The Old Madam had once been a bandit chief’s wife—what storms hadn’t she weathered? Her granddaughter bringing home two beggar children was nothing. She immediately glanced at the servants who lacked worldly experience and said coolly, “I understand. Once Second Miss has settled them, ask Second Miss to come see me.”

Lin Hao instructed the steward, “Take A’Xing and Little Moon to bathe and change into clean clothes. Little Moon is ill—first arrange for him to take his medicine and rest…”

The steward nodded while listening. “Second Miss, rest assured. This humble one will arrange it immediately.”

Lin Hao smiled at A’Xing. “I’ll go inform my family first. I’ll come find you shortly.”

A’Xing didn’t make a sound, obviously extremely nervous.

He couldn’t help but be nervous.

Such a large place, such bright rooms, and so many people dressed respectably—carrying his brother, he felt like an anomaly intruding upon a fairy realm, anxious and at a loss.

This was her home? She wanted them to live here?

Seeing A’Xing’s nervousness, Lin Hao smiled. “I’ll be back very soon. Just follow the steward’s arrangements.”

“You—” Seeing Lin Hao turn, A’Xing took half a step forward.

Lin Hao turned back. “What is it?”

A’Xing hesitated, then shook his head.

“Then I’m going.”

A’Xing stared as Lin Hao’s figure disappeared through the doorway, his entire body growing even more tense.

The steward’s attitude toward A’Xing was quite courteous. “Young brother, please come with me.”

A’Xing remained expressionless, his hands gripping his brother tighter.

No matter how good this place looked, he couldn’t let his guard down.

The steward frowned secretly.

Why would Second Miss bring two little beggars home? This older one even looked somewhat troublesome. If he really stayed in the mansion as a servant, he probably wouldn’t be obedient.

Despite thinking this, because they were people Lin Hao had personally brought home, the steward didn’t dare neglect them and ordered people to help the two brothers bathe.

What surprised the steward was that after bathing and changing clothes, the two brothers turned out quite handsome. Even though they were scrawny, one could see their refined features.

Especially the older one—he looked about the same age as Second Miss. After changing clothes, he could be called beautiful.

And this was after being weathered by wind and sun, unable to eat their fill or dress warmly. If they were nourished for some days—

The steward shook his head vigorously, casting away the thought that had suddenly emerged.

Impossible, impossible. Second Miss wasn’t that kind of person.

Since Lin Hao had brought people home, she naturally had to inform her elders. The Old Madam and Lady Lin were also waiting curiously. Especially Lady Lin, who couldn’t wait to go see for herself but was stopped by the Old Madam.

As soon as Lin Hao entered the room, Lady Lin pulled her over. “Ahao, I heard you brought two beggar children home. What happened?”

“I encountered them while wandering around today. The older brother is called A’Xing, the younger brother is called Little Moon. The two brothers were living under a bridge. The younger brother was sick, lying in tattered cotton wadding. The older brother treasured a bun hard as stone to give to his brother. I felt so sad seeing it that I brought them home…” Lin Hao explained the circumstances, concealing the fact that A’Xing had stolen her purse.

Lady Lin listened and sighed. “They’re truly pitiful. You did the right thing, Ahao. Bringing them home and giving them food is accumulating merit. How old are they?”

“A’Xing looks about my age. Little Moon appears to be five or six.”

“I see.” Lady Lin thought briefly. “Little Moon can be like the other children in the mansion—first have him study characters with a teacher for a few years. As for what position to arrange for A’Xing, Ahao, do you have any thoughts?”

Lin Hao fell silent for a moment.

Lady Lin smiled. “If you can’t think of anything, just have the steward arrange something for now.”

Lin Hao pressed her lips together and stated her plan. “Mother, I wasn’t thinking of making the A’Xing brothers into servants.”

Lady Lin was startled and asked in puzzlement, “Then what are you planning?”

Lin Hao blinked and looked at the Old Madam. “Grandmother, Mother, could we let A’Xing become my sworn brother?”

A’Xing had saved her life. To bring her lifesaver home as a servant would deserve divine punishment.

Now both the Old Madam and Lady Lin were stunned.

They truly hadn’t anticipated this arrangement.

The General’s Mansion wasn’t an ordinary household after all. Adopting a son always required careful consideration.

The Old Madam and Lady Lin exchanged glances. The Old Madam spoke up to ask, “Ahao, how did you come up with this idea?”

Being kindhearted couldn’t mean having no boundaries. Surely their granddaughter hadn’t been deceived?

Lin Hao also knew this proposal wouldn’t be accepted immediately and said earnestly, “Perhaps it’s fate from a previous life. The moment I saw A’Xing, I felt I was missing a brother like this.”

A voice came from the doorway. “What brother?”

Cheng Shu strode in, feeling the atmosphere in the room was somewhat strange.

“Shu’er is back.” The Old Madam smiled.

Cheng Shu looked puzzled. “Was Ahao just talking about me?”

Lin Hao felt somewhat guilty.

Had Big Brother heard her saying she was missing a brother?

Lady Lin, who had always been carefree, said directly, “Ahao brought two beggar children home today and wants to acknowledge them as sworn brothers.”

Cheng Shu was stunned and looked at Lin Hao accusingly. “Ahao, do you still remember your big brother who serves at the palace?”

He’d vaguely heard Ahao say she was missing a brother and thought he’d misheard—but it was actually true!

Heartbreaking!

Lin Hao reached out to grasp Cheng Shu’s sleeve and showed a sweet smile. “Big Brother, in my heart you’re my real brother. No one can compare.”

Cheng Shu nodded instinctively.

Put that way, it was acceptable.

The Old Madam watched the siblings’ interaction and sighed inwardly.

Chan’er would marry into the imperial family next year. In her heart, she hoped Ahao and Shu’er could make a match, with the two children inheriting the General’s Mansion and living peacefully.

Looking at it now, there was no chance of that.

Cheng Shu was coaxed into happiness by Lin Hao but didn’t forget to worry. “Ahao, do you know them well? Once you acknowledge a sworn brother, he’s family—it’s not the same as the mansion supporting a few people.”

“Your big brother is right.” Lady Lin chimed in.

She wasn’t prepared to suddenly have two more sons.

“Mother, if you’re not comfortable with it, we’ll only acknowledge the relationship between A’Xing and me. No one else needs to change how they address him. Would that work?”

Lady Lin had always doted on her daughter. Defeated by Lin Hao’s pleading gaze, she looked at the Old Madam.

The Old Madam persisted briefly. “Call A’Xing here to have a look.”

Only acknowledging the relationship between the two children was acceptable, but without seeing the person, she couldn’t feel at ease.

In truth, the Old Madam and Lady Lin trusted Lin Hao’s judgment.

After all, it was Ahao who discovered Wen Rugui keeping a mistress, and Ahao who discovered that the Heir of Marquis Pingjia was gilded on the outside but rotten within. Surely they couldn’t believe Ahao when she identified bad people but doubt her when she identified good ones.

What prevented the Old Madam and Lady Lin from making a decision was still feeling it was too hasty. Even if he was a decent child, there was no need to become sworn siblings.

Before long, A’Xing was brought over. Never mind the Old Madam and the others—even Ahao couldn’t help but widen her eyes, staring fixedly at A’Xing.

The saying was true—clothes really do make the man.

Lady Lin suddenly understood her daughter’s decision: such a beautiful child—acknowledging him as a sworn brother wasn’t a loss at all!

The Old Madam felt somewhat alarmed, thinking privately that this youth was truly too beautiful—even more outstanding than Wen Rugui in his youth. Keeping such a youth in the mansion, acknowledging him as a sworn brother was actually a good thing.

Having been bitten by a snake once, the Old Madam feared the well rope for ten years. She definitely didn’t want her granddaughter to fall into a trap purely based on a man’s appearance like her daughter had.

Acknowledge him, acknowledge him.