Leaving

"Miss, we're back."

Before they arrived, Qiao'er's voice had already carried inside. Yet before she could even enter the room, she ran into An Yuzhi, who could no longer sit still and had come out herself.

An Yuzhi's complexion was not good. At the thought that she would be marrying into Prince Fu's Manor in seven days, she felt not the slightest joy—only fear. "How did the matter I told you to inquire about go?"

Qiao'er failed to notice and said excitedly, "Miss, the whole of Gentlemen City is talking about your marriage to Prince Fu. I heard His Majesty has issued an imperial decree too. Not only has he approved the marriage, he has also bestowed many precious gifts. Now they are simply waiting for you to marry into Prince Fu's Manor."

An Yuzhi's face turned pale at once.

"Miss, what's wrong?" Xing'er was the first to notice something strange about her.

Qiao'er looked over and saw her mistress's pale face as well. "Miss, don't frighten us. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?" As she spoke, she hurriedly poured her a cup of hot water.

An Yuzhi did not take the cup. Instead, she seized Qiao'er's wrist, her fingertips turning faintly white from the force of her grip. "Tell me, if I said I didn't want to marry now... what would happen?"

"Miss, you must never say such things, or the An Family will be in great trouble." Xing'er was startled.

"Yes, Miss." Qiao'er had not expected her mistress to entertain such a thought and hurriedly echoed, "Prince Fu is a member of the imperial family. Being able to marry him is a blessing countless women dream of. What's more, you are marrying him as his princess consort."

Xing'er said earnestly, "Miss, your marriage to Prince Fu is already known to everyone. Even His Majesty has begun paying attention to it. If you refuse to marry, and His Majesty lays blame upon us, the An Family may very well be charged with deceiving the emperor. You absolutely cannot harbor such thoughts."

An Yuzhi forced out a stiff smile. "You needn't worry so much. I merely thought of it suddenly and asked casually. I don't truly intend to do that."

The two of them immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Qiao'er resumed her smiling expression. "Miss, it's fortunate you were only asking."

An Yuzhi's gaze flickered.

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, another three days had gone by. Only four days remained before the wedding, and both families were making intensive preparations. Even An Ziran was so busy that he had no time to practice calligraphy. He made several more trips to Prince Fu's Manor during those days, and because of that, he had no time at all to notice An Yuzhi's situation.

An Yuzhi had previously said she was merely speaking casually, but on the very day An Ziran went to Prince Fu's Manor, she began packing her belongings. She sent the more levelheaded Xing'er away, leaving only Qiao'er behind. When Qiao'er heard that her mistress intended to flee the marriage, she was completely dumbfounded.

"Miss, didn't you say..."

An Yuzhi cut her off. For the first time, her pretty face revealed a determination that belonged entirely to her. "I don't want to marry him. I've thought it through. My life cannot be ruined in Fu Wutian's hands. I want to pursue the happiness that belongs to me."

Over the past few days, she had thought it over again and again. The plays she had once watched with her parents appeared in her mind scene after scene. One play in particular had always left a deep impression on her: it was the story of a woman who held fast to her convictions and bravely pursued her own happiness, ultimately attaining a perfect ending. She believed she ought to be like that woman in the play.

Qiao'er was stunned. "But Miss, if you simply leave like this, what will happen to Eldest Young Master and the An Family?"

Seeing that her mistress had already packed her things, she finally understood that this was no joke. She was immediately at a loss. She felt she had to persuade her mistress. That Prince Fu might have some defect, but his status was noble. So many people wanted to marry him but had no opportunity. Yet her mistress actually wanted to flee the marriage—it was simply unbelievable!

An Yuzhi furrowed her brows as if troubled. Only after a while did she grit her pearly teeth. "I believe Brother will find a way. Qiao'er, are you willing to leave with me? If you are unwilling, I cannot let you tell Brother, so I will tie you up."

"Miss..." A trace of struggle appeared on Qiao'er's face.

It was the first time she had seen her mistress so resolute, and from the look of it, she seemed to have prepared long ago.

"Qiao'er, follow me. I won't treat you poorly." An Yuzhi actually wanted someone to leave with her. Having someone they could rely on would make her feel more at ease, so among the two maids, she chose the more quick-witted Qiao'er.

Qiao'er hesitated for a while, but in the end she nodded in agreement. She knew that once Prince Jun placed blame, the entire An Family would likely be unable to escape disaster. If she remained with the An Family, she might be implicated as well. She might as well leave with her mistress.

Having reached an agreement, mistress and servant quickly slipped out through the back gate.

By the time An Ziran returned to the side residence, the sun was nearly setting.

The moment he entered, he keenly sensed that the atmosphere was strange, as though it were suffocatingly oppressive.

Then he saw Xing'er standing beneath the steps, pacing back and forth nonstop with an anxious expression. When Xing'er saw him, she immediately rushed over as though she had seen a savior. Her first words were:

"Eldest Young Master, something terrible has happened. Miss is gone."

That will be all for today. Tomorrow, I will post more to make it up to everyone.