Tiger Owl

Chapter 140 The Third Escape

In the afternoon, Sun Shangxiang came to visit Xu Wei.

There was still snow in the back garden, and the two friends strolled slowly along the garden path.

"How could you... You are the legitimate daughter of the Xu family. He can't guarantee you'll be his legal wife. Why did you marry him?"

Xu Wei shook her head. "I didn't marry for status, I married for him as a person. I also think that Sister Da Qiao is more suitable to be the main wife. She is tolerant, kind and considerate. Although she is a bit weak-willed, General Gan is already strong enough. If there is another strong wife in the family, it will definitely not work. Everyone will have a hard time."

"But you are the legitimate daughter of the Xu family! That Da Qiao, she is just the daughter of a general under Yuan Shu. Can her family status compare to yours?"

Xu Wei shook her head again. "In fact, I am not the legitimate daughter. My mother was only a second wife, not the principal wife. But even if I am the legitimate daughter of the Xu family, what is the Xu family compared to the whole world? I heard that Cao Cao wanted to marry his daughter to General Gan. Can I compete with Cao Cao's daughter for the principal wife?"

Sun Shangxiang understood and said angrily, "So that's how it is. He wanted to leave the position of principal wife to Cao Cao's daughter."

"Not really!"

Xu Wei shook his head. "I know General Gan. He doesn't care about Cao Cao's daughter. He actually wants Sister Da Qiao to be his legal wife. I know that perfectly well!"

"Hmph! Luckily I didn't agree to marry him. If I, Sun Shangxiang, were to become his wife, I'd rather be killed!"

Xu Wei walked slowly with her head down, and whispered, "Shangxiang, there are some things you don't understand. Status is not important. Marrying a man you love is the most important thing. Being able to see the man you love every day and have a child with him is such happiness. A woman who can taste this kind of happiness is content for the rest of her life."

Sun Shangxiang pouted and said, "Perhaps you're right! Anyway, I'll find a husband I like, and if I can't find one, I'd rather not get married."

At this moment, Xu Wei suddenly felt how lucky she was to be able to find her own happiness, but Sun Shangxiang could not; her fate was never in her own hands.

…………

Xu Qiu paced back and forth in the lobby with his hands behind his back, extremely agitated.

After a long pause, he said to his son Xu Peng, "I absolutely cannot let my daughter marry Gan Ning as a concubine!"

"Father, she's not a concubine, she's a secondary wife!"

“Not even a second wife!” Xu Qiu raised his voice. “The legitimate daughter of the Xu family, my only daughter, she’s not even a principal wife. Wouldn’t people laugh at us if word got out?”

"Father, didn't you promise her this morning?"

"I was confused for a moment, but I've come to my senses now. No, this is absolutely unacceptable."

Xu Peng said helplessly, "Then what should we do? You know Yun Qing's temper. She's more stubborn than anyone else. Once she's made up her mind, not even ten oxen can pull her back."

Xu Qiu thought for a moment and said, "I will go to Xuchang in a couple of days. We can't travel by water, so I will take her by land. I will take her to Xuchang first, and then I will slowly arrange a marriage for her there."

Xu Peng hesitated for a moment, "But Yun Qing is leaving tomorrow."

“I know we have to keep her.”

Xu Qiu pondered for a moment and then asked, "How many trusted men do you have under your command?"

"More than a dozen people!"

“I have about twenty men under my command. You can arrange them to gather together and monitor Wei’er’s residence. If that doesn’t work, forcibly detain her and prevent her from leaving.”

Xu Peng had no choice but to agree.

As dusk fell, Xu Wei was eating alone in her room when Qin Yan rushed over and said, "Miss, we're being watched."

Xu Wei's face turned cold. "The Xu family again?" "It doesn't seem so. I saw someone making arrangements, and he looked a bit like your older brother."

Xu Wei was stunned for a moment, "Are you sure?"

"It should be. Several of them are your father's men; I've met them."

Xu Wei felt a pang of sadness. Her father had gone back on his word. He had agreed to everything this morning, but now he had changed his mind. She was right; her father wouldn't agree to her marrying General Gan. He must want to take her to Xuchang.

"Girl, what should we do?"

Xu Wei sighed and said, "I didn't want to run away a third time, but they forced me to!"

Xu Wei was determined; no one could stop her, not even her father.

She immediately said to Qin Yan, "Dong Gu and I are about the same size. I'll change clothes with her, and you escort her out for a walk to attract the attention of the people watching. I'll disguise myself as a maid and leave through a side door. Then, we'll meet at Jingkou Wharf."

Qin Yan was about to cry, "Girl, I'm worried about you being alone."

Xu Wei said irritably, "Who said I was alone? I have Sister Sangzhi with me!"

Qin Yan suddenly remembered that Sangzhi was with them too! She immediately stopped crying and started laughing.

"That's true. I've forgotten about her, so I'm relieved. Miss, you make the arrangements; I'll listen to you."

Xu Wei immediately changed clothes and hairstyles with his personal maid, Dong Gu. Dong Gu rode in Xu Wei's carriage and left. Qin Yan and the guards followed closely behind. Xu Qiu's men, who were monitoring outside the mansion, all recognized Qin Yan. Her figure was too eye-catching, and everyone thought that the young lady had gone out, so they hurriedly followed to keep an eye on her.

Before long, Sangzhi, dressed as an old woman, and Xu Wei, dressed as a village girl, each carrying a basket, came out of the small door in the kitchen where vegetables were delivered. There were several people watching them, but no one paid them any attention. In addition, it was getting late and their faces were not clearly visible. Xu Wei and Sangzhi successfully escaped.

Before the city gates closed, they went straight out of the city, rented a passenger boat at the dock, and sailed to Jingkou overnight.

Xu Wei's carriage circled back to the manor, the gates were tightly closed, and dozens of guards stood watch outside.

The next morning, Xu Wei's carriage set off, followed by a large number of servants.

Xu Peng rushed over upon hearing the news. He stopped the carriage and called out, "Yun Qing, I want to talk to you again!"

The carriage stopped, and Qin Yan jumped down from it, laughing, "Second Young Master, the young lady has already returned to Yuzhang County."

"nonsense!"

Qin Yan waved her hand and took the hand of her maid Dong Gu as they got off the carriage.

"Second Young Master, do you think this is a young lady?"

Xu Peng looked closely and was immediately shocked. He rushed to the carriage and peered inside, but found nothing. He then lay down on the ground and looked down, but still found nothing.

"Where is my sister? Where did she go?" Xu Peng asked sternly.

Qin Yan sighed and said, "I already told you, she left yesterday. She didn't want to run away a third time, but you forced her to. She had no choice."

Xu Peng was stunned for a moment.

In Jingkou, Xu Wei, Qin Yan, and their entourage met up and set off again by boat for Yuzhang County. It was the same large ship they had come in on, with the same entourage and five warships as escorts.

(End of this chapter)