Chapter 41: The Wall-Climbing Hero

Li Ning’an contemplated the possibility of fighting her way out.

If she could take one by surprise and confront another head-on, that would leave four more.

In that case, surrender would be inevitable.

If she revealed her identity, there was no guarantee that there weren’t people aligned with Consort Tong among them.

That would only add to her troubles.

Just as she was about to pull her mother down and take the throne for herself, she heard someone approaching.

“She’s from the Kitchen Bureau. His Majesty ordered a soup for tomorrow morning but is missing some ingredients. I sent her to procure them.”

“Do you dare to delay such an important matter?”

Qian Shangshi appeared just in time and noticed Princess Ning’an.

Only she, despite looking down, stood tall with unwavering posture.

With Qian Shangshi’s help, Li Ning’an quickly made her way to Grand Tutor Wen’s residence.

The streets were still lively, with some stalls having customers eating, yet no one paid special attention to a palace maid.

It was common for palace maids to run errands for their masters or to procure items from places like the Kitchen Bureau.

They were used to seeing such things.

At Grand Tutor Wen’s residence, in the courtyard where Wen Di was, a person was crouched by the north wall.

“I’m risking my life for Li Ning’an.”

He carefully stood up, trying not to be noticed, crouching his body and furrowing his brow.

This person was Wen Di, planning to climb the wall and find out about Li Ning’an.

Since being confined to studying at home by his father, he had been shadowed by four guards at all times.

One of them even documented all his words and actions.

Even if he was daydreaming while reading, the guard would note it down without hesitation.

After dinner, Wen Di was finally free from the torturous studying.

Only then could the guards leave him alone.

Wen Di thought about sneaking out now.

But he had forgotten just how large their residence was; the wall was far too high to climb over easily.

Despair washed over him as he stood on the wall, while his attendant looked on from below.

“Young Master, why aren’t you climbing over?”

He had taken a great risk just to help the young master up.

The attendant rubbed his waist, which had been stepped on by the young master.

Wen Di was the most cherished son of Madame Wen, residing in the best part of the house.

He tried to straighten up and saw several courtyards before the wall leading out of the residence.

It felt like a daunting journey just to leave.

He hadn’t thought it was so difficult before.

If he had known, he wouldn’t have shied away from martial training out of fear of hardship.

But it was too late for Wen Di to regret.

He had already been spotted by the guards.

Initially, the guards thought a thief had silently entered the young master’s courtyard and almost prepared to take action against him.

Only to realize it was the young master himself.

“Young Master, why are you up there?”

The guards signaled to surround the base of the wall, while others were stationed at the other end.

They had no idea what this young master was planning.

Wen Di thought, why not just let the guards carry him out? He could fly over easily without all this trouble.

“I want you to escort me out of the residence.”

The guards exchanged glances, and the one who had first noticed him said,
“The Grand Tutor said to keep you at home to reflect on your actions and not to leave.”

The guards looked troubled. The young master had always taken advantage of his mother’s favor, disregarding them.

Even the task of monitoring the young master had been determined by a draw among the brothers.

It was only because the young master didn’t want to seriously offend the Grand Tutor that he hadn’t acted against them.

As they thought this, Wen Di put his hands on his hips and said, “Stop wasting time. I’ve been studying for days; I want to go out and relax. What’s wrong with that?”

“And besides, I’m going to save Princess Ning’an. Such heroic actions should earn my father’s forgiveness.”

Wen Di was determined: if they wouldn’t take him out, then he wouldn’t come down.

Although it was a bit chilly up there, he was dressed warmly.

“Achoo.”

Just as Wen Di finished speaking, a gust of wind blew, causing him to almost lose his balance.

The guard next to him exchanged glances with another, signaling him to go report to the Grand Tutor.

It wasn’t sleep time, and no one else had visited today, so it shouldn’t disturb the Grand Tutor.

Wen Di saw through their intentions. “Whoever dares to go will make me fall, and then you’ll be punished by my mother for not keeping watch.”

“How old are you? Still relying on your mother for everything?”

Li Ning’an, led by the steward, arrived at Wen Di’s courtyard and saw someone standing on the wall from a distance, just in time to hear his words.

Wen Di recognized the voice but, seeing her attire, dismissed her as just a palace maid.

“What qualifications do you have, as a maid, to speak to me like that?”

Li Ning’an didn’t want to reveal her identity in front of everyone. If it weren’t for the steward recognizing her, she would still be figuring out how to get in.

She awkwardly performed a curtsey and said, “Looking at the Grand Tutor’s residence, it seems there are no rules here.”

“The young master can only resort to such threats,” Wen Di retorted, ordering to be put down and walking up to the maid. “Lift your head; let me see which palace you come from to be so arrogant.”

Li Ning’an quickly raised her head, glanced at him, then lowered it again.

Wen Di hadn’t expected it to be so easy.

How did she manage to come out?

He still hadn’t had his chance to be a hero and save the damsel in distress.

Putting that aside, since she was able to sneak out this way, it must remain a secret.

Though Wen Di wasn’t fond of studying, he wasn’t a fool.

“Hmph, follow me. I’ll teach you a lesson myself.”

Wen Di wasn’t married yet, and even if he frequented brothels, it was just innocent fun with the girls.

As for taking a concubine, that was out of the question.

He hadn’t even married a proper wife; if he took a concubine first, he would be the subject of ridicule and lose face.

There was no precedence for a concubine entering before the legitimate wife.

The Grand Tutor certainly wouldn’t allow such disgrace.

Despite his mischievous nature, Wen Di knew his limits.

He could stir up trouble, prompting his father to intervene, but he couldn’t disregard the Grand Tutor’s reputation.

This would be the first time a young master brought a maid to reprimand.

The guards in the courtyard might misinterpret the situation.

Though they couldn’t see her clearly, her slender figure suggested she wasn’t unattractive.

The steward, aware of the situation, instructed the guards to get back to their duties and shot a glare at Wen Di’s attendant.

He didn’t know how to advise the young master, just followed along with the chaos.

If one day the madam couldn’t protect him, he’d better watch his backside.

The attendant instinctively covered his rear, forced a smile at the steward, and went inside to serve.

Li Ning’an followed Wen Di into the room, where they sat in the main hall. Wen Di was the first to speak:

“How did you get out? What’s going on? You’re really bold to take action against court officials.”

Hearing this, Wen Di felt both worried and impressed by Li Ning’an.

He wouldn’t even dare lay a hand on the Grand Tutor.

Li Ning’an rolled her eyes. “I can’t delay too long. I need you to do something for me.”

At first, she intended to go to another courtyard, but those people had limited training and likely wouldn’t be useful.

If Yan Ziqi were here, she wouldn’t have to seek out Wen Di.

After listening to her, Wen Di fell unusually silent for a moment.

Then he exploded, “You want me to go to Xitong County to probe the Jing Wang!!!”

The Jing Wang, who might rebel in the future and had troops at his disposal.

Wen Di shook his head. “I can at most inform my father, but I can’t help you.”

He was terrified; he didn’t want to.

Li Ning’an thought it would be better to find someone who could ease the Grand Tutor’s concerns rather than involving him directly.

Someone like Wen Di.

If success didn’t come, then fame wouldn’t follow.

When Yan Ziqi wasn’t a wastrel, the title of the best had belonged to Wen Di.