Chapter 25: I’m Your Brother, After All

Speaking of this, Qin Nanshu was instantly beaming and eager for action. "I am not returning to the Imperial Capital this time. My third uncle received his transfer orders the day before yesterday and is heading to the Western Frontier. I pestered him for an entire day before he finally agreed to take me along to see the world."

The Western Frontier of the Great Yuan borders the Lingxia Kingdom. There have been persistent rumors in recent years of the Lingxia Kingdom repeatedly harassing the borders, something Yunjiao had heard whispers of even while remaining within the confines of her chambers.

"In that case..." Yunjiao paused, masking her disappointment with a smile. "Then I wish you a smooth journey and a triumphant return."

Seeing that her expression was off, Qin Nanshu frowned. "If there is something on your mind, just say it. Why stand on ceremony with me?"

Yunjiao replied as if it were nothing, "I assumed you were returning to the Imperial Capital, so I had intended to ask you to deliver a message for me. Since that is not the case, I will just have Guyouzi make the trip instead."

Recalling what he had seen that morning, Qin Nanshu said sternly, "Given your current situation, it would be improper for that servant to leave. Tell me what the message is, and I will have it delivered for you."

"You are not going to the Western Frontier anymore?" Yunjiao asked in surprise.

"I will just have someone else deliver the message back," Qin Nanshu said dismissively, as if such a small task were a mere trifle.

Yunjiao hesitated for a moment. "That won't be necessary. I will ask someone else."

"Xiao Jiu," Qin Nanshu frowned. "I remember you weren't this indecisive when you were young. Why are you stammering? If you have something to say, just say it!"

It was truly exasperating. Did girls become so reserved once they grew up? It was maddening.

"You saw it yourself today—my grandmother's health is failing day by day. She is always thinking of my third uncle; even in her delirium, she cannot stop calling his name. But my third uncle is in the Imperial Capital and likely knows nothing of her current state..." Yunjiao had no other choice but to spill the truth. "My second uncle has not sent word to the third, and as a junior, it is not my place to comment on the actions of my elders. Besides, family shame should not be aired in public; if outsiders were to find out, who knows what rumors they might invent? I have no one capable at my side, which is why I hoped you could deliver a message for me..."

"So that's it..." Qin Nanshu mused for a moment, then looked up at her with a smile. "Then I shall make the trip for you."

"But you..." Yunjiao felt deeply apologetic.

A hot-blooded youth’s longing for the battlefield was like a heavy drinker’s craving for fine wine. He had worked so hard to pester his uncle for this chance to go to the frontier; how could she let him be delayed by her affairs?

"It doesn't matter. There will be plenty of chances to go to the Western Frontier later," Qin Nanshu said with a grin, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "After all, I am your brother!"

This time, Yunjiao did not dodge or show annoyance. Instead, she bowed to him solemnly. "In that case, Yunjiao thanks you, brother!"

She secretly resolved that if the opportunity ever arose, she would surely repay him well.

"No need for such formalities," Qin Nanshu withdrew his hand and laughed heartily. "If there is nothing else, I’ll be off!"

"Wait, also, please send a message to my aunt as well. Tell her that Grandmother is very ill and that she should come if she can find the time," Yunjiao added hurriedly.

"Don't worry, I'm off!" Qin Nanshu waved goodbye.

"Xiao Jiu!"

Just as Yunjiao was about to nod, a sharp voice rang in her ears.

The two turned in surprise to see Qian Yan walking toward them, fuming with rage.

The moment Qin Nanshu saw Qian Yan, his expression changed. He hurriedly dropped a parting remark, "Xiao Jiu, I'm leaving!"

With that, he turned and made his escape.

"Qin Nanshu! You stop right there!" Qian Yan grew anxious seeing him run off.

Qin Nanshu acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, sprinting out of the courtyard like a gust of wind.

Seeing him bolt as if he had seen a ghost, Yunjiao couldn't help but find it amusing.

Qian Yan stamped her feet in anger and turned her hostility toward Yunjiao. "Ba Yunjiao, tell me! What were you two hiding here and whispering about!"

Looking at her cousin, Yunjiao sighed inwardly. She resembled Shen Changdong, and not only was her appearance unremarkable, but her temperament was neither calm nor refined. She was as boisterous as the second aunt, always making a scene over the slightest thing.

She had been infatuated with Qin Nanshu for years, but if Qin Nanshu were to take a liking to her, that would be a true miracle.

Yunjiao did not want to tangle with Qian Yan, so she turned to leave, hoping to avoid being stuck to this piece of "dog-skin plaster" that was impossible to peel off.

"Ba Yunjiao! You stop right there!" Qian Yan, refusing to let it go, rushed over to block her path. "Did you not hear me asking you a question? Are you deaf?"

Yunjiao suppressed her patience and said, "Qian Yan, first of all, I am technically your elder; it seems inappropriate for you to address me by my full name. It is quite lacking in manners. Secondly, what I speak of with others is none of your business. Finally, please move aside. I need to go look after my grandmother."

"Ba Yunjiao, you dare lecture me? Look at whose house you are living in now!" Qian Yan became even more incensed, hands on her hips, saliva spraying as she spoke.

Yunjiao frowned in disgust. Just as she was about to retort, she saw a tall, upright youth walking slowly toward them from a distance.

She sighed in relief, swallowed the words on her lips, and looked at the newcomer with a smile.

The youth approached and bowed to Yunjiao with refined manners. "Qian Sheng greets his cousin-aunt."

His features were strikingly similar to Yunjiao’s cousin, Qian Xianglan—handsome and imbued with an air of scholarly grace that made it clear to anyone that he was a man of letters.

Yunjiao nodded with a smile, already accustomed to being treated with such courtesy by Qian Sheng, who was even taller than she was.

Qian Sheng had always been this way, adhering to the Confucian Five Virtues: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and sincerity. He handled his affairs in black and white, following the rules, and was the only truly sensible person left in the Qian household.

Yunjiao had always found him quite agreeable.

Seeing her younger brother treat Yunjiao with such respect, Qian Yan was so angry she could have fainted. She stood to the side, her face livid, yet she did not utter a word.

Since childhood, she had known how stubborn her brother was. Attempting to persuade him to join her in targeting Ba Yunjiao would be a complete waste of breath and a fool’s errand.

Moreover, her brother was promising and studied with great diligence, so the family always put him first. Qian Yan dared not clash with him easily.

"Sister," Qian Sheng looked at Qian Yan, seemingly oblivious to her displeasure, "come with me to visit our great-grandmother."

Qian Yan glared fiercely at Yunjiao, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.

Yunjiao made a face at her back before following along.

Jianjia was waiting anxiously at the door. When she saw Yunjiao, she rushed over joyfully. "Miss..."

"Like master, like servant—both as ill-mannered as the other," Qian Yan said, rolling her eyes with disdain.

Jianjia quickly covered her mouth, not daring to make a sound.

Yunjiao paid her no mind and led Jianjia and the others inside.

Qian Shihai was still sitting in the room, while Nanny Li and Mujin were tending to Old Madam Qian.

Upon entering, Qian Yan covered her nose and mouth with a look of disgust, and before she had even settled, she found an excuse to leave in a hurry.

Qian Sheng did not stay for long either; Qian Shihai urged him to go and study.

Qian Sheng then rose to take his leave.

In the room, apart from a few maidservants, only Yunjiao and Qian Shihai remained.