Chapter 3: You Are Not Doukou

The three were settled in the side rooms behind the main hall. After Cui Mama led them to the place, she happily returned to report the good news to the Emperor, leaving them to tidy up on their own.

Nan Xueyin occupied one room to herself; she stood in the room and looked around.

"Thump!"

Suddenly, a heavy sound of a door being slammed came from next door.

According to Xiao Youlan's intentions, Hantao and Linglang were left behind to serve, and their status was a cut lower, so they had to share a room.

Hantao felt resentful; she pushed the door open forcefully and spoke with a sneer: "Some people, they just love to put on airs in their daily lives, keeping a cold face and acting like a mistress. Now, I'm afraid they really think they're going to fly up to the branches and become a phoenix."

Linglang chimed in: "That can't be, she's... she's just a bed-chamber maid, not even the lowest-ranking attendant."

Hantao laughed: "That's right, you know it too, she's just a bed-chamber maid."

She raised her voice, clearly aimed at Nan Xueyin's side, and spoke louder: "She's no better than an ordinary palace maid; it's not even certain if she can serve in the bedchamber. Don't get cocky too early!"

Nan Xueyin didn't even lift an eyelid.

Dealing with them was nothing more than a flick of a finger; even if she killed them, it wouldn't be traced back to her.

However, for a top-tier Assassin like Nan Xueyin, unless it was for Prince Duan, others couldn't get her to act without paying a high price.

The two of them? They weren't qualified.

For now, Nan Xueyin's top priority was to dispel the doubts in the Crown Prince's heart as soon as possible.

She sat before the dressing table under the window and looked into the mirror. This was the face of Doukou, a young girl with a refined, soft, and pleasant appearance, very easy on the eyes and comfortable to look at. The only thing that seemed abrupt was those eyes, because that was the hardest part to change with a disguise; Nan Xueyin's eyes were far too clear and cold, like the blades she used when killing.

Nan Xueyin narrowed her eyes, and the sharpness in them faded slightly.

Suddenly, she had an idea.

Later that evening, Cui Mama returned from the Emperor.

Upon arriving, she went straight to Nan Xueyin's room.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has been busy all day, and it's getting late now. Doukou, hurry and bring some tea and snacks to go see His Highness!"

Nan Xueyin, however, said: "Momo, I cannot go. My period has started."

Cui Mama's smile froze on her face instantly: "What?!"

Taking a look, the young girl sitting quietly in the room had a pale face, and even her lips lacked color.

This statement was likely true!

Hantao and Linglang heard the commotion and immediately crowded outside the door to watch the fun.

Nan Xueyin caught a glimpse of them from the corner of her eye and added: "I only realized my period had started when I changed clothes just now. Momo, I also want to serve His Highness the Crown Prince with all my heart, but in this state, I fear I would only disturb His Highness's mood."

Cui Mama glared at her with a look of frustration.

Why did it have to be her period, and why today of all days!

On second thought, it was fortunate she had said it herself; otherwise, if she had rushed to the Crown Prince's bed and he had touched a handful of blood in the heat of the moment... then, let alone her, even Cui Mama would have faced severe punishment.

Hantao laughed with schadenfreude and took a step forward: "Momo, I don't have my period. How about you let me go serve His Highness instead!"

Cui Mama frowned: "You?"

Hantao hurriedly said: "His Highness looked at my hands for quite a while today! He must like me."

Cui Mama, however, felt that was not necessarily true.

If he really liked her, the first thing the Crown Prince would have said at the time should have been "Keep Hantao."

"Oh, Momo," Hantao saw the hesitation and hurriedly grabbed her hand, acting spoiled: "If His Highness didn't have any interest in me at all, he wouldn't have kept me in the end. I've been the most diligent in my studies, and the Momos in the palace all praise me! I believe that if I go over and perform well later, His Highness will definitely let me serve in the bedchamber!"

Seeing her so confident, Cui Mama's heart finally wavered, and she relented: "... Alright."

Hantao was instantly overjoyed: "Momo, you are so kind!"

Before leaving, she scanned the room, shot a look of extreme provocation at Nan Xueyin, and strode away with her head held high.

Outside, the daylight had already faded. Nan Xueyin sat in the dim room, her gaze slightly cold, but a meaningful smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Xiao Youlan was discussing matters with his personal guard, Shu Yu.

Cui Mama entered and said with a smile: "Your Highness, the hour is late. This servant has had some tea and pastries sent over for you."

Xiao Youlan was focused on looking at a map and did not respond.

Shu Yu rubbed his belly: "Come to think of it, I'm actually a bit hungry."

His grandfather was the Shu Lao Jiangjun of the imperial court, who had fought in many battles and had great military achievements, holding quite a bit of prestige among the three armies.

However, Shu Yu himself was not particularly gifted, and he was always unmotivated in his daily life. After much deliberation, the Shu family sent him to the Eastern Palace. After spending a few years by the Crown Prince's side, he would be able to enter the bureaucracy through his family's influence in a few years. The Crown Prince was accustomed to using Shu Yu, and once he ascended the throne, he would naturally promote and employ him.

Shu Yu had a straightforward personality and was usually as close to the Crown Prince as if they wore the same pair of pants. Without waiting for the Crown Prince to say anything, he signaled to Cui Mama: "Let them in."

Cui Mama acknowledged him and turned to beckon. Hantao, who had been waiting outside the door early, took a deep breath, held the tray, and walked inside with graceful steps.

"Yo, it's truly rare to see such a beauty in the Eastern Palace," Shu Yu joked, "Has His Highness the Crown Prince finally opened his heart?"

"Sent by the Emperor."

Xiao Youlan answered casually, raised his eyes, and his gaze fell upon Hantao.

Hantao's cheeks flushed with just the right amount of redness, and she bent her knees to bow.

Xiao Youlan, however, suddenly spoke: "You are not Doukou."

Hantao's movements froze, and her expression couldn't help but collapse.

She tried very hard to adjust her breathing and looked up at the Crown Prince with a coquettish expression: "This servant is naturally not Doukou; this servant's name is Hantao. How could Your Highness forget so quickly?"

Xiao Youlan had no expression.

Hantao was rebuffed; she pursed her lips and said: "Doukou is feeling unwell today and cannot come to serve Your Highness."

"Unwell?"

"She has her period, her body is weak, and her complexion is not good either, pale as a sheet. I'm afraid she won't be able to serve Your Highness for the next few days."

Xiao Youlan's gaze was deep, and he said nothing.

"Your Highness, you have been busy all day; you must be tired and hungry. Have some tea and pastries," Hantao gathered her courage and stepped forward, "This servant will massage your body to loosen your bones."

This was one of Hantao's exceptional skills.

Her hands were naturally fair and slender, and she had technique in them; she could control her strength well, so not only was it comfortable to be massaged by her, but watching her hands flutter and knead was also quite an interesting sight.

The nobles all loved this.

Hantao was also full of confidence because of these hands, believing that she would surely be able to win over the Crown Prince tonight.

Who would have thought, Xiao Youlan spoke in a calm voice at this moment: "I kept you here to take care of Miss Doukou."

Hantao was taken aback.

"Since she is feeling unwell, shouldn't you be staying by her side to look after her?"