Dan Xiaoya fiddled with her bracelet, knowing that the person would not give up and would surely come to reclaim it. Once the bracelet was on her wrist, it just wouldn’t come off. She had tried every possible method – using oil, water, nothing worked. Forcefully trying to remove it only resulted in her wrist becoming red and swollen… She let out a long sigh, “Alas! What should I do? What if he waits for me at every intersection tomorrow, catching me before I can reach Tian’en Temple?”
Chapter 052
Dan Xiaoya lay in bed, looking at the moonlight in the distance, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep… Her determination to go back grew stronger… No matter what, she had to find a way to go to Tian’en Temple and ask Master Kongjing to help her find a way back…
Early the next morning, Dan Xiaoya stretched and sat up from the bed. The maidservant Xiaoyu was waiting nearby and said, “Madam, you’re awake. The General wants you to go to the study.”
Dan Xiaoya asked in confusion, “Do you know what he wants this early?”
Xiaoyu shook her head. “Madam, please go quickly. The General has been waiting for a long time.”
Dan Xiaoya nodded. “I see. Go about your business!” Then she walked towards the study…
At the study door, she heard Hu Yannan’s voice: “Li Nanny, please help. She needs to learn the etiquette of Gold Sun Country and the rules of my household. I want to see her change.”
A coquettish voice responded: “General, you can rest assured. In one month, I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”
Dan Xiaoya had a feeling that they were discussing something related to her. She cleared her throat. “Hmm! General, you wanted to see me?” and walked in…
Hu Yannan looked at Dan Xiaoya, his eyes filled with tenderness. “You’re awake! Come and meet Li Nanny. She’s the teacher I’ve hired for you. From now on, you’ll learn the etiquette of Gold Sun Country and the household rules to avoid embarrassing yourself.”
Dan Xiaoya glanced at Li Nanny and asked, “General, when did I say I wanted to learn etiquette and rules? You must be mistaken.”
Hu Yannan patiently said, “This is my decision. Just follow Li Nanny and learn.”
Dan Xiaoya firmly opposed, “I don’t agree! What right do you have to decide for me? I won’t learn!”
Hu Yannan’s smile froze on his face. “This is settled. Don’t say anything more.”
“Do you think I’ll embarrass you with my lack of etiquette? It’s fine. I can leave, and I promise never to tell anyone I know you. You can be at ease.”
Hu Yannan looked at Dan Xiaoya with complex emotions, wanting to say something but holding back.
He told Li Nanny, “Li Nanny, she’s in your hands. Please teach her carefully.”
Dan Xiaoya didn’t wait for Li Nanny to speak, cutting in: “Didn’t you hear what I said? I won’t learn! I’m not your anything. What right do you have to make decisions for me? I’m telling you, you don’t have that power. I’m leaving right now. Don’t try to control me!” She turned to leave.
Dan Xiaoya was unwilling to be manipulated, believing she could definitely sneak out of the General’s mansion. She wandered around the courtyard, accidentally touching the token in her pocket. Her eyes brightened – with this, what could stop her from leaving? She strode confidently towards the main gate.
The guards, seeing the lady approaching, entered a state of high alert. They knew the General had issued a strict order: anyone who let the lady leave would lose their head. This military command was as immovable as a mountain, and no one dared to disobey. They nervously guarded the gate, afraid the lady might slip out.
As expected, the lady was now approaching. The head guard greeted her with a smile, saying, “My lady, please return. Without the General’s order, you cannot leave the mansion.”
Dan Xiaoya pulled out the token from her pocket, speaking confidently, “See? The General’s token. Do you need me to fetch another?” She waved the token in front of the guard.
The head guard blinked at the token, offering a forced smile, “My lady, the General has ordered that we can only let you leave if he personally agrees. Please go back!”
Dan Xiaoya looked at the guards, calculating her chances of forcing her way out, but found them to be zero. Unwillingly, she turned back…
Dan Xiaoya returned to her room, telling her maid Xiaoyu to wait outside, saying she wanted to take a nap and not to disturb her. Xiaoyu didn’t dare enter the room and could only stand guard at the door. Dan Xiaoya quickly changed out of her cumbersome dress and into a neat male outfit, covering her short hair with a square scarf. She opened the window and looked outside, noting that like every day, no one was guarding the window. Naturally, Dan Xiaoya slipped out the window, moving cautiously without attracting attention.
Having familiarized herself with the route over the past few days, she quickly arrived at the firewood storage area. The cart full of firewood was almost unloaded, with the workers resting nearby. Dan Xiaoya wished they would take the cart away so she could hide among the firewood, but she knew that was impossible. These workers clearly knew the gate guards.
If she tried to blend in, she would definitely be discovered. But if she couldn’t blend in, how could she get out?
The only place to hide was the cart, but with its flat board and the black horse, there seemed to be no hiding spot. Would she have to boldly sit on the board and leave? Hidden nearby, Dan Xiaoya pondered how to sneak out with them.
At that moment, a guard approached the workers, saying, “Brothers, you’ve worked hard. The supervisor wants you to come settle the previous account.” The workers, happy to get paid, followed the guard. Dan Xiaoya was excited – heaven was helping her! When they disappeared, she came out from her hiding spot, circling the cart and examining it carefully.
Finally, she found a spot underneath the cart, between the wheels. Though it would be uncomfortable, it was her only option. Without hesitation, she crawled underneath, using her hands and feet to brace herself between the wheels, barely fitting.
Just as she hid, the firewood workers returned, looking puzzled, glancing at the cart before hitching up the horse and moving forward. As the cart started moving, Dan Xiaoya was overjoyed – she was finally leaving!
The cart continued for a long time. What began as excitement turned to discomfort. Her arms and legs were going numb, and she worried about falling under the wheels.
She desperately wanted the cart to stop, to be out of the general’s mansion, but she had to remain silent to avoid detection.
After an agonizingly long time, just as her strength was failing, the cart hit a stone and jolted. Dan Xiaoya lost her grip and fell – coincidentally, the cart stopped at the same moment. The driver seemed to exhale in relief.
Surprised to be alive, Dan Xiaoya was elated. She began crawling forward, thinking about her freedom and modern life, bidding farewell to the barbaric Huoyan Nan. As she emerged from under the cart, only able to see a pair of black cloth boots, her adventure continued.
The owner of these shoes took a step back, just one step, and then stopped. Unexpectedly, they crouched down. “I thought you would stay down there longer. You’re coming out so soon? Do you want the carriage to circle around the mansion a bit more?”
Shan Xiaoya was stunned by these words. The voice sounded so familiar. It seemed like… Her heart began to pound… Could it be? How is this possible? It’s been such a long time… She crawled out a bit more, raising her head in confusion, and came face to face with an enlarged view of Hu Yannan’s face…
Shan Xiaoya’s expression changed rapidly, finally settling on shock. “How are you here?”
Hu Yannan’s handsome face was clouded. “Do you want to leave this place so badly?”
Shan Xiaoya blinked, not knowing how to respond…
