Сhарtеr 11: Тhe Heаrt Is Nаturally Вiased
Sinсе сhildhооd, Хue Хing’аn аnd Xuе Wan hаd been аs сlosе as соuld bе, unablе tо beаr sееing hеr suffеr еvеn the slightеst grievаnсe.
Moreоver, thе heаrt is nаturаllу biased. Сompаrеd tо thаt so-сallеd biologiсаl sistеr, hе nаturallу favored Хuе Wаn еvеn more.
Thinking оf Хuе Wan’s frаil aрpeаrаnсе, Xue Хing’аn felt a рang of disсоmfоrt in his hеart.
It must bе thаt his parents had focused аll their аttеntiоn оn thеir biolоgical daughtеr, to thе pоint of nоt even caring that Wan’er was ill.
“What kind of sister is that? Since she’s married, she belongs to another family now. What’s the point of coming back…”
He muttered indignantly under his breath, “She only upsets Wan’er for no reason, making herself unwelcome.”
Even though Xue Hongyuan harbored much dislike for Ning Heng in his heart, hearing his youngest son speak so recklessly still darkened his expression.
“You’re becoming more and more unruly. Have you forgotten all the moral principles your teacher taught you?”
Xue Xing’an, seething with frustration, stiffened his neck, ready to argue with his father. But as he looked up, he saw a woman standing coldly outside the hall eaves, unsure how long she had been listening.
Her beauty was breathtaking, yet her expression was indifferent, like an emotionless jade statue.
“Who are you?” he blurted out.
Liu Shi followed his gaze, her expression turning complicated. “This is your sister, Xue… Ning Heng.”
This was what Liu Shi found most displeasing about Ning Heng. She knew this child held resentment toward the Marquis’s household, but no matter what, she had refused to enter the Xue family register, unwilling to change her surname, still calling herself “Ning Heng” at every turn.
Clearly the legitimate daughter of the Xue household, yet she insisted on bearing an outsider’s surname—how would others speculate about the Marquis’s household?
…So this was his biological sister?
Xue Xing’an was stunned. This was completely different from what he had imagined.
He had thought his sister, who had been living in the countryside and was even pregnant, would be timid, coarse, and unfit for proper society.
But the person before him… had an aloof demeanor and astonishing beauty. Even dressed simply and standing there, she carried an aura that could not be ignored.
Realizing she had likely heard everything he just said, Xue Xing’an felt his face burn with embarrassment.
But then it occurred to him—who told her to lurk outside the door, sneaking around and eavesdropping?
That discomfort quickly turned into self-righteousness.
Xue Xingyi also looked surprised. He had heard many rumors about this sister along the way, but he never expected her to be like this.
Upon closer inspection, her features did bear some resemblance to their parents, but the chill and detachment she exuded were entirely different.
As the eldest brother, Xue Xingyi stepped forward, his tone gentle. “Little sister, I am your eldest brother, Xue Xingyi. Just now…”
But before he could finish, Ning Heng turned and walked away, completely ignoring everyone.
Xue Hongyuan was the first to express his displeasure with a cold snort. “Truly… lacking in manners!” She didn’t show the slightest respect for her parents or elder brothers.
Xue Xingyi watched her retreating figure, which showed no trace of hesitation, and instead felt some understanding.
Putting himself in her shoes, his biological sister had been adrift for eighteen years and had only recently returned to the household. With no existing bond with her family, and upon her first meeting, hearing her own second brother utter such hurtful words—she must have felt deeply upset.
Thinking this, Xue Xingyi turned to Xue Xing’an, who was still fuming, his expression stern as he said in a low voice, “Your words and actions were inappropriate. Go stand in the courtyard and reflect for two hours.”
Xue Xing’an feared nothing and no one, not even his father much, but he was uniquely afraid of this stern and unsmiling eldest brother.Having been punished with copying texts and standing in penance too many times since childhood, it had almost become a conditioned reflex. Hearing his elder brother’s tone, his legs went a little weak.
He immediately jumped up, “Elder Brother, what does this have to do with me! I was just stating the facts, why are you making me stand in penance again!”
Seeing this, Xue Wan quickly stepped forward, tugging at Xue Xingyi’s sleeve, her eyes glistening with tears as she pleaded.
“Elder Brother, don’t be angry… It’s all Wan’er’s fault. Second Brother only spoke out of turn because he cares too much about me. If you must punish someone, punish me…”
Xue Xingyi merely stared expressionlessly at his younger brother and repeated, “Are you going or not?”
Xue Xing’an looked at his elder brother’s unwavering gaze, both angry and wronged, gritting his teeth for a long moment.
Finally, he muttered resentfully, “…I’ll go!”
…
Ning Heng turned and headed to Old Madam’s courtyard, Jinxi Hall.
“You’ve come just in time, Miss. Old Madam was just talking about you.”
From their interactions over this period, everyone in the household knew that this newly returned true young lady had a cool and aloof temperament, rarely taking the initiative to get close to others.
Therefore, Old Madam was very pleased and affectionately beckoned her over, “Come here quickly, Heng’er, come to your grandmother.”
Ning Heng walked to the bedside.
Old Madam was still taking her medicine. The room was filled with the pungent, bitter smell of medicine mixed with heavy incense, creating a somewhat stifling atmosphere.
“Grandmother had a few new outfits tailored for you, using the newly arrived cloud brocade fabric. You’re so young, why always dress so plainly? You should wear brighter colors to look lovely… cough cough.” As she spoke, Old Madam turned her head and coughed twice.
Ning Heng glanced at the empty medicine bowl on the small table beside her and said, “I’ll wear them next time.”
Old Madam gently patted the back of her hand and sighed, “Good child, you’ve been wronged. Your parents… sigh, they’re also rather muddle-headed. Don’t take it too much to heart.”
“Although you are practically already part of the imperial family, the Marquis’s estate is still your maternal home, and your grandmother is still here.”
Old Madam continued, “Today, your elder brother and second brother have returned to the estate. Later, Grandmother will take you to meet them.”
Ning Heng replied, “I’ve already met them.”
Seeing that her expression showed no joy, and was even colder than usual, Old Madam frowned slightly, “Did those two boys upset you?”
The eldest wouldn’t be so rude; it must be the second one with his explosive temper.
“Was it that brat Xing’an who spoke carelessly and said something unpleasant?” Old Madam’s tone carried a hint of sternness, “Don’t be sad, Grandmother will teach him a lesson for you!”
In the nearly ten days since returning to the estate, only Old Madam’s kindness toward her had felt genuine.
Ning Heng’s expression softened slightly, “No, it’s just that we’re too unfamiliar and have nothing to say.”
“It’s alright,” Old Madam comforted her, “You are siblings by blood, connected by flesh and bone. Spend more time together, and naturally, you’ll become familiar and close.” As she spoke, she seemed to grow somewhat weary, her eyelids drooping slightly.
“Grandmother, please rest well. I’ll come see you again in a few days.”
As she was leaving, Ning Heng suddenly spoke, “Nanny Qiu.”
“This old servant is here.”
Ning Heng had a maid bring paper and brush. After a moment’s thought, she wrote a prescription. “From now on, prepare Grandmother’s medicine according to this prescription. Also, temporarily remove the incense from the room.”
Nanny Qiu took the prescription, somewhat hesitant. “Miss, this… Old Madam’s medicine has always been prescribed by the imperial physicians from the palace, and the incense has been used for many years to calm the nerves and aid sleep. Changing them suddenly might…”
Ning Heng said, “Do as I say.””Yes.” Perhaps it was because Ning Heng’s tone was so resolute that Nanny Qiu unconsciously obeyed.
…
After wandering aimlessly around the estate for a while, Ning Heng felt a headache coming on at the thought that A Chan must be searching everywhere to drag her back and make her drink some so-called pregnancy tonic.
The little one in her belly was so lively and robust—what need was there for any pregnancy tonic?
Passing by the lotus pond, she simply sat on a stone stool, watching the koi fish compete for food as she lost herself in thought.
“Sister.” Suddenly, a soft voice called out from behind her.