Chapter 8: Adding Duration for His Highness

Nan Xueyin was stunned for a moment.

She had not expected that the Empress Dowager, who appeared kind and elegant on the outside, would speak such crude and wild words.

Zong Taihou, however, showed not the slightest bit of shame, "This is the inner palace; discussing such matters of the bedchamber is perfectly normal."

Back when she was still a Concubine, whenever the sisters gathered together, they would often discuss these things; otherwise, how else could one pass these long, drawn-out days? There had to be some interesting topics.

"Just tell me; after all, I was the one who sent that wine over last night, and I have the right to know," Zong Taihou signaled.

"..."

It was not that Nan Xueyin dared not speak, but mainly because she had not truly served in the bedchamber last night, and she had not rehearsed these answers with the Crown Prince, so she worried about revealing any flaws.

Suddenly, Nan Xueyin thought of Xiao Mingyu.

She and the Crown Prince had done nothing, but Xiao Mingyu had done plenty, and she had witnessed a bout of intimacy between Xiao Mingyu and another from start to finish.

Nan Xueyin recalled it and answered matter-of-factly, "His Highness took a little over a quarter of an hour, rested for a while, and then wanted this servant again. The second time was longer; it should have been over the length of an incense stick."

Zong Taihou nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, the first time was over a quarter of an hour; that is much stronger than the Emperor. And he wanted you twice; not bad, truly not bad."

Nan Xueyin:?

How is it that you, an elder, even know the details of the Emperor's first time?

Zong Taihou was quite satisfied; she was satisfied with Xiao Youlan, and satisfied with this little palace maid before her.

A smile appeared on her face, and only then did she ask, "What is your name?"

Nan Xueyin: "This servant's name is Doukou."

Zong Taihou nodded, "Good, Doukou. Qiutong, go and bring that Jade Bracelet from my dressing table."

"Yes."

Beside them, Dou Fangchun suddenly looked up.

She knew that Jade Bracelet; it was bestowed by the Late Emperor when Zong Taihou first served in the bedchamber. The jade was translucent and felt warm to the touch—a rare treasure through and through.

She had said more than once that this bracelet was beautiful, and Zong Taihou must have seen that she liked it, yet she had always refused to give it to her.

Today, she was actually giving it to such a nobody of a little palace maid!

Dou Fangchun was puffed up with anger and bit her lower lip.

Qiutong quickly brought the bracelet and presented it before Nan Xueyin.

Zong Taihou said, "You have served the Crown Prince very well; this is a token of my heart. From now on, you must remember your status and be even more diligent. If you do well, when the Eastern Palace welcomes the Crown Princess in the future, it would not be impossible for you to become a Lady of Excellence."

Nan Xueyin received the bracelet with both hands and knelt down again to thank her, "This servant will keep the Empress Dowager's teachings in mind."

Upon leaving Baoci Palace, Nan Xueyin's thoughts were quite indifferent.

A Lady of Excellence?

That was far less comfortable than her life in Lianzhou, where she truly relied on her skills to eat.

The skill of killing is also a skill, after all.

"Momo! Momo Qiutong!"

Dou Fangchun's voice came from behind.

Nan Xueyin and Qiutong both stopped in their tracks.

"Miss Dou, is there something you need?" Qiutong asked.

Dou Fangchun said with a smile, "Oh, the Empress Dowager remembered that she had the kitchen make a few types of pastries today, all of which the Crown Prince likes. Her Majesty had me rush over, and I must trouble this..."

She glanced at Nan Xueyin haughtily, "Apologies, I truly cannot remember your name. There are simply too many palace maids in this palace, batch after batch, like wild flowers that never stop blooming."

She was still doing it on purpose.

The words "ill-intentioned" were practically written on Dou Fangchun's face.

Nan Xueyin paused and then smiled as well, "His Highness remembered this servant's name right away, Doukou; perhaps that is the benefit of the Eastern Palace having so few palace maids."

Dou Fangchun gritted her teeth in hatred, her face saying: Don't you get cocky too soon!

Nan Xueyin's smile did not fade, and as she reached out to take the Food Box, her sleeve slid down, revealing the bracelet worn on her wrist.

Seeing this, Dou Fangchun was even more furious.

But Nan Xueyin did not care what she thought, and carrying the Food Box, she walked back.

Once she finished her mission, she would disappear without a trace; who cared if the future Crown Princess was Dou Fangchun, Dou Fangxia, Dou Fangqiu, or Dou Fangdong?

Not long after returning to the Eastern Palace, Xiao Youlan returned from the morning court.

Nan Xueyin removed his Official Robe and spoke of today's events, "His Highness truly has divine foresight; not long after you left, Momo Qiutong from Baoci Palace came over."

Xiao Youlan asked calmly, "And?"

Nan Xueyin did not speak, appearing a bit embarrassed.

Xiao Youlan: "You may speak freely; it is no matter."

Nan Xueyin leaned in slightly and lowered her voice, "The Empress Dowager asked this servant how long His Highness lasted and how many times he wanted this servant."

Xiao Youlan was startled, and for some inexplicable reason, the scene of her wearing a bodice last night surfaced in his mind.

From Nan Xueyin's perspective, she saw his well-defined Adam's apple bob.

"This servant regretted at the time that I had not discussed it with Your Highness," Nan Xueyin sighed, her breath fragrant, seemingly carrying a light, soft floral scent that brushed against his skin.

Xiao Youlan's breathing stopped for a moment, and he asked, "How... did you answer?"

Nan Xueyin smiled, "This servant has studied this before and knows how long ordinary men need and how many times they would want. Based on an ordinary man, this servant added some duration for Your Highness."

Xiao Youlan was startled again and looked at her, "Added some duration?"

Nan Xueyin hummed, "This servant thought that since Your Highness is of such dragon-like appearance and phoenix-like grace, you must certainly be more formidable than ordinary people in matters between men and women."

Xiao Youlan:...

After a moment of silence, he suddenly turned around, stopped looking at her, and walked away with long strides.

Nan Xueyin tilted her head; was he shy?

She was not in a hurry to follow him out; she first hung her robe up neatly and brushed away the fine wrinkles.

When she went back out, Xiao Youlan was talking to Shu Yu outside.

Upon seeing her, the two stopped their conversation.

"That's right, the Empress Dowager also sent over some pastries." Nan Xueyin opened the Food Box and took the plates of pastries out one by one.

Shu Yu was full of interest and leaned over, "The pastries from Baoci Palace are famously exquisite and delicious; after all, the master who is best at making pastries in our Ye Dynasty is kept in the small kitchen of Baoci Palace."

Xiao Youlan's voice was calm and unruffled, "If you like them, then eat a few more pieces."

Shu Yu had been waiting for these words from him; he immediately picked up a piece of Hawthorn Cake and stuffed it into his mouth, saying while chewing, "If I eat a few more pieces, wouldn't that be inappropriate? After all, the Empress Dowager sent them specifically for you to eat."

After saying this, he stuffed another piece into his mouth.

Xiao Youlan was used to this behavior of his and played along, "I cannot eat that much by myself."

Shu Yu then felt at ease, "What you say is true! Then I shall reluctantly help you share the burden."

He ate several pieces in a row, and because he ate too hurriedly, he choked a little.

Nan Xueyin poured a cup of tea at the right moment and handed it over.

She felt that Xiao Youlan seemed to have looked over, his gaze landing on her hand.

Shu Yu took the cup and accidentally brushed against her fingers.

When Nan Xueyin looked toward the Crown Prince, he had already withdrawn his gaze without a trace and picked up a piece of Almond Crisp.

Nan Xueyin then also poured a cup of tea for him and placed it gently by his hand.

Shu Yu gulped down a mouthful of tea and recovered a bit, "Miss Doukou, won't you taste some too? These pastries are truly rare!"

Nan Xueyin looked toward the Crown Prince.

Xiao Youlan slightly raised his chin, "Go ahead and taste it."

Only then did Nan Xueyin pick up a piece of Almond Crisp, the same as the one the Crown Prince was eating, and took a light bite.

Shu Yu immediately asked, "Is it delicious?"

It was as if he were the one who had made these pastries.

"It is delicious," Nan Xueyin said, "It's just that the Almond Crisp I loved eating in my childhood, I always felt it was no worse than this."

Shu Yu found it strange, "Where did you eat it? It actually doesn't lose to the craftsmanship of Baoci Palace?"

"Right here in Fengdu."

"Can you still eat it now?"

"I can."

Nan Xueyin glanced to the side and asked the Crown Prince with a smile, "Would Your Highness like to taste it?"