“It’s my fault for not protecting you.”
“It’s my fault for being too impulsive.”
“My fault for being negligent.”
I quickly shook my head. “It was my fault. Punish me however you want!”
An Jin looked down at me, his lips curving slightly. “Really anything?”
I was speechless, feeling I’d walked into another trap.
An Jin chuckled softly. “Remember, never go out alone in the future. If you must go out, tell me first, and it’s best if I accompany you.”
I nodded repeatedly, then cautiously asked, “What’s the punishment for hitting a princess? How will I be dealt with?”
An Jin thought for a moment.
“I remember a drunk who insulted the Eastern Palace was beheaded.”
I was dumbfounded. Just for cursing, he was beheaded? I’d probably be executed along with nine generations of my family for hitting a princess. Despairing, I said, “Brother Jin, let’s pack up and flee with our families.”
An Jin finally laughed, looking incredibly delightful.
“What are you afraid of? I’m here.”
Chapter Fifteen: That is True Love
I don’t know what method An Jin used, but the scenario I imagined of countless soldiers surrounding An mansion and executing me never materialized. Everything was calm, as if nothing had happened.
It was abnormal. Given the Seventh Princess’s personality, she should have complained to the Emperor or sought revenge personally after such a loss. After a long time of restlessness, An Jin explained that he had reported the entire incident to the Emperor. The Emperor, being understanding, not only pardoned me for disrespecting the royal family but also placed the Seventh Princess under house arrest to reflect on her actions.
I felt slightly relieved but wondered if the Emperor could truly be so magnanimous.
An Jin was about to touch my face but, seeing the unhealed bruises, changed to stroking my hair instead. “Don’t worry,” he said with a smile.
I relaxed and recuperated with Yuanxiao, eating and sleeping well. My bodily injuries healed quickly, but the facial bruises and scratches were more troublesome. The first day I looked in the mirror after applying medicine, I almost wanted to die.
