Chapter Sixteen: Hurry Up, Miss!

Page (1/3)

The Martial Emperor’s eyes darkened slightly, but his expression remained unchanged as he slowly followed behind Li Wenxuan. The steward sighed softly, realizing that he had misjudged the young man.

“Young master, please save your humble servant! Young master—”

From behind, the girl’s pitiful cries reached them, each word striking Li Wenxuan’s heart like a hammer. His heart pounded violently as he reluctantly glanced back. The girl was being roughly dragged by vile servants, desperately screaming, tears streaming down her face in utter despair.

The servants sneered hideously, their disgusting laughter unsettling everyone present. When the girl saw Li Wenxuan look back, a flicker of hope like a dying ember brightened her face, and she hoarsely called out, “Young master, save me…”

Unfortunately, someone quickly covered her mouth, silencing her to weak, helpless whimpers before she disappeared from Li Wenxuan’s sight.

“Master, look—” the steward whispered quietly.

The Martial Emperor’s expression was calm as he approached Li Wenxuan, recognizing the inner struggle the young man was enduring. Even if he dared not act, it meant there was still a sense of justice within him. However, to be the sharpest blade in one’s hand, merely daring to think is not enough—one must dare to act.

“Li, why don’t we report this to the authorities?” the Martial Emperor spoke, deliberately breaking the silence.

“Report to the government?” Li Wenxuan glanced at him, “Do you think the officials dare to intervene with the Crown Prince of Prince Jing?”

“And what do you suggest, then?” the Martial Emperor’s eyes lit with hope—he had not been mistaken about this youth after all.

Li Wenxuan slammed his hand on the table. “Waiter, bring the wine!”

Amid the Martial Emperor’s momentary surprise, Li Wenxuan laughed and said, “What I mean is, we drink when it’s time to drink, we eat when it’s time to eat. Matters like this? We can’t get involved!”

“Ah?” The Martial Emperor forced a smile and nodded, a hint of resignation in his voice. “You’re right, such things are truly beyond our reach.”

Yet inside, he felt a deep disappointment. Boy, where is that fearless spirit that defies the powerful? Show it!

“Well then, Mr. Zhao, since you know this place well, order some dishes first. I’ll just step out to the restroom, be right back!” Li Wenxuan left the words hanging, not waiting for a reply, and quickly walked away.

“Master, could it be that this test was too much?” the steward noticed the emperor’s displeasure.

“If he can’t pass, he can’t. There’s nothing more to say.” The Martial Emperor revealed a stubborn streak. “The Eastern Depot allows no room for error…”

“And this Li Wenxuan…” The steward’s tone shifted from intimate “Li, my friend” to the formal “Li Wenxuan.”

Page (2/3)

“The Ministry of Revenue will assign him a minor, inconsequential official post. At least he’s a talent of sorts,” the Martial Emperor said aloud, but inside he was overwhelmed with disappointment.

Had he set his expectations too high? Had he hoped to see him draw his sword with righteous zeal to help the helpless?

“What now? He hasn’t appeared yet. Shall we proceed?” In a room nearby, several Eastern Depot agents in disguise exchanged glances.

Finally, all eyes turned toward the young girl sitting on a chair, sipping tea to soothe her throat. Impatiently, she snorted, finished her tea, and began screaming miserably again.

“Help! Help! Somebody save me! Please save me!”

The “Crown Prince,” dressed in luxurious attire, waved his hand and slipped into character immediately.

“Hahaha, serving me is your good fortune!”

But just as everyone’s mischief was about to begin, a shadow darted through the window. Lightning-fast, a blade struck down four men, then landed hard on the back of the Crown Prince’s head.

The leering prince collapsed, unconscious on the floor.

The girl’s eyes widened, mouth agape, staring at Li Wenxuan who suddenly appeared before her.

Li Wenxuan gave her a sharp look. “Stop dazing off and help me!”

Tears streamed down her face, truly from fright—nothing to do with whether she was rescued or not.

With one arm around her, Li Wenxuan leaped out the window, hooking a protruding railing outside with his other hand, sliding swiftly along the eaves before landing.

They were in a deserted corner of the tavern’s backyard.

Before the girl could even take in her surroundings, she heard the rustling of clothes near her ear. Turning, she saw Li Wenxuan had already prepared a nearly new set of pale blue, lotus-edged floor-length dress for her.

“Put this on quickly. There’s a carriage waiting outside!” he urged, pulling out two hundred taels of silver and pressing them into the stunned girl’s hand.

“Take the money, get on the carriage, and leave the capital. Go anywhere, but never come back!”

The girl was neither foolish nor naive; it was just that everything had happened too fast.

“Benefactor, if I leave, what will you do?” she asked.

“Who has proof it was me?” Li Wenxuan retorted.

The girl knelt, a genuine look in her eyes. “Benefactor, fear not the ten thousand, but the one in ten thousand. The Crown Prince is cruel and vicious. Why don’t we escape together?” Her face flushed with sudden warmth. “From now on, I am willing to serve you like a beast of burden!”

Page (3/3)

Such a beautiful and charming girl, kneeling before a vigorous young man, offering to serve him completely—no one could refuse.

“No,” Li Wenxuan said firmly. “I came here with a friend. If I suddenly disappear, the authorities will investigate and my friend will be implicated. That would be bad.”

He helped her up. “Hurry, if we delay any longer, we’re doomed!”

The girl wiped tears from her face and hurriedly donned the pale blue lotus-edged dress.

Li Wenxuan then tousled her hair, casually wrapped it around her head, and pinned it up.

Her face was too fair, so he wiped some dirt from the ground onto her cheeks.

From afar, she looked like a weary peasant woman, weathered and dust-covered from a hard life.

“Benefactor!” The girl ran a few steps, then suddenly looked back at him. “I haven’t asked your honorable name yet!”

Li Wenxuan smiled. “No need to remember my name. Just pass on this kindness. Now go!”

She didn’t quite understand, but nodded tearfully and turned to run quickly.

Exiting through the side door of the tavern, there was indeed a carriage waiting by the roadside.

She jumped aboard, cracked the whip, and the horses galloped swiftly through the streets.

Where did he get the carriage in such a short time? And that lotus dress—clearly belonging to some female guest at the shop, with a faint scent of another woman’s perfume…

At this moment, a waiter approached the Martial Emperor and steward with wine.

“Reporting to Steward Li: Li Wenxuan has taken action, knocking out everyone inside and rescuing Miss Hongye.”

“Besides that, he gave Miss Hongye two hundred taels of silver, bought a carriage on the street, and lavishly spent one hundred taels on the vehicle!”

“Miss Hongye tried to lure him into a life on the run, but he said he has friends here; if he leaves, his friend will be implicated and suspected.”

“Also, he stole a lotus-edged dress belonging to a female guest who was here to secretly meet her lover…”

The waiter was an agent of the Eastern Depot, familiar only with Steward Li, unaware that the person sitting beside him was the emperor himself.

Steward Li, shocked, turned to look at the Martial Emperor.

The Martial Emperor, however, sipped his tea calmly, a faint smile playing on his lips.