Yu Mingyue went directly to Cui Shi's Qingfeng Courtyard. As expected, Cui Shi opposed her leaving the capital and confined her to Mingyue Courtyard.
This time, no amount of coaxing or acting out worked. Cui Shi was determined, even replacing all the maids and servants in her courtyard overnight.
Yu Mingyue did not sleep all night, filled with anxiety. If her mother did not agree, she would have to be an unfilial daughter who left without saying goodbye, explaining herself later.
Perhaps she was too tired, she eventually fell asleep on the couch. She was woken by the sound of the door lock.
Yu Mingyue was overjoyed. She knew her mother was still soft-hearted and couldn't bear to keep her locked up. She happily rushed to the door. Just as the door opened from the outside, Xie Jiayan stood at the entrance.
On this winter morning, despite the overcast sky, Yu Mingyue felt he was radiating brilliance. Her beloved had come to pick her up, riding on auspicious clouds.
Yu Mingyue threw herself directly into Xie Jiayan's arms. Xie Jiayan's body seemed to stiffen for a moment, then he gently embraced her back.
"Why are you here? Did my mother agree? Did she give you any trouble?" Yu Mingyue asked a string of questions.
Xie Jiayan was amused by her expression. "You're asking so many things, which one should I answer first?"
"Did she agree? My mother?" Yu Mingyue asked cautiously.
Xie Jiayan nodded. "She agreed!"
Yu Mingyue was so excited she wanted to jump up and down. "Really? I knew she loved me the most and couldn't bear to see me sad. Jiayan Gege, I'm so happy! I feel like I'm dreaming. Pinch me, is it real?"
"It's real. We're leaving tomorrow, and time is tight. We need to prepare some things for the journey," Xie Jiayan said.
Yu Mingyue nodded in agreement. "Jiayan Gege always thinks of everything. Wait a moment, I'll get some silver."
Xie Jiayan held her arm. "No need, I have it here."
Yu Mingyue was about to refuse, but then she thought, she and Jiayan Gege would be one in the future...
No, they were not yet married.
Once they left the capital, with her parents not around, there wouldn't even be anyone to officiate their wedding. She didn't care about the three matchmakers and six rites, but at least they should pay respects to their elders.
Yu Mingyue immediately took Xie Jiayan's hand and ran towards Qingfeng Courtyard. Xie Jiayan didn't ask where she was going, only followed her footsteps.
When Cui Shi saw them, her gaze first fell on Xie Jiayan, then on Yu Mingyue. She said coldly, "It's good that you're leaving. The farther you go, the more peace I'll have."
Yu Mingyue knelt down before speaking. She gently tugged at Xie Jiayan's hand, and he cooperated by kneeling beside her.
"It is Yue'er's filial disobedience that has angered Mother. Please do not let this ruin your health. I know I shouldn't leave you, but love arises without reason and deepens. Yue'er has never liked anyone before, and I cannot bear to be separated from Jiayan Gege. I will return to see Mother later, or perhaps, once Jiayan Gege and I find a beautiful and peaceful place to settle, we will come back to pick you and my brother up. Yue'er thanks Mother for her fulfillment. Today, Jiayan Gege and I will pay our respects to Mother, and consider it an early wedding ceremony."
Cui Shi tightened her grip on her handkerchief, but ultimately accepted their bows.
"Get up!" Cui Shi said, then looked at Xie Jiayan. "Yue'er is young and willful. I will have to trouble you to be more tolerant in the future."
"Aunt, please rest assured."
Yu Mingyue nudged Xie Jiayan's hand, a little shyly. "You should address her as Mother-in-law now."
Xie Jiayan was clearly more embarrassed than Yu Mingyue. Cui Shi sighed. "Truly, a woman's heart turns outward. It seems I really cannot keep you."
Yu Mingyue was delighted and gently nudged Xie Jiayan again. "Hurry and call her!"
Xie Jiayan then bowed again and said, "Mother-in-law!"
Cui Shi called for a嬷嬷 to bring a pair of jade pendants. "This was given to me by my mother when I got married, symbolizing harmonious union. I had intended to add it to Yue'er's dowry when she married, but it's perfect now."
Although Cui Shi was smiling, her tone carried a hint of melancholy. Yu Mingyue stepped forward and hugged Cui Shi. "Thank you, Mother."
Then she took the jade pendants and personally tied one to Xie Jiayan's belt, and the other to herself. Xie Jiayan looked at Cui Shi, and Cui Shi nodded, understanding.
After tying the pendant, Yu Mingyue looked up, then left Cui Shi's courtyard. There were too many things to buy, she needed to make a list to avoid missing anything.
Cui Shi watched their retreating figures, dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief. Such good children, how could they...
When they knelt to pay their respects, she had truly wavered.
Yu Mingyue bought many things: food, daily necessities, and some small trinkets to pass the time on the journey, filling an entire carriage.
With the carriage full, they had to walk back to the mansion. On the way, they also stopped by a wonton stall near Dali Temple. After eating, they asked the stall owner to send the remaining wontons to Dali Temple.
Jiayan Gege's identity could not be exposed. Her resignation was too sudden. She had left a letter, and after she left, Zhu Yu would present it to Master Zhang.
Everyone had taken good care of her. She would not see them often anymore. This was like a farewell meal.
The sky had completely darkened. Xie Jiayan escorted Yu Mingyue to the entrance of the Yu mansion. As she was about to go in, Xie Jiayan suddenly embraced her.
The unexpectedness caught Yu Mingyue off guard. This was the first time Jiayan Gege had actively hugged her.
She knew he must like her.
"Jiayan Gege, we have paid our respects to my mother and made a wish at the Matchmaker Temple. We are already husband and wife, right?" Yu Mingyue whispered in his ear.
After a long while, she heard him say, "Yes!"
"Then we will meet at the city gate at Shi Shi tomorrow. We will not part until we meet."
"...Alright!"