Chapter 10 Elopement

Chapter 10: Running Away Together

A Wu and Nie San secretly discussed their plans and agreed to run away.

When she looked at Nie San, she gazed at him lovingly.

But once they parted, she wiped away her tears and went cold just like that.

It was nothing more than them using each other—one after her looks, the other wanting his protection.

Perhaps Nie San had other schemes—what if he was actually the Crown Princess’s man, leading her into a trap?

But—

She had no choice but to roll the dice.

From Nie San’s arrangements, he seemed pretty sharp, having long infiltrated Nanqiongzi and knowing the surrounding terrain inside out—even the Imperial Guard’s patrols were crystal clear to him.

Setting aside whatever else Nie San might be plotting, if he truly intended to help her escape, she might actually succeed.

Nie San had also laid it all out plainly: the Crown Princess would be overjoyed if she disappeared, and the inner court had no desire to keep her either. If she vanished, they’d put on a show of searching, but aside from the Crown Prince, no one truly wanted to find her.

So, in the end, it would just be for show.

A Wu bought it.

A Wu wanted to get Miao Xin on board by offering her some benefits.

Returning to her room, she first found a pair of scissors, then pulled out a gold bar and cut it in half.

The Taoist nuns in this temple had little money, and if she handed over a whole bar, the other would figure she had more. Her parents had always warned her: flash your cash, invite disaster—and giving too much might arouse suspicion.

After cutting the bar, she palmed half to Miao Xin.

Miao Xin was stunned, unable to believe it: "Is—is this real gold?"

The half-bar weighed about four or five taels—a fortune for Miao Xin. It was gold!

A Wu glanced outside to ensure no one was watching, then whispered eagerly, "I brought this from the Crown Prince’s residence. Half’s yours! We’re like sisters—what’s mine is yours."

Miao Xin was moved, her eyes reddening: "Miao Zhen, you’re so kind."

Instantly, the two seemed much closer. Seizing the opportunity, A Wu chatted with Miao Xin, working the talk around to the Emperor and his consorts’ recent visit to Nanqiongzi. It was said that with fall arriving, the mountain hot springs were at their best, and the big shots would stick around for a few days to take in the fall colors and enjoy the baths.

This meant they would be busy—sweeping courtyards and halls, attending duties, and reciting scriptures. Keen to prove she was on her side, Miao Xin shared many details, even mentioning that the nobles would return soon, and the temple would hold prayer ceremonies.

Listening to this, A Wu became even more determined to take the risk and flee with Nie San.

That evening, while Miao Xin was on duty in the hall, A Wu stalled before showing up, using the time to gather her stash into a small bundle and hide it in the pine grove outside.

Afterward, she joined Miao Xin for duty. Previously, Miao Xin had kept a close eye on her, but now that they were on good terms, she wasn’t watching as close.

A Wu urged Miao Xin to rest while she cleaned the candle stands, and Miao Xin agreed.

Seizing the chance, A Wu slipped out of the hall while it was dark, following the corridor to the pine grove.

Sure enough, Nie San was waiting there. He grabbed her wrist and whispered, "Let’s go."

A Wu: "San Lang [Nie San’s nickname], I have my stash hidden under the pines. Let’s grab it first."

Nie San spoke in a hushed voice, "There are guards outside. Forget about the money. Since I’m taking you away, I won’t let you go hungry."

A Wu was moved by his words.

Still, she insisted, "This was all given to me by the Crown Prince. I’ve spent all this time with him to earn this silver. If I lose it now, won’t it all be for nothing? Besides, if we have no money to live on later, poverty will ruin us, and it might not last."

Nie San fell silent for a moment, then gave her a deep look. "Alright. Stay here. I’ll fetch it."

A Wu told him the exact location of the bundle. Nie San lifted her over the wall first.

Outside Yanxiang Temple, guards were indeed stationed, but fortunately, Nie San had scouted the area beforehand and timed their escape during the changing of the guard, avoiding detection.

After climbing over the rear wall of Yanxiang Temple, they slipped past the guards and hid in a rocky bamboo thicket. Nie San found a safe spot and told A Wu to stay there.

He handed her a commoner’s dress. "Change into this."

A Wu clutched the dress hesitantly. Nie San added, "Keep down and stay still. It’s too dark for anyone to spot you. Just hide here. I’ll come back for you."

A Wu gave a small nod. "Alright."

As Nie San turned to leave, A Wu suddenly caught the edge of his robe.

He stopped and looked back at her.

Her wide, luminous eyes brimmed with fear. "You—you—"

Her voice was barely a whisper. Nie San leaned closer. "Hmm?"

Her lips trembled slightly before she finally murmured, "You’re not going to run off with my silver and leave me, are you?"

Nie San lowered to one knee, gazing at her silently in the darkness. After a pause, he reached out and gently touched her hair. "No."

A Wu’s eyes shimmered with tears.

She bit her lip. "Alright. Go. I’ll wait here."

Nie San’s voice was firm. "Good."

He stood and left, moving swift and silent, soon vanishing into the night.

A Wu hid in the dark woods, first changing out of her Taoist robes into the commoner’s dress. Once dressed, she peered toward Yanxiang Temple.

Because of the noble guests visiting the mountain these days, the temple was lit up like daylight, every hall aglow.

By that light, she could see the temple seemed undisturbed—it appeared her absence hadn’t been discovered yet.

She touched the gold she had secretly tucked against her skin.

She had considered that Nie San might not be trustworthy. If he intended to betray her, he could have lured her out, taken her silver, and vanished on her.

At least she had some gold on her. Even if she couldn’t get far, she could still try.

If he came back with the money, perhaps she could truly trust him.

She waited until her feet went numb.

Finally, she faintly saw shadows rushing about within the temple, and guards with torches sweeping the grounds.

She thought to herself, things were taking a bad turn.

Nie San still hadn’t come back—perhaps he had been caught, or perhaps he had gone to turn her in.

Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly felt someone nearby. When she looked up, it was Nie San.

Nie San had a bundle slung over his shoulder, his breath a little ragged. He grabbed her hand and said tersely, “Let’s go!”

A Wu lit up with surprise and joy. “You found my things!”

Nie San: “Yeah.”

A Wu: “Did they catch on? What are they searching for?”

Nie San: “I set fire to the temple’s woodshed. They’re too busy fighting the fire to realize you’re missing yet.”

As he spoke, his eyes flashed with calculation. “That buys us some time to escape. By the time they notice, we’ll already be past Nanqiongzi. I’ll take you along back roads, heading east.”

A Wu listened eagerly. “Alright!”

***************

Nie San was nimble-footed. He led A Wu down a mountain path.

In the pitch-black night, the dense woods and tangled vines made the journey difficult. A Wu, already frail, struggled with the rough terrain. After just a few steps, she was scratched by thorns, the pain making her eyes water.

Seeing this, Nie San just hoisted her onto his back.

Leaning against the man’s sturdy back, A Wu stared into the darkness ahead and suddenly felt a sense of security.

She remembered her father and brothers carrying her when she was young—their backs were just as firm, their scent mingled with sweat and the saltiness of the sea. It wasn’t exactly pleasant, but she loved it, for it made her feel safe.

However, as they crossed a mountain pass, they spotted guards ahead, clearly not just anyone could pass.

A Wu’s heart raced and she clung tightly to Nie San’s arm. “So many guards—are they after me?”

Nie San frowned at the scene but said nothing.

A Wu wanted to cry. “I’m so pretty and so young—if I die here, what a shame!”

Nie San said sharply, “Quiet.”

A Wu immediately fell silent.

Nie San stared into the distance for a long moment before saying, “These aren’t the temple guards. They’re imperial guards.”

A Wu: “Imperial?”

Nie San furrowed his brow. “I’m not entirely sure, but judging by their attire, they must be the city’s guard force. The emperor is visiting Nanqiongzi, accompanied by a whole entourage of nobles. Perhaps one of them is here.”

After a brief pause, he added, “There seems to be a hot spring at the foot of this mountain.”

A Wu understood. “So the nobles are enjoying the hot spring, and that’s why there are guards?”

Nie San nodded. “Yes.”

A Wu clenched her jaw, annoyed. “What noble picks the middle of the night to come for a soak, blocking our way?”

They had been so close to escaping.

Nie San: “We’ve got two choices now.”

A Wu: "What?"

Nie San: "We’ll head the other way, but we’ll have to climb over that mountain ahead."

As he spoke, he pointed into the distance.

A Wu looked over—the mountain was jagged with steep cliffs, as if sliced by blades, towering and deep. That path would be brutal.

Besides... even if they made it over, who knew whether guards were waiting on the other side?

She glanced ahead and finally said, "Then let’s hold off for now."

Nie San nodded. "We’ll hide in the mountains over there and find a cave. We’ll keep scouting for a chance to slip through."

A Wu: "Alright."

**************

What A Wu didn’t expect was that this delay would last an entire day.

The guards not only didn’t leave but instead drew their net tighter, cutting off every escape.

They even swept the mountains with pikes and spears, as if searching for something.

A Wu was terrified: "They’re looking for us, aren’t they?"

Nie San whispered, "No, it’s just a routine sweep."

He explained, "There’s a hot spring here, along with a temporary palace. Some big shot’s coming, so they sent guards to search the mountain in advance."

A Wu: "Then what about us?"

Nie San: "Relax."

He stared into the distance. "The emperor has arrived at Nanqiongzi. They already swept this mountain before, and Nanqiongzi is heavily guarded—no outsider’s getting in. Right now, they’re just doing routine checks. Our cave is well-hidden. They won’t find us."

A Wu’s stomach still twisted with fear, but she had no choice but to trust Nie San. The two of them huddled in the cave, not daring to leave, living off nothing but stale bread and foraged berries.

A Wu choked down a bitter berry, tears streaking her cheeks. "We’re as good as dead here."

Nie San: "We’ll be fine once they clear out."

A Wu’s temper flared. "Who is this person? Just to bathe in a hot spring, they’re going to get us killed!"

Nie San’s face gave nothing away.

A Wu bit back her words, the fight draining out of her.

After a grueling day, during the daytime, a commotion erupted outside—drums, music, the works. A Wu was even more puzzled. "Who is this?"

Nie San’s jaw tightened. He instructed A Wu, "Stay put. Not a sound. I’ll go check what’s happening outside."

A Wu: "Alright."

Nie San placed A Wu’s bundle beside her. "You take this now."

A Wu took the bundle, looking at Nie San in confusion.

He had always carried it for her—she could barely lift the damn thing. Why hand it over now?

Nie San dropped to one knee, eye-level with her. "You thought I’d ditch you?"

A Wu clutched the bundle tightly, her bright eyes wide open: "If you run, but still return the bundle to me, you'd be a stand-up guy."

Nie San's eyes twinkled with amusement as he chuckled, "Don't worry, I won't run. As long as I'm alive, I'll come back for you."

In the dark, hazy night, A Wu gazed at Nie San under the faint glow of the sky.

She thought perhaps this man could be trusted.

Looking into his eyes, she said, "Okay."