"Sister Xuelan, we really don't know where His Highness went. You know how elusive the Crown Prince always is..."
Xue Feng smacked his lips, complaining with a troubled expression.
The woman named Xuelan raised her eyebrows, her beautiful face as cold as frost. She sneered at Xue Song, "Don't think I don't know what roles you and Xue Song play by His Highness's side?"
Xue Song, who had been silent, looked up at Xuelan and asked, "If you want to talk about Xue Song, then just say Xue Song. Why bring me into it? It's not like I lost His Highness."
Xue Feng was taken aback. Looking at Xue Song, he became displeased. "Xue Song, you're selling me out."
"What's there for me to sell you out for? Your looks? Well, I'm sorry, with His Highness ahead of you, you're nothing more than a clown."
"Xue Song, I'm angry..." Xue Feng was furious.
"Enough! We're almost at Fenzhou, and His Highness is still not here. What if Prince Xue Fu comes to welcome him? What will we do?" Xuelan's head ached. She thought Xue Feng and Xue Song were unreliable enough, but she hadn't expected His Highness to be so unreliable too.
"Sister Xuelan, it all depends on your improvisation. The Crown Prince trusts you greatly and knows you'll handle this well," Xue Feng said obsequiously with a grin.
Xuelan snorted upon hearing this, "Don't try to sweet-talk me here. If you have this much energy, why not think about what we should do if Prince Xue Fu arrives..."
"Sister Xuelan, Prince Xue Fu is coming to welcome His Highness." A voice came from outside.
Xuelan shot Xue Feng a cold glare, then said to the outside, "Xue Li, come in for a moment."
Xue Li, who was outside, entered the carriage. Upon seeing the three people inside, he was also astonished and asked in a low voice, "His Highness isn't here?"
Xue Feng shrugged. "Xue Li, isn't that asking the obvious?"
Xue Li ignored Xue Feng and looked at Xuelan, saying, "Sister Xuelan, Prince Xue Fu is almost here."
Xuelan's gaze deepened. "We absolutely cannot let Prince Xue Fu know that His Highness is not in the carriage."
She glanced at Xue Feng and Xue Song, took a deep breath, and made a bold decision. She pointed to the box containing His Highness's clothes and said, "Xue Song, you'll impersonate His Highness, and Xue Feng, you'll imitate His Highness's voice."
Xue Song froze and took a step back in fear. "Sister, my dear sister, can you spare your little brother? Having me impersonate His Highness would be the death of me!"
"You don't want to impersonate His Highness? Fine, then go and bring His Highness back, right now, immediately..."
Xuelan was furious, her beautiful face unusually stern.
Xue Song wilted and said aggrievedly, "Sister Xuelan, His Highness is so dignified and elegant. How could I possibly impersonate him well? Wouldn't Prince Xue Fu see through it at a glance?"
Xuelan ignored Xue Song's words, walked to the box with the Crown Prince's clothes, opened it, took out a silver mask, and handed it to Xue Song. "Put on the mask, and who will be able to recognize who you are?"
"Prince Xue Fu is coming to welcome the Crown Prince." The voice from outside the carriage announced.
Xuelan glanced at Xue Song and said softly, "Xue Song, whether His Highness is here or not today depends on your performance."
"Sister Xuelan, I'm nervous," Xue Song said, twitching the corner of his mouth.
"If you mess this up for me, do you believe I won't kill you?" Xuelan looked at Xue Song, gritting her teeth and forcing the words out.
Xue Song's face fell. "Sister Xuelan, saying that makes me even more scared."
"Be good, and don't embarrass His Highness." Xuelan finished speaking and stepped out of the carriage. Outside the carriage, she saw Prince Xue Fu, who had already dismounted.
She alighted from the carriage and approached Prince Xue Fu, giving a slight bow. "Xuelan greets the Prince."
"It's Xuelan. I've come specifically to welcome the Crown Prince," Prince Xue Fu said, leaning down to ask.
"His Highness is resting in the carriage. Prince, please lead the way," Xuelan said calmly.
Prince Xue Fu narrowed his eyes. He had received intelligence that the Crown Prince was not here.
If he were to lift the carriage curtain, he could verify this, but he didn't want to do that. He wanted the people of Fenzhou to know that the Crown Prince, who had said he would come to Fenzhou, was not actually here.
He also wanted his father and mother to know that the Crown Prince was neglecting his duties.
It wasn't the right time yet.
"Alright, I shall lead the way." Prince Xue Fu glanced meaningfully at the carriage and mounted his horse.
Xuelan breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, this hurdle was passed. She hoped the Crown Prince would return soon.
Upon entering Fenzhou city, the people of Fenzhou were already lining the streets to welcome them.
Seeing so many people, Xuelan's heart sank. If it were revealed in public that the Crown Prince was not in the carriage, the impact on His Highness's reputation would be unprecedented.
Prince Xue Fu's move was truly malicious.
Once the people's favor was lost, it was unknown who would attain the position of Crown Prince.
Xuelan secretly clenched her fingers. Your Highness, you must appear quickly.
Suddenly, a figure blocked the front of the carriage, and the carriage stopped.
Xuelan was also startled by the figure and quickly stepped forward. She discovered it was a young girl holding a bowl of water. As she approached, Xuelan quickly stopped the girl and whispered, "Sister, what are you doing?"
She saw the girl raise her head and was astonished. The girl's eyes were so clear, as if they were the same as the bowl of water in her hand, pure and translucent, and exceedingly bright.
Although the girl's beautiful face was still somewhat youthful, it had to be said that her appearance was of the highest quality.
She saw the girl's red lips part slightly. "Sister, this bowl of water is collected from the morning dew for eighteen consecutive mornings. I've tasted it, and it's very delicious. I want to give this delicious water to His Highness."
Upon hearing this, Xuelan smiled. "My dear sister, I'm very sorry, but the Crown Prince cannot casually..."
"Your Highness, this is the humble offering from the people of Fenzhou," Prince Xue Fu said, stepping forward and bowing towards the carriage.
The girl stepped forward. Just as Xuelan was about to stop her, Prince Xue Fu said, "Xuelan, are you going to prevent the people of Fenzhou from showing their love and sincerity to His Highness?"
Xuelan's outstretched hand paused in mid-air.
Prince Xue Fu slightly raised the corner of his lips. "My Crown Prince brother, what will you do?"
The girl walked step by step closer to the carriage, holding the water bowl above her head. Her red lips parted slightly, and she spoke, "Please, Your Highness, drink the water."
"Young lady, your kind intentions are appreciated. Please set it down!"
A voice came from inside the carriage.
Xuelan's heart tightened. She knew this was not the Crown Prince's voice; it was Xue Feng imitating him.
Prince Xue Fu frowned. Was the intelligence inaccurate?
Was the Crown Prince truly in the carriage?
"Your Highness, this humble subject has always admired you. This bowl of morning dew water was collected by this humble subject over eighteen mornings. Would you take a sip?"
Prince Xue Fu said, "Your Highness, this is the sentiment of the people of Fenzhou. You mustn't disappoint them."
Xuelan's gaze deepened. It seemed Prince Xue Fu would not rest until he saw the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness..." the girl called out again.
Suddenly, a long, fair hand reached out. "Let me, too, taste this dew collected over eighteen mornings."