Sister? But isn't she...

Noon. Palace. Office of Affairs.

It was nearly midday. Hui Yue'er could not fathom why Zhao Chengxian, upon entering the palace, bypassed the Tianhe Hall to come to the inner court. She followed him closely, unnoticed by Zhao Chengxian, for her tracking skills were exceptional. In her past, when their convoys were robbed, she often had to pursue the thieves herself; sometimes she helped other security bureaus recover lost goods, and so her surveillance techniques were honed. She trailed him all the way to a deserted room in the Office of Affairs. With a nimble leap, Hui Yue'er slipped in through the rear and found a concealed spot to observe Zhao Chengxian. In her heart, she mused: "Your internal strength may be extraordinary, but you lack vigilance. If someone tried to assassinate you, you wouldn't even know how you died!" Her concern was peculiar, indeed—imagining someone might be assassinated was truly the mark of a woman raised in the world of martial arts.

Zhao Chengxian sat and questioned the young eunuch Xiao Xizi standing before him, "How has Little Crescent been these days? She hasn't caused any trouble, has she?" When one cares, worry grows—but he could not seek her out directly. Though officially she was his sister, concern was reasonable, yet everyone knew they were not blood-related; if he visited her too often, rumors would spread, placing Hui Yue'er in peril within the palace. It was precisely because he cared that he dared not meet her.

Even Xiao Xizi harbored suspicions about their relationship. Ordinarily, Princess Siyue was merely a girl the Emperor had placed in the Prince Jun’s residence for a period. Why would the Prince care so much? In most families, so long as such a girl avoided disgrace, no one would inquire after her. But the Prince Jun came every few days asking about her. She had been in the palace less than a month, and already he had asked twice. Xiao Xizi, in a roundabout way, said, "The princess is well, Your Highness. You are truly kind, caring so much for a nominal sister. Not even a month has passed, and you've already asked after her twice. Those who don't know might think she is your real sister!"

Xiao Xizi was a young eunuch, just past twenty. His family had been poor, and he was sold to the palace as a child. Once, he accidentally broke a jade bracelet belonging to the Empress Dowager, who, in her fury, ordered fifty lashes. It was Zhao Chengxian, then still the heir, who saved him. Since then, Xiao Xizi had been fiercely loyal to Zhao Chengxian.

Upon hearing the word "sister," Zhao Chengxian shook his head and sneered, "Sister? She is not." He disliked the term—it seemed to widen the gulf between them. If she were only his sister, he would not be so tormented, nor fear betraying a brother. If she truly were his sister, he would not miss her so painfully.

Xiao Xizi could not comprehend why Zhao Chengxian reacted so strongly, but Hui Yue'er, hidden in the corner, understood. She smiled quietly to herself, thinking: So you care about me so much! Yet she stayed hidden, eager to hear more of Zhao Chengxian’s heartfelt words.

Xiao Xizi pondered, then whispered to Zhao Chengxian, "Your Highness, do you like her? That cannot be. She is the Emperor’s designated consort. If His Majesty learns of anything between you, it would be a grave offense against the throne!" It was the truth, but who can betray their own heart? Between love and brotherhood, Zhao Chengxian was hopelessly caught.

Deceiving Xuanyuan Ren caused Zhao Chengxian pain, but to abandon Hui Yue'er was impossible. In fact, it was Xuanyuan Ren who forced his way between them, not Zhao Chengxian who stole love. Despite this, Zhao Chengxian felt guilty toward Xuanyuan Ren. He said to Xiao Xizi, "Such matters are beyond human control. I came to have you tell her there is news about her brother. Remember, don't tell her until evening—so even if she wants to go, it will be too late!"

He knew Hui Yue'er would long to go in person once she heard of Hui Qinghui and Silou’s whereabouts. The place was nearly a hundred li from the capital—about fifty kilometers by modern reckoning.

Hui Yue’er, upon hearing this, burst from her hiding place. Ignoring explanations, she urgently demanded, "Where are they?" Zhao Chengxian and Xiao Xizi were stunned, never expecting Hui Yue’er to have been hidden there all along.

Zhao Chengxian countered, "What are you doing here?" He had wanted to find them himself before telling her—it would have been easier that way. Now things were complicated; Yue’er would insist on searching for them herself. He no longer blamed Silou and Hui Qinghui. If not for them, he would never have met Hui Yue’er. Now, all he wished was for their safe return.

Hui Yue’er shot Zhao Chengxian a glare. "This is not the time for explanations. Hurry and tell me—where are they?" She had no patience now for why she was in the Office of Affairs; her only concern was her brother’s whereabouts.

Zhao Chengxian signaled Xiao Xizi to leave, then stood and guided Hui Yue’er to a seat, explaining in detail, "Early this morning, my informants reported traces of them in a small town about a hundred li from the capital. I wanted to tell you, but only tonight, knowing you would not be able to control your emotions once you heard." Since she had found out, he told her everything, then reassured her, "I’ll go fetch them shortly. You needn’t worry—I will not harm your brother." Whether he could find them was another matter.

Hui Yue’er excitedly cried, "Is it Taoyuan Town?" Zhao Chengxian, puzzled, nodded. Hui Yue’er realized, "I never expected my brother to go there!" She explained, "I have a distant relative living near Taoyuan Town. I never thought my brother would dare seek refuge with family, so I didn’t send anyone to search there. I miscalculated!" She had never imagined her brother, who dreaded hardship, would venture into the mountains—a testament to love’s power.

Zhao Chengxian asked, "Where does your relative live?" He had assumed they were in Taoyuan Town itself, not elsewhere.

Hui Yue’er replied, troubled, "In a secluded valley. If you haven’t been there before, you won’t find the way. The brothers from Hui Family Security Bureau have never been there, and my mother is too old for mountain paths. Do you have any way of getting me out?" She exaggerated somewhat, but truthfully, it was difficult to find.

Zhao Chengxian patted Hui Yue’er’s head, saying, "Are you trying to trick me just to get out of the palace?" He knew how desperately Hui Yue’er wanted to leave, so he doubted the sincerity of her words.

Hui Yue’er shrugged, looking at Zhao Chengxian. "If you wish to wander lost in the valley like a wild man, there’s nothing I can do!" She knew Zhao Chengxian rarely walked mountain trails; he would surely lose his way, so she had to accompany him.

Zhao Chengxian hesitated, gazing at Hui Yue’er, then nodded with difficulty. "Very well. Let’s take a chance. You must return to Chuxiu Palace and feign illness. Have Qiqi summon Physician Chen for you. I will go to the Imperial Medical Bureau now. Tonight, meet me in the Office of Affairs, and I’ll take you out of the palace." Hui Yue’er nodded and quickly went to make preparations. Physician Chen was also under his command, so he could declare Hui Yue’er had contracted smallpox—a highly contagious disease. No one would dare visit, and Qiqi, having recovered from smallpox herself, could care for Yue’er. In this way, Hui Yue’er could leave the palace for several days without anyone noticing.

Ladies and gentlemen, old and young alike, and those neither old nor young, bring forth your golden tokens, red envelopes, and gifts. Spare no mercy—let the wild wind and torrential rain come ever fiercer!