Chapter 75 He has no right to argue about these things.
Chapter Seventy-Two
Gu Jinyan escorted her all the way back to the courtyard before turning away, feeling unsteady on his feet.
Along the way, he would occasionally let out a "hehe" sound, then look down at his hands and grin foolishly, making the two servants following behind him exchange bewildered glances.
Young Master, have you gone mad with joy?
*
After entering the room, Shen Panyan took off her outer robe. "Qingdai, keep this garment safe. Have it washed and sent back tomorrow."
"Yes, Princess."
Suddenly, she remembered that Lin Xiao probably hadn't eaten yet, so she asked Zhu Zhi to go to the dining hall and bring back some late-night snacks. After everyone else had left, she then let Lin Xiao come out.
The young man floated down from the beam. Shen Panyan thought that Lin Xiao would ask her something, but to her surprise, he didn't ask anything or say anything. He just glanced at her, then lowered his eyelashes and didn't say a word.
Shen Panyan hesitated for a moment, "Lin Xiao?"
Lin Xiao replied calmly, "Your subordinate is here."
“You…” She wanted to say, “Are you angry?” but then she thought, “Isn’t this what I wanted?” So she swallowed her words and changed the subject, “You haven’t had dinner yet, have you? I had Zhuzhi bring over some late-night snacks. Eat quickly.”
Lin Xiao: "Yes, Your Highness."
The meal was eaten in silence by Lin Xiao. Shen Panyan couldn't understand him or figure out what he was thinking. If he spoke, it would be fine, but if he didn't speak... could he be planning to do something to Gu Jinyan again?
Thinking of this, Shen Panyan couldn't help but say, "Lin Xiao, Gu Jinyan is a good person, please don't do anything to him anymore..."
Lin Xiao put down his chopsticks, looked up at her, and calmly said, "In Your Highness's eyes, am I such a reckless person?"
Aren't you the same?
Shen Panyan hesitated for a moment, then said, "After returning to the capital, I will tell my father that my chosen consort is Gu Jinyan. Lin Xiao, what do you think?"
Lin Xiao slowly picked up his chopsticks and continued eating, saying, "I think it's excellent."
"Gu Jinyan is the young master of the Duke of Song's mansion. In terms of status, he is a perfect match for Your Highness. Although he himself has no talent and spends his days riding around the streets, and his appearance is also quite ordinary, he has always been known as a playboy in the capital. He will not be able to inherit the title of Duke of Rong's mansion in the future, and may even be kicked out of the Duke of Rong's mansion. But as long as Your Highness is willing, his later life will definitely be very smooth and he will live a very good life. Not only will he not be kicked out of the Duke of Rong's mansion, but he can also get a sinecure. He is a good candidate."
Shen Panyan: "???"
Was he saying he was good or that he was completely worthless?
Lin Xiao continued, "By the way, Your Highness, there are many people in the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, and the relationships are very complicated. When the old Rongguo Duke followed the founding emperor to conquer the country, he was injured and his offspring were few. Therefore, after the Rongguo Duke's Mansion inherited the title, the direct descendants were particularly fond of taking concubines. There are at least a dozen concubines in total. However, when it came to Gu Jinyan's father, he restrained himself and only had three concubines. His elder brother also only had two concubines. Gu Jinyan did not marry, so he did not have any concubines, but he already had a maidservant. I heard that he often goes to her courtyard."
"And Your Highness, the power struggle within the Rongguo Duke's Mansion is extremely serious. Back then, when Gu Jinyan's horse nearly injured you on Chang'an Street, it was done by the second branch of the family. If you marry Gu Jinyan, you will be associated with the Rongguo Duke's Mansion. Those collateral branches who can't stand the direct line might do something bad in your name or try to extort money from you. I know you've always been soft-hearted, but the wolves and tigers of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion can never be satisfied. If you encounter them, don't be soft-hearted."
Shen Panyan was stunned: "???"
After Lin Xiao finished speaking, Shen Panyan felt that not only was Gu Jinyan terrible, but the Rongguo Duke's Mansion behind him was also terrible.
"Then...then what do you suggest we do?" Shen Panyan's mouth was agape, her mind blank, and she had no idea what to do.
Lin Xiao: "I am merely informing Your Highness of the facts concerning the Rongguo Duke's Mansion. As this concerns Your Highness's lifelong happiness, I dare not speak presumptuously. Your Highness shall make the decision."
Chen Panyan: "..."
He dared not speak presumptuously yet said so much; was he perhaps deceiving her? Shen Panyan looked at him suspiciously, but Lin Xiao's expression remained unchanged. "If Your Highness does not believe me, you can ask your maids Zhuzhi and Qingdai. The Rongguo Duke's Mansion is a founding noble family; they couldn't possibly be unaware of such matters."
Okay, fine.
She asked Zhuzhi and Qingdai in a little while.
Thinking about what Lin Xiao had just said, Shen Panyan felt her mind was in turmoil.
She didn't actually mind the matter of having a concubine. It was perfectly normal for noblemen in the capital to have a concubine before marriage. As the young master of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, Gu Jinyan was deeply loved by the Rongguo Duke's wife, so it was also normal for him to have a concubine.
However, she has always been someone who dislikes trouble. If the relationships within the Duke of Song's mansion are too complicated, she will hesitate about whether to choose Gu Jinyan as her consort.
I originally thought Gu Jinyan was a suitable candidate, but now it seems he's not so suitable after all.
Shen Panyan rubbed her head, feeling a headache coming on. Lin Xiao remained silent and quietly finished her dinner.
"Your Highness, I shall take my leave."
Seeing that he was about to leave, Shen Panyan hurriedly called out, "Wait, where are you going?"
"Your Highness, I will not leave and will always protect you."
"That's not what I'm asking," Shen Panyan said hesitantly. "How are your injuries?"
"Has the medicine been changed today? Is there any leftover powder?"
He only had that one small porcelain bottle on him, and he had used most of it last night, so he probably wouldn't have enough for today.
Shen Panyan thought for a moment, "Wait a moment, I'll go find some medicine for you."
After saying that, Shen Panyan turned around and went to rummage through the box she was carrying.
Qingdai packed all her things. Qingdai was meticulous and considered everything carefully before going out, so she had everything she needed, including medicine for injuries.
A short while later, Shen Panyan took out some medicine and handed it to Lin Xiao, saying, "This is medicine for your injuries. It was prepared by the imperial physician in the palace. It should be enough for you for the next two days."
"When you get back, remember to change your dressings every day without delay. If the wound gets worse, remember to see a doctor promptly."
Remembering his injuries from last night, Shen Panyan couldn't help but give him a few more words of advice.
She didn't bring up the matter of applying the medicine for him again, afraid that he would misunderstand and overthink it.
"Your subordinate understands, thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Lin Xiao reached out and took the medicine, then quietly disappeared from the room.
Seeing him leave, Shen Panyan breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Today, she deliberately approached Gu Jinyan, hoping to make Lin Xiao give up. Now that Lin Xiao is cold and indifferent, as if he has really figured things out, she feels sad again.
Yes, how could she not be sad? After all, she was the one who pushed away the person she liked the most.
Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Shen Panyan recalled how she had hesitated for a long time when Lin Xiao had nowhere to sleep that night, but finally decided to follow her idea from that morning.
Maintaining a relationship with him is one thing, but his injuries are another.
As Shen Panyan removed her hairpins and jewelry with the help of Zhuzhi Qingdai, finished bathing, and prepared to enter the soft brocade quilt, she looked up at the dark, unseen beams and called out, "Lin Xiao."
The next moment, Lin Xiao landed silently and appeared in front of him.
"Your Highness."
Shen Panyan looked at him and slowly exhaled, "You should sleep with me tonight."
Fearing that all her previous efforts would be in vain, Shen Panyan quickly added, "Don't misunderstand, it's just because you're injured and have nowhere else to stay that I let you sleep with me."
She thought for a moment and found a perfect reason: "Lin Xiao, you saved me before, and we got along very well at the Royal Villa. Lin Xiao, I am good to you because in my heart, I have long regarded you as my family."
They were friends before, but now they're family. Lin Xiao saw her evasive gaze, which she thought she had hidden well, and chuckled, "Whatever Your Highness says goes."
He only believed what he saw with his own eyes; he didn't believe a single word she said.
Seeing him walk towards her bed, Shen Panyan's fair cheeks gradually flushed red. "You are not allowed to extinguish the candles again tonight, and you are not allowed to touch me while you are sleeping..." She listed many rules, almost drawing a line between them.
Lin Xiao remained noncommittal: "Yes, Your Highness."
After lying down, Lin Xiao followed all the rules Shen Panyan had set out for him, remaining completely still as if he weren't even there. Shen Panyan felt that he was acting strangely normal.
After thinking for a moment, she said, "Lin Xiao, after we return to the capital, I will find a way to get you back from Father Emperor."
"It will take you seven or eight days, or at most a month, to break away from the Dark Guard Camp."
Lin Xiao's voice was calm: "What method has Your Highness come up with to get me back from His Majesty?"
With his current strength, leaving the Dark Guard Camp would indeed be quite difficult.
Shen Panyan pursed her lips, unsure whether she should tell him her solution.
This method will definitely harm her, and if Lin Xiao knew, he would certainly not agree. But she had no other choice but to use this method.
We can't let him stay in the secret guard camp forever and then sneak over to see us. That's too dangerous. Every trace leaves a mark, and he'll be discovered eventually.
As for preventing him from coming... Gu Jinyan's fate had already served as a warning to her, making her realize that Lin Xiao would never agree. Therefore, she let out a soft sigh, "Don't worry about it, I have my own way."
Lin Xiao: "Is Your Highness planning to repeat the same old trick?"
"Just like when I first came to your side?"
Shen Panyan: "??!!"
Cold sweat began to trickle down his forehead.
How did he guess? How did he guess? Did she ever show that she had this idea?
Shen Panyan retorted stubbornly, "That's not the way. Don't even think about it. I have my own ideas."
Lin Xiao: "Oh."
His ordinary life... Oh! The words in Shen Panyan's heart instantly became stuck in her chest, making her feel suffocated.
Lin Xiao always had a way of making her angry.
In his presence, she couldn't hide any of her emotions. Shen Panyan turned around, buried her face in the quilt, and mumbled, "I'm tired, I'm going to sleep!"
"Your Highness, please sleep."
As the room quieted down, the candlelight flickered slightly, making a soft crackling sound.
Slowly, he heard soft breathing beside him. Shen Panyan turned over, and the distance between them, which had been very far, gradually decreased. Before long, a pale white arm landed on his waist and abdomen.
Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes, helpless.
He reached out and pulled the prince into his arms.
He couldn't sleep last night, and he probably won't be able to sleep tonight either.
However, it is absolutely impossible for him to give up for this reason.
Although His Highness was very kind to him, he could see very clearly today that His Highness was deliberately distancing herself from him, and he understood why she was deliberately distancing herself from him.
She's getting married.
Her Highness is a royal princess, and it's impossible for her not to get married. Who she chooses, whether it's Gu Jinyan or Zhao Jinyan, is none of his business. He has never been qualified to compete for these things from the beginning.
He was very clear about his identity.
As long as she is still his princess, and she still cares about him, that's enough.
What he asked for was never much.
He will protect her and will always guard her.
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