Liang Shulin entered the room, his eyes swept around sharply, and then he bowed to the woman sitting on the chaise longue, "I am Liang Shulin, your humble servant, and I pay my respects to the princess."
Zi'an put down the book in his hand and glanced at him casually, "Master Liang?"
She stood up and walked to the chair and sat down. "What's the matter so late?"
Liang Shulin said respectfully, "In reply to the princess, an assassin came to Xiwei Palace tonight. I chased the assassin all the way, but found that the assassin disappeared near the palace. I am worried that the assassin will harm the princess, so I came to check."
Zi'an sighed in his heart, this excuse is really cliché, it's always played out like this in TV dramas.
According to Lingli, they didn't track Lingli at all, they just suspected the palace.
She frowned as required by the plot, "An assassin has entered Xiwei Palace? Is the emperor injured?"
Liang Shulin said: "Don't worry, Princess. The assassin was discovered before he even got close to the emperor."
Zi'an breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good."
After a pause, she touched her chest again, "My mother and brother...are they okay?"
Liang Shulin's eyes were already looking around, but when he heard Zi'an's sudden question, he turned his gaze back and said, "The county lady and Master Xia Lin are fine too."
Zi'an looked relieved and said, "In that case, you can take people to look around. There is an assassin in the palace. This can be a big deal or a small one. You must be cautious and meticulous in your work."
"Yes, thank you for your consideration, Princess!" He walked to the door and said, "The Princess orders you to check around. Make sure to check carefully. If you find anything suspicious, report to me immediately."
When the imperial guards received the order, they immediately spread out and searched in all directions.
"You're not going?" Zi'an looked at Liang Shulin.
Liang Shulin smiled and said, "I wonder if I can take a look in this room?"
Zi'an's face darkened. "Lord Liang, isn't this request a bit excessive? I have been here the whole time. When you said you wanted to search this place, it didn't mean you were trying to eliminate the threat to the palace. Instead, it seemed like you suspected me of harboring an assassin."
Lingli also said sternly: "Master Liang, you are so bold that you even dare to search the princess's room?"
Liang Shulin looked embarrassed. "Please calm down, Princess. I am just trying to do my job. The assassin is very skilled in martial arts. Although Princess has been in the house, there are always times when I missed him. If the assassin hides in Princess's house and something happens, I really can't take the responsibility."
Zi'an sneered, "So, sir, you must search?"
"I dare not, I dare not," Liang Shulin lowered his head, "I am only following orders, please forgive me, Princess."
Nanny Yang said angrily, "There is a limit to following orders. You want to search the princess's room, which clearly shows that you suspect the princess is harboring an assassin. The palace cannot tolerate such an insult."
"Madam, you are overthinking. I didn't mean that." Liang Shulin said calmly, "If the princess doesn't allow me to search, then I will report the truth to the emperor."
"Are you threatening the princess?" Lingli asked coldly.
Liang Shulin lowered his head again and said, "I dare not, I dare not!"
"Don't dare? I think you really dare." Lingli snorted.
Zi'an said calmly, "Lingli, go check if my stew is ready. Since Lord Liang wants to search, let him search. He is only here on orders, so there is no need to make things difficult for him."
"Yes!" Lingli took the order and turned to go out.
"Thank you, Princess!" Liang Shulin bowed.
He walked around the room several times, looked behind the screen, behind the cabinet, and in the side room, then walked out.
Zi'an said calmly, "How is it? Did Sir Liang find anything?"
Liang Shulin did not show any embarrassment, but just smiled and said: "Princess, I have seen it all, and you are not threatening."
"Then I really have to thank Lord Liang." Zi'an said expressionlessly.
Liang Shulin smiled and bowed, "I am just following orders, Princess, there is no need to thank me."
How shameless.
Zi'an ignored him and told Nanny Yang to bring the book to her so that she could continue reading.
Liang Shulin looked outside, as if he was muttering, or as if he was asking Zi'an, "Why hasn't that smart girl come back yet? Could it be that she encountered an assassin?"
As he said this, he bowed to Zi'an and strode out.
Zi'an's expression changed, but he couldn't follow him out.
Fortunately, Lingli didn't go far. When she heard the sound, she came back. She passed Liang Shulin at the door and entered the house and said, "Princess, I'm afraid it will take another quarter of an hour to stew."
Zi'an hummed, "Okay, then wait a little longer."
Liang Shulin walked back again, and this time he looked at Lingli, "Miss Lingli, are you injured?"
"What do you mean?" Lingli asked sharply, but she was startled in her heart.
"I smell blood on the girl." Liang Shulin approached, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"Really?" Lingli sneered, "Lord Liang is really amazing. He can even smell when a woman has her period. What a skill."
Liang Shulin remained calm and said, "Judging from the figure of the assassin tonight, it is a woman. I heard that Miss Lingli once followed the Night King and is also from Suyue Tower. I think she is very skilled in martial arts."
Zi'an's face looked very ugly. "Master Liang, what do you want to say?"
Liang Shulin looked back and saw that the imperial guards who were searching had not returned yet. He suddenly lowered his body and quickly used Eagle Claw to grab Lingli's arm.
Lingli blocked it with her palm and quickly moved back. Liang Shulin approached her and still tried to grab her arm.
He moved very quickly. Lingli didn't expect that he was so good at martial arts. Her arm was injured. Although Zi'an had relieved the pain, her speed was definitely not as fast as Liang Shulin's. He grabbed her and actually caught her.
Zi'an's eyes turned cold, and he put his hand on his right arm. He was about to take out the scar rope, but he saw Liang Shulin let go of Lingli and said quickly in a low voice: "I'm sorry, I just want to know if it's the princess's man. Princess, don't worry, Master Xia Lin is fine for the time being."
Zi'an was stunned for a moment, pondering the meaning of his words. She certainly couldn't admit it. Who knew if it was a test? If she asked further, she would be exposed.
Outside, the footsteps of the imperial guards were heard. Liang Shulin walked out and asked, "Did you find anything?"
"Your Excellency, there is no discovery." said the imperial guard.
Liang Shulin seemed very disappointed. "Have you found out everything?"
"Sir, we have checked everywhere, leaving no corner untouched."
Liang Shulin was silent for a moment, then turned back into the house and said to the slightly stunned Zi'an: "Princess, I'm sorry, I'll take my leave!"
Having said that, he strode away.
The imperial guards holding torches walked very quickly, just as they had come.
Nanny Yang was so frightened that her heart was in her throat, how could she not see the clues
Seeing that the person had left, she quickly asked someone to close the front door, then closed the door of the house, and asked Lingli, "Is the injury serious?"
Lingli breathed a sigh of relief, "Don't worry, Mammy, I'm fine, he was very gentle."
Zi'an asked suspiciously, "What does Liang Shulin mean?"
Lingli said, "My arm is wrapped in gauze. He must know that I am an assassin, but he didn't make it public. He even told us that Master Xia Lin is fine for the time being. Is he an enemy or a friend?"
Zi'an also found it very strange that Liang Shulin's position was always wavering. He had sided with the Crown Prince, with the Imperial Concubine Dowager, and even had dealings with Prince Nan Huai later on. And now, he was still the commander of the imperial guards of Xiwei Palace.
Can this person be trusted
(End of this chapter)