Yin Lanying immediately became solemn. She herself knew the reason why her Eldest Brother had died early on after her marriage with Yang Le in the previous lifetime.
One instance was because he was adopted. The second was because he supported another prince. As for the third?
He knew who his real family was that caused him to get executed by Yang Le, and it started with her. This time she won't let the same thing happen in this current lifetime.
"First of all, I also didn't believe in what Sister Xingxing said until she revealed her hidden identity to me."
Yin Lanying traces her eyes towards her elder sister before looking back at her elder brother.
"You knew?"
"Aside from the fact that Sister Xingxing had a hard time trying to convince me to be lenient on you because of your rebirth, I'm not that dumb to connect the pieces altogether. And since Fourth Sister is the one to gain help from a Starseer, of course I'm going to help you."
"Are you just saying that because you fear a Starseer's capabilities and that I could lead you to survive and prosper successfully?"
". . . ."
Yin Lanying laughs heartily. She doesn't have a bad feeling about this elder brother of hers but it's just that she never was close to him as well.
Maybe she should start with opening her heart a little bit to those that make inseparable friends.
"Don't worry Eldest Brother. I would love to get along with you and Eldest Sister from now on. I-If that's okay with the both of you. . ."
"As I thought, Fourth Sister is aloof but is quite a cute little sister."
Cute?!
Lanying looked at her brother, taken aback at his thought of her. She was cute? How was she cute? Isn't she quiet and unapproachable? Indifferent and looks down on people? Mind yourself that she led you to your death the first time around!
Her expression felt like an oven slowly warming up over time.
"Yin Long, look what you've done to her. Your praise broke her."
Yin Xingxing lightly scolded Yin Long who just coughs while she pats Lanying's hand.
"Your Brother is right. You are a cute little sister who makes us want to protect you from the bad things that happens in this world. Yet for you to succeed, you cannot stay as what you are anymore. You must learn and experience the real world and that will be the start of your growth. Your brother and I will help you through it together."
Having support from her two elder siblings was making Lanying's heart warm again. She truly wished she had interacted with them first. Before they can continue their conversation, a maid walked up to them and lowers her head slightly to deliver the news.
"Eldest Miss, Eldest Young Master, Fourth Miss. Master says the Crown Prince's birthday banquet has invited the family to attend."
"Tell Father that we will prepare."
Yin Xingxing sent the maid off and stood up from the table at the same time as Lanying.
"Fourth Sister, that plan of yours does need work so Yin Long will help you with it. I'll await for the show to happen."
"En. Eldest Brother and I will give you the best show possible!"
Lanying exclaims happily while seeing her elder sister off, perplexing her elder brother and herself a moment later. Has she lost common sense?
"Lanying, you definitely don't have an arrogant attitude like those other ladies now."
"Brother Long, I don't like how I acted before so I know that this life experience will change if I put my effort into it."
Yin Long agreed with his youngest sister's words. If she doesn't put up the hard work and effort to change her lifestyle, then this life was all for naught. It's better for her to grow stealthily until she's capable enough to deal with her own problems.
Since the current Fourth Miss is not confident enough to take problems into her own hands even if she had experienced death, this life will not be easy on her. From what he believes, it will take awhile for her to digest new things due to her ignorant mind.
"You have a way with words, but will your actions match them?"
"Ah. I-I guess it's the only way to find out. . ."
Lanying went slightly blank. Her brother was right. She did have a way of using wise words but did she have the will to make her words come true? The young lady truly never envisioned what future she wanted to achieve because being the Empress from the past was what she had to focus on after offering herself to be Yang Le's wife.
She wasn't a cruel being to begin with. No fighting techniques, no medical knowledge, and no supernatural powers. None of that. Her life was normal and she was just human even as an arrogant child. Most children didn't know what they were doing back then until they were mature enough to know. And even human beings can frame another human being to death that hurts the very person in their core now.
Lanying gave her brother a hesitated look and breathed a sigh.
"Brother Long is from the Huang Family, right?"
Her words surprised Yin Long and he quickly covers her mouth with his hand.
"Shhh! Did you learn this in the previous life?!"
He whispers to her in a hushed tone while she was flailing her arms up and down in confusion. Was that such a big deal that her brother had to cover her mouth from saying anything? What if she had ulterior motives and told on the emperor that you were a spy to keep the Yin Family in check?! How would you like that, huh?!
As if he noticed her menacing aura, he laughs nervously and releases his hand from her mouth.
"Peng! Really Brother Long? I understand the need to keep it hidden but you didn't have to go far as to cover my mouth from breathing! And yes I heard it from the past life. Brother Long's elder brother came to your funeral and revealed your identity to us."
"Eh? I was dead? Why?"
". . . . ."
When he saw that Lanying didn't give him an answer he didn't say anything else and nods.
"Alright, it's best to not fret about the past anymore. What's gone is gone and the important thing is now and the future. You said something about the plan? Let's plan it out!"
"En!~"
Now she knows two people that gives her happiness: her Eldest Brother Yin Long and her Eldest Sister Yin Xingxing.