Leaving

"Miss, we're back."

Before they arrived, Qiao'er's voice had already carried inside. But before she could enter the room, she ran into An Yuzhi, who had been unable to wait any longer and had come out herself.

An Yuzhi looked rather unwell. At the thought that she would be married into Prince Fu's Manor in seven days, she felt no joy at all—only fear. "How did the inquiries I asked you to make go?"

Qiao'er failed to notice anything and said excitedly, "Miss, the entire Gentlemen City is talking about your marriage to Prince Fu now. I heard His Majesty has even issued an imperial decree. Not only has he approved the marriage, but he has also bestowed many valuable gifts. Now they're just 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 that something was off.

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

Instead of taking the cup, An Yuzhi grabbed Qiao'er by the wrist. Her fingertips had turned 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.

"That's right, Miss." Qiao'er had not expected her mistress to entertain such thoughts and hurriedly agreed. "Prince Fu is a member of the imperial family. Being able to marry him is a blessing countless women dream of, not to mention that you'll be marrying him as his princess consort."

Xing'er said seriously, "Miss, everyone already knows about your marriage to Prince Fu. Even His Majesty has begun paying attention to it. If you refuse to marry, and His Majesty blames the An Family, we may be charged with deceiving the emperor. You absolutely must not have such thoughts."

An Yuzhi forced a stiff smile. "Don't worry so much. I only thought of it suddenly and asked casually. I don't really intend to do that."

The two of them immediately sighed in relief.

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

An Yuzhi's gaze flickered.

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, another three days went by. Only four days remained until the wedding, and both families were busily preparing for it. Even An Ziran was so occupied that he had no time to practice his calligraphy. He had made several more trips to Prince Fu's Manor over the past few days, and because of that, he had no time at all to pay attention to An Yuzhi's situation.

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

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

An Yuzhi cut her off. For the first time, her pretty face showed a resolve that belonged solely to her. "I don't want to marry him. I've thought it through. I can't let my life 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 replayed in her mind scene by scene. One particular play had always left a deep impression on her: it was the story of a woman who held fast to her beliefs and bravely pursued her own happiness, ultimately finding fulfillment. An Yuzhi believed she should be like that woman in the play.

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

Seeing that her mistress had already packed everything, Qiao'er finally realized that she was not joking this time. She was at a complete loss. She felt she had to persuade her mistress. Prince Fu might have some sort of flaw, but his status was exalted. Countless people had no chance to marry him even if they wanted to, yet her mistress wanted to flee the marriage. It was simply unbelievable!

An Yuzhi frowned as if troubled. After a while, she bit her lower lip and said, "I believe my brother will find a way. Qiao'er, are you willing to leave with me? If you aren't, I can't let you tell my brother, so I'll have to tie you up."

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

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

"Qiao'er, come with me. I won't treat you poorly." An Yuzhi actually wanted someone to accompany her when she left. Having someone they could rely on would make her feel safer, so of her two maids, she chose the more quick-witted Qiao'er.

Qiao'er hesitated for a while, but ultimately nodded in agreement. She knew that once Prince Jun held them accountable, the entire An Family would likely be unable to escape disaster. If she stayed 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 door.

When An Ziran returned to the courtyard residence, the sun was already close to setting.

The moment he entered, he keenly sensed that something was strange. The atmosphere seemed unusually oppressive.

Then he saw Xing'er standing below the steps, pacing back and forth with an anxious expression. When Xing'er saw him, she immediately rushed over as if she had seen a savior. The first thing she said was:

"Young Master, something terrible has happened. Miss is missing."

That's all for today. I'll post more tomorrow to make it up to everyone.