Chapter 28: Finally, There Was a Five or Six-Tenths Resemblance

After Xiao Youlan finished speaking, he also realized belatedly that this was somewhat ambiguous.

Seeing her stunned, he couldn't help but laugh, "That is not what I meant."

His tone was as usual as he said, "Your top was torn, but your skirt is still fine, so there is no need to take off the skirt and put it on again. You hold the skirt yourself, and I will tidy your top for you; that way it is more convenient and faster."

Nan Xueyin understood and nodded her head, saying sluggishly, "But it has always been the servant who serves His Highness; how can it be the other way around, letting His Highness serve the servant?"

Xiao Youlan looked at her: "Was it not you who asked me to help you? I agreed."

He lifted his chin slightly, "Hold the skirt."

Nan Xueyin obediently did as told.

The shirt was thin and light; when Xiao Youlan tucked the hem of the shirt into her skirt, it felt as if he were stroking her skin.

First the lower back, then the sides, and finally the front of her chest.

This gauze skirt was tied under her chest; Xiao Youlan took a deep breath before he moved his hands. He tried his best to avoid it, but at the final moment, his palm still touched her breast, sliding gently across it.

In an instant, both of them were startled.

A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Youlan's eyes.

Is it... this soft?

Nan Xueyin's breathing stalled, and a crimson color instantly climbed up her earlobes.

The shame she felt at this moment was not entirely feigned.

The thing she was most dissatisfied with about herself was her chest; from the age of ten or so, her originally flat chest had gradually developed a curve, and according to her observations, she was much fuller than the average woman.

This greatly affected her training and killing, so Nan Xueyin always wrapped it layer by layer with cloth, feeling more at ease the tighter it was bound.

But in order to become a palace maid, she had no choice but to let go of those wrapping cloths and switch to a bodice.

The bodice was so thin that it couldn't cover anything at all, nor could it block anything.

Merely being brushed by Xiao Youlan's palm, an indescribable tremor spread throughout her entire body, leaving her unable to speak. A whimper was about to spill from her lips, but she swallowed it back by force.

"It is done."

Xiao Youlan was the first to break the silence.

Nan Xueyin was half a beat slow before she whispered, "Thank you, Your Highness."

After a pause, she added, "I can handle the rest myself."

Xiao Youlan gave an "en," and gentlemanly turned away, facing her with his back.

Nan Xueyin put on her long vest and smoothed out the wrinkles.

Xiao Youlan could see nothing, only hearing the rustling sounds; he couldn't help but lower his eyes and look at his own palm.

When the two returned to the courtyard, everything had returned to normal.

The young ladies were viewing flowers, strolling, or drinking tea and chatting in twos and threes, as if nothing had happened just now.

In the main hall, Ruan Yunchan had not yet regained consciousness; Zong Taihou walked out of the side hall alone. Nan Xueyin vaguely heard sobbing coming from inside, which sounded like Dou Fangchun.

"I have already ordered those two old women to be punished," Zong Taihou spoke first.

"Thank you, Empress Dowager, for upholding justice for this servant." Nan Xueyin thanked her accordingly, thinking to herself that this was a case of the gods fighting and the mortals suffering.

Zong Taihou smiled kindly, "Let us go, let us go view the flowers together!"

In the afternoon, the Flower Viewing Banquet neared its end.

The Virtuous Consort was truly more and more satisfied with Yan Zhirong the more she looked at her, with eyes almost like those of a future mother-in-law. After thinking for a moment, she said with a kind expression, "Zhirong, let Mingyu send you back!"

Yan Zhirong declined politely, "I appreciate the Virtuous Consort's kindness, but how could I trouble the Prince?"

Xiao Mingyu laughed, "It is no trouble; I live in Jiaoyuan, which is in the same direction as your home."

Yan Zhirong glanced at him and did not refuse again, "Then I thank the Prince in advance."

Thus, the two walked out of Baoci Palace side by side.

Noble ladies from other families left in groups; when they passed by them, they smiled and greeted them. Yan Zhirong put on her usual dignified smile and nodded to them one by one.

Finally, she turned her head and looked at Xiao Mingyu.

She discovered that Xiao Mingyu was staring intently at a certain spot. Following his gaze, it was the Crown Prince and the palace maid Doukou. She watched for a while, then teased with a smile, "Could it be that the Prince also envies the Crown Prince for having a beauty by his side?"

Xiao Mingyu laughed, "How could that be?"

He looked at her sideways, his phoenix eyes filled with deep affection, "That little palace maid is not as beautiful as Miss Yan."

Yan Zhirong gave a light hum, "But I do not have her formidable skills."

"That is different. She is of low status and needs to rely on and cling to men. Miss Yan is a golden branch and jade leaf, born to be loved and pampered; there is no need to learn those filthy means and skills."

Yan Zhirong was pleased by these words, and the corners of her mouth curved upward, "It seems the Prince is very familiar with women like her. Also, everyone knows that the Duan Prince Mansion in Lianzhou has countless beauties."

Xiao Mingyu said unhurriedly, "There are a few maids and concubines, but the claim of 'countless beauties' is truly a rumor."

He seemed to sigh helplessly, "If I were to learn from the Crown Prince and be desireless, people in the court would inevitably gossip that I am fishing for fame and coveting the position of the Eastern Palace. Keeping those women is a measure of self-preservation. Lianzhou affairs are busy; I haven't even remembered what they all look like."

Yan Zhirong was lost in thought.

The Duan Prince's carriage escorted Yan Zhirong all the way to the gate of the Yan Family.

Yan Zhirong's father, Yan Jie, happened to be at the mansion; hearing the news, he came out to express his thanks, and the two exchanged polite pleasantries.

After taking his leave, Xiao Mingyu returned to Jiaoyuan.

Two beauties were still being kept in his courtyard; as soon as they saw him, they called out "Prince" in a coquettish manner, just as they had called out on the bed last night.

Xiao Mingyu's expression, however, was very cold, "Go change your clothes, wear long vests and gauze skirts."

The beauties soon returned after changing.

Xiao Mingyu leaned on the couch and said again, "Mess up your tops and reveal half of your shoulders."

One beauty laughed upon hearing this, "Does the Prince like this style?"

Seeing that the other had already started pulling, she hurriedly began to pull hers messily as well.

Xiao Mingyu stared at them and frowned, "No, it is not messy enough."

"No, it's the other shoulder."

"..."

In the end, the level of disarray and exposure could no longer be faulted, yet Xiao Mingyu was still dissatisfied and agitated; after a long while, he choked out a single word: "Get out!"

Both beauties were startled, but they understood the rules; without a word or delay, they quickly left.

The room quieted down, and Xiao Mingyu's gaze went vacant as he stared at a certain spot, seemingly talking to himself, "This is a mission; naturally, this Prince cannot help you..."

Suddenly, he recalled his first meeting with Nan Xueyin.

A ten-year-old girl was fighting a wild dog for a steamed bun, her clothes torn to shreds, revealing half of her shoulder.

At that time, she was still young, thin, and small.

Xiao Mingyu realized instantly that even back then, he had not been the first to help her cover her shoulder.

Irritated beyond measure, he grabbed the wine cup at his side and smashed it violently against the wall.

At dusk, Wu Zhui plucked up the courage to enter and said, "Prince, Miss Lianying has arrived."

Xiao Mingyu leaned dejectedly against the couch, lifting his eyelids wearily.

Hua Lianying walked forward, her eyes red and wet, tearstains still hanging on her delicate cheeks. Today, she was wearing a white silk bodice.

Xiao Mingyu's black eyes brightened slightly.

She knelt at his feet, weeping like a pear blossom in the rain as she pleaded, "Prince, Yingying knows she was wrong; I beg you, Prince, do not refuse to see Lianying..."

Xiao Mingyu sat up and suddenly pulled open her collar.

Hua Lianying let out a cry of surprise.

Xiao Mingyu then covered her eyes.

This was the place where they were least alike; once covered, there was finally a fifty or sixty percent resemblance.

Xiao Mingyu's Adam's apple bobbed as he leaned down and kissed her lips gently.

Hua Lianying was somewhat surprised, but after realizing what was happening, she immediately tried her best to please and cater to him.

Between their lips and teeth, Xiao Mingyu suddenly asked, "Why, after coming out of the side hall, are you closer to him? What did you two do?"

"... What?"

Hua Lianying did not understand, and the next instant, she was yanked up by Xiao Mingyu and pressed onto the couch.

The brief tenderness vanished completely; he said nothing more, his movements rough, devoid of any pity or affection.