Chapter Thirty-Five: A Noble Lady in Poverty, a Street Vendor with Wealth

“Fine, I can stay, but if you’re uncomfortable with me here, then you should leave.”

Xiao Jingxuan knew he ought to resent her and keep his distance, but though his heart tried, his honest body always wanted to remain by her side—even if it meant the two of them simply staring awkwardly at each other.

“I’ll go,” Xiao Jingxuan said, sighing inwardly at his own lack of resolve, then turned and swept out of the room.

Only then did Su Jingluo clutch her chest, feeling as if her wildly pounding heart might burst out at any moment.

It took some time for her heartbeat to calm, her mind to clear. Once she regained her composure, she secured her money pouch and prepared to venture out. Su Jingluo got up in a hurry and dashed toward the main gate.

But the gate was locked from the outside. Well done, Xiao Jingxuan—was there no basic trust left between people?

No matter, she thought, I can always climb over the wall. There were a few stones stacked by the wall near the gate—though they were a bit unsteady, a little caution should suffice. Without hesitating, Su Jingluo gathered her skirts at her waist, fetched a ladder, and climbed to the top of the wall.

Just then, at the gate, she spotted Zhuo Yue’an, who also noticed her. Their eyes met, and the air grew awkward.

“Madam, what are you doing?” Zhuo Yue’an frowned in mild exasperation; this family, he thought, never ceased to surprise.

“Isn’t it obvious? Climbing the wall,” Su Jingluo replied with shameless composure. If I’m not embarrassed, then it’s you who will be.

“Would you like some help?” Zhuo Yue’an asked, concern evident in his tone.

“Sure, that would be great. These stones aren’t very stable—could you help me figure something out?” Su Jingluo thought perhaps she’d misjudged him—what a fine young man, so kindhearted.

Immediately, Zhuo Yue’an began moving all the stones away from the base of the wall, putting as much distance between them and the wall as possible.

“Hey, hey, what are you doing? If you won’t help, that’s one thing, but this… this…” Su Jingluo was too indignant to finish her sentence. Just a moment ago, she’d thought there was still genuine kindness in the world. It was all a lie.

“Madam, please stop making trouble. The prince forbids you from going out for your own good. You have to play the fool now—it’s exhausting to put on a show for others. Wouldn’t it be better to stay inside and get some rest?” Zhuo Yue’an wore an expression of sincere concern, earnestly trying to persuade her.

“Fine, Zhuo Yue’an, you’re ruthless. Just you wait and see.” Su Jingluo felt thoroughly humiliated, but it wasn’t exactly his fault. All she could do was throw out a few empty threats before climbing back down the way she’d come.

Still not giving up, she began to study the dog hole that Xiao Chengze had squeezed through, and even tried it herself. Although Xiao Chengze was chubby, he was still a child; if he couldn’t fit, there was no way she could get through either.

She propped the ladder against the wall near the dog hole and climbed up. This prince’s residence was built like a fortress—tall walls and solid stone. By her estimation, it was at least three or four meters high. The wall was smooth, with no footholds, slick with moss. A fall from that height would surely mean a broken leg, if not worse.

Su Jingluo sat atop the wall for a long while. Beyond it lay the bustling market—somewhere she’d never been. She had money in her pocket, time on her hands, but no freedom nor a way down. She crouched on the wall, sighing in despair. Occasionally, a street vendor would catch sight of a woman perched mournfully on the wall and, mistaking her for a ghost in broad daylight, would flee in terror before she could even ask for help.

When she’d had no money, she could still pretend to be a proper lady; but now that she had some, all she wanted was to roam the streets freely—alas, the wall was simply too high.

As dusk fell, Yunbai’s voice sounded outside the courtyard gate. Su Jingluo quickly climbed down from the wall, hid the ladder, and resumed her act of feigned madness.

Seeing her like this, little Yunbai’s eyes grew red. Her dear mother, reduced to this by others’ cruelty. From time to time, she began to sob softly.

“Everyone in the palace is awful. I don’t like them,” Yunbai huffed as she peeled an orange she’d brought from the palace and handed it to Su Jingluo.

“I’m not awful. I’m actually quite nice. Won’t you like me?” Xiao Chengze, who now followed Yunbai everywhere she went, looked a bit aggrieved at her words.

“Just don’t pick up their bad habits. Otherwise, I won’t be friends with you anymore,” Yunbai warned, wiping her damp eyes.

“Of course not! Don’t you know what kind of person I am by now?” Xiao Chengze thumped his small chest for emphasis.

“I don’t know. All I know is, you talk too much,” Yunbai replied with a roll of her eyes.