Chapter 43 What a fool!
This time, due to the severity of his injuries, Lin Xiao remained in bed for a full ten days before Physician Lin finally relented and allowed him to get out of bed and walk around the room.
As a martial artist, he possessed internal strength, and his recovery ability was far superior to that of others. Physician Lin found it all miraculous. Originally, he was only treating the princess because of her orders, but now, he was inspired to study it more intensely. His dedication to his work even surprised Shen Panyan.
Seeing the dark bruises under Physician Lin's eyes, almost as black as ink, and how he staggered as he carried his medicine chest, Shen Panyan was terrified he would collapse. She quickly advised, "Physician Lin, Lin Xiao is much better now. I'll give you three days off. You should rest well first, and come back to see him when you're fully recovered. There's no need for you to be like this every single day..."
"Princess," Physician Lin bowed, "I am fine. I am a physician, and no one knows a physician's body better than the physician himself."
“But…” Shen Panyan was still worried.
It was uncommon for Imperial Physician Lin to defend himself. "Princess," he said, "Guardian Lin Xiao's recovery ability is truly exceptional. In all my years of medical practice, I have never seen anyone as good as him. Please allow me to take a good look at him. Give me a month, no, even half a month will do. After half a month, I guarantee that Guardian Lin Xiao's injuries will be seventy or eighty percent healed. However, this method is somewhat drastic. I wonder if Your Highness would be willing to allow me to try it?"
With such severe injuries, Lin Xiao should be 70-80% healed in half a month.
Shen Panyan asked in surprise, "Is this really true?"
Imperial Physician Lin straightened up. "If I were not certain, I would never dare to speak rashly and deceive the princess."
But... Shen Panyan frowned: "You said this method is somewhat fierce, but how exactly is it fierce?"
Physician Lin carefully considered his words. "With this prescription, Guardian Linxiao's body will recover faster. However, even though I have tried my best to minimize the damage, it is inevitable that some of the vital energy of the five internal organs will be damaged. But this is not an incurable disease. As long as Guardian Linxiao uses his internal energy to protect his five internal organs and takes good care of himself with the subsequent medicine, he will be fine."
It sounds like a good thing, but it will damage the five internal organs after all. After hesitating for a moment, Shen Panyan still gave the choice to Lin Xiao himself.
She turned her head, pursed her lips, and asked, "Lin Xiao, are you willing?"
Lin Xiao raised his eyes, without even a moment's hesitation: "Your subordinate is willing."
Physician Lin was delighted: "Since Guard Lin Xiao is willing, let's not delay and begin now."
After saying that, he wrote down the prescription and handed it to Shen Panyan, saying tactfully, "Princess, this method involves acupuncture combined with medicine. It may not be appropriate for you to be here. Why don't you have the Linxiao Guard's prescription prepared by the servants first, so that it can be used after I finish here?"
Shen Panyan held the prescription, understanding perfectly what he meant. Her face flushed. "Okay... I'll have the servants prepare the medicine right away." She quickly turned and left.
As the door closed, Physician Lin put down his medicine box and explained to Lin Xiao the dangers of this method and the things he needed to be careful about. Only after everything was prepared did he begin administering the acupuncture.
On the other side, Shen Panyan took the prescription to the storeroom, retrieved all the necessary medicinal herbs, and then summoned a palace maid to prepare the medicine.
The young palace maid acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Without Mu Ying by her side, she had to do everything herself, which was tiring, but not too bad.
Shen Panyan returned to Linxiao's house and waited outside.
After an unknown amount of time, the door creaked open from the inside.
Shen Panyan hurried over, "Lord Lin, how is Lin Xiao?"
Physician Lin smiled broadly and cupped his hands in greeting. “Princess, please rest assured, the method was very successful. Guard Linxiao is unharmed. However, it might not be appropriate for you to go in right now. Why don’t you wait outside? Guard Linxiao will come out on his own once things are settled.”
Shen Panyan was taken aback, then her eyes lit up with surprise. "Lord Lin, are you saying that Lin Xiao can go out and walk by himself now?"
Physician Lin nodded, "That's fine, as long as you don't go too far."
Shen Panyan exclaimed excitedly, "That's wonderful!"
After saying this, Physician Lin took his leave. Shen Panyan stood outside the door waiting, but as the door remained closed for a long time, her joy gradually turned into worry.
Lin Xiao hasn't come out for so long, could something have happened to him?
Thinking of this, Shen Panyan stepped forward and raised her hand, just as she was about to knock on the door, the door opened.
Squeak!
Sunlight slanted through the door and fell upon the person who entered.
He stood behind the door, dressed in black, tall and imposing, his dark hair tied up high and falling over his shoulders. The fierce aura he had before was gone; the warm sunlight softened his frail appearance, making him seem exceptionally gentle and reserved.
"Princess!"
His gaze fell on her, and Shen Panyan snapped out of her daze, somewhat embarrassed, and withdrew her hand. "Are you... are you feeling better?"
Lin Xiao: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am much better now."
As he spoke, he took out a piece of soft silk and handed it to her.
“Princess, this is Qiushuang’s silk.”
Shen Panyan was taken aback.
So, Lin Xiao hasn't come out for so long because he went to get her some silk?
The silk was on the beam, how did he get up there?
"How...how did you get it?"
"My internal strength has recovered somewhat, so there is no major problem with raising the beam."
Hearing this, Shen Panyan became anxious. "Imperial Physician Lin repeatedly told you not to use force again, but why didn't you listen? You can give me this silk anytime. I'm not in a hurry. Why don't you take your body seriously? Even if your internal strength has recovered somewhat, you can't use force so casually. If you continue like this, when will your injuries heal?"
In her haste, she blurted out a lot. Seeing that Lin Xiao not only didn't admit his mistake but even smiled, Shen Panyan became annoyed. "What are you laughing at? Were you even listening to what I was saying?"
Lin Xiao quickly suppressed his smile, lowered his head, and admitted his mistake, "Your subordinate knows he was wrong."
Shen Panyan became even angrier, "All you know is to admit your mistakes, admit your mistakes! You haven't listened to a single word I said. If you continue like this, I'll punish you... punish you..."
Shen Panyan originally wanted to punish him by not letting him go out today, but then she swallowed her words after thinking that he hadn't left the house for a long time since he was injured. The words lingered on her lips, and she finally changed them to, "I'll punish you by making you copy the article you learned yesterday ten times."
Lin Xiao: "......"
He dared not anger the princess any further and replied, "Okay."
Seeing that he was quite serious, Shen Panyan's anger subsided, and she began to ask if his injuries had reopened. This time, Lin Xiao dared not hide anything from the princess and answered no.
However, Shen Panyan didn't believe a word he said, and sent someone to invite Physician Lin again.
After examining him, Physician Lin confirmed that his wounds had not reopened, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"The sun is shining brightly today, Linxiao, why don't you come with me for a walk in the garden?"
"good."
*
The two walked one after the other down the long corridor. Because Lin Xiao was injured, Shen Panyan walked very slowly.
Neither of them spoke.
The atmosphere was strange and stagnant. Lin Xiao followed behind, hesitant to speak.
Upon arriving at the garden, Shen Panyan remained silent. Lin Xiao finally spoke, "Princess, are you unhappy?"
"Did I do something wrong to upset Your Highness?"
As he spoke, his voice grew more urgent, "If I have done anything wrong, Princess, please speak freely. Whatever the punishment, I will accept it..."
“No, I’m not unhappy,” Shen Panyan interrupted him.
Lin Xiao was taken aback. "Then why haven't you said a word?"
The princess wasn't like this before.
Shen Panyan lowered her head. "I was just thinking about some things."
Lin Xiao: "What is it?"
Shen Panyan turned around, her gaze falling on his face. She opened her mouth several times, wanting to ask the question in her heart, but the words just wouldn't come out.
Shen Panyan wasn't stupid. Recalling Lin Xiao's initial coldness and respect towards her, and how he even mocked her when their relationship was at its worst, acting arrogantly and disdainfully, and now, as he looked at her with his dark eyes as clear as a spring, reflecting her image, it seemed that nothing else could enter his heart except her... Shen Panyan felt as if she had been burned and quickly lowered her head.
It was just a piece of silk, yet he repeatedly disregarded his own health to get it for himself. The difference between the two was simply too great.
He might not understand, but how could she not know?
She has read poetry and books, as well as folk tales, and may not understand for a moment, misunderstanding this behavior as a sign of friendship, but she will never remain confused forever.
Previously, Lin Xiao was punished by his father for returning to the capital to save her life. Later, despite his own injuries, he was determined to find the truth for her and return to her side.
Now, just because she wants it, he'll disregard his own health to get it for her, not waiting a moment longer. What kind of friend is that...?
She could see clearly that Lin Xiao liked her.
And she... now that she thinks back on it carefully, she likes him being by her side, likes the things he says when he tries to make her happy... she's very sure that she likes him too.
Shen Panyan had never been so clear-headed.
Mutual love is a blessing that many people in the world yearn for but cannot attain. But why is it that she is a princess and he is just a bodyguard... Even if she returns to the capital and tries to win him over and set him free, they will never be able to be together.
Because she is a princess.
Her marriage was not a matter of her own choosing.
My father will not allow it.
Tears fell tremblingly.
The next moment, a hand wiped away her tears.
"Princess, please don't cry."
"What's troubling you? Tell me, and I'll help you resolve it..."
Shen Panyan shook her head. "No."
It's good that Lin Xiao doesn't understand this; if he doesn't understand, he won't be sad.
She lowered her head, turned around, wiped away her tears with her embroidered handkerchief, and forced a smile, saying, "Lin Xiao, you told me before that you wanted to leave the Dark Guard Camp. After you leave the Dark Guard Camp, have you thought about what you want to do?"
Why did the princess suddenly ask this? Lin Xiao was taken aback, thought for a moment, and shook his head, "This subordinate doesn't know."
He didn't know what he wanted to do.
Shen Panyan: "How could I not know? In this world, people have all sorts of desires. Some people pursue freedom to see beautiful rivers and mountains, some want to experience all the flavors of life, and some want to be chivalrous. There is always a dream in everyone's heart. Lin Xiao, what is your dream?"
Lin Xiao: "This subordinate...does not know."
He had never thought about these things.
He wanted freedom, that was all; he never thought about anything else.
Shen Panyan: "But you are accumulating silver, which means you know it in your heart, you just haven't figured it out yet. Think about it carefully again."
Lin Xiao: "I am saving money because after leaving the Dark Guard Camp, His Majesty will no longer be in charge of the expenses below. Living among the common people is quite expensive, so I thought I would save some money so that I won't have to worry about not having money in the future."
Shen Panyan's delicate eyebrows arched slightly. "See? This is it. Money can do many things. You can open a small shop, or you can become a wandering traveler..."
Lin Xiao shook his head, "Even if I leave the Dark Guard Camp, I am still His Majesty's spy. I will only stay in one place and cannot leave without His Majesty's summons."
What an idiot!
She was referring to his true freedom, of course; how could he still be her father's spy? It seems he was unconscious that day and didn't hear what she said afterward. Good, she hasn't returned to the capital yet, and this isn't something that can be accomplished in a day or two. It's better to tell him after she succeeds, to give him a surprise; he'll definitely be very happy.
Shen Panyan smiled slightly, "Alright."
"Lin Xiao, if, if you were to gain your freedom, would you... would you marry and have children?" As she said this, Shen Panyan subconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes, looked up at him with nervous eyes.
If, if Lin Xiao really gained his freedom, she hoped he could be happy. But what if he married and had children...? Just thinking about this made Shen Panyan's nose sting and her eyes well up with tears.
If he truly loves that woman... she will bless him.
Just as Shen Panyan was lost in thought, Lin Xiao's calm yet firm voice rang out.
"Won't!"
Shen Panyan was taken aback, the bitterness in her heart quietly dissipating, replaced by a hint of secret joy. "Why?"
Lin Xiao: "I only want to live and have no intention of getting involved with others."
Moreover, he no longer yearns for freedom.
Before, he yearned for freedom, encountering the wind in the endless darkness. But now, he has encountered something even more precious than the wind in the darkness.
A bright, clear moon.
He wanted to stay by Mingyue's side and never leave.
He will find a way to escape the Dark Guard Camp and come to Mingyue's side.
Seeing her joy, seeing her sorrow, seeing everything about her...
"Oh, I see..."
Knowing that he would not marry, Shen Panyan was very happy, but when she learned that his wish was to live, she felt a dull pain in her heart.
Shen Panyan didn't know how the secret guards were trained, but she could guess that it must be a blood-soaked and thorny path. Only in this way could they train powerful secret guards to protect the emperor's safety.
She was a princess, a member of the royal family. She couldn't say whether the selection and training of the secret guards was right or wrong, after all, the emperor's safety concerned the entire nation. But her heart was also small; she only hoped that the person she loved would be well.
From now on, she will definitely treat Lin Xiao even better and will never let him suffer those hardships again.
*
Having decided to help Lin Xiao gain his freedom, Shen Panyan, though she hadn't returned to the capital yet, was already racking her brains to find ways to win Emperor Gan Ning's favor.
In the past, she had always been afraid of him, afraid of seeing the disappointment in his eyes, and often avoided him. Their relationship had long been as cold as ice. Now, it would not be easy for her to win back his favor.
Sighing in the still smoke.
In three months, it will be her father's birthday. She must change her father's opinion of her before his birthday, so that when the whole country is celebrating, she will have a chance to succeed in making her request.
However, before Shen Panyan could come up with a good solution, a major event occurred in the West Garden, causing everyone to feel uneasy.
According to Physician Lin's method, Lin Xiao's health should have improved day by day, but for some reason, Lin Xiao's health did not improve and instead showed signs of deterioration.
Physician Lin was completely baffled. He reviewed his method again and again, but still couldn't find anything wrong with it.
Even if this method is useless, it shouldn't cause his injury to worsen. What exactly is going on?
Helpless, Physician Lin had no choice but to stop this method and switch to the usual prescription to slowly nourish his body. But to everyone's surprise, Lin Xiao continued to grow weaker day by day.
Before, Lin Xiao could get out of bed and stroll with her in the garden, but now he can't even get out of bed. Shen Panyan is anxious and worried. Imperial Physician Lin feels guilty and spends the whole night searching through various medical books to find the cause of the illness. He is so worried that his hair has turned white.
Shen Panyan assumed that the palace maids below hadn't been careful enough, causing the medicine to not be brewed properly, which led to the problem. So she went to the small kitchen herself and watched the maids brew the medicine bit by bit before she felt relieved and brought it over.
Unexpectedly, Lin Xiao had barely finished drinking the medicine when her blood began to surge uncontrollably. Almost instantly, a metallic taste filled her throat, and she violently coughed up a mouthful of blood, staining the blue bricks and the hem of her skirt red...
Shen Panyan stood there, her face turning pale inch by inch, her pupils trembling.
Fresh blood dripped from the corner of his lips, staining the bedding with bright red flowers.
Lin Xiao propped himself up, his hand clutching his chest so hard it turned pale, almost using all his strength to stop the blood from surging up in his chest again.
He shakily raised his head.
His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but the next moment his body went limp and he collapsed onto the bed, his fate unknown.
With a loud clang!
The medicine bowl fell heavily from Shen Panyan's hands and shattered into pieces.
"Lin Xiao!!"
Shen Panyan looked alarmed and staggered forward. She held back her tears and her fingertips trembled as she reached for his nose. When she felt a faint breath of air, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went out to fetch Physician Lin.
Physician Lin arrived in a hurry, carrying his medicine chest.
"This...this is poisoning!!"
After taking the pulse, Physician Lin was both surprised and astonished, and rose in fear.
He meant that even if his prescription was ineffective, it couldn't have caused Lin Xiao's injuries to worsen; it turned out he had been poisoned.
Shen Panyan, standing to the side, nearly fainted upon hearing this. "Poisoned?! How could Lin Xiao be poisoned?"
She panicked and stammered, "I watched the people below brew today's medicine, and I personally went to the storeroom to get it. How could Lin Xiao have been poisoned...?"
"Perhaps the medicine has been tampered with, Princess. Are the dregs of the medicine used by the Linxiao guards today still there?"
Shen Panyan: "It's still here. I didn't tell the palace maid to throw it away."
After saying that, Shen Panyan quickly ordered the palace maids below to bring the dregs of the medicine.
Unexpectedly, not long after, the little palace maid who had come to report rushed in, looking panicked, and knelt down on the ground, trembling.
"Princess!! Lianxiang, who was brewing the medicine, is dead! I saw her, I saw her bleeding from all seven orifices, lying in the small kitchen..."
Shen Panyan's face turned deathly pale. She staggered and slumped onto the edge of the bed. "What?! How could this happen..."
Physician Lin straightened his expression and said, "Take me there to take a look."
The young palace maid, suppressing her fear, replied, "Yes."
After a long time since Physician Lin left, Shen Panyan staggered to her feet. Looking at Lin Xiao lying on the bed, his life hanging in the balance, and the frightened expression of the little palace maid from earlier, she felt dizzy. She quickly grabbed a pillar beside her to avoid falling to the ground.
Shen Panyan's palms felt cold, and a nameless fear welled up in her heart.
How could Lianxiang die? Who did it? Who did it? And what about the medicine residue? Has Linxiao's medicine residue disappeared?
Suddenly, something flashed through her mind.
Silk!
Yes, the answer must be on the silk of autumn frost.
That day, after Lin Xiao gave her the silk, she didn't open it in a hurry because she was worried about his health. Later, she was even more anxious to get Lin Xiao back from her father, so she put the silk aside and didn't have time to pay attention to it.
Shen Panyan staggered to her feet and hurriedly returned to the house. Her fingertips trembled as she opened the silk scroll, and in an instant, densely packed words came into view.
Princess, by the time you read this letter, I will be dead. I have served her for many years and knew that I could not escape death. But I am not reconciled. I am so unwilling. I was so close to succeeding, but now I have failed at the last moment... I do not resent the princess. Having served by your side for many years, I know that the princess is the kindest person.
Back then, when I was all alone, sold into the palace by my parents, if only I had met a princess as my master, I wouldn't have made such a mistake again. It's just a pity that I've already embarked on this path and there's no turning back. Now that I'm about to die, I don't even know who to tell the words in my heart to...
"A dying man's words are good. Whether Your Highness believes it or not, I am filled with remorse..." Qiu Shuang said many words of apology and remorse, until finally, Shen Panyan saw what she wanted to know.
Princess, Consort Shu died at the hands of the Empress. The Empress hates you because you are the daughter of a noblewoman destined for heaven, and Consort Shu was that noblewoman. Your timid nature was deliberately cultivated by her so that you would be hated by everyone and disliked by His Majesty. She wanted you to suffer a fate worse than death, to be filled with pain... Finally, be careful of Mu Ying; she is also one of the Empress's people.
With a buzzing sound, a roar echoed in Shen Panyan's ears, and the silk scroll slipped from her hand, falling softly to the ground.
-----------------------
Author's Note: [Dog head with rose in hand] Today's chapter is a two-part story!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
