Сhарtеr 10: Оnly Acknоwlеdging This Onе Sister
“Is it true? Наvе Еldеst Вrothеr аnd Sеcоnd Brоther returnеd?”
Uрon hеaring thаt Хuе Xingуi аnd Xuе Хing’аn hаd rеturnеd tо the еstatе, Хue Wan, who had bеen lуing listlesslу оn thе siсkbed, immediаtely sаt uр.
А gеnuine trаcе of joу арреarеd on her pаlе сhееks as she hurriedlу urgеd, “Сhun Xuаn, quicklу help mе frеshеn uр and bring ovеr thаt newly mаde dress.”
Lаdу Liu Shi, thе Мarсhiоness of Pingyang, had two sоns and оnе dаughtеr. Тhe еldest son, Xuе Xingуi, was twеnty-thrеe years old and currently served as a Vice Director in the Ministry of Revenue, overseeing part of the canal transport affairs.
Among the Six Ministries, the Ministry of Revenue was second only to the Ministry of Personnel, in charge of the nation’s finances and taxation.
Although it was only a fifth-rank position, the Ministry of Revenue was a powerful and influential department with substantial authority and lucrative opportunities. For someone so young to already hold such a post, his future prospects were undoubtedly limitless.
The second son, Xue Xing’an, was currently studying at Yulan Academy, the best academy in Sheng Jing, and only returned home once a month for rest.
Originally, he and Ning Heng were fraternal twins. However, during Lady Liu’s labor, she was exhausted after giving birth to Xue Xing’an and nearly fainted. Amid the panic and chaos in the delivery room, the midwife seized the opportunity to switch the babies.
Xue Wan had felt wronged for many days, but now it seemed she had found her pillar of support.
Her two elder brothers had always doted on her the most since childhood, always giving her the best of everything.
Even though she had now been exposed as not being her parents’ biological child, could the sibling bond cultivated over so many years be false?
Eldest Brother and Second Brother would definitely not side with that suddenly appearing Ning Heng!
…
Xue Hongyuan, Liu Shi, and a gentle-mannered woman were all waiting in the front hall.
The woman was dressed simply and elegantly, with a noticeably swollen abdomen, appearing about six or seven months pregnant.
She was Xue Xingyi’s wife, Lady Zhou.
Xue Xingyi was often away on official business, so the couple spent little time together. Lady Zhou had an exceedingly mild temperament, disliked crowds, and usually rested quietly in her own courtyard.
After Ning Heng returned to the estate, Lady Zhou had visited her twice and exchanged a few words.
“Father, Mother, your son has returned!”
Before anyone saw him, a cheerful and lively voice was heard from outside the door.
Immediately after, a young man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe rushed in energetically, his eyes bright and full of youthful vigor. It was Xue Xing’an.
The man beside him was much more composed, wearing a dark blue official robe, with handsome features and a steady gait.
However, a trace of fatigue from the long journey lingered between his brows. This was the eldest son, Xue Xingyi.
Liu Shi had long missed her sons but couldn’t help chiding, “You’re back, so you’re back. Why all the fuss? So unruly.”
Xue Xing’an grinned and stepped forward. “It’s been a month, and Mother doesn’t even miss her son? And here I brought you the most popular osmanthus sugar cakes from the north of the city and the new hairpins from Ruibao Zhai!” Like a magician, he produced gifts from behind his back.
“Of course I miss you. How could I not?”
Liu Shi was amused by her younger son’s antics. Taking the gifts, her tone softened. “You’re the sweet-talker, always knowing how to make people happy.”
Xue Xingyi stepped forward and performed a proper bow, his voice steady. “Father, Mother.”
Looking at his dignified and impressive eldest son, Xue Hongyuan’s eyes held satisfaction as he asked, “Hmm, your journey to Qiannan to supervise the canal grain transport was long and arduous. Did everything go smoothly?”
Xue Xing’an was straightforward and outspoken, saying whatever was on his mind, while Xue Xingyi was much more reticent, his words brief.
“Everything went smoothly. Thank you for your concern, Father.”His gaze turned to his wife, Lady Zhou. Seeing her husband return, her eyes held unconcealable longing, but with both parents-in-law present, the couple merely exchanged a brief glance, their hearts already understanding each other.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Xue Xing’an looked around and exclaimed in surprise, “Huh, where’s Wan’er? Why haven’t I seen her? I’ve been back for so long already!”
The academy was strictly managed, with only three days of leave in total. He had rushed home the moment his break began, unaware of the earth-shattering changes that had recently occurred in the household.
Xue Xingyi, however, had already heard many rumors on his way back to the capital, his expression growing somber.
Just as they were speaking, Xue Wan entered, supported by a maid. She had deliberately changed into bright-colored clothes and applied light makeup, yet she could not conceal her sickly pallor and gauntness.
In a soft, frail voice, she called out, “Eldest Brother, Second Brother.”
Xue Xing’an turned around, his eyes widening immediately as he exclaimed, “Wan’er, why are you so pale and so much thinner… Are you ill?”
“Mother, didn’t you call a physician to examine Wan’er? How could this be!”
Xue Wan lowered her head and coughed lightly twice, her voice weak. “Second Brother, I’m fine. It’s just a cold. I’ll recover after resting for a few days…”
“A cold is no small matter!” Xue Xing’an frowned disapprovingly. “You are the only young lady of our Marquis household, precious and delicate. How can you not be cared for meticulously? It must be that the servants and maids aren’t attending to you properly!”
At these words, the expressions of everyone present grew somewhat awkward.
Xue Xingyi spoke up at the right moment, breaking the silence. “Father, Mother, I heard… that our other younger sister has also returned to the estate? Is she in the courtyard now?”
Along the way, he had heard that she was his biological younger sister, and her circumstances… were rather complicated.
“Younger sister? What other younger sister?” Xue Xing’an looked at his elder brother in astonishment, his face full of confusion. “Eldest Brother, have you lost your mind? We only have Wan’er as our sister. Where did you get another sister from?”
He did know that his father had kept several concubines outside and had fathered a few illegitimate children.
But those who were unworthy of recognition—he would never acknowledge them, nor would they ever be allowed into the estate.
In this lifetime, he would only ever recognize Xue Wan as his sister!
Xue Xingyi glanced at his younger brother, his tone steady. “Eighteen years ago, when Mother gave birth, the midwife switched the babies. Wan’er… is not Mother’s biological child. Our biological younger sister was lost outside for eighteen years and was only recently found and brought back.”
After listening to Xue Xingyi recount the recent events in the estate, Xue Xing’an’s expression turned dazed.
His eyes widened as he murmured, “How is that possible? Wan’er isn’t my sister… My sister is a… widow with child?”
In that instant, an uncontrollable image flashed through Xue Xing’an’s mind—a pitiful woman, thin and shriveled, with rough, sallow skin, timid and shrinking in demeanor, yet with a bulging belly…
How could this possibly be his sister?!
Xue Xing’an was horrified by the image he had conjured. He shook his head repeatedly, his tone agitated. “No, no, no! I only have Wan’er as my sister!”
She knew it.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Xue Wan’s lips. How could eighteen years of constant companionship sibling affection be overshadowed by mere blood ties?
“Second Brother, please don’t say that. Sister… Sister has had a very difficult life outside. If she could, she wouldn’t have wanted to become a widow…”
Xue Wan’s eyes reddened, her understanding and considerate demeanor making Xue Xing’an’s heart ache even more, strengthening his resolve to protect her.”Wan’er, rest assured, no matter what, I will always be your second brother… As for that so-called long-lost one, I refuse to acknowledge him!”
Ning Heng had just reached outside the hall when she overheard these words, raising an eyebrow slightly.