09 Fearless Maid

“Your Highness, you are awake?” Fearless quietly asked from the outer chamber of the sleeping hall. She knew that the Crown Prince must never be disturbed while resting, and in these past few days, Fearless had also discovered a secret: the Crown Prince had a very bad morning temper.

Because of the shock from that day, the Crown Prince’s residence was now very peaceful, but beneath this calm lay hidden turbulence.

No one in the Crown Prince’s residence dared to underestimate him anymore, and many even feared him. However, after serving the Crown Prince these past few days, Wu Wei’s loyalty remained unchanged, but she felt even more that the Crown Prince was unfathomable.

“Mm!” A lazy voice came from the bedchamber, and just that one sound made people feel an urge to submit sincerely.

Wu Wei walked into the bedchamber without looking away. The Crown Prince did not like people serving him too closely, so she only tidied up the bedchamber for him. Most of the time, the Crown Prince handled things personally. Despite his noble status, Wu Wei felt a kind of warmth from him.

Shang Wuxin, having finished washing and dressed in his robe, stood there watching Wu Wei enter. A simple glance from him made Wu Wei a bit nervous because the Crown Prince’s gaze was too direct and sharp, as if nothing could hide from those eyes. What she feared most was displeasing the Crown Prince.

“How did things go?” Shang Wuxin asked coolly, or perhaps it was less a question and more a tone of indifference.

“The servant has already found many orphans and talented individuals and arranged them in the places assigned by the Crown Prince. Using the methods given by the Crown Prince, they have been trained, and the martial arts and mental techniques provided by the Crown Prince have been handed over to the group!” Wu Wei knelt there and reported.

Since the day the Crown Prince made her his personal maid, he had entrusted her with handling some matters, all of which were very important. She did not know whether the Crown Prince trusted her or was indifferent to letting her do these things, but she did her best to accomplish everything perfectly.

Shang Wuxin was not surprised at all. From the first time she saw this similar woman, she knew that this woman was very capable. She was as intelligent and wise as the former Wu Wei, except that the former one was like a pearl covered in dust. Now, with her wiping away that dust, Wu Wei was able to shine.

“You know martial arts?” Although it was a question, it sounded more like a statement. Shang Wuxin seemed to ask casually but also very calmly.

Wuwei slammed her head heavily onto the soft white blanket, but the thud of her head hitting the ground was still audible. She said anxiously, “I know martial arts, please punish me, Your Highness!” She indeed knew martial arts and was quite skilled. The prince had never asked before, so she hadn’t mentioned it. Because the prince was so indifferent, she felt that if she said anything, it might disturb him. But now that he asked, she admitted she had hidden it. She wasn’t afraid of punishment but didn’t want to leave the prince, as he was her master, the one she would serve loyally for life.

“Get up,” Shang Wuxin said softly. She didn’t mean to blame Wuwei; on the contrary, Wuwei’s martial arts skills were a good thing for her. After all, subordinates who were too weak wouldn’t survive long by her side.

Wuwei stood up there, not daring to look directly at the prince. A large bump had already swollen on her forehead, which, combined with the scar on her cheek, made her look even more fierce. She stood there like a child who had done something wrong, which made Shang Wuxin laugh quietly.

“Take it!” Shang Wuxin threw a martial arts manual she had written herself to Wuwei. She had once been the head of the Shang family, where many martial arts manuals had been passed down through generations. It could be said that her mind now held many coveted and unattainable martial arts secrets. She also knew that Wuwei had neither read nor secretly learned the manual she had given him a few days ago, instead handing it over to the recruited servants. She knew Wuwei was loyal.

Fearless hurriedly took the book with both hands respectfully, still able to smell the ink fragrance of the book. Fearless glanced inside and saw the dragon-and-phoenix-like calligraphy, clearly an extremely flamboyant handwriting, yet the Crown Prince himself was calm as still water—no, perhaps even more serene than water.

“Crown Prince…” Fearless looked at the martial arts manual inside with some surprise. Even from just a brief glance, Fearless knew how powerful and important this martial arts manual was. Why would the Crown Prince give this martial arts manual to him now?

“Take the time to practice your martial arts properly; you are too weak!” Shang Wuxin stated the fact, then thought that this martial arts manual was difficult and perhaps Wuwei couldn’t master it. He then said, “If you don’t understand something, go ask Chief Hai. After three months, I hope to see a different you!”

“Yes!” Wuwei nodded, then silently began tidying the Crown Prince’s bedchamber. Shang Wuxin sat by the window, watching the clouds in the sky. Wuwei knew the Crown Prince was very quiet—so quiet it was somewhat frightening, often not seeming like a living person at all.

After finishing cleaning the sleeping chamber, Wuwei stood there silently, saying nothing. She actually knew she should leave quickly to practice martial arts, but seeing the Crown Prince sitting there alone, she didn’t know why she couldn’t walk away. Even though she was just a maid, she still hoped to stay with the Crown Prince—her master was too lonely.

“Your Highness!” came the voice of Chief Hai from outside.

Shang Wuxin withdrew her vacant gaze and, understanding the situation, said to the outside of the door, “The Crown Prince has already risen. Chief Hai, please come in!” Although she had served the Crown Prince for only a short time, she was very smart and had learned some of his temper over the past few days. She knew which trivial matters she should handle herself. While she was clever, she would never act presumptuously.

Housekeeper Hai, dressed in his decades-old gray robe, walked into the prince’s chamber. No one but Housekeeper Hai was allowed into the prince’s chamber, and even spies sent in to gather intelligence found nothing. If there was any hope, it was only that the prince’s chamber was somewhat unusual. Over time, people stopped paying attention. Now, a maid named Wu Wei had been allowed into the prince’s chamber, so everyone in the prince’s residence looked at Wu Wei with flattering expressions. But Wu Wei remained calm and indifferent, simply attending to the prince and carrying out his orders.

Chief Hai walked into the bedchamber and saw the Crown Prince sitting there, radiating youthful vigor. If he didn’t know the Crown Prince so well, he would have thought this person was not the Crown Prince at all. What exactly the Crown Prince encountered in the mountains that day, he did not know, but Chief Hai felt it must have been something significant to cause such a thorough change in him. To his eyes, this change was a very good thing.

“What is it?” Shang Wuxin asked impatiently.

Chief Steward Hai withdrew his thoughts. The Crown Prince was no longer the little girl who secretly cried in the palace chamber, nor the child who followed him around complaining. The Crown Prince had now become a ruler, and what he should do was take good care of the Crown Prince’s residence.

“Crown Prince, the Emperor summons you!” Chief Steward Hai said with his head lowered, feeling somewhat worried. Since the Empress passed away, the Emperor had ignored the Crown Prince and even showed some disdain. Although the Crown Prince was given his title, he was not granted any power. The Crown Prince used to be saddened by the Emperor’s attitude; it was uncertain whether he was still hurt now.

Shang Wuxin seemed not to hear and just looked at Chief Hai, but in fact, they knew the Crown Prince must have heard.

After a long time, Shang Wuxin finally stood up. “Wuwei, come with me to the palace!” She had long wanted to meet this father emperor. In her memory, this father emperor was extremely ruthless and even hateful towards the Crown Prince, always scolding him in front of the other princes. But Shang Wuxin felt that things were not so simple; she had to see for herself. If this father emperor posed no threat, she would ignore him. But if he blocked her path, she was not afraid to become a treacherous rebel who killed the king!

Fearless did not utter a word and slightly adjusted her hair to cover the large bump on her forehead. She didn’t want anyone to suspect the crown prince of abusing his servants.

“Your Highness!” Manager Hai hesitated as he watched the Crown Prince preparing to leave. Shang Wuxin stopped in his tracks and looked at Manager Hai. Knowing Hai’s loyalty and concern, Shang Wuxin was more patient with him.

“Wu Wei is just a maidservant who can enter the palace, but if she were to meet His Majesty, it might anger him. Crown Prince, please think carefully!” Manager Hai said with concern. The Crown Prince is now brave and resourceful; if he were suppressed by the Emperor, how could the Crown Prince’s residence fare well?

“Unhindered!” Shang Wuxin comforted Chief Hai with a word, then took Wuwei and left the Crown Prince’s residence to board the carriage heading to the palace. Standing at the gate of the Crown Prince’s residence, Chief Hai was filled with worry but couldn’t help but continue to trust the Crown Prince.