Chapter 26: The Little Sister is His Sedative

Mother is likely overthinking this matter. After all, she has already become "famous" throughout the Imperial Academy; it is unlikely there is anything she cannot handle within its walls.

Chu Ying’s cheeks flushed with heat as she recalled the scene where she had mistaken the kneeling of the academy students and teachers before Xiao Yixi as an act of being moved by her "Poem of Meat." She quickly shook her head, casting the image aside, and stated her purpose to Liu Shuang’er: "Mother, I want to attend the Imperial Academy."

Liu Shuang’er thought to herself: *The moment I feared has arrived. But is it truly wise for my naive, innocent little girl to enter the academy just because of a lie I told to give Hengyang a chance to spend time with the Princess?*

Though her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, Liu Shuang’er feigned ignorance on the surface. Yet, her gentle voice could not hide her concern for Chu Ying: "My daughter, have you truly considered this?"

"Mm-hmm." Chu Ying nodded.

For the sake of her eldest brother’s and future sister-in-law’s happy future, she was willing to sacrifice her irreplaceable, pure soul and brain! Chu Ying was brimming with motivation. Furthermore... this was for the good of the entire family. Chu Ying clenched her fists, determined to help all eight of her brothers find happiness and fulfillment with their respective partners.

"Mother," Chu Ying shifted the topic. Knowing how much her mother worried about her, fearing she would not be happy in an environment filled with brilliant scholars, she had to act like a diligent student to put her mother’s mind at ease.

"I gained so much from attending the poetry competition at the academy with my eldest brother today. Although..." Chu Ying’s eyes welled up, her tone tinged with shame, "...although I did encounter some ‘academic struggles’ at first, but—" Chu Ying’s eyes lit up. While she spoke of her love for learning, her gaze was fixed on the imaginary, succulent meat of her fantasies. "—I truly tasted the joy of learning afterward. I have grown to love it, and I want to follow my brother to study at the academy!"

*Wuu, forgive me, my dearest meat. To think you had to serve as a "substitute" for learning. Otherwise, I truly could not have uttered the word "love" in relation to study!*

Liu Shuang’er was surprised. Seeing the bright, joyous expression on Chu Ying’s chubby, oval face, she believed her. *Ever since she was a child, the only thing that could make her look this happy was seeing meat. It seems Hengyang’s decision to limit her meat intake was exceptionally correct. Not only has she become much sharper, but she has also managed to curb her obsession with meat.*

What?!

The guilt Chu Ying felt for using meat as a substitute for learning was instantly washed away by a wave of misery.

It was over! She had caused another misunderstanding! Not only did her mother believe she had become smarter from eating less meat, but she also thought she had overcome her obsession and love for it.

No! Her devotion to meat was as true as the sun and the moon, witnessed by heaven and earth; no one could be allowed to misunderstand her deep affection for it!

*Excellent,* Liu Shuang’er praised inwardly. *Now, I feel at ease sending her to the academy.*

Chu Ying paused. The words she wanted to blurt out to prove her love for meat were stuck in her throat. It seemed... her open, passionate love for meat would have to become a secret, silent infatuation... *Wuu wuu wuu.* Her poor, precious meat... there were still too few people in this world who understood her romance with it.

"Very well," Liu Shuang’er said, her voice gentle, her eyes brimming with such doting affection that it could almost drown Chu Ying. "It just so happens that your eldest brother has been teaching at the academy for decades. With him by your side, I will feel much more at ease."

"Mm-hmm." Chu Ying hurriedly cast aside her distress over her misunderstood love for meat and excitedly went to her mother’s side, acting spoiled. "Mother, let’s hurry and process my enrollment papers for the academy!"

"Alright," Liu Shuang’er said with a helpless smile, setting aside her accounts to begin preparing Chu Ying’s enrollment documents. Chu Ying chuckled, sitting obediently by her mother’s side while her mind drifted to the situation between Chu Hengyang and Xiao Yixi.

*I wonder if they have arrived at the academy yet? Have they sparked any more ambiguous little flames between them?* Chu Ying’s imagination ran wild.

***

At the Imperial Academy, before the gates, the carriage carrying Chu Hengyang and Xiao Yixi had just come to a stop. Chu Hengyang stepped out, not daring to wait for Xiao Yixi to disembark. He walked quickly to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, I am heading into the academy first. Please inform the Princess for me."

"Yes," Xiao Wu replied, watching Chu Hengyang’s retreating back with a puzzled expression. How strange... his young master still looked gentle, yet why did he feel as though he had changed so much? And... Xiao Wu looked at Xiao Yixi, who was stepping out of the carriage a moment later, and bowed hurriedly, muttering to himself. The Princess was not far away; why didn't the young master tell her himself, instead of having him pass on the message that he was leaving first?

"Your Highness," Xiao Wu said, "my young master says he is heading ahead."

Xiao Yixi understood. A faint arc formed on her beautiful red lips. *Hengyang is in such a rush to leave, so afraid of being alone with me—is he afraid that I will discover his feelings for me?* Xiao Yixi pinched her fingertips, suppressing the secret joy blooming in her heart because the person she loved was struggling to contain his own affection for her.

"Mm. I am aware," Xiao Yixi replied coolly. "You may go."

"Yes." Xiao Wu led the horse away.

Xiao Yixi gazed at the Imperial Academy where Chu Hengyang resided, her lips curved upward. *Little sister Yingying will be entering the academy soon; Hengyang won't be able to hide from her. I... will certainly find the right moment to force him to reveal his feelings for me.* Xiao Yixi smoothed her expression and stepped into the academy.

Inside the academy, Chu Hengyang’s heart pounded with increasing speed, yet his expression was colder and more silent than ever. He had to avoid crossing paths with the Princess. He could not tarnish her. He... must not get close to her again. Otherwise... he... might do something even he could not anticipate. Chu Hengyang could not help but cover his face with his hand, as if that could shield her from his impure thoughts.

"Little sister, if only you were here..." Chu Hengyang murmured softly, thinking of Chu Ying. Little sister was his sedative. If she were here, he would surely restrain his dark impulses. He would not let her see his tainted side, nor would he let her fear him. He would not be like this, feeling so wretched in his own eyes.

Chu Ying, being silently called upon by her brother, was currently sitting happily, looking over the enrollment papers Liu Shuang’er had prepared for her, one by one. Tomorrow, she would be able to...