Chapter 23

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Old Madam Gu’s gaze flickered, uncertain whether Gu Yuan already knew the truth. Gu Yuan, however, acted as though he hadn’t noticed her discomfort. He took a few more steps forward, his intense gaze never leaving Gu Yan Fei. Each step seemed heavier, as though his feet were weighed down by lead, and the closer he got, the slower he moved.

When their mother, Lady Xie, had passed away, Gu Yuan had only been three years old. He still had faint memories of her face, though they had grown blurrier over time. But now, as he looked at his sister, her delicate and beautiful face overlapped with the image of their mother from his dreams. His sister looked so much like their mother!

He remembered how he used to press his ear against their mother’s swollen belly, listening to the movements of his unborn sister. Back then, their family had been so happy. Gu Yuan’s eyes remained fixed on her, unblinking, as his vision grew misty. A deep, unexplainable feeling welled up inside him, quietly assuring him that she was his true kin, bound to him by blood.

Steadying himself, he finally spoke, “I am your brother, Gu Yuan.” His voice was slow and hoarse, but filled with warmth, determination, and sincerity. “Don’t worry, I’m here now. Everything will be fine.”

“Big Brother,” Gu Yan Fei softly called, her voice trembling slightly, and for the first time that day, she smiled.

Gu Yuan felt a tightness in his chest, but quickly regained control of his emotions. He turned to Old Madam Gu and said, “Grandmother, my sister has just returned and is tired. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take her away now.” Without waiting for a response, he grabbed Gu Yan Fei’s hand and walked out, completely ignoring everyone else.

“Yuan!” Old Madam Gu called after him, trying to stop him. Gu Yuan acted as if he hadn’t heard, not even pausing.

“Big Brother,” Gu Yun Zhen called softly from behind, her voice tinged with disappointment. Gu Yuan still didn’t turn around, but his steps faltered slightly, and his hands clenched into tight fists.

What no one knew was that, in recent days, Gu Yuan had made a secret trip to Huaibei. At the beginning of the month, he had returned to the capital quietly for official business, only to overhear that Old Madam Gu had left for Dan Yang City to retrieve the “Second Young Lady.” This “Gu Second Young Lady” was not Gu Yun Zhen, but rather a long-lost daughter of the main Gu family, who had been found and brought back from Huaibei by Old Madam Gu’s orders.

Sensing something suspicious, Gu Yuan had finished his duties and, after much deliberation, requested leave from his superiors. He first headed to Dan Yang City, but the city gates were firmly closed. Left with no other option, he hurried to Huaibei on horseback, determined to uncover the truth.

Through his investigation, Gu Yuan discovered the shocking truth—his real sister was not Gu Yun Zhen! His true sister had been cruelly swapped at birth by the malicious Su Niang, and had spent fourteen agonizing years in Huaibei, suffering abuse and torment at the hands of the family who took her in.

Gu Yuan had rushed day and night, changing horses multiple times along the way, finally returning to the capital. He hadn’t expected that upon entering the manor, he would witness Old Madam Gu ordering the family punishment on his newly-found sister!

He closed his eyes for a moment, his hands and feet growing cold, then resolutely pulled Gu Yan Fei through the doorway. The curtain swayed as it was lifted and then fell back down, rustling in the air.

The room was left in a heavy silence, the atmosphere tense and oppressive.

Once they were outside Cihe Hall, Gu Yuan finally released Gu Yan Fei’s hand. He lowered his gaze to the petite girl who stood a head shorter than him. His heart was heavy, full of words he wanted to say, but he didn’t know where to begin. A deep sense of guilt consumed him.

Fourteen years ago, their mother had given birth to his sister amidst the chaos of war, and she had died in childbirth. He had once sworn in front of their mother’s memorial tablet that he would take care of his little sister.

Then, Gu Yun Zhen had been sent to the capital by Su Niang, journeying from thousands of miles away. Old Madam Gu, pitying her for having lost her mother at such a young age, had taken her in and raised her in Cihe Hall.

Gu Yuan had been busy with his studies and martial arts training. Other than the morning and evening greetings, he rarely saw Gu Yun Zhen. Despite this, over the years, he had always been attentive to her, prioritizing her in everything. He never imagined he had gotten it all wrong—his real sister had suffered fourteen long years of hardship outside the family.

Recalling the things he witnessed in Huaibei, his gaze darkened like the night. “Sister,” he began, wanting to promise that he would protect her from now on. But just as the words reached his lips, the corner of his eye caught sight of the small milk cat nestled in her arms, and his tone shifted abruptly, “Is this your cat?”

“It’s called Qing Guang,” Gu Yan Fei said casually, stroking the top of the cat’s head.

The milk cat, hearing its name, instinctively tried to open its eyes but was swiftly blocked by a delicate hand. This small gesture, to Gu Yuan, appeared as an act of tenderness toward the cat.

After a moment of consideration, Gu Yuan spoke solemnly, “Sister, Grandmother doesn’t like cats. Any cat that shows up in the manor is usually ordered to be killed. I’m currently stationed at the Xishan military camp, and near there is a small estate that was part of our mother’s dowry. How about you move there to live?”

Gu Yuan’s suggestion wasn’t just for the sake of the cat. He knew that if his sister stayed in the marquis’ manor, her days would be difficult. Their grandmother clearly had no affection for her as a granddaughter and would resort to strict family punishment at the slightest disagreement. The servants in the household were adept at flattering the powerful and trampling on the weak. It was likely they would treat his sister poorly, and there was no reason for her to endure such mistreatment here.

Gu Yan Fei stood still, staring at Gu Yuan, her expression somewhat dazed. In her past life, her elder brother had made the same suggestion. But back then, she had been too insecure and immature, thinking that her brother, like Old Madam Gu and Nanny Xu, looked down on her.

“Big Brother, I’m not leaving,” Gu Yan Fei said, her eyes slightly curved, her black and white pupils shimmering as if holding a pool of water. Her smile was bright as spring blossoms. “Don’t worry.”

In her past life, she hadn’t gone to the estate. In this life, she wouldn’t go either. She was going to stay.

The milk cat in her arms let out several soft “meows,” as if declaring, “Who dares to harm me? I’m a spiritual creature, and all humans must bow before me!”

Gu Yuan’s eyelashes fluttered, hesitating for a moment, but in the end, he didn’t push her. After thinking for a moment, Gu Yuan changed his suggestion. “Then how about you stay in Yuheng Courtyard? It’s the courtyard where our mother lived when she was still alive. It’s been empty for years, but with a bit of tidying up, it’ll be ready for you.”

Yuheng Courtyard was located on the north side of the inner manor. Although it had been vacant for fourteen years, it hadn’t been neglected. Servants had been maintaining the courtyard, keeping it in its former state.

Worried that his sister might refuse again, Gu Yuan’s palms grew sweaty from nervousness. But when she responded with a simple “Alright,” his face lit up with joy, and he grinned broadly. He couldn’t wait to say, “I’ll take you there right now!”

“If you need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to send someone to let me know,” he continued eagerly. “And if I’m not around, just tell my servant, Wutong. I’ll find a way to transfer back to the capital in a few days!”

Gu Yuan went on and on, speaking with a bit of awkwardness and even some clumsiness. His excitement made him a little long-winded, as he tried to make up for all the lost time.

Gu Yan Fei listened quietly, her smile gentle and calm. Her elder brother was trying his best to make up for her suffering, just like before, willing to do anything to be good to her. Just like back then…

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