Xiao Yingxun answered calmly, “As my nominal Princess Consort, how could you stay alone in the palace? It would be a breach of decorum.”
Gu Lingwan spread his hands. “But I am a man; there is nothing that could harm your reputation, Your Highness. Besides, His Majesty is your elder brother, and he does not favor men either.”
Three years ago, Xiao Lanjie had married the current Empress. The image he projected to the world was one of marital bliss and mutual respect. The original text had not gone into detail about Xiao Lanjie and the Empress, so Gu Lingwan only knew of their relationship through rumors.
Although Xiao Yingxun understood Xiao Lanjie’s true attitude toward the Empress, he was by nature cold and emotionally detached. He disdained gossiping behind people’s backs. Moreover, since Xiao Lanjie was his elder brother, he would never reveal a word of the truth to Gu Lingwan.
He still needed a reason to deflect Gu Lingwan’s question. “It is precisely because the Princess Consort is a man that it is inappropriate for you to stay in the inner palace.”
Hearing this, it finally dawned on Gu Lingwan. Historically, the inner palace was forbidden territory for men, the only exceptions being the eunuchs. Thinking of this, he felt a cold shiver run through a certain part of his body. The only time the original owner had lived in the palace, he had been a young child.
Xiao Yingxun’s gaze swept over Gu Lingwan’s clear, pretty face as he walked toward the Imperial Hospital. “The inner palace is filled with female relatives. If any mishaps occur involving the Heir, the consequences would be unpredictable.”
Unpredictable? That is just your way of saying you are afraid I will implicate you and ruin the pristine reputation you have worked so hard to cultivate, you vicious Xiao the Second.
After venting his thoughts, Gu Lingwan said to Xiao Yingxun, “My mind has been quite clear lately; I am not one to act impulsively.” A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he added, “And I do not favor men; otherwise, I would not have been so hopelessly devoted to you in the past.”
Xiao Yingxun lowered his eyes to look at the young man walking beside him. “The Heir still favors men now?”
Get lost. I am straight now, straighter than a steel pipe. Gu Lingwan squeezed out a smile. “Naturally.”
Xiao Yingxun understood the gist of Gu Lingwan’s strange remark well enough. He meant that he now preferred women but was lying to say he preferred men. Xiao Yingxun remained silent, and Gu Lingwan followed suit.
After walking for a while, Gu Lingwan suddenly spoke up as if coming back to life. “Ah, Your Highness, you still have not said where in the palace you intend to write that divorce paper.”
“The Heir’s sudden exclamation has truly startled me,” Xiao Yingxun remarked coldly.
Gu Lingwan apologized. “I will be more careful next time.”
Yo, you have grown so tall, but your courage is the size of a bean. Do you need your younger brother to protect you in the future?
Xiao Yingxun’s gaze landed on the frail young man who only reached his shoulder. He seemed lost in thought.
Gu Lingwan continued, “Your Highness, you have yet to answer my question. Where shall we go to write the divorce paper?”
Xiao Yingxun withdrew his gaze and looked straight ahead. “Did the Heir not say to find a quiet place?”
“But where is quiet?”
Gu Lingwan’s persistence was meant to remind Xiao Yingxun, for he feared that any delay would lead to complications. He was terrified that the night would be long and full of dreams; he wanted to cut ties with Xiao Yingxun as quickly as possible and run away with the fortune he had won today.
“This is the place.” Xiao Yingxun stepped into the Imperial Hospital and said in a deep voice, “There is a diagnosis room here. I will order the physicians to bring ink, paper, and an inkstone. There are only the two of us here, which is perfectly suitable.”
Gu Lingwan gave a double thumbs-up. “Great, I will follow Your Highness’s arrangements.”
If I really followed your arrangements, it would never get done.
Xiao Yingxun cast a faint glance at him before stepping into the main hall. Gu Lingwan followed, suppressing the urge to demand the writing materials immediately and instead describing his leg ailment to the physician. Because Xiao Yingxun was present, the hospital’s highest-ranking physician was called to attend to him.
Gu Lingwan lay on the diagnostic bed while the physician examined him with care. Xiao Yingxun stood quietly to the side. The physician observed, felt, and knocked on Gu Lingwan’s legs for a long while before withdrawing his hands, his expression grave. “The Princess Consort’s leg injury is quite severe.”
Gu Lingwan sat up immediately. “Could you please explain further, Physician?”
Xiao Yingxun’s gaze also locked onto the physician, waiting for the answer.
The physician hesitated before saying, “The Princess Consort’s condition carries a risk of paralysis.”
“What?” Gu Lingwan’s face turned pale. “Can my legs be cured?”
Xiao Yingxun frowned as he looked at Gu Lingwan’s legs.
The physician hurried to soothe Gu Lingwan’s agitation. “Do not be afraid, Your Highness. I only meant it as a possibility. As long as you protect your legs from now on, there will be no danger.”
Gu Lingwan asked anxiously, “How do I protect my legs?”
The physician explained patiently, “The Princess Consort should not stand or walk for long periods.” He added with emphasis, “And under no circumstances should you encounter cold water again. Doing so will lead directly to paralysis.”
Gu Lingwan nodded vigorously. “I understand.”
From now on, regardless of who accidentally falls into the water and is in danger of drowning, I will absolutely never step in to save them again! My own legs are the most important thing.
After the physician prescribed the necessary medication, Gu Lingwan turned to look at Xiao Yingxun.
You vicious Xiao the Second, you know what to do.
Xiao Yingxun ordered the physicians to bring ink, paper, and an inkstone, then dismissed everyone from the room, leaving only the two of them.
“Heir, grind the ink for me.” Xiao Yingxun adjusted his robes, sat upright in his chair, and laid out a sheet of rice paper. He picked up his brush, his eyes calm and steady as he looked at Gu Lingwan, waiting for him to begin.
Gu Lingwan’s gaze fell on the inkstone. “Your Highness, I do not know how.” He found an excuse to explain. “You know that I dropped out of school early; I do not know how to grind ink.”
As far as pens go, the only skill I possess is refilling fountain pens. Whether they are stylish, high-end pens or the cheapest ones imaginable, I can always refill them quickly and accurately.
Xiao Yingxun sat there, listening to Gu Lingwan’s inner voice. When the last word sank in, he slowly put down his brush. It made a soft sound as it hit the desk, as if it had completed its mission. He pressed his lips together, raised those cold, indifferent eyes—devoid of even a ripple—and stared directly at Gu Lingwan.
His inner voice from moments ago made it perfectly clear that he knew how to grind ink.
Gu Lingwan felt that if he did not grind that ink, this man would refuse to write the divorce paper.