Chapter 1008: 477 Chapter Three Chapter 1008: 477 Chapter Three Gu Jiao took the first aid kit out of the small basket on her back and used disinfectant to clean her wound.

Princess Xinyang’s complexion was very poor, and Gu Jiao initially thought it was due to the pain, but as she disinfected the wound, her complexion actually improved slightly.

So, it was not fear of pain.

“Is there something else that makes you feel uncomfortable, Princess?” Gu Jiao asked.

The complexion she had seen upon entering looked as if she was about to suffocate.

Princess Xinyang, being exceptionally intelligent, knew why Gu Jiao would ask such a question. She lowered her lashes, which trembled slightly, and shook her head, “No, I’m much better now.”

Gu Jiao’s hand paused as she wrapped the gauze bandage, “Good, don’t let the wound get wet.”

After treating Princess Xinyang’s injury, Gu Jiao carried her down from the attic.

Back in the room, Yujin fetched clean clothes for Princess Xinyang to change into.

Marquis Xuanping didn’t leave; after hesitating, he went to Princess Xinyang’s chamber.

Gu Jiao had left, and Yujin went to see her out.

Inside the chamber, Princess Xinyang sat on the soft bed, leaning against the cushioned headrest, idly flipping through a book.

Her expression had recovered, showing no signs of the earlier distress.

“Do you need something?” Princess Xinyang glanced at him and spoke indifferently.

Great, she’s back to the usual Xinyang.

Marquis Xuanping pulled over a chair and sat down beside her bed, staring at her intently, “Qin Fengwan, what’s the matter with you?”

Princess Xinyang didn’t look at him, her gaze fixed on the Book of Poems she was perusing, “What’s the matter?”

Marquis Xuanping stared fixedly at her face, not missing any slight expression, “In the attic, you were not all right.”

Princess Xinyang said dismissively, “I was in pain.”

“Was that pain?” Marquis Xuanping frowned impatiently, pointing at himself, “Or do you think that after fighting wars for half my life, I can’t tell the difference between pain and fear? You’re afraid of me, Qin Fengwan.”

Princess Xinyang pursed her lips.

Marquis Xuanping looked puzzled, “I haven’t done anything to warrant your wariness, have I? It’s not like you’re usually afraid of me, and you’re not afraid now, so why are you so scared in the attic?”

As if to confirm his guess that she wasn’t afraid of him at that moment, he leaned in closer to her.

Princess Xinyang remained silent.

Marquis Xuanping’s gaze dropped from her face to her hands, which were clutching the book, the knuckles turning white.

Marquis Xuanping moved back to his chair, putting some distance between them.

He reflected that he had never done anything to cause her guard to go up. In their interactions, it was she who was always ready to strike, she who set the boundaries, and she who initiated contact.

Yet she was afraid of even him, and only in the attic.

Marquis Xuanping narrowed his eyes, asking seriously, “Has someone bullied you, Qin Fengwan?”

“I’m tired,” Princess Xinyang closed the Book of Poems in her hands, tactfully issuing a dismissal.

Marquis Xuanping wanted to ask another question when the voice of Steward Liu came from the courtyard, “My lord! My lord! The Emperor summons you!”

Marquis Xuanping sensed Princess Xinyang relax slightly upon hearing these words.

He looked at her deeply while she raised her chin, defiantly holding herself together like a proud peacock, but her trembling eyelashes and pale lips betrayed her.

Marquis Xuanping’s gaze darkened, he stood up, looking at her, his movements steady as he put the chair back in its place.

“Qin Fengwan.”

He called her name once, and when she did not respond, he retracted his gaze with a complex expression and turned to leave.