I continue to run and walk as long as my legs can take me. Sometimes i hear the sound of horses, we will hide. Little peach seems to know there is danger if she make noises. She use her two little hands to cover her mouth and noise.
"Mother, are we losing?"
"No, we are wining. When we reach the inn, we will win."
"Then we will go home?"
"No to another place. It will be better."
"More meat?" I nod my head. The evening come quietly my legs are about to give way and my arms are starting to be sore from the weight of little peach. Ever since i married the dingbat, i haven't been doing any manual work. Eating and laying around the wholeday doesn't help Even waking up in the morning to do exercise is just to stretch the muscles in the body. Every step i walk i pant hard for breath. I must not stop not matter what the reason is. Soon, darkness falls and the sky starts to drizzle light rain.
When i finally can walk no longer, a horse stroll up to us. Looking up in the rain is difficult. Little peach cry again. Some men run up and they seems to have an umbrella. Finally i can see who the person is. It's my father, the Duke Su. "Bring the useless girl and my granddaughter in the carriage."
When i wake up, the surrounding is quiet. Little peach is sleeping beside me. There is a table of food near the bed. I got off and rush to the table to drink and eat. When i am full, i see my father standing outside the little courtyard. He is looking at the moon. Slowly i get up and walk to him. "Wake up? It's about time. What you are doing is foolish, do you know?" i shake my head. "He is now kicking up a big fuss in the capital. His new wife is now locked up. I heard that she got wrestle down to the ground."
"She is used to it. They do that a lot in military camp. That's what i heard."
"How long are you going to stay away?"
"As long as i can."
"Not that long. You have little peach. She is too young to be drag in the mess you are in. "
"I have made a promise with Tang Li..."
"Forget that promise. You cannot make those kind of promises. Unless Prince Xian personally divorce you, our law will allow you to leave his mansion. That Tang Li is not the law nor the emperor to make those kind of decision. Your wedding is decree by the emperor, himself. Even i can't reject it. What makes Tang Li to have the rights for you to exit this marriage? She is not even the first official wife?! You are! The roles have reverse! If the emperor knows about this, how much trouble will the Tang and Su families be in. This is not a joke. I know that making you to pretend to be your sister and marry prince Xian, is wrong in the first place. However it's been set. There is nothing we can do. We only can bring this secret to our graves. No one will know. Unless you or someone tells the truth. I don't think anyone of us will tell an outsider of this." He turn his back to me and walk a few step with his hands behind his back. "Go back to the mansion in a few days time. I will find an excuse for you. Don't you dare to do this again. Tomorrow, we will all go back back to the Su mansion. Your mother is awaiting for your return. Granny Li is so upset that she is not eating. Just think how many people are involved in this mess! Go to bed now!"
In the morning, little peach wakes up before the sun raises just like her father. She is amused to see this little house. She ask me on everything. The house is own by one of the men under my father. We thank his parents and set off to Su mansion.
"Mother, we win?"
"Yes we win."
"Yeah! More meat later?" i nod my head. She happy eat her steam buns. While i have no mood to eat. Father might be right about this. I haven't think much and just follow Tang LI's instructions. Suddenly something comes into my mind. I open up the blinds to see my father riding the horse next to the carriage. "How did you know that i am in trouble?"
"I have my own source. Can't tell you. As long as you are my daughter, i know where and what you are doing."
"You have spies around me?"
"Not spies. They just make sure you are safe in wherever you are at. I thought that with little peach as your daughter, you should be more matured. Seems that i am wrong. Children are meant to make parents worry for life! Marry or not, it's the same."
"what about when i ..." i look at those men and back to father. He look at me sternly "Granny Li is my source back then. Now she is not."
"Father i just realise that i have to dispatch a letter to Mr Liu Xue An. He must be still waiting for me!"
"It's done. I have already sent someone to meet him. That man is also another foolish person. He will get Liu clan into trouble if this blows up. He thinks that in the desert no one will know? There are eyes for the royal family over there. Your portrait will be dispatch to them within a month and once they find you there. He won't be spare. Concubine Liu will never leave the royal temple. She can die there if her brother is found do such a thing."
"Mother water!"
I close the blind immediately and attend to the little one. He is right about most things. I never think properly on this case. I must plan properly the next time. My father seems to know and think a lot. I have to learn from him. I have his blood, shouldn't be that difficult am i right?