Chapter 88: Ask Me for a Kiss

Emperor Yongzheng nodded, a look of approval appearing in his gaze as he looked at Xiao Youlan, "You have become increasingly sensible lately."

He was still feeling guilty about what had just happened, so he paused and added, "According to the current progress, the Yan Family will soon be joined in marriage with Mingyu, and when that time comes, I will let the couple return to Lianzhou."

This was to put Xiao Youlan at ease; the implication was to tell him that as long as he was obedient, he could sit securely in the Eastern Palace.

Xiao Youlan was entirely respectful and compliant, "When the time comes, this son will certainly prepare a generous gift to congratulate Fourth Brother on his happy union."

Having returned to the study, Emperor Yongzheng was in a good mood and laughed, "Stay and have dinner with me."

Xiao Youlan still remembered what he had said to Nan Xueyin, so his expression did not change as he said, "I am afraid this son cannot accompany Father Emperor for a meal today. Grandmother's birthday is approaching, yet I have not prepared a congratulatory gift."

Emperor Yongzheng did not insist, "Then let us first discuss matters regarding the military camp."

"Yes."

When Xiao Youlan returned to the Eastern Palace, there was already a hint of twilight at the edge of the sky.

He had originally thought Nan Xueyin would be in her own room, but after walking inside two steps, he saw her in the dining hall.

She also saw him, turned her head, and said to Linglang behind her, "Go, have the small kitchen serve the dishes."

For an instant, it reminded Xiao Youlan of the days when she pretended to be Doukou, and he felt momentarily dazed.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Youlan walked up and asked her, "Why are you so well-behaved today?"

Nan Xueyin thought to herself, because I will soon be able to get bugs and cockroaches to scare you; this is to make you lower your guard.

On the surface, she tilted her head, "You don't like it this way? Then I will change."

Xiao Youlan's eyes curved, "That won't do."

He raised his hand and touched her face, "I like it very much."

Even though he could guess that she must be harboring some mischief in her heart, yet... Xiao Youlan did not mind too much, and even felt fortunate; fortunately, in order to do something to him, she was willing to put on a well-behaved appearance.

After the food was served, Xiao Youlan did not let Nan Xueyin serve him; instead, he took the initiative to pick food for her and add rice to her bowl.

Nan Xueyin accepted all of this with composure.

Feihong and Linglang, however, were dumbfounded.

Aside from the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the late Empress Rouyi, there was likely no one else under heaven who could enjoy such treatment from the Crown Prince.

After dinner, Nan Xueyin returned to her own room.

Xiao Youlan was in the study, meeting with Wei Nian, who had returned from Baoci Palace to report.

"The Empress Dowager was originally unwilling to accept Miss Zhong, but it was only after seeing the evidence submitted by the Eastern Palace and hearing Your Highness's remarks about letting Miss Zhong learn the rules that she finally agreed to keep Miss Zhong."

Wei Nian said truthfully.

At times like this, he also admired the Crown Prince from the bottom of his heart.

It was very clear that the Crown Prince did not truly want Zhong Yun to learn the rules; he just did not want her to stay in the Eastern Palace.

Yet, by using this matter to make a fuss, the reason he used was truly impossible to refuse.

Moreover, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor likely did not know that the Crown Prince's interest in this woman in the Eastern Palace was not ordinary; he had invested twelve parts of his sincerity.

With this matter settled, Xiao Youlan began to discuss the next priority: "The Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching; how is the congratulatory gift I ordered you to prepare coming along?"

"The gift has been selected and is currently on its way to the Eastern Palace. According to Your Highness's instructions, everything is being done in secret. Tomorrow, or the day after at the latest, the gift can be brought into the Eastern Palace for Your Highness to inspect."

After a pause, Wei Nian added, "Additionally, envoys from the sixteen countries of the Western Regions have all arrived in Fengdu one after another. My subordinate estimates that the rampant assassins and killers recently are also related to this."

Xiao Youlan nodded slightly: "I went to see the Emperor today; the Emperor has already handed the arrangements for the guards of Fengdu over to the Eastern Palace."

Wei Nian praised: "This is the Emperor trusting Your Highness."

Xiao Youlan did not commit to this.

"This matter shall be handled separately by you and Shu Yu; you must ensure that everything remains peaceful."

"Yes."

"Also," Xiao Youlan said calmly, "there is one more thing; arrange for someone to find it."

Wei Nian inexplicably had a bad premonition, "What does Your Highness want?"

"A gift to amuse her."

"..."

Sure enough, it did not exceed Wei Nian's expectations.

He sighed in his heart and asked, "What does Your Highness intend to give her?"

Xiao Youlan, unhurried, rubbed his fingers and curled the corner of his lips.

In the middle of the night, Nan Xueyin felt someone get into her bed.

She did not need to open her eyes to know who it was.

Xiao Youlan was likely used to it too; he reached out with a large palm, pulled her into his embrace, and asked in a low voice, "Are you asleep?"

Nan Xueyin kept her eyes closed and said coldly, "Even if I were asleep, I have been woken up by you."

"My fault."

Xiao Youlan admitted his mistake quickly, his voice filled with a smile, "Continue sleeping."

Nan Xueyin did not speak.

"In a few days, it will be Grandmother Empress Dowager's birthday, and the Eastern Palace will be very busy."

Nan Xueyin thought to herself that this had nothing to do with her.

"I was afraid you would be bored, so I specially prepared a gift for you."

"What is it?" Nan Xueyin was puzzled; was there really a gift?

"You will be able to see it tomorrow afternoon."

Xiao Youlan deliberately kept her in suspense.

Nan Xueyin was truly curious about what it was, but she did not want to press him; she tried her best to suppress the urge to ask, and after holding it in all night, she did not rest well.

Before dawn, Xiao Youlan moved lightly and prepared to get up.

Nan Xueyin could bear it no longer and grabbed his sleeve.

"Did I wake you?" Xiao Youlan lowered his eyes.

"Tell me first," Nan Xueyin stared at him, "what have you prepared?"

Xiao Youlan chuckled, "Didn't I say, you will know when the afternoon comes."

Nan Xueyin did not let go of his sleeve.

Xiao Youlan had a sudden inspiration, "If you really want to know in advance, it's not impossible..."

He leaned down, his eyes and brows filled with a smile: "Kiss me of your own accord, and I will tell you."

Nan Xueyin: "..."

Without a second thought, she let go of his sleeve.

She even pulled up the quilt, covered her entire self, and turned to face the inside, as if to draw a line between them.

Xiao Youlan laughed again and patted her head.

Because of this little interlude, Xiao Youlan was in a very good mood all morning.

Everyone around him could clearly feel it.

The Crown Prince rarely had such happy moments; he had many things to do every day, was under great pressure, and rarely even smiled.

But today, the Crown Prince had smiled many times.

At noon, Xiao Youlan and Nan Xueyin ate lunch together inside.

Feihong was serving outside the door and sighed to Wei Nian in a low voice: "I guess this is because of that young lady. This might not be a bad thing. Seeing His Highness happy, I am happy too. If the Empress were to know in the afterlife, she would surely be gratified."

Wei Nian, however, frowned and said: "I feel this is not necessarily a good thing. The Crown Prince should be strong and impeccable; how can he have such obvious emotional fluctuations because of a woman? This is already the Crown Prince's weakness! If someone discovers this in the future and captures her, using her life as a threat, wouldn't the Crown Prince be constrained?"

Just at this moment, a servant boy came in and said in a loud voice: "Your Highness, the gift you wanted has arrived!"

Feihong and Wei Nian looked over in that direction.

Before they could see clearly, a figure in the room rushed out with lightning speed, brushed past Wei Nian, and bumped into his shoulder, actually knocking him stumbling for several steps before he could barely stand steady.

Wei Nian almost thought it was an adult man like Shu Yu, but when he looked over, what he saw was Nan Xueyin.

She stared at the Phoebe zhennan wood chest placed on the ground and asked the servant boy, "Is this the gift?"