Chapter Sixteen: Masterful Skills in Scaling Walls

Qin Wanru stood firmly on the swing frame, reaching out to tug at the ropes on either side. They were secure and strong. Her grandmother must have anticipated she would sneak over to play and had someone tighten them specially. Since there was no issue here, Qin Wanru turned and sat down. Yet, as soon as she settled herself, she hesitated.

She reached out to touch her arm, where her injury still lingered. She wasn’t sure if she’d make a mistake because of it.

She looked up at the high courtyard wall. The swing’s arc was enough to reach the height of the wall. No matter what, she had to try.

Clutching the ropes, she pushed off hard with her feet. The swing began to move, then came back, bumping against the tree behind her. Sensing the right moment, Qin Wanru kicked backwards, planting her foot firmly against the tree trunk, and the swing soared out again.

Back and forth, again and again, her foot always striking at almost the exact spot. The arc of the swing grew higher each time, bringing her ever closer to the courtyard wall. Qin Wanru’s gaze was fixed intently on the wall ahead. At just the right moment, she let go of the ropes and launched herself forward, landing squarely atop the high wall.

“Miss, Miss, are you all right?” Outside the wall, Qingyue was already waiting. Seeing her silhouette appear, she called out softly.

All right? How could she possibly be all right!

A sharp pain shot through her injured arm; Qin Wanru knew the wound must have torn open again. The pain was so intense tears welled in her eyes, and her hands nearly gave out, nearly causing her to fall from the high wall.

Gritting her teeth, she held on, steadying herself. She loosened her grip slightly, riding out the wave of pain that surged like a tide over her. Her rosy lips turned instantly pale, her body shivering twice, but she forced herself not to make a sound.

After a moment, when the pain had somewhat subsided, Qin Wanru turned her head to look at her arm. Sure enough, fresh blood was seeping through the thin fabric of her coat.

She knew she wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer. Turning her body, she edged her feet carefully to the left, where a tree grew close beside the wall.

Clinging to the tree’s trunk, she slid down to the ground outside the courtyard. The moment she landed, her legs gave way beneath her.

Qingyue moved quickly to half-catch her, exclaiming anxiously, “Miss, are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Let’s go!” Qin Wanru steadied herself, beads of sweat as large as peas rolling down her pale, bloodless face. The pain made her already childish features look pitifully fragile, and though she was clearly just a child, there was a steely resolve in her eyes.

Qingyue felt that her young mistress had changed since waking the day before. In the past, both her temperament and demeanor had been soft and innocent; now, while she still looked childlike, her nature had grown far more resolute—as if the core of her being had changed completely. Though Qingyue knew that was impossible.

But there was no doubt the young lady was different.

And Qingyue was glad for it—at least her young mistress would no longer be deceived by Madam or the eldest miss.

The carriage had been brought by Qingyue. It was one of the most ordinary in the household. With Qingyue’s support, Qin Wanru climbed aboard, and the carriage set off slowly toward Tranquil Heart Nunnery outside the city.

“Master, the wind here is strong. We should head back.” Xiao Xuanzi glanced at his master’s ever-pale complexion.

Chu Liuchen ignored him and instead walked over to the swing, eyeing it with interest. Earlier, he had stood by the moon gate, watching Qin Wanru vault the wall.

He had never seen a noble young lady so adept at climbing walls! Weren’t they supposed to be delicate and gentle, unused to such exertions?

The ropes were still quite secure. Chu Liuchen gave them a tug, then sat on the swing himself. Curious, he turned to Xiao Xuanzi and said, “Push.”

“Master, your health isn’t good…” Xiao Xuanzi broke out in a cold sweat. Was such vigorous activity really suitable for his master?

“Push,” Chu Liuchen repeated, narrowing his eyes at the courtyard wall, his handsome face expressionless.

“Yes, sir!” Seeing his master’s impassive look, Xiao Xuanzi shivered inside. The young master was most inscrutable in moments like this. Not daring to say more, he reached out and gave the swing a push, setting it in motion.

With the same movement, at the same spot, Chu Liuchen kicked out, just as Miss Qin had before. The next moment, Xiao Xuanzi felt as though he were watching a repeat performance—only, if it weren’t his own master, he might have found it amusing. But since it was the prince himself, terror drained the color from his face, leaving him as pale as Chu Liuchen.

“Master, be careful.”
“Master, let your servant push you.”
“Master… ah…”