Chapter 9: What a Big Brother!

Xiao Ming rested her chin in her hands, gazing at the moon, her eyes shimmering with a fluid, captivating light. It was the most ordinary of postures, yet it held a delicate allure that could easily stir a man’s heart.

Ling Zhao retreated a few inches deeper into the dense foliage.

"Father, Mother, do you still remember Ling Zhao? The eldest son of the Ling family—yes, the very one I was once betrothed to... Despite his perpetually cold expression and mercurial temperament, he is truly a good man. He is tall, and his appearance is exceptional."

Her gaze flickered, and she smiled faintly. "Do you know? He not only took me in and handled those sordid affairs with the collateral branches of my family, but he also stood up for me and helped me reclaim my inheritance. Now, he has even offered to reopen the case for you both. Oh, and look—have you seen this?" Xiao Ming shook a small object in her hand toward the moon. "This is a gift he gave me; I like it very much..."

Ling Zhao, perched in the tree, was momentarily dazed.

The item she had kept was the cherry-scented lip balm he had handed her himself. It was his favorite scent, and whenever he caught that sweet aroma, it never failed to remind him of their moments in the study—the gentle nips and heavy pressures, the light grazing and deep lingering kisses.

He had assumed that because it had been soaked in water, she would find it unappealing; he never imagined she would be the one to keep it.

The corners of his lips lifted slightly.

Since she liked what he gave her so much, there would be no harm in giving her more in the future. Jinsheng was right earlier; she was so pitiful, and as the eldest son of the Ling family, he really ought to show her more care.

"Father, Mother, I envy the Fourth Miss Ling. Not only because she has the love of her parents and grandmother, but because she has such a kind-hearted and magnificent older brother. If only he were my big brother too, then I would have nothing to fear." Xiao Ming’s voice was light and bright.

Ling Zhao stiffened instantly. A bolt of lightning seemed to strike his mind, and he stumbled, nearly falling from the tree.

He scrambled to grip the trunk, barely steadying himself. The simmering, indistinct restlessness in his chest erupted into a raging fire, stuck in his throat, neither rising nor falling.

*Big brother?*

*A fine big brother, indeed!*

"Who's there?"

Hearing a rustle among the leaves, she called out tentatively toward the empty courtyard, but there was no response.

Perhaps it was just a cat in heat during the spring.

Just then, a night breeze blew by. The chill brushed against her skin, causing Xiao Ming to shiver. She closed the window, and the candlelight inside the bedroom was extinguished.

—

Qingyun Pavilion

Ling Zhao lay on his bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. His expression was grim, and his eyes were dark with agitation.

He had always been calm, patient, and stoic, but he seemed highly unstable these past two days.

Thinking back, this instability did not seem to have surfaced only recently. When he received the imperial decree to accompany his father to war half a year ago, had he not also felt restless for no apparent reason?

No, perhaps even earlier—a year ago...

Suddenly, Xiao Ming’s face appeared in his mind, teary-eyed and pitiful.

He wanted to wipe the image away instantly, but he found himself involuntarily recalling more—her slender waist that could be spanned by a palm, her partially exposed, snow-white shoulders, her luscious, crimson lips, and... the soft, enchanting smile in her eyes.

The bedding felt as if it were covered in thorns, making it impossible for him to sit still. He rose, grabbed his sword from the weapon rack, and leaped into the courtyard.

With a flick of his wrist, the long sword struck out like a serpent emerging from its lair. The clear, long-drawn ringing of the blade pierced the silence.

Wherever the wind of the sword passed, the fallen leaves in the courtyard swirled and scattered.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, a sharp glint erupting from them. His sword intent bore down on a massive rock in the yard. Before the blade even touched it, a deep gash was instantly carved into the stone.

Jinsheng and Suifeng stood guard nearby, their expressions solemn, their backs drenched in cold sweat.

Based on their years of serving the Eldest Young Master, they knew he was in a bad mood today—a very, very bad mood.

It was not until the first light of dawn, with the courtyard shrouded in mist, that Ling Zhao sheathed his sword. Suifeng hurried forward to take it from him.

"Young Master, are you going to the study to handle official business?"

Suifeng had been guessing all night; anything that could put the master in such a foul mood must be related to the state of the court.

Ling Zhao tossed the sword to him and said coldly, "No. Prepare water. I am bathing."

Suifeng was startled, casting a bewildered look at Jinsheng beside him, only to receive a subtle, sharp warning: *Don't be a chatterbox!*

Sweat beaded on Suifeng’s forehead, but he dared not say another word. He bowed immediately and replied, "Yes."

Having sweated all through the night, Ling Zhao’s restless mind calmed down somewhat. He strode back to his bedchamber.

It must be because the official business had been too pressing lately, the mopping-up operations in the Southern Frontier were not going smoothly, and the Xiao family massacre case remained a mystery. Yesterday, Xiao Ming had been unruly again—before the mourning period for her parents had even ended, she had shamelessly tried to seduce Mo Shichang. He felt indignant on behalf of her parents, which was why he had been thinking of her.

Yes, that must be it.

—

Qinlan Garden

"You’ve come at just the right time. Zhao’er has just returned from the morning court session. I’ve already sent word for him to come to the study. The marriage is almost set, yet you two have never had a chance to speak properly. It’s the perfect opportunity to chat today."

Madam Ling’s tone was warm. She was quite satisfied with this daughter-in-law she had personally vetted.

Meng Qingxuan smiled and said, "During the Young Master Ling’s coming-of-age ceremony last time, Sister Huaining mentioned she wanted to eat flower cakes from Yunzhou. It so happens that a new cook from Yunzhou has joined my household. I specially asked her to make some, and I brought them today for you and Sister Huaining to taste. If they are to your liking, I will have her make more."

With that, she gestured lightly, and a young maid behind her stepped forward holding an eight-treasure box. When opened, it was filled with flower cakes of various flavors.

Ling Huaining’s eyes lit up. She happily took one and took a small bite. "It’s delicious! Thank you, Sister Qingxuan!"

Madam Ling smiled and chided her, "This child, you have no manners of a young lady of a noble house; it is improper."

Meng Qingxuan used silver chopsticks to pick up a cake, placed it on a small plate, and respectfully offered it to Madam Ling. "Madam, if Sister Huaining enjoys the cakes my cook made, it is the cook's good fortune. Why don't you try one as well?" She then poured a cup of flower tea, and the parlor was instantly filled with fragrance.

"Qingxuan is truly thoughtful. I enjoy these flower cakes very much as well," Madam Ling said with a pleased nod.

Meng Qingxuan bowed her head shyly, saying little, sitting with proper poise without making the atmosphere feel cold.

Just then, a young maid hurried in to announce, "Madam, the Eldest Young Master is here."

Before the words had faded, Ling Zhao strode in. He bowed and offered a greeting, "Mother."

Huaining, her mouth stuffed, could only mumble a vague "Big brother."

Madam Ling stood up happily, took Meng Qingxuan by the hand, and walked over. "Zhao’er, Miss Meng is here. Why are you just standing there? Go and greet her."

Ling Zhao glanced at the woman beside her and said with a flat expression, "Miss Meng."

Meng Qingxuan’s cheeks flushed crimson as she curtsied. "Greetings, Young Master Ling."

Madam Ling smiled. "In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed, and Qingxuan has grown into such a fine young lady. This child has been outstanding since she was small—not only beautiful but also gifted in literature. It would be no exaggeration to say she has half the Wen Yuan Pavilion stored in her mind."

Meng Qingxuan lowered her head, embarrassed. "Madam, please do not tease me."

Madam Ling smiled. "Zhao’er, it is rare for Qingxuan to visit. You should keep her company today..."

"I still have to go to the training grounds, so I cannot stay. I must trouble Mother to entertain her." Ling Zhao bowed and departed.