The moon hung above the willow branches, and the capital of Dakang gradually quieted down after a bustling day. The rare cool summer breeze made Yarith, who had been reading until his mind grew heavy, decide to take a walk in the courtyard.
His courtyard was not as small as Xylira's and was carefully planted with various cherished orchids. Under the moonlight, he strolled around, sometimes looking up at the brilliant stars, sometimes admiring the graceful posture of the orchids, feeling quite content.
"Yarith, why aren't you asleep yet?" A familiar voice rang out. Yarith turned and saw Mr. Tao standing at the courtyard gate, smiling warmly as he walked over.
"Just feeling a bit restless, walking helps." The voices of the father and son were both smooth and clear. "But Father, I heard Mother is in your courtyard. Why come here at this hour?"
"I wanted to talk to you, so I came over." Mr. Tao walked to the pavilion in the courtyard. Behind him, a servant laid out a few small dishes, brought out a small pot of wine and two jade cups, and poured for both of them.
"Father, is something on your mind?" Normally, with Mother by his side, Father would not come over. "Is this about the siblings from the Yue family?"
In the Prime Minister's residence, everyone knew one was a cripple and the other was practically invisible. However, tonight, that second sister of theirs had made quite the impression on him.
"Yes." Mr. Tao neither confirmed nor denied. "What do you think about it, Yarith?"
"It has nothing to do with us." Yarith smiled indifferently. "Don't worry, Father, I'm sixteen now. After Qixi, I will pass the imperial exam and enter court as an official, working hard to surpass Big Brother."
Hmph, as if he didn't know what Uncle and the others were planning. Just some ungrateful, scheming lowlifes, he didn't believe he was inferior to General Renyu.
Looking at his son, full of ambition and a hint of indignation, Mr. Tao felt a moment of clarity. He too had once been so young, proud and full of spirit. But later, well, twenty years ago he never imagined he would become what he was now.
"Of course I believe in you." Though he didn't want his son to follow in his footsteps, he also didn't want to discourage him now. After the exam, when the blow comes, he would then offer his advice.
"But that second sister is really beautiful." Yarith laughed. "Even the most beautiful orchid in this courtyard probably can't compare. Father, do you think if Mother gave birth to a younger sister, she would be just as beautiful?"
"I wouldn't be sure." Mr. Tao laughed again at his son's comment. "But you know, she would probably look a lot like your mother."
Hearing that, Yarith frowned, unwillingly picturing Lady Evelyne's detestable face, and stayed silent. "It hasn't even happened yet, and you're already worried," Mr. Tao said, and he too seemed troubled. "Yarith."
"Yes?"
"Do you remember what I told you? When you marry, make sure you are her first husband. Keep that in mind, understand?"
"I understand." Yarith nodded, imagining what his future wife might look like. As he stared at the wine cup, Xylira's beautiful face suddenly appeared in his mind, and he felt a little shy.
He didn't hope to match the second sister, but at the very least, she must not be like the other two women in his house.
That same night, across three streets from the Prime Minister's residence, the General's Manor was far from peaceful. Caelen sat expressionless, his face full of exhaustion.
Since his father's death and his own disfigurement, those once kind family members had revealed completely different faces. The once gentle mother, stirred by the men who had once treated him decently, now shouted constantly for a division of the family property.
The voices of Second and Third Uncle urging him echoed on and on. Even his younger brothers, whom he had treated like real siblings, kept pushing him.
Tonight, it seemed they would not stop until a conclusion was reached. He knew well how many people avoided looking at his face since he was disfigured, and these relatives were no exception.
He still remembered when he returned carrying his father's coffin, none of them mourned the loss but were horrified by his appearance. At that moment, the once peaceful and warm home ceased to exist.
"Caelen, just listen to your mother. With us taking care of her, what are you still worried about?"
"Yes, for the sake of your younger brothers, find a good woman and just agree, will you?"
"You unfilial son. Half of your father's wealth was originally mine. Are you planning to keep my share too?"
"Big Brother."
"Big Brother."
He had purposely dined outside before coming home today, yet they had clearly made up their minds to split the family. He swept his eyes coldly across the group.
He knew they had probably already reached an agreement and arranged their own benefits.
They had been arguing non-stop for two hours. Now that he looked at them, they lowered their heads or looked away, but their stiff necks and expressions said they were just waiting for his gaze to pass so they could keep arguing.
Caelen's temples throbbed and even the once-healed wound seemed to ache faintly.
Father, it's not that your son refuses your last wish to take care of Mother, but if she keeps pushing him like this. He took a deep breath.
"Mother, are you really sure you want to divide the family? Are you not going to regret this? Remember, Father's final wish was for me to care for you until the end."
"Caelen, what are you saying? Even if we split the family, can't you still care for me till the end?"
Caelen ignored Second Uncle and looked at his mother's still gentle face, suddenly feeling very tired of it. "Mother, whether you know or not, I must tell you. It has only been a year since Father's death, and the moment we split the family, all the good reputation we had will be gone."
"I don't care, but your younger sons will still need to marry."
That was the only warning he would give them. If they still made the same decision, there was nothing more he could do.
Sure enough, the men paused, then started whispering among themselves. "Caelen, let's divide quietly, without making this public, alright?"
Caelen knew what they were thinking and nodded. He had always stayed silent, hadn't he?
"Then, Second Uncle, when you hire someone to rebuild the walls, keep it low-key. Don't make a big scene and then blame it on me."
The men looked embarrassed but still asked, "So you agree?"
"Can I even refuse?" Caelen stood up. They shrank back and fell silent. Having been disturbed the whole night, how could he still be calm?
"I don't care how we divide, but I have two conditions." At those words, everyone looked up nervously, more concerned about his next sentence than his appearance.
"First, since the Emperor didn't take back the plaque of the General's Manor, after the split, I'm taking it with me." Everyone nodded. They were not generals, so the plaque was useless to them.
"Second, Second Uncle, you will be the one to write the division agreement. I will dictate it. Don't worry, I won't lie. Write down the entire process and result, then Mother and the rest of you will leave your thumbprints on it."
"What are you trying to do?" Feeling guilty, they didn't want to leave evidence in Caelen's hands and asked with suspicion.
"Second Uncle, you can watch the whole thing. I just want to burn it and send it to Father."
"I see." Everyone finally relaxed. "Then it's settled." They were all delighted to get what they wanted, not noticing Caelen leaving with a hint of sorrow.
However, none of them could have expected a forgotten second young lady would appear in the Prime Minister's household. The next afternoon, Caelen received an imperial edict.
After receiving the decree and expressing his gratitude, he stood there holding the scroll, stunned. Only after a long time did he finally react.
"General Caelen, congratulations." General Renyu clapped his shoulder with a big smile. "Come on, everyone is waiting at Drunken Immortal Tavern. With such great news, you must treat us."
"Ah." Caelen nodded woodenly. "Renyu, please wait. I'll change into casual clothes and come out."
"Go ahead, and bring plenty of silver." As Caelen walked away, General Renyu called after him with a complicated look in his eyes.
"Tch, what's there to celebrate? Isn't it just the cripple's sister? She's probably crippled too. Hmph, she'll probably give birth to a bunch of crippled kids."
The familiar venomous voice made Caelen's body stiffen, and the joy in his heart felt like it had been doused with cold water. Then he smiled bitterly.
So what if she were a crippled girl? He was disfigured too, wasn't he?
At Drunken Immortal Tavern, it was a feast of food and drink. These were all Caelen's close friends, cheerful and straightforward, and their laughter lifted his mood.
They drank until nightfall. The sober helped the drunk as they stumbled out.
"Caelen." General Renyu leaned half his body on Caelen, eyes glazed with drink and his breath full of alcohol. "You saved my life before. I'm really grateful. Do you know how guilty I feel that your face got ruined because of me?"
"I know." Caelen nodded, steadily supporting him. He wanted to say that there was no need to feel guilty. At the time, they were comrades. Even if it were someone else, he would have done the same.
Besides, even if his face was ruined, he had never once brought up the favor of saving his life.
But before he could say anything, General Renyu interrupted.
"But, but." His words slurred more and more, and he started stumbling over them. "Now, I'm not guilty at all. I'm actually a little jealous of you."
He chuckled and whispered, "You don't know, but my second sister is an extraordinary beauty. Remember Xiyan? She's even prettier than her."
At those words, the joy in Caelen's heart slowly faded. He knew his own worth.
Xiyan's beauty was exquisite. If his fiancée was even more beautiful, how could someone like him ever be worthy of her?