I’m back!!!

Morning at the Hui Family Escort Agency

After leaving the prince’s residence, Hui Yue’er quickly returned to her old self. The old princess’s words had not affected her in the least; her spirits were as high as ever. Cheerfully entering her home, she announced at the top of her voice, “I’m back!” The brothers of the escort agency, upon seeing her return, gathered around in excitement. Seeing the agency in such good order, Yue’er felt reassured. Qi Shang was out escorting a shipment and wasn’t at the agency.

Madam Hui, upon hearing Yue’er’s voice, rushed out with emotion. Catching sight of Yue’er surrounded by her brothers, she called out, her voice trembling with feeling, “Yue’er, my Yue’er, have you really come home?” These past days, she had worried for her son and missed her daughter, and the ordeal had worn her thin.

Yue’er dashed up to Madam Hui and threw her arms around her. “Mother, yes, yes, your Yue’er is back…” she said. To the brothers, she explained she had gone to look for Hui Qinghui and had returned only because she was worried about Madam Hui. She told them she would continue her search tomorrow. They believed her without question; none could have guessed that she had been serving as a maid in the prince’s residence. Mother and daughter retreated to Yue’er’s room. Yue’er asked, “Mother, are you well? Please don’t worry about me or brother. We can take care of ourselves—you’re the one I worry about!” Yue’er was ever the devoted daughter.

Madam Hui stroked Yue’er’s face, her eyes filled with tenderness. “Good girl, don’t worry. I know how to look after myself. But look at you, you’ve lost weight!” She caressed her daughter’s cheek with anguish. If only the old master had lived, if only Qinghui were more accomplished, Yue’er’s life might have been so different. She might already be married, with darling children of her own. The thought brought a pang of guilt to Madam Hui; she felt she owed Yue’er far too much.

Yue’er laughed lightly to comfort her mother. “Mother, what are you saying? I feel I’ve put on weight, if anything!” Then, taking Madam Hui’s hands in hers, she said, “Don’t worry about me. At the prince’s residence, even though I’m just a maid, no one dares to bully me. Mother, do you really think your daughter can’t look after herself?” Before her mother, Yue’er was always a child.

Still concerned, Madam Hui pressed further, “Truly? No one dares mistreat our Yue’er? And does the Prince treat you well?” There was a double meaning in her words. On the one hand, she hoped Zhao Chengxian treated her daughter kindly, for then no one would dare to bully her at the residence. On the other hand, she worried that he might treat Yue’er too well, fearing her daughter might become overly familiar with him as she was with the brothers at the agency. That could spell disaster, for Zhao Chengxian was not one to be trifled with. Thus, Madam Hui both hoped the Prince would be kind, yet feared he might be too kind.

Yue’er only understood the first part of her mother’s concern and replied to comfort her, “Of course, he treats me well—like a guest, even! He’s the one who let me come home to see you this time!” It was not exactly a lie. Zhao Chengxian had indeed permitted her return, though ‘treating her well’ was perhaps a stretch.

Hearing this, Madam Hui relaxed a little. Smiling at her daughter, she reminded her, “Yue’er, perhaps the Prince is kind to you because you remind him of his sister. But you mustn’t be confused, do you understand what I mean?” As things hadn’t reached that point yet, it was natural that Yue’er didn’t fully understand. She shook her head. Madam Hui explained more clearly, “Don’t misunderstand the Prince’s intentions. Remember, he’s not like the brothers here at the agency. No matter how well he treats you, you must never become too familiar or disrespectful—do you understand?” Little did she know that, for Yue’er and Zhao Chengxian, not fighting when they met could already be considered harmonious; the notion of acting overly familiar was out of the question.

Yue’er seemed to catch her meaning and burst into laughter. “Mother, do you really think I’d dare be disrespectful to him? He’s a sly fox! Don’t worry, I know my limits.” Her stomach grumbled. Looking at Madam Hui, she said, “Mother, I want to eat your cooking today. Let me help you in the kitchen, all right?” Their household had servants and a cook—by the standards of the time, they were a family of modest means.

Madam Hui gazed lovingly at her precious daughter and nodded. “Of course! Whatever my daughter wants to eat, I’ll make it for you!” People say a daughter is her parents’ little cotton-padded jacket—how true that is. Yue’er filled Madam Hui’s heart with warmth.

But such happy reunions are always fleeting. Dusk soon fell, and Yue’er had to return to the prince’s residence. Madam Hui reluctantly walked her to the door. Yue’er did not look back, unable to bear seeing her mother’s sorrowful face. Today she had kept her mother company, checked the agency’s accounts, and in her heart, she felt quite grateful to Zhao Chengxian. It was only now that she realized he was not so cold-hearted after all.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, and all those in between—shower me with your gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts! Hold nothing back—let the storm rage even fiercer!