Yu Mingyue spread her hands helplessly. To be honest, each of the Five Great Clans was richer than a nation, truly and undeniably wealthy.
The gifts sent by Qinghe every year could be described in one sentence: they arrived in cartloads.
Yu Mingyue could already imagine herself returning laden with treasures. This trip would definitely be worthwhile.
Thinking of the purpose of her journey, she felt a pang of guilt.
But she had to do it. Otherwise, she would run out of money and lose her life, leaving all that immense wealth to others.
A family with money, influence, and the ability to change emperors – which emperor could sleep soundly with such a family around?
Wang Ningqing had come so close to success, only to lose due to a stroke of bad luck.
She had to persuade her maternal grandfather. If the old man agreed, her eldest maternal uncle would not be a problem, and she even had an insider.
Cui Shi shook her head helplessly at Yu Mingyue's impudent demeanor. How could she have raised such a troublesome daughter?
"Don't worry, Mother. Yue'er will write to you every day, and I'll have the fastest horse from the post station deliver it. Yue'er will also take good care of herself and fulfill her filial duties to you and Father in their stead," Yu Mingyue said with utmost sincerity.
Cui Shi was half-believing, half-doubting. But since she had already agreed, and her father had sent people to meet her along the way, there was no turning back.
Besides, Mingjing's worries were valid. If the two noble figures in the palace were to play their games, what if their attention turned to Yue'er?
On the day Yu Mingyue departed, Gu Youyou and Mo Yuxi brought their elder brothers to the pier to see her off.
Gu Youyou was incredibly reluctant to part. She had been looking forward to Yu Mingyue's engagement to her brother, but the wedding had to wait, and now the person herself was leaving the capital.
"Will you be able to make it back for my wedding next year?" Gu Youyou asked.
Even after getting married, she would still live in the Gu family. If Liu Niang married into their family, they would truly be sisters who saw each other every day.
"Don't worry, I'll rush back even if I have to wear out a few horses," Yu Mingyue vowed.
"Then I'll wait for you. Don't go back on your word."
Mo Yuxi's eyes also reddened, and she hesitated to speak several times.
She had so many things she wanted to say to Yu Mingyue, but at that moment, she couldn't bring herself to say them. Such were the secrets of young ladies.
Yu Mingjing, on the other hand, looked displeased. "Hurry up and get on the boat. When you go to your maternal grandparents' house, I'll have less to worry about."
"If my brother misses me then, don't you cry," Yu Mingyue teased.
Mo Yuxi cast a furtive glance at Yu Mingjing and lowered her head, tears falling.
Yu Mingyue playfully consoled, "Sister Yuxi, don't be sad. I'll write letters to everyone. Don't miss me too much. I'll be back next spring."
As the boat gradually sailed away, Yu Mingyue was still on deck, excitedly waving her handkerchief, causing the young girls on the pier to shed tears.
When Xiao Che arrived, he could only see a tiny black speck. He had missed her after all.
Mo Yuxi's gaze became unnatural when she saw Xiao Che. She quickly paid her respects and hurried into her carriage.
Gu Youyou found it strange. Because of their elder brothers, they were all quite familiar with the Seventh Prince and often saw him in private. They didn't deliberately avoid him. Why was Yuxi acting so oddly today?
Once Mo Yuxi was in the carriage, her emotions broke down, and tears streamed down her face.
"Miss, if you cry any more, your eyes will swell. Madam will be heartbroken if she sees them," her maidservant comforted her.
Mo Yuxi sneered, "If they cared about me, they wouldn't have made me a concubine to the Crown Prince. For wealth, they wouldn't care if I lived or died."
"Miss, speak softly. Don't let anyone hear," the maidservant exclaimed in alarm.
Her young lady had always been timid and had never said such things. If Madam found out, she would be confined to her quarters again. It was only because the young master had pleaded for her that she was allowed out today.