When Nan Xueyin sat down, her body swayed slightly, and she settled into a position just a little closer to Xiao Youlan.
Xiao Youlan noticed, turning his head to look at her. "What’s wrong?"
A faint flush rose on Nan Xueyin’s cheeks, appearing perfectly timed. "I think... I’m drunk, Your Highness."
Xiao Youlan: ?
Xiao Youlan: "You didn't drink much."
Nan Xueyin whispered, "I don't know how to drink. Today was my first time."
Xiao Youlan was taken aback.
Her first time, and it was for his sake.
Nan Xueyin blinked slowly. "I don't think I can serve you any longer, Your Highness. I need to sit here for a moment to recover."
Xiao Youlan found it rather amusing. "You need to recover? Let’s head back."
Nan Xueyin looked at him with a confused expression as she saw Xiao Youlan stand up and say to Prince Kang, "Uncle, there are still matters to attend to at the East Palace, so I shall take my leave first."
"That’s fine, go ahead and attend to your business!"
Xiao Youlan wasn't in a hurry to leave; he first extended his right hand toward Nan Xueyin.
The Crown Prince’s fingers were slender and jade-like, with distinct knuckles. Years of holding a brush had left thin calluses over several of his joints.
Nan Xueyin looked at his hand, unable to react for a moment.
"You said you weren't drunk, can you not stand up on your own?" Xiao Youlan waited patiently.
Nan Xueyin glanced at him, offered a faint smile, and gripped his fingers.
Xiao Youlan seemed somewhat surprised—why was she only grabbing his fingers? He said nothing, however, and applied a slight pressure.
Nan Xueyin followed his lead and stood up.
The two departed under the gaze of the guests.
Shu Yu was waiting outside the door. Seeing them appear, he couldn't help but be surprised. "Why are you out so early? What happened to Doukou?"
Xiao Youlan replied calmly, "She blocked some wine for me and got drunk."
Shu Yu found it strange. "Just how much did she drink? She looks like she can't even walk straight."
Xiao Youlan: "Half a cup."
Nan Xueyin corrected him: "It was more than half."
Shu Yu: ?
Shu Yu: "With those tiny cups at the banquet, you couldn't possibly get drunk on a full one. If she had to block drinks, why didn't she call me in? If I claim to be the best drinker, no one would dare claim to be first."
Xiao Youlan glanced at him. "Then why don't you go in and have some?"
Shu Yu chuckled. "No, no."
He cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Anyway, since Doukou is drunk, let’s go! Let’s head back to the East Palace."
Xiao Youlan climbed into the carriage first and reached out to assist Nan Xueyin.
Nan Xueyin leaned into his strength to board the carriage, stumbling and falling into a seat beside him.
Her shoulders were delicate and white, her waist slim, and her soft, full chest happened to press against his arm.
Nan Xueyin felt Xiao Youlan’s body stiffen significantly, but he did not push her away.
"...Pardon me, Your Highness."
She whispered an apology.
Xiao Youlan caught the faint, lingering fragrance emanating from her hair and sleeves. He lowered his gaze to see her cheeks flushed with a soft color, and her usually cold eyes now veiled in a misty haze, creating an aura of endless allure.
He stared at her for a long time, then suddenly raised his hand.
Nan Xueyin was feigning drunkenness precisely for this moment. She knew her beauty, and that she was even more captivating when intoxicated. According to her observations of Xiao Mingyu and the others, and what she had learned later in the palace, men generally found it difficult to resist a beauty under the influence of alcohol.
At this point, Xiao Youlan would either wrap an arm around her waist, cup the back of her head to kiss her, or perhaps slip his hand into her collar or under her skirt to caress her. It was only human nature.
If she wanted to become truly his, she had to engage in intimate behavior with him.
However, as Xiao Youlan reached out, his warm, large palm simply covered her eyes.
Nan Xueyin froze.
She was confused and puzzled. She bit her lip and tentatively called out, "Your Highness?"
She was trembling ever so slightly, and her soft eyelashes brushed against the palm of Xiao Youlan’s hand, a sensation both numb and peculiar.
Nan Xueyin couldn't see that Xiao Youlan’s dark eyes had grown even deeper.
She only heard his cool, restrained voice: "If you are drunk, close your eyes and sleep for a while."
It seemed he was not moved by her at all.
For a split second, Nan Xueyin felt a sense of despair, thinking that this man was probably impossible to conquer.
The carriage stopped outside the palace gate. Xiao Youlan looked aside and said, "Rest well today. There is no need to serve me."
Nan Xueyin nodded. "Very well."
She looked up at him, smiling radiantly. "See you tomorrow, Your Highness."
Xiao Youlan gazed at her for a moment and gave a soft, "Hmm."
After he stepped down, he instructed Mother Cui: "Doukou is drunk. See that you take good care of her."
Mother Cui responded in the affirmative.
"Your Highness!"
Hantao was also waiting below, her voice trembling slightly with shyness and urgency. "Doukou is drunk and unable to serve you, Your Highness. Shall I serve you today instead?"
Mother Cui cast a displeased glance at her.
Hantao pressed on: "Your Highness is of noble status, you cannot be without someone to serve you. I may not be as good as Doukou, but I have my own talents that she lacks!"
Shu Yu laughed at hearing this. "You are so determined! If you were a man, you would surely pass the imperial examinations!"
Hantao retorted immediately, "I don't want fame; I would be content just to serve the Crown Prince."
She raised the pitch of her voice at the end of the sentence, full of flirtatious intent.
Xiao Youlan’s reaction, however, remained indifferent. "I have no need. Just focus on taking care of Doukou."
"I..." Hantao wanted to say more, but Mother Cui pulled her away.
Mother Cui said with an apologetic smile, "Understood, Your Highness. I will certainly take care of her with all my heart."
After Xiao Youlan left, Mother Cui scolded Hantao: "What nonsense are you spouting? The Crown Prince is currently favoring Doukou. If you insist on pushing yourself forward, won't you only provoke his annoyance?"
Hantao felt aggrieved.
Linglang couldn't help but mutter, "I wonder how Doukou managed to get drunk? Did the Crown Prince reward her?"
Mother Cui shot a look at her: "If you really want to know, why don't you try being a bit smarter and learn? Next time you accompany the Prince out, won't you find out for yourself?"
Linglang blushed. "I don't have that kind of talent... I’m just envious of Doukou."
Hantao retorted stubbornly, "What is there to envy?"
Linglang chuckled. "If you had the talent, you would be the one going out with the Prince. What else is there to envy?"
Hantao gritted her teeth. "I will eventually!"
Linglang was tired of her empty boasts. "You won't. If you could, the first day the Crown Prince saw you, he would have asked for your name and kept you, rather than asking about Doukou. And later, when you tried to take Doukou's place to serve him, you were sent back. Just a moment ago, you were practically on your knees begging for his favor, but he didn't even glance at you!"
"Knock, knock."
Nan Xueyin raised her hand and tapped on the wooden wall of the carriage.
Linglang fell silent, while Hantao let out a loud "hmph" and stomped away with her head bowed.
-
On the other side.
Xiao Mingyu stayed at Prince Kang's Estate until late into the night.
He had drunk a great deal, but given his constitution, no matter how much he consumed, he never flushed nor acted wildly, whether drunk or not. Instead, he became taciturn and quiet.
Wuzhui supported the Prince back to Jiao Garden. This was the gift the Emperor had bestowed upon the Prince for his coming-of-age ceremony years ago, and it was where they resided now.
Hua Lianying heard the news and immediately came out to greet them. Seeing that Xiao Mingyu had not brought back any singers or beauties, she exhaled in relief and managed a gentle, warm smile.
"The Prince drank too much tonight..." Wuzhui explained.
Xiao Mingyu, previously expressionless, moved his gaze to Hua Lianying’s face. He paused for a moment, then suddenly shoved Wuzhui aside.
Wuzhui was caught off guard and stumbled.
Xiao Mingyu stepped forward and gripped Hua Lianying’s chin, forcing her to look up.
Hua Lianying called out timidly, "Your Highness..."
Xiao Mingyu said nothing. He stared at her for a while, then suddenly swept her up in his arms and strode toward the bedroom.
Clothes fell to the floor along the way, some even torn apart in a barbaric fashion.
He was too impatient, and Hua Lianying couldn't help but frown. "Your Highness, it hurts..."
Xiao Mingyu looked down at her, his expression dark and terrifying. "You enjoy smiling at him, do you? Hmm? Why didn't I see you smile like that when you were by my side? And you even blocked drinks for him?"