Did you already know about it?

Two days later, at the Hui Family Escort Agency

Life seemed to be returning to normal. Over the past couple of days, Yue’er had been busy soliciting orders and had already managed to win back quite a few old clients. Naturally, Qiqi followed Yue’er everywhere, experiencing a life she had never known before. That afternoon, they planned to visit some clients who were still unwilling to entrust their orders to the Hui Family Escort Agency. In the morning, Yue’er was teaching Qiqi how to play the zither. Qiqi quickly grasped the basics, prompting Yue’er to praise her, “Hmm, our Qiqi is truly clever. But I must say, I’m not a bad teacher either!” Was she praising Qiqi or herself?

Qiqi looked at Yue’er’s self-satisfied expression and said, “Sister Yue, are you praising yourself? Aren’t you embarrassed?” Amused by Qiqi’s words, Yue’er reached out to tickle her, and Qiqi immediately ran away. The two girls soon dissolved into playful laughter.

Just then, a member of the escort agency hurried in. Yue’er and Qiqi stopped at once. The man cupped his fists and said to Yue’er, “Chief, there’s a group from the palace seeking you. They’re in the front hall!” It was unheard of for anyone from the palace to visit the agency, and everyone was curious.

Yue’er exchanged a bewildered glance with Qiqi, then made her way to the front hall. Upon entering, she saw an elderly eunuch seated there. Beside him stood a young eunuch holding two imperial edicts, and at the door waited two guards. The elderly eunuch rose to his feet and announced, “Yue’er of the Hui Family, receive the decree!” Everyone present knelt at once. The eunuch opened the first edict and read aloud: “By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Hui Yue’er of the Hui Family Escort Agency is kind and respectful, beloved by the old Princess Consort of the Prince Jun’s residence. At the Prince Jun’s request, I hereby confer upon Hui Yue’er the title of County Princess Suyue. Thus decreed!” Without pausing to acknowledge the shock in the room, the eunuch took up the second edict and continued, “By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: County Princess Suyue is gentle and humble, graceful and intelligent, gifted in both talent and beauty. Therefore, she is selected as a candidate for the court selection process and must enter the palace the day after tomorrow. Thus decreed!” The eunuch smiled at Yue’er and said, “County Princess Suyue, please accept the decree!” He thought Yue’er was simply overwhelmed with joy and had forgotten to respond, never imagining that she was so furious she could kill.

No matter how she felt, Yue’er dared not risk the lives of her family. She kowtowed and accepted the decree, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your boundless grace. May the Emperor live ten thousand years!” The elderly eunuch had hoped for some silver as a reward, but one look at Yue’er’s piercing gaze made him shudder involuntarily. He hurried away with the others.

Yue’er held the two imperial edicts and gave a bitter laugh. She had thought her life was returning to normal, never imagining even greater changes awaited her. She had never considered that she would have anything to do with the imperial palace. How utterly ironic. At that moment, she was deaf to everything around her.

Madam Hui’s voice trembled with anxiety, “Yue’er, what is happening? How did you suddenly become a County Princess, and now you have to enter the palace for selection? Why? Yue’er…” Her heart, which had only just found peace, leapt back into her throat.

Qi Shang was completely at a loss. He anxiously asked Yue’er, “Junior Sister, what is this Prince Jun’s residence? What County Princess? What selection? That old eunuch must have made a mistake. How could you, a traveling escort chief, possibly know anyone from Prince Jun’s residence? It’s illogical, Junior Sister…” Of course he had no idea, as he knew nothing of Hui Qinghui’s elopement with County Princess Sirou, and even less that Yue’er had worked as a maid at Prince Jun’s residence for several months.

Qiqi, still puzzled, turned to Yue’er and asked, “Sister Yue, why would His Majesty confer a title on you? Does the Prince know about this?” Her words jolted Yue’er from her stupor.

Yue’er suddenly dashed out of the escort agency, running full tilt as she muttered to herself, “You must have known all along, didn’t you? Why didn’t you tell me? Why…” In that moment, she was utterly beside herself.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, bring forth your gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts, and shower them upon me without restraint. Let the wild winds and torrential rains come even fiercer!