Chapter 38 Noble Person
It is Xiahou Yin.
He seemed to notice the argument starting over there and rushed over. After standing beside Xiao Yuxuan, he looked directly at Xiao Min with his clear eyes and said earnestly:
"Miss Xiao is also your sister. Even if you can't treat them equally, you shouldn't say such hurtful things."
Xiao Min certainly knew who Xiahou Yin was, but since the Xiahou family was not in the capital for many years, these people who grew up in the capital looked down on Xiahou Yin, who was sent to the southwestern barbarian lands, and rarely associated with him.
He didn't want to clash with Xiahou Yin over how to treat his sister, so he gave a perfunctory bow.
"I was too hasty and spoke without thinking."
He changed the subject:
"However, this is a family matter of the Xiao family, and we will handle it ourselves. Young Master Xiahou should go home as soon as possible."
He raised his hand and made a "please" gesture.
Xiahou Yin disagreed, saying:
"Young Master Xiao, don't try to fob me off. You are a scholar, and you have learned the principles of filial piety and brotherly love, followed by prudence and trustworthiness. Does your teacher know about your attitude towards your sister?"
When did Xiahou Yin become so close to Xiao Yuxuan?
Xiao Min frowned. "So, you're bringing up the Rules for Disciples now?" His tone became cold and distant.
“Young Master Xiahou, you are meddling too much. As an elder brother, you are educating your younger sister for her own good. It is not your place to give advice.”
Xiahou Yin was about to speak when Xiao Yuxuan interrupted him:
“Young Master Xiahou, I know you mean well, but my second brother didn’t mean to make things difficult for me. He’s just too concerned about my fourth sister. Concern can cloud judgment. I’m fine.”
She glanced at the sky and said again:
"The journey back to Beijing from Zhuangshan is not short, and if we stay any longer, the city gates may close."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Min felt a pang of unease.
What do you mean he cares too much about Yuyao? Doesn't she, as the younger sister, care about her older sister? Yuyao was already frail, and she was sick when she was little, causing them so much worry.
However, he suddenly realized that the series of misfortunes that had befallen Yu Yao recently all occurred after Yu Xuan returned home...
If it weren't for the saying "Confucius did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits," he would have suspected that Yu Xuan was the nemesis of Yu Yao.
Xiahou Yin saw that Xiao Yuxuan's expression seemed genuine. He did cherish the first friend he made in the capital, but Xiao Min was right. This was a family matter, and he, as an outsider, couldn't interfere.
"Alright, Young Master Xiao, Miss Xiao, I'll take my leave now."
Xiao Min's expression was indifferent, and he only let out a soft "hmm" from his nose.
Of all professions, only studying is noble. Xiahou Yin was a military general, and he was not one of them.
Only after Xiahou Yin's figure disappeared from sight did Xiao Min turn around, his tone reproachful:
“You are a young lady of marriageable age. When did you start associating with the son of a military general? Aren’t you afraid of lowering your status?”
"His family doesn't live in the capital, so it's no use trying to build a good relationship with him."
Xiao Yuxuan:
"I don't understand what my second brother is saying. Maybe it's because I haven't been back in the Xiao family for long and I don't have any prejudice against social status yet."
"Are you trying to drive me crazy?!"
Xiao Min finally managed to act like an older brother, but he was met with Xiao Yuxuan who didn't appreciate it, which made him somewhat embarrassed and angry.
"I'm your brother, and this is how you talk to your brother?"
Xiao Yuxuan smiled.
Although Xiao Min was the second brother, he was not well-educated and was the most pedantic of them all. He looked down on women and those from lowly families. So, after failing the imperial examinations several times, he bought a minor eighth-rank official position and waited for Xiao Su and Xiao Jue to help him.
"With our parents and eldest brother still alive, doesn't it seem a bit presumptuous of my second brother to be telling me these things?"
While parents are alive, one should be filial to them; when parents are gone, the eldest brother is like a father to her. It is not Xiao Min's place to lecture her.
"Xiao Yuxuan—"
"Second Young Master, Fifth Young Lady!"
Not far away, servants from the Xiao and Lin families rushed over with the imperial physician, who had been specially invited for Xiao Yuyao and Lin Chuanxu.
Upon seeing the imperial physician, drenched in sweat and dressed in official robes, Xiao Min immediately forgot his reprimand of Xiao Yuxuan and hurried forward, calling out urgently:
"Yuyao is here! Imperial Physician, come with me quickly—"
He was worried about the doctors serving him here and the physicians outside, so as soon as he learned that Yuyao had fallen into the water, he immediately sent a messenger home to ask the imperial physician from last time to come and treat Yuyao.
After rushing as fast as they could, they finally got to see the person before dark.
Fortunately, this Physician Wei was in his prime, and he narrowly escaped fainting while riding the horse. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, hiding the resentment in his eyes.
These powerful and influential families treat low-ranking imperial physicians like slaves, just like when they came to treat this Miss Xiao the last time.
Several physicians in the Xiao family could tell that Miss Xiao was faking her fainting, but none of them dared to say anything. He had to be prepared to ruin his reputation and continue to deceive them before they finally managed to get away with it.
However, later, the Xiao family complained to the Imperial Concubine and the Fourth Prince, saying that his medical skills were inadequate and that the Fourth Miss Xiao had been unconscious for three days before waking up.
Honestly, how could he possibly wake up someone who's pretending to be unconscious!
Physician Wei appeared to be panting heavily, as if he was nearing his limit, but Xiao Yuxuan could tell that he was steady on his feet. Although he spoke with concern, his eyes were cold and he could vaguely see some impatience.
She pondered, realizing that this Physician Wei was indeed a clever man.
"Don't come in, just wait outside."
Xiao Min noticed that she had followed him, and after giving her instructions in a cold voice, he turned and went into the guest room where Xiao Yuyao was resting.
Xiao Yuxuan stopped in her tracks, about to speak, when a maid with an unfamiliar face suddenly walked over to her side.
"Miss Xiao, a distinguished person requests your presence."
A benefactor?
There were only three people who could be called nobles at this poetry gathering: the Crown Prince, the Fourth Prince, and Qi Wenyue. However, since the other party did not say who they were, Xiao Yuxuan hesitated.
"The esteemed guest means no harm, but simply requests a chat with the young lady."
"Lead the way."
Regardless of who it was, seeing the other party's unyielding attitude, Xiao Yuxuan still didn't confront them head-on. She would just deal with whatever came her way.
The more they walked with the unfamiliar maid, the quieter the place became, and Bihui behind them grew somewhat anxious.
"Young lady, perhaps you shouldn't go?"
The girl had just finished playing the zither and left to relieve herself. When she returned, she learned that the fourth girl had fallen into the water again, which terrified her and left her covered in a cold sweat.
Next, she must stay by the girl's side at all times and make sure nothing happens to her!
"It's alright, I know who it is."
The unfamiliar maid led the way to a path leading uphill, where they stopped.
"Miss Xiao, your esteemed guest is upstairs, please—"
Xiao Yuxuan led Bi Sui up the steps, only to find that above them was a high platform surrounded by wind on three sides.
As dusk gently unfolds before us, the view from Zhuangshan, though not high, is expansive, offering a panoramic vista of almost the entire capital city.
A dozen or so eunuchs and palace maids stood silently at the edge, their heads bowed. In the center was a stone table with all sorts of exquisite dishes and pastries.
A figure dressed in a dark robe with gold patterns gazed in the direction of the capital, the hem of the robe fluttering gently in the breeze.
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