Side Story 4: Planning to Run Away from Home

Side Story 4: Planning to Run Away from Home

A dark and windy night is the perfect time to commit a crime.

In Pei Niannian's boudoir in the west courtyard of the Regent's Palace.

A large bulge appeared on the thick brocade quilt, from which a faint, mysterious light shone—

That was because Pei Niannian stole a luminous pearl from Pei Yunjing's study to use as a lamp.

"An'an, look here."

In bed, Pei Niannian lay face down, her finger drawing a winding line on a crumpled map:

"Once we leave the city, we'll head west. I've heard there's a 'Thousand Gold Terrace' there, the biggest den of iniquity in the capital. Let's go there to get some travel expenses, and then head south straight for Jiangnan!"

Pei An sat cross-legged opposite her, watching his sister's excited little face with a blank expression by the light of the luminous pearl.

"sister."

He calmly pointed out the flaws in the plan:

"The allowance your father gave you is enough to buy ten thousand gold tables. Do we need to raise money for the journey?"

"Oh, you don't understand!"

Pei Niannian rolled her eyes at him, speaking in a seasoned, worldly tone:

"That's called 'experience in the martial world'! What kind of skill is it to spend your family's money? We should be like the heroes in those folk tales, robbing the rich to help the poor and taking advantage of the wealthy!"

“And…” she licked her lips, “I’ve heard that the roasted pigeon at Qianjintai is also exceptional.”

Pei An: "..."

Sure enough, the last sentence is the key point.

"Alright."

Pei An sighed and stopped arguing.

Anyway, whatever his sister wants to do, he'll be there to cover for her.

"Then the route is set!"

Pei Niannian put away the map and took out a piece of Xuan paper and a calligraphy brush that she had prepared beforehand from under her pillow:

"Next comes the most important step—leaving a note and running away!"

She bit the pen, thought for a moment, then picked up the pen and wrote a line of bold, yet crooked, large characters on the paper:

[Father, Mother:]

The world is so big, we want to see it.

Do not think of it, do not look for it.

Otherwise, I'll marry a beggar.

After finishing writing, she blew on the ink with satisfaction and drew a big smiley face and a simple tiger head at the end of the signature (representing that she had taken away Big White II).

"How was it? Wasn't it dashing? So chivalrous?"

Pei Niannian proudly showed it to her younger brother.

Pei An's eyes twitched slightly when he saw the phrase "marry a beggar".

He could foresee how interesting his father's expression would be when he saw the letter.

"Walk!"

Pei Niannian placed the letter under her teacup, blew out the luminous pearl, and changed into a fiery red outfit that she had prepared beforehand.

She slung her small bundle over her shoulder, grabbed Pei An's hand, and like two nimble cats, tiptoed out the window.

...

Although the Prince's mansion was heavily guarded, it was practically an open field for the siblings who had grown up there and even had a group of animal spies among them.

(Of course, they were unaware that the hidden guards had already received the prince's orders: blind them all and let them pass.)

The two slipped away to the stables.

"Mo Yun, Xiao Bai, we're leaving now!"

Pei Niannian patted the jet-black horse named "Moyun" (Mofeng's grandson), then mounted it.

Pei An also untied the reins of the white horse next to him and nimbly mounted it.

"Squeak—"

The back door was gently pushed open.

In the early hours of the morning, the streets of Beijing were deserted and quiet, with only the distant echoes of the night watchman's gong.

Two fast horses galloped along the cobblestone path, their clattering hooves shattering the tranquility of dawn.

They raced through the long streets and through the market, heading swiftly toward the majestic city gate.

At this moment, the sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Golden rays of dawn pierced through the clouds, illuminating the two young and energetic figures.

Ahead lies the city gate.

Beyond this door lies the vast sky and sea, the world they have longed for—the martial arts world.

"drive--!!!"

Pei Niannian cracked her whip, and her red dress fluttered in the wind like a burning flame.

She glanced back at the capital city where she had lived for over a decade, her eyes filled with no lingering attachment, only boundless anticipation for the unknown.

"An'an! Charge!"

"Go and conquer a kingdom for your parents!"

Pei An followed closely behind, dressed in black with black hair, his gaze resolute.

Two swift horses dashed out of the city gate like shooting stars and into the vast, boundless world.