Chapter Seven: Eldest Brother

Xue Fanzhi spoke coldly, “Because it wasn't you who was almost abandoned, almost killed, so of course you can talk lightly. Since we want to seek refuge with our Second Granduncle, he ought to know everything, to understand why I was left behind. Isn't it unfilial for a younger generation to conceal the truth?”

Xue Jiaoyue choked, frowned, and pouted, “How did you change so much in such a short time? You weren't like this before. We didn't abandon you, did we? Aren’t you fine now? Don’t you know Second Granduncle looks down on Mother and will punish her?”

So you admit it?!

Xue Fanzhi said, “You think that saying nothing, not resisting, just lying down and letting others trample me is the right way? You should know I’m fine not because of you—any of you! Human life disregarded, whoever suggested leaving should be punished!”

Her words clearly pointed to someone.

“You…” Xue Jiaoyue’s eyes grew panicked.

Lady Jin scolded, “Unfilial girl, Xue Eight, so you think you’re clever now? Go ahead, report! Who said I’d abandon you? Who did you hear it from? Did I leave you behind? If I did, why are you here now?!”

This mother always became irrational and unreasonable when scared.

In truth, all Xue Fanzhi wanted was for her mother to scold Xue Jiaoyue a little, or for Xue Jiaoyue to admit she had urged their mother. It would at least make her years of heartfelt devotion worthwhile.

But no, neither did—they both blamed her, as if it was her fault again.

Sadly, she had died once, and was no longer so easy to appease!

Xue Fanzhi’s lovely eyes darkened, her voice suddenly steady and resolute beyond her years. “Since Mother says report, then I won’t return with you. We’ll meet in Jiankang!”

Xue Fanzhi and Minglan were about to leave. If she left now, the Princess would surely despise them, not to mention her carriage was faster and would reach Jiankang before them, finding Xue Qiu first. Then she would complain first, and Xue Qiu would be biased—would there be any place left for their mother and them in Jiankang?!

Xue Jiaoyue’s calculations rattled in her mind, pulling at Lady Jin’s sleeve and giving her meaningful looks.

“I’ll tell you who it was!” Lady Jin hurriedly called Xue Fanzhi back.

Xue Fanzhi turned, her gaze still shadowed.

Lady Jin hesitated, “You’re fine now, why hold onto a little thing like this? What’s gotten into you, you used to be so different!”

“Mother!” Xue Fanzhi was truly furious, hatred flickering in her eyes, “We’ll meet in Jiankang!”

“Xue Eight, Xue Eight!” Lady Jin rushed after her and grabbed her, “You stubborn girl, come back here…”

Just then, the tent’s curtain was flung aside, and a voice full of anger called, “Mother, all you ever do is defend Seventh Sister. You nearly pulled up the main tent, and still say you didn’t want to leave? I’ve asked around, it was clearly Seventh Sister who urged you to return to Jiankang. Can’t you give Xue Eight some justice?!”

The voice belonged to a youth of sixteen or seventeen, clad in a dark blue scholar’s robe, upright as a pine, standing in the doorway, strikingly handsome. His oval face was pale as jade, his features impeccably symmetrical like flower petals, without a single flaw.

He was Xue Fanzhi’s elder brother, Xue Jingren.

Her eldest and second brothers were identical twins, and she looked like her eldest brother—they all resembled their mother, except for Xue Jiaoyue.

It really was her brother, alive and speaking.

In her previous life, he died in battle after she became Empress, only twenty-three years old, unmarried, leaving no children behind.

His body was transported from Jingzhou in such a state that she could not even recognize him. The brother who had protected her most in the family—she never saw him one last time.

“Big Brother!” Among her family, it was her brother who loved her most, more than her parents. Anything good to eat or wear, he would give it to her first, and if anyone bullied her, he would stand up for her.

Xue Fanzhi was so moved she couldn’t control her limbs, stumbling into Xue Jingren’s arms, then broke down crying.

Lady Jin saw this and assumed she was crying out of grievance, her expression awkward. “Such a fuss over such a small matter, is it really necessary?”

Yes, it is. She never saw him before he died; if not for Xiao Yi’s insistence that the army bring back his body, others would have left him in the wilderness.

That was her brother—the one who would bring back an apple to share with his siblings rather than eat it himself. How could it not be necessary?

Xue Fanzhi’s sobs grew louder, showing no sign of stopping. Xue Jingren smiled, stroking the back of her head, “I know you’re upset. Don’t cry, I’ll get justice for you. But you can’t keep crying, you’ll ruin my new robe—washing it on the road isn’t easy, what am I supposed to wear?”

Honestly, after years apart, his sister mattered more than any robe.

Xue Fanzhi laughed, pulling away from Xue Jingren’s chest, wiping her tears and calling, “Big Brother!”

This wasn’t a plea for him to do anything, just her longing for him, something she needed to express.

Xue Jingren gently patted her head again with his rough hand, “Don’t be afraid. With me here, you’ll never suffer.”

Xue Fanzhi nodded obediently and happily.

Her brother’s promise—he had fulfilled it in her past life. If not for her happiness, he wouldn’t have dragged his wounded body to battle, all because some at court looked down on her and said their family’s honors were won by women.

In her last life, her brother died for her. In this life, she trusted him all the more.

Xue Jingren truly never let her down. After comforting her, he rebuked, “Seventh Sister, you won’t own up to your actions, and want Mother to take the blame for you?”

“Eldest Brother…” Lady Jin called.

“Mother, Fanzhi is your daughter too. If you keep favoring Xue Seven, you won’t need Fanzhi to complain—I’ll write directly to Granduncle and have him refuse you entry to Jiankang. You and Xue Jiaoyue can return to the old home.”

The old home was occupied by the barbarians; returning meant not only having no place to stand, but certain death.

Lady Jin’s standing in the Xue family came from her ability to bear children; her two sons were her capital. If they turned against her…

She shrank back, stepping away.

“Brother!” Xue Jiaoyue’s long lashes were wet with tears as she called out to Xue Jingren, her voice aggrieved. “I’m your sister too. How can you be so biased? Why is Xue Eight always right, and all the wrong is mine?”

Xue Fanzhi’s gaze grew cold. “Because I would never do anything so wicked as to bring harm to my own siblings!”

Xue Jiaoyue was struck speechless.

Xue Jingren looked at Xue Fanzhi with relief. His little sister had finally found her resolve; though they shared the same mother, Xue Jiaoyue’s crooked heart had always bullied Fanzhi, but that foolish girl never seemed to mind.

Now, finally, she could stand up for herself—only then could others help her.

Content, Xue Jingren rebuked Xue Jiaoyue, “Father isn’t here now. As eldest brother, my word stands. Will you admit your fault or not?”