Princess, Don't Run Away! The Prince Says He Wants To Mend His Ways - Chapter 4

Gu Lingwan’s thoughts raced as he analyzed the impact of Xiao Yingxun dying prematurely. First, he would inevitably be labeled a widower. Furthermore, because he was at the crime scene, officials would need to question him. The assassination of a Prince involved the Supreme Court, and he would become a regular guest there. Dealing with a murder case was not a one-time affair; it was incredibly troublesome. Lastly, there was one more factor, and it was the most important one.

“Princess Consort, you have changed so much!” a young man suddenly spoke up beside him. “The Prince is fighting an assassin, yet you show no signs of concern?”

The most important thing was happening right now. Gu Lingwan looked at Tang He, the son of the original owner’s father’s rival. His phoenix eyes narrowed sharply. “Yes, just as you think. I hold a grudge against the Prince because of love, so I sent the assassin to kill him. Are you satisfied with that answer?”

Tang He was left speechless by Gu Lingwan’s sharp retort.

Gu Lingwan did not waste more time. He shouted toward the assassin on the second floor, “Hey! You on the second floor, you have revealed your tracks! I have already figured out who you are.”

His shout startled the assassin, whose hand trembled. The arrow rattled as it was fired toward Xiao Yingxun. Xiao Yingxun heard Gu Lingwan’s warning and realized he was being targeted by a hidden projectile, but the arrow was too fast for him to react in time. A moment later, a spray of blood bloomed on his body.

Gu Lingwan covered his forehead with one hand. If he had known this, he should not have hesitated. Now, Xiao the Second had sustained another injury on his right shoulder, and the matter of the divorce letter would likely be delayed even further.

The assassin’s shot was deflected by Gu Lingwan’s shout, so the sharp arrow merely grazed Xiao Yingxun’s shoulder. It was no longer possible to assassinate him now that he was on guard.

Soon, Gu Lingwan realized something. He looked across the way and saw the man with the bow now aiming directly at him. Before he could even blink, Gu Lingwan flattened himself against the table. The arrow whizzed over his head and hit Tang He, who had just been provoking him.

Gu Lingwan had no time to worry about Tang He. His eyes were locked on the assassin across the way. The assassin made a throat-slitting gesture, jumped from the second floor with his bow in hand, and the wind caught the hem of his clothing, revealing a flash of red silk underneath.

Seeing this, Gu Lingwan furrowed his brows, lost in thought.

After a moment, he heard soft footsteps and pulled himself back to reality. Xiao Yingxun, moving with elegant grace, sat straight-backed in the chair opposite him.

Gu Lingwan glanced at his shoulder, which had already been simply bandaged to stop the bleeding. “Your Highness, no need to rush to thank me. You should head to a clinic to have that wound treated properly.”

Just hurry up and recover so you can write that divorce letter.

Xiao Yingxun listened to these thoughts, remained silent for several seconds, and then said slowly, “The heir was hesitant earlier.”

Gu Lingwan was slightly stunned. “What do you mean, Your Highness?”

The guests at nearby tables had already tactfully left after Xiao Yingxun arrived, and the injured Tang He had been carried away. Xiao Yingxun continued without hesitation. “When the assassination occurred, if the heir had not hesitated, I fear I would not have been injured.”

Damn it! I saved your life, and now you are blaming me? Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Although I did hesitate, I still saved your sorry life. Gu Lingwan pushed his inner complaints aside and smiled gently. “Your Highness, I almost lost my own life to that assassin while trying to save you.”

When Xiao Yingxun had entered, he had seen Tang He struck by an arrow, proving that Gu Lingwan’s words were true. However, the vicious curses Gu Lingwan had directed at him internally made it impossible for Xiao Yingxun to feel any gratitude. Furthermore, Xiao Yingxun’s cold gaze landed on Gu Lingwan’s cunning, lively phoenix eyes. Perhaps the heir has been replaced. There are masks that can make someone look exactly like another. He absolutely had to find a proper strategy to prove the heir was an impostor.

With that in mind, Xiao Yingxun shifted his gaze to the two vegetable dishes Gu Lingwan had ordered. The fact that he likes to eat vegetables is the only thing that matches.

Gu Lingwan noticed the look and asked, “What is it, Your Highness? Is there something wrong with these two dishes?”

Xiao Yingxun looked away. “Today, you truly saved my life. Seeing that you have not finished your meal, I would like to order a few more dishes for you.”

So Xiao the Second still has a shred of conscience left. Gu Lingwan smiled. “Your Highness, we are husbands; saving you is only my duty. You do not need to be so polite.”

He picked up the menu. “But since I cannot refuse your kindness, I shall order a few more things.”

Incredibly hypocritical! Xiao Yingxun was still annoyed by Gu Lingwan’s habit of linking him to dogs in his thoughts.

“Waiter, I would like to add to my order,” Gu Lingwan called out. He scanned the menu. “Braised pig trotters, roasted chicken, sweet and sour carp, soy sauce beef…”

Listening to the items, Xiao Yingxun’s eyes widened visibly. All these are meat dishes, completely contrary to the heir’s usual tastes. And…

“Ahem!” Xiao Yingxun coughed to interrupt. “If you order so much, you surely will not be able to finish it. Waste is shameful.”

After ordering one more steamed lobster, Gu Lingwan placed the menu on the table and explained, “Mr. Liu is still at the manor, and since you asked me to entertain him, I thought I should order extra to pack up for him. I certainly cannot neglect your esteemed guest!”

Xiao Yingxun reminded him, “Yet, you left Rujin alone at the manor to come here to eat.”

Gu Lingwan replied unhurriedly, “My leg condition flared up and was unbearable, so I had to come here to see a physician. One of the medicines he prescribed must be taken after a meal, so I had to come to a restaurant to eat.” He shifted the tone slightly, gently reminding Xiao Yingxun, “Luckily, coming here allowed me to spot that assassin and stop him.”

This last sentence made Xiao Yingxun deeply realize that the young man in front of him was indeed his savior. He also realized that he was likely no match for the young man’s glib tongue.

Xiao Yingxun chose to remain silent.

He stopped speaking, but Gu Lingwan did not. Now, he asked with a touch of curiosity, “Your Highness, were you not recovering at the manor earlier? How did you end up in the street fighting people?”

Xiao Yingxun corrected him, “It was not a fight. I received intelligence and was attempting to apprehend a traitor.” He had not expected to fall into a trap set by others specifically to assassinate him.

Gu Lingwan nodded. “Oh.” You could not catch the traitor, and he only appears after you are dead. This time was clearly an attempt to finish you off.

Xiao Yingxun frowned. What does he know? Every time, it is like he is speaking in riddles.

Gu Lingwan seemed to recall something and glanced at the wound on Xiao Yingxun’s shoulder. I wonder if that arrow was coated in poison? Will it be Heartbreak Grass, arsenic, or the kind of aphrodisiac that requires two people to do the deed to cure? Otherwise, you will burn up with fever and explode!

Hearing these thoughts, Xiao Yingxun felt his body begin to heat up. He raised a hand to touch his cheek. It was so hot!

Just then, Gu Lingwan’s voice sounded beside his ear. “Your Highness, your face is so red. Are you feeling unwell?”

Heh! Could I have really guessed it right? Brother, your Rujin is still at the manor. Go find him to detox quickly.