Volume One, Chapter Ten: The Uncommon Siblings

After Yin Lingxiao left, the vast Fu residence fell into a deathly silence. In the capital, where countless nobles and officials thrived, even a tossed copper coin might accidentally strike a dignitary of rank. Yet, no one in the imperial court could evade the influence of the Marquis of Yongyi’s household. The old marquis had fought through mountains of blades and seas of fire to secure the throne for the late emperor, earning his family generations of honor. The young lord Yin had grown up fighting fiercely alongside his father against the Oirat tribes, deterring their incursions for years. Now, with the Tatars stirring restlessly, the court’s regard for the Yin family was beyond question.

The old marquis had two sons. The eldest, Yin Qingsong’s mother, had long since passed away. The second son, Yin Lingxiao, was the child of the marquis’s second wife. By tradition, the heir apparent title would fall to the eldest son, but due to Lingxiao’s outstanding military achievements and the marquis’s favor, he had been appointed heir from a young age—the undisputed successor to the title.

So even if Lingxiao had come to the Fu residence to provoke, no one dared voice objection. Some even pondered whether the Fu family had truly offended him—after all, the Fus were merely third-rank officials in the Ministry of Revenue, and it wouldn’t be worth antagonizing the Marquis’s household on their behalf.

The main hall took a long time to return to its lively clamor. The guests resumed their laughter and clinking cups as if nothing had happened. Though their minds raced with different thoughts, their faces bore an expression of harmony and festivity. Fu Xiaolian and her party rushed in, only to find that Yin Lingxiao had long since departed. Disappointment swept over them; each twisted their handkerchiefs and stomped their feet, barely restraining themselves from pounding their chests in regret.

Fu Chun’er cast a cold eye over the undercurrents flowing through the mansion. In her previous life, when Yin Lingxiao had orchestrated a false accusation of embezzlement against the Fu family, these people had worn exactly such hypocritical masks. But reborn, she no longer cared what fate awaited the Fu household. From the moment they personally delivered her to Yin Lingxiao’s bed, the father-daughter bond was utterly severed. This time, her sole aim was to protect Fu Heng, so that she and her brother could forge a broad and unrestrained future.

No matter what, the crisis had passed; Fu Chun’er felt a weight lift from her heart. She looked up at Fu Heng and saw that his guard had also been lowered.

A flicker of surprise crossed her mind—so Fu Heng had long harbored disdain for Yin Lingxiao.

Shangguan Hao, already familiar with Yin Lingxiao, turned to Fu Chun’er with a smile. “The young lord Yin also studies at Bailu Academy. You must have met him, right?”

Fu Chun’er’s expression remained calm. “No, I haven’t. I don’t know him.”

Fu Heng’s eyes lit up with joy. If his elder sister had no dealings with that scoundrel, then surely she would not be imprisoned again. Even if they did know each other, he would find a way to sever that cursed connection!

Shangguan Hao lowered his gaze, looking at her. “Is that so? I heard the female disciples at the National Academy are quite infatuated with him, hoping to join the elite Tian class.”

Fu Chun’er replied coldly, “I’m in the Ren class. I don’t know him, and besides, he looks ugly.”

Surprise flashed in Shangguan Hao’s eyes.

Elders and relatives at home often remarked that Yin Lingxiao was on par with him in many ways. Even if they disliked each other, he had to admit that was no exaggeration. But if Miss Fu found Yin Lingxiao ugly, then what would she think of him, who was equally renowned?

Shangguan Hao had never cared for others’ opinions before, but now a strange unease crept in. He looked seriously at Fu Heng. “Zicheng, do you think the same?” (Zicheng being Fu Heng’s courtesy name.)

Fu Heng snorted coldly, folding his arms, his disdain nearly spilling over. “That’s right. Yin Lingxiao looks ugly—very ugly—hideously ugly!”

Shangguan Hao was speechless.

Alright then, this sibling pair was truly extraordinary.

He liked that.

That very night, news of Yin Lingxiao’s brief appearance and swift departure at the Fu residence spread throughout the noble families of the capital. The powerful speculated about his purpose, and even the intentions of the Marquis of Yongyi behind him.

Yin Lingxiao was a blazing star before the sages and the dream of many noble young ladies in the city. The news, like wings sprouting, quickly flew into the front and back yards of princes and nobles, becoming a hot topic.

“Do you think the young lord Yin went to the Fu residence to see someone?”

“Probably—but if that’s the case, why did he leave right after arriving?”

“Left so soon? Didn’t even stay for a cup of tea?”

“Not even half a cup! Now people suspect the Fu family must have offended him…”

When Fu Chun’er returned to her chamber, she overheard maidservants discussing this. She raised an eyebrow, suddenly finding the misunderstanding amusing. Let her father and Lady Lin panic for a while first.

The next day.

The female disciples of the Ren class saw Jiang Rongrong and immediately gathered around her.

“Rongrong, you were at the Fu residence yesterday too. What exactly happened?”

Jiang Rongrong pursed her lips, her gaze wandering. “It was… when Brother Lingxiao pushed the door open, he looked anxious, like he had something urgent to handle. And I felt… he glanced at me.”

Fu Chun’er almost choked on her drink hearing that.

Jiang Rongrong had a vivid imagination—she was welcome to keep dreaming.

Had she changed her name to Jiang Rongrong sooner, perhaps she could have sparked a beautiful ill-fated romance.

Those who hadn’t received invitations believed it wholeheartedly, excitedly responding, “Rongrong, the young lord Yin has taken a fancy to you!”

“So the young lord Yin had urgent business but came to the Fu residence just to catch a glimpse of you?”

“Oh my, how clever is that!”

“Wuwu, I’m so jealous of Rongrong…”

Jiang Rongrong’s cheeks flushed crimson, her feelings ambiguous between shyness and something else. Initially, she had only a slight vanity, guiding everyone to think that way. But seeing their envious and jealous looks, her pride swelled. Amid the teasing, she even felt faintly dizzy.

Maybe… Yin Lingxiao really had looked at her once?

“Rongrong, I think the young lord Yin might be interested in you. Why don’t you respond to him?”

“Yeah, I’ve never heard of Yin Lingxiao liking anyone. Maybe he’s just bad at expressing it. You should confirm it.”

The more they analyzed, the more excited they became. Jiang Rongrong’s face grew redder, and she actually mustered the courage to go to the Tian class.

Fu Chun’er dipped her brush in ink, thinking: If Jiang Rongrong could truly become Yin Lingxiao’s beloved, she would forever regard her as a lifesaver and even erect a longevity memorial tablet in her honor, thanking her for such selfless sacrifice.

Alas, less than fifteen minutes later, Jiang Rongrong returned dejectedly.

“Brother Lingxiao isn’t here…”

Everyone comforted her: “Don’t worry, Rongrong. The young lord Yin often isn’t at the academy. Just ask again in a day or two.”

Yet, a day passed, then two, even half a month, and Yin Lingxiao never appeared again.

At first, the Ren class students eagerly helped to inquire in the Tian class, but gradually they dispersed. Jiang Rongrong grew more and more dazed each day, and whenever she saw her friends’ disappointed eyes, her face burned with a painful heat.

The atmosphere grew heavy, yet only Fu Chun’er felt the sky brighten suddenly.

These days, Yin Lingxiao was nowhere to be seen, absent from the story entirely. Fu Chun’er lived freely every day, no longer fearing a sudden encounter with that wretched man. Life was simply exhilarating.

Reborn, she felt the beauty of the world for the first time.

* * *

Two days later, Fang Juexia had just returned from the Tian class when he saw Fu Chun’er resting with her eyes closed, looking quite content. An idea sparked in his mind.

He remembered that after discovering Fu Chun’er’s breathtaking beauty, the next day her face was covered with tiny spots. Standing too close, he caught the scent of ink and blurted it out.

“Why, if you’re so beautiful, do you paint black dots on your face?”

Unexpectedly, Fu Chun’er’s expression changed sharply. The next day, she veiled herself and ignored him for several days.

Fang Juexia had pondered long over what he said wrong. So today, seeing her in a good mood, he resolved to apologize.

With a pleading look, he sat beside Fu Chun’er. “Xiao Chun’er~~”

Fu Chun’er tilted her head toward him. “Yes?”

Fang Juexia paused, feeling uneasy under her glassy, beautiful gaze. His heart raced.

He quickly lowered his head to change the subject. “Well, I couldn’t make it to the Fu family’s birthday banquet, but I heard Brother Yin went. Did you see him?”

At mention of Yin Lingxiao, Fu Chun’er’s expression instantly turned cold. “What brother Yin? I don’t know him.”

Fang Juexia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You mean Yin Lingxiao, the famous young lord? How could you not know him?”

Fu Chun’er opened a book, her voice indifferent. “What’s there to know about him?”

Fang Juexia was speechless, unsure how to respond. He thought to himself: Xiao Chun’er is truly impressive—completely unmoved by Brother Yin’s looks. Other girls would have gone crazy.

Maybe because she loved reading so much, she had no interest in anything else. But others said she just memorized books without understanding them, which made him feel sorry for her. So much effort, yet lacking talent. He thought she might be better off enjoying food and drink like him.

His feelings complicated, he spoke again cautiously. “Maybe you haven’t met Brother Yin. He’s a good person. If you want, we could go out together… Oh, by the way, it’s no wonder you don’t know him. He’s been at the military camp training for the past few days.”

Fu Chun’er’s patience was nearly gone, but at that last remark, her eyes softened. “Is that so… but I don’t go out to play. Thanks~”

She smiled, her eyes sparkling like scattered stars, the slight upward curve of her eyelids carrying an elusive charm that made one want to lose themselves in her gaze. Fang Juexia was left staring in awe.

After Fu Chun’er cheerfully hummed a tune and stepped outside, Fang Juexia came back to himself, a beat too late. “...But Brother Yin has already returned to the academy today. You’ll definitely see him.”