Brother, are you planning to elope with Princess Jun?

Night fell upon the Hui Escort Agency.

As soon as Hui Yue’er stepped into the family compound, she saw her brother Hui Qinghui kneeling before the ancestral tablets. She quietly approached him and overheard his solemn words to their forebears: “Your unfilial descendant, Hui Qinghui, bids you farewell. Please don’t blame Mother or Yue’er; if there is any fault, let me bear it alone.” Then he rose, picked up a prepared bundle, and was about to leave—only to find his sister standing behind him, staring in surprise.

“Yue’er, y-you’re back already?” he stammered, hastily hiding the bundle behind him. In front of his sister, he was always like a little brother in need of care, never bearing the dignity of an elder sibling.

Yue’er looked at him, her patience threadbare. “Brother, where do you think you’re going?” Though Hui Qinghui was three years her senior, it was Yue’er who carried the burdens of their household. And now, he was actually thinking of running away, leaving it all behind—how could she not be angry?

Seeing he could no longer deceive his sister, Hui Qinghui confessed, “I’ve fallen for a girl, and we’ve agreed to leave the capital tonight. Yue’er, let your brother go. With you here, the family will be fine!” Irresponsible as always, he gave no thought to his sister, intending to leave all troubles for Yue’er to shoulder alone.

Yue’er tried to reason with him patiently. “Brother, which family’s daughter is it? I’ll ask Mother to propose marriage on your behalf. There’s no need for you to elope!” Only now did Yue’er realize how little attention she had paid her brother; she hadn’t even noticed when he’d fallen in love.

Dejected, Hui Qinghui replied, “It’s impossible. She’s the sister of Prince Jun—the only prince of another surname in the entire country, known as the Smiling Fox. How could he agree to let his sister marry someone as useless as me?” He pleaded, “Yue’er, let me go, just let your brother leave…”

He had met Princess Sirou two years ago at the Lantern Festival. Since then, they had exchanged letters, pouring out their hearts to one another. Only recently, Prince Jun had begun making plans to marry his sister off. After careful discussion, Princess Sirou and Hui Qinghui decided to elope together.

Yue’er was astonished. “You mean the Smiling Fox of the Radiant Sun Kingdom, the only prince outside the royal line?” Hui Qinghui nodded in admission. Panic flickered across Yue’er’s face. “Brother, that’s not someone we can afford to offend. Forget about the princess. I’ll have Mother arrange a marriage for you at once!” There was still time to stop him; if Prince Jun discovered this, it would spell disaster. She might be worldly, but she cared only for her family’s safety.

Despite her efforts to dissuade him, Hui Qinghui remained determined to keep his promise. He looked at Yue’er and said resolutely, “Yue’er, don’t force me to use force. Just let your brother go!” But Yue’er had no intention of stepping aside. With no other choice, Hui Qinghui had to clash with his sister. Though it had been some time since he’d last practiced martial arts, the family’s secret palm technique came naturally to him. Yet Yue’er dodged his attacks with ease. Realizing that this stalemate could not continue, Hui Qinghui shouted toward the parlor, “Mother, what’s wrong?” Distracted, Yue’er glanced away, and Hui Qinghui seized the opportunity to dash out the door.

Standing at the threshold, Yue’er silently prayed for her brother’s safety. If only they could make it out of the capital, their chances of evading capture would be much greater. Hui Qinghui had left her with a mountain of troubles; she now had to consider how to explain everything to their mother, worry for their safety, and brace herself for Prince Jun’s inevitable inquiries. Sleep was out of the question for Yue’er that night.

Ladies and gentlemen, old and young, and all those in between—shower me with your gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts! Do not hold back; let the storm rage all the fiercer!