Edward Clark silently took Little Princess off himself.

The latter looked at him warily, then quickly shrank back and grabbed his clothes.

“Matthew Bolton, I did sneak out on my own. You can go back and report to my father, but with his temper, if I’m caught, I’ll be beaten half to death for sure. I just want to go to Liaodong to find my brother. I don’t think my father would want too many people to know about this, since it would be embarrassing for him. If you report it, you might even make him angry. But if you’re willing to help me go to Liaodong, I’ll definitely repay you in the future. As for who Edward Clark is, I know better than you—he’s more than capable of protecting me on the journey north.”

Little Princess said to Andrew Bolton.

“Fourteenth Princess, how could this be possible? His Majesty has always doted on the Fourteenth Princess. If you were to go missing, wouldn’t His Majesty be worried sick?”

Andrew Bolton quickly said.

That “always doted on” was clearly an exaggeration. In old Zhu’s eyes, daughters were probably just extras; it was his sons he truly favored.

Edward Clark stood there bored, like a bystander watching the drama.

Chapter 8: Serving the Emperor Is Like Serving a Tiger—Take Me With You If You Run

Hanlin Academy.

“Yang—Yang Warrior!”

The second-place scholar of the 24th year of the Hongwu reign, Hanlin Academy editor Andrew Bolton, greeted Edward Clark with a smiling cupped-fist salute.

The latter had already taken off his blue robe, which only successful candidates could wear, and even the accessories had strict regulations.

The way Edward Clark had dressed before was basically like putting a sign on his forehead saying “I’m up to no good.”

“Warrior, could you try to persuade the Fourteenth Princess? Guangning is separated by thousands of mountains and rivers—even if the journey goes smoothly, it’ll take nearly half a year. And now it’s already autumn; by the time you reach Northern Zhili, it’ll be the dead of winter. Guangning is even farther, deep in Liaodong, a bitterly cold borderland where water freezes as soon as it drops in winter. The eldest princess has grown up in the deep palace since childhood—how could she endure such hardship? What’s more, the Prince of Liao only just took up his post in Guangning this year. According to reports from the Liaodong Military Commission, even the prince’s residence hasn’t been built yet.”

Andrew Bolton said.

“Matthew Bolton, do you think I actually want to escort her to Liaodong?”

Having just finished his meal, Edward Clark held a teacup, crossed his legs, and leaned back in his chair like a landlady.

“Hmph!”

Still eating breakfast, Little Princess snorted coldly.

Then, starving, she continued to eat wontons quickly with royal elegance, even though she kept sucking in air from being scalded.

Andrew Bolton sat down helplessly on the other grand armchair across the tea table...

“Actually, the best plan now is for you to coax her aside, then I’ll slip away as fast as I can. Once I’m gone, you can send her back to the palace.”

Edward Clark said.

“Don’t you dare!”

Little Princess said angrily.

“Ha! I don’t believe you’ll never need to use the toilet, never sleep, never bathe.”

Edward Clark said.

Little Princess was left speechless, clearly stunned by his shamelessness.

“Yang Warrior, how could that be proper? The Fourteenth Princess is His Majesty’s beloved daughter. If she gives me orders, even if I have objections, I can only advise her—I wouldn’t dare to deceive her.”

Andrew Bolton hurriedly said.

“Matthew Bolton, you keep an eye on him for me. If he runs away, I’ll hold you responsible.”

Little Princess said with satisfaction.

After speaking, she stood up and looked around...

“Matthew Bolton, where is the maid?”

“Uh, Fourteenth Princess, my family is poor and my salary is meager—just enough to get by. It’s already hard enough to keep one servant, let alone a maid.”

“So you expect me to keep wearing these clothes?”

“Fourteenth Princess, I’ve already sent my old servant to buy new clothes for you both.”

“Then...”

Little Princess stood there, clearly anxious.

“Just say you want to use the toilet—why beat around the bush? Go out, turn left, it’s right at the end of the garden. Listen, it’s a public toilet outside, no separation for men and women. If you need to do more, you’ll have to bring your own paper. By the way, how come you, a Scholar, don’t even have your own house and have to live in the Hanlin Academy? Aren’t officials supposed to be rich, with mansions and villas?”

Edward Clark said impatiently.

“My monthly salary is only seven and a half shi of grain. I have an elderly mother, wife, and children at home. This little salary is just enough to feed and clothe my family. Living expenses in the capital are high—if I rented a house outside, there’d be nothing left. The Hanlin Academy has official quarters; though inconvenient, at least it’s free.”

Andrew Bolton quickly said.

While they were talking, Little Princess had already slipped away.

Edward Clark hurried to get up, but was held back by Andrew Bolton...

“Matthew Bolton, can’t we just let each other off? She’s just a little girl—you don’t need to be afraid of her. When she comes back, just send her straight home. If her father wants to beat her, let him beat her; if he wants to whip her, let him whip her. Anyway, after this, she probably won’t get another chance to take revenge on you, even when she gets married.”

Edward Clark said sincerely.

“Yang Warrior, do you think I can really stay out of this so easily? I don’t know who you are, or how you managed to escape the palace with the Fourteenth Princess, but either way, it’s a palace secret. Now that I’m involved, it’s hard to get out unscathed. His Majesty has already sealed off the news, telling outsiders only that thieves tried to break in. Even if I send the Fourteenth Princess back, that’s telling His Majesty I know she eloped from the palace. That’s not good for His Majesty’s reputation.

His Majesty came from humble beginnings and is very strict about the conduct of his daughters.

How do you think His Majesty will handle this?”

Andrew Bolton said.