Chapter 8

In Aunt Zheng's room, Fourth Sister asked with concern, "Mother, they won't replace me with Third Sister, will they?"

There are too many places we want to visit, and it is inconvenient to take the horse-drawn carriage, so we will take a rickshaw instead. Brother, take a break and let's go have a cup of tea

Tongyang is a small city in the north, yet the train station is crowded with people

The coachman said that a few days ago, Lady Li instructed Fifth Sister to sell some jewelry at the jewelry store, and Master Liu smashed everything in the room.

They purchased second-class seat tickets, and there are not many people inside, all of whom are dressed quite decently

At that time, the coachman had just brought the four young ladies back home, and then reported that he had not picked up the third young lady

Old Master Liu shook his head: "Fourth Sister is not capable."

This little girl does not know that only good people will feel guilty.

The doorman said: "After taking Fifth Sister out in the morning, she never returned."

"Fourth Sister has found a suitor," said Master Liu. "She knows a male classmate, the eldest son of the Fengye Pharmaceutical family. Aunt Zheng has already informed me that once Fourth Sister turns sixteen, she will marry him as a concubine. If I were to change my mind at the last minute, wouldn't that offend them?"

"Beijing, ah, that is indeed a grand place," Li said nervously

The coachman was waiting at the door, but Aunt Li handed him a dime

When the train started, all three of them smiled, their smiles reflecting relaxation and relief, embodying a sense of liberation and boundless freedom.

Old Master Liu furrowed his brows and asked the doorman, "Has Concubine Li returned?"

"Go to the police station and report that the maid has abducted two young ladies," the anxious madam said. "What should we do? It was all arranged to deliver them to the director's residence in half a month, and now how can we explain this?"

She is from the Xiong family. Besides, would Auntie agree? What would the old lady say on her side?

"Having run away, no matter how bitter or poor life becomes in the future, I will not return."

The next day, Third Sister went to the lady's house and knelt down, expressing her desire to go to school to bid farewell to her teachers and classmates

My younger sister is unable to bear a son, while the Xiong family has pampered the concubine who gave birth to a son to the heavens. In a fit of anger, my sister returned to our mother's home, and it has been two years since they came to fetch her. Do they still care about these two daughters? As for my sister, she eats my food and wears my clothes; I will not support her for nothing. " Master Liu then instructed, " This time, keep a close watch on her! "

Li has never traveled far, not even to Tongyang. She once thought that taking a train away from her hometown would be an earth-shattering event, but now that she has done it, she feels it is nothing remarkable. There are quite a few women on the train as well

The master has spoken, and Third Sister also feels grateful for the master's kindness. Aunt Li clenched the silver dollar in her hand, a smile appearing at the corner of her mouth

She spoke sincerely, and the lady also hoped that she would marry joyfully, rather than marrying an enemy. Upon seeing Aunt Li cutting fabric to make clothes for the third sister, she thought they were open-minded and willing to marry, so she readily agreed.

I have provided for their food and clothing for over ten years, only to raise three ingrates. When I catch them, I will skin them alive

Without waiting for the coachman to say anything, she pulled Xuelan and sat down in a rickshaw by the roadside

What shall we do about our leader

They boarded the vehicle in such a hurry that they did not prepare anything, only a few snacks wrapped in a shawl, which they used to fill their stomachs for lunch, but there was still a long, long way to go before reaching the station

After breakfast, Aunt Li gently touched the third sister's snow-white face, adjusted her backpack straps, and softly said: "Be careful, if you don't wait for us, you must not run back home by yourself."

The Liu family courtyard was in complete turmoil

"Mother, this ticket is for Beijing," said Third Sister

"Damn bitch, how dare she deceive me!" Lord Liu's anger surged, recalling how that wretched woman had come to him in tears that morning. He had even given her five silver dollars, only to find out she was planning to run away!

Beiping ... ... '' Li frowned, clearly unaware of where this was.

Three tickets cost five silver dollars, which is a considerable sum of money. Xuelan initially thought the high price was due to scalpers, but to her surprise, the final destination was printed in large characters as 'Beiping'.

Third Sister, however, was very happy: "We can also go to the capital, how wonderful."

The Liu family did not realize that something was amiss until the afternoon

Before long, they saw Third Sister at the school gate, and she excitedly ran over, throwing herself into Aunt Li's embrace

Aunt Zheng was busy with her needlework, and she said softly: "Rest assured, you will be fine. However, I underestimated that woman from the Li family; she truly has the audacity to run away with her daughter. But this is a case of bravery without wisdom. A weak woman, accompanied by two children, utterly alone, is simply courting death. In life, one must never act impulsively; when undertaking tasks, one must plan carefully before taking action. Decisions made in a moment of excitement often lead to regret. Although one may be suppressed for a time, as long as one can endure and plan meticulously, there will eventually be a day of reversal. In life, one must never act impulsively; when undertaking tasks, one must plan carefully before taking action. Decisions made in a moment of excitement often lead to regret. Although one may be suppressed for a time, as long as one can endure and plan meticulously, there will eventually be a day of reversal. It is just that the woman from the Li family cannot read a single character, so she does not understand these principles."

"I pretended to have a stomachache, and the teacher let me go out." She wiped her tears and revealed a smile, as if the heavy burden in her heart had finally been lifted

Do not think about skinning them alive just yet; first, consider how to deal with the director regarding the *illustrated* book. It was a promised engagement, and now the bride has run away. Isn't this a loss of face for him? Our boss is right under their nose; how will things go well in the future?" The lady narrowed her eyes in resentment, "I think if we can't find the third sister in time, we should just use the fourth sister as a substitute.

"How can it not be possible! A lowly girl is not more important than the future of the boss!" The lady's heart ignited with anger, secretly cursing why this old man hadn't contracted a venereal disease and died.

On that morning, the three women put on their cotton jackets, which were sewn with silver dollars and jewelry inside, and then gathered around the table for breakfast

Third Sister has gone to school, and Aunt Li is also single, carrying fruits to visit Lord Liu. She is originally a servant and is accustomed to being coy and clingy; even though she is over thirty, her skills remain undiminished

They found the store selling scalped tickets and bought three tickets for the earliest departure, regardless of where the train was headed, and directly boarded the train

No, if I don't wait for you, I would rather die outside than return to this home

Is this Aunt Li insane? A woman running away with two little girls, what can she do! I fear that if they don't starve to death by the roadside, they will be sold into a brothel first. Indeed, those who come from the theater are all prostitutes; she refuses to take the path of survival and instead leads her daughters into the fire pit!

Third Sister is about to get married, and as her aunt, I wish to prepare more items for her. I want to personally go out and select them, so please agree to my request, Master." She knelt on the ground, holding onto Master Liu's leg, and said, "I know you will not treat Third Sister poorly, but my making these for her is also a gesture of my affection, a way to fulfill my longing as a mother.

Third Sister suddenly found hope for life, and she suddenly realized that the world outside was vast, and there was no need to be confined to this small space. Before, she had laughed at Second Sister for saying she would go out to work, but now she thought, what does it matter if one is a woman? If one can support oneself, then there is no need to listen to anyone. She hated the people in this family, hated her father for not treating her like a human being. At this moment, she swore an oath, harboring a twisted mindset: if you insist on belittling me, then I will die in front of you, making you feel guilty.

"This is the capital of the former Qing Dynasty, which has been renamed Beiping in recent years," said Third Sister

Aunt Zheng gently touched her daughter's face and said: "You will eventually marry Young Master Zhao and become a concubine. Their family is wealthy and influential, so do not assume that your feelings for him will grant you any privilege. You must be humble and serve their family well, ensuring that everyone appreciates your virtues. Men, you see, are like children in front of women; you need to invest effort to make him dependent on you. Sooner or later, he will not be able to live without you. At that time, even if you are a concubine, you will still be his beloved. The first wife may be furious, but there is nothing she can do about it. I ended up with that heartless master, which is why I have not had a good life. However, Young Master Zhao seems to be easily managed... Men, you see, are like children in front of women; you need to invest effort to make him dependent on you. Sooner or later, he will not be able to live without you. At that time, even if you are a concubine, you will still be his beloved. The first wife may be furious, but there is nothing she can do about it. I ended up with that heartless master, which is why I have not had a good life. However, Young Master Zhao seems to be easily managed..."

After the rickshaw turned, she noticed that no one was following her, so she said: "Go to the nearby women's middle school"

They took off their satin garments in the alley, wearing only blue cotton jackets, and called for another rickshaw to the train station

She walked out of the Liu family gate with Xuelan in a carefree manner. They traveled light; Aunt Li only carried a small handbag, while Xuelan had a small package containing snacks, which she nibbled on as she walked, appearing completely carefree.

Damn it! Wretched woman! Master Liu smashed the teacup and strode towards Aunt Li's room

Fourth Sister seemed to be lost in thought

Old Master Liu leisurely took a sip of tea, casually handed her five silver dollars, and sighed, "Mother and daughter are inherently connected. It is hard on you. As her father, I do care for her, but I want her to think for herself. Which young lady does not get married? Once she marries, she will be a concubine, adorned in gold and silver. What more could she possibly be dissatisfied with?"

They hurriedly boarded the train just now, and only now have they begun to examine the tickets

Due to working day and night, the garments were completed in just three days

This ticket is a piece of white paper, printed with red ink, with the text being dense and small

"I went to school and asked the teacher. The teacher said she was not feeling well and left the school in the morning," said the coachman

I see, let's marry the lark off. Master Liu said, She is sixteen years old, which is just right

A quiet breakfast, with no one speaking. They did not discuss what to do in case of failure, but simply gazed silently at each other

After raising her daughter for fifteen years, she can finally call her "mother" openly and without reservation. Perhaps recalling the grievances of these past years, Li shed tears again, wiping her face with the sleeve of her cotton-padded jacket

Aunt Li's room was empty and desolate, with not a single shadow present. People entered and rummaged through the boxes and cabinets, discovering that not a single piece of clothing was missing; only the jewelry box was empty.

"I was really scared; until just now, I was so nervous that I felt like throwing up," said Third Sister, touching her chest. "Mother, are we going to run away now?"

She said that after getting married, she would still rely on her family for support, and would certainly speak well of her father and brother in front of the director. She only hopes to spend a few more days at school before getting married

Call someone to find it! Go find it! This is truly reckless and extremely foolish

Xuelan and the others were able to escape smoothly, largely thanks to the impression they left on others in their daily lives. Three timid women, unable to lift a hand or shoulder a burden, delicately raised within the confines of their home, one would not only doubt their ability to escape but even question whether they could be driven out. Who would have thought that such women would actually run away with their two daughters