Volume One, Chapter 12: He Has a Hidden Ailment

Morning.

Warm sunlight pierced through the clouds, streaming into the simple and elegant chamber.

After a restful night, Chun’er rose from bed full of vigor, her eyes instantly lighting up with joy.

Having been by Lingxiao’s side for many years, she knew his temperament well. The dream from last night, where the woman transformed into a man, must have inflicted both physical and emotional harm on him—though she wasn’t sure how severe it was.

Chun’er asked quietly, “System, are there any unrevealed parts of last night’s scenario?”

System replied, “Host, which part of the plot would you like to know about?”

Chun’er, a little excited, whispered, “Well, Lingxiao had a nightmare last night. Did it scare him into impotence?”

System responded, “...Ahem, this is a proper narrative system; we do not describe anything below the neck. In short... no!”

Chun’er clicked her tongue in disappointment as she got up to wash.

She didn’t quite understand what the system meant, but if Lingxiao hadn’t been affected, it was her fault. Next time, she would add more substance!

Dressed in a loose, simple teal robe, Chun’er opened the door and, as usual, headed to the main hall for breakfast.

She had barely stepped out when she saw Xiaolian dressed in a splendid embroidered skirt, trailing closely behind Heng with a fond expression. “Third Brother, the lessons our tutor has been teaching lately are too difficult. When you have time, could you help me review them?”

Heng’s expression was cold as he replied, “I’ll help once I’m done with my work.”

Father and Lady Lin were already seated at the dining table. Upon hearing this, they both smiled with satisfaction. “Xiaolian is diligent. Your father hopes you’ll be the first girl to pass the county examination and bring honor to our family.”

The minister the Fu family served was aligned with the Empress Dowager’s faction and attached great importance to this imperial decree allowing women to take the exam. They hoped to seize this opportunity to gain favor with the Empress Dowager and advance their careers.

Xiaolian obediently bowed her head. “Yes, I will follow Father’s teachings.” After rising, she glanced triumphantly at Chun’er.

It was clear Father and Mother favored her the most. Although Third Brother hadn’t spared her respect earlier, she reasoned he might have been trying to avoid offending the young lord by diverting attention onto Chun’er.

Chun’er ignored her and immediately spotted a plate of the spring snow cake on the table. The Fu household’s cook was skilled at this delicacy, and even after two lifetimes, she found herself craving it.

Just as she was about to sit down, Heng pulled out the chair beside him. “Eldest Sister, sit here.”

Chun’er nodded. Before she could pick up her chopsticks, a piece of the cake she longed for was placed on her plate.

Curious, she looked at Heng. “You knew I liked this?”

“...You’ve been staring at it all along,” Heng replied awkwardly, turning his head away.

Chun’er was puzzled.

Xiaolian rolled her eyes, thinking: Such a rustic village girl, so inexperienced. Third Brother even offered her food, yet she doesn’t even take the chance to act all sweet.

Father, who usually attended morning court, had a rare day off. Watching the family happily gathered together, his mood was excellent. “Chun’er, you’ve suffered hardships outside. Now that you’ve returned, you must all treat each other with brotherly and sisterly affection. The family’s honor and disgrace rely on your joint efforts.”

Such words were mere formalities. Lady Lin echoed them with plenty of pleasant remarks, performing the usual social niceties.

Chun’er and Heng maintained calm expressions. Only Xiaolian responded softly, “Father, Mother, please don’t worry. Sister never had a chance to study before and isn’t very smart; she probably couldn’t understand the tutor’s lessons in the literacy class. But I will definitely help her.”

Father looked at Xiaolian approvingly. Lady Lin smiled as she served her food, praising her for being sensible.

Chun’er remained expressionless, biting into the sweet cake.

They would separate the family sooner or later. These people were no longer family to her. When they were exiled, she would simply take Heng and venture out on her own. As for Xiaolian, the fake sister, as long as she didn’t interfere with her studies, she could flaunt herself all she wanted.

Heng’s face darkened beside her. How had he failed to notice before how good Xiaolian was at pretending?

Moreover, she constantly implied that Eldest Sister was neither clever nor able to understand the lessons—yet Father and Mother praised her for being sensible?

Looking at Eldest Sister’s indifferent demeanor, Heng thought she must have been deeply hurt and was pretending not to hear.

“Not smart? Can’t understand?” Heng put down his chopsticks and said seriously, “Eldest Sister studies late into the night. Even the tutor praises her rapid progress. She will surely become someone remarkable.”

Lady Lin looked surprised. “Chun’er, is this true?”

Father’s eyes brightened. “The tutor praised you?”

Chun’er sipped her tea, letting the sweetness of the cake fade before calmly replying, “It’s nothing. The tutor is just being kind.”

She studied hard to control her own fate, unrelated to the Fu family. She had no intention of using this to curry favor.

With Heng’s support, even her modest response sounded humble to others. Father began to reconsider this daughter, seeing her composed nature and steady temperament. Perhaps she, too, could bring honor to the family.

Xiaolian’s face darkened at the scene. She forced a smile. “Sister, you actually studied in the countryside before, didn’t you? Your handwriting clearly shows practice. You must have done well back then.”

Chun’er caught Xiaolian’s challenging glance but ignored her, instead serving Heng a piece of the milk cake he liked but sat far from him. “Take your time.”

“Thank you, Eldest Sister. You’re so kind,” Heng said with a bright smile, his previous sternness gone.

Xiaolian’s expression was full of disbelief. Had she just been ignored?

Suppressing her anger, she thought: Chun’er must be scared! She’s deliberately avoiding answering because she’s afraid everyone will find out how shameful her past really was.

Earlier, she sent a pigeon letter trying to collect evidence of Chun’er’s previous neglect of studies—and she actually found some.

When young, Mei couldn’t afford to send Chun’er to school. Little Chun’er secretly listened in from a corner of the village school, imitating poems on discarded paper. Later, the teacher discovered her and confiscated the nonsensical poem. He even sent a warning letter to Mei, scolding Chun’er for her improper conduct in sneaking lessons, threatening to confiscate the tuition if repeated.

Now, with the poem and warning letter in her hands, if used well, Xiaolian could deliver a heavy blow to Chun’er!

A cold smile curled on Xiaolian’s lips. If Chun’er wanted to climb above her through studying, she would ruin her reputation, ensuring she could never pass the imperial exams!

...

At the academy, upon seeing Juexia, Chun’er immediately recalled how he had tricked her. She wanted to slam him with a brick but felt it wasn’t entirely his fault, so she hesitated several times to speak.

Juexia, however, completely misunderstood her intentions, thinking the girl who rarely paid him any attention was finally appreciating his charm.

He began tossing his hair and adjusting his collar nonstop, making forty fake moves in a minute, showing off his debonair style from every angle.

Chun’er was busy writing the big question the tutor assigned when she noticed the constantly shifting shadow on the rice paper. She glanced up in confusion.

Juexia immediately changed his pose again: propping his forehead with one hand, closing his eyes sorrowfully, then heaved a melancholic sigh before casually pulling open his collar for air, twisting his hips on the stool all the while.

...

Chun’er’s gaze dropped.

She understood.

So Juexia was suffering from an unspeakable hidden ailment.