While Su Yushan was still trying to figure out how to comfort him and tell him not to overthink things, Hongli took the initiative and started to persuade her instead.
"The fortune slip might not be accurate. That old man was just making things up. Don't take it seriously. We'll definitely be fine and stay together for a long time. This red thread of fate won't break, and I'll never leave you."
He wouldn't, but she would leave! Fortunately, he didn't suspect anything, and Su Yushan was temporarily relieved, nodding.
"Yes, I believe you."
Her simple statement of belief easily calmed him down. Hongli smiled gently and led her for a stroll in the temple's backyard.
In the backyard stood a century-old banyan tree, already towering into the sky, covered with wishing strips. Hongli had visited many times but had never made a wish. In his eyes, this act of writing wishes on strips of cloth was somewhat childish, but this time, with her by his side, he suddenly felt an interest in giving it a try.
Li Yu immediately prepared a wishing slip for her master. Hongli picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, smiled at Su Yushan, thought for a moment, and slowly wrote two lines.
Su Yushan looked down and saw that the red ribbon read:
In the morning, we drink in the gentle rain that caresses our fingers; in the evening, we bathe in the snow of the year, growing old together.
After he finished writing, he wrote the two characters "Hongli" below, and then handed the pen to her, indicating that she should write her own name.
Su Yushan smiled bitterly to herself. The phrase "growing old together" refers to a husband and wife. She was merely Hongli's concubine, not his wife, and did not even have the right to grow old with him.
Seeing that she hesitated to take the pen, Hongli lightly stroked the bridge of her delicate nose with his finger. "What are you thinking about?"
After regaining her senses, Su Yushan paused for a moment before saying, "I was thinking, your handwriting is so beautiful, and mine is so ugly, they don't really match. Why don't you write for me?"
He never refused her requests, but this was something he couldn't do for her. "You said that making a wish while praying to Buddha requires sincerity, so of course you have to write it down yourself to show your sincerity."
Unable to refuse him, Su Yushan had no choice but to take the pen and write her name next to him.
Actually, her handwriting isn't ugly; it's just that she's not used to holding a brush. Her characters are written stroke by stroke, square and neat, like a child just starting school, lacking the free and flowing feel of calligraphy.
Seeing this, Hongli smiled and comforted him, saying, "Your foundation is good, but you lack practice. I can teach you calligraphy when I have time."
There would be no more free time; today would be our final farewell. Su Yushan thought this to herself, yet a gentle smile graced her face.
"good."
After writing down his wishes, Hongli threw the wishing strip forcefully onto the dense tree branches. The red strip of cloth fluttered in the wind, carrying the wishes of everyone.
Hongli smiled with satisfaction and turned to look at her. He was planning a future with her, while she was pondering whether her escape plan could proceed smoothly.
Su Yushan absentmindedly strolled around with him for a while, and then said that she was going to Dengdong.
Hongli had no suspicions and ordered Changyue to accompany her.
On the way there, Su Yushan specifically mentioned that she had a stomachache, so Chang Yue knew that her mistress might stay a little longer. She didn't think much of it and continued to stand guard outside as usual, while enjoying the scenery of the bamboo forest rustling in the wind.
About fifteen minutes later, when her mistress still hadn't come out, Changyue casually called out, "Princess, are you feeling better? Is your stomach still hurting?"
Not getting a response, Chang Yue called out twice more, but still received no reply. A chill ran through her; something felt wrong. Startled, she rushed inside, only to find it completely empty!
How could this be? Where is the princess? In that instant, Chang Yue broke out in a cold sweat. She anxiously searched the vicinity but couldn't find any trace of her mistress. Could it be that her mistress had already gone back while she was in a daze?
That shouldn't be the case! It's impossible for Gege to walk alone without calling her, right?
Chang Yue grew increasingly frightened and hurriedly ran back to report to the Fourth Master, "Fourth Master, has the Princess returned?"
Hongli, who was waiting by the pavilion, was sipping tea when he heard this and was quite surprised. "Didn't she go out with you?"
"Yes!" Chang Yue cried anxiously. "I've been waiting outside for ages, but the princess still hasn't come out. I went inside to check, but there was no sign of her!"
No one in sight? Hongli's eyes narrowed slightly, worried that something might have happened to Su Yushan. He immediately stood up and headed in the direction Chang Yue had indicated to find out what was going on.
Upon arriving at the location, he discovered that there was only one path in front of the outhouse. Chang Yue had been guarding the area but had not seen anyone come out. Therefore, the only exit was the temple wall behind it. Could someone have climbed over the wall to commit the crime? Yu Shan should have shouted, and Chang Yue should have at least heard some noise.
What on earth happened? His disappearance without a trace is too bizarre!
Meanwhile, Demin had already quickly scaled the wall to investigate. "Master, I've found something!"
Upon hearing this, Hongli leaped up, using the wall as leverage, and flipped over in a few quick movements.
Demin pointed to the footprints on the ground, "Sir, look."
Hongli looked closely and saw that there was only one pair of footprints nearby, which proved that there was no other person. Moreover, the footprints were facing outwards, which meant that someone had climbed over the wall and run away!
He was worried that Yu Shan might have had an accident, but now these footprints have proven everything. She didn't have an accident at all; she walked on her own.
So what is this? Running away? His woman actually ran away from him?
Upon realizing the truth, Hongli clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead, and immediately ordered Demin to guard the city gates!
Demin bowed and accepted the order. Just as he was about to turn around, Hongli waved his hand and said, "Wait! This matter must not be made public. Send a few of your trusted confidants who have met Yushan to guard the four city gates. If any other guards ask, do not reveal it."
"Understood!" Demin knew the seriousness of the matter and would make proper arrangements for manpower.
Hongli made this arrangement because he knew very well that once the news of Su Yushan's escape became public, his father and mother would never forgive her!
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