Chapter 6: A New Little Sister

When Nangong Ao was about to be driven out along with Xianyu Qing, he had already stepped outside the lounge.

He had merely come to see how the girl his grandmother brought home would be bullied and thrown out of the Nangong family. Who could have predicted her audacity—daring to strike in front of so many people!

Did she really think that just because she carried the blood of the Nangong family, she could act with impunity?

Nangong Ao walked straight toward Xianyu Qing.

Unlike Nangong Lü’s more delicate features, Nangong Ao’s profile was sharply defined yet retained a certain elegance; his blue eyes were a shade deeper than Nangong Lü’s, reminiscent of a mysterious, tranquil spring, capable of enchanting and utterly bewitching those who met his gaze. Beneath his rosy lips ran a pronounced groove—the so-called ‘beauty’s cleft’ of legend.

He was tall and slender, nearly one meter ninety, so that when he stood before the one-meter-sixty Xianyu Qing, she had to tilt her head to meet his eyes.

From the reactions of those around and the commanding aura he exuded, it was not hard to guess that he was the master of the Nangong household.

Xianyu Qing’s clear autumn eyes fixed unwaveringly on Nangong Ao, causing his brows to furrow more tightly.

The look in this girl’s eyes was utterly unlike those women who gazed at him with amorous glances, nor was it the shy, tender gaze of Xiao Zhiyun. Instead, her gaze was calm and unperturbed, as if, in her eyes, he was nothing more than a passing stranger.

In truth, everyone misunderstood Xianyu Qing.

Her first impressions of everyone were always in black and white—indeed, somewhat blurred black and white. Only after two or three minutes of adjustment would her mind gradually present people as others saw them.

That was why Dou Dou would say that, at first glance, her eyes seemed as innocent and bewildered as a ragdoll cat’s. The reason was, she simply couldn’t see clearly.

This affliction had been with her for as long as she could remember. The doctors could not pinpoint a cause, and only those close to her knew of her condition.

Ordinarily, she concealed it well, but today, faced with so many people, her adjustment was slower than usual.

“So this is the sort of upbringing the Xianyu family provides?”

With that one sentence from Nangong Ao, Xianyu Qing was ready to relegate him to the rank of a mere passerby.

But before that, she answered, demonstrating her manners: “The Xianyu family’s teaching is to never be arrogant or rude to guests.”

Nangong Ao was momentarily speechless.

This was the first time anyone had left him at a loss for words.

It seemed he had underestimated this girl. Just as his grandmother had said, there was not a single easy person in the Nangong family.

And the most typical example was, of course, the Third Miss Nangong!

“You little stray, sneaking in here—how dare you call us rude!” If not for Xiao Zhiying’s restraining hand, Nangong Xin would have already rushed over.

She and her father, Nangong Fengxiao, were infamous for their tempers in the Nangong family! Tonight was her birthday banquet; already, she was making an effort to restrain herself.

Xianyu Qing said nothing more—she didn’t care for arguments. Her brother had always told her to be a polite little lady.

She might use her hands, but rarely her words. And even with her hands, it was seldom indeed.

A low, inappropriate chuckle came from Nangong Lü’s seductive voice. “Girl, which Salted Fish family are you from? You do have an interesting way with words.”

Usually, it was he who played the torch to ignite Nangong Xin’s temper; was he to relinquish that role now?

Xianyu Qing ignored him and turned to leave.

At that moment, Housekeeper Xue finally appeared.

She stopped Xianyu Qing and addressed the three Nangong siblings, “Young Master, Young Misses, please move to the rear lounge; Madam and several ladies and gentlemen are waiting for you.”

Then, to Xianyu Qing, she said gently, “Madam wishes for Miss Xianyu to join as well.”

Xianyu Qing nodded and followed Housekeeper Xue out first.

Nangong Lü glanced curiously at Nangong Ao, “Big Brother, who exactly is that girl?”

But Nangong Ao was already murmuring softly to Xiao Zhiyun, “We won’t have much time together tonight. Head home early and take care of yourself.”

Xiao Zhiyun nodded gently, her eyes shy. “Alright.”

Xiao Zhiying immediately stepped forward with a graceful smile. “Young Master Ao, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to look after Yun’er.”

Nangong Ao offered a quiet word of thanks, then left the banquet hall with Nangong Lü and Nangong Xin.

Xiao Zhiyun was still gazing dreamily after Nangong Ao’s retreating figure, while Xiao Zhiying’s eyes were fixed upon the extra sparkling diamond necklace adorning her sister’s fair, slender neck.

That must be a custom-made gift from Young Master Ao, brought specially from abroad. Her younger sister was truly the apple of his eye.

Alas, her health was so delicate.

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The Nangong family estate was divided into a front and back courtyard.

The front was reserved for banquets and entertaining guests; the rear courtyard was the residence of Madam Nangong, Nangong Ao, and Nangong Xin.

Nangong Lü belonged to Madam Nangong’s brother’s branch, so he did not live at the main estate. He resided with his parents and Nangong Simiao at another villa.

Recently, Nangong Xin had traveled abroad with her maternal cousins; as for Nangong Ao, unless important matters required his presence, he usually stayed at a villa closer to the company.

Thus, in the ten-odd days since Xianyu Qing arrived at the Nangong home, only Nangong Ao had known of her presence early on—everyone else was meeting her for the first time.

As for Xianyu Qing’s background, Madam Nangong explained little, saying only that she had been entrusted by the girl’s parents years ago and had promised to look after her.

Regarding her mother, who lay in a crystal coffin, Madam Nangong kept silent out of respect for her slumbering secret.

After Madam Nangong’s introduction, everyone fell silent.

Only Nangong Lü flashed Xianyu Qing a dazzling smile. “So, it seems we’ve gained a new little sister?”

Xianyu Qing sat demurely with downcast eyes, her hands folded like a cat’s paws.

Nangong Xin sneered, “Sister, brother—what sister or brother? We’re hardly close at all.”

A granddaughter of Grandmother’s cousin—if the family didn’t value bloodlines, she’d barely count as a distant relation!

Madam Nangong’s cool gaze swept over. “Xin’er, I heard you made things difficult for Qing at the banquet?”

“I… I didn’t know she was Grandmother’s guest,” Nangong Xin stammered.

“Qing is not a guest; she is family!” Madam Nangong’s gentle, elegant voice carried a steely resolve. “From now on, you must treat her as one of us. You are not to trouble her again!”

Faced with her grandmother’s authority, Nangong Xin dared not protest, though her displeasure was plain.

Beside her, Liu Mei nudged her daughter, earning only a cold snort.

Nangong Fengxiao coughed sternly a few times before Nangong Xin reluctantly replied, “Xin will remember.”

A mocking voice followed. “Xin has always been proud; it’s only natural she can’t accept this so quickly.”

The speaker was Jiang Xue, Nangong Lü’s mother, a woman from a family of lawyers—sharp-tongued by nature.

Normally, with Nangong Siyao present, she would have smoothed things over, but today he was abroad at an art exhibition, leaving his sister Nangong Simiao to fill in.

“Xin is still young, Second Sister-in-law, don’t take her words to heart,” Nangong Simiao said gently, her tone as soft and graceful as her appearance.

But today, Jiang Xue had other matters on her mind and was not inclined to let things go. “Xin is eighteen today—surely she’s not still a child!”

Nangong Xin was indignant. “Second Aunt, I merely had security escort her out, yet she laid hands on my guests!”