Let’s return home tomorrow.

That evening, at Uncle’s house in Zhuxin Village

Uncle and Aunt returned that night after all, worried that Zhao Chengxian might feel they were neglecting their guest—since to them, Zhao Chengxian was the only outsider in the house. As soon as they entered, the aroma of fried bamboo grubs greeted them. Curiosity piqued, they made their way to the kitchen door, where they saw Yue’er standing at the stove, deftly stirring the now golden bamboo grubs with a spatula. The other three young people were watching her at work. Uncle and Aunt exchanged a warm smile at the cozy scene before them. Only after a while did the bamboo grubs finally come out of the pan.

Hui Yue’er carried a plate of glistening golden grubs past Zhao Chengxian, purposely letting the fragrance waft under his nose as she brushed by him, not giving him a chance to sneak a taste. She slyly picked one up for Hui Qinghui, and of course, popped one into her own mouth as well. Yue’er instructed Hui Qinghui to take the dish out. As Hui Qinghui turned, he saw Uncle and Aunt and exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle, Aunt, didn’t you say you wouldn’t be back tonight?"

At his words, everyone’s eyes turned toward the kitchen doorway. Of course, their hasty return was all out of concern for them.

Yue’er, still wearing her apron, ran over to Uncle and Aunt with a smile. "Uncle, Aunt, you’re back! You have no idea—these three are all young masters and misses, and not one of them can cook. I had to do it! Aunt, you know me—brandishing swords and spears is one thing, but handling pots and pans is another matter altogether!"

In fact, Silksoft also knew how to cook, having learned from Aunt after coming here. But since she became pregnant, Aunt wouldn’t let her step into the kitchen anymore.

Uncle gently patted Yue’er’s head. "Yue’er, you really ought to learn your way around the kitchen. Otherwise, how will you keep your husband’s heart when you marry? Isn’t there an old saying—‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’?" Uncle and Aunt both felt that Yue’er was of marrying age and should begin to prepare herself to be a proper wife.

Hui Qinghui laughed loudly. "Uncle, is that how Aunt won your heart with her cooking?" He didn’t want Yue’er to feel pressured. Even if she wished to marry now, she couldn’t; she was still an imperial consort-in-waiting.

Yue’er replied with a casual laugh, "I may not know how to cook, but I do know martial arts. If he dares bully me, I’ll make him regret it!" She looked at Zhao Chengxian with a smile and asked, "Would he still dare, do you think?" She knew that if it really came down to a fight, she might not be Zhao Chengxian’s match. But she could be willful because she knew how much Zhao Chengxian loved her. Silksoft glanced at her brother with sympathy—who could tell if Zhao Chengxian was fortunate or doomed to have met Yue’er? The man himself could not answer. Zhao Chengxian simply shook his head with a smile.

Soon it was time to eat. Zhao Chengxian looked around at everyone and said, "Let’s head back tomorrow. We all have things to do and can’t stay here much longer." Three days had already passed out of the ten they had together. Within these ten days, Hui Qinghui and Silksoft’s marriage had to be arranged so Yue’er could enter the palace with peace of mind. Otherwise, she would surely make him risk sneaking her out to attend the wedding. Zhao Chengxian secretly wished these ten days would never end, but time is not subject to human will.

Hui Qinghui nodded. "Yes, it’s time to go back. I was thoughtless before, letting Mother and Yue’er worry so much. I need to go home and beg Mother’s forgiveness." He, too, hoped Yue’er could be present at his wedding—to witness his moment of happiness.

Uncle said regretfully, "Can’t you all stay a few more days? Once you leave, it’ll just be the two of us old folks again." Aunt wore the same look of disappointment; they truly enjoyed having these young people around.

Silksoft smiled and comforted them. "Uncle, Aunt, we’ll visit you often. Next time, we’ll bring the children along." Aunt nodded, and Uncle merely smiled faintly.

Yue’er, usually the liveliest of them all, fell silent when she heard they were leaving. She wanted nothing more than to stay, but they couldn’t abandon Qiqi, who was waiting anxiously for her in the palace, nor the hundreds of people of the Hui Escort Agency and the Prince Jun’s Manor. She had no choice but to return. Alone, she walked out the door and wandered the alleyway, gazing up at the stars.

Suddenly, Zhao Chengxian’s voice sounded behind her. "You don’t want to go back?" In truth, neither did he.

Without turning, Yue’er kept her eyes on the sky and asked in return, "Do you want to go back?" Going back meant saying goodbye.

Zhao Chengxian came to her side and took her hand, replying softly, "I don’t want to, but there are things we must face. Running away solves nothing. And I believe we’ll come back here together again." If he could have foreseen what was to come, he’d have stayed here with Yue’er. But no one can predict the future, so all they could do was cherish every moment together.

Yue’er turned to look at Zhao Chengxian with a smile. "Are you so sure?" Zhao Chengxian touched his forehead to hers, and the two smiled at each other.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, and those who are neither—hurry and shower me with gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts! Don’t hold back; let the storm come, let it rage even fiercer!