For the next few days, that man, Pei Xiao, disappeared. No one knew where he had gone.
Maybe he’d decided she wasn’t worth taking to bed and didn’t even want to see her.
Wen Yining was perfectly happy to enjoy the peace and quiet.
She seized the opportunity to sneak out and gather herbs whenever she could. She got up earlier than the chickens and went to bed later than the dogs, and every time she returned to the villa, both her pockets were stuffed full.
Most of all, she gathered datura flowers.
Different parts of the plant had different levels of toxicity. As long as she controlled the dose, it could briefly paralyze a person’s nerves without killing them.
In a corner of the villa’s back garden, two figures sat grinding the fresh flowers into powder and packing it into powder spray bottles.
Nanny He hesitated as she looked across at Wen Yining. “Miss, are you really going to run away?”
Wen Yining stopped what she was doing and looked up at her. “Of course I am. And I’m taking you with me.”
“…”
Nanny He nodded wordlessly and went back to work, but the worry in her eyes remained.
Wen Yining didn’t quite understand. “Nanny He, weren’t you the one who said a man with money and power wasn’t a good match for me, and urged me to find someone else?”
“That’s true, but…”
Nanny He paused, then murmured to herself, “I just didn’t realize he had quite so much money and power…”
Not only was he the Lu family’s eldest young master, but the island had both planes and ships. In every way, he seemed like trouble.
Nanny He added, “Miss, if we’re caught, put all the blame on me. Just say I talked you into it.”
“…”
Wen Yining’s nose tingled, and her voice wavered. “How could I do that?”
This long-missed warmth reminded her of her maternal grandfather.
“Honestly, Miss, sometimes when I look at you…I see my Nannan. You’re both at that age when you’re like flowers in bloom—so young and lively…”
Thinking of her daughter, Nanny He’s eyes grew moist. “I’m getting old, and these bones of mine are about ready to rust. I’m not much use. If you put me forward, it’ll be better for both of us.”
Wen Yining shook her head hard. “No. It wouldn’t be better at all.”
As she spoke, she took Nanny He’s hand, her expression serious. “We’re going to escape together.”
Looking into Wen Yining’s hopeful, bright eyes, Nanny He held back her tears. “Yes. Nanny He was being a wet blanket.”
“Not at all.”
Wen Yining stood and brought over a basin of water, washing away the excess flower powder.
After putting away their masks and gloves, the two returned to the living room. The servants had already brought dinner.
“Nanny He, eat with me.”
Wen Yining handed her a pair of chopsticks.
Nanny He quickly waved them away. “Miss, that wouldn’t be right. How could I sit at the table?”
“Oh, Nanny He, don’t be so formal with me…”
Wen Yining stood and pulled her over to the chair opposite. “We’re escaping anyway. Soon we won’t be mistress and servant…”
“Miss.”
Nanny He interrupted her and glanced around to make sure no one had heard. Only then did she lower her voice. “We still need to be careful.”
“…”
Wen Yining followed her gaze around the room, then nodded and picked up her chopsticks. “Let’s eat.”
She had to eat well. Once she was full, she’d be ready to sneak out under cover of night.
“Oh, right, Nanny He.”
Wen Yining stuffed a big mouthful of shredded radish into her mouth. “Just call me by my name. ‘Miss’ sounds so formal.”
“All right.”
Nanny He picked up her chopsticks and served her some food. “Then may I call you Ningning?”
Wen Yining nodded, her eyes shining. “Sure. My maternal grandfather calls me that, too.”
She and Nanny He really were kindred spirits.
“Ningning, do you have enough cash? If not, Nanny He can give you some more. You and your maternal grandfather are leaving together, so the expenses along the way will add up.”
As she spoke, Nanny He began preparing the steamed fish for her, removing all the bones.
“No need,” Wen Yining said. “My grandfather’s clinic only takes cash. Keep some for yourself, and find somewhere Pei Xiao can’t track you down so you can live in peace.”
“Fine. Nanny He doesn’t have many expenses anyway. I only need money to visit my Nannan’s grave…”
She broke off abruptly.
Wen Yining quickly realized that if Pei Xiao really wanted to find them, he would certainly find something he could use against Nanny He. Visiting the grave…didn’t seem possible anymore.
“Nanny He, I’m—”
“Don’t say that.”
Nanny He interrupted her, smiling bitterly. “It’s all right. Maybe this is for the best. I’ll have some peace, and I won’t keep getting caught up in the things from the past that I can’t let go of…”
“…”
Wen Yining felt there was nowhere to put her guilt.
Nanny He had never told her how her daughter had died, but Wen Yining could tell from the grief Nanny He couldn’t hide in her voice that the story behind it must be a painful one.
Wen Yining didn’t know what to do.
“Eat.”
Nanny He set the deboned fish in front of her, then began eating herself.
“Mm…thank you, Nanny He.”
Wen Yining lowered her head and picked at her rice, sadness at their impending parting rising in her heart.
If not for Pei Xiao, she would have liked this island very much. It had herbs, Nanny He, and she could still visit her maternal grandfather from time to time.
“Ningning, from now on, do as Nanny He says. Find someone who treats you well, someone who cares about you and supports you…someone who’ll eat carrots with you, fly kites with you, and give you freedom…”
“Mm.”
Wen Yining’s voice was thick with tears.
“Stay away from bad men. Don’t listen to anything they say. They’re all liars…”
As Nanny He spoke, her voice gradually faded, as if she’d fallen into her memories.
“Mm.”
Wen Yining fought back her tears and nodded firmly.
…
Outside a private cemetery in Country M, a long black limousine was parked.
Inside, the man’s fingers slowly tapped out the words on a tablet.
Eating carrots and flying kites were one thing, but giving her freedom…
Heh. Dream on.
“Have everyone patrolling the island tonight wear masks,” Pei Xiao ordered.
“Yes, Master Xiao.”
From the passenger seat, Ling Yi added, “Should we arrange for them to wear gas masks?”
“No need.”
A trace of amusement curved Pei Xiao’s lips. That would be too obvious…and no fun at all.
He turned to look out the window.
In the middle of a vast green lawn stood a white marble gravestone.
Beside it, a datura tree was in quiet bloom, its pure white flowers swaying gently in the breeze.
Sunlight streamed through the clouds, bathing the earth in a soft glow.
Holy and serene.
“Master Xiao.”
Ling Yi, in the front seat, received a message and turned to interrupt the man’s thoughts. “Second Young Master says that since he can’t pay off his gambling debts, he’s going to blow up your Mandao Island tonight.”
“Heh…a cornered dog will jump over a wall.”
Pei Xiao’s voice was full of undisguised scorn. “Raise Mandao Island’s security level to three—no, the highest.”
He corrected himself in time.
He didn’t want to scare that little thing.
“Yes.”
Seeing that it was almost time, Ling Yi opened the car door and got out. He led a group of bodyguards to take up positions around the edge of the cemetery.
The man got out right after him and strode toward the center of the cemetery on his long legs.