69 Dragon Pavilion II
Gu Lan was anxiously waiting for Zheng Liang outside his chamber and was pacing back and forth in nervousness.
He was not only nervous because he went against Zheng Liang’s command and failed to protect Lady Yang Ning which made Zheng Liang angry at him. But also because Zheng Liang brought Yang Ning to his chamber rather than taking her to the Imperial Medicine Clinic.
If not there, he could have taken her to any of the Guest Chambers in the royal palace. There was no need for him to bring her to the dragon pavilion, to his chamber, and cause chaos in the palace.
Now everyone will soon find out about what happened at the site and how Zheng Liang and Yang Ning went to the brothel.
He can explain his actions by telling the truth that he went there to catch the corrupt officials in disguise, however, what can he say to explain what Yang Ning was doing there?
After all, a brothel isn’t a place for a woman to go, that too a woman who belongs to an aristocratic family. On top of that, she is not just an aristocratic lady but is soon going to become the Crown Princess and was expected to follow all the manners and royal protocols.
Zheng Liang and Yang Ning are engaged to each other but haven’t gotten married yet. It is inappropriate for him to bring Yang Ning to his Chamber because it will act as fuel to already existing countless rumors against Yang Ning.
In return, this will only harm his reputation and high prestige among the people.
Just as he was stressing about how to control this matter and not let it go to the ears of His Majesty, the door of the chamber was pushed open from the inside with a loud thud, startling him.
.....
“Your Highness!” Gu Lan reacted immediately and greeted him politely. However, Zheng Liang didn’t respond to his greeting like usual and looked at the maid who was standing outside the chamber and asked, ” Stay by her side. Inform me whenever she wakes up.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After instructing the maid to look after Yang Ning, Zheng Liang started to walk ahead of him, ignoring the existence of Gu Lan.
Gu Lan pursed his lips and followed him without uttering another word. However, the silence of Zheng Liang was killing him.
He is fine with getting flogged 200 times in punishment but getting ignored by His Highness was one cruel moment for him.
___
Zheng Liang didn’t say anything to Gu Lan and went to the study room, where the latter followed him quietly.
He didn’t spare Gu Lan a glance and started to look through the stack of books that were neatly organized on the shelves.
“Your Highness, there is something I want to talk to you about.” Gu Lan finally gathered his courage and started to speak to break the uncomfortable silence between them.
Gu Lan pursed his lips to see him ignoring him and finding the old books more interesting than listening to him.
“Your Highness, I know I have committed a grave mistake by not following your command to follow Lady Yang Ning to the Yang Household. However, at that time, as your personal guard, it was my utmost duty to protect you from danger. How can I leave you alone when I was aware that you went to catch the bear?” He tried to explain his side to him.
Zheng Liang scoffed at his words and closed the book in his hand with a loud thud and looked up at him with coldness in his gaze, ” Hah! Protect me? Gu Lan, did you forget who I am? Do you think I am incapable of protecting myself?”
“That’s not what I mean, Your Highness. I was just....”
“THEN WHAT DO YOU MEAN?”Zheng Liang growled at him and threw the book on the ground which hit Gu Lan’s calf with force before falling in parts on the floor, causing Gu Lan to lower his head without flinching as he listened to his cold and hurtful words.
It was his first time seeing Zheng Liang getting angry at him. However, more than feeling upset, he was glad that he was at least getting angry at him. It’s at least better than giving him the silent treatment and ignoring him.
___
” I asked you to escort lady Yang Ning and her maid safely to the Yang Household because her safety was my responsibility.” Zheng Liang continued.
“I was the one who took her to that place, so it was my duty to make sure about her safety. Since I was busy fulfilling my duty as the Crown Prince and capturing the wild bear, I gave you an important task to protect her.”
” However, you left your duties in the middle, just to protect me? PROTECT ME?” He was in disbelief that he did all of this just to protect him.
” You left two ladies alone because you thought protecting me would be the best option. Hah! You wanted to protect me, who has fought many battles at the frontiers and had the best guards in the Empire standing by my side?”
” Gu Lan, you were my right hand. I thought I can trust you with anything and you will never disappoint me. But today you did. I am so disappointed in you right now.” Zheng Liang shook his head in disappointment and couldn’t believe that Gu Lan made this kind of silly mistake.
” Do you know if Lady Yang Ning had not shot the bear dead, an innocent life would have been sacrificed because of your ignorance!” Zheng Liang emphasized to make him realize the seriousness of this matter.
He could see that Gu Lan has a prejudice against Yang Ning, just like he used to have because of the rumors around her. However, Gu Lan’s prejudice is so strong that whatever she does seems like a scheme to him.
He didn’t accompany her to the Yang Household not just because he was worried about him but also because he felt that it would be futile for him to accompany her to the Yang Household, whereas he could go back and help his peers to capture the bear.
He didn’t value the safety of Yang Ning, because he considered it an insignificant task and wanted to do something more meaningful than this, that’s why he went back and left them alone.
Gu Lan pursed his lips and didn’t tell him that it was Yang Ning, who insisted that he go back and protect His Highness. Because no excuses could justify his negligence in fulfilling his duty.
“Your Highness, I committed a grave sin by not abiding by your commands. I will accept any punishment to atone for my mistakes.” Gu Lan went to his knees and lowered his head, to show his sincerity to him.
Zheng Liang pursed his lips to see him on his knees but he still couldn’t forgive him for what he did. It should have been his utmost priority to protect Yang Ning but he did the opposite.
He could see the sincerity in his eyes and he seemed to have something else to say. However, he does not want to listen to any of him anymore. He took a deep breath to calm himself and said, ” Of course, You will be punished. However, not now.”
” I have to go back to my chamber to check on Lady Yang Ning. I will deal with you later.” Zheng Liang said and walked out of the study room.
Gu Lan hurriedly followed him outside. Although he wanted to apologize to him, that was not the only case.
” Your Highness, you shouldn’t go back there. Since Lady Yang Ning is resting in your room, it will be inappropriate for you to go there like this.”
“The rumors have already spread across the palace. All the servants are talking about how you carried Lady Yang Ning in his arms and brought her to your chamber.”
“Your Highness, I suggest that you should not-” Gu Lan simply wanted to protect him from any kind of vicious rumors and suggested that he should not go back to his chamber when the maid, who was in charge of Yang Ning, came running towards them.
“Your Highness, someone has come to meet you and Lady Yang Ning. They’re waiting for you outside the chamber and are also insisting on meeting Lady Yang Ning. I told them that they cannot meet her but they aren’t listening to my words.” The maid panted heavily as she delivered the message to him.
A frown appeared on Zheng Liang’s face when he heard this. Who has come to meet Yang Ning that the maid has to come all the way to inform him about it?
“Who is it? Did that person tell his name?” Gu Lan asked coldly as he stood behind Zheng Liang.
“He didn’t say his name but he is claiming that he is the Father of Lady Yang Ning. I informed him that she is resting at the moment but he keeps insisting on going inside and saying that she needs to go back with him since she cannot stay here for longer.”
Zheng Liang’s face darkened when he heard this. “Minister Yang?”
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