ave been very unfilial。 The new year is at hand； and its approach disquiets me greatly。〃
〃Do not try to deceive me；〃 said Lady Sun。 〃I heard and I know all。 Just now Zhao Yun came to tell you Jingzhou was threatened and you wish to return home。 That is why you put forward this excuse。〃
Then Liu Bei fell on his knees and said； 〃Why should I dissemble； O Wife； since you know？ I do not wish to go； but if Jingzhou be lost； I shall be an object of ridicule to everyone。 I do desire to go； but I cannot leave you。 Now you know why I am grieved。〃
She replied； 〃I am your handmaid； and whithersoever you go； it is my duty to follow。〃
〃Yes； your heart is right； but the difficulty is your mother and the Marquis。 They will be unwilling。 If you would have pity on me and let me go for a time…〃
And again the tears gushed forth。
〃Do not be so sad； my husband；〃 said Lady Sun。 〃I will implore my mother to let us go； and she will surely allow it。〃
〃Even supposing the Dowager permits； I am sure the Marquis will hinder。〃
Lady Sun said nothing for a long time while she weighed the matter thoroughly。
Presently she spoke； 〃On New Year's Day you and I will go to court and present our congratulations。 Then we will give the excuse of a sacrifice on the river bank and go away without formal leave。 Will that suit you？〃
Liu Bei knelt at her feet and expressed his gratitude。
〃I should be never so grateful；〃 said he。 〃Dead or alive I would remember your love。 But this must be a perfect secret。〃
This having been decided and the arrangements made。
Liu Bei gave Zhao Yun secret orders； saying； 〃Lead your pany out of the city and be on the road on New Year's morn。 We are going away。〃
Sun Quan held a grand court o