Chapter Forty: She Would Not Let Her Sister-in-Law Be Sad!

Upon reaching the vicinity of the Dean’s courtyard, Chu Ying didn't have time for pleasantries; she quickened her pace and hurried inside. She had no choice—every second wasted was another second her "precious life" was in jeopardy. She had to handle everything and get to class before her eldest brother tracked her down; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to talk her way out of this mess.

Chu Ying arrived at the entrance of the study within the courtyard. The door was wide open, revealing the scene inside. Dean Qu Ao was respectfully discussing matters with Xiao Yixi.

*Sister-in-law?* Chu Ying blinked, a smile spreading across her face. *Hehehe! This is almost too easy!*

She had been fretting over how to find her future sister-in-law and convey her brother’s true feelings. She had also been anxious about how she would bluff her way out if her brother came looking for her here. Now, she didn't need to worry at all! With her sister-in-law present, how could her brother possibly have the heart to lecture her? Surely, just facing her sister-in-law’s peerless beauty would leave him completely flustered! *Hahahaha!*

Chu Ying was delighted. Xiao Yixi, meanwhile, accepted the situation with a calm smile.

*It’s perfect. I can give the gift I intended for Dean Qu to pass along to little Ying-ying directly to her now.*

*It seems... Hengyang happens to be away, which means I don't have to face him. I won't have to feel that sharp pain of heartache that comes whenever I see him.*

Xiao Yixi’s expression remained unchanged, but if one looked closely, a trace of pale helplessness could be seen on her exquisite features. Chu Ying didn't know whether to be happy or sad. *Oh no, sister-in-law! My brother’s feelings for you are incredibly, deeply profound!*

*No! I must find the right moment to reveal his feelings! My sister-in-law is so wonderful; I don't want to see her look so heartbroken!* But with others present, she couldn't just blurt it out so abruptly. Chu Ying felt incredibly anxious.

Xiao Yixi broke the silence, stepping forward with a light gait. "Student Chu, I assume you are here to submit your documents for admission to the Imperial Academy. I had the pleasure of being invited to your home for lunch yesterday; this gift is a return courtesy."

Seeing Chu Ying’s sweet and innocent face, Xiao Yixi’s lips curled into a smile, and the gloom in her heart dissipated quite a bit. She handed over the "Phoenix Cry Jade Pendant," which she had prepared the day before in a fine wooden box.

Chu Ying hurriedly accepted it. "Thank you, Your Highness." *Sister-in-law is so kind, and she’s so good to me... Ahhh! I don't want her to be sad!*

"Um... Dean," Chu Ying said cautiously, "may I have a private word with Her Highness?"

***

Although she wanted to be bold enough to ask the Dean directly, she couldn't help but feel intimidated by this middle-aged man who resembled an ancient version of a modern school disciplinarian.

"Certainly." Qu Ao was a stern man, but he was also very reasonable. However, his stern expression faltered when he saw Qu Zhouyuan walking slowly toward them. *That brat! Disappearing first thing in the morning with his books, and even skipping the poetry competition yesterday after finishing his entry!*

Qu Zhouyuan smiled, completely oblivious to his father’s piercing gaze. Xiao Yixi was slightly surprised. *Little Ying-ying wants to talk to me?* Looking at Chu Ying’s adorable expression, Xiao Yixi softened. *Although I don't know what she wants to say, being able to spend time with her always makes me happy.*

Xiao Yixi and Chu Ying moved to the side of the courtyard. Qu Ao, meanwhile, used his eyes to force Qu Zhouyuan to come to his side. To avoid disturbing the two, he lowered his voice and hissed, "You brat, where did you run off to? You didn't eat breakfast, and you didn't even pay your respects to your mother! You nearly got me a beating from her!"

Heaven knows why his wife, Miao'er, loved to hit him when she was frustrated—she’d hit him on the backside at the slightest provocation. Qu Ao wanted to cry. Miao'er was his beloved wife, and he loved her dearly, but her physical strength was just... too much!

"Father," Qu Zhouyuan said, smiling as he watched Chu Ying, who was whispering to Xiao Yixi in the distance. "What would you say if I brought her home to be your daughter-in-law?"

"What?" Qu Ao was stunned. *This brat actually likes someone? I thought with his obsession for books, he’d never have a romantic connection with any girl.*

Qu Ao followed Qu Zhouyuan's gaze and realized he was looking at Chu Ying. His expression shifted instantly and turned grave. "Qu Zhouyuan, you can like any girl you want, but the ninth daughter of the Chu family is off-limits." Qu Ao knew very well how powerful the Chu family was and how accomplished their eight sons were.

Though he was the Dean of the capital’s premier institution and his son was a renowned genius, they were but a drop in the ocean compared to the Chu family. It wasn't just about his son trying to marry the daughter of the Chu family; even the mere act of pursuing her would trigger a bloodbath. She was a prize everyone wanted a piece of. Not to mention, she now seemed to have an unusually close relationship with the Princess. The number of people eyeing her would only increase.

Qu Zhouyuan smiled. *So what if many people are eyeing her? I like her, and I will win her heart.*

Xiao Yixi, standing with Chu Ying, was still marveling at how such a girl with the magical power to soothe hearts could exist, when she was suddenly shocked by Chu Ying's next words.

"Your Highness... could you... could you be my sister-in-law?" Chu Ying asked timidly.

Xiao Yixi choked on her own saliva, nearly coughing out loud. The heart that had been shattered by Chu Hengyang’s coldness showed signs of mending at these words.

***

Xiao Yixi observed Chu Ying’s expression, confirming she wasn't joking, and asked, "Student Chu, why, uh... do you want me to be your sister-in-law?"

Chu Ying glanced at her, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Because... I feel that my eldest brother likes you, Your Highness..."

"What?" Xiao Yixi’s first reaction was disbelief. But her heart, shattered by Chu Hengyang’s excessive coldness, couldn't help but flutter back to life. She squeezed her fingers, her palms sweating. "Student Chu, why... why would you say that?" she asked, struggling to hide the tremor in her voice.

"Yesterday, after my brother returned home, I was asleep... but when I woke up, the whole mansion was talking about how depressed he was..." Chu Ying silently apologized to her brother in her heart. Although she was exaggerating and making things up, she had heard from A-Yu that his mood was indeed poor and he hadn't eaten much, so it wasn't *entirely* a lie!

"This... how does this prove your brother likes me?" Xiao Yixi’s palms were slick with sweat. *Does Hengyang like me? Does he really? Could little Ying-ying be mistaken, just like I was yesterday?*

Chu Ying could clearly hear the longing in Xiao Yixi’s heart. "Your Highness, you don't know my brother; he never gets depressed. And he certainly never gets depressed over anyone. I saw how happy he was yesterday when he was with you, so I suspect... he is only depressed because of you. Otherwise, he would never be in such a state—to the point where even the servants noticed..."

Xiao Yixi could barely breathe. Her hands were trembling. *Little Ying-ying is his close family. Her observations and guesses... they must be true...*

Just then, Chu Hengyang, having decided to settle the score with Qu Ao and find out where Qu Zhouyuan had taken Chu Ying, arrived at the entrance of the courtyard with a dark expression. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw Xiao Yixi standing with his sister. And Xiao Yixi, whose heart was still racing from Chu Ying’s words, looked up and saw him.

Their eyes met, and both their hearts skipped a beat. The difference was that Xiao Yixi’s heart was filled with joy, while Chu Hengyang, the moment he saw her, was flooded with thoughts of what Chu Ying had said about him needing to marry a woman like the Princess.

Chu Ying, not expecting her brother to arrive so perfectly on cue, couldn't control the smile tugging at her lips. *Oh my god! Is this steaming hot, sweet, and fragrant "dog food" something I’m allowed to eat? Of course it is! But now, this lightbulb needs to retreat immediately!*

Chu Ying quickly interrupted their gaze and bowed to Xiao Yixi. "Your Highness, I’ll go find the Dean to submit my admission papers now."

"Uh... yes..." Xiao Yixi nodded, dazed, responding twice. She had inadvertently revealed her affection for Chu Hengyang.

Chu Hengyang didn't know how to face Xiao Yixi, so he turned to the side, wanting to find Chu Ying, forgetting even to bow to the Princess.

"Master Chu," Xiao Yixi called out.