Fang's eyes darted around. "Did Xie Xiao insult you?"
"What do you think? He definitely cursed me, in front of a lot of people. I lost all face."
He's so angry!
He listened to the woman gossip that stealing pigs was not the act of a gentleman, but he was also dissatisfied that Xie Xiao didn't give him any face. He was his elder brother and the only scholar in the village, a source of pride for his whole family and the entire village.
Seeing his sullen face, Fang said, "Husband, why don't we leave?"
"What? Where are you going!"
“Let’s go to the capital. Didn’t you say before that there are continuous high mountains and the Qin River Valley stretching for eight hundred miles near the capital? The Emperor must be there. Let’s go and seek refuge with the Emperor.”
Xie Heng was stunned.
She even remembered what she had said: "That's just something I read on paper; I've never been there. Besides, how can I go without food, water, or a boat?"
Fang remained calm. "I'm not afraid. I go to the kitchen every day and get to know Aunt Zhang who cooks. I got a bag of rice, more than a bushel, and some meat. I can even steal a small boat."
"You!" Xie Heng checked to see if anyone was outside, then closed the door again and scrutinized her. "I didn't realize my wife had such skills."
“That’s right,” Fang said. “You think only Li Ruo is capable? Your wife is capable too. Just because Xie Xiao doesn’t like us, does that mean we like him? Besides, do you think rebellion is so easy? The Emperor hasn’t come yet, but he definitely will. With such a small force, he thinks he can succeed? How many people would have changed his position by then?”
Xie Heng thought she made sense, and suddenly looked at his wife, who was usually not very bright and could hardly read, with new respect. "Go on," he said.
Fang continued, “If the rebellion fails, we, his close relatives, will all die. It would be better to leave now and surrender to the Emperor. In the past, it was as difficult as climbing to heaven for people like us to see the Emperor, but now it’s different. The Emperor is in need of talented people. You have studied hard for ten years, and your opportunity has come.”
Xie Heng was fired up by what she said. "That makes sense, but we can't get out."
Xie Xiao wouldn't let them leave.
"His wedding is a big deal, and we're not even allowed to go?" Fang said. "I'm the eldest sister-in-law, and according to our village custom, I'm supposed to go to fetch the bride. We'll be there..."
Xie Heng slapped his thigh and said, "Okay, it's settled then."
Fang smiled and said, "I'll pack my things tonight. Don't bring Mother with us yet. We'll bring her over once we've established ourselves."
"Alright."
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