This is understandable. If it were to spread that the Second Young Lady of the Lian family nearly killed her own sister, Yuebing would no longer be able to marry.
Seeing Yueyao's gentle movements, mild speech, and the faint smile on her face, Yuehuan couldn't help but think of an idiom, "the epitome of a lady."
Yuehuan had seen Yueying and Yuebing before. Yes, in her opinion, both were beauties with a classic feminine charm. But while Yueying was dignified, her poise felt excessive to the point of discomfort for Yuehuan. As for Yuebing, she appeared naive; flattering would call it innocence, while a harsher critique would label her heartless and spoiled. Additionally, whenever the Second Young Lady, Yuebing, looked at her, there was an unavoidable flicker of insincerity in her eyes. No one had explained the details of the incident to her. Yuehuan theorized that this head-bumping incident was not as simple as it seemed.
Yuehuan could also understand that those born out of wedlock either lived humbly or were raised to feel inferior. She used to read novels in her spare time and even followed a few series. However, she believed it was difficult for illegitimate children to thrive due to the simple reason of social structure. You cannot fight against a society's system. The current situation of the illegitimate Eldest Miss, Yueying, and the legitimate Second Young Lady, Yuebing, was a prime example. Eldest Miss Yueying's excessive dignity was a manifestation of her inferiority complex. Second Young Lady Yuebing, on the other hand, was raised so indulgently that she became heartless and spoiled.
Deep down, Yuehuan sighed; the only person she felt comfortable with was distant and clearly reluctant to develop a close relationship with her. Yuehuan couldn't help but speculate whether this body she inhabited had a past conflict with this younger sister.
Yueyao exchanged a few courteous words with Yuehuan and was about to leave when she heard someone outside announce the return of the Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master.
Both brothers had come home for a break. Hearing that Yuehuan had bumped her head, and though she was not their full sister, as brothers, they were compelled to visit her after such a serious incident.
After they entered, Tingyi anxiously asked, "Fourth younger sister, fourth younger sister, are you alright? I just returned to the estate and heard you bumped your head and were unconscious for a whole day and night. You don't even remember anyone? Fourth younger sister, do you still remember your second brother?"
Yueyao glanced at Tingyi. She had to call him "second brother" in Yuehuan's presence. What kind of logic was that?
Although Tingli did not express his concern as blatantly as Tingyi, his eyes also revealed worry: "Sister, how are you feeling? Do you have a headache?"
Yuehuan was somewhat surprised to see her half-brothers so concerned about her. Weren't the relationships between legitimate and illegitimate siblings supposed to be poor? Why were these two legitimate brothers so caring toward her? Although Yuehuan found it strange, she did not let it show on her face. She replied with a smile, "Eldest brother, second brother, don't worry. I'm fine." She grew up in an orphanage, but unlike the stereotypical image of children from orphanages being depressed, antisocial, and brooding, she was well-liked. Still, for all her popularity, she lacked the care of family, which was a great regret.
Since coming here, despite grappling with her status as an illegitimate child, her Maternal Auntie still held a deep affection for her. Her Maternal Auntie had been with her constantly for the past few days, caring for her with gentleness and consideration, sharing many stories with her. Moreover, she had a younger brother by blood; hearing his childlike voice calling her "sister" instantly softened her heart. Though she was a stranger in this place, with an awkward standing, with an affectionate Maternal Auntie and a blood brother, she wasn't completely alone. Having family at least filled the void of her previous life.
Until now, except for her father who was away on official duties, and her grandmother, Yuehuan had met the rest of the family. She was thankful for her older brothers' concern but only on the surface. There was a marked difference between kinship and maintaining distance was best. She had seen the family's legal mother, who didn't seem prominent but was in fact a formidable figure. Thus, it was better for her to keep a proper distance from these legitimate sons and daughters.
Yueyao watched Tingli and Tingyi to the side, thinking how wonderful it would have been to have a brother. In that way, there would have been someone to share the burden with her, and she wouldn't have fallen into such a state in her previous life. As Yueyao pondered this, she couldn't help but laugh at her own foolishness. If she had had a brother, her mother wouldn't have died. Her father wouldn't have died either. She wouldn't have fallen into such a plight in her previous life. Now, she had to rely on herself for everything. With this thought, Yueyao stood up and said with a smile, "Eldest Brother and Second Brother, please have a good chat with Third Younger Sister, Yueyao will take her leave first."
Tingli nodded.
Yueyao said her goodbyes to Tingyi and Yuehuan and then left. When she reached the center of the courtyard, she paused for a moment and then gave some instructions to Hua Lei.
Hua Lei waited for a while before she saw the Eldest Young Master come out from inside. Hua Lei stepped forward and after performing a courtesy, she said, "Eldest Young Master, our young lady specifically instructed this servant to wait here. The miss said she wants to borrow a few books from the Eldest Young Master."
Tingli was somewhat surprised, "Which books does Third Young Lady wish to borrow?" He was following the path of the imperial examinations, looking at books related to this field. Third Young Lady, no matter how scholarly, would find these books of no use. For what purpose did she want to borrow these books?
Hua Lei replied softly, "The miss said that she is now tutoring Young Master Zheng and is lacking suitable books. She would like to borrow the Four Books and Five Classics that the Eldest Young Master has used."
Tingli told her he would have them sent over shortly, "I'll have someone send them over in a little while."
Tingli looked at the departing Hua Lei, "Have you heard anything unusual about Third Young Lady recently?" Sending her Personal Maid to wait for him and specifically asking for the used Four Books and Five Classics—if it was only about borrowing books, there was no need to be specific about asking for the used ones. If his guess wasn't wrong, Third Younger Sister wasn't looking for his used Four Books and Five Classics, but rather those books with his uncle's annotations. To think that the Third Younger Sister, who was known for copying scriptures, was starting to strategize as well.
The Personal Attendant shook his head, "I'm not sure."
Tingli thought about the books with his uncle's personal annotations that he had in his possession, his eyes flickering briefly. Such things were priceless and couldn't be bought with all the gold in the world. Upon this realization, Tingli said to Ah Gui beside him, "Go inquire about this. Find out what's different with Third Young Lady these days, compared to before."
After Tingli and Tingyi had left, Yuehuan asked Hong Yi, "Do I have a poor relationship with Third Young Lady?" This little girl seemed not to be arrogant, just a bit aloof. Yuehuan speculated that if there had been no feud between them, her attitude wouldn't be as such.
Hong Yi was quick-witted, "Third Young Lady, you don't have a close relationship with her, nor do you have any conflict. You had been in Jiangnan before and only returned over half a year ago. Since coming back, you have been busy copying scriptures and have only started socializing recently. Miss, there's no need to be offended, Third Young Lady is just like that, she doesn't really interact with the Eldest Miss and Second Young Lady either." Without a close relationship, one couldn't really speak of it as good or bad.
Yuehuan let out a sigh of relief upon hearing that there was no conflict, as she still wanted to forge a good relationship with this lady! She wouldn't want their relationship to turn hostile before it had even begun. As for Yueying and Yuebing, Yuehuan didn't have any particular thoughts just yet. Better to understand the situation thoroughly first.