Nan Xueyin was momentarily stunned. She had never expected the seemingly kind and elegant Empress Dowager to speak so brazenly of such carnal matters.
Empress Dowager Zong, however, showed no trace of embarrassment. "This is the inner palace; discussing such matters of the bedchamber is perfectly normal." Back when she was still a concubine, she and her sisters would often talk about these things—how else could they pass the long, idle hours? One had to find some amusement.
"Just tell me," Empress Dowager Zong gestured. "The wine from last night was a gift from me, after all. I have a right to know."
"..."
It wasn't that Nan Xueyin was afraid to speak; it was simply that she hadn't truly served the Crown Prince in bed last night. She hadn't rehearsed any testimony with him and feared being found out.
Suddenly, Nan Xueyin thought of Xiao Mingyu. She hadn't done anything with the Crown Prince, but Xiao Mingyu had done plenty, and she had witnessed one of his sexual encounters from start to finish.
Recalling that, Nan Xueyin answered precisely, "His Highness lasted a little over a quarter of an hour. After a brief rest, he requested me once more. The second time was longer—probably more than the length of an incense stick."
Empress Dowager Zong nodded repeatedly. "Good, very good. Over a quarter of an hour on the first attempt—much stronger than the Emperor. And he requested you twice? Not bad, truly not bad."
Nan Xueyin: "..."
*How is it that even the details of the Emperor's first time are known to you?*
Empress Dowager Zong was quite satisfied—satisfied with Xiao Youlan, and satisfied with the little palace maid before her. With a smile touching her face, she finally asked, "What is your name?"
"This servant is named Doukou," Nan Xueyin replied.
"Very well, Doukou," the Empress Dowager nodded. "Qiutong, go and fetch that jade bracelet from my vanity."
"As you command."
Beside them, Dou Fangchun suddenly looked up. She knew that jade bracelet. It was a gift from the late Emperor to Empress Dowager Zong on the night of her first time serving him. The jade was translucent and warmed to the touch—a rare treasure indeed. She had commented on its beauty more than once, certain the Empress Dowager had noticed her desire for it, yet she had never been willing to part with it.
Yet today, she was gifting it to some nobody of a palace maid! Dou Fangchun pouted, biting her lower lip.
Nanny Qiutong soon returned with the bracelet and presented it to Nan Xueyin.
"You have served the Crown Prince very well," Empress Dowager Zong said. "This is a token of my appreciation. Remember your place, and continue to serve with diligence. If you perform well, it wouldn't be impossible for you to become a Liangdi once the East Palace welcomes a Crown Princess."
Nan Xueyin received the bracelet with both hands and knelt to express her gratitude again. "This servant will take the Empress Dowager’s teachings to heart."
As she exited Baoci Palace, Nan Xueyin’s heart remained indifferent. A Liangdi? That was far less comfortable than her life in Lianzhou, where she truly relied on her own skills to make a living. The art of killing, after all, was a skill too.
"Nanny! Nanny Qiutong!"
Dou Fangchun’s voice rang out from behind. Nan Xueyin and Nanny Qiutong both stopped.
"Miss Dou, is there something you need?" Nanny Qiutong asked.
Dou Fangchun smiled. "The Empress Dowager remembered that the kitchens prepared a few pastries today that the Crown Prince enjoys. She had me rush over here. May I trouble this..." She glanced at Nan Xueyin with an air of haughtiness, "...I’m sorry, I truly cannot recall your name. There are simply too many palace maids here, batch after batch, like wild flowers that never stop blooming."
She was doing it on purpose. The words "ill intentions" were practically written all over her face.
Nan Xueyin paused, then smiled. "The Crown Prince remembered my name quite easily—Doukou. Perhaps that is the benefit of the East Palace not having many maids."
Dou Fangchun gritted her teeth, her entire expression screaming: *Don't get cocky too soon!*
Nan Xueyin's smile did not fade. As she reached out to take the food box, her sleeve slid down, revealing the bracelet on her wrist. Seeing it, Dou Fangchun was even more incensed.
But Nan Xueyin cared little for her state of mind. She carried the food box and headed back. Once she finished her mission, she would vanish without a trace. Who cared if the future Crown Princess was Dou Fangchun, Dou Fangxia, Dou Fangqiu, or Dou Fangdong?
Not long after returning to the East Palace, Xiao Youlan arrived back from the morning court. Nan Xueyin helped him remove his official robes and spoke of the day’s events. "Your Highness is truly a master of foresight. Not long after you left, Nanny Qiutong from Baoci Palace arrived."
"And?" Xiao Youlan asked calmly.
Nan Xueyin didn't speak, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Speak freely," Xiao Youlan said. "It is no matter."
Nan Xueyin leaned in slightly and lowered her voice. "The Empress Dowager asked me how long you lasted, and how many times you requested me."
Xiao Youlan froze. Unbidden, the image of her in her silk bodice from last night flashed through his mind. From Nan Xueyin's angle, she saw his well-defined Adam's apple bob.
"I regretted then that I hadn't consulted with you first," Nan Xueyin sighed. Her breath, fragrant and soft, seemed to brush against his skin like light, delicate floral scent.
Xiao Youlan’s breathing stalled for a moment. "And... how did you answer?"
Nan Xueyin gave a small smile. "I was taught long ago what an average man’s endurance is and how many times he might request a woman. Using that as a baseline, I added a bit more time for Your Highness."
Xiao Youlan was startled again. He looked at her. "Added time?"
Nan Xueyin nodded. "I figured that with Your Highness’s noble bearing, you must be far more formidable in matters of the flesh than the average man."
Xiao Youlan: "..."
He was silent for a moment before turning abruptly, avoiding her gaze, and walking out with long, purposeful strides.
Nan Xueyin tilted her head. *Is he shy?*
She didn't rush to follow, instead tidying his robes and smoothing out the fine wrinkles. When she went back out, Xiao Youlan was talking to Shu Yu. At the sight of her, their conversation ceased.
"Oh, the Empress Dowager also sent some pastries," Nan Xueyin said, opening the box and setting the plates out one by one.
Shu Yu, full of interest, leaned in. "Baoci Palace's pastries are famous for a reason. After all, the finest pastry chef in the entire Ye Dynasty is kept in the small kitchen at Baoci Palace."
Xiao Youlan’s voice remained level. "If you like them, feel free to eat your fill."
Shu Yu had been waiting for that exact phrase. He immediately grabbed a hawthorn cake and shoved it into his mouth, chewing as he said, "If I eat too many, wouldn't that be improper? After all, the Empress Dowager sent these specifically for you." Having said that, he shoved another one into his mouth.
Xiao Youlan was used to this behavior. "I cannot eat all of these alone," he replied accordingly.
Shu Yu felt at ease. "True enough! In that case, I shall begrudgingly help you finish them."
He ate several more in quick succession, but eating so hastily, he began to choke. Nan Xueyin poured a cup of tea and handed it to him at the right moment. She felt Xiao Youlan’s gaze flicker toward her, lingering briefly on her hands.
Shu Yu took the cup, accidentally brushing her fingers. When Nan Xueyin looked toward the Crown Prince, he had already turned his gaze away, unremarkably picking up an almond crisp. Nan Xueyin poured him a cup of tea as well and placed it gently beside his hand.
Shu Yu took a gulp of tea and recovered. "Miss Doukou, won't you join us? These pastries are truly rare!"
Nan Xueyin looked at the Crown Prince.
Xiao Youlan slightly raised his chin. "Go ahead and try one."
Only then did Nan Xueyin pick up an almond crisp. Like the one the Crown Prince was eating, she took a light bite.
"Good, isn't it?" Shu Yu asked immediately, as if he were the one who had baked them.
"It is," Nan Xueyin said. "It’s just that the almond crisps I loved as a child never felt inferior to these."
Shu Yu was curious. "Where did you eat them? They could compare to the craftsmanship of Baoci Palace?"
"Right here in Fengdu."
"Can you still get them now?"
"I can."
Nan Xueyin glanced sideways, smiling brightly at the Crown Prince. "Would Your Highness like to have a taste?"