Embroidered Handkerchief with a Subtle Fragrance
As soon as the carriage arrived at the mansion, before it even stopped, Pei Zhaoying had already sent someone to inform the doctor staying at the mansion to prepare to treat Xiao Bo's injuries.
"And the medicine for external injuries that the palace gave me last time. It's very effective. Remember to give it to Master Xiao Bo..."
Pei Zhaoying's voice trailed off as she spoke, because she suddenly realized that no matter how good the medicine she had, it would be useless for her legs.
Pei Zhaoying added sadly:
"Pack up that batch of golden wound medicine and give it to Lord Xiao Bo before you leave. The Dali Temple is investigating cases, and the bandits have no mercy on their swords. There will always be a time when they can be useful."
Xiao Bo got off the carriage and stood aside.
It was not a big deal for Pei Zhaoying to get on and off the carriage, but two strong guards still needed to lift the wheelchair together to ensure stability.
Qiluo twisted the handkerchief and stared intently, fearing that something might go wrong, and reminded him to be gentler and not to disturb His Highness.
At such moments, a surge of fatigue always overwhelmed Pei Zhaoying. Behind the tedious and cautious work lay the ridiculous and pitiful state of her disability.
Today, the arrow was so close to her throat that she was powerless to protect herself or dodge.
On weekdays, Pei Zhaoying had to rely on everyone in the mansion to maintain the simplest normal life, such as bathing, changing clothes, getting out of bed, moving...
Fortunately, Pei Zhaoying glanced at Xiao Bo out of the corner of her eye and found that Xiao Bo was just standing there silently, not paying attention to the movement here.
Xiao Bo didn't notice Pei Zhaoying's embarrassed look. Pei Zhaoying calmed down a little, but then thought sadly that she had probably lost all the face she deserved by being scared to tears.
Xiao Bo looked straight ahead, listening intently. Suddenly, he heard Pei Zhaoying's breathing stagnate while she was being lifted up and down, and then turned into heavy gasps. He guessed that her hair was pulled by some guard who was not careful enough, so he kept silent out of sympathy for his men.
Xiao Bo's eyes became increasingly dull. He wanted to take Pei Zhaoying's place as a waiter, but regretted that he couldn't do so yet.
The Princess's Mansion is well-appointed for its spacious and elegant feng shui. The vermilion railings and jade masonry are elegant in style, and the bluestone slabs are solid and thick. Xiao Bo stepped on them firmly before he felt something - this was his first time in the Princess's Mansion, and he had even become Pei Zhaoying's guest of honor.
The treatment of the honored guest was indeed extraordinary. Xiao Bo had only a minor injury, and the doctor had no trouble prescribing wound clearing medicine. Pei Zhaoying also watched the whole process from the side, showing no concealment of her concern.
The doctor comforted her:
"Your Highness, Lord Xiao Bo only suffered some minor injuries. The wounds are not deep and will heal in a few days."
The doctor hinted to Xiao Bo with his eyes, waiting for Xiao Bo to say a few more words to comfort His Highness. Xiao Bo did not move at all, enjoying Pei Zhaoying's rare concern for him.
"That's good. If I had caused Lord Xiao Bo to suffer any injury, I wouldn't have been able to rest easy." Pei Zhaoying felt relieved, but couldn't help but scold him, "Lord Xiao Bo, you're such a fool! Why would you use your own flesh and blood to fight against a lump of iron? Are your hands made of iron too?"
These words were full of homely concern, without any distinction between the emperor and his subjects, and were the most heartwarming.
Xiao Bo actually didn't quite understand why a person suffering from disability, after experiencing so much vicissitudes of life, could still be so concerned about the minor injuries of another person.
Perhaps, Pei Zhaoying's kindness in nature, which could never be extinguished, was the reason why he risked his life for her.
"Your Highness is right. I'll remember it." Xiao Bo didn't explain, but just spoke softly to go along with her temper.
It is very simple to get along with Pei Zhaoying. There is no need to argue about right or wrong. Just let her be. Pei Zhaoying has a scale in her heart and will not lose her sense of propriety.
Sure enough, when Pei Zhaoying saw that Xiao Bo was as docile as a good-tempered civet cat, and thought that he had also suffered a lot of humiliation from Xiao and Cheng, her heart softened and she hurriedly said a few more caring words.
Xiao Bo slowly put away the silk handkerchief that the doctor had changed in front of her. Pei Zhaoying did not react and just kept repeating the doctor's instructions.
The silk handkerchief used by women closely should not fall into the hands of outside men.
Pei Zhaoying was so busy with so many important matters that he had no time to care about a handkerchief. No one reminded him, and for a moment he just watched and forgot that it was inappropriate.
Unless Pei Zhaoying mentioned taking it back, Xiao Bo would not take the initiative to return it.
The best conspiracy is to be aboveboard. Xiao Bomo folded the handkerchief silently, put it in his arms, and put it in his pocket, thinking that this was something she didn't want.
A faint fragrance spread from his heart.
Qiluo was watching from the side and saw this. She was anxious and wanted to find a way to remind Xiao Bo, but Xiao Bo had already "succeeded", and Pei Zhaoying had something important to discuss with Xiao Bo, so she sent away all the servants.
"Master Xiao Bo, do you know that His Majesty has worked with the Ministry of Rites to select a son-in-law for me?"
Xiao Bo nodded. The news had already spread. Pei Zhaoying asked him what he thought, and he said:
"Your Highness has reached marriageable age. It would be a good thing if he could find a good match. However, I'm afraid someone is trying to profit from your marriage, disregarding your lifelong happiness."
He tried his best to suppress his resentment and presented Pei Zhaoying with calmness and composure from beginning to end.
"Then how can I break the deadlock?"
"If Your Highness's marriage is irreversible and you don't have anyone you're interested in, you can look for a man whose character and family background make him worthy of being Your Highness's consort. Most importantly, he should be willing to serve Your Highness and loyal to You. First, you can shoulder the empty title of consort and resolve the immediate crisis. You can then slowly plan for the future."
Xiao Bo's plan coincided with Pei Zhaoying's plan.
Pei Zhaoying wanted to tell him that he was the man she was looking for!
The words came to my lips, but I swallowed them back several times.
Xiao Bo was a little nervous. Seeing Pei Zhaoying hesitated to speak, he was afraid that she was going to tell him that she already had someone in her heart, or had chosen someone else to take the position of the prince consort. Before Pei Zhaoying could open her mouth, he changed the subject:
"However, there is one thing, Your Highness, please remember - you must not allow Xiao Yucheng to become your consort! Xiao Yucheng is not only ambitious but also cruel. Even if it's just an ordinary couple, he won't respect or care for Your Highness. He will only use Your Highness as a trophy to show off his power. You must not marry!"
Xiao and Cheng are Pei Zhaoying's calamity.
Pei Zhaoying suffered countless hardships and pains, all inflicted by Xiao and Cheng, pushing her step by step into hell.
Since the biggest tragedy has not happened yet and can still be avoided, Xiao Boding tried his best to stop it.
Pei Zhaoying nodded in complete agreement. Seeing that Xiao Bo and Xiao Yucheng, though from the same clan, were irreconcilable, she made a decision and prepared to lay out everything that needed to be said, all at once.
Pei Zhaoying straightened his body and asked slowly, his royal majesty fully revealed, not allowing anyone to hide their selfish thoughts:
"Lord Xiao Bo, I still have a question – everyone in and outside the court only knows Grand Marshal Xiao Yucheng, not Your Majesty. With Xiao Yucheng as the head of the family, the Xiao family is naturally extremely wealthy and prosperous. Even if you have ambitions to fulfill with me, why would you repeatedly clash with Xiao Yucheng for my sake? How will you conduct yourself within the family in the future?"
It is not uncommon for several brothers in a family to go their separate ways and serve different masters. However, the Zhuge family of the previous dynasty still became famous.
It is rare for Xiao Bo to be like this. When encountering a conflict, he almost ignores his family to protect his master.
Pei Zhaoying was also deprived of her freedom due to her royal status, and even her marriage had to accommodate the wishes of the entire royal family.
Even someone like Pei Zhaoying, who is sufficiently rebellious and fed up with the pain of being forced to do things against his will, would not dare to risk being condemned by thousands of people and would not be able to take the path to complete freedom.
Xiao Bodao:
"Your Highness, don't worry about how I will fit in within the family. Ever since my mother passed away, I've had no place in the family. Even my father's decision to become a monk was simply a response to the Xiao family's desire to drive me away. Do you think, Your Highness, that I can enjoy the family's protection and live a peaceful life without breaking off relations with Xiao Yucheng?"
Pei Zhaoying didn't respond. Xiao Bo's words were true, and they matched the information Jin Chenxiao had presented.
It was suddenly difficult for her to judge whether it was right or wrong for her to confront Xiao Bo. It seemed as if she had inadvertently become a villain who had hurt people's hearts again.
Pei Zhaoying was upset that every move he made was wrong.
Xiao Bo was not hurt by her words, and even smiled warmly and confidently:
"Therefore, I have no other choice but to serve Your Highness. Without the support of my family, I will naturally devote myself to Your Highness with no second thoughts."
"I am your highness's... lone minister."
Xiao Bo's voice was bewitching. Whenever he looked at Pei Zhaoying, he always lowered his posture by looking up from the bottom up, with the corners of his eyes raised. His whole body was like a fragile jade. If Pei Zhaoying didn't reach out to catch him, he would fall to pieces without meeting a wise leader.
Therefore, it was Pei Zhaoying who started asking questions first, but after she did so, Xiao Bo actually held her hand firmly in his hands as a subordinate.
Pei Zhaoying is not someone who can be easily influenced by others. She wants to break free. The saddest thing is that after thinking about it, she finds that what Xiao Bo said is right.
Xiao Bo clearly surrendered and joined forces, so is it necessary for him to deliberately go against what is right for the so-called initiative?
Pei Zhaoying still asked him:
"It seems that Lord Xiao Bo is confident that he can easily take away all of my trust."
Xiao Bo smiled and shook his head:
"My whole heart is devoted to Your Highness. Please keep your heart. I will exchange it for the truth of the old case!"
It would be a lie to say I wasn't moved.
Right now, Pei Zhaoying must maintain the greatest degree of rationality. He can only hide his feelings carefully and take one step at a time steadily.
After a long time, Pei Zhaoying calmed down and said softly:
"I'll wait."
She believed him.
So I'm willing to wait.
After saying this, Xiao Bo took his leave. Pei Zhaoying arranged a carriage and asked someone to take him back to the Dali Temple.
The momentum was so great that Jiang Yubai had some complaints:
"This is too blatant. Isn't it the same as telling others that you are trying to win over court officials? Xiao Bo from the Dali Temple has already become your disciple."
"If you want to flaunt me, you can flaunt me. If you want to win me over, you can win me over. Why would I want to be a coward when I can be so upright? If anyone is dissatisfied, just come and tell me! Even if I am in this state now, injured and disabled, I will not let anyone bully me!"
As they spoke, the topic turned to the injury, and Pei Zhaoying couldn't help but choke up.
Now, Lu Yunqi, the most skilled acupuncturist in the Imperial Hospital, is treating her. After several treatments, Pei Zhaoying can feel that her blood circulation has become much smoother. However, she still cannot feel the existence of her lower limbs, and it is a long way to go before she can stand and walk.
She was afraid that it was all just a mirage.
When Pei Zhaoying's injury was mentioned, Jiang Yubai gritted his teeth and said angrily:
"I'd never be able to appease the person who hurt you, even if I dragged him out and sliced him into pieces! And your brother, the emperor, is clearly trying to trade your marriage. The royal family is cold and indifferent, disregarding family affection. What else is there here worth lingering on? Ah Ying, let me take you away. I'll take you to a carefree and happy life, and stop caring about the trivialities of this worldly world."
Pei Zhaoying stroked her numb knees and smiled sadly:
"Leave? In my current state, with my legs unable to move and my martial arts skills completely lost, where can I go? I'll just be in a different place, relying on others for food and clothing as usual. I truly regret that when I could fly high and low, I trusted the emperor and empress dowager's affection for me, only to be tricked into coming back to support the country and end up like this!"
As he spoke, tears rolled down his face and hit the ground, turning into tiny splashes of water.
"Yes, blame me. Blame me for not stopping you and letting you wade into this muddy water..."
Jiang Yubai blamed himself endlessly. Pei Zhaoying pinched his wrist with tears in her eyes and analyzed the situation:
"If I were still in good health, I would have walked away. Yu Bai, that's why I can't retreat! I can't hand over the power and position I fought so hard for to others! I can't let those who tried to murder me go so easily! How many people want me to be devastated and disappear? How can I fulfill their wishes? I haven't been kicked out, I'm not afraid of anyone, my leg will, will get better..."
"I know, it will be fine. Ah Ying is a good girl, the most noble woman in the world, God will not treat you harshly again..." The iron-willed hero of the world of martial arts, cast aside his temper, and was willing to be conquered and driven.
In fact, according to Jiang Yubai's experience in the world, God will sometimes catch people who are unwilling to accept their fate and bring down his wrath on them. What he has seen among the people is not the worst, but worse. The poor people have all kinds of misfortunes.
He was afraid that Pei Zhaoying would encounter more disasters and accidents in the future.
Two years ago, Jiang Yubai was so disappointed with her that he left her devastated and lifeless. When Pei Zhaoying finally struggled to pull herself out of the mud, he watched from the sidelines, bewildered as to whether this was a blessing or a curse.
Whether from the perspective of a close friend or a subordinate, the only thing Jiang Yubai can do is to accompany her through fire and water.
He wanted to wipe away Pei Zhaoying's tears with his knuckles, but as soon as he raised his hand, Pei Zhaoying had already calmed down, let go of his hand, and asked someone to send her back to the study with a wooden face.
Jiang Yubai's action failed silently and no one noticed.
Then, Jingui sat at the table, and Pei Zhaoying asked someone to light the charcoal brazier.
It's almost summer and the weather is getting hotter. Why do we need charcoal fire?
No one dared to question Pei Zhaoying's order. The servants, with doubts in their hearts, burned the charcoal brazier brightly and vigorously.
Pei Zhaoying found a stack of letters and information, which clearly stated General Xiao Bo's background, details, and preferences.
Pei Zhaoying casually threw the papers into the charcoal basin.
The flames greedily licked the paper. Pei Zhaoying watched the flames flicker until the paper was completely devoured and turned into ashes. Only then did Pei Zhaoying order someone to remove the charcoal brazier.
Trust people you employ, and don't employ people you don't trust. The little suspicion that Pei Zhaoying had initially harbored was extinguished along with the flames, and he only looked to the future.
At this time, the carriage that was taking Xiao Bo back to the Dali Temple had already arrived.
The carriage of the Princess's Mansion was extremely luxurious, with unique patterns on the carriage body. Even the coachman was dressed elegantly, and the uniform he wore was more impressive than that of the young masters of ordinary families. When it was parked in front of the Dali Temple, it was very ostentatious and attracted attention.
All the people who were coming and going on business at the Dali Temple paused their work, waiting to see if anything big was going to happen.
The person who came down was not the eldest princess herself, nor was it any of the nobles in charge of the mansion.
It turned out to be the leisurely Xiao Bo!
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