Chapter 62: A Yuan Ran Away

Chapter 62: A Yuan Runs Away

The hot spring estate was adjacent to the back mountain, completely isolated.

But A Yuan knew that if she crossed the back mountain, she would reach Wutong Street where Qiu Wen lived.

She glanced at the unfrozen water surface and turned to instruct the mute girl.

"I think I dropped my blue orchid-embroidered handkerchief on the way. Go and find it for me, then come back."

"Huh?"

The mute girl pointed at her and then at herself, clearly uneasy about leaving her alone there.

A Yuan's expression turned stern. "That handkerchief is meant for Young Master Wei Xun. It must not be lost. Hurry, I'll stay right here and won't move."

She mentioned Wei Xun, and the mute girl dared not argue further. She walked back toward the estate, glancing over her shoulder every few steps.

In winter, the sky darkened early. Just past mid-afternoon, the daylight began to fade.

The night wind howled past her ears as A Yuan's heart raced.

Tomorrow was Wei Xun's wedding day, and nothing, no matter how important, would delay it.

Today was her only chance. If she missed it, she would never be able to escape.

A Yuan clenched her teeth, removed her fox fur cloak, and took off another outer garment.

She tossed the clothes into the water, pretending to have slipped and fallen in, leaving one embroidered shoe behind on the bank.

The river flowed from the back mountain into the sea. A Yuan watched the clothes being swept away, her eyes trembling.

She knew Wei Xun was smart, but she was counting on the timing.

As long as she left the capital, it wouldn't be easy for Wei Xun to track her down.

......

Late at night on Wutong Street, Qiu Wen had just fallen asleep when she heard a knock at the outer gate.

She lit a candle, threw on her outer garment, and went out.

The gate kept making faint noises, as if the person knocking was trying to conceal something.

Qiu Wen's heart tightened, and she became cautious. She grabbed a stick from behind the door and demanded in a low voice, "Who's there?"

Outside the gate, A Yuan was shivering from the cold, constantly glancing over her shoulder.

To escape, she had waded through the icy river, climbed the back mountain for half a day, and finally made it to Wutong Street.

Hearing Qiu Wen's voice, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Qiu Wen, it's me."

"A Yuan! How is it you?"

The gate suddenly opened, and Qiu Wen pulled A Yuan inside.

Once inside the house, seeing A Yuan's current state, Qiu Wen covered her mouth in shock.

"How did you end up like this!"

No wonder Qiu Wen was shocked. A Yuan looked absolutely pitiful—soaked to the bone and barefoot.

Qiu Wen couldn't imagine how she had made it here.

She rushed to the inner room, grabbed a blanket, and wrapped A Yuan up.

"Even if you don't care about yourself, think about the baby you're carrying!"

A Yuan sniffled as Qiu Wen scolded her. "I had to escape because of the baby I'm carrying."

She told Qiu Wen everything that had happened at the estate. When Qiu Wen heard that Shen Qiuyu had egged Wei Jin on to make A Yuan kneel in the snow for three hours, she was so furious she slammed her hand down on the table.

"That witch!"

Back then, Zhao Wan had tormented both her and Bi Wu. Now it was A Yuan's turn, and Qiu Wen understood better than anyone.

"It's a good thing you got out. Even if the young master can protect you, the inner chambers aren't like the court. Women's tricks can be scarier than swords and spears. If you stay in the marquis's residence, things could get even worse..."

Thinking of Bi Wu's tragic death, Qiu Wen didn't want A Yuan to end up the same way.

"So what are you going to do now?"

Wei Xun is the Vice Governor of the Capital. Finding someone would be easy for him. If A Yuan stayed in the capital, she wouldn't be able to hide for long.

Qiu Wen couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry.

A Yuan reached out from under the blanket, grabbed Qiu Wen's sleeve, and looked at her pleadingly.

"Sister Qiu Wen, please help me get out of the city."

She wanted to leave the capital, to completely leave Wei Xun behind.

"Out of the city?"

Qiu Wen hesitated for a moment, then her expression hardened with determination.

"Alright, I'll figure something out!"

She owed her current situation to the fifty taels of silver A Yuan had given her. Qiu Wen was not an ungrateful person, and even though she knew it might implicate herself, she was determined to help her.

The city gates wouldn't open until dawn. She had A Yuan take a hot bath and changed into clean clothes. "You rest for a while. I need to go out."

To ensure A Yuan could leave the city smoothly, she needed help.

A Yuan naturally couldn't sleep, but at this moment, she had no choice but to wait.

Fortunately, Qiu Wen didn't stay away for too long and returned within half an hour.

She shook the snow off her raincoat and smiled at A Yuan. "Don't worry. I'll take you out of the city first thing tomorrow morning."

A Yuan's heart suddenly settled, and her nose tingled with emotion. "Thank you, Sister Qiu Wen."

"Silly girl, why thank me? We both came out of that filthy place and became concubines to noblemen. We know each other's suffering best. You helped me, so naturally, I should help you back."

Qiu Wen held her hand and continued, "But you need to be sure if you've really made up your mind. The young master dotes on you now, and he might be willing to let you keep this child..."

After all, with Wei Xun as the father, even if the child is illegitimate, it would still be better off than a commoner.

A Yuan placed her hand on her belly and shook her head. "Even if I could really keep it, the old madam and Mrs. Shen wouldn't let us go."

She wanted to live, to leave the Marquis's residence—a place that chewed people up and spat them out.

Qiu Wen sighed softly, "Alright, then let's leave."

......

At dawn, the sky was still dark.

Qiu Wen escorted A Yuan to the end of Wutong Street and took out twenty taels of silver from her sleeve.

"This is what I've saved from selling buns these past few months, don't think it's too small an amount."

A Yuan refused, "I've saved up some money for the journey, I don't need yours..."

"Take it!" Qiu Wen insisted, her voice breaking with emotion, "You never know what's ahead. You can never have too much money when you're away from home. We might never see each other again after this. At least let me have some peace of mind."

The two sisters held hands, tears welling up in their eyes. A Yuan wiped the tears from the corner of her eye and stopped refusing, "Alright, I'll take it."

"Ah, that's better." Qiu Wen carefully tied the purse and then turned to the tall, mountain-like man beside her, "Thank you, Brother."

Zhang Feng, dressed in black with a hammer strapped to his back—the tool he used daily for forging—had a bronze face that remained expressionless, only nodding slightly.

Qiu Wen was accustomed to his cold and silent demeanor.

To be honest, she hadn't met Zhang Feng many times, but when it came to A Yuan's matters, he was the first person who came to mind.

And when she sought his help, Zhang Feng readily agreed.

The rickety green cloth carriage rattled towards the city gate. Qiu Wen clutched her handkerchief, silently praying for their safe departure.

As a blacksmith in the capital, Zhang Feng was familiar with the city guards. Seeing him leave the city, the two guards only did a cursory check before letting them pass.

Only after they had passed through the city gate did A Yuan's heart feel alive again.

She had really succeeded!

"Keep heading south, there's a dock there, you can go anywhere."

Zhang Feng, having promised Qiu Wen, naturally ensured everything was handled properly. After thanking him, A Yuan got off the carriage and followed the route the man had given her, heading south.

By the time she boarded the southbound ship, chaos had broken out in the manor.