＂Whendoweleave?＂

＂Tomorrownight，＂hesaidsoftly.＂I，llhaveeverythingready.Allyouodoistrustme.＂

Sukielookedintohiseyes，seeingtheloveaerminationthere.Shekhatwhateverchallengesyahead，theywouldfacethemtogether.＂Itrustyou，＂shewhispered.

Thedaypassedinablurofpreparationandsecrecy.HanFenglingmadearraswithtrustedallies，ensuringthattheirdeparturewouldgounnoticed.Suk

iepackedafewpreciousbelongings，herheartheavywiththekhatshewasleavingbehindthelifeshehadknown.

Asnightfell，theymetinthegarden，theirheartspoundingwithanticipation.HanFenglingtookherhand，hisgripfirmandreassuring.＂Areyouready?＂heaskedsoftly.

Shenodded，hereyesfilledwithdetermination.＂Yes.Let，sgo.＂

Theymovedsilentlythroughtheshadows，slippingpastguardsandservantswhowereunawareoftheirpns.Astheyreachedtheedgeoftheestate，asenseoffreedomwashedoverthem.Theywereleavingbehindaworldofdangeraion，steppingintotheunknownwithnothingbuttheirlovetoguidethem.

Butjustastheywereabouttocrossthethreshold，avoutinthedarkness.＂Goingsomewhere?＂

Sukie，sheartskippedabeatasXieTiaeppedintoview，hiseyesgleamingwithtriumph.＂Didyoureallythinkyoucouldescapeme?＂hesneered.