Chapter 72: Bullshit

Shu Yu did not see anyone, so he paced around the study, searching, "Huh? Where is everyone?"

After a full circle, he still did not see anyone, and muttered to himself, "Could it be that they are resting inside?"

As he spoke, he took several large strides inside and poked his head in to look.

At this moment, Nan Xueyin was still sitting on the arhat bed, while Xiao Youlan was standing in front of her; this posture looked very strange and ambiguous from any angle, and she did not want to be seen by Shu Yu.

Therefore, hearing the approaching footsteps, Nan Xueyin suddenly rose to her feet, wanting to get as far away from Xiao Youlan as possible.

Who would have thought that at the same time, Xiao Youlan reached out his hand toward her.

His original intention was to pull her up, but as Nan Xueyin stood halfway, her head bumped into his elbow, and she fell back down in one motion.

The arhat bed was against the wall, and falling in this posture, her head would certainly have knocked against the wall.

Fearing she would hurt herself from the bump, Xiao Youlan reached out to support the back of her head.

At this time, Shu Yu was already standing outside the door, having just opened his mouth to shout, "Your High—"

He let out half a syllable, saw the scene inside clearly, and suddenly froze.

On the arhat bed, Nan Xueyin was lying half-reclined, her robe sleeves spread out on the bed like flower petals, while Xiao Youlan was hunched over her, one hand cushioned behind her head, bracing against the wall.

This posture was even more strange and ambiguous than the previous one.

Shu Yu immediately laughed twice, "Sorry, truly sorry."

He took half a step back, "You two continue, continue."

He took another half step back, "I didn't see anything."

He had already backed out, but after thinking it over, he turned back, saying righteously, "I will stand guard outside for you! I will absolutely not let anyone else come to disturb you!"

Nan Xueyin was practically gritting her teeth: "Come back!"

Shu Yu made no sound; he would not listen to the words of a strange woman.

Nan Xueyin frowned and glared at Xiao Youlan.

Xiao Youlan's eyes curved slightly, and he spoke with condescending grace: "Shu Yu, come back."

Shu Yu had no choice but to obey the Crown Prince's words.

By the time he returned, shuffling along, Xiao Youlan was already standing still to the side, and Nan Xueyin had also stood up.

Looking toward the door, Shu Yu was actually still covering his face with his hand, asking first, "May I look?"

Nan Xueyin was mortified and said viciously, "There's nothing that can't be looked at!"

Shu Yu spread his fingers and looked inside through the gaps.

Nan Xueyin's expression seemed to be saying: See that? We are so far apart!

Xiao Youlan watched from the side, truly feeling she was like an angry, bristling cat.

He very much wanted to touch her soft hair, but fearing she would be even angrier, he barely suppressed the impulse in his heart.

Shu Yu let out a breath and lowered his hand.

Xiao Youlan lingeringly withdrew his gaze from her and asked Shu Yu, "What is the matter?"

Shu Yu replied, "It is like this: tomorrow we must go to the military camp as usual, but yesterday the Prince of Duan was assassinated on the street, and the matter caused quite a stir. Although patrols have been tightened in Fengdu City, people are still in a panic. I discussed it with Grand Secretary Wei, and since the military camp is outside the city after all, caution is paramount. Shall we delay for a few days before going?"

Xiao Youlan did not rush to answer, but instead looked sideways at Nan Xueyin first, "And you? Do you want to go out for a walk?"

Shu Yu was shocked, his eyes widening: "Your Highness! You want to take her to the military camp?!"

The military camp—that is the most confidential of secrets!

Nan Xueyin looked at Shu Yu with a blank expression.

Shu Yu peered at her, "You won't go, right?"

Usually at such times, a sensible woman would have already shaken her head and obediently said it was inappropriate and she would not go.

Nan Xueyin insisted on being difficult, saying, "I'm going. I love going to the military camp the most."

Shu Yu:?

Shu Yu: "You..."

Xiao Youlan let out a laugh, "Good, then we shall go."

Shu Yu swallowed his breath back into his stomach by force.

Seeing his aggrieved appearance, Nan Xueyin felt much better.

Xiao Youlan signaled, "Go make the arrangements; we shall go tomorrow afternoon."

Shu Yu responded with a stifled voice and turned to walk out.

In the inner room.

Xiao Youlan asked with a smile, "You like going to the military camp?"

Nan Xueyin glanced at him.

"Have you been there with the Prince of Duan before?"

Nan Xueyin shrugged, "Secret."

"So loyal."

Xiao Youlan was all smiles and did not press further, but instead stepped two paces closer and stroked the top of her hair.

The texture was indeed as soft as he had imagined.

It was just that Nan Xueyin still could not adapt to such actions and quickly moved to swat his hand away.

Xiao Youlan withdrew his hand and said, "Do you want to go back to rest, or accompany me here to handle official business?"

Nan Xueyin did not even think, turning and walking outside.

Outside, after Shu Yu walked out of the study, Feihong happened to be returning with Wu Zhui; the two crossed paths and chatted for a moment.

Nan Xueyin heard Shu Yu sigh, "Feihong, tell me, is there any possibility that the Crown Prince has been bewitched by this woman? In the past, Miss Dou always said she wanted to go to the military camp to take a look, and the Crown Prince never softened his heart to agree, yet this time the Crown Prince actually took the initiative to say he would take her to the military camp."

Feihong wore the look of someone who had finally found a kindred spirit: "Yes! Yes! That is exactly it!"

Shu Yu looked sorrowful again, "I truly miss Miss Doukou; she was so obedient and so sensible."

Feihong sighed along with him, "Indeed, Doukou was better."

"Ahem."

Nan Xueyin had already stood behind the two of them and cleared her throat at the opportune moment.

Feihong and Shu Yu looked at her in unison.

Feihong was clearly guilty after being caught gossiping behind someone's back, but Shu Yu was thick-skinned and instead stared straight at her.

Nan Xueyin looked back at him coldly: "Obedience and sensibility are the easiest things to fake, so use your head a little."

Shu Yu snorted: "Doukou would never be faking it. I have spoken with her and even gone out shopping with her; I know her very well. Even if she turned to ash, I would still recognize her."

Nan Xueyin raised her eyebrows: "You would recognize her even if she turned to ash? Are you sure?"

Shu Yu's tone was resolute: "I am one thousand, ten thousand percent sure!"

Nan Xueyin stared at him.

Shu Yu looked at her as well.

After staring at each other for a while, Shu Yu asked irritably: "What are you looking at?"

Recognize her even if she turned to ash?

Nan Xueyin commented coldly: "Bullshit."

"Miss Hua Lianying."

At this moment, Nan Xueyin heard a weak female voice ring out from behind her, "As a woman, how can you use such foul language?"

She turned around and saw Zhong Yun.

Having been ill for several days, she looked much thinner, but she should have been better today, though her complexion was still somewhat pale.

Women cannot use foul language?

Nan Xueyin then added, "Idiot."

After saying this, she turned and walked away.

Her hearing was excellent, and she heard Zhong Yun behind her putting on a delicate voice and saying gently: "Brother Shu, please do not be angry. After all, she does not come from a noble family like ours and does not understand the rules; this is unavoidable."

After saying a few words, Zhong Yun asked what she cared about most: "Is the Crown Prince inside?"

Feihong said: "His Highness is busy inside and is afraid it is not convenient to see you, Miss."

Shu Yu continued: "Besides, His Highness is going out tomorrow and must finish all his work today."

Zhong Yun asked: "Where is His Highness going tomorrow?"

"The military camp." Shu Yu did not hide it.

Zhong Yun bit her lip, "The military camp... I have never been there; could I go along?"