TRT – Chapter 19 Escape (Part One)

He stopped in his tracks, a shiver running down his spine. I felt the tension in his graceful muscles ease beneath my hand, and then he reached out to clasp my wrist and continued walking forward.

“Too many people—be careful not to get separated.”

Hand in hand, we made our way slowly through the surging crowd. No one seemed to notice.

At least, that’s what I thought. Unfortunately, someone did notice.

Someone in the crowd—I had no idea who—suddenly brushed against my hand through the gaps between people, and in that instant slipped a crumpled piece of paper into my palm. Instinctively, I clenched my fist.

By the time we returned to the temple, it was nearly midnight.

What a long day it had been.

Dragged out by that big fox at dawn, forced to learn etiquette with Ji Wen, punished to kneel in the Buddha hall, ran into Luo Cheng, competed in poetry with the King of Luo, fished for anti-transmigration methods from Master Mingjing, discovered a hidden passage in the room, fought in the arena, cried my heart out, got caught after trying to run, received a mysterious note… I thought enough had happened already, but I didn’t realize the biggest event of the day was still yet to come.

Guard Yang escorted me into a new room before withdrawing. Nervously, I fished out the little paper ball and unfolded it:

“Before midnight, shake off Yang. Go to the stables.”

I was never good at recognizing handwriting, and I’d barely seen anyone write anyway, so there was no way I could guess who sent me this note.

Did they want me to ditch my guard out of kindness, or with malicious intent?

Were they trying to help me escape, or planning to abduct me instead?

Heh… even if it was an abduction, so what? Isn’t my current situation already a kind of captivity? Maybe this was a golden chance to get away. How would I know if I didn’t try?

With that thought, I lay back on the bed, racking my brain for ways to shake off our dashing, ever-vigilant Guard Yang. But no matter how I turned it over, I couldn’t think of a trick that could fool this clever, dutiful, and maddeningly elusive shadow of mine. After burning through even more brain cells, I grew frustrated. Who was it? Who the hell was trying to save me? If you’re going to save me, then save me properly! Why dump the hardest part on me?!

The more my irritation rose, the more my stomach started protesting as well. That’s when I suddenly realized: dragged out by the big fox in the morning, punished to kneel at noon, chatting with the master in the evening…

I hadn’t eaten all day!

And the moment I realized it, my stomach felt twice as empty, even my head started spinning.

…I can’t. I need food. I need food…

I pushed the door open. No one was outside.

Guard Yang wasn’t watching me?

What to do?

Should I head to the stables right away, or fill my belly first and then meet the anonymous letter-writer?

…After a moment’s thought, I decided to follow my instincts.

I remembered reading somewhere that people fall into three categories:

The first and lowest—only do, never think.
The second, passive—only think, never do.
The third, the superior kind—think first, then do.

Most people smugly put themselves into the third category—yet that smugness itself is proof they belong to the first.

When I pushed open the door, I too thought I was a third-category person. Half an hour later, I was certain I was a first.

“Where on earth is the kitchen…” I muttered weakly, squatting at an unfamiliar crossroads.

“Turn left.” Guard Yang’s voice floated up from behind me, perfectly calm.

I nearly leapt out of my skin, sucking in a sharp breath with my eyes squeezed shut. Was this guy a ghost or what?!

“Greetings, Fourth Highness.” Before I could even open my eyes, that calm voice dropped an explosive bomb.

Big Fox?!

My eyes flew open. Sure enough, the corner of a smoke-purple robe, spotless and immaculate, and a pair of soft-soled boots embroidered with golden thread were swaying leisurely before me.

I lifted my gaze, tracing the purple robe upward until it landed on his half-smiling face.

“You… you, you, you—you were supposed to be kneeling all night as punishment, weren’t you?!”

“Rules are dead things. People are alive.”

…

The big fox clasped his hands behind his back and slowly circled me.

I hung my head, waiting for him to question me about my attempted escape earlier. I was hungry, exhausted, drained in both body and spirit. I didn’t even have the strength to stand, so I stayed squatting there.

But instead, without warning, he shifted to another topic.

“King Luo wishes to invite you to stay at his residence for a few days.” After a pause, he added, “Minmin truly has some skill, it seems. I wasn’t wrong about you.”

“Huh? What did I even do?”

“And,” he suddenly switched topics again, “I just realized you haven’t eaten all day, have you? Hungry?” I swear to heaven, if this man ever studied logic, he’d flunk.

Since I kept my head down and said nothing, the big fox took my silence as agreement. He clapped his hands lightly and ordered, “Someone, tell the kitchens to prepare some light dishes and deliver them to my quarters.”

“Oh, come on… are you kidding me? Do you even know what time it is?” My desperation made me blurt it out. The big fox froze, puzzled, and the guard who’d been about to relay the order stopped too.

This guy is so used to being a master. In the dead of night, he casually orders servants out of bed just to cook for him! Imagine being fast asleep, only to be dragged up at dawn to make a meal—who’d agree to that? Being a servant these days is truly thankless!

“And you still call yourself benevolent to your subordinates…” I muttered under my breath. Pushing myself to my feet, I glanced at the still-stunned group.

“Take me to the kitchen. I’ll cook!”

I walked forward a few steps, then turned back with irritation.

“Hey! If you don’t come lend a hand, don’t expect a share!”

“…A gentleman stays out of the kitchen.”

“Fine then, you chop the firewood!”

…

Tianzhu Temple was, after all, a monastery, with over a hundred monks to feed, so its kitchen was decently large.

“Let’s make something quick. How about Yangzhou fried rice?”

“Yangzhou? What place is that? Your hometown?”

No. 一十九逃（中）

No.19 Escape (Middle)

No. That was just a place that produced endless fried rice.

…

Half an hour later:

“Minnan, are you still not done? It’s been a long time.”

“Minnan?”

“…Minnan?”

“Go in and check.” The Great Fox’s face darkened.

“Your Highness, there’s no one left in the kitchen.” The guard reported, not daring to meet his master’s eyes.

“Hmph.” The fox sneered. “Still not had enough fun? With just her own strength, where could she possibly escape to? Search the entire temple thoroughly. Within half an hour, I want to see her!”

The heavens and earth turned upside down.

“I can ride! Really! Put me down!”

Xiao Shou carried me out of the Ancestral Temple, galloping madly. The wind slashed past my ears like knives. His arm was clamped so tightly around my waist, it felt like he was about to cut me in half!

I tried prying off the arm that was digging into my waist. “Let me go…”

“Minnan…” He held me tight, letting the horse run wildly, burying his face in the crook of my neck with a low sigh. “I actually betrayed His Highness because of you… Truly a femme fatale…”

Even as he said that, his arm only pulled me closer.

And what’s worse—I actually didn’t regret it…

“Xiao Shou… you… you… watch the road, ahhhh!!”

[Public bus slogan: Do not talk to the driver, thank you for your cooperation!]

Startled by my scream, Xiao Shou snapped out of his emotions, shot me a deep look, then focused solely on guiding the horse. I pretended not to notice his gaze.

I admit, I was a killjoy. I admit, I did it on purpose.

At this point, if I still pretended I couldn’t tell what Xiao Shou was thinking, I’d just be faking innocence.

But no. It can’t be. He can’t.

…

………

Just earlier, I was in the kitchen chopping vegetables, casually chatting with the cooks waiting outside, when suddenly someone popped out of the rice bin. Startled, my hand shook and the kitchen knife fell—only for the man to catch it midair and gently place it back on the cutting board.

Looking closely, it was a thin, wiry old man, eyes cloudy. A blind man?

“You are…?”

He pressed a finger to his lips.

I obediently shut my mouth. For such an inexplicable stranger, better not to act rashly. If the enemy doesn’t move, I don’t move. If the enemy does move… well, I’ll consider moving. Eh? Hey, hey, don’t drag me along!

That shriveled old man, with unbelievable strength, yanked me toward the window. When we reached it, he took my hand, traced a character on my palm, then shoved the window open and hurled me out!

I sat dumbfounded in the bushes outside.

I’m really bad at this… Who decided that just because someone scribbles in your palm, you’re supposed to know what they wrote?!

If it’s important, can’t you just whisper it?!

What on earth did you write??!!

Thrown out so abruptly, I still didn’t know who that old man was. He clearly didn’t want to be seen by others… was he trying to help me escape? What should I do now? I couldn’t exactly crawl back into the kitchen, right? Forget it, since no one’s watching me, I’ll just head to the stables and wait…

Carefully dodging patrolling guards, I finally made it to the stables—it must’ve been past midnight by then. With little hope, I slipped into the place filled with snorting giant beasts… but the moment I stepped inside, someone yanked me behind a haystack—and hugged me tightly!

I nearly jumped out of my skin!

But judging from the racing heartbeat and ragged breathing, the other person was even more nervous than I was!

“Minnan…”

“Xiao Shou?! You—you… how did you—? The one who gave me the note was you?! You’re helping me escape? You’re not worried about your master?”

“Minnan, I…” He hesitated, his beautiful eyes full of tangled emotion.

“Xiao Shou, no need to say it. I understand everything!”

Tears welled in my eyes—ah, what a comrade! You finally came around! You finally realized that friends are meant to take knives for each other! Not in vain did I feed and house you for half a year!

“You understand?” His grape-like eyes sparkled like a sky full of stars as he threw his arms around me excitedly. “Yes! I was so foolish… someone as clever as Minnan, of course you would understand my feelings!”

“Huh? Your… feelings…” Suddenly I had a bad hunch—we might not be talking about the same thing here.

“Forgive me. I just couldn’t let go. You don’t blame me for leaving you alone so long, do you? Have you suffered today?” Xiao Shou looked me up and down like an X-ray machine.

“Not that much… back when I was preparing for transmigration, I endured plenty of hardships. Compared to that, this was nothing…”

“Then you did suffer small torments…” He pulled my hand into his slender, beautiful one, holding it tight. “Minnan, I should’ve taken you away long ago. I’m sorry…”

Why… why does this sound more and more like the dialogue of an eloping couple??

“That—Xiao Shou, maybe we should leave here first and talk later?”

“No rush. Once they discover you’re gone, they’ll send a large force to search. We’ll slip out in the chaos. Carriage and luggage are all ready. As long as we cross the Yan River before dawn, they won’t catch us.”

“…Mm. Xiao Shou, you’ve already brought Qingqing and Xiaotao out, haven’t you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have dared come save me.”

“…Yes.” He glanced outside the stable. “Once we cross the Yan River, we’ll reunite with them.”

…

………

Everyone in the household was summoned to the main hall. The entire Ancestral Temple blazed with light, but there was no warmth—only a chilling aura seeping through the air.

“Your Highness… we searched the entire temple, but Miss Minnan is nowhere to be found. It seems… she’s already escaped. And tonight is the temple fair—the city gates remain open all night…” The guard trembled as he knelt at the lower step.

Jì Wén carefully poured a cup of tea for the man. She tried to force a smile to ease the tension, but his expression made it impossible to muster even the slightest grin.

The man suddenly grabbed the cup and hurled it away!

Crash!

The fine porcelain shattered instantly under his fury! Even the water splashed on the floor seemed to carry a bloody stench…

Everyone shrank back. Ever since the Sixth Prince’s rebellion, they hadn’t seen their master this enraged. No one dared breathe too loudly, terrified of being caught in the flames of his wrath.

“Bring her back…” The man clenched his fist. “Seal the city gates! Everyone, go out and search for her!”

“Your Highness.” A cold, indifferent voice cut through his blind rage. “Allow me to go.”

“Guard Yang?”

“Your Highness is already surrounded by political enemies. It’s unwise to send all the people at your side away.” The voice was still flat, unshaken.

The man abruptly rose to his feet, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked toward the window. He stared outside for a long moment before sighing: “You must bring her back… As for the ones who took her—”

“I will deal with them cleanly.”

“No. That person…” The man gave a bitter smile. “I fear he cannot be killed… Don’t concern yourself with him. Once you bring Minmin back, he will come of his own accord.”

“Yes.”

With a weary wave of his hand, he dismissed them. One by one, they all retreated.

In that instant, it felt as if all the grandeur of the world had been locked away behind that door…

The horse had barely cleared the city gate when a herald’s cry echoed from afar: “Shut the gates! Shut the gates!”

Behind us, the massive bronze and iron gates closed with the groaning of a thousand years.

On horseback, I shut my eyes in exhaustion. Had we really managed to escape? It had been so easy it felt unreal… as though something deep within was stirring my unease.

“Xiao Shou, that old man in the kitchen who helped me—who was he?”

“What old man?”

“The one you sent to assist me.”

“I came to rescue you alone.”

My eyes flew open with a snap! Something was very, very wrong.

My heart rose and fell with the galloping steed. A dreadful premonition took hold—that this escape would not end well…

Sure enough, when we reached the riverbank, a black horse thundered toward us like lightning, carrying a man clad in fitted armor. My unease was confirmed.

Murderous intent surged around Xiao Shou like a storm.

As for me, I simply turned my head toward the Yan River, its waters rushing close yet impossibly out of reach—just like freedom, so long as I remained by the Fourth Prince’s side.

Xiao Shou lashed his whip furiously, urging the horse on. But I was already tired.

“Stop.”

The gap between our horses’ strength was too great. We would be overtaken soon enough. There was no point in struggling.

He looked down at me, puzzled, but reined in the horse.

Leaning against his chest, I lifted my hand to rest it over his heart and spoke softly:

“Thank you… Xiao Shou. Thank you, truly.”

“Minmin?”

Staring blankly at the Yan River, it felt as though my soul had drifted from my body. I heard myself say:

“Xiao Shou, I… have never felt anything romantic toward you. Not before, and not in the future either… Do you regret risking your life to save me?”

His chest heaved violently. He suddenly released the reins and crushed me in his arms. His beautiful eyes were bloodshot, his teeth clenched so tightly I could hear them grind…

“Why…” he demanded hoarsely. “Why?”

“You’re still a child…”

“That reason—I refuse to accept it! I’m not reconciled! I want to protect you, I want to love you properly, Minmin…” He shook me so hard it felt like he would shatter my arm.

“You’re still a child…”

“I’m not reconciled! Not reconciled! I can’t accept this! Minmin!”

“You’re still a child…” I whispered.

“Minmin… if I grow up, will you accept me?” His arms loosened, almost pleading as he held me.

“…I don’t know… perhaps still not.”

He embraced me gently, though his breathing remained ragged. “Minmin, I will never regret saving you, no matter what. Even if you never return my feelings—please, don’t stop me from guarding you, alright?”

“…Mm.”

I cast one last glance at the unfathomable waters of the Yan River, then turned to face the rider approaching swiftly.

Even astride a galloping horse, his breath remained steady, his expression as cold as ice. It was nearly impossible to recall that night when he had gently lifted the hem of my skirt for me.

Xiao Shou drew his sword. I could feel his tension.

Yang the guard reined in his mount, gazing coolly at us.

“The sword technique I taught you—have you improved?”

I stared at Xiao Shou in shock, then at Guard Yang in even greater astonishment.

“Master…” Xiao Shou forced the word through clenched teeth, yet he did not lower his blade.

“I only taught you for a few months. I’m not worthy of that title.” Guard Yang’s tone remained detached.

Xiao Shou bowed his head and murmured, “Once a teacher, always a teacher.”

Yang gave a small nod, then fixed his eyes on me: “Minmin, His Highness has something for you.”

He tossed over a small rosewood box. I suddenly had no desire to open it.

“Last time you said the same thing. And then you made me cry…” I glared at him with resentment. “You never bring me good news.”

He said nothing, his expression unchanged. Only his grip on the reins tightened.

The moment I opened the box, I nearly screamed!

Inside lay a severed, bloody little finger!

At its base was a slender turquoise ring…

“Why do you like rings so small they only fit the little finger?” Xiaotao had once asked curiously, her hands still busy with needlework, fingers flying nimbly.

“It’s called a pinky ring! Super trendy where I’m from! Usually they come in pairs. Sometimes couples wear them together. And sometimes—” I had snatched the needlework from her hands and slid the ring onto her delicate finger, grinning. “—sometimes best friends wear them in pairs!”

I had wiggled my own hand before her eyes. “See? Both turquoise! Not worth much, but super cute, right?”

“Best friends… best friends…” Xiaotao had murmured, stroking the tiny ring on her slim white finger. The peacock-feather hue of the turquoise shimmered faintly…

Now that same turquoise ring still gleamed—only it was stained with specks of blood. Beneath it lay a folded note, but I could not bring myself to move the finger to read it.

I couldn’t…

“Didn’t you say you sent them away already?” My voice rasped hollowly into the air between us three.

“…Forgive me, Minmin. I couldn’t take all three at once…”

“Stop talking!” I cut Xiao Shou off roughly, my mind in chaos!

“Go! Fetch ice! Find a skilled doctor! If we hurry, it’s not too late! It’s not too late!”

“Minmin, what are you saying?”

“It’s still possible! Ice—where’s the ice? None? Then let’s go back! Quickly!” I yanked at the reins in panic, but the horse ignored me, circling frantically. My desperate tugging only made it scream in pain.

“Minmin, calm down!”

“Go! Hurry! Please!” I pounded the horse’s back with my fists. “Faster, faster! Before it’s too late…”

“Minmin! It’s already too late!” Xiao Shou seized my thrashing hands, pinning me down. “It’s impossible to reattach it now! We can’t go back!”

“It’s possible! Possible! Let me go, you liar! You liar! It’s your fault! You killed her!” I fought wildly, but Xiao Shou only held me tighter.

“Yes! My fault! All my fault!” His voice cracked. “Hate me, resent me—fine! But I’m taking you away! We cannot go back!”

“Whether we go back or not isn’t for you to decide.” A cold voice cut through, along with the lash of a whip that coiled around me. With one hard pull, Guard Yang hauled me onto his horse.

“We’re going back.”

He wheeled his horse around. The black stallion reared and neighed, then shot forward like lightning, leaving dust in its wake.

The world blurred before my eyes.

I didn’t know if I was crying.
I didn’t know if Xiao Shou was chasing after us.
I didn’t know if I would ever return.
I didn’t know what the Fourth Prince would do to Xiaotao and Qingqing.
I didn’t know why I kept whispering: Faster, faster…

I didn’t know—anything at all.

I only knew one thing: I desperately wanted to return to Xiaotao’s side.

I only knew—I wanted to hold her hand, stay with her, stay with her, stay with her until she stopped crying…

Xiaotao, don’t cry, please. I’ll be back soon…