Chapter 99: Brother, She Likes Me More

Nan Xueyin warned him fiercely: "Don't push your luck."

"Hm?" Xiao Youlan seemed not to have reacted yet.

"One moment you say let me kiss you, the next you say let's bathe together," Nan Xueyin said, "Next time, are we going to share a bed?"

Xiao Youlan's expression was exceptionally serious as he said: "I have thought about it."

Nan Xueyin was stunned.

Thought about it? He had even thought about that?!

However, Xiao Youlan did not continue this topic; he sobered up slightly, let go of her, and sat up, "I will go tell them to prepare hot water."

Xiao Youlan got off the bed and walked over to pull open the room door.

It was Linglang's turn to keep watch tonight, and she was currently propping up her head, dozing off on the steps outside the door.

Beside her lay a pitch-black little thing; the moment it heard the sound of the door opening, it immediately lifted its head. Under the faint candlelight, the tiny white patch on the tip of the little fellow's nose was very conspicuous.

Xiao Youlan looked at it, and the little black leopard also tilted its head to look at him.

They seemed to find each other displeasing; Xiao Youlan didn't speak, and it didn't make a sound.

The little black leopard made the first move, nimbly scrambling up and running into the room. As it ran, it kept whimpering, clearly acting spoiled.

Xiao Youlan ignored it, squatted down, and called: "Linglang."

One call didn't wake her; Linglang was sleeping too soundly.

Xiao Youlan then called out a few more times in succession and even pushed her shoulder.

Finally, Linglang opened her sleepy eyes. Suddenly seeing the Crown Prince right before her, she was terrified and fell off the steps on her backside.

Xiao Youlan:...

Linglang scrambled up with difficulty, at a loss as she admitted her fault: "Crown Prince, this servant was sleeping too soundly... this servant, this servant..."

"Go tell people to prepare hot water, Miss Nan needs to bathe." Xiao Youlan interrupted her.

"Oh... oh!" Linglang responded and hurried away in a rush.

Because she was too anxious, she almost tripped over a pebble halfway, barely managed to steady herself, and continued running.

Xiao Youlan silently withdrew his gaze and turned back into the room.

The candlelight in the room was brighter than when he had just stepped out. Walking inside, Xiao Youlan caught sight of Nan Xueyin's bare feet at a glance.

She had gotten off the bed, wearing no shoes or socks, and was stepping on the floor barefoot, using one hand to light another candle lamp.

Her skirt hem did not reach the floor, covering her ankles but not her feet. The skin on her feet was equally fair and delicate, and as the warm candlelight shone down, the tone and luster were like fine jade.

Xiao Youlan just watched like this, lost in thought for quite a while.

Not until Nan Xueyin turned around did Xiao Youlan shift his gaze, noticing that she was still holding the little black leopard in her arms.

This little black leopard was also quite curious; its head rested obediently in Nan Xueyin's arms, yet its pair of round, dark, and bright eyes looked over at him. That look was exactly like a seductive consort in a storybook monopolizing the Emperor's favor, as if it were saying: Brother, she likes me more.

Xiao Youlan felt inexplicably annoyed and asked sullenly: "It's not like it doesn't know how to walk, why are you holding it?"

Nan Xueyin replied naturally: "I drank too much wine and forgot that Xiaoyang hadn't returned yet, causing it to stay outside for so long. It only came back when you opened the door, and I feel guilty."

She paused, then affectionately rubbed the little black leopard's head, "Besides, Xiaoyang was just acting spoiled with me, how could I not hold it and coax it."

Xiao Youlan was thoughtful; so, she fell for acting spoiled?

The little black leopard was rubbed very comfortably by Nan Xueyin and took the initiative to lick her fingers.

Nan Xueyin lowered her eyes; seeing the little black leopard's face was just too cute, she couldn't help but lean over and kiss the little black leopard.

Xiao Youlan was stunned as he watched.

She actually kissed this little leopard!

And she was the one who initiated the kiss!

She was even smiling while she kissed it!

So, she really did fall for acting spoiled.

Soon, Linglang led the Eastern Palace attendants over, carrying hot water.

There was a specially designated bathing side-room on the north side of this room, with a large bathing tub placed inside.

While they were pouring the hot water, Nan Xueyin found the dried meat she had prepared earlier but hadn't finished, and fed it to the little black leopard bit by bit.

The little black leopard ate one piece per bite, very happily.

Xiao Youlan watched from the side, his gaze deepening.

So if one knew how to act spoiled, she would even take the initiative to feed them.

"Crown Prince, Miss, the hot water is all ready, you may bathe. It is not cold, nor is it too hot, it is just right." Linglang arranged everything properly and came over to report.

Her voice was still thin and a bit timid, but she had already said quite a bit.

Nan Xueyin nodded, "You don't need to be busy anymore, go to sleep."

Linglang recalled the incident of dozing off at the door just now, making the Crown Prince call her for a long time before she woke up, and said with a face full of panic: "This servant will not sleep again, this servant will definitely keep watch properly!"

"What is there to keep watch over? Isn't the Eastern Palace very safe?"

Nan Xueyin recalled her own experience of keeping watch at the Duan Prince Mansion.

Although most of the time, keeping watch was the job of maids and servants, sometimes the environment was dangerous, and she also needed to participate to ensure Xiao Mingyu's safety.

Being unable to sleep all night and having to remain vigilant at all times—that feeling was not pleasant.

"But this servant must wait for the Crown Prince and Miss's orders at any time," Linglang said.

"No need, there are no orders," Nan Xueyin said, "Go to sleep."

Linglang still had something to say, but Xiao Youlan spoke up at this moment: "Listen to Miss Nan."

Only then did Linglang respond, express her thanks, and withdraw.

Nan Xueyin put the remaining dried meat into a small dish and placed the little black leopard on the ground, "Xiaoyang, eat by yourself, I am going to take a bath."

The little black leopard was very smart; it seemed to understand her meaning and obediently began to eat the dried meat.

Nan Xueyin had just stood up.

Suddenly, Feihong's urgent voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness Crown Prince, something has happened!"

Xiao Youlan glanced to the side and asked, "What is it?"

Feihong replied loudly from behind the door: "It is that Miss Jiang! Did Your Highness not order her to be taken to the Eastern Palace? She is currently making a scene demanding to see you. We would not allow it, so she started threatening to commit suicide. We were not paying attention for a moment, and she ran headfirst into the wall."

Nan Xueyin interjected: "Then tie her up."

"She is tied up!"

There was another rough man's voice outside, "But who would have known she would actually bite her tongue! They were truly at their wits' end, which is why they came to find me. I did not know what to do either, and Lord Wei, Lord Shu, and the others are not in the Eastern Palace. I had no choice but to come find Lord Feihong and beg for Your Highness's instructions!"

Nan Xueyin raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Youlan, "In that case, this Miss Jiang is determined to see the Crown Prince."