Chapter 31: Don't Be Like This

Steps were built into the pool, paved with jade; Nan Xueyin followed the Crown Prince down step by step, the hot water rising past her knees, then over her waist, the water rippling, and her footing gradually became somewhat unsteady.

Yet Xiao Youlan continued to walk into the depths.

He was tall, and by the time the hot water reached his chest, most of Nan Xueyin's face had already been submerged.

She struggled to poke her head above the water's surface and called to him, "Your Highness..."

Because she spoke, hot water poured into her mouth, and she could not help but choke twice.

Xiao Youlan finally stopped his steps and looked back.

Her entire body was almost submerged in the water, her dark hair drifting out behind her, floating on the surface like fine black silk.

Because she was in the water so deep, she had to tilt her head back slightly to breathe fresh air.

Xiao Youlan scrutinized her face, especially the angle of her jaw and her sideburns.

After a good while, he did not discover any clues.

He let out a sigh of relief.

Nan Xueyin's eyes, however, suddenly turned red.

Xiao Youlan was startled and asked, "What is the matter?"

Nan Xueyin wanted to open her mouth to speak, but she was still in the water; as soon as she opened her mouth, she choked, and she frowned tightly in discomfort.

Xiao Youlan came to hold her waist, and Nan Xueyin leaned into his embrace, her soft, delicate palms pressing against his chest.

She clearly felt his muscles tense up rapidly, yet he did not push her away, instead holding her and walking two steps upward.

"Your Highness..."

Nan Xueyin's face was covered in water droplets, and her tears mixed in, making them not very obvious; only her choked voice revealed that she was crying.

Xiao Youlan freed a hand to wipe her face and asked, "Why are you crying?"

Nan Xueyin's eyes were red, "This servant seems a bit useless, choking on water so easily. This servant also wanted to accompany Your Highness more..."

Before Nan Xueyin could finish her sentence, Xiao Youlan's thumb suddenly pressed against her lips.

He said, "You are useful."

Nan Xueyin looked up.

Her eye sockets were a deep crimson, and her eyelashes were soaked through, drooping pitifully. Her originally cold and sharp eyes seemed to have had their edge melted away by the water, revealing a moist and lingering charm.

Xiao Youlan gazed at her for a moment, and finally, moved to the point of being unable to control himself, he lowered his head and kissed the corners of her eyes.

Nan Xueyin closed her eyes, clearly feeling the temperature and shape of his lips; he was kissing her eyes in detail, kissing away her tears.

She inexplicably thought that this seemed more intimate than kissing her lips directly.

She thought again that she had not expected to smell the familiar scent of medicinal water here.

The Disguise Technique originated in Lianzhou, was developed and refined by her, and was later gradually borrowed by others, only to be used to deceive and scheme against the Assassins of the Duan Prince Mansion.

To deal with those people and those matters, Nan Xueyin had created a medicinal water that could melt masks.

Wei Nian indeed remembered her and had also seen her eyes; he was worthy of being a man who could become the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Palace—alert, quick to react, and aware that she might have come using a disguise.

If it were a Human Skin Mask she had made years ago, or one made by someone else, it would naturally have melted and dissolved in this hot spring long ago, revealing her true form.

However, the Human Skin Mask she used for this mission was the newest and best kind, and the medicinal water was useless against it.

Therefore, she went along with Xiao Youlan and let him lead her into the water.

By taking the opportunity to choke and shed tears, the bit of suspicion in the Crown Prince's heart would only be covered up by softness and guilt.

Xiao Youlan kissed her for a while before reluctantly letting her go.

Nan Xueyin's cheeks were flushed red.

The more Xiao Youlan looked, the more he liked her; his heart softened, and his voice was gentle, "Bathe."

Nan Xueyin nodded obediently.

Xiao Youlan sat on a suitable step.

Nan Xueyin knelt behind him to massage his shoulders.

Thinking of something, he caught Nan Xueyin's hand, "Counting the days, in a few more days it will be your birthday. What kind of things do you like?"

He turned his face and asked, "Clothes, hairpins, or rouge and powder, what do you like? I will prepare a birthday gift for you."

Nan Xueyin was surprised.

When she was by Xiao Mingyu's side, she had never received a birthday gift from him, to the point that she had almost forgotten such a day existed.

She said sensibly, "Your Highness has already given this servant so much."

"But I want to give you something."

Xiao Youlan gazed at her for a long time, his pitch-black eyes slightly shining, his tone sincere, and his expression truly gentle.

The usually cold and ascetic Crown Prince actually had such a soft, doting side.

Seeing that she did not speak, Xiao Youlan was not in a hurry; finally, he pinched her hand and said warmly, "You can think about it, and when you think of something you like, come tell me. No matter what it is, I will give it to you."

Nan Xueyin paused before saying, "Alright."

The water in the bathing pool had cooled a bit, and Xiao Youlan stood up to get out.

Nan Xueyin followed by his side, brought him a clean towel, and could not help but sneeze.

Xiao Youlan saw that her clothes and even her hair were soaking wet; feeling both heartache and guilt, he asked, "Are you starting to feel cold?"

Nan Xueyin said embarrassedly, "It is just that this servant is more afraid of the cold than others."

Xiao Youlan placed the towel over her hair, "Wait for me for a moment."

The towel had a tendency to slide off, so Nan Xueyin raised her hand to hold it in place; looking up, she saw Xiao Youlan casually throwing on an outer robe, walking outside, and calling to Feihong, "Go get a set of clothes, according to Doukou's size."

"Yes."

Before long, Feihong brought the clothes.

Xiao Youlan took them, walked inside, and handed them to Nan Xueyin.

Nan Xueyin held them with both hands, expressing immense gratitude, then turned and placed the clothes on the chair.

Xiao Youlan asked, "Not changing into them?"

Nan Xueyin said sincerely, "But this servant must serve Your Highness in changing clothes first."

"No need, just change into your own."

"……Very well."

Nan Xueyin nodded, then lowered her head and began to untie her waistband.

Xiao Youlan hurriedly stopped her: "Don't change here!"

Nan Xueyin had untied half of her waistband and looked up in confusion, "Does Your Highness not like looking at this servant?"

Her lapels were open, revealing the moon-white shirt she wore underneath; the material was thin and translucent, allowing a glimpse of the crow-blue bodice she wore against her skin.

Xiao Youlan's Adam's apple bobbed, "It is not that I do not like it……"

Nan Xueyin then continued to undress.

It was quite fast to take off her own clothes; she quickly stripped off her outer garment and was about to continue taking off her skirt.

Xiao Youlan suddenly walked over and caught her hands.

Nan Xueyin smelled the damp, cold water vapor on him and looked up.

"Don't be like this," Xiao Youlan said with a helpless tone, "I…… am not ready yet."

This was the first time he had used the pronoun "I" to refer to himself.

Nan Xueyin could not help but be stunned.

"Go inside, behind the screen, alright?" Xiao Youlan sounded as if he were good-naturedly discussing it with her, and also as if he were trying to persuade her.

Nan Xueyin was even more astonished; after a long moment, she gave a hum and nodded.

Xiao Youlan let her go.

Against the west wall of the bathing room stood a four-paneled rosewood screen decorated with flowers, birds, and auspicious fruits; Nan Xueyin carried the clothes and walked behind the screen, where the light was dim, making it difficult to see the scene within from the outside.

As for Xiao Youlan, he changed out of his damp trousers on the other side of the screen.

Nan Xueyin inadvertently saw the silhouette on the ground; the candlelight beside Xiao Youlan was bright, casting his figure down, and being in profile, his features were vaguely discernible.

Nan Xueyin thought silently, it seemed even more…… than Xiao Mingyu.

Xiao Youlan was completely unaware of this; he wiped the water droplets off his body with a towel and changed into new trousers.

At this moment, Nan Xueyin also withdrew her gaze as if nothing had happened.