I was momentarily stunned. I never expected that he had been so late because he'd gone to see the emperor, my father, and even less so that my father had flat-out refused.
"Why?" The question blurted out of my mouth.
Yu Chi Cheng paused for a moment, then sighed. "Your father said you're still too young and not yet settled. He also said that there are still two years until you come of age. In two years, you might well have forgotten about me and fallen for someone else. So, there's no rush."
I never thought I was seen like that in my father's eyes. I couldn't help but widen my eyes. Yu Chi Cheng stroked my head as he looked at me. "He also said that two years is a long time with many uncertainties. I might not remain steadfast in my feelings. With us living so far apart, one in the south and the other in the north, our relationship isn't very stable. It's too early for me to bring this up with him now."
I thought about it and realized he was right. There were still two years before we could even think about marriage. It was indeed too early, and it was only natural for my father to have concerns.
So I said, "Father is right. For now, we can't be certain..." After I said that, I stole a glance at Yu Chi Cheng's expression to see his reaction, but he caught me in the act.
"The only one who's uncertain is you." Yu Chi Cheng hugged me possessively as if in punishment. His eyes glinted with dissatisfaction. "You heartless little thing. You're backing out at the last minute."
"I'm not!" I immediately denied it. "I'll talk to Father myself about this. As long as we can get through these two years, he'll definitely give his consent."
Only then did Yu Chi Cheng let me go, but a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes. "However, your father had a third reason, and I can't refute this one. He said he doesn't want you to marry far away."
"Why was Aunt allowed to do so? And Mother came from the Northern Cold Region to marry here. I don't accept this reason." Father had once said that it was a good thing to travel and see the world. I thought he was extremely open - minded, but I never expected him to oppose my relationship with Yu Chi Cheng for this reason. So I thought Father might have other concerns.
Yu Chi Cheng said, "I've already told Uncle that I won't give up. Uncle said we'll talk about it again in two years. It seems there's still room for negotiation. So, Xi He, why don't you ask Aunt? Our relationship may be just between you and me, but I still hope to get everyone's blessing. You shouldn't be with me just out of passion and end up alone."
I felt a warm sensation in my heart. I nodded at him and gently laid my head on his shoulder. "No, we'll definitely get their blessings."
Yu Chi Cheng put his arm around me. "Xi He, I hope you'll be happy every day. Don't let these things trouble you, but I had to tell you about this. So, let's just take things one step at a time. Also, I might have to return to the Northern Cold Region in a few days. After all, there are still soldiers from the Northern Cold Region here. We can't stay in the Great Yong for long."
As soon as I heard he was leaving, I felt reluctant to part with him. But I also knew that we'd be separated for most of these two years. So, I cherished the time we had together even more.
At that moment, the bright moon hung high in the sky, its light gentle. Yu Chi Cheng and I sat on the roof of the Huiyang Palace, looking down at the overlapping eaves in the palace. Above our heads was a vast expanse of starry sky. Although it wasn't as vast as the grasslands in the Northern Cold Region, it held infinite mysteries. The night breeze was slightly cool, caressing our faces. I leaned on Yu Chi Cheng's shoulder, not wanting to say a word. I just wanted to quietly enjoy this time alone with him.
He felt the same way.
The sentiment of parting filled the air between us. Thousands of words were stuck in our throats, but perhaps silence was better than words at this moment.
A few days later, after Yu Chi Cheng finished the procurement, he didn't waste any time. After bidding farewell to Father and Mother, he led the soldiers from the Northern Cold Region back. On the day he left, I didn't dare to see him off for fear of tears welling up in my eyes. But even so, I was so restless that I couldn't sit still in the Shuangsheng Hall.
The day before he left, we went to the roof of the Huiyang Palace to enjoy the moonlight again. He couldn't help but kiss me. And when I thought about his imminent departure, I couldn't hold back my tears. He panicked immediately, thinking he had offended me, and apologized repeatedly. I was unhappy, so he had to tell me jokes. Finally, I told him that I wouldn't see him off the next day, and he just nodded and said okay. Throughout, his tone was extremely gentle.
After Yu Chi Cheng left, I was so restless that I went to see Mother. Mother saw my dejected look and probably guessed why I was there. She dismissed the servants and asked, "Xi He, are you unhappy because A Cheng left?"
I nodded and then stepped forward to hug Mother, not wanting to say a word.
Mother's embrace was so soft and reassuring. I told her everything about Yu Chi Cheng and me, and also mentioned that Father seemed to oppose our relationship. I asked Mother what I should do.
Mother gently stroked my head and said, "Your father actually has other considerations."
Just as we were talking, Father came in.
As soon as he saw me there looking unhappy, he knew what I was up to. So he said, "Xi He, are you here to ask your mother for help?"
I felt embarrassed at his words. I glanced at him and pouted pitifully. Mother stroked my head again and said, "Our daughter is growing up. There are some things we should tell her."
Father stepped forward, found a place to sit down, and said, "Xi He, it's not that Father is deliberately making things difficult for A Cheng. But this matter is related to A Cheng's background, so Father has to think it over carefully."
When I heard it was because of this, I said, "I know A Cheng's background. He's not Uncle and Aunt's son. He's the son of the former crown prince of the Northern Cold Region."
As soon as I said this, Father and Mother were both too shocked to speak. After a long while, Father asked, "How do you know this?"
I then told them everything that had happened in the Red Desert. Finally, I said, "Brother Cheng knows his own background and also knows that I'm your daughter, but he has no ill - will towards me or the Great Yong. Speaking of which, after I came back this time, I also wanted to ask Father about the former Empress Feiyu. Did Father order her to assassinate the crown prince of the Northern Cold Region? What exactly happened back then, and why did things turn out that way?"
Hearing this, Father and Mother's expressions became even more complicated. Father seemed to be deep in thought before he finally spoke. "Xi He, do you know who the former Empress Feiyu is?"
I shook my head. The former Empress Feiyu was probably the most legendary figure in the Great Yong. I'd heard a bit about her great deeds, but since she had passed away before I was born, I didn't know much about her.
Mother couldn't help but cough softly and whispered, "You know that Ran Su is Mother's real name, but the name Mother used most often when she was young was Ji Feiyu."