Chapter 51: She Cannot Escape

Xiao Youlan raised his eyes and asked in a calm voice, "What is it?"

Feihong glanced at Nan Xueyin, who was to the side, wanting to speak but hesitating, his expression troubled.

Xiao Youlan: "Speak freely."

Feihong wore an expression that said, "You asked for this," and truly spoke: "Grand Tutor Zhong has arrived in Fengdu and is currently with the Emperor. The Emperor says you should go over quickly to see him."

Grand Tutor Zhong, Zhong Yun's grandfather.

Coming to Fengdu at a time like this, absolutely no one would believe it wasn't for the sake of Zhong Yun's marriage.

Xiao Youlan frowned.

He knew this too, but he had no feelings for Zhong Yun, nor was it possible for any feelings to develop.

It was just that, regarding the so-called respect for teachers and the Dao, Grand Tutor Zhong had once taught him; this was a debt of gratitude, and whether for public or private reasons, he should go back for a visit.

Nan Xueyin sat down by the pavilion and leaned over to see the colorful carp in the water.

She turned her head, looked at the Momo who had been following behind the two of them the whole time, and asked, "Is there fish food?"

"Replying to the young lady, there is."

"Go get some."

The Momo responded and left; Nan Xueyin's gaze shifted to Xiao Youlan.

Xiao Youlan was also looking at her.

Perhaps he was expecting her to ask him to stay or say something else, but she was no longer Doukou and had no need to put on a show of deep affection.

Nan Xueyin's expression was cold and indifferent as she said, "When you leave, don't forget to have those Hidden Guards move further away."

Xiao Youlan:...

He was silent for a moment, then sighed helplessly, "Very well."

Xiao Youlan left together with Feihong, and the Momo also returned with the fish food.

Nan Xueyin carelessly scattered two large handfuls of fish food, watching the colorful carp scramble to eat, stirring the lake water into a splashing sound.

She raised her head and looked at the wall not far away.

With this, her escape route was finally complete.

After feeding the last bit of fish food in her hand, Nan Xueyin clapped her hands, stood up, and walked back.

On the way, she could clearly feel that the murderous intent hidden in the shadows had vanished without a trace, which meant those Assassin Hidden Guards were gone, just as Xiao Youlan had promised; he had withdrawn them all from the manor.

In this way, she could carry out the escape plan she had just formulated tonight.

On the other side.

Feihong endured and endured, but still couldn't hold back, whispering, "Your Highness, I always feel... that young lady in the manor does not seem like Miss Doukou."

Xiao Youlan glanced at him, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Feihong said sincerely, "Your Highness, think about it: Doukou was gentle and obedient, her heart and eyes were filled only with you; she would serve you by changing your clothes, preparing your meals, and grinding ink for you. But that one in the manor... she snuck into the Dali Temple Prison and killed someone, and just now she kept a cold face, was so rude to you, and ordered you around to do this and that. You are the current Crown Prince, the most noble person in the world; how could she be so bold?"

Xiao Youlan frowned.

Feihong hurriedly explained, "This servant has no other meaning! I just wanted to remind Your Highness not to mistake the person..."

Xiao Youlan said in an understated tone, "I don't like her because she is gentle and obedient, nor because she serves me the most attentively."

The Crown Prince never lacked people to serve him; whoever came before him was extremely obedient, even bordering on sycophantic. If he liked that, he would have been moved many times over.

Xiao Youlan asked, "Have you never noticed that her muscles and bones are well-defined and her movements are fluid?"

Feihong:...

Ah, this.

He really had never noticed that.

Xiao Youlan withdrew his gaze, his voice returning to indifference, "She is who she is; there is no need to say anything more."

Feihong looked sheepish.

After a while, he asked again, "Then... Your Highness, you withdrew the Hidden Guards, aren't you afraid she will escape?"

She was still harboring so many secrets, after all.

A flash of darkness passed through the depths of Xiao Youlan's eyes, his expression calm, as if he were speaking of something perfectly ordinary, "She cannot escape."

Upon entering the palace, while still outside the study door, Xiao Youlan heard his father, Emperor Yongzheng, laughing heartily: "I am not joking; I truly like this child, Yun'er! Look, I haven't seen her in a few years, and she has grown so graceful and poised; who wouldn't like her? She is also well-read and polite, possessing the very backbone of your Zhong family. If she could become my daughter-in-law, that would be the best thing!"

Then came Zhong Yun's shy voice: "Your Majesty, you flatter me; how could this commoner be that good? Besides, the matter of being a daughter-in-law is not even a shadow on the wall yet..."

Then Grand Tutor Zhong coughed twice, though he did not speak.

At this moment, the attendant outside the study door saw Xiao Youlan and raised his voice, drawing out the tone to announce: "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived—"

Xiao Youlan stepped inside.

Inside the study, Emperor Yongzheng sat at the head, and below him sat Grand Tutor Zhong, whose hair and beard were all white; he was already doddering with age, and the eyes that were always bright in Xiao Youlan's memory had become much cloudier.

Sitting below him was Zhong Yun, the shy blush on her cheeks not yet fully faded; seeing Xiao Youlan, it turned an even deeper red.

Xiao Youlan first bowed to Emperor Yongzheng, and then to Grand Tutor Zhong.

Zhong Yun stood up with a red face and curtsied, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Xiao Youlan nodded politely to her and turned to Grand Tutor Zhong, "Is Master Zhong's health better?"

Grand Tutor Zhong hesitated for a moment.

Zhong Yun raised her voice: "His Highness is asking you if your health is better?"

After saying this, she gave Xiao Youlan an apologetic smile and said, "Your Highness, you don't know, but my grandfather's hearing isn't very clear now; one has to speak quite loudly for him to hear."

Grand Tutor Zhong finally heard the question and nodded to Xiao Youlan, "Everything is quite well, thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Above, Emperor Yongzheng spoke with a smile: "Now, the only thing Grand Tutor Zhong is concerned about is the marriage of this little granddaughter."

His tone carried interest: "Didn't you and Yun'er often play together when you were young? You could be considered childhood sweethearts, and you are both of a similar age, now both at the age for marriage. In my view, Yun'er is talented and beautiful, a perfect match for you. Why not let me make the decision and grant you two a marriage soon."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yun turned red from her cheeks all the way to her neck.

Xiao Youlan knew his Imperial Father would bring this up; his brows were cold and his tone distant, "In reply to Imperial Father, this son has only met Miss Zhong a few times. At present, this son has no intention of taking a wife, and it would not be right to delay her."

Zhong Yun was stunned for a moment, turning her head to cast a sorrowful glance at him.

Emperor Yongzheng clearly showed some displeasure upon hearing this, but hindered by the presence of outsiders, he could not openly rebuke him, only snorting and saying, "If that is what you say, what can I do? Since you have nothing to do lately, and Grand Tutor Zhong has entered the palace today, you should spend more time accompanying your teacher."

He glanced at Zhong Yun, "And Miss Zhong as well. Did you not say you have only met a few times? If you spend time together today and talk more, the affinity will naturally grow."

Xiao Youlan paused, but in the end, he did not refuse.

On the other side.

Nan Xueyin remained at the villa, and until dusk fell, she did not see Xiao Youlan again.

Perhaps he was being forced to spend time with Zhong Yun?

She did not dwell on it, feigning a nonchalant appearance, which did not arouse the suspicion of the two Momo outside the door.

She waited until night had fallen.

Nan Xueyin blew out the candle, creating the illusion that she had gone to sleep, but in reality, she slipped silently out of the window and crept along the route she had chosen during the day.

The Hidden Guard had all been withdrawn, and the way was unobstructed.

However, once she was out of the villa, Nan Xueyin found the surroundings very unfamiliar; she steeled herself and continued running for a long distance until she felt slightly unwell, at which point she stopped.

This place was still unfamiliar, so after thinking it over, Nan Xueyin decided to hijack a passing horse or carriage to go somewhere she could recognize.

She set a trap on the fly, and no sooner had she finished crouching by the roadside to wait than a carriage came rumbling past, successfully falling into her trap and coming to a halt.

Nan Xueyin approached, and suddenly, she heard a familiar voice coming from the carriage.