As the steward of the household, Steward Fang naturally couldn’t comment on the family’s affairs.
Chu Ruolan, however, tugged her elder sister forward and barged right in. "Of course your mother is your mother—what’s there to debate?"
When Yan Zhao saw it was her, he lifted his chin and snorted.
"What’s that ‘hmph’ supposed to mean?" Chu Ruolan glared. "Are you saying I’m wrong?"
"Do you really need me to tell you whether you’re right or wrong?"
"Ugh, you insufferable fish! What kind of attitude is that? You’ve got no gratitude at all—"
Before the two could start bickering again, Chu Ruoyan swiftly pulled her younger sister back. "Young Master Yan Zhao."
Yan Zhao still held some respect for this sister-in-law who had once aided the Yan family in their time of crisis. "County Princess Changle."
Chu Ruoyan gave a slight nod. "Earlier, when you spoke of Lady Xie, you should realize—just by looking at your third brother—that the Great General never wronged your mother."
Yan Zhao froze as she continued, "Back then, the Great General believed he was the son of the Princess Royal, yet he still treated him coldly and distantly. Wasn’t it precisely because he thought his mother had caused your third brother’s suffering? If he truly still harbored feelings for the Princess Royal, why would he be so harsh toward their son?"
It was true. Their father, usually gentle, had been strict only with Yan Zheng.
Among all the brothers, no matter who made a mistake, their father would let it slide with little consequence.
But Yan Zheng? Climbing a tree earned him punishment. Dropping something? Punishment. The slightest misstep was met with military discipline.
If not for their eldest brother’s protection, he would have been beaten to death several times over…
So in the end, was it all because of resentment?
Yan Zhao fell silent, and Chu Ruoyan clenched her fists.
"A son does not speak of his father’s faults, so you shouldn’t dwell on the past. But…" She pressed her lips together, unable to hold back her words any longer. "The Great General was a man of honor, his military achievements beyond reproach—except when it came to your third brother. There, he was unjust!"
Steward Fang’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. Was the young mistress out of her mind? Daring to accuse her future father-in-law of injustice?
Yan Zhao stared at her in disbelief.
What did she just say?
That his father—the man praised by all for his fairness and integrity—had been unjust?
Meanwhile, outside the courtyard, a tall figure who had just returned paused in his steps.
Listening quietly, he heard the woman’s voice, clear as jade: "The Princess Royal’s methods were ruthless, yes, but what fault lay with an innocent child? Unable to hold the Princess Royal accountable, he redirected all his fury onto your third brother—was that not unjust? Have you ever seen the scars on your third brother’s body? How many were from the battlefield, and how many were from his own father’s hand?"
"Now, the entire court sighs over his past with the Princess Royal. Even your mother has you speaking up for her. But what about your third brother? He was the one who suffered the most, yet no one knows. Not even his own brothers understand him…"
Yan Zhao lowered his head, chastened.
As boys, they had always bullied him, thinking him aloof and unapproachable.
After the incident, they believed he had betrayed them, turning against him at every turn.
Only now did they realize—without him, they would have died countless times over…
Just then, hurried footsteps approached from outside the courtyard. Yan Zhao looked up, moved. "Third Brother…"
It was the first time he had called him "brother" since returning to Great Xia.
But Yan Zheng didn’t acknowledge him—as if he hadn’t even seen him—and strode straight toward Chu Ruoyan.
Ignoring the others present, he wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her clean off her feet.
"Yan Zheng!"
Chu Ruoyan gasped, but before she could protest, he had already carried her straight into the house!
The door was even nearly kicked off its hinges in the process!
Yan Zhao: "…"
Hah. And here he was, feeling guilty and ready to apologize.
Wasted emotions!
Steward Fang’s old face flushed red as he chuckled and walked away. "Seems like we’d better leave the doors open from now on…"
Yan Zhao’s lips twitched. Noticing Chu Ruolan beside him, clasping her cheeks with a dreamy expression, he couldn’t help but ask, "Aren’t you going to stop them?"
Chu Ruolan rolled her eyes. "Why would I? My eldest sister and your third brother are already married—and about to have another wedding soon. Don’t tell me you didn’t know?"
Yan Zhao: "?"
Who would have told him?
"You really didn’t know?" Chu Ruolan burst into laughter. "Oh, you poor fish! The whole capital knows your third brother is going to remarry my sister in a grand ceremony—only you’re left in the dark. How did you end up such a lousy brother?"
Yan Zhao: "…"
"But don’t worry, you can always ask me. I’ll generously enlighten you—on one condition." She grinned mischievously. Yan Zhao couldn’t resist asking, "What condition?"
"You have to tell me first—how did you survive? I saw him stab you right through the heart with my own eyes! Do you have a second heart or something?"
As she spoke, Chu Ruolan peered curiously at his chest, her gaze so intense it felt like she was trying to undress him with her eyes.
Yan Zhao hastily crossed his arms over his chest. "No, no! It’s just—my heart is on the right side! A rare condition!"
"What? People can have hearts on the right? Let me see!"
"No way! Stop grabbing at me—Chu Ruolan, are you even a proper lady?!"
……
Inside the room, the playful scuffle outside was completely inaudible.
The moment Yan Zheng entered, he shut the doors and windows, then placed her directly onto the bed.
His eyes were dark and fathomless, like whirlpools. Chu Ruoyan instinctively tried to retreat, but he caught her ankle and dragged her back.
"Ah Yan…"
He leaned over her, half-kneeling on the bed. Chu Ruoyan pressed a hand against his chest. "I came here for serious matters!"
"You mean Rong Su? Don’t worry, I’ve already sent Shadow to keep an eye on her. Nothing will disrupt the wedding."
Chu Ruoyan blinked in surprise, but he continued, "Ah Yan, Rong Su’s status is delicate. There are lines I’d rather not cross, so I’ll need you to handle this…"
"It’s nothing. Lady Rong is clever—I hope she comes to her senses. But as for you and Young Master Yan Zhao… You brothers can’t stay estranged forever. You need to talk it out. After all, he’s your only remaining brother now."
Yan Zheng frowned at her words.
Chu Ruoyan tilted her head. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Rong Su, Yan Zhao… Every time you come to me, it’s always about someone else." His brow furrowed with displeasure. Chu Ruoyan blurted out, "I’m worried about you too!"
Yan Zheng’s expression softened slightly. "Even so, we’ll have plenty of time after the wedding. Why rush now?"
Chu Ruoyan fell silent.
She didn’t have "plenty of time" left—that was precisely why she wanted to help as much as she could while she still could…
"You’re always like this, thinking of everyone else. When will you think of yourself?" With that, he suddenly pressed closer.
Chu Ruoyan’s eyes widened in alarm. "Yan Zheng, no!"
But before she could finish, his arm locked around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest.
His heartbeat was steady and strong.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The rhythm seemed to seep into her, weakening her resolve. Her voice came out softer than she intended. "Yan… Yan Zheng… We really can’t…"
