Chapter 22: Completely Wrapped Around Her Finger

Nan Xueyin received the message, but she was in no hurry to speak, instead kneeling down along with them.

Xiao Youlan frowned, "What are you kneeling for?"

Nan Xueyin lowered her head, "They all told this servant to rest, but it was this servant who insisted on doing it herself."

"You insisted?"

"Because this is the Crown Prince's affair. This servant could certainly have taken advantage of her injured hand to let others do it, but this servant kept worrying, fretting over whether the fish porridge might be served, or if the beef pancake had gone cold and wouldn't taste as good. Therefore, this servant made them personally. This servant sees that Your Highness is busy with daily affairs, so this servant can only do something in these small matters."

Xiao Youlan was silent for a moment, walked over, and reached out a hand toward Nan Xueyin.

Nan Xueyin followed his strength and stood up, "Besides, after using the Ointment yesterday, it already doesn't hurt anymore."

After thinking for a moment, she lowered her voice slightly, "Perhaps it is also because Your Highness applied the medicine for this servant personally yesterday, so it healed faster."

Xiao Youlan glanced at her: "I applied the medicine for you, so it healed faster?"

Nan Xueyin nodded her head with a serious expression, "Exactly! Firstly, the Crown Prince is a son of the Imperial family, protected by dragon Qi all over his body; any illness or injury will be dispelled."

Xiao Youlan commented: "Superstitious nonsense."

"Secondly," Nan Xueyin looked at him, smiling brightly, "This servant has always admired Your Highness, and seeing that Your Highness actually applied the medicine for this servant personally, this servant was overjoyed, so the wound healed faster."

The corners of Xiao Youlan's lips tugged up in pleasure, "That is somewhat believable."

His mood finally improved a little, and his tone softened as he signaled to the others who were still kneeling with lowered heads, "All of you, rise."

While dining, Nan Xueyin was not in a hurry to ask what exactly was going on with the Crown Prince today.

It was Xiao Youlan who couldn't help but speak himself: "At the morning court today, Xiao Mingyu also came, and after the court was dismissed, the Emperor kept the two of us behind."

Nan Xueyin offered no comment, just gave an "Mm" to indicate she was listening, and used her chopsticks to place some pickled vegetables into Xiao Youlan's bowl.

"The Emperor said that Xiao Mingyu and I are both unmarried, and the position of the primary spouse has remained vacant, so he intends to select suitable wives for us two brothers."

Nan Xueyin nodded slightly and gave another "Mm."

Xiao Mingyu is twenty-six, and Xiao Youlan is twenty-three; both are of marriageable age.

Although Xiao Mingyu has bed-chamber attendants and concubines, the position of his primary wife has been vacant for many years.

Now that Xiao Youlan has her by his side, in the Emperor's eyes, she has already "received favor," and since the Crown Prince has tasted the affairs of men and women, taking a wife is a logical next step.

Xiao Youlan suddenly glanced over, "You only say 'Mm,' and have nothing else to say?"

Nan Xueyin lowered her eyes: "The Emperor wants to find a wife for Your Highness because he cares for Your Highness, a deep bond between father and son; this servant is happy for Your Highness."

Xiao Youlan asked: "Besides that?"

Nan Xueyin was caught off guard by the question.

Besides that? What else could there be besides that?

"I am going to welcome a Crown Princess, and you have no reaction?" Xiao Youlan asked again.

Nan Xueyin was a bit bewildered.

Xiao Youlan said, neither cold nor warm: "I warned myself when I was young that I would have one person for my whole life, wanting only one primary wife; there will be no other concubines or bed-chamber attendants."

Only then did Nan Xueyin understand.

No wonder even after drinking the Aphrodisiac Wine, Xiao Youlan would rather wash his face with cold water than touch her; on one hand, it was because he still harbored suspicions about her, and on the other, he was keeping himself pure for his future wife.

From this point of view, Xiao Youlan and Xiao Mingyu were truly worlds apart.

It was also no wonder that although Xiao Youlan now favored her alone, he still hadn't given her any status as an Eastern Palace concubine, treating her only as a little palace maid.

"Do you understand what I mean?" Xiao Youlan stared at her.

Nan Xueyin, however, knelt down before him.

Xiao Youlan frowned, "Kneeling for what again?"

"In the future, when Your Highness welcomes the Crown Princess, if you feel this servant serves well and permits this servant to stay in the Eastern Palace, this servant will certainly serve Your Highness and the Crown Princess with all her heart."

Nan Xueyin was not sure when she would be able to complete her mission; if progress did not go smoothly and Xiao Youlan welcomed a Crown Princess before she had investigated his hidden ailment, she had to stay no matter what.

At this moment, she knelt before him, and because she was close, she almost clung to his knees, slightly lifting her face, her eyes wet and red, with stars of tears in her gaze, "This servant admires Your Highness and does not hope for any status or position, nor would she dare to covet the favor of Your Highness alongside the Crown Princess; as long as she can stay by Your Highness's side to serve, it is already the honor of this servant's life. I only hope for Your Highness's pity."

Xiao Youlan's heart softened into a complete mess, and his brows knitted even tighter.

He grasped her hand, clutching it in his palm, his voice low and restrained, "I..."

"Your Highness, Momo Qiutong is here!"

Feihong reported from outside the door.

Xiao Youlan therefore did not have the chance to speak his words.

Nan Xueyin had just stood up when Qiutong entered.

The tears in her eyes had not yet been wiped away, and Qiutong naturally saw them, but acted as if she knew nothing, only saying to the Crown Prince: "Just now, the Emperor went to Baoci Palace to have breakfast with the Empress Dowager, and when they spoke of how many flowers in the palace have bloomed, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager discussed inviting the Crown Prince to come and view them."

Xiao Youlan's expression was indifferent: "It is not just me whom the Emperor and Grandmother are inviting, is it?"

Qiutong smiled: "With so many flowers, naturally the more people there are to view them, the livelier and more interesting it will be. Besides Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has also invited Prince Xiao Mingyu, as well as several young ladies from Fengdu; they are all of similar age and will be able to talk to one another."

This was the wife-selection gathering discussed by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

Xiao Youlan was clearly unwilling and unhappy, but he was filial; just like with that cup of Aphrodisiac Wine, he could not bear to hurt the Empress Dowager's heart.

Therefore, he finally nodded.

"Your Highness."

Taking advantage of the fact that Qiutong had not yet left, Nan Xueyin suddenly spoke up.

"What?"

Nan Xueyin smiled slightly: "This servant has heard of the various flowers in Baoci Palace while in the palace before, but because of her low status, she has never seen them with her own eyes. Since Your Highness is going to view the flowers, could you take this servant along?"

Xiao Youlan was stunned for a moment, but the corners of his eyes and brows melted like ice and snow.

He agreed, his voice sounding gentle, "Alright."

Qiutong smiled without a word and retreated.

Returning to Baoci Palace, Qiutong reported what she had seen in the Eastern Palace to Zong Taihou.

Qiutong spoke bluntly: "It seems this Doukou has quite some ability; a person as cold and restrained as His Highness the Crown Prince is likely completely wrapped around her finger."

Zong Taihou, however, said: "In this world, if a woman lacks some ability, it is hard to live long. Since she was sent to the Eastern Palace by the Emperor, she must certainly rely on the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is cold-hearted and detached; she cannot survive without using every trick in her arsenal. However, the Crown Prince is, after all, the Crown Prince. He may like Doukou, but in his heart, he still has me, and he has the Emperor. Look, I asked him to come view the flowers, and didn't he agree? If he were some kind of lovesick fool, he would surely openly defy his elders for the sake of a woman."

Qiutong nodded, "The Empress Dowager sees things clearly."

"This Doukou is also a good one. She serves the Crown Prince well, and yesterday on the street, she even broke her wrist to save the Crown Prince," Zong Taihou rubbed her fingers, "Let her come to view the flowers together! There is no need to make things difficult for her."

"Yes."

Outside the door, Dou Fangchun took in every word of their conversation, her eyes filled with unwillingness.

That lowly little palace maid, by what right could she make Brother Crown Prince like her?

At the mere thought of the day Brother Crown Prince left from under her umbrella and walked straight to Doukou's side, Dou Fangchun felt her teeth ache with jealousy and hatred.

And yet Zong Taihou even permitted that wretch to come view the flowers... With Doukou by his side, would Brother Crown Prince even be able to see her?

Dou Fangchun gritted her teeth, a flash of ruthlessness passing through her eyes.

Hmph, fine, come then.

When the time comes, I will make Doukou lose her reputation!