Chapter 10: Elopement

After some private discussions, Awu and Nie San agreed to elope.

When she looked at Nie San, her eyes were filled with affection.

But after they parted, she wiped her tears and immediately became indifferent.

It was merely a mutual exploitation-one coveted beauty, the other sought protection through martial prowess. 

Perhaps Nie San had other schemes, like being secretly aligned with the Crown Princess, setting traps for her.

But-

She had no choice but to take the gamble.

From Nie San’s arrangements, he seemed quite capable, having already infiltrated Nan Qiongzi, familiarizing himself with the terrain and even the security layout of the Imperial Guards.

Setting aside Nie San’s hidden motives, if he genuinely wanted to take her away, perhaps she could really escape.

Nie San also explained the situation to her: the Crown Princess wished for her disappearance, and the palace naturally didn’t want her around. 

If she vanished, they would search, but only the Crown Prince would truly care to find her.

So, it would all be just a show of searching.

Awu fully agreed.

Awu wanted to give Miaoxin some benefits to make things easier.

She returned to her room, found a pair of scissors, and took out a gold ingot, cutting it in half.

The young Taoist nuns in the temple had little money, and presenting a whole gold ingot might make Miaoxin suspect she had more. 

Her parents had always warned her that flaunting wealth could bring trouble, and giving too much might arouse suspicion.

After cutting the ingot, she secretly gave half to Miaoxin.

Miaoxin was shocked, unable to believe it: 

“Is this… gold?”

The half ingot was about four or five taels, a fortune for Miaoxin-it was gold!

Awu checked outside to ensure no one was there, then whispered confidently: 

“I brought this from the Crown Prince’s residence, sharing half with you! We’re good friends, no need to distinguish between us.”

Miaoxin was moved, her eyes reddening: “Miaozhen, you’re so kind.”

Instantly, they seemed much closer, and Awu took the opportunity to chat with Miaoxin, eventually bringing up the recent visit of the Emperor and the royal consorts to Nan Qiongzi. 

It was said that with autumn arriving, the mountain hot springs were perfect, and the nobles would stay for a few days to enjoy the autumn leaves and the springs.

This meant they would be busy, sweeping the courtyards and halls daily, attending to the halls, and performing their duties. 

Miaoxin, wanting to show her sincerity, shared much more, mentioning that the nobles would return in a few days, and the temple would host ceremonies.

Listening to this, Awu felt even more determined to take the risk and run away with Nie San.

That evening, while Miaoxin was on duty, Awu delayed her arrival slightly, secretly gathering her valuables into a small bundle and hiding it in the pine forest outside.

Then she went to her duty. 

Previously, Miaoxin had kept a close eye on her, but now, with their improved relationship, she was less vigilant. 

Awu offered to let Miaoxin rest while she cleaned the candle stands, and Miaoxin agreed.

While cleaning the candle stands in various halls, Awu took advantage of the night to slip out of the main hall, following the corridor to the pine forest.

Sure enough, Nie San was waiting there, grabbing her wrist and whispering, 

“Let’s go.”

Awu: “Sanlang, I have some valuables hidden under the pine tree. Let’s retrieve them first.”

Nie San’s voice was low: 

“There are guards outside. Leave the money. If I’m taking you away, I won’t let you suffer.”

Awu was moved by his words.

But she insisted: 

“These are from the Crown Prince. I’ve spent so much time with him to earn this money. If it’s gone, all my efforts would be for nothing. And without money, our future would be bleak, and our relationship might not last.”

Nie San fell silent, giving her a deep look: 

“Fine, wait here. I’ll get it.”

Awu told Nie San the exact location of the bundle. 

Nie San first carried her over the wall to leave.

Outside Yan Yang Temple, guards were indeed stationed, but Nie San had scouted the area beforehand, timing their escape during the guard shift.

After climbing over the temple’s back wall, they avoided the guards and slipped into a bamboo forest. 

Nie San found a safe spot and told Awu to hide there.

He handed her a commoner’s dress: 

“Change into this.”

Awu hesitated, clutching the dress. 

Nie San added: 

“Stay here, don’t move. It’s dark; no one will see you. Just hide, and I’ll come back for you.” 

Awu: “Okay.”

With that, Nie San got up to leave.

But Awu grabbed the hem of his clothes.

Nie San stopped and looked at her.

Awu’s eyes, overly clear and bright, were filled with fear: 

“You, you—”

Her voice was soft. 

Nie San leaned down: “Hmm?”

Awu’s thin lips moved before she finally whispered: 

“You wouldn’t take my money and leave me behind, would you?”

Nie San knelt slightly, silently gazing at her in the night. 

After a moment, he reached out and touched her hair: “I won’t.”

Awu’s eyes glistened with moisture.

She bit her lip: 

“Alright, go. I’ll wait here.”

Nie San said firmly: “Okay.”

He stood and left, his figure swift and silent, soon disappearing into the night.

Awu hid in the dark forest, first changing out of her Taoist robe into the commoner’s dress. 

After dressing, she looked towards Yan Yang Temple.

With the nobles visiting the mountain, the temple was especially generous with oil, lighting up the place brightly.

By the light, she could see the temple was quiet and peaceful; it seemed they hadn’t noticed her absence yet.

She touched the hidden gold she had stashed in a secret place on her person.

She had considered that Nie San might not be reliable. 

If he intended to betray her, he could have brought her out here, taken her money, and left.

At least she had some gold on her, which might help her escape if needed.

If he returned with the gold, perhaps she could try to trust him.

She waited quietly, her feet growing numb.

Finally, she saw people rushing around the temple, and guards with torches moving about.

She thought, this is bad.

Nie San hadn’t returned. 

Maybe he was caught, or maybe he had gone to report her.

Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly felt a presence. 

Looking up, it was Nie San.

Nie San carried the bundle, slightly out of breath, and grabbed her hand: 

“Let’s go!” 

Awu was both surprised and relieved: 

“You got my bundle!”

Nie San: “Yes.”

Awu: 

“Did they notice? What are they searching for?”

Nie San: 

“I set a fire in the temple’s storage room. They’re busy putting it out and won’t notice you’re missing for a while.”

His eyes gleamed: 

“This gives us some time to escape. By the time they realize, we’ll be out of Nan Qiongzi. I’ll take you east through small paths.”

Awu felt hopeful: “Okay!”

Nie San was quite skilled. 

He led Awu down a mountain path.

In the pitch dark, the dense forest and tangled vines made the journey difficult. 

Awu, already weak, was soon scratched by thorns, crying in pain. 

Seeing this, Nie San carried her on his back.

Leaning against the man’s sturdy back, Awu gazed into the dark night ahead, feeling a sense of security.

She remembered her father and brother carrying her as a child. 

Their backs were also strong, smelling of sweat and the sea-not pleasant, but comforting to her.

However, as they crossed a mountain pass, they encountered guards blocking the way, clearly not allowing easy passage.

Awu was scared, clutching Nie San’s arm tightly: 

“So many guards. Have they noticed I’m missing? Are they here to kill me?”

Nie San frowned, not speaking.

Awu wanted to cry: 

“I’m so beautiful and young. If I die here, it would be such a waste!”

Nie San said firmly: 

“Don’t speak.”

Awu immediately shut her mouth.

Nie San stared ahead for a while, then said: 

“These aren’t Yan Yang Temple guards. They’re Imperial Guards.”

Awu: “Imperial Guards?”

Nie San frowned: 

“I’m not entirely sure, but from their attire, they seem to be from the city. The Emperor has arrived in Nan Qiongzi, accompanied by numerous royals and nobles. Perhaps a noble is here.”

He pondered for a moment: 

“There’s a hot spring at the foot of this mountain.”

Awu understood: 

“So the nobles are here to enjoy the hot spring, and that’s why there are guards?”

Nie San nodded: “Yes.”

Awu gritted her teeth: 

“What nobles, coming here in the middle of the night to soak in the hot spring, blocking our way!”

They were so close to escaping.

Nie San: “We have two options now.”

Awu: “What?”

Nie San: “Go the opposite way, but we’d have to climb that peak.”

He pointed to a nearby mountain.

Awu looked the peak and it was rugged, with steep cliffs, as if carved by knives, high and deep. 

The path would be treacherous.

And even if they climbed it, who knew if there were guards on the other side?

She looked ahead and finally said: 

“Then let’s wait.”

Nie San agreed: 

“Let’s hide in the mountains, find a cave, and keep an eye out for any chance to escape.”

Awu: “Okay.”

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

The guards not only didn’t leave but instead tightened their encirclement, sealing off the area completely.

They even used iron forks and spears to comb through the mountains, as if searching for something.

Awu was terrified: 

“They’re looking for us!”

Nie San whispered: 

“No, they’re conducting a sweep.”

He explained: 

“There’s a hot spring here, and a palace. Nobles are visiting, so the guards are clearing the area beforehand.”

Awu: “What about us?”

Nie San: “Don’t worry.”

He stared ahead: 

“The Emperor has arrived in Nan Qiongzi. The mountains were already cleared, and Nan Qiongzi is heavily guarded. They’re just doing routine checks. Our cave is well-hidden; they won’t find us.”

Awu was still anxious but had to trust Nie San. 

They hid in the cave, not daring to leave, surviving on some flatbread and wild fruits.

Awu bit into a wild fruit, tears streaming down: 

“We’re going to die here.”

Nie San: “Once they leave, we’ll be fine.”

Awu grew indignant: 

“Who are these people, coming to soak in the hot spring and risking our lives!”

Nie San remained expressionless.

Awu suddenly felt it was pointless and stopped talking.

They endured like this for a day. 

During the day, there was more commotion outside, even the sound of drums and music. 

Awu was puzzled: 

“Who are these people?”

Nie San looked grave, instructing Awu: 

“Stay here. I’ll go see what’s happening.”

Awu: “Okay.”

Nie San placed Awu’s bundle beside her: 

“Hold onto this yourself.”

Awu took the bundle, confused.

Nie San had always carried the heavy bundle for her. 

Why was he giving it back now?

Nie San knelt in front of her: 

“Did you think I was going to abandon you?”

Awu hugged the bundle, her bright eyes wide: 

“If you were going to run, you wouldn’t have returned the bundle. That’s quite honorable of you.”

Nie San’s eyes showed a hint of a smile: 

“Don’t worry. As long as I live, I’ll come back for you.”

In the dim light, Awu looked at Nie San.

She thought this man might be trustworthy.

She met his gaze and said: 

“Okay.”