Very well, hold the wedding within five days.

Afternoon, Capital City, Hui Family Escort Agency

Zhao Chengxian watched Moon with great reluctance as she left the Prince Jun’s residence. After all, Moon was still one of Xuanyuan Ren’s chosen maidens. It wouldn’t be appropriate for Zhao Chengxian to meet her family under such circumstances. Besides, the most pressing matter now was Hui Qinghui and Silky’s wedding. They couldn’t afford for anything to go wrong at this critical moment. Therefore, Hui Moon and Zhao Chengxian had to continue their secret relationship; theirs was a love that could not be made public. Ah, the pain of a clandestine affair weighed heavily on them.

Composing herself after parting from Zhao Chengxian, Hui Moon entered the Hui Family Escort Agency through the back door with Hui Qinghui. They wanted to avoid the agency brothers discovering that Moon had returned in secret. Everyone knew she had entered the palace; seeing her now would surely seem strange. The fewer people knew about her leaving the palace, the safer she would be. They reached Madam Hui’s chamber just as Chrysanthemum stepped out, unexpectedly coming face-to-face with them. Chrysanthemum was stunned, but Moon gestured for her to remain quiet and slipped inside with Hui Qinghui.

Inside, Madam Hui sat in a chair, examining two jade pendant necklaces—one engraved with a sun, the other with a moon—symbols of her two children. On the day Moon was born, Old Chief Hui had bought a raw piece of Hetian jade at a high price, split it in two, and personally carved the sun and moon emblems, intending to present them to his children upon their weddings. Madam Hui gazed sorrowfully at the jade pendants and murmured, “Husband, you must bless our children with peace and safety.” She often wondered if things would have been different had Old Chief Hui still been alive—perhaps her children would not be in such predicaments now.

Moon rushed forward and embraced Madam Hui. Startled at first, Madam Hui’s fear faded when she saw Moon’s face—anyone would have been frightened if a man suddenly rushed up and hugged them. Moon smiled and said, “Mother, turn around and see who else has come home!” Madam Hui turned, only to be startled again.

Hui Qinghui knelt before her, guilt etched on his face. “Mother, I’ve made you worry. I’m sorry. From now on, I promise to take good care of you and never cause you such concern again!” Madam Hui quickly set the pendants on the table and hurried to help her son up. She and Hui Qinghui embraced and wept bitterly, while Moon wiped away tears at their side. It was a deeply moving scene.

Ying Ying: There’s a certain truth—when a child runs away, the first day the parents are angry, after three or four days the anger turns to worry, and after five or more days, worry becomes longing. Where did I read that? Of course, I’m very much against children running away. Such behavior is far too irresponsible!

It was a long while before they regained their composure. Madam Hui drew her son and daughter to her side, seating them close. She looked at Moon, who was dressed in men’s garb, and couldn’t help but be puzzled. Wasn’t Moon supposed to be in the palace? “Moon, how did you get out of the palace? Is it possible for you to leave so soon?”

Seeing the happiness in her mother’s eyes, Moon almost couldn’t bear to tell her the truth. But some things had to be said. Trying to sound as lighthearted as possible, Moon smiled and replied, “No, it’s not that. Prince Jun discovered traces of my brother and Princess Silky in Peach Blossom Town and asked if I knew where they were staying. I remembered that our cousin’s family lives near there. Mother, you know how hard it is to find Bamboo Heart Village—without me leading the way, they would never find it. So Prince Jun secretly had me brought out of the palace, but I can only stay outside for ten days.”

If she didn’t explain, wouldn’t that just worry Madam Hui more? Moon did her best to appear relaxed.

Madam Hui immediately asked, “Is it dangerous?” What mother wouldn’t worry about her daughter’s safety?

Moon took her mother’s hand and smiled, “No, Prince Jun has arranged everything perfectly. Nothing will go wrong!” Even though she wasn’t entirely certain, she couldn’t let her mother worry. She glanced at Hui Qinghui and added, “Mother, you’re going to be a grandmother! Princess Silky is carrying my brother’s child, so Prince Jun hopes the wedding can take place as soon as possible. I want so much to attend my brother’s wedding. If it could be held within five days, that would be perfect!” That way, she could disguise herself and attend.

Madam Hui knew all too well how deep the palace walls ran—her daughter rarely had the chance to leave. This wedding couldn’t be delayed any longer, so she agreed, “Very well. I’ll check if there’s an auspicious day within the next five days. If there is, we’ll hold the wedding then, so you can attend your brother’s ceremony!” With so many people at the Hui Family Escort Agency, arranging a wedding quickly was no trouble at all.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, neither too old nor too young—bring forth your gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts. Don’t hold back; let the storm of celebration come with all its might!