Six days after Nan Xueyin returned from the pastry shop, a persistent spring rain began to fall over Fengdu.
After attending to the Crown Prince, she went to the backyard to eat; the palace staff took all their meals there. Nan Xueyin spent most of her time by Xiao Youlan's side, and she hadn't yet learned the names of all the servants in the East Palace. Hantao, however, was naturally gregarious; she spent her days calling everyone "brother" and had managed to make a wide circle of friends.
Nan Xueyin served her meal and picked a clean spot to sit. Hantao was right to her left, chatting and laughing with three other servants while they ate.
"Hantao, it’s raining these days, you should dress more warmly. I heard from a servant near the Emperor that Noble Consort Xian has caught a cold."
"Noble Consort Xian? You mean Prince Duan’s birth mother?"
The conversation over there was growing lively, but Nan Xueyin remained calm. She picked up some vegetables, piled them onto her rice, and stuffed a mouthful in.
"That's right. Her health has never been very good, and this illness hit her hard. They say she can’t even get out of bed for the time being. The Emperor has summoned Prince Duan back; to put it bluntly, it might be their final meeting."
Hantao was quite concerned. "I heard Prince Duan is handsome and dashing. Is he still unmarried?"
Nan Xueyin continued to chew her food, focused.
"Although he isn't married, he already has quite a few concubines. Besides, I heard he keeps a woman by his side, giving her whatever she wants. He dotes on her immensely."
"That woman is truly lucky! Maybe she’ll be the future Princess Duan!" Hantao’s eyes were filled with unconcealable envy.
Nan Xueyin ignored them, swallowing her last bite of rice. She ate quickly—a habit formed during her training as an assassin. To hone the perfect killers, the training Prince Duan had arranged was cruelly strict. They were given only one meal a day, and the time allotted was extremely short; if you ate slowly, you would go hungry.
So, although she had arrived late, she wiped the corners of her mouth and stood up to leave before Hantao and the others had even finished.
Nan Xueyin’s actions caught the attention of Hantao and her group. She heard one of the servants teasingly remark, "Hantao, you all came here at the same time. Look at Doukou, who gets to accompany the Crown Prince every day, while you can only wander around in front of us. Why is the difference so vast?"
"Go away!" Hantao pouted, then huffed. "Who knows how much longer she’ll be able to stay by the Prince’s side!"
Nan Xueyin did not listen to what else they had to say.
How much longer she could stay by Xiao Youlan’s side, she did not know. But she did know that before long, Xiao Mingyu would be coming to Fengdu.
In truth, Noble Consort Xian’s health had always been robust; she merely feigned weakness. Her son wanted to be the Crown Prince, and she wanted to be the Empress. Whenever something major was afoot, the Noble Consort would fake an illness to give Xiao Mingyu an excuse to return. However, Nan Xueyin did not quite understand; she hadn't uncovered any hidden ailments in the Crown Prince, so why was Xiao Mingyu in such a hurry to come?
Perhaps something had happened that she was unaware of?
The next day, the rain cleared up, a rarity in Fengdu.
As Nan Xueyin straightened Xiao Youlan’s robes, she said, "Have your attendants bring an umbrella, just in case."
"I can't carry one; I have too many things."
"Then..."
Xiao Youlan glanced at her. "If it rains, you come to fetch me."
Nan Xueyin froze slightly, looking up. Xiao Youlan was already walking away. She only saw his tall, slender back, his waist pulled narrow by a leather and jade belt. After a moment, she looked away.
After the Crown Prince went to the morning court, Nan Xueyin began preparing the breakfast for the day. Just as she was finishing, she heard an attendant grumbling outside, "Why is it raining again? Is the sky leaking?"
Nan Xueyin looked out. Rain was indeed falling, pattering against the roof tiles in a continuous rustle.
"If it rains, you come to fetch me." The Prince's words still rang in her ears.
She wiped her hands, asked for two oil-paper umbrellas, and left the East Palace.
Having replaced Doukou and moved through the palace as a maid, Nan Xueyin knew where the morning court was held. Not far out, she saw ministers walking out of the palace in groups; the court session had already ended.
Xiao Youlan was among them. His tall stature made him stand out from the crowd, and Nan Xueyin spotted him at a glance. His personal attendant, Feihong, was holding a dark blue oil-paper umbrella, struggling slightly to keep his arm raised to shield the Crown Prince from the light drizzle.
Dou Fangchun was there too, saying cheerfully, "Crown Prince, we haven't seen each other in a long time. I brought this umbrella specifically for you today. Aren't you going to say thank you?"
Even though a small maid was already holding an umbrella for her, she insisted on crowding near Xiao Youlan. Xiao Youlan maintained his usual indifferent expression. He didn't push her away, nor did he speak; he only frowned slightly.
Having spent some time by his side, Nan Xueyin could tell he was unhappy and even a bit annoyed.
It was then that she smiled and spoke up: "Your servant is late with the umbrella. That thanks should come from me."
Xiao Youlan looked at her.
Dou Fangchun was immediately displeased. "Why are you here?"
Nan Xueyin replied, "It was the Prince's wish that if it rained, your servant should come to fetch him."
Dou Fangchun sneered. "Don't flatter yourself here..."
Before she could finish, Xiao Youlan suddenly walked toward Nan Xueyin.
At the right moment, she raised her wrist, and Xiao Youlan stepped under her umbrella. The umbrella was wide enough that they could stand together with a distance between them, yet neither got wet.
Dou Fangchun’s face turned unsightly.
Nan Xueyin gripped the rosewood handle of the umbrella with her right hand, her jade bracelet peeking out, and gave her a graceful smile. "Many thanks, Miss Dou. You should head back early; don't catch a cold."
This was a polite way of saying she was not invited to the East Palace. As she spoke, she handed the spare umbrella she had been carrying to Feihong. Feihong took it and immediately returned the dark blue one to the maid behind Dou Fangchun.
Dou Fangchun glared at Nan Xueyin with hostility, gritted her teeth, and turned to Xiao Youlan, wanting to act spoiled as she did when they were children. She was certain the Crown Prince would be soft-hearted and wouldn't refuse her.
Before she could speak, Xiao Youlan said, "Let's go back."
The three words cut off Dou Fangchun’s words in her throat.
As the two walked back, the air around Xiao Youlan remained heavy. Nan Xueyin thought for a moment and explained, "Your servant was preparing breakfast for you and came as soon as I saw the rain. Who knew the court would end so early, and that Miss Dou would arrive at the perfect time."
From the side, Feihong added, "Miss Dou had been waiting outside for the Prince!"
Nan Xueyin understood. "Miss Dou is truly devoted to the Crown Prince."
Xiao Youlan cast a glance at her.
Nan Xueyin’s eyes curved into a smile.
Xiao Youlan said, "Hold the umbrella properly."
Nan Xueyin’s smile did not fade. "Your servant is holding it properly."
Back at the East Palace, Nan Xueyin closed the umbrella, shook off the water droplets, and leaned it against the doorframe outside.
"Doukou."
Xiao Youlan was becoming increasingly natural in calling her name.
Nan Xueyin responded and walked inside, thinking the Crown Prince wanted breakfast. Instead, his voice drifted from the room: "Come in."