Feihong heard it too and chuckled, a rather improper sound.
Nan Xueyin went into the inner chamber, where Xiao Youlan was standing by the clothes rack.
Seeing her arrive, he gave a calm, silent signal: "Change my clothes."
A patch on the left shoulder of his outer robe was damp—he must have accidentally been caught in the rain just now.
"Yes."
At first, Xiao Youlan said nothing. The room was quiet, save for the faint rustling of fabric.
After a long while, he spoke slowly: "Today, Prince Kang sent an invitation, asking Us to attend a banquet. We can't think of what to give him. They say you women are full of clever ideas—what do you think would be a fitting gift?"
Nan Xueyin muttered inwardly: Why did the Crown Prince seize every opportunity to test her?
Prince Kang was the current Emperor's younger brother, who outwardly always maintained the carefree air of an idle prince unconcerned with state affairs.
Of course Nan Xueyin knew that Prince Kang was turning sixty, and that a grand birthday banquet was to be held.
Only at this moment, she was Doukou, a palace maid.
A little palace maid might have heard of Prince Kang, but she wouldn't know so clearly what he was up to.
Nan Xueyin concentrated on tying his sash: "Your Highness hasn't mentioned what kind of banquet the Prince is hosting."
Xiao Youlan's gaze reflected in her face as he said: "Prince Kang is turning sixty. In a few days, it will be his birthday banquet."
"If it is a birthday banquet, the gifts should naturally carry auspicious wishes for longevity."
With the sash tied, Nan Xueyin still lowered her gaze: "This maid comes from a poor background; very few people in my village lived to that age. I heard that when the only grandmother there celebrated her sixtieth birthday, everyone chipped in to buy her a coffin—I'm afraid this time, I won't be able to share Your Highness's worries."
Her voice grew softer and softer, ending in a near-whisper.
Outside the window, the rain grew heavier, the patter drowning out her words.
Yet Xiao Youlan heard it, and he was taken aback.
As the Crown Prince, he had resolved since childhood to let all the common people of the realm live prosperous lives. Hearing this now truly filled him with shame.
After a brief silence, he said: "In a few days, you will accompany Us to the banquet."
Nan Xueyin looked surprised: "Would that be quite proper?"
"There is nothing improper about it."
Nan Xueyin obediently replied: "This maid will follow Your Highness's arrangements."
She then asked: "Your Highness, shall we have breakfast?"
"Eat."
Sitting down at the dining table, Xiao Youlan still had it on his mind: "That old woman you mentioned, is she still alive?"
Nan Xueyin served him porridge and replied: "She passed away some years ago."
Placing the bowl of porridge within his reach, she added: "Once that coffin was put to use, she left no regrets behind in this world."
Xiao Youlan nodded and took a sip of the warm porridge.
Nan Xueyin was not afraid that the Crown Prince might investigate this later. Before posing as Doukou, she had spent a period in that poor, backward village, and everything she said was true.
On the day of the banquet, the spring rain cleared up at last.
Mother Cui led Hantao and Linglang to help Nan Xueyin dress and make up.
Her garments and accessories had all been prepared at Xiao Youlan's command: a green brocade-woven gauze lined tunic, a yellow skirt with clustered floral patterns, and a scarlet silk peizi.
Linglang couldn't resist reaching out to stroke the fabric, the envy in her eyes nearly overflowing: "This material, this workmanship—so much better than what we wear!"
"These ornaments aren't things you'd get to use on ordinary days, either." Mother Cui picked up a filigree-inlaid gold comb and placed it in Nan Xueyin's hair. "This is the benefit of Doukou being ambitious and earning a noble person's favor."
Linglang looked at the pale blue jade hairpin on the dressing table, too envious for words.
Hantao sneered coldly: "What is this supposed to be? Things in the palace are far better than this!"
Linglang didn't care much for her nowadays and shrugged: "Hantao, are you listening to those good brothers of yours again? Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd seen them and used them yourself!"
Hantao glared: "You—"
"Tsk."
Nan Xueyin had no desire to listen to them bicker; it was utterly pointless.
Mother Cui also spoke with severity: "Shut your mouths, both of you! If you ruin today's banquet, you'll see what's coming to you!"
Linglang stuck out her tongue.
Hantao remained unconvvinced, letting out a huff through her nose. When she eventually won the Crown Prince's favor, her rewards would surely be even more and better than this!
After dressing and grooming, Nan Xueyin set out.
Outside the palace gates waited a magnificent carriage, flanked by guards and personal attendants. At the head was Shu Yu, whose eyes lit up when he saw her: "I always thought you looked pretty, but I didn't expect you to look even better all dressed up!"
He jerked his chin toward the carriage: "His Highness is inside the carriage. He's been waiting for you a while."
Nan Xueyin approached the carriage, and Shu Yu pushed open the cloud-patterned folding door, revealing the Crown Prince inside. He wore a silver-gray round-collared robe with wide sleeves, his expression calm and detached, carrying a sense of distance whenever he cast his gaze down from the corners of his eyes.
After looking at her for a moment, Xiao Youlan spoke slowly: "Get in."
Nan Xueyin obediently assented, climbed into the carriage, and sat opposite the Crown Prince.
As the carriage rolled slowly forward, Nan Xueyin's gaze drifted toward him from time to time.
Sensing this, Xiao Youlan asked: "What are you looking at?"
Nan Xueyin: "Lord Shu just said I look even better all dressed up."
Xiao Youlan's tone was cool: "I heard."
Nan Xueyin tilted her head: "Then what does Your Highness think?"
Xiao Youlan's gaze landed on her face, meeting hers. His eyes were dark and deep, harboring some obscure and inexpressible emotion.
Suddenly, he raised his hand and placed his finger upon her lips.
Nan Xueyin was startled.
Xiao Youlan's expression remained indifferent as the pad of his thumb pressed against the corner of her mouth, rubbing back and forth a few times.
Nan Xueyin wore a look of puzzlement, and inwardly she felt even more nervous—she was wearing a human-skin mask, after all! Had he discovered something?
"Your Highness..." she called out to him. Because her lips were pressed against, the words came out indistinctly, bordering on spoiled petulance.
Xiao Youlan finally withdrew his hand: "Your lip rouge is smudged."
He appraised her and asked: "Are you very nervous?"
Nan Xueyin nodded, making no denial: "Nervous."
Xiao Youlan stared at her.
"I spent so long getting dressed and made up today, and I even troubled Your Highness to wait. If Your Highness doesn't think I look good, this maid's crime would be unforgivable," Nan Xueyin said.
Xiao Youlan's brows smoothed out slightly, and he gave a low laugh: "It's not that terrible. You look good today."
Nan Xueyin let out a breath: "That's good, then."
She couldn't help stealing a couple more glances at Xiao Youlan.
In all the days she had spent in the East Palace, this was the first time she had seen the Crown Prince display such a clear smile.
The carriage turned into the street, where the noise and clamor of the crowds outside reached a boiling point.
They hadn't gone far when the carriage suddenly stopped.
Shu Yu reported from outside: "Your Highness, the way ahead is blocked."
Looking out through the carriage window, Nan Xueyin saw that the street was indeed jammed solid.
After all, it was Prince Kang's birthday banquet; no person of consequence in Fengdu would let slip such an opportunity. Those who had received invitations naturally prepared lavish gifts to attend, while those who hadn't received invitations brazenly came to try and rub shoulders for familiarity.
Right now, high-ranking officials and nobles were stranded halfway. Some lifted their curtains and craned their necks to see what on earth was causing such a ghost of a traffic jam, while others of impatient temperament simply jumped down from their carriages to direct traffic, even getting into conflicts and shouting until their faces were red and their necks thick.
"No matter, though," Shu Yu chuckled with a smile, "Your Highness and Lady Doukou, please wait a moment."
Led by him, the personal guards aggressively cleared a path.
The carriage soon started moving again. No matter their rank or nobility, everyone fell short before the Crown Prince and had no choice but to drop their pretensions, retreating to both sides and watching helplessly as the East Palace carriage slowly rolled past.
Sitting inside the carriage, Nan Xueyin gradually understood why Xiao Mingyu was so obsessed with the position of Crown Prince—it turned out to be the fatal allure of absolute privilege.
Upon arriving at the Prince's residence, Prince Kang came out personally to greet them.
Catching sight of Xiao Youlan, he wore a kindly smile, his wrinkles blooming across his face: "Look at you, with matters so busy every day, why did you still come to celebrate this old man's birthday!"
Xiao Youlan smiled, a rare occurrence: "Outwardly you are Prince Kang, but inwardly you are my uncle. It's uncle's major birthday, so naturally your nephew must come to offer congratulations."
Prince Kang laughed: "All you youngsters are filial! That boy Mingyu also sent word early on, saying he was returning to Fengdu to visit his birth mother, and he just arrived today. He'll be coming to wish me a happy birthday shortly!"