The engagement between Earl Changchun’s youngest son and First Miss Li Jiǎo had been arranged when Li Jiǎo’s mother, Lady Du, was still alive. Now that Li Jiǎo was already sixteen and about to marry into his family, the sudden breaking of the engagement immediately caused an uproar.
Third Son Li Hui, who was studying at the Imperial Academy, immediately requested leave to return home upon receiving the news. Without bothering to pay respects to Old Madam Deng, he rushed straight to the East Side Courtyard of Yahe Courtyard.
In the East Side Courtyard, the maids walked carefully, while peach blossoms quietly bloomed in the corners.
Li Hui burst in: “Big Sister, are you alright?”
Li Jiǎo sat upright with reddened eyes but a completely calm expression. She frowned and asked Li Hui, “Aren’t you supposed to be studying? Why did you come back?”
Li Hui sneered coldly, “I knew that pest would bring trouble once she returned, so I had Qing Ji keep watch. I didn’t expect it would be such a major incident!”
He couldn’t help but grasp Li Jiǎo’s hand, saying hatefully, “Big Sister, that pest has truly ruined you!”
Li Jiǎo raised her hand to pat Li Hui’s, “Don’t be like this. It’s my bad luck – I can’t blame others.”
“What do you mean can’t blame others? If she hadn’t been kidnapped, how would our household have become the laughingstock of the capital? If she hadn’t returned, how would Big Sister have had her engagement broken?” Li Hui grew angrier as he spoke, stamping his foot and declaring, “I’m going to find her!”
“Third Brother—”
After Li Hui ran off, Li Jiǎo curved her lips slightly, stood up to smooth her dress, and instructed her maid, “Let’s go. Let’s go see what’s happening.”
In the West Side Courtyard, Qiao Zhao had finished copying a stack of Buddhist scriptures and had A’Zhu bring a chessboard. She was now playing chess against herself.
Grandfather had said that when you’re trapped in difficulties, play chess. Chess can calm your mind and clear your thoughts, preventing you from foolishly taking the wrong path.
She played with her left hand against her right hand. Just as the battle was reaching its most intense moment, the door was suddenly kicked open.
Qiao Zhao’s hand holding the chess piece paused as she looked up at the intruder.
It was a very handsome young man, his face burning with anger that made his features appear even more striking.
Before Qiao Zhao could rise, the furious youth charged toward her.
A’Zhu was momentarily too stunned by this sudden intruder to react, but Binglu expertly darted between him and Qiao Zhao, shrieking, “What are you doing? What are you doing? What kind of brother barges into his sister’s room like this?”
“Lowly servant, get out of my way!” Li Hui roared angrily.
“I won’t move! If I move aside, you’ll bully my mistress!” Binglu puffed out her chest.
Hmm, usually when she did this, Third Young Master would blush and go cool off elsewhere.
But this time, the little maid miscalculated. Li Hui was in a state of rage and couldn’t be bothered with such considerations. He reached out and pushed her aside.
Binglu was stunned for a moment, then screamed, “Ah! This is terrible! The Third Young Master is trying to kill someone!”
“Shut up!” Li Hui shouted fiercely.
Binglu covered her chest, ignoring Li Hui’s threat, and glanced at Qiao Zhao with her eyes.
Did the mistress see? She was the loyal, devoted personal maid who didn’t retreat even when Third Young Master assaulted her chest. That A’Zhu you brought back halfway – what kind of ghost is she? Look at her dumbstruck appearance – she’s not even as good as the dismissed Shuanghong!
Qiao Zhao instantly understood the little maid’s thoughts and smiled with pursed lips, “Binglu, go serve tea to Third Young Master.”
“Yes!” Binglu responded loudly, smugly glanced at the dumbfounded A’Zhu, and twisted out of the room.
With this interruption, Li Hui’s momentum slackened. He looked at Qiao Zhao and saw that she still held a chess piece in one hand, with a smile at the corner of her lips, as if she were an unrelated stranger observing this farce.
Li Hui flew into a rage, strode over, and swept his hand across the board, scattering the black and white chess pieces.
The pieces fell to the ground in succession, making clear clinking sounds.
What a temper. Qiao Zhao thought silently.
“Li Zhao, Big Sister’s engagement has been broken. Are you satisfied now?”
Qiao Zhao, being new to the situation and not well-informed, was stunned by this news.
“Stop pretending to be stupid! Couldn’t you have anticipated that returning in this state would implicate Big Sister and the others? Why did you come back? Why didn’t you—”
Meeting Qiao Zhao’s calm gaze, Li Hui’s remaining words stuck in his throat.
Why didn’t you die out there?
For a moment, the young man thought this way.
But the wrist he was grasping was very slender, like a fragile magnolia flower that would break with just a little force. Her face lacked the previous fawning or arrogant expressions, appearing clean and exquisitely beautiful.
He suddenly couldn’t speak the rest of his words.
“Third Brother, let go quickly!” Li Jiǎo caught up and pulled Li Hui away, showing Qiao Zhao an apologetic smile, “Third Sister, don’t blame him. He’s just worried and confused—”
Qiao Zhao said flatly, “Of course, I don’t blame him. I know he’s concerned about Big Sister.”
Li Jiǎo looked deeply at Qiao Zhao.
The young girl’s features were clear, her eyes as limpid as a pool of water, as if she could see through everything.
She felt inexplicably uneasy and forced a smile, “It’s good that Third Sister doesn’t blame him, otherwise, Mother would be upset.”
Looking at this pair of siblings, Qiao Zhao only felt weary.
She had never been exposed to inner courtyard struggles, and now, observing coldly, it seemed like a farce.
A brother devoted to protecting his sister, a magnanimous and forbearing sister.
Qiao Zhao’s gaze finally settled on Li Jiǎo.
She didn’t need to care about how others treated little Li Zhao, but this one was different.
No matter how bad little Li Zhao’s temperament was, she still had the right to survive and shouldn’t have had to pay with her flower-like life.
Having used someone else’s body, she couldn’t make peace with the person who had directly caused her death.
“What mother? Our mother’s memorial tablet is enshrined in the ancestral hall! Big Sister, you’re just too good-natured, letting them mother and daughter bully you like this. Now that your engagement is broken, the ones most satisfied with this result are the mother and daughter. Who else will feel sorry for your future?” Li Hui became even angrier after hearing Li Jiǎo’s words.
Qiao Zhao tossed the chess piece she was holding into the chess jar with a crisp snap.
The room fell silent, and both Li Jiǎo and her brother looked at her.
Qiao Zhao smiled calmly, “Third Brother is wrong. The one most satisfied with this result isn’t Mother and me, but Big Sister.”
Li Hui was furious, “Li Zhao, have you no shame? To say such gloating words!”
Qiao Zhao’s beautiful eyes widened slightly.
Her elder brother was gentle as jade, her half-sister was lively and adorable – she really hadn’t encountered this type before. She was speaking seriously, yet he insisted it was gloating.
“First Miss, Third Young Master, please have tea.” Binglu entered carrying a tray to serve tea.
Li Hui snorted coldly and ignored her, while Li Jiǎo accepted the teacup and nodded her thanks.
“I remember Earl Changchun’s youngest son is a famous dandy in the capital who was already molesting decent women on the streets at thirteen, right? Oh yes, I recall Big Sister even hid behind the artificial mountain crying once.”
Li Jiǎo unconsciously tightened her grip on the cup.
Qiao Zhao continued, “At the beginning of this year, Earl Changchun’s youngest son went to a brothel and accidentally killed a disobedient courtesan. Although Earl Changchun’s household tried to suppress the matter, it was eventually reported by censors for lax family discipline.”
She smiled and looked at Li Jiǎo, “Isn’t Big Sister satisfied to have her engagement with such a person broken?”