Before Xiao Youlan could answer, Shu Yu spoke up excitedly, "His Highness must surely want some! I have nothing to do this morning anyway, so why don't I go for Your Highness and buy some pastries for you to taste?"
In truth, he was the one dying to try them.
Nan Xueyin remained still, patiently waiting for Xiao Youlan’s response.
This seemed to please the Crown Prince; a subtle curve appeared at the corners of his lips. "Very well."
He then said to Nan Xueyin, "Aren't those the pastries you loved as a child? You go along with Shu Yu."
He added a final reminder, "Wear your veil."
Although the Ye Dynasty was known for its liberal social customs, Xiao Youlan had, for the first time, shown an uncharacteristic desire to keep her face hidden from the eyes of outsiders.
Nan Xueyin obediently agreed.
The pastry shop, said to rival those of the Baoci Palace, was located in the north of Fengdu, along Ziwei Street. It was a long-standing establishment, and even at this hour, a long queue stretched outside its doors.
The two had arrived by carriage. Shu Yu looked around from the outside, a faint recollection stirring. "I think I’ve heard people talk about this place."
Nan Xueyin lifted the carriage curtain halfway. "You’ve heard of it, but never tasted it?"
Shu Yu laughed. "Miss Doukou, you don't know—His Highness is more diligent than anyone. Serving him, I hardly have any free time throughout the entire year."
He muttered under his breath, "I’m so busy I don't even have time to look for a wife. I fear I shall be a bachelor for the rest of my life."
Nan Xueyin leaned forward. Getting off the carriage wasn't difficult, but her priority was to maintain her disguise as Doukou. She extended her hand. "Lord Shu, if you would be so kind."
Shu Yu understood and reached out to assist her, continuing to shake his head and sigh. "Truly, I haven't even held a young lady's hand before."
Nan Xueyin looked pensive as she glanced at the fingers he had just touched.
She raised an eyebrow. "Lord Shu, why don't you go park the carriage first? I’ll wait in line here."
"Fine," Shu Yu said, not suspecting a thing.
Once he had walked a distance away, a young shop assistant emerged from the pastry shop, his face wreathed in a warm, enthusiastic smile. He said politely, "The manager says he is grateful for everyone's patronage and, fearing that standing has been tiring, is gifting a bowl of doukou warm drink to everyone."
The assistant distributed the bowls one by one.
When he reached Nan Xueyin, he offered a kind smile. "For you, Miss."
Nan Xueyin reached out to take it, a slip of paper hidden between her fingers, pressed against the bottom of the bowl.
"There you go, take care!"
The assistant reminded her, then quietly and unobtrusively took the paper.
By the time Shu Yu returned, the warm drinks had all been handed out.
Shu Yu looked around and sighed in frustration, "I missed it!"
"It isn't too late."
Nan Xueyin smiled and handed over the one in her hand. "This bowl is yours."
Shu Yu felt a bit embarrassed. "Aren't you going to drink yours?"
Nan Xueyin shook her head. "My health is delicate; I dare not drink things at random."
Shu Yu felt reassured, took the doukou warm drink, and took a large gulp.
He smacked his lips; the taste was peculiar.
He took another sip.
Having finished most of the bowl, Shu Yu felt satisfied. Looking at the silhouette of the woman’s face through the light veil, he said, "I think I’m beginning to understand why His... why the Young Master likes you."
Out in public, with so many eyes about, he replaced the title "Crown Prince" with "Young Master."
Nan Xueyin tilted her head slightly. "Does the Young Master like me?"
"Even if he didn't, he treats you differently than anyone else. Before you arrived, all of us around him were men."
"Does the Young Master prefer men?"
"How could that be! The Young Master has no such inclinations," Shu Yu said. "If the Young Master liked men, he would surely have taken a fancy to me by now!"
Nan Xueyin fell silent.
So, the current Crown Prince’s secret ailment was not a preference for men, but something else entirely.
It was because of this hidden, unspoken ailment that he did not keep women by his side to serve him.
After waiting for the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, the two finally purchased their pastries: a bag of almond shortbread and a bag of plum blossom cakes.
On the way back, Shu Yu couldn't wait and tried a piece, pondering, "The flavor isn't bad, but it still doesn't compare to the ones from Baoci Palace."
Nan Xueyin sighed, "When I was a child, my father would occasionally buy them for me. Perhaps I only got to eat them once every year or two, so I always thought they were exceptionally delicious."
Shu Yu believed her and cast a sympathetic look her way.
In reality, Nan Xueyin had never tasted these pastries before.
The only reason she had come was that this shop was a key stronghold under the control of Prince Duan. On the surface, it was a well-known pastry shop, but in reality, their primary mission was to relay important intelligence from Fengdu to Lianzhou.
The paper Nan Xueyin had just passed on was the latest report on her mission—
"Infiltrated the East Palace, have served in the bedchamber, Crown Prince's hidden ailment yet to be identified."
-
This piece of intelligence was treated as extremely important.
Within two days, it was urgently delivered to Lianzhou.
Prince Duan, Xiao Mingyu, held a teacup, admiring a bronze-gilt seated statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva displayed in the room.
It had been sent over by the Vice Governor of Lianzhou that morning. The statue was plump and lifelike; whether it was the lotus patterns on the base or the jewels and robes adorning the figure, every detail displayed exquisite craftsmanship. He didn't know where the man had acquired it.
But for knowing to offer it as a tribute, the Vice Governor could be considered a sensible man.
Xiao Mingyu had been in a foul mood lately, but seeing the Bodhisattva statue, his tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed.
"Your Highness, news from Fengdu!"
Wuzhui arrived with the intelligence, rushing to report. "News from the East Palace!"
Xiao Mingyu froze, frowning as he turned his head. "What is it?"
Wuzhui said, "Lady Nan entered the East Palace a few days ago. Not only did she succeed in having the Crown Prince keep her there, but just two days ago, she even served in his bedchamber!"
Xiao Mingyu was stunned again.
"Lady Nan is truly our most capable operative! For all these years, whether in assassinations or protection, she has never made a mistake. Now, for her first time acting as a spy—and in the Crown Prince's own quarters—she has been so successful. Serving in his bedchamber! Your Highness, think about it, Lady Nan can be considered the Crown Prince's first woman!"
Wuzhui was speaking excitedly when he suddenly heard a "crack," as if something had shattered.
Looking closely, he saw that Xiao Mingyu had crushed the teacup in his hand with his bare strength.
Tea dripped onto the floor, and the white porcelain shards cut into his palm, causing blood to seep out.
"Your Highness, you’re hurt!"
Hua Lianying let out a gasp of alarm, rushing forward to cradle his hand, looking pained. "How did this happen?"
Xiao Mingyu’s expression was cold and sinister, as if a storm were brewing.
Hua Lianying suddenly turned to interrogate Wuzhui. "What did you say to His Highness?"
Wuzhui looked innocent. "I was merely reporting Lady Nan's latest mission progress. She has performed her duty very well... In all these years, so many spies we sent into the East Palace—even those who barely managed to get in were dealt with in a few days; not a single one remained. Lady Nan not only stayed but also won the Crown Prince's favor. Isn't that a good thing?"
Hearing the news about Nan Xueyin, Hua Lianying’s heart gave a sudden jolt. Her complexion shifted subtly, especially seeing Xiao Mingyu’s reaction... A sense of worry welled up within her for no reason.
Wuzhui asked, "If there is nothing else, I shall..."
"Make the arrangements."
Xiao Mingyu interrupted him, his jawline taut with fury. "This Prince is going to Fengdu!"