Arc 2: Part 49
"It's so unfair! It's so unfair! What did I do wrong? I'm just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire!"
"…Could His Highness please calm down? I need to apply medicine to your wound. If you keep moving, I cannot bandage it properly."
"Oh… Well, you must apply the medicine properly, and absolutely don't leave a scar. I can't face her like this!"
Late at night, in the tent of Prince He Lian at the campsite, mournful wails filled the air, breaking the hearts of those who heard them.
The head of the medical institution stiffly walked out with a medicine box in his hand, only to be met with curious and excited gazes.
"Chief, what's the matter with Prince He Lian? Is he injured? Why did he get hurt?"
With the twitch of a corner of his lips, the head of the medical institution let out a cold laugh and walked away, leaving the crowd speculating endlessly.
The secret everyone eagerly anticipated was finally exposed the next morning.
As soon as Prince He Lian left his tent with a mournful expression, he created an uproar among those around.
His once straight and sharply cut nose was now wrapped in a thick layer of gauze;
His exquisite and handsome face was visibly bruised and swollen;
His flirtatious, peach blossom eyes were now engulfed by deep, dark circles;
And his soft and rosy lips, which would make the ladies blush, had swollen into two protruding sausages.
"I was just having a friendly spar with Lord Xiao," he explained his plight to the excited crowd, pain echoing in his voice, "Wasn't Lord Xiao known for his frail health and lackluster martial skills despite training? How did all his attacks land on my face before I could react?"
"Hehehe, Lord Xiao's health has improved now. Your Highness, don't feel wronged. After all, in sparring, mishaps can occur."
People comforted him insincerely and the moment they turned around, they exchanged glances with their colleagues and cheered silently.
Good job, Lord Xiao!
This guy, taking advantage of his good looks, constantly flirts with young ladies, causing many high-born women to obsess over him. Many have been displeased with him for a long time.
Now that Lord Xiao has finally stepped in to uphold justice, it's truly just!
Quick! Dispatch people to deliver gifts to Lord Xiao… Wait, what if it's construed as bribery? Of course, that can't be done.
What if we send something from the ladies to Lady Ji instead?
Let's do that!
Having taught Prince He Lian a lesson, which would keep him from appearing before Tong Su for a while, Lord Xiao returned to his tent only to find that people were bringing gifts, one after another.
"Why are so many people coming to give gifts?" Xiao Lingchen bit his lip, "Little Thirteen, is there any special significance in delivering gifts to young ladies in the capital?"
Little Thirteen was full of grievances and stuttered, "Subordinate… doesn't know…"
"I once heard that sending lavish gifts for no apparent reason can suggest an intent for a marriage proposal, but is this really the case?!"
"N-no… Subordinate, uh, subordinate is dull, unmarried, and childless, never heard of this custom…"
Xiao Lingchen glanced at him, "Useless thing."
"…" Little Thirteen struggled to keep his smile.
Although his words expressed disdain, Xiao Lingchen was even more critical of himself. The more he thought about it, the more depressed he felt. He stood at the entrance of the tent in a trance, pale-faced, daring not to take a step forward.
Hesitant and dazed, he wanted to see her, yet was afraid of provoking her annoyance further. Holding the cage with the little white fox, he hovered outside the tent, unsure what to do.
Not knowing how much time had passed, he eventually closed his eyes and said, "Let's go."
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