Chapter 33: The First Attempt at Escape, Destined to Fail

After walking through a long corridor and winding around twisting paths, Lu Jin occasionally glanced at the flowers, then at the small lake nearby, as if everything in the Shen residence fascinated him.

At long last, Lu Jin finally arrived at the east gate—the nearest side entrance to Crescent Pavilion.

“Sir, are you heading out?”

Just as Lu Jin was about to slip out, the guards at the gate stopped him.

“Not really, since I came to the Shen residence, I haven’t properly explored it. I’m just wandering around, inside and out,” Lu Jin replied breezily.

He had already observed these gatekeepers; such side gates usually had two to four men on duty. Today, the guard was fully staffed, all four present.

He had spent his days idly wandering, so it was no surprise the guards recognized him—this was all within Lu Jin’s expectations, hardly a concern.

The guard who questioned him frowned. Why was the young master alone, without any servants? How could the master just wander by himself?

“Sir, why aren’t Xiao Bai and the others with you?”

“I sent them off to do something else. What, am I not allowed to go out on my own?” Lu Jin feigned annoyance.

“We wouldn’t dare!” The guard quickly bowed his head in apology.

Before Lu Jin could reply, he saw one of the guards quietly slip away, sprinting back toward the residence.

Damn, is he off to report me?

Yet Lu Jin wasn’t too worried. Is it a crime to take a stroll? Are they deliberately confining me?

If that were truly the case, as long as he had a life left, he swore he’d burn the Shen residence to the ground one day.

“If you wouldn’t dare, then step aside. I’m just taking a walk,” Lu Jin acted nonchalant.

“Sir!” The guard called out, then suddenly knelt to the ground with a clang. The other two guards hastily followed suit.

“It’s not that we wish to hinder you, sir,” the guard said gravely, “but the times are unsettled—if anything happened to you, we could never atone for it, even with our lives.”

A sense of foreboding rose in Lu Jin’s heart. Was his venture doomed before it even began?

“I’m only wandering nearby, what could possibly happen?”

“Sir, you may not know, but the city has been turbulent lately. Your noble person cannot be exposed to danger.”

“What are the odds? Besides, who would dare scheme against the Shen family?”

“Sir, if anything happened to you, what would the lady do?” The guard grew more agitated.

You sure worry a lot.

“If I insist on going out?” Lu Jin’s temper flared. He’d finally started his plan, only to be stopped before even stepping outside.

“Then please, sir, kill us all…”

Lu Jin: “…”

Is it really for safety they won’t let him go, or is the Shen family truly confining him?

Suddenly, Lu Jin felt this question was crucial. If it was the latter, he couldn’t let things slide with the Shen family.

“Tell me honestly, did someone instruct you not to let me go out alone?” Lu Jin lifted the kneeling guard and interrogated him harshly.

“Please spare us, sir! No one forbade you from going out. We simply cannot bear the risk of anything happening to you—my family depends on me…” The guard wept.

The others pressed their heads to the ground, crying as well.

Lu Jin felt out of sorts. They were the ones stopping him, yet it seemed as if he was the bully.

He hadn’t been here long, having just crossed over from the modern world; how could he handle such a scene?

“Stop crying, get up. I’ll just stroll nearby and come right back, won’t go far,” Lu Jin said helplessly.

“Sir, sir, why did you come here alone…”

No sooner had Lu Jin finished speaking than Xiao Bai came running from the residence, shouting and crying.

Was he riding a rocket? How did he get here so fast?

Seeing Xiao Bai rush up, panting and sweating, Lu Jin couldn’t muster any harsh words. Everyone struggles to survive.

“I was just bored, taking a stroll. When I got here, I thought I’d step outside and see what was interesting nearby.”

“Sir, you can go anywhere you like, but not alone. No master goes out by himself. What if…” Xiao Bai said between breaths.

“Alright, I get it. Where did you pick up such nagging habits? Now can I finally go out?”

“Sir, it’s still not allowed…”

“Why not? Aren’t you with me?” Lu Jin snapped.

“But if we meet trouble, I can’t fight them off…” Xiao Bai hesitated.

Lu Jin: “…”

“I’m only looking around nearby, not going far…”

“But…”

Lu Jin didn’t wait for Xiao Bai to finish and strode out the gate. He was determined to leave today.

“Sir, where are you going?”

Before Lu Jin could cross the threshold, a voice sounded from outside.

Lu Jin looked up to see Yuan Fang, arms folded, carrying a weapon, approaching.

Had he neglected to check the almanac before going out today?

“I told you not to come today,” Lu Jin frowned.

“There’s nothing to do at home, so I came to see how things were,” Yuan Fang replied casually.

Sure, you came to “see.” We’re all ordinary people—why be so competitive?

“Now it’s settled, right?” Lu Jin turned to Xiao Bai.

Seeing Yuan Fang arrive, Xiao Bai had no objections and quickly followed Lu Jin out.

Once outside, Lu Jin strolled leisurely.

“Xiao Bai, how did you know I was here?” Lu Jin asked, feigning casualness.

“Just now, the guard came to find me. That’s how I knew you were heading out, so I rushed over.”

“I’m just wandering about. Is it really forbidden for me to go out alone? Are you monitoring me?” Lu Jin joked.

“Of course not, sir. You’re the master of Shen residence—who would dare monitor you?”

Having spent some time with Lu Jin, Xiao Bai was more relaxed in his manner.

“Sir, you have to get used to being waited on. A master should have his own dignity. Have you ever seen a master go out alone?” Yuan Fang said as he followed.

“You seem more like the master than I do…”

Yuan Fang: “…” Why couldn’t this sir understand good advice?

“By the way, where’s that guard? Why didn’t he come with you?” Lu Jin asked Xiao Bai.

“Huh? I was too busy looking for you—I didn’t notice…”

Lu Jin guessed the guard had probably gone off to report to someone.

He was curious to see what attitude the Shen family would take this time.

“Alright, nothing much to see. Let’s go back…”

With his plan interrupted, Lu Jin had no mood for wandering anymore. He’d performed enough for now.

-----------------

Shen Residence, Brook Garden.

“You say the young master tried to go out alone?” Shen Yanxi, seated on the couch, looked at the steward standing in the hall.

“That’s what the gatekeeper said,” Steward Su replied cautiously.

“He didn’t say what for?”

“He said he was just wandering!”

“Wandering?” Shen Yanxi was taken aback. What’s the point of wandering alone?

“I think the young master isn’t used to being attended by servants, so he wanted to go out by himself…” Steward Su said hesitantly.

“He’ll have to get used to it. Better that than risking his life. Go on, I’ll speak to him myself.”

After the steward withdrew, Shen Yanxi sat on the couch reflecting. It seemed she really hadn’t shown him around the Shen residence, nor did she know much about his past.

Yet recalling his attitude, Shen Yanxi felt frustrated. He always seemed eager for her to leave.

Did he truly dislike her type? Were his words only said out of politeness? How blind must he be!

And now he’d lost his memory—an utter fool. How could someone’s memories just vanish?