About elopement, we must first look at the big environmental background. During the feudal period in China, except for a few historical periods such as Qin, Han and Tang, the relationship between men and women was relatively open, and most of the time it was very feudal and conservative. Even in some places, if you are caught eloping, you will be lynched directly.
Secondly, looking at the difference between the two stories, the Peacock Flying Southeast is a real event, while the story of Mu Dan and Han Xiang eloping in Princess Huanzhu was invented by the author (there is no clear evidence to prove that the story of Mu Dan and Han Xiang is true at present), so the story of Mu Dan and Han Xiang has the author's own expectations and certain fictional elements.
Look at the character. In Zhu Huan's story, Han Xiang is a woman who is soft on the outside and tough on the inside, while Meng Dan is also a man with a strong personality. Judging from their personalities, they have the courage to resist difficulties.
Looking back at the peacock story, there is enough foreshadowing ahead. Jiao Zhongqing and Lan Zhi both belong to people with soft ears and weak personalities. They are faced with external oppression and have no courage to resist. Jiao Zhongqing, in particular, was first forced by her mother to drive away her beloved, then agreed to be a lonely old lover all her life, and was forced by her family to marry someone else. There is a sentence in the article, "Don't let anyone die". In fact, at that time, two people had already had the idea of killing themselves.
Let's look at Lan Zhi again. In feudal society, a woman was generally divorced by her husband's family after marriage, but Lan Zhi was divorced without making a big mistake. She and her family are under great pressure from public opinion. However, because Lan Zhi is really excellent, some people don't mind her past and are willing to propose. Although the family can understand Lan Zhi's feelings, they still hope that she can get married and have a good home.
After three transgressions and four times, Lan Zhi finally agreed to get married. If Jiao Zhongqing hadn't met her before marriage, maybe Lanzhi would really remarry and live a normal life. As a result, Jiao Zhongqing came and they met. At this time, Lan Zhi's situation is that there is a groom coming outside to marry her, and a family member wants her to get married. She still has a Jiao Zhongqing who can't be together. Under such multiple oppression, Lan Zhi, with a weak temper, finally chose self-destruction.
When they met for the last time before their death, Lan Zhi once said: "Meet in the grave, don't go against today's words!" Heard that Lan Zhi committed suicide by drowning, Jiao Zhongqing also fulfilled his promise, hanged himself and followed Lan Zhi.