A red-clothed guard explained, and her gaze pierced me uncomfortably. This young lady was Princess Xia Zhiqian, who had requested Yuan Qing’s portrait from the Thirteenth Young Master, and the man beside her was my husband, An Jin.
An Jin suddenly let out a light laugh, walking to Xia Zhiqian’s side and saying, “Princess is kindhearted. Why bother arguing with a dog? Today I damaged the princess’s horse, and I will find another fine steed to present to you another day.” His voice was gentle, with a magnetic quality that was hard to resist.
Xia Zhiqian indeed fell for this approach, shyly smiling at him.
An Jin’s lips curved slightly. “This humble official never goes back on his word.”
Xia Zhiqian laughed triumphantly but then turned to me with a face full of frost. “Although the dog can be spared, she cannot be forgiven for driving the dog to attack,” she raised her hand. “Slap her, twenty times.”
Just as the red-clothed guard was about to step forward, An Jin quickly stood in front of me. “My unworthy wife has offended the princess and should be punished. I am willing to take the slaps in her place.”
I stared at An Jin’s profile, my mind blank.
The palace lantern hanging on the carriage cast a dim yellow light, making Xia Zhiqian’s expression look unpredictable. “An Lang, are you sure you want to protect her?”
“Yes,” An Jin said calmly.
Xia Zhiqian completely shed her previous willful demeanor, staring at me expressionlessly for a long time. I felt a chill rising from my feet, and Yuan Qiu shivered along with me.
An Jin put his arm around my shoulder, standing very close. Yuan Qiu’s big head was sandwiched between us, looking left and right, seemingly understanding the situation and rubbing against An Jin’s leg.
“Please spare my wife for my sake,” An Jin spoke again, his voice still magnetic but with a hint of coldness.
Xia Zhiqian lowered her eyes, seemingly contemplating. Moments later, she slowly bloomed a smile like a spring flower. “Fine.”
There was still an inexplicable chill, like a poisonous snake climbing up my leg. However, An Jin’s hand on my shoulder was like an iron armor protecting me.
