Yu Mingyue propped her chin on her hand, sitting face-to-face with Cui Jiulang. After the initial joy, she began to worry about these gifts.
They were too precious. These people clearly still saw her as the future Crown Princess, or perhaps the future Empress.
One could not freely criticize those who had given them gifts. Before she could even advise her maternal grandfather, she had been cornered by the Cui family.
"Uncle, what do you think I should do?" Yu Mingyue was conflicted.
To accept them felt uneasy; to refuse them, she was reluctant.
She had truly been afraid of poverty in the recent past, relying entirely on her friends for sustenance.
Cui Jiulang saw through Yu Mingyue's thoughts. "Elders' gifts should not be refused. If you wish to accept them, then do so!"
"But any one of these items has a history. That hairpin was a cherished possession of Zhuo Wenjun, that jade bracelet belonged to Empress Lü, and that tourmaline was from the Sima family... Uncle, any single one of these objects is priceless."
Yu Mingyue touched it, then withdrew her hand. It was truly something to be admired from afar, but not to be touched.
"Yue'er, aren't you usually the thickest-skinned?"
"Uncle!" Those were matters from the capital. Now that she had arrived in Qinghe, she wanted to leave a good impression on everyone.
"Do you think your affairs in the capital can be hidden from your maternal grandfather and grandmother? They have countless schemes combined. These gifts are nothing. The truly difficult ones are them." Cui Jiulang dared not say he understood his parents best, but he had known them for a few years longer than Yue'er.
"Uncle," Yu Mingyue beckoned Cui Jiulang closer. "Do your maternal grandfather and grandmother know you respect them so highly? But Uncle, don't forget, to be my ally, you cannot retreat at this critical moment."
"Uncle knows you are doing all this for the Cui family. How could Uncle let you fight alone? Don't worry, it's getting late. You should rest early. I will leave these maids for you. There are also a few young servants outside, all loyal to Uncle. Use them with confidence. If you need anything, just have them find Uncle."
Yu Mingyue rose and bowed respectfully. "Yue'er thanks Uncle."
Cui Jiulang patted Yu Mingyue's head and smiled. "It is Uncle who should thank you."
If the Cui clan could be preserved, Yue'er would be their benefactor.
After seeing Cui Jiulang off, Yu Mingyue was left in the room with Chi Dan and a few loyal servants. The maids sent by Cui Jiulang were discreet and would not approach the room without Yu Mingyue's instruction.
"Chi Dan, you can go and reunite with your family during this time. Spend more time with them. I have nothing pressing here." Yu Mingyue asked Chi Hua to bring out the gifts she had prepared earlier.
Chi Dan's eyes immediately welled up. She had seen her mother from afar today. They had not met for nearly ten years, and her mother had aged considerably. But it was during the family banquet, and she dared not go forward to acknowledge her.
"This servant thanks you, Miss." Chi Dan knelt. "After I pay my respects to my parents, I will return as soon as possible to serve you."
"You don't need to rush back. With Chi Hua and the others here, and the people Uncle left, I have enough to manage. You may not have many more opportunities to accompany them in the future. Cherish it."
In fact, Yu Mingyue had another idea for this trip to Qinghe: if Chi Dan wished to stay in Qinghe, she would return her deed of indenture, allowing her family to be reunited.
However, she could not tell her yet. Otherwise, given Chi Dan's personality, she might not even be willing to go home to visit her parents.
"This servant thanks you, Miss. Thank you, Miss," Chi Dan cried with joy.
She, who was always so steady and composed, had never lost her composure like this. It seemed she truly missed her family.
After Chi Dan left, Chi Hua said, "Miss, Sister Chi Dan's brother is the steward in the First Master's courtyard."
Yu Mingyue chuckled. "Your news is quite well-informed. You found out in just half a day. I suspect you've learned quite a bit more?"