Ever since Shao Liu Er returned to her courtyard, night had fallen, and lanterns were lit everywhere.
The servants had already set out dinner, and Shao Liu Er sat at the table. She ate unhurriedly, not daring to look at the sheet of paper, fearing she might attract attention.
She was troubled, and it wasn't merely because she hadn't seen her beloved for so long, but because many strange things had happened in the palace. Her stepmother and two brothers had been killed. Her elder brother had also been imprisoned. Afterward, her distressed father came to her. The subordinates dared not speak to her, so Shao Deng Yun himself told her everything that had happened.
Although Shao Deng Yun hadn't spoken in detail, she knew that her elder brother had a poor relationship with her stepmother and younger brothers. Now they were dead, and he was imprisoned. It wasn't hard to guess what had happened, but she dared not dwell on it.
She had also gone to see her brother in prison, but she wasn't allowed to see him. Shao San Sheng had said that her brother was fine, and told her to take good care of herself, and not to worry about him.
After dinner, the subordinates lit the lamps in the library, and Shao Liu Er, left alone, read the contents of the letter there.
Every day, this was the best time for her. But this time, after reading the message, she immediately stood up and anxiously began pacing back and forth.
Tang Xiang Yang was going to leave Beizhou and now wished to see her one last time. What should she do? How could she get out?
She couldn't simply walk out, as she was being watched everywhere. Her servants, all her elder brother's people, and the palace guards too.
Force her way out? She couldn't do that either, guards were everywhere!
"Go and beg my brother? But my brother is in prison, and I can't see him. Perhaps he's afraid I'll learn the reason for my stepmother's and brothers' deaths?" Thinking about the cause of her relatives' deaths, Shao Liu Er paced back and forth, then stared out the window sill, as if lost in thought...
The next day, as the sun's rays illuminated the courtyard, Tang Xiang Yang had already returned from his walk outside and reading books.
He closed the doors and hastily rushed into the hall, where Lu Sheng Zhong was already waiting for him.
"— How?"
Tang Xiang Yang nodded. He sat down next to him and took a sheet of paper from a book. He joyfully replied:
"— She replied.
Lu Sheng Zhong: "Good! Let's quickly take a look."
Tang Xiang Yang began to read, but he didn't bother with all the sweet nothings, instead getting straight to the point:
"— Liu Er asks why I am leaving. She says she cannot get out. There are many maids watching her, sent by her brother. Er..." Tang Xiang Yang read no further.
Lu Sheng Zhong asked in surprise, "Is that all? Is it finished?"
Tang Xiang Yang shook his head.
Lu Sheng Zhong quickly replied, "Does Brother Tang not trust me?"
Hearing this, Tang Xiang Yang waved his hand and awkwardly stammered:
"— Liu Er says that if she can deal with the servants, she'll be able to leave the palace. Only... only I need to find sleeping powder for the servants."
"..." Lu Sheng Zhong was speechless. He burst out laughing. It turned out this Liu Er was quite the mischievous one, to think of sedating the maids just to see her beloved one last time.
If this beauty could truly sedate everyone and escape, it would save him a lot of time. Lu Sheng Zhong hadn't even imagined Shao Liu Er would be like this. It seemed he hadn't clung to Tang Xiang Yang in vain.
Patting Tang Xiang Yang on the shoulders, Lu Sheng Zhong sighed and said:
"— Brother Tang, you are a lucky man! It seems Young Miss Shao truly loves you.
Tang Xiang Yang anxiously asked:
"— Where can I get the sleeping powder? Where should I go?"
Lu Sheng Zhong patted his chest:
"— Brother Tang, is this a matter for you? Allow me to handle this improper task."
Tang Xiang Yang: "This... is this truly appropriate?"
Lu Sheng Zhong: "Does Brother Tang not wish to meet the young lady? Young Miss Shao has gone to such lengths just to meet you, Brother Tang. And you wish to refuse? How will she view that afterward? Do you truly not love her?"
"— No, no, no. That's not what I meant! Of course I love her." Though Tang Xiang was a scholar, he was no match for the cunning Lu Sheng Zhong.
"— Brother Li, how will we deliver the powder to her?"
Lu Sheng Zhong chuckled, "Since there's already a connection, sending it won't be difficult."
Tang Xiang Yang said with emotion:
"— Brother Li, this Tang does not know how to repay your kindness!"
Lu Sheng Zhong replied seriously:
"— The relationships between noble people are light as water; between base people, they are cloying as wine. What is there to talk about? Brother Tang, I merely wish to do a good deed. But Brother Tang must not forget me and invite me to drink a cup for you at your wedding."
Tang Xiang Yang himself dreamed of that day.
"— Alright, Brother Tang, there are some things we need to find out thoroughly from the young lady. For instance, the full layout..." Lu Sheng Zhong continued to give instructions.
He clearly understood that whether it succeeded or not, Shao Liu Er must prepare very thoroughly this time. If she failed to escape this one time, there would be no second chance.
After asking everything and giving instructions, Lu Sheng Zhong left to get the powder.
For two days, both inside and outside the palace, the two sides exchanged information. After they had learned everything, Lu Sheng Zhong wrapped the foil with the powder into small arrows, and Tang Xiang Yang inserted these arrows into the sheets of paper.
This time, Tang Xiang Yang sent quite a few sheets down the river, for if there wasn't enough powder, Shao Liu Er wouldn't be able to leave...
In the library study, Shao Liu Er unrolled the small arrows and poured out the powder from them.
For three days, she collected the powder.
When she left the library, she told a maid to prepare to go out shopping tomorrow.
The maid asked why, but Liu Er didn't answer. She merely said she hadn't decided yet. She told her to go to the steward for permission, and tomorrow, once she decided, she would say what purchases to make.
According to palace rules, if subordinates wished to enter or leave the palace, they had to obtain permission first...
The next morning, Shao Liu Er specifically ordered people to prepare one pot and cook food. She even cooked herself, then, under the pretext that her brother had ordered everyone to economize on everything, she invited all her subordinates to eat together.
Not long after, her maids all collapsed.
Truly, there was nothing to be done against a thief from within one's own household!
Shao Liu Er took their clothes and changed, posing as a subordinate. She dressed as a man and powdered her face to appear a little rougher and darker. But in the end, she still looked like a somewhat delicate young man. She left the courtyard and approached the side entrance of the palace. There she produced a wooden token, granting permission to exit.
Although Shao Liu Er looked like an unfamiliar subordinate, the palace in general had so many maids and subordinates that it was impossible to recognize every face. Thus, the guards at the gate often failed to recognize subordinates. Moreover, she had a wooden token allowing entry and exit. So the guards let her pass.
Shao Liu Er's heart was taut as a bowstring. She walked several streets before finally letting out a relaxed sigh. She had gotten off with a mere fright.
It was a good thing she knew the layout of the palace.
When Shao Liu Er reached the designated alley, a carriage was already waiting for her there. Confirming it was indeed the right carriage, Shao Liu Er immediately got inside.
The carriage immediately headed out of the city, and only outside, where a forest village was located, did the carriage finally stop.
Shao Liu Er stepped out of the carriage and immediately saw a peasant in a small courtyard. He looked at Shao Liu Er and instantly grew agitated.
Shao Liu Er quickly walked up to him. She hadn't seen him for so long.
Tang Xiang Yang embraced her.
The two people merged together, as if they were one. Their hearts pounded, and words were now superfluous. Before, they had only allowed themselves to hold hands, but now they were embracing.
Shao Liu Er felt Tang Xiang Yang's scent for the first time, which made her head spin.
Tang Xiang Yang also felt Liu Er's body for the first time, and chaos now reigned in his mind too.
Liu Er couldn't hold back and asked:
"— Why do you want to leave?" This was the main reason she had escaped from the palace.
This was no place for conversation, so Tang Xiang Yang led her inside the house.
"— Why do you want to leave?" When they entered the house, Liu Er asked again.
Tang Xiang Yang shook his head:
"— Liu Er, I don't want to leave you. But I can no longer stay in Beizhou. I was dismissed from my position, and no one in the city will employ me. And you know my financial situation..."
Liu Er's eyes widened: "Is this because of my family?"
Tang Xiang Yang did not answer, he merely bowed his head.
Lu Sheng Zhong had advised him not to speak of it for now.
Lu Sheng Zhong had said that they should disappear as quickly as possible first. For if the Shao family discovered their daughter was missing, it would be difficult for them to escape. After all, the region was under the control of the Shao family. Would they truly allow Shao Liu Er to disappear? Therefore, it would be better if Liu Er willingly left with him.
However, Lu Sheng Zhong had also prepared for extreme measures. If Liu Er didn't agree, he could hide Shao Liu Er in a secret place and wait for Niu You Dao to send people.
But looking at the situation, he realized that it seemed unnecessary to resort to extreme methods.
"— Why didn't you tell me about this?" Shao Liu Er's eyes reddened. She cupped Tang Xiang Yang's face with both hands:
"— Xiang Yang, forgive me, I've harmed you.