Chapter Thirty-Seven: Daring to Defecate on the Wall of Prince Jing's Residence

“Hey, hey, young master, over here—look up, I’m on the wall.” Su Jingluo, worried she might frighten her potential savior as she had yesterday, spoke in a voice so gentle and syrupy that it was all the more unsettling in the pale light of dawn.

“Heavens, you startled me! Who are you? Are you a thief? And why are you squatting on top of the wall like that?” The handsome young man below was clearly no ordinary passerby. Faced with a beautiful woman perched on the wall, his rapid-fire questions were each more vexing than the last.

“You—fine, fine. I’ll tell you, I’m not a thief, and I’m not... relieving myself. I just can’t get down—could you please help me? I’m begging you, beautiful young master.” If Su Jingluo didn’t need his help so desperately, she’d have slapped him with her shoe.

“Well, even if you’re not a thief and you’re not doing your business on the Prince Jing’s wall, you still shouldn’t be up there at this hour in that position. Who exactly are you?” So the handsome youth not only failed to bring good fortune, he was also infuriating.

“To be honest, I’m a maid to the Prince Jing’s concubine. My mother is gravely ill and her days are numbered. I begged to be allowed to see her one last time, but the concubine is cruel and heartless. She keeps saying I serve too well to be spared, and refuses to let me go. I had no choice but to resort to this. But the wall is too high, I... oh, woe is me...” Su Jingluo not only played the pitiful, filial daughter denied a final meeting with her dying mother, but also managed to throw Lin Feifei under the carriage in the process.

“Really? That’s terrible. Is it that Lin Feifei? Is she truly so domineering? Why not make an appeal to your Prince?” This handsome youth was insufferable—not only did he fail to help, but he began offering suggestions, even leaning against the wall to chat as if he had nothing better to do. If she handed him some sunflower seeds, would he talk with her until dusk? Su Jingluo was losing patience; she wanted him gone so she could figure out her escape, but she couldn’t let her true intentions show.

“The Prince dotes on the concubine. It’s useless to say anything. Besides, she rules the household. If I’m not careful, I’ll earn myself a beating.” Su Jingluo could only paint her plight in even bleaker colors, hoping the youth would either take pity and help her down from the wall, or at least move on so she could try her luck with the next passerby. Her legs were going numb.

“I suppose you’re right. Word is the Princess of the household is nothing but a useless drunk—couldn’t squeeze a word out of her if you tried. So naturally, Lin runs everything. But don’t lose hope; as the saying goes, when all roads seem blocked, a new path will appear. Just keep looking forward—one day, things will change...”

What a nuisance! Su Jingluo wanted to claw at the wall. Why, of all people, did she have to run into this one while trying to climb over?

Suddenly, she heard sounds outside the gate. Gritting her teeth, Su Jingluo flashed a quick smile at the pretty youth.

“My apologies, young master, but you’re too long-winded. Whether you help or not, it seems I’ll have to decide for myself. If I get the chance, I’ll repay you; if not, well, let fate take its course.”

“Huh? What do you mean—?”

Before the handsome youth could react, Su Jingluo leapt down toward him. With a thud, she landed squarely atop him. She listened closely—the courtyard door had opened. Hurriedly, she lifted her foot from the young man’s face, not bothering to hear what he might say, and darted off like a wisp of smoke.

She didn’t look back to see if anyone was giving chase; all she cared about was the taste of freedom in the air.