"You have almost lost your life. You could have told me first. Brother Sheng would have gone after them," Lei Wanxi asserted.
"There was no time left. Also, I almost lost track of Prince Yongzheng, so if I had informed the Crown Prince about this then General Wang would have lost his life. How is he? Prince Yongzheng had shot an arrow at him," Zhu Lin explained to Lei Wanxi and then asked about Wang Hao.
"General Wang is in his residence. He is resting. Luckily, you were present, so nothing major happened to him. But, I was scared to death after I found out that you were gravely injured. Brother Yongzheng stabbed your navel region more," Lei Wanxi stated with a worried expression.
"Yes. He wanted me to die. Because it was dark, I could not see that he still had an arrow in his hand. I started to run and wanted to come out of the forest. However, I fainted," Zhu Lin told Lei Wanxi.
"General Wang heard your voice, so he followed it. He brought you out of the forest. Brother Yongzheng committed treason and he was beheaded earlier," Lei Wanxi said and sighed.
"He is beheaded!" Zhu Lin was stunned to hear that.
"Yes. You know that if someone plots against the Emperor, then the person is beheaded– it does not matter if the person is the Emperor's son. Also, he did such a deadly attack on General Lee and you, so he could not be saved," Lei Wanxi asserted.
Zhu Lin hummed and asked for water. Lei Wanxi quickly picked the water glass. He brought his hand under her head and slightly moved her up but was careful throughout. Bringing the water glass near her mouth, he told her to drink. Zhu Lin drank the water.
The maidservant took the water from Lei Wanxi, who made Zhu Lin lay down. He wiped her lips and leaned back. "Do you want to sleep for sometime?" He asked.
"I do not think I will be able to sleep. Is the Crown Princess good?" Zhu Lin asked.
"Yes. Sister Lili is well. She made a good potion for you. Also, last night he was taking care of you," Lei Wanxi replied.
"Zhu Lin, forgive me. You were right. My Brother Sheng will not always be around me to protect me. I should have trained myself. When I saw you injured, I realized that I lived as a coward. You did not care about your life and went behind Brother Yongzheng. For me, Sister Lili is the first bravest woman in my life and I had never thought there would be any brave woman like her. I am happy that I fell in love with a brave woman like you. I will always protect you, Zhu Lin. I will train myself," Lei Wanxi affirmed.
Zhu Lin smiled. "I can also protect my man, can't I?" Zhu Lin asked with glistening eyes.
"You have already protected me. You will always protect me. But I should also become a strong man. Then, I do not need to ask Brother Sheng for help," Lei Wanxi stated.
"I will defeat you in the sword fight. You might end up crying," Zhu Lin remarked.
Lei Wanxi recalled the words of the Royal Physician that Zhu Lin could never carry a sword, let alone practice with it. The heavy things might cause internal bleeding, which could be fatal to her.
"What happened? What is the Prince thinking about?" Zhu Lin queried.
"Nothing," Lei Wanxi did not tell Zhu Lin. Not at this time because she might get stressed. He wanted her to recover first.
"Did you cry?" Zhu Lin, out of a sudden, asked him.
"What?" He chuckled. "Why would I cry? I never cry. Ask everyone if you do not believe me," Lei Wanxi lied to her and gestured to the maidservant to support him.
"Prince Wanxi did not cry, Princess Zhu Lin," the maidservant replied.
Zhu Lin hummed. "It's good then. You do not like to see a person covered in blood, so I thought you might cry seeing me. I know the Prince carries a soft, gentle heart," Zhu Lin deduced.
"Ahh, I did not cry. I am a strong person," Lei Wanxi lied to her. "Your father will arrive soon. The Imperial Father has sent him the message," Lei Wanxi informed her.
"Oh. Father will be worried to know about this," Zhu Lin muttered.
"Will your Father let you marry me?" Lei Wanxi's question confused Zhu Lin. "I mean, you got injured and–"
"My Father will never object to my decision. Do not worry," Zhu Lin answered. Lei Wanxi was glad to hear that. It felt to him someone had carried up a heavy burden from his heart.
"Bring the vegetable soup for the Princess," ordered Lei Wanxi. The maidservant bowed and walked out of the chamber.
"Help me," Zhu Lin forwarded her hand. Lei Wanxi grasped it gently and made her sit on the bed. Another maidservant put the pillows behind her to make her feel comfortable.
"Go help your fellow. The kitchen is far," Lei Wanxi told the maidservant.
Once she left, Lei Wanxi said to Zhu Lin, "Zhu Lin, you do not need to act brave all the time. Think about me before taking any such step. Brother Nianzu was juggling between his feelings and his father's promise I ended up annoying him. He told me that I do not understand the meaning of love. For me, love was just having happiness with that person, nothing more. However, when I fell in love, I understood the true meaning behind it. It is about protecting your dear one. He left the palace because Sister Chuntao might have become the target of evil plans. He sacrificed his comfortable life to be with his love, to protect her from all these things.
I request you not to do that ever again," Lei Wanxi stated.
"Come closer to me," Zhu Lin requested.
"Why?"
"There is something on your cheek," Zhu Lin replied.
"Oh!" Lei Wanxi leaned closer to her when Zhu Lin kissed his cheek, astonishing him. He was startled for a few seconds.
"Protect me, then. I told you that for the Emperor and the people, I am always ready to fight the enemies," Zhu Lin pronounced. "Train yourself and become stronger for me," Zhu Lin told him. Lei Wanxi nodded his head.
"I will, Zhu Lin.. I promise you," Lei Wanxi pronounced.
