Chapter 10

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Chapter 10: Elopement

Awu and Nie San had reached a private agreement—they would run away together.

Whenever she gazed at Nie San, her eyes brimmed with tender affection.

Yet, once they parted, she would wipe away her tears and quickly become cold and unfeeling.

It was nothing more than mutual exploitation: one coveted beauty, the other sought the protection of his martial skills.

Perhaps Nie San had other schemes—perhaps he truly served the Crown Princess, and his real purpose was to entrap her.

But—

She could only grit her teeth and take the gamble.

Judging by Nie San’s meticulous preparations, he was certainly capable. He had long since infiltrated Nanqiongzi, learned the lay of the land, and even understood the layout of the Imperial Guards within the inner palace.

Whatever his ulterior motives, if this man truly wished to help her escape, perhaps she could really get away.

Nie San had laid everything out for her: the Crown Princess would be delighted to see her gone, and the inner court had no wish to keep her either. If she disappeared, a search would be launched, but apart from the Crown Prince, no one would earnestly wish to find her.

Thus, any search would be but a pretense.

Awu agreed wholeheartedly.

She wanted to offer Miaoxin a favor, to ask for her assistance.

Returning to her room, she first found a pair of scissors, retrieved a gold ingot, and clipped it in half.

The young nuns in this temple had little money. If she offered a whole gold ingot outright, the other girl might suspect she possessed more wealth. Her parents had always taught her: flaunting wealth invites disaster. Besides, giving too much might arouse suspicion.

After she finished, she secretly pressed half the ingot into Miaoxin’s hand.

Miaoxin was shocked, hardly able to believe her eyes. “Is… is this real gold?”

That half ingot weighed four or five taels—a great fortune for Miaoxin. It was gold, after all!

Awu glanced out the window to make sure no one was around, then lowered her voice and said generously, “I brought this from the Prince’s residence. I’m sharing half with you! We’re good friends, after all—no need to distinguish between us.”

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

In that instant, their relationship grew much closer. Awu took the chance to chat with Miaoxin, mentioning that the Emperor and favored consorts were due to visit Nanqiongzi. As autumn approached, the mountain hot springs were at their best, and the noble guests would stay for several days to enjoy the autumn leaves and the baths.

This meant the temple would be busy—cleaning the halls and courtyards daily, taking turns on duty, reciting scriptures. To show her sincerity, Miaoxin spoke at length, mentioning that more distinguished guests would be arriving soon and that the temple would hold special ceremonies in their honor.

Listening to this, Awu grew more determined—whatever the risks, she would close her eyes and make her escape with Nie San.

That evening, while Miaoxin was on duty in the main hall, Awu took the opportunity to leave a little later. She stealthily gathered her valuables, packed them in a small bundle, and hid the bundle in the pine grove outside.

Then she went to her temple duties. Normally, Miaoxin would keep an eye on her, but now, with their improved relationship, she was less vigilant.

Awu offered to let Miaoxin rest while she cleaned the candlesticks. Miaoxin accepted, and Awu used the pretext of tending to the candlesticks in various halls to slip outside under cover of night, making her way along the corridor to the pine grove.

Sure enough, Nie San was waiting there, grasping her wrist and whispering, “Let’s go.”

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

Nie San spoke in a low voice, “There are guards outside. Leave the money behind. If I’m taking you away, I won’t let you live in poverty.”

Awu was moved by his words.

Still, she insisted, “These were given to me by the Prince. I’ve spent so much time with him to earn this silver. If I lose it all, it’ll have been for nothing. Besides, if we have no money, poverty will doom even the closest couple. We may not last.”

Nie San was silent, gazing at her deeply. “Very well, wait here—I’ll fetch it.”

Awu told Nie San exactly where she’d hidden the bundle. First, Nie San helped her over the wall.

Outside Yanxiang Temple, guards were indeed stationed, but Nie San had already scouted the area and timed their escape for the guard shift change, slipping past unnoticed.

They climbed over the rear wall, evaded the guards, and hid in a bamboo grove among the rocks. There, Nie San found a safe spot for Awu.

He handed her a set of ordinary city clothes. “Change into these.”

Awu hesitated, clutching the clothes. Nie San instructed, “Stay low and still. It’s dark; no one will see you. As long as you remain hidden, I’ll come back for you.”

Awu nodded. “Alright.”

Nie San turned to leave.

Just then, Awu caught hold of his sleeve.

Nie San paused and looked back at her.

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Awu’s bright, clear eyes were wide with fear as she whispered, “You—you—”

Her voice was barely audible. Nie San bent down. “Hmm?”

Her lips quivered before she finally murmured, “You won’t run off with my silver and abandon me, will you?”

Nie San knelt, silent in the darkness, gazing at her. After a moment, he raised his hand to gently stroke her hair. “No.”

Awu’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

She bit her lip. “Alright, go on. I’ll wait for you here.”

Nie San’s voice was low and steady. “Good.”

He rose and slipped away, his movements agile and silent, vanishing swiftly into the night.

Awu, hidden in the darkness, changed out of her priestess’s robe and into the city clothes. Once dressed, she peered toward Yanxiang Temple.

Because distinguished guests were visiting the mountains, the temple had lit every lamp, illuminating the grounds.

By that light, she could see the temple was calm and peaceful—they had not yet discovered her absence.

She checked the gold she had hidden on her person, tucked in a secret place close to her skin.

She had considered that Nie San might not be trustworthy. If he meant to betray her, he could hand her over and take the silver. At least she had some gold on her; perhaps she could make a run for it.

If he returned with her gold, maybe she could trust him.

She waited quietly for a long time, until her legs grew numb.

At last, she saw figures hurrying around the temple and some guards moving with torches.

She thought, This is bad.

Nie San still hadn’t come back. Perhaps he’d been caught, or perhaps he’d already betrayed her.

As she worried, suddenly a shadow appeared—it was Nie San.

He carried the bundle, breathing slightly hard, and seized her hand. “Let’s go!”

Awu was overjoyed. “You got my bundle!”

Nie San nodded.

Awu asked, “Have they discovered something? What are they looking for?”

Nie San replied, “I set fire to the wood shed in the temple. They’re all busy putting it out and won’t notice you’re missing for a while.”

He added, his eyes glinting, “That gives us some time. By the time they find out, we’ll be out of Nanqiongzi. I’ll take you east by the mountain paths.”

Awu grew hopeful. “Good!”

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

Nie San was skilled in martial arts. He led Awu down a mountain path.

It was pitch dark, the forest thick with trees and tangled vines. Awu was frail, and the road was rough; soon, brambles scratched her, bringing her to tears.

Seeing this, Nie San carried her on his back.

Resting against his broad back, Awu stared into the dark night ahead and suddenly felt a sense of security.

She thought of her childhood, when her father and brothers had carried her like this. Their backs were strong, smelling of sweat and the sea—not pleasant, but comforting.

But as they reached a mountain hollow, they saw guards ahead—clearly, not just anyone could pass.

Awu, frightened, clung tightly to Nie San’s arm. “So many guards—have they realized I’m missing and are out to kill me?”

Nie San frowned, silent.

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

Nie San said sternly, “Be quiet.”

Awu fell silent at once.

Nie San studied the guards for a long while. “These aren’t temple guards—they’re imperial guards.”

Awu asked, “Imperial?”

Nie San frowned. “I’m not certain, but from their uniforms, they seem to be city guards. The Emperor is visiting Nanqiongzi, and many royal relatives and nobles are here—perhaps one of the nobles is present.”

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

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Awu understood. “A noble is here enjoying the hot spring, so the guards are stationed?”

Nie San nodded. “Yes.”

Awu, frustrated, gritted her teeth. “Of all times to visit the hot spring, they had to come in the middle of the night—blocking our way!”

They were so close to escaping.

Nie San said, “We have two options now.”

Awu asked, “What are they?”

Nie San replied, “We could go the other way, but we’d have to cross the next mountain peak.”

He pointed ahead.

Awu looked—the mountain was sheer and jagged, its cliffs sharp as knives, tall and forbidding. The path would be treacherous.

And even if they crossed, who could say whether there weren’t guards on the other side as well?

She looked ahead, then decided, “Let’s wait.”

Nie San agreed. “We’ll hide in the mountains for now—find a cave. We’ll keep watch, and when there’s a chance, we’ll try to get out.”

Awu nodded. “Alright.”

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

Awu hadn’t expected that this delay would last an entire day.

Not only did the guards not leave, they encircled the whole area, sealing it tight.

They even probed the mountains with pitchforks and spears, searching for something.

Awu was terrified. “They’re looking for us!”

Nie San whispered, “No, it’s just a sweep.”

He explained, “There’s a hot spring here and a palace. A noble is visiting, so they sent guards to search the mountains in advance.”

Awu asked, “Then what about us?”

Nie San reassured her, “Don’t worry.”

He watched the distance. “The Emperor’s presence means the mountains were swept long ago, and Nanqiongzi is heavily guarded. Outsiders can’t easily enter. Now they’re just doing a routine inspection. This cave is well hidden—they won’t find us.”

Awu was still anxious, but could only trust Nie San. The two of them hid in the cave, surviving on some flatbread and wild fruits.

Awu bit into a wild fruit, tears streaming down her face. “We’re going to die here, aren’t we?”

Nie San replied, “We’ll be fine once they leave.”

Awu grew resentful. “All this, just for a hot spring bath—they’ll be the death of us!”

Nie San’s expression remained blank.

Awu suddenly found it all meaningless and said no more.

They endured an entire day like this. The next day, there was a sudden commotion outside, even music and drums. Awu was puzzled. “Who could it be?”

Nie San’s face grew grave. He instructed, “Don’t move. Stay here. I’ll go see what’s happening.”

Awu agreed. “Alright.”

Nie San placed her bundle beside her. “Keep this with you.”

Awu accepted it, looking at him in confusion.

Nie San had always carried it for her—it was too heavy for her. Why give it back now?

Nie San knelt before her. “You think I’m going to leave you here and run off alone?”

Awu hugged the bundle, her eyes bright. “If you were going to run, but still returned my bundle, you’d at least be an honorable man.”

Nie San’s gaze softened with a smile. “Don’t worry—I won’t run. As long as I live, I’ll come back for you.”

In the dark of night, Awu looked at him by the faint light of dawn.

She thought, perhaps this man was truly trustworthy.

Looking into his eyes, she said, “Alright.”