Chapter 33 Chapter 33 I Like You
Shen Panyan: "Hmm?"
She didn't understand what he meant at first.
"Forty-three is quite cute, and he's funny..."
"Your subordinate understands." Lin Xiao's voice was extremely cold and hard.
He lowered his eyes. "I'll go and call Forty-Three back right away."
Seeing him turn to leave, Shen Panyan quickly reached out and grabbed his wrist.
"Wait, Lin Xiao."
"Let Forty-Three go, I don't need that many people here."
“But the princess isn’t…” Lin Xiao hesitated for a long time before finally saying what he had seen earlier, “You treated him so well, I have never seen you treat anyone like that before…” He turned his eyes away, his voice muffled.
Shen Panyan let out a soft "pfft," her delicate eyebrows curving upwards.
“That’s not how it is, Lin Xiao.” Shen Panyan’s eyes were serious. “Lin Xiao, I was really worried about you after you left, but no one knew anything about you except for Forty-Three. But he wouldn’t say much, so I coaxed him to find out about you from him. I was really happy when you came back.”
"Lin Xiao, I don't like Forty-Three, I like you."
"Me?!" Lin Xiao suddenly raised his head.
"Yes, I didn't see you when I woke up before, and I was worried for a long time. I was relieved after I heard about you from Forty-Three."
After saying that, Shen Panyan looked at him with eyes full of self-blame, "I'm sorry, Lin Xiao, it's all my fault that you've been dragged into this."
If it weren't for her, he wouldn't have been punished.
Lin Xiao: "This has nothing to do with the princess; it's my duty..."
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. When Physician Lin arrives, let him take a good look at you."
"Now, change your clothes and get some rest."
When she grabbed his arm just now, she noticed that his clothes were already soaked by the rain and felt damp and cold.
Shen Panyan didn't want to bother him any longer, so she quickly left the room.
At this moment, Mu Ying, who was carrying a teapot, also rushed over. Upon seeing her, she breathed a sigh of relief, "Princess, I've finally found you."
Just now, when she returned to the waterside pavilion, she found it empty and the princess had disappeared. She was terrified and almost scared out of her wits. Fortunately, the other palace maids told her where the princess was, so she rushed over.
Shen Panyan was also a little embarrassed. She had been so focused on Lin Xiao that she had completely forgotten that Mu Ying had not yet returned.
"I'm sorry, Mu Ying, I won't do it again next time."
Mu Ying: "It's good that you're safe and sound, Princess."
After saying that, she looked towards the door, "Princess, has Guard Linxiao returned?"
After all, apart from Linxiao's guards, no one else could make the princess so anxious.
Shen Panyan nodded. "Yes, it's him."
As she spoke, she looked down into the corridor behind Mu Ying. It had been a while, so why hadn't Physician Lin arrived yet?
As soon as you speak of the devil, Physician Lin arrives carrying his medicine chest.
"Your humble servant greets the princess." He bowed respectfully.
"Lord Lin, there's no need for such formalities." Shen Panyan reached out and gently helped him up.
She gently knocked on Lin Xiao's door. "Lin Xiao, are you alright?"
Just as she finished speaking, the door creaked open. "Princess."
He was still wearing a black martial arts robe, but it was a different one.
Shen Panyan stepped aside. "Imperial Physician Lin is here. Let him take a look at you."
Lin Xiao nodded, "Okay."
After saying that, he looked at Physician Lin and nodded, "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Lin."
Physician Lin cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "You're too kind."
Physician Lin carried his medicine chest inside. Just as Shen Panyan was about to go in as well, Lin Xiao suddenly reached out and stopped her.
Shen Panyan looked at him with suspicion.
Lin Xiao hesitated, "Princess, it might not be convenient for you to come in..."
Shen Panyan then remembered that Lin Xiao was injured, and if Physician Lin examined him, he would definitely need to undress... Her face flushed instantly, and she took a step back, "Then, then remember to tell me after you're finished..."
Then she turned around and left in a hurry.
Lin Xiao watched her departing figure before loosening his grip on her hand and closing the door.
As his clothes were removed, Physician Lin looked at the injuries on his body and frowned deeply.
"Alas, I have served in the palace for many years and have never seen such a severe injury as yours. I do not have much anesthetic powder here, so please bear with it for a while..."
Lin Xiao's expression remained unchanged. "Lord Lin, please proceed with the action."
Despite his words, Physician Lin, with a compassionate heart, still softened his touch.
At this moment, Shen Panyan returned to her room and asked Mu Ying to bring her box over.
Shen Panyan frowned as she looked at the box full of various crystal-clear glass pearls.
These beads are too small; they're not suitable.
Suddenly, she remembered something, and hurriedly got up to get one of her black ice safety buckles, took it apart, and re-woven it.
Mu Ying followed beside her and asked curiously, "Princess, what are you doing?"
"Making bracelets."
The safety buckle looks simple, but it is extremely time-consuming to make; Chen Panyan spent a long time weaving it. Mu Ying wanted to help, but Chen Panyan refused.
She didn't finish weaving the peace knot until it was almost dusk.
She stretched out her hand, and a string of safety buckles lay in her fair palm.
"Mu Ying, can you tell me if it looks good?"
This bracelet looks very simple, woven from a black rope with two sandalwood beads strung on it. It looks simple yet elegant.
"Beautiful! The princess has such skillful hands," Mu Ying praised.
Shen Panyan smiled and said, “That’s good. I was worried that if I made it too quickly, it wouldn’t look good.”
"Princess, please don't underestimate yourself. Even the artisans in the palace might not be as skillful as you. However, this safety amulet of yours doesn't look like something a woman would use..."
"Yes, it's for Lin Xiao."
Mu Ying froze on the spot.
She cautiously reminded her, "Princess, this bracelet might not be a very appropriate gift for Guard Linxiao..."
Shen Panyan asked in confusion, "Why is it inappropriate?"
"Princess, you have lived in the palace for so long that you may not know that in common people, bracelets represent a token of love. The guards of Linxiao are men, and if you give them this, it may cause misunderstandings."
Shen Panyan frowned, her voice dejected: "But I just wanted to express my gratitude."
"I spent so long writing this..."
Shen Panyan bit her lip. Was she really going to waste her time just because of this unfounded reason?
If it weren't for Lin Xiao, she would probably be dead by now.
He hadn't done anything wrong, yet he received thirty lashes. Shen Panyan gradually tightened her knuckles, gripping the safety buckle tightly.
"Mu Ying, don't tell anyone, then no one will know, right?"
Mu Ying: "Princess, this..."
Shen Panyan put her index finger to her lips, signaling her to be quiet.
Helpless, Mu Ying could only agree, "Yes, Princess."
Shen Panyan smiled and said, "It's settled then."
"If you don't tell me and I don't tell me, how will anyone know that I gave you this bracelet?"
"By the way, how is Lin Xiao's condition? Has Physician Lin come by?"
"Your Highness, Physician Lin came by this afternoon. He said that Guard Lin Xiao's injuries are not serious and he just needs to rest for a while."
"That's good." Shen Panyan breathed a sigh of relief. "Have someone go to Physician Lin's place and tell him to use whatever medicine he needs. If he runs out, have someone go to the capital to buy more. If he really can't find any, I'll write a letter back to the palace and have the Imperial Household Department send it over."
"Yes." Mu Ying curtsied.
"Would the princess like to have her meal now?"
Shen Panyan thought for a moment, "Have someone send it to Lin Xiao's room. I'll go see him and have a meal with him."
Mu Ying was startled. "Princess, this is against etiquette!"
Shen Panyan shook her head, "Lin Xiao was so seriously injured because of me. It's nothing, just having a meal with him."
Mu Ying couldn't persuade her otherwise, so she had no choice but to give up and say, "Yes."
When Shen Panyan arrived, candles were lit in Linxiao's room.
She knocked lightly on the door and said softly, "Lin Xiao."
As rustling sounds came from inside the house, the door was opened a short while later.
"Princess?"
Shen Panyan nodded, smiling warmly, "Yes, it's me."
“I heard from Mu Ying that you stayed in your room all afternoon and didn’t go out. I think you haven’t had dinner yet, so I’d like to invite you to have dinner together.”
After saying that, she lifted the hem of her skirt and was about to walk into his room, but he stopped her, saying, "Princess, please stop."
This is the second time he has stopped her today.
Shen Panyan looked up at him, puzzled. "What's wrong with you today, Lin Xiao?"
Lin Xiao was wearing a mask, so his face could not be seen. "Princess, this is against etiquette."
Shen Panyan frowned, somewhat unhappy. "Why are you saying the same thing as Mu Ying? If I say it's okay, then it's okay."
Lin Xiao wasn't like this before. Why is he suddenly so particular about these things after going back?
Could it be that he's hiding something from me?
Thinking of this, Shen Panyan walked into the house without a second thought, but her arm was grabbed by someone.
Shen Panyan turned her head to look at her, "What's this?"
Lin Xiao quickly released her arm and lowered his head, saying, "This subordinate has offended you."
“You…” Shen Panyan looked at him suspiciously, “Lin Xiao, is there something you’re hiding from me?”
Lin Xiao: "No."
Shen Panyan: "Then why won't you let me in? And why won't you dine with me?"
You weren't like this before.
Lin Xiao: "It was because I didn't know the rules before, so..."
"Stop, I don't want to hear this." Shen Panyan gestured, then snorted, "Just tell me, do you want to dine with me or not? If you don't, I'll never speak to you again."
After saying that, Shen Panyan turned her head away and refused to look at him again.
Lin Xiao: ......
He reluctantly agreed, "Okay."
“However, Your Highness, my room is too small. If you wish to dine, please go to the front hall.”
Seeing that he agreed, Shen Panyan was naturally happy, her almond-shaped eyes curving into a smile, "Okay."
Upon arriving at the front hall, Mu Ying had already instructed the palace servants to prepare the meal. The continuous rain had filled the entire room with dampness.
"Mu Ying, you should go and rest now. You've worked hard today."
"Your Highness is too kind. This servant will take her leave."
Mu Ying bowed and turned to leave the front hall. Shen Panyan turned to look at Lin Xiao and gestured for him to sit down.
“These days, the kitchen has been sending in medicinal cuisine. Linxiao, please have more of it.”
"Oh, right, I also asked the kitchen to add some pigeon soup, it's good for wound healing. Lin Xiao, are you really alright?"
The candlelight flickered, and Shen Panyan looked at him with slightly red eyes, her voice very soft.
"Don't try to fool me. When I was at your door just now, I already smelled a very strong smell of blood."
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