“Father, actually, Brother Sun’s encouragement for you to go up the mountain to suppress the bandits was also part of the plan. The young prince said that everyone should believe that you have really angered those bandits, so that it would seem reasonable when they kidnapped me, and it would also clear you of suspicion in this matter.”

"So, those bandits who splashed chicken blood on our house back then were just trying to make more people believe that I had offended them?"

Pan Wenjun nodded.

"Then when you and the Wei family girl went out of the city to offer incense last time, did you encounter bandits?"

Pan Wenjun nodded again: "Yes, actually they originally wanted to rescue me directly that time, but unfortunately Awuge ruined it. He also guessed our plans because of that incident, so he immediately went to the palace to ask the emperor to issue an edict to reward me and bring me into the palace to prevent any further changes."

Pan Wei let out a long sigh. No wonder he felt that things had been off lately; now that he heard this, it all made sense.

At first, he was a little angry that they had such a plan but kept it from him, their father. However, upon reflection, he realized that it was all out of good intentions from the younger generation, so he did not make a scene.

He simply asked, "So what should we do now?"

He came to abduct his daughter solely out of sheer courage, without any proper plan. He had no idea how to evade pursuers and the wanted notices to bring her back to the border. Since Prince Li had such a meticulous plan, they should naturally follow it.

Pan Wenjun pondered for a moment and said, "I have been unable to contact them since I entered the palace, so I am not clear about this plan. But since Prince Li still used those bandits, why don't we hide in the mountains and meet up with them?"

Pan Wei also felt this was a safe approach, so he nodded.

The elaborate wedding carriage was far too ostentatious, and its enormous size made it difficult to traverse the mountains. So Pan Wei simply pushed it off a cliff and then led Pan Wenjun into the mountains on foot.

...

Now that the fighting had stopped, Sun Xingjian came up the mountain to see Li Qingchen and Wei Shuwan. He felt that the most important thing at the moment was to find Pan Wei and his daughter. Li Qingchen had already made arrangements for this.

Just as Sun Xingjian was anxiously wondering where to find Pan Wenjun, Gu Zhuang happened to come over with an eagle on his arm. After greeting Li Qingchen, Gu Zhuang said to Sun Xingjian, "My lord, there's no need to worry. It has seen the whereabouts of the Pan family father and daughter!"

After saying that, Gu Zhuang released the hawk, and everyone followed it to search. Sure enough, they found Pan Wei and his daughter without any trouble.

"Wenjun!"

"Brother Sun!"

A couple ran towards each other and embraced tightly. Wei Shuwan was moved by the scene, while Pan Wei was dumbfounded.

"You... what is this...?"

Pan Wenjun then realized that she had lost her composure and quickly left Sun Xingjian's embrace. Sun Xingjian also looked at his former superior and future father-in-law with some embarrassment.

“Governor, Wenjun and I actually... actually pledged our lives to each other on the Autumn Festival.”

He held Pan Wenjun's hand, revealing a rare shyness typically seen on a young man's face.

Pan Wei had long known of Pan Wenjun's feelings for Sun Xingjian, but Sun Xingjian had always politely declined. Unexpectedly, the two of them ended up together this time.

Pan Wei felt as if he had escaped a disaster, and laughed loudly, "Good, good! I, as your father, am completely at ease entrusting Wenjun to you!"

Sun Xingjian was also delighted to have gained the approval of his future father-in-law.

At this moment, Li Qingchen walked over with a faint smile: "Commander Pan, Marquis of Pingyang, I was reluctant to interrupt your conversation, but the most important thing right now is to escape from this place."

Pan Wei looked at Li Qingchen. As a military officer, he didn't have many concepts of seniority and hierarchy. He only regarded Li Qingchen as his great benefactor. He stepped forward to bow, but Li Qingchen stopped him with a gesture.

"Commander Pan, there's no need for this!"

"We, father and daughter, will never forget the great kindness of Prince Li!" Pan Wei had a stubborn streak, and she forcefully pushed away Li Qingchen's hand and bowed down to him.