"Your Highness, Miss Feng claims to be unwell and cannot attend dinner," Xue Lan said softly to the Crown Prince seated there.
"Mm," the Crown Prince gave a faint hum.
Xue Lan blinked and said, "Your Highness, I shall serve you."
"No need. You may leave!" the Crown Prince said faintly.
Xue Lan paused, her gaze flickering slightly. Finally, she lowered her eyes, bowed, and said, "This servant takes her leave!"
Leaving the Crown Prince's room, Xue Lan's expression was dejected.
In the past, she was always the one to serve the Crown Prince his meals. As long as the Crown Prince was dining, the person serving him was always her.
She had grown accustomed to this.
Now, she was no longer needed.
When did it start? Was it with Miss Feng's arrival yesterday?
She knew it wasn't. It started from the time the Crown Prince disappeared at the beginning of the year. Since the Crown Prince returned, he seemed to have become much colder towards everyone and everything.
"Sister Xue Lan, did the Crown Prince finish his breakfast so quickly?" Xue Song asked with some disbelief. While the Crown Prince's meal times were not excessively long, they were not short either.
"Xue Song, come here." Xue Lan walked towards a corner of the courtyard.
Xue Song followed, asking with a grin, "Sister Xue Lan, what do you need me for?"
"Xue Song, whatever I ask you, you must answer truthfully," Xue Lan said with a serious expression.
Xue Song looked at the serious Xue Lan with a smile, shedding his flippant demeanor. "Sister, whatever you wish to ask, I will tell you if I can. If I cannot, I hope Sister will not make things difficult for me."
"At the beginning of the year, where did you and Xue Feng accompany the Crown Prince?" Xue Lan voiced her inner doubts.
Xue Song's gaze flickered slightly. He looked at Xue Lan and said slowly, "Sister, I cannot tell you about this matter."
"His Highness does not permit it?" Xue Lan asked.
Xue Song replied, "It concerns His Highness's safety. I cannot say."
"Did His Highness have contact with any women during this period?" Xue Lan asked again.
Xue Song, upon hearing this, reverted to his usual smiling demeanor. "Sister Xue Lan, why are you in such a hurry? Rest assured, what woman could compare to you?"
"Stop being glib with me. Is it yes or no?" Xue Lan asked sternly.
"No," Xue Song said.
"Really?"
Xue Song replied, "Sister Xue Lan, why are you so lacking in confidence? Not to mention our childhood bond, growing up together by His Highness's side. Just your being the Empress's own niece, the Empress would not mistreat you."
Xue Lan's gaze deepened upon hearing this. "Alright, you may go!"
Xue Song's smile faded. He gazed into the distance and said slowly, "Sister Xue Lan, the Crown Prince cherishes old feelings. But, ultimately, there will be one person who accompanies him, standing shoulder to shoulder, gazing upon this vast land."
Xue Lan trembled all over. She wanted to ask why it couldn't be her, but the words ultimately remained unspoken.
"Sister Xue Lan, we grew up together, spent eighteen years by His Highness's side. We will continue to do so in the future, won't we?"
"Yes," Xue Lan replied.
Looking at Xue Lan's exquisite face, Xue Song sighed softly, hoping Xue Lan could move on.
Xue Fu County Prince's Manor
Xue Fu County Prince bowed and paid his respects to the person in the carriage, "This subject greets Your Highness."
"Rise. Xue Fu County Prince, there is no need for such formality." A voice came from within the carriage. Then, a maid in splendid attire emerged, lifting the carriage curtain, revealing a tall and slender figure.
Xue Fu County Prince stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, please."
The Crown Prince nodded, but did not move forward. Instead, he extended his hand towards the carriage.
Xue Zining looked at the long, fair hand before her. Her eyes twitched violently. After some thought, she placed her hand into his.
This time, it was not the chilling cold she expected, but warm like spring.
Xue Fu County Prince looked at the maiden being helped out of the carriage by the Crown Prince, his eyes brightening.
As the Crown Prince and Xue Fu County Prince had matters to discuss, Xue Zining waited outside the door.
Of course, she was not the only one outside. The Crown Prince's personal maid, Xue Lan, was also there.
Regarding Xue Lan, Xue Zining had learned from Xue Yan that Xue Lan was the Empress of Xue Country's own niece. When Xue Country defended against foreign enemies, as the protector of Xue Country and the Empress's brother, it was his duty to fight. That battle was exceptionally fierce.
The Empress's brother perished. The Empress brought the infant, still swaddled, by her side, raising her alongside the Crown Prince.
Later, after consulting Xue Lan's wishes, the Empress bestowed Xue Lan upon the Crown Prince. Ostensibly, it was to help the Crown Prince manage the Eastern Palace, but everyone knew she was the future mistress of the Eastern Palace.
Whether she would be the Crown Princess was unknown, but Xue Lan would undoubtedly hold a place among the Crown Prince's many future consorts.
Since yesterday, although Xue Lan had not displayed any emotions, Xue Zining's sixth sense told her that Xue Lan did not like her.
Since she was disliked, she would not provoke her.
However, she was worried someone might.
"Miss Feng, you are not from Xue Country." Xue Lan suddenly spoke.
Xue Zining was startled, her expression remained unchanged. "Sister Xue Lan, you dislike me, but you cannot say I am not from Xue Country."
Xue Lan turned to look at her, her gaze as cold as frost. "You are from Huangze."
Xue Zining's gaze paused slightly.
Xue Lan smiled and said softly, "You need not fear. Since the Crown Prince has accepted you, it means he no longer cares about your background."
Xue Zining raised an eyebrow and asked faintly, "Sister Xue Lan, what exactly do you want to say?"
Xue Lan smiled. "Do what you ought to do. Do not fantasize about things that are not meant for you, Feng Ning."
"Sister Xue Lan, what is this 'not meant for you' you speak of?"
Xue Lan looked at the maiden tilting her head. Though her beautiful face was somewhat youthful, it held an innocence that Xue Lan could not match. Her eyes were clear and bright, earning an involuntary admiration from Xue Lan, who felt time was beautiful.
But she was already eighteen. Her best years had passed.
She had to be cautious.
"Miss Feng, you are an intelligent person, you naturally know what I am referring to," Xue Lan said.
The door suddenly opened. The Crown Prince, clad in a moon-white brocade robe, walked out slowly, exuding an aura of serene elegance.
Behind him followed Xue Fu County Prince, whose expression was less than pleasant, clearly indicating that matters had not gone smoothly.
Xue Lan saw the Crown Prince, who was once so lofty and god-like, extend his hand towards the maiden.
Xue Zining was startled. Recalling what Xue Yan had said last night, she felt disgusted no matter how she thought about it.
"Your Highness, I am unwell. I shall take my leave now!" Saying so, Xue Zining left without looking back.
The Crown Prince turned to Xue Fu County Prince and said, "Today, this Prince will be staying at Xue Fu County Prince's Manor."
Xue Fu County Prince's gaze flickered slightly. He bowed and said, "Yes. This subject shall prepare accordingly."
After Xue Fu County Prince left, Xue Lan said, "Your Highness, it is not safe here..."
"It matters not," the Crown Prince interrupted her faintly.