Chapter Eleven: Her Sister-in-Law Turns Out to Be a Captivating Siren

“Creak—”

The door swung open unexpectedly fast.

“So it’s the academy teacher, Mr. Chu Hengyang,” Xiao Yixi nodded lightly, offering a polite greeting.

Her stunning beauty leaned directly toward Chu Hengyang; her clear, gentle eyes fixed unwaveringly on him.

[Why did he and his little sister follow me all the way here?]

Xiao Yixi’s icy expression held a faint, almost imperceptible shyness.

[Could he have noticed that I was waiting just outside the door until he came?]

“Your Highness the Princess,” Chu Hengyang’s features were as gentle as a fresh breeze. “Thank you for your earlier rescue of my little sister. I, a humble servant...”

[Oh no... Why is the Princess so beautiful? Why do I feel dizzy? What should I say next?]

Chu Ying curved her lips into a sly smile.

Ahahaha! At such a crucial moment, it’s up to me—the extremely capable modern matchmaker, responsible for the relationships of eight brothers and sisters-in-law—to step in!

I absolutely will not miss a single chance to deepen the bonds and advance the relationships between my brothers and their wives!

“Your Highness the Princess...” Chu Ying stepped forward pleadingly, taking over the conversation from Chu Hengyang, who was at a loss for words due to Xiao Yixi’s beauty. “I, a humble servant, would like to invite Your Highness to have lunch at my home, to express gratitude for your earlier help.”

Xiao Yixi’s cold, beautiful face froze momentarily, giving no response.

[Did I hear that right? Chu Hengyang’s little sister inviting me to her home for lunch?]

[With whom? With Chu Hengyang’s family, and with Chu Hengyang himself, who never tires of trying to entice me to kiss him, to fall for me?]

A subtle turmoil stirred in Xiao Yixi’s usually calm eyes.

[Chu Hengyang’s little sister, you truly are my favorite girl. In the future, I will cherish you like my own sister and love you.]

Xiao Yixi’s gratitude toward Chu Ying was beyond words, but Chu Hengyang mistook it for reluctance.

A trace of disappointment flickered in his heart, yet his smile remained graceful and poised. “If Your Highness is unwilling...”

“Very well,” Xiao Yixi responded quietly, her clear, expressive eyes never blinking as they held his gaze.

Chu Hengyang nearly lost control of his expression, secretly pinching his palm to regain composure, then returned to his usual calm and gentle demeanor. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

He bowed with composed elegance, but beneath Xiao Yixi’s cool exterior, she could not remain indifferent.

[Every move Chu Hengyang makes makes me adore him more. Yet, Chu Ying said that there is someone at the academy he longs to see. If I continue to stay so close to him...]

Chu Ying swallowed hard, still processing the fact that her sister-in-law was a captivating beauty who seemed to be a siren.

Hearing that inner voice, she quickly finished digesting the truth.

This is bad!

Her sister-in-law truly misunderstood!

No, no!

She absolutely cannot lose such a stunning and intimate sister-in-law who calls her “Yingying little sister”!

“Big brother,” Chu Ying coaxed, “then quickly bring the person you most want to see at the academy, so that he can join us for lunch with Your Highness.”

“All right.” Chu Hengyang’s breath grew slightly uneven.

[My little sister’s suggestion is timely. I do need to step away from Your Highness for a moment to calm myself. Otherwise, I’m afraid my happiness will betray my feelings for her.]

“Your Highness the Princess, I will take my leave for a moment,” Chu Hengyang said, bowing.

“Very well,” Xiao Yixi replied, her melodious voice slightly tense.

[I was mistaken after all. I thought that because he had never been rumored to love anyone during his years of teaching, he must have been wholly devoted to scholarship, unmoved by affection. But I forgot—perhaps he has guarded his feelings so tightly that no one knows.]

A veil of sorrow shadowed Xiao Yixi’s exquisitely cold face.

[I was too impulsive. Upon hearing I could dine with him, I hurried to agree... Let this meal be the last memento of my affection for him.]

Her emotions tangled with pain and a trace of reluctance.

[He is the first man I have ever loved. I never expected that in the end, I would have to watch him dine with the woman he loves.]

Xiao Yixi’s face paled as she looked at the obedient Chu Ying standing patiently for Chu Hengyang. She couldn’t help but tug a faint smile as she patted her on the head. “Your big brother is lucky to have a sister like you.”

[Thank you, Yingying little sister. You gave me a glimmer of hope to be with him.]

Xiao Yixi’s smile was weak and somewhat powerless.

[I had planned to use this lunch at his home to truly lure him, to make him unable not to fall for me. But now it seems it was all a futile wish.]

Her heart shattered quietly, and Chu Ying’s forehead broke out in sweat.

No, sister-in-law!

The person my big brother is going to invite is none other than—

“He’s here,” Chu Hengyang appeared with a smile, holding two books.

Xiao Yixi was momentarily stunned. “Uh... Mr. Chu, the person you want to see is...?”

Chu Hengyang smiled, his demeanor lofty as if a sage. “It is none other than Kong Qiuzhang, the venerable Master Kong.”

Speaking of Kong Qiuzhang, admiration and reverence filled Chu Hengyang’s voice: “Master Kong traveled extensively throughout many lands, his experiences and knowledge far beyond ordinary people’s reach. These two volumes are his lifelong writings on his travels and learnings. I have read them day and night, several times over, yet only grasp a fraction of the wisdom within. How I wish to converse with him face-to-face through these pages at all times.”

Chu Hengyang spoke with heartfelt emotion.

Unaware of the faint excitement in Xiao Yixi’s gaze, her broken heart instantly mended, bleeding no more.

Her joy was that of a young woman’s unique delight and exhilaration.

[So it was that the person Chu Hengyang’s little sister mentioned—the one he longs to see at the academy—was the Master Kong within the books.]

[I was mistaken. I was mistaken.]

Xiao Yixi’s smile lifted involuntarily, her previously dead eyes clearing once more.

Chu Ying secretly breathed a long sigh of relief.

Fortunately, she suddenly remembered that her big brother had a highly respected master named Kong Qiuzhang.

Not only did he possess a collection of Master Kong’s books, but he also carried them with him to read constantly.

He had often said that reading Master Kong’s works was like having a face-to-face conversation with the old master himself.

This allowed her to successfully dispel the misunderstanding!

Chu Ying placed her hands on her hips proudly.

No wonder it’s me—my mind really does work fast!

“Your Highness the Princess, thank you for waiting. Shall we go?” Chu Hengyang said.

“Mm,” Xiao Yixi’s lips curved gently as she lifted her foot to follow him.

[Hengyang, this time I will surely lure you well.]

[I don’t want to break my heart again tonight, whether by misunderstanding or by the appearance of a woman you truly love. I will use all my charm to entice you—]

Chu Ying listened eagerly, thrilled.

However...