Hearing that Xiao Mingyu would also be attending, Nan Xueyin felt a slight flutter in her chest.
She remained composed, standing beside Xiao Youlan, and bowed to Prince Kang.
Noticing her flushed cheeks and almond-shaped eyes, Prince Kang’s gaze brightened. "Is this the beauty the Emperor assigned to be your attendant?"
Xiao Youlan replied, "Uncle knows?"
Prince Kang laughed. "I doubt there are many in Fengdu City who don’t." He turned to Nan Xueyin. "Do you know how many noble ladies in this city have been dying to ask you how you managed to win the Crown Prince’s favor?"
Nan Xueyin lowered her head with a faint smile. "I haven't done anything. His Highness is merely honoring the Emperor’s paternal affection."
Prince Kang burst into laughter. "What a sweet tongue you have. No wonder His Highness likes you."
With that, he ushered them to their seats.
Before long, a servant hurried over to announce, "Prince Duan has arrived!"
Prince Kang rose to greet him. Shortly after, Nan Xueyin heard footsteps approaching. Xiao Mingyu was exchanging pleasantries with Prince Kang, his voice possessing that same magnetic, clear resonance she remembered so well.
Xiao Youlan stood up and said, "Fourth Brother."
Nan Xueyin followed suit and curtsied.
She felt Xiao Mingyu’s gaze sweep over her before he spoke, his voice tinged with a smile. "It has been a long time. The Crown Prince now has a beauty by his side."
Xiao Youlan replied nonchalantly, "Not quite like Fourth Brother, whose estate is full of beauties."
"The Crown Prince sounds rather bitter. In a few days, I shall pick a few of the best and send them to the East Palace."
"The East Palace is burdened with many affairs and is not as leisurely as Lianzhou. It is better for those beauties to remain by your side, Fourth Brother."
The brothers had never enjoyed a good relationship. Xiao Mingyu coveted the throne, and Xiao Youlan was well aware of his ambition. While they sometimes feigned brotherly harmony, their conversations were usually laden with barbs.
Prince Kang intervened to smooth things over. "Why are we standing? Come, sit!"
Xiao Mingyu had come alone; his seat was positioned directly opposite Xiao Youlan.
"Earlier you mentioned Lianzhou," Prince Kang remarked with a sigh. "That place is not very peaceful these days!"
Xiao Mingyu asked, "Why do you say that, Uncle?"
Prince Kang sighed again. "Last year, while I was admiring the snow in Lianzhou, I was invited by a wealthy local merchant to his home. We drank wine and made merry, only to return home in the dead of night—it was delightful! Who would have thought that the next day, I would hear that the merchant’s entire family had been wiped out! I wonder what kind of wicked criminal could be so cold-blooded."
Nan Xueyin: ...
That "wicked criminal" was her.
It had been her previous mission. The merchant had offended Xiao Mingyu, who had sent her to kill him, ordering that not a single soul be left alive.
At the time, the merchant had knelt, kowtowing and weeping, begging her to spare his life, offering any amount of silver she desired. Nan Xueyin remained unmoved. The man had tried to scramble away, seizing a horse in a desperate attempt to flee.
Nan Xueyin had chased him down with her blade and severed his head.
Xiao Mingyu likely recalled this as well. He smiled composedly. "Lianzhou does occasionally suffer from bandits. The authorities have been investigating and handling such matters for years; on the whole, it is quite peaceful. If you visit Lianzhou to admire the snow again, Uncle, please inform me in advance. I will ensure everything is properly arranged so you need not worry."
He turned to Xiao Youlan. "Lianzhou in winter is a world of white—a beauty rarely seen in this world. The Crown Prince should go and see it for himself."
As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Nan Xueyin.
Xiao Youlan smiled faintly. "If I have the leisure, I certainly will."
Soon, all the guests had arrived.
Prince Kang announced the start of the banquet, and beauties from the Prince’s estate stepped forward to serve dishes and pour wine for the guests. Every table had one, all with slender waists and graceful movements.
As Nan Xueyin watched, she was reminded of the past.
At such banquets, Xiao Mingyu would inevitably chat with the wine-pouring beauties. If one were truly striking and caught his fancy, he would take her back to his estate to dote on for a few days.
A refined beauty approached them, shyly calling out, "Your Highness, let me pour you some wine."
"That will not be necessary." Xiao Youlan’s voice was cold as he rejected her.
Nan Xueyin: ...
The Crown Prince was truly very different from Prince Duan.
She leaned in slightly and said with a soft smile, "His Highness has me here, you may go attend to others."
The beauty looked at the Crown Prince with misty, lingering eyes, but seeing no alternative, she had to retreat.
Once she was out of earshot, Nan Xueyin sighed softly. "So that is why you brought me along, Your Highness."
She reached for the wine decanter and, mimicking the beauty’s tone, said, "Allow me to pour you some wine, Your Highness."
Xiao Youlan: ...
Xiao Youlan said, "Just speak in your own voice. Why are you imitating her?"
Nan Xueyin nodded obediently. "Very well."
Xiao Youlan looked at her. "I do not care for drinking when I am away from home."
"Then let us have some food instead," Nan Xueyin scanned the table. "These dishes don't seem to be anything you dislike, and they look quite appetizing."
Xiao Youlan seemed to be in a good mood. He gave a soft hum of agreement.
"Mingyu, could it be that these dishes and drinks are not to your liking? Or is the attendant not serving you well?" Prince Kang suddenly asked.
Nan Xueyin looked up to see the wine-pouring beauty at the opposite table hurriedly set down the decanter and prostrate herself in terror.
Xiao Mingyu, looking visibly displeased for some reason, forced a smile and replied, "It has nothing to do with the food, drink, or the beauty. It is just that Consort Xian is lying ill in bed, and I am worried. I hope you will forgive me, Uncle."
Prince Kang sighed. "You are truly a kind and filial child."
Nan Xueyin was puzzled. Consort Xian was definitely not ill. What was he worrying about?
As the banquet progressed, most of the guests became tipsy.
Prince Kang, quite inebriated, stared at Xiao Youlan. "Hey, why are you only eating vegetables and fruits? You haven't touched a drop of wine!"
Across the table, Xiao Mingyu lifted his eyelids and said languidly, "I heard that the Crown Prince never drinks when away from home. It seems that is indeed true."
He held his wine cup with one hand, a faint, mocking smile on his lips. "But since this is Uncle’s birthday banquet, it wouldn't be right for us nephews to not drink at all."
Nan Xueyin reflected on this. As Crown Prince, breaking his rule because of a few words from someone else would appear undignified. But since Xiao Mingyu had framed it in terms of their relationship as nephew and uncle, refusing would be an insult to Prince Kang.
It was a dilemma. But for Nan Xueyin, it was an opportunity.
Prince Kang waved his hand good-naturedly. "If he doesn't want to drink, that’s fine. What matters is the sentiment!"
Xiao Mingyu smiled without a word, gesturing for a beauty to pour wine.
Nan Xueyin suddenly spoke up. "His Highness does not like to drink; why don't I drink on his behalf?"
Xiao Mingyu’s smile stiffened instantly.
Prince Kang, wanting to give the Crown Prince face, laughed, "That would work!"
Xiao Youlan glanced sideways. "How will you drink for me?"
"I am your attendant, Your Highness. Your heart is my heart; for me to drink is for you to drink."
Xiao Youlan gazed at her for a moment, a trace of amusement appearing in his eyes. He said, "Very well."
Nan Xueyin poured half a cup of wine, held it up with both hands, and faced Prince Kang. "I, Doukou, dare to toast on behalf of the Crown Prince. I wish you, Prince, eternal longevity and boundless good fortune."
With that, she shielded her face with her sleeve, drained the cup, and held it upside down to show everyone it was empty.
Prince Kang, pleased to have given face to the Crown Prince, laughed heartily. "Excellent! I accept your good wishes!"
Only Xiao Mingyu could not bring himself to smile. His face remained dark and handsome, his eyes filled with a terrifying, malevolent gloom.