9. She Might Still Be Alive

Afternoon at the Hui Family Escort Agency

The Hui Family Escort Agency was meticulously managed by Hui Qinghui, and business flourished one after another. There was no longer any need to toil outside seeking clients; the agency had essentially restored its former prestige. All of this proved Hui Qinghui to be a successful proprietor and Qishang an excellent escort leader. Hui Qinghui’s household was also well off—Sir Hui and his wife were well cared for by Sir Hui’s wife, and she now recognized only a few familiar faces. When her illness struck, she no longer recognized even Hui Qinghui or Sir Hui, which was truly pitiful.

Today, Zhao Chengxian had come to the Hui Family Escort Agency to take his little nephew out for a visit, hoping to cheer up the old princess consort. Although he could not fulfill his mother’s wish of seeing a grandchild, at least letting Sir Hui’s child accompany her was something. But there was another matter on his mind this time—he wanted to tell Hui Qinghui about a man who bore an uncanny resemblance to Hui Yue’er. He wondered if this might be Yue’er disguised as a man and wished to take his nephew to see him, to observe Yang Wentai’s reaction.

The little boy sitting there, enjoying a candy, saw Zhao Chengxian and immediately jumped up, dashing toward him so hurriedly he almost fell. Fortunately, Zhao Chengxian reacted swiftly and caught the boy. Patting his head, he said, “Siyuan, you mustn’t run like that anymore. What if you fall and get hurt? That would make you very sore.” Compared to his sternness toward Sir Hui’s wife in her childhood, Zhao Chengxian was more patient with Siyuan.

Little Siyuan was adorable, with a chubby face, round wide eyes, and two small dimples that appeared when he smiled. He looked at Zhao Chengxian with pure eyes and smiled, saying, “Uncle, candy!” His delicate hand, like a lotus root, offered the candy to Zhao Chengxian’s mouth. Only those he truly liked were offered sweets this way; sometimes even his own parents couldn’t coax anything from his small hand.

Zhao Chengxian lifted Siyuan into his arms and asked, “Where is your mother?” His sister, who had never been one to handle household chores, had surprisingly become a virtuous wife and mother—caring for her ailing mother-in-law and tending to the little child. It was no small feat.

At that moment, Sir Hui’s wife, wearing an apron, emerged from the kitchen. Seeing Zhao Chengxian, she asked, “Brother, you’re here. You want to take Siyuan to the palace to play, right? That’s good. My mother-in-law has had another episode recently, and I haven’t had time to look after Siyuan.” Every few months, Lady Hui’s illness flared up for several days, and during those times, Sir Hui’s wife would send the child to the palace so she could tend to her mother-in-law in peace.

Zhao Chengxian looked at his sister with sympathy. He had once considered hiring servants to assist her, but Lady Hui would become irritable at the sight of strangers. In the end, Sir Hui’s wife had no choice but to send those servants back to the palace. Cradling the child, Zhao Chengxian sat down and said, “Actually, I didn’t come just to take Siyuan. I have something important to tell you.” He glanced down at his nephew, who was quietly playing, then smiled and looked up at his puzzled sister before continuing, “You know when they found Little Moon’s body two years ago, they didn’t examine it carefully. They simply assumed, based on common sense, that those two people were Little Moon and Qiqi. Everyone was too grief-stricken to think otherwise. But it’s quite possible those two weren’t Little Moon and Qiqi at all. They might not be dead.”

If Zhao Chengxian hadn’t seen Yang Wentai, he wouldn’t have even considered this. He believed it likely that Hui Yue’er was saved by the old Yang, which would make everything fall into place.

Sir Hui’s wife was startled by Zhao Chengxian’s suggestion. “That’s impossible. If Yue’er were still alive, why wouldn’t she come back? Brother, we all know how deeply you care for Yue’er, but two years have passed. You should let go.”

She thought Zhao Chengxian’s longing for Yue’er had clouded his judgment.

Seeing her disbelief, Zhao Chengxian asked, “Rou’er, do you remember the imperial uncle Yang Jinshun? Back then, Princess Feng was determined to have women take the imperial exams, but before she could fulfill this wish, the imperial uncle was framed, and they were trapped in the palace. Princess Feng never completed this mission and eventually passed away.”

He mentioned two seemingly unrelated events together, knowing it would confuse her.

Sir Hui’s wife nodded, “I remember that. But what does that have to do with Yue’er?” She was thoroughly baffled.

Zhao Chengxian explained, “A few days ago, the top scorer in the imperial exams, Yang Wentai, looked exactly like Yue’er. More importantly, he was recommended by the imperial uncle. Could it be that the imperial uncle saved her and is now having her fulfill Princess Feng’s wish?”

He was daring in his speculation, determined to prove beyond doubt that the young man was not Yue’er before giving up hope.

Sir Hui’s wife found Zhao Chengxian’s idea far-fetched, almost like a fairy tale, but she knew she couldn’t let him abandon the thought, so she carefully reminded him, “Brother, until you have solid proof, please don’t tell my husband or mother-in-law. We don’t want to give them hope only to disappoint them again.” Fortunately, Hui Qinghui had gone to find a doctor for Lady Hui and wasn’t at the escort agency today; otherwise, it would have caused trouble.

Zhao Chengxian nodded, “I understand. I won’t mention this to anyone until it’s confirmed.” After sitting a while, he left with Siyuan, while Sir Hui’s wife pondered quietly: could Yue’er really still be alive?