it　will　be　too　late。　The　Dowager　Marchioness　also　wants　to　see　little　Liu　Shan　once　before　she　dies。〃

Lady　Sun　replied；　〃You　know　that　the　Imperial　Uncle　is　far　away　on　military　service；　and　I　ought　to　inform　the　chief　of　the　army　before　returning　home。〃

〃But　what　will　you　do　if　the　chief　says　he　must　inform　your　husband　and　await　his　consent？〃　said　Zhou　Shan。

〃If　I　went　without　asking　permission………but　I　fear　that　is　impossible。〃

〃My　ships　are　all　ready　in　the　river；　and　you　have　only　to　drive　through　the　city；〃　said　Zhou　Shan。

Naturally　the　news　of　her　mother's　illness　greatly　disturbed　the　young　wife。　In　a　short　time　her　carriage　was　ready；　and　she　mounted；　taking　Liu　Shan　with　her。　She　took　an　escort　of　thirty　guards；　all　armed；　and　was　soon　at　the　river　side　and　had　embarked　before　the　palace　people　could　report　what　she　was　doing。

But　just　as　the　ships　were　starting；　a　voice　was　heard；　shouting；　〃Do　not　start　yet！　Let　me　bid　my　lady　farewell。〃

The　voice　was　Zhao　Yun's。　He　had　just　returned　from　an　inspection　trip；　and　they　had　at　once　told　him　of　Lady　Sun's　sudden　departure。　As　soon　as　he　had　recovered　from　his　surprise；　he　dashed　down　to　the　river　bank　like　a　whirlwind；　with　only　half　a　dozen　followers。　He　arrived　only　just　in　time。　The　boat　was　starting；　and　Zhou　Shan　stood　in　the　prow；　a　long　spear　in　his　hand。

〃Who　are　you　that　you　dare　hinder　the　movements　of　your　mistress？〃　cried　Zhou　Shan。

Zhou　Shan　bade　his　soldiers　cast　off　and　get　under　way；　and　also　to　prepare　their　weapons　to　fight。　The　ship　moved　off　with　a　fair　wind　and　a　strong　current　beneath　her　keel。

But　Zhao　Yun　followed　along　the　bank。

〃My　lady　may　go　or　not　as　she　pleases；〃　cried　he；　〃but　I　have　one　word　to　say　to　her