiness.

She looked at Nan Xueyin, as if seeking her opinion, "Sister, what do you think?"

Nan Xueyin curled her lips, "I naturally support you unconditionally, no matter what you do."

"Sister, you're so kind! Thank you, Sister!"

Nan Lizhu was overjoyed and rushed over to give Nan Xueyin a warm hug.

Then she skipped away, taking Xiaoyang to continue playing in the courtyard.

Although she had decided to achieve a career, before that, enjoying life to the fullest was also very important!

Nan Xueyin watched as the person and the leopard trotted away.

Footsteps came from behind her.

"Never lie? Hmm?"

Xiao Youlan's voice was pleasant, carrying a hint of teasing.

Nan Xueyin tilted her head.

Xiao Youlan stood still behind her and reached out to touch her face, "How do I remember that someone lied to me very painstakingly."

Nan Xueyin curved her eyes and took the initiative to rub her cheek against his palm, "So, haven't I already compensated you with myself?"

Xiao Youlan let out a low chuckle.

"Why didn't you come over just now, but stood over there eavesdropping instead?" Nan Xueyin asked.

"Your younger sister was full of grand ambitions, and I was worried that coming over would disturb her," Xiao Youlan said truthfully.

Nan Xueyin then asked him, "She said she wants to be a female general; what do you think?"

"That she has merit to the state is indeed what I said. Whatever she wishes to do in the future, I will naturally support."

Nan Xueyin nodded slightly.

The Crown Prince's words are golden, and Nan Lizhu's future can already be foreseen.

"Come," Xiao Youlan gently caught her wrist.

Nan Xueyin followed the force to stand up first, then asked, "What is it?"

"I was too busy these past few days and missed you very much," Xiao Youlan whispered, "Right now, I really want to kiss you."

Nan Xueyin was slightly stunned.

Xiao Youlan's expression remained noble and indifferent, as if the words "kiss you" had not come from his mouth at all.

"Your Highness."

At this moment, Wei Nian entered from outside, looking somewhat hurried.

Seeing him like this, Xiao Youlan roughly guessed something and narrowed his eyes, "Did something happen on Xiao Mingyu's end?"

Wei Nian's expression was grave, "It is..."

Nan Xueyin didn't even think before asking, "Did he commit suicide in prison?"

Wei Nian denied it, "That is not the case."

Nan Xueyin was a little disappointed, "It's not?"

Wei Nian looked at her and said, "The Prince of Duan insists that he must see Miss Nan one last time."