Chapter 71 Amulet
Deng Lian looked at everyone, and then found a gap to ask other attendants and found out everything.
He was shocked: "The princess pushed the prince back into the water?"
"Not only that." The attendant whispered, "The princess also called the prince a brat."
Deng Lian didn't dare to think about it.
The last time Sima Jun was scolded was... he couldn't remember when. Sima Jun had always been admired, so why would anyone scold him?
The attendant asked, "Sir Deng, I see that the Crown Prince appears calm and composed. Does this mean he has no temper at all, or is he harboring some resentment?"
To be honest, Deng Lian couldn't catch it either.
He thought for a moment and said, "We'll just pretend we know nothing. We'll just make changes as needed and keep everything as it is."
The attendants nodded in agreement.
"What about this thing..." The attendant recalled something and brought out something damp. It was a gourd-shaped amulet, embroidered with Buddhist sutras. It was damaged, though, as if it had been cut by a knife.
"This was hidden in the clothes the prince just changed out of," the attendant said. "He was slashed by a knife while fighting the assassin in the water. He didn't suffer any physical injuries, but the amulet was broken. I think it helped him ward off disaster. Sima, what should we do?"
Deng Lian took it and looked at it left and right, feeling a little confused.
He knew that Sima Jun never asked for amulets, and no one had ever asked for one for him since he came in.
"Huh? Isn't this the amulet that the princess asked for on behalf of the prince?"
A'ru passed by and saw what was in Deng Lian's hand.
"Do you recognize him?" Deng Lian asked.
A'ru said, "I watched the princess do this, how come you don't recognize it?"
"This was broken when the prince was fighting with someone just now. If the princess knew about this, would she be angry?"
Ah Ru raised her head and said, "It's just a talisman. Why should I get angry about it? Do you think the princess has nothing better to do than to be bullied by the prince all day long?"
Deng Lian laughed dryly, thinking, "Isn't that right? Yesterday afternoon at Wang Kan's place, the two of them had a quarrel, and just now they had another one. For those of them who worked under him, this was something they had never seen or heard of before, and they were completely at a loss as to what to do.
"Since this is a talisman, it will be useless if it breaks?" Deng Lian asked.
"It's not useless," the attendant said. "I heard that a broken amulet cannot be disposed of casually. The person who made the wish must take it to the place where it was made and burn it, then make a new one to restore the original blessing."
A'ru asked, "Does that mean the princess should take it back to Xianglu Temple, burn it, perform rituals, and pray for a new one?"
The attendant nodded and said, "That's the truth."
"Give it to me then." Aju took the amulet and said, "I'll give it to the princess."
Deng Lian had no suspicion and let Aju go.
He thought that he should go and tell Sima Jun.
After walking a few steps, Sima Jun came out of the yard and happened to ask about the amulet.
Deng Lian answered truthfully.
Sima Jun's face darkened and he asked, "How long has Aru been gone?"
"soon."
Sima Jun immediately ordered, "Go and bring her back to me."
Deng Lian suddenly realized that something was wrong, so he ran away.
The Chu residence is not big, but the winding corridors are quite difficult to navigate.
Deng Lian finally saw the hem of A'ru's skirt, but saw Sun Wei also coming out of the house. Not only did she see the amulet in A'ru's hand, but she also made eye contact with the hurried-looking Deng Lian.
"It's so late, Sima Deng hasn't rested yet?" Sun Wei asked lightly while standing in the corridor.
Ah Ru glanced back at Deng Lian and said, "Why is Sima Deng here? I was just about to tell my wife about this amulet."
After she finished speaking, she told Sun Wei what had just happened.
After hearing this, Sun Wei sneered, "What's the point of carrying such an insignificant thing? That's what the prince said. If that's the case, why are you still carrying it with you?"
After she finished speaking, she looked at Deng Lian and asked, "Sir Deng, do you have anything to say?"
"No." Deng Lian said awkwardly, "It suddenly occurred to me that it would be best to let the Crown Prince decide on this amulet."
"Well, take it." Sun Wei said, "If the prince doesn't like it, I won't ask for it."
After she said that, she turned and went back to the house.
A'ru had no idea of the story behind it, and reluctantly returned the tattered amulet to Deng Lian.
She sighed, shook her head, and said to Deng Lian sympathetically, "You'll have to take care of yourself."
Deng Lian was stunned: "What does this have to do with me?"
A'ru said, "We've known each other for a while, so let me give you some advice. I know you admire the Crown Prince, but you must be a good student. Otherwise, even if you marry in the future, your family will be in turmoil. The lesson is right before your eyes, so think carefully."
Deng Lian, bewildered, took the amulet and walked away. He returned it to Sima Jun and relayed Sun Wei's words.
"The princess seems to be still angry. Would you like to go over and say a few words to her, my prince?"
Sima Jun said coldly: "You have nothing to do?"
Deng Lian was embarrassed and had to leave.
Sima Jun looked at the amulet and felt suffocated. He should have just refused to accept it. Now it felt like he owed her something.
——
Xie Xiao went to invite the imperial physician, who is now in Chu Yue's room.
The doctor had already examined Chu Yue and said that he had only suffered minor injuries, and that being tied up and soaked in water had caused some sprains and a cold. However, his life was not in danger and he would just need to recuperate for a few days.
The imperial physician's diagnosis was not far off, but he prescribed better medicine.
Xie Xiao said to Sima Jun, "The Crown Prince said that he would come to visit at dawn tomorrow. He told the Crown Prince to rest well and not to come to the mansion tomorrow."
"I understand." Sima Jun said, "It's been a hard day today, you should go and rest."
Xie Xiao replied yes, and then asked quietly, "How is the princess?"
Sima Jun felt that it was really against Tiangang.
Why did everyone keep talking about Lu? How long had she been at the palace? Why did everyone around him seem to have been bribed by her?
"She's fine." Sima Jun said lightly.
Xie Xiao smiled, looked relieved, and said goodbye.
Sima Jun wanted to talk to Chu Yue.
He has always understood women, so he can talk to her about what went wrong with Mrs. Lu today.
But seeing Chu Yue’s pale face and sound sleep, he felt embarrassed to disturb him.
Not far away, there was a soft couch. Sima Jun lay on his back on it and recalled what had happened today.
In fact, after Sun Wei left, he was not angry, but just confused.
When the assassin rushed out, Sima Jun, fearing he might injure Madam Lu, simply joined him in the water. He had encountered this kind of situation many times. Madam Lu, on the other hand, seemed to think he was a worthless rookie. She panicked and yelled on the shore, even calling him by his full name.
Sima Jun hated being looked down upon the most, especially during a fight.
He won the fight and saved her in the process, but instead of showing any gratitude, she glared at him as if he had committed some great sin.
Then, she suddenly pushed him into the water and called him a brat.
He didn't even have a chance to say anything back before she ran off.
Only women and villains are difficult to raise.
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