Dusk came and the red sky turned grey. A brother and sister were in deep and long conversation inside the Qin Hua courtyard. Yuan Xue An face turned red and tears flowed down her cheeks. Her red cheeks were turning sore rubbed them with a handkerchief several times.
Yuan Shao smiled sadly at his younger sister. He never thought he would leave her one day, but he also never thought his sister would become happier within a short period. Her timid behavior had also tremendously changed. He also never dreamt he would ever see his sister look happier, bubblier, and cheerful.
?
She even knew how to talk back to him, a trait she recently learned from someone he knew very well. All these changes gave him comfort and pleasure. It was like a withered flower had come back to life and blossomed beautifully.
"Brother, why should you leave? You are now free so it is now easier for us to live together," Yuan Xue An choked from her tears. Her nose was also red as she had blown it a few times.
"I'm somewhat free but the Emperor wouldn't let me go easily. He had always been wary of me and the fact that I no longer serve him would make him more cautious of me."
"That's more reason for you to stay with me. He won't dare to hurt us if we stay with the Hei Shen Sect," Yuan Xue An clenched her brother's hands tightly.
Yuan Shao chuckled and gently patted his sister's shoulder, "I know. It is the reason I want you to live with them until I am able to get you."
"Why don't you want to stay? The Hei Shen people are very good. I don't think they would have a problem with you staying," Yuan Xue An tried to reason with Yuan Shao.
"I know they won't…" Yuan Shao smiled and took a deep breath. "But… I'm a prideful man, Xue An. I would not let myself live under another man's protection."
Yuan Xue An bit her lips as she looked down with grief. She knew her brother better than anyone. Yuan Shao had always been independent, headstrong, and prideful from a very early age. He was not the type of person to lower himself to live under another person's wings. It didn't matter how big or safe the wings were. Her brother was destined to be a dragon among men.
"I understand…" Yuan Xue An hung her head as she weakly conceded.
"Good. I knew you would understand," Yuan Shao stroked his sister's head like he did when she was younger.
This action made Yuan Xue An sadder. She sniffed, wiped her nose with her handkerchief, and slowly lifted her head to look at him. She pursed her lips and warned, "How long will you be gone? Don't say you will be gone for a long time or you will lose a certain person…"
Yuan Shao was flustered by her words. He assumed an oblivious expression, "What are you talking about…?"
Yuan Xue An clicked her tongue. She couldn't resist teasing him, "Don't pretend. You know who I'm talking about, as a matter a fact, I think everyone in the Hei Shen Sect knows this. Your eyes always pop whenever you see her."
"What?" Yuan Shao gasped as he realized the reaction he thought he hid so well were seen by others. But it was not something he could control. He gave his sister a worried look as he became nervous and hopeful, "Does she…do you think she…knows?"
"No!" His sister quickly replied. "That woman is a dense one."
"Oh…" He mumbled. He was unsure if he was relieved or saddened by the revelation.
Yuan Xue An was amused by her stoic brother's reaction. She never thought she would one day see him conflicted over a woman he loved. She was also happy that her brother chose someone she admired. She would love to be a family with the woman if her brother married the woman. Her imagination ran wild. She couldn't let her slow brother miss his chance. Her next words were firm, "This means you need to be clear with her now. Don't be a wuss. If you don't say it now, you will cry when you return and find someone else was able to snatch her."
"You think I should?" He was somber when he asked. He never liked any woman before. He actually thought he would be single for the rest of his life, but his thoughts changed when he met her.
"Yes, I believe you should!" She nodded with certainty, "You must be shameless like Lord Long Ming. Jin Hao told me how Lord Long Ming was relentless when he pursued Luo Ri Yi. If Long Ming can lower himself in front of the woman he loves, why can't you do the same?"
Jin Hao's influence on her made it easier for Yuan Xue An to manipulate her brother. She knew her brother admired Long Ming's strength and his deep devotion to Luo Ri Yi. This was the reason she used Long Ming to give her brother a big push.
"You are right! It is okay to be shameless before the person you love," He chuckled lightly in agreement.
Meanwhile, a swing swayed gently under the wisteria tree as a lady in red robes sat quietly with a troubled look.
"You cannot sleep?"
Ming Yue Yin was startled. She was so immersed in her thoughts that she failed to hear Lory as she approached from behind. Lory sat next to her without waiting for an invite.
"Where's uncle?" Ming Yue Yin asked.
"Cultivating," Lory answered with a shrug.
"Liar! The only thing he cultivates these days is you…" Ming Yue Yin rolled her eyes. Zhao Li Xin was always in a good mood lately and was even less scary. However, Lory who was a morning person had recently started to sleep the morning away and would always wake up looking dazed. It was easy for others to guess what was happening between them.
"True…" Lory confessed weakly with a heavy sigh. She couldn't deny the obvious especially since she had left a sullen Zhao Li Xin in their room.
"You dump him tonight, didn't you" Ming Yue Yin giggled.
"Shut up!" Lory pushed the swing with her legs making it move faster. The moon brightened the night as the two ladies played with the swing.
"Yuan Shao is leaving tonight," Lory glanced at Ming Yue Yin.
Ming Yue Yin's expression remained calm, "That is what I heard too…"
"You are not gonna say anything to him?" Lory raised her eyebrows.
"Like what?" Ming Yue Yin feigned ignorance.
"Like… Where he is going? When he will return and when he will send you dowry…?"
Ming Yue Yin narrowed her eyes at Lory, "Shut up!"
"What? You don't need dowry? Hmm… Should you be the one giving him the dowry…? I don't know how it works?" Lory tilted her head with genuine confusion.
"There's nothing between us. Why do you keep saying that?" Ming Yue Yin puffed her cheeks with anger.
"Because you always shoot glances at him when he's around…"
"I shoot glances at anyone. I always shoot Su Yi glances."
"That is because she always gives you noodles! I have never seen General Yuan bring you noodles!"
"He is not a General anymore!"
"And you noticed?"
"..."
"Hump!" Ming Your Yin averted her gaze from Lory and pretended to be mad yet her face was as red as a ripe tomato.
Lory sighed loudly and strengthened her back, "Learn from me and say what you want to say. Don't live your life in regret… The words 'what if' will only weigh you down."
Ming Yue Yin's heart became heavy. She understood what Lory meant. She opened her mouth but quickly swallowed her words when she saw a tall figure heading towards them.
Lory followed her gaze when Ming Yue Yin's expression changed. She smiled and stood from the swing to leave, "Remember my words."
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