9 – The Wheelchair Pusher: Seems Unusually Skilled?
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
Lu Xiao Ning gradually adapted to the peaceful days at the imperial retreat. Of course, during this time, she hadn’t stopped taking on jobs.
Frequently active on the Dark Web, her “Assassin Alliance” quickly gained a small reputation worldwide.
The view from the top floor was excellent, and the air was fresh.
During a break, Lu Xiao Ning casually glanced outside and spotted a stretch limousine pulling in not far away.
Exactly one month—Zong Zheng Ye was indeed back!
Lu Xiao Ning wasn’t in a hurry to greet him. She continued typing on her laptop, one leg bouncing idly.
Outside the castle, the luxury car came to a stop. Wen Jing helped the person in the wheelchair out of the vehicle.
Zong Zheng Ye showed no signs of fatigue from the long journey. On the contrary, he looked energetic and spirited.
Ahead, Gan Song had already led a group of attendants out to welcome him, all bowing respectfully.
Zong Zheng Ye quickly scanned the crowd, but his cold eyes darkened.
“Where is Lu Xiao Ning?”
“The Imperial Consort is in the attic…”
Gan Song broke into a cold sweat, not daring to meet Zong Zheng Ye’s gaze.
How could he possibly say that during the Third Highness’s absence, the Third Princess-Consort had been idling away her time, holed up in the attic playing on her computer?
The attic?
Zong Zheng Ye looked up and indeed spotted someone by the attic window—completely unafraid of heights, even cockily crossing her legs and bouncing her foot!
“Did she study the household rules this month?”
His voice instantly turned icy.
This suppressed anger was the most terrifying kind.
Gan Song hunched over, nodding meekly, trying to say something in Lu Xiao Ning’s defense. “She studied… but… the results weren’t great…”
Studied, my foot!
That girl spent all her time online!
Gan Song could only hope Zong Zheng Ye wouldn’t get angry and blame Lu Xiao Ning.
Sure enough, Zong Zheng Ye’s face turned ashen. He pushed Wen Jing’s hand aside, supported himself on the wheelchair, and entered the castle.
“Bring Lu Xiao Ning to me!”
“Yes…”
Up in the attic, Lu Xiao Ning heard Zong Zheng Ye’s roar.
His voice seemed to carry, echoing through the vast castle.
Holy moly, the acoustics in this castle are way too good!
Lu Xiao Ning quickly grabbed her laptop and scurried downstairs.
Before any attendants could come looking for her, she was already “obediently” standing before Zong Zheng Ye.
She waved, wearing a bright smile. “Hey, Third Highness, long time no see.”
Everyone: “…”
The entire hall fell into a deathly silence. The attendants kept their heads bowed low, not daring to make a sound.
Zong Zheng Ye’s expression was cold and stern as he scrutinized the person before him.
Still wearing a floral dress, with flip-flops on her feet.
Her big toe even wiggled twice, as if waving along with her hand.
She exuded an air of casualness from head to toe.
Just one look, and it was clear she hadn’t studied the household rules well at all!
Noticing Zong Zheng Ye’s strange gaze, Lu Xiao Ning pouted pitifully.
“I’ve been locked up for a whole month and haven’t had a chance to go home to get clothes. The outfits the attendants prepared don’t suit me, so I wear them during the day and wash and air-dry them at night. Please don’t misunderstand, Your Highness—I bathe every day and wash my clothes daily too.”
Zong Zheng Ye: “…”
That wasn’t the point he cared about at all.
What on earth is going through this girl’s head?
“How well have you memorized the household rules?”
Zong Zheng Ye’s expression remained icy.
Lu Xiao Ning pursed her lips slightly, “It’s passable.”
But Gan Song, standing nearby, clearly showed a look of disdain.
This little girl really isn’t modest—she obviously hasn’t memorized a single word!
Speaking so righteously, aren’t you afraid His Highness will test you, expose you on the spot, and make you a laughingstock?
Sure enough, the next second, Zong Zheng Ye spoke up, “Start from the beginning and recite it.”
“Over ten thousand words, do we really have to start from the beginning? I don’t think I could finish reciting it even in a day and a night.”
Lu Xiao Ning’s words were clearly an excuse.
Zong Zheng Ye hadn’t expected this girl, who seemed naive and sweet, to be so cunning in reality.
“Recite,” he said coldly, giving her no chance to dodge.
Lu Xiao Ning nodded, “Alright.”
She cleared her throat and began reciting, swaying her head rhythmically.
“Royal Family Rules and Regulations, Article One:…”
She recited fluently and at a fast pace.
Gan Song, who prided himself on being naturally clever, widened his eyes the entire time, wearing an expression of disbelief.
When did this girl secretly memorize the family rules? And she recited them so well? It was completely unexpected.
“Stop.”
A few minutes later, Zong Zheng Ye coldly interrupted Lu Xiao Ning.
“Since you’ve memorized the family rules so thoroughly, strictly abide by them from now on. Violate them once, and you’ll be punished once.”
“Mm-hmm, I’ve always been a law-abiding, disciplined good citizen. Your Highness, you can rest assured!” Lu Xiao Ning patted her chest confidently.
Only then did Zong Zheng Ye nod in satisfaction and order, “Gan Song, instruct the palace maids to prepare some new clothes for the Third Princess-Consort. Also, find some renowned designers to have a few sets custom-made for her.”
“Yes,” Gan Song replied respectfully.
Zong Zheng Ye then glanced at Wen Jing beside him, signaling him to push the wheelchair away.
Lu Xiao Ning watched Wen Jing’s burly back—his arms were much thicker than an average person’s.
He pushed the wheelchair with apparent ease.
Because Zong Zheng Ye had limited mobility, even though the castle had only four floors, an elevator had been installed.
Watching the group enter the elevator, Lu Xiao Ning asked Gan Song, “How did His Highness become lame? Does he have no sensation in his legs at all?”
“Uh…” Upon hearing the word “lame,” Gan Song immediately shot her a glare. “His Highness detests that word the most. In the future, Imperial Consort, you must avoid it to prevent trouble from your words.”
Lu Xiao Ning instinctively covered her mouth and nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
“That person pushing the wheelchair seems quite skilled?”
“Of course. His name is Wen Jing. He was the former captain of the Royal Self-Defense Force and also served as a lieutenant colonel in the army. He is the first-class guard personally appointed by His Majesty for His Highness!”
“No wonder… he’s quite a figure…”
Originally, she thought Zong Zheng Ye was just a lame, useless prince. But now, it seemed he was not lacking capable people around him.
Judging from his speech and demeanor, he didn’t seem as weak or as bad as the rumors suggested.
Instead, she felt that Zong Zheng Ye was actually quite talented, but his disability had caused him to be overlooked by the public.
“Oh, right!” She remembered something she needed to discuss with Zong Zheng Ye and quickly ran up to the second floor.
Just as Wen Jing pushed Zong Zheng Ye into the room, Lu Xiao Ning caught up.
“Wait, Your Highness! Um… I’ve been here for over a month now. I’d like to go back to see my mom and hand over my duties to the supervisor at the hotel.”
She planned to resign from her job as a server at the Royal Hotel.
This kind of low-skill work was suitable for the Lu Xiao Ning of the past, but not for her now.
After all, she had better and faster ways to make money…