Chapter 38: A Bolt from the Blue for Chu Ying

"I... marry the Princess?" Chu Hengyang’s heart was thrown into a panic. "How could that be possible?"

"I have never harbored any inappropriate desires toward Her Highness..." Chu Hengyang muttered incoherently to himself, as if trying to cover up something. "It is true that Her Highness is someone I admire, but I only wish to protect her silently and support her in fulfilling her ideals."

"Marry... impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Although Chu Hengyang said this in his heart, his pulse began to race, growing increasingly fervent. His blood surged with the sudden heat of a possibility he had never once dared to contemplate.

Chu Ying’s eyes curved into crescent moons.

So that was it!

No wonder her eldest brother had always been so passive, letting his future sister-in-law do all the flirting. It wasn't that he didn't want to get closer to her or deepen their relationship, but rather that he—he had never even considered the possibility of marriage, nor had he ever thought of possessing or claiming her as his own.

That was why he had time and again pretended to be blind to her beauty.

Chu Ying felt a spark of excitement.

She had truly hit the jackpot this time! The dynamic between her eldest brother and her future sister-in-law was just too sweet!

Chu Ying was giddy with excitement.

Chu Hengyang managed to regain his composure, clenching his hand into a fist and pressing it against his lips to cough twice. The racing blood in his veins finally calmed, no longer restless.

"Little sister, have you decided which teacher you wish to follow at the Imperial Academy today?" Chu Hengyang asked, changing the subject.

"Hmm... will Her Highness be teaching at the academy?" Chu Ying blinked her eyes, feigning ignorance with a giggle. "I want to study under Her Highness."

"Cough, cough, cough, cough—" Chu Hengyang’s coughing grew louder and more violent.

"Oh, Big Brother!" With a belly full of mischief, Chu Ying hurried to his side and patted his back, masking her cunning gaze with feigned concern. "What’s wrong? Why are you coughing so much? Did you catch a cold by any chance?"

Under her prodding, Chu Hengyang coughed even harder. His cheeks flushed crimson, and he nearly couldn't stop.

"N-nothing, little sister, I'm fine." Chu Hengyang had never felt such torment. It was as if his hidden thoughts had been laid bare, and with nowhere to run, he was forced to confront that sudden, intrusive notion of "marrying the Princess."

"It’s good that you’re fine," Chu Ying said. "Otherwise, if you caught a cold, wouldn't Her Highness—who walked so far and did so much with you yesterday—also be at risk of catching it? You had me so worried!"

Chu Hengyang felt a lump in his throat, and once again, he felt the urge to cough. But looking into Chu Ying’s sparkling eyes, he forcibly suppressed the itch in his throat, not daring to cough again.

*Does she know my heart, or is she just guessing blindly?*
*Why does it feel like she knows everything? She won't let me have a moment of peace.*

*Hehehe.*

***

Chu Ying was feeling quite clever.

Of course, she had done it on purpose! Since her brother had no intention of marrying his beloved or deepening their bond, she naturally had to bring her up more often, highlighting the possibility of them being together.

She had to force him to consider the idea! She really was a little genius!

The only concern was how the Princess felt about her brother now. Since he had been so avoidant, she surely must have noticed...

Moreover, it seemed that although she had successfully gotten them into the same carriage yesterday, forcing them to share a confined space, something had gone wrong. Her future sister-in-law hadn't managed to "reel him in" again.

Chu Ying didn't know that Chu Hengyang and Xiao Yixi hadn't actually sat in the same carriage yesterday; she was still deep in thought. Given how much her brother liked her, the Princess should have been able to hook him with ease, leaving him blushing and flustered... *hehehe*.

But listening to her brother's inner thoughts, they had traveled from the Chu estate to the academy without her having a single chance to "reel him in." That could only mean one thing: it wasn't that she didn't try, but that she... never had the opportunity at all!

Chu Ying was getting closer to the truth.

Could it be... that because her brother had no other thoughts, his constant avoidance had made the Princess mistakenly believe he didn't like her at all? That he had no feelings for her?

Chu Ying felt she had stumbled upon the truth. She was struck as if by a thunderbolt.

Looking at Chu Hengyang now, her eyes were already brimming with tears. Had her entire day of matchmaking and helping them grow closer been in vain? And had she... almost... possibly... already lost her beautiful and powerful sister-in-law?

No! She couldn't lose her beautiful sister-in-law!

The carriage pulled to a stop at that moment. Ignoring her brother's state, Chu Ying jumped out, clutching her documents and bolting toward the Imperial Academy.

***

Xiao Wu scratched his head in confusion behind her. What was wrong with the Ninth Miss? Why was she running off like a ghost was chasing her?

Just as he was wondering, Chu Hengyang stepped out of the carriage. His naturally fair complexion was flushed deep red from the coughing fit, and even the corners of his eyes were tinted with pink.

"Uh..." Xiao Wu really didn't want to jump to conclusions, but he asked cautiously, "Young Master, are you alright?"

Why did the Young Master look as if... he had been beaten to tears by the Ninth Miss? And honestly... knowing how much the Young Master doted on her, it was entirely possible he would let her hit him without fighting back, crying all the while...

"I am fine." Chu Hengyang couldn't quiet his restless heart, so he simply asked, "Where is the Ninth Miss?"

"Oh, the Ninth Miss?" Xiao Wu replied. "She just took off like a shot, just like last time."

"I see." Chu Hengyang nodded and set off to catch up with her.

His sister’s unintentional remarks had stirred his heart into such turmoil that he couldn't find a moment of peace. He hadn't realized she was so dedicated to the idea of attending the Imperial Academy. He needed to catch up with her quickly to help submit her documents to the Dean, so she could begin her life among the books and studies as soon as possible.

Imperial Academy.

The surroundings were quiet; it was completely empty, with not a soul in sight.

Chu Ying was stunned.

Oh no! She had forgotten that her brother was a teacher at the academy and had to arrive much earlier than the students to prepare his lessons. Since she had come with him, of course, she wouldn't see any other students.

Chu Ying paced back and forth in a panic. What was she to do? She had wanted to ask the students who had already arrived if the Princess was there, and if so, where. Then she could have rushed to her side and told her the truth—that her brother didn't dislike her, but in fact, liked her very much!

But now, it was all ruined—

Chu Ying...