Chapter 34: The Birthday Gift Prepared by the Crown Prince for His Beloved

Nan Xueyin was, for a moment, at a loss for what to say.

After a pause, Xiao Youlan continued, "Grand Tutor Zhong is a man of great learning; he was once my teacher, too, teaching me to read and write and to study many books. Grand Tutor Zhong does not have many descendants; he has only one son, and that son has only one daughter, who is Zhong Yun. Grand Tutor Zhong treasures this granddaughter like a precious gem. A few times, when the Grand Tutor's son was busy, Miss Zhong would follow the Grand Tutor into the palace. Thus, I have some impression of her. She is easily shy and prone to blushing, bursts into tears at the slightest provocation, and likes to chase after me calling 'Brother Youlan.' Only she would call me that."

He was explaining.

This realization made Nan Xueyin pause slightly again.

After a brief silence, Xiao Youlan said thoughtfully, "It is just that Grand Tutor Zhong has been retired in his hometown for many years now; why has the Zhong family's young lady suddenly come to the palace?"

The Crown Prince had keen intuition and sensed something unusual.

Nan Xueyin regained her composure and said, "Didn't Miss Zhong just say that Grand Tutor Zhong often worries about her not being able to marry? Coming to Fengdu this time, he surely hopes to find a good match for her."

Xiao Youlan thought about it, and it seemed to make some sense.

To keep him from dwelling on the matter, Nan Xueyin asked, "Your Highness said you were preparing for my birthday; how far along is it now?"

As they spoke, they had already returned to the Eastern Palace, and an attendant reported, "Your Highness, the items have been delivered and placed in the room as you instructed."

Xiao Youlan gave a hum and said to Nan Xueyin, "Come."

Nan Xueyin followed him into the room, where a set of clothing was laid out quietly on the table. Beneath was a gold-woven skirt, and on top was a moon-white satin robe painted with patterns of flowering branches, grapes, and the like.

Nan Xueyin took a look, turned her face away, and asked, "Is this what Your Highness prepared for me?"

Xiao Youlan shook his head: "This is not your birthday gift."

Nan Xueyin teased: "Is it for some other young lady, then?"

Xiao Youlan laughed, "What other young lady?"

He said: "This is a dress prepared for you to wear on your birthday. When that day comes, I will take you out of the palace to celebrate. Everything outside has already been prepared."

Nan Xueyin was a beat slow before she nodded her head.

On the twenty-second day of the fourth month, Xiao Youlan changed his clothes in the evening.

Nan Xueyin helped him change into a moon-white round-collared robe. She looked at the familiar flowering branch and grape patterns on the robe, then looked at the same patterns on her own top.

She said with a half-smile, "Your Highness, the fabric and patterns of your robe today seem to be the same as my top."

Xiao Youlan looked at her.

Nan Xueyin feigned confusion: "Your Highness, would that be inappropriate?"

Xiao Youlan countered: "What is inappropriate about this?"

"If one were to calculate it, it should be me who has overstepped."

"I prepared all the clothes, so no matter how you calculate it, it cannot be blamed on you," Xiao Youlan said. "In the Eastern Palace, my word is the rule. I permit you to dress like this with me."

When he said this, his dark eyes were stained with light.

Nan Xueyin did not know why she did not want to look directly at him, so she quickly shifted her gaze, "Very well, I will listen to Your Highness."

The two took a carriage out of the palace and stopped at the side of the road in the middle section of Ziwei Avenue.

Nan Xueyin got off the carriage and took a look, "Tianxiyuan?"

This was the best, largest, and most expensive restaurant in Fengdu. In the past, when Nan Xueyin came to Fengdu to carry out missions, she had heard Wu Zhui say that dining here cost at least several dozen taels for a single meal, which was the food budget for an ordinary Fengdu household for an entire month.

And that was just for dining in the main hall; if one booked a private room, the price would only be higher.

Nan Xueyin and Wu Zhui did errands for Xiao Mingyu, and their wages were not high, so the two had only viewed Tianxiyuan from afar and had never stepped inside.

This was Nan Xueyin's first time here.

"Yes, to celebrate your birthday here with you," Xiao Youlan smiled slightly, his voice clear and pleasant. "The private room has already been booked. Let's eat something first; there are other arrangements later."

Nan Xueyin fell into silence for a moment.

The dinner at Tianxiyuan was exquisite and delicious. Although Nan Xueyin was not someone who particularly focused on the desires of the palate, she still could not help but eat a few extra mouthfuls.

Xiao Youlan sat opposite her, watching her.

This was actually the first time the two had sat together to eat; in the past, he would sit while she served him on the side.

Xiao Youlan felt an exceptionally novel sensation, especially since she ate with such relish—everything she ate was delicious—and she ate in such large mouthfuls, almost stacking a pile each time and stuffing it into her mouth until it was full.

She chewed vigorously and intently, her cheeks bulging, and after a few moments, she swallowed and continued to eat.

Xiao Youlan watched without blinking, his heart feeling incredibly soft.

It was still dusk when the two arrived, and by the time they finished dinner, the sky had already turned dark.

"Are you full?" Xiao Youlan asked.

He upheld the ancestors' rule of "no talking while eating, no talking while sleeping," while Nan Xueyin had the habit of eating as fast as possible for fear that someone would snatch her bowl away, so this was the first sentence they had spoken since sitting down.

Nan Xueyin nodded, "Full."

Xiao Youlan then put down his bowl and chopsticks, stood up, and signaled with a smile: "Come here."

Nan Xueyin obediently complied.

This private room faced the Qing River, and the windows were open, allowing them to see the night sky. The moon had already risen, bright and clear, hanging at the edge of the sky and reflecting on the river, which shimmered like silk.

She stood before the window, looking out, feeling curious and wanting to ask what this was for.

Xiao Youlan stood behind her, raised his hands to rest them lightly on her shoulders, and said, "Watch closely."

As his voice fell, not long after, a "bang" suddenly sounded in the night, and a red spark tore through the night sky, rising up and exploding into a bright vermilion ring that bloomed and scattered, followed by a second, a third... the firelight fell in abundance, like a rain of stars falling from the sky.

People downstairs stopped to watch the fireworks, letting out exclamations of admiration, and guests in Tianxiyuan also pushed open their windows to watch.

"I haven't seen such beautiful fireworks in a long time!"

"I wonder which noble person set these off? They must have spent a fortune!"

People chattered and discussed it endlessly.

They did not know that this was a birthday gift prepared by the Crown Prince for his beloved.

This was also the most magnificent splendor she had ever seen in her life; Nan Xueyin stood by the window, watching without blinking.

The explosions came one after another, and her heart seemed to beat faster in between them.

Xiao Youlan lowered his gaze, letting it fall upon her face.

The brilliant golden fireworks illuminated her face, reflecting in her pupils like two pools of shattered golden galaxies.

Eighteen sounds.

This is also the age known as "Doukou."

The final handful of sparks cascaded down and vanished, the night returned to tranquility, and the people, still wanting more, dispersed in all directions.

Nan Xueyin still had her face tilted upward, her eyes sparkling, as she softly called out, "Your Highness."

"I am here," Xiao Youlan said, standing at her side.

"Thank you," Nan Xueyin said.

Xiao Youlan gazed at her; she often spoke in a soft, gentle voice, but for some reason, her tone was exceptionally tender at this moment, as if it were her, yet also as if it were not.

This feeling was quite inexplicable; Xiao Youlan was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Do you know why I specifically requested to keep you back then?"