Chapter 69: Xiao Zhiying is Provoked

"What?" Nangong Xin immediately protested, displeased. "I don't want to!"

She wanted to stay here, to be closer to her beloved Junle.

But Nangong Ao had already made up his mind.

"Xin Xin, things have been unsettled lately. I have to manage both the company and our family affairs, and I can't look after you. For your own safety, you should stay home and behave yourself."

Seeing the grave expression on her brother's face, Nangong Xin guessed that the cause of his recent illness was no simple matter. It was likely that an old family enemy had set their sights on the Nangong family again, and she dared not act willfully.

"Alright," she replied with a dejected nod. "I'll move out tomorrow."

"Good." Nangong Ao gave her careful instructions. "Don't go out unless necessary, and avoid gatherings for now. We'll see what measures to take next."

"I understand."

From a young age, Nangong Xin had known that being a member of the Nangong family meant enjoying a life others could only envy. But it also meant facing dangers unique to their name.

Usually, with Grandmother and her eldest brother as her shield, she and the other family members could enjoy life in safety. But when trouble arose, they had to protect themselves.

In the afternoon, Xiao Zhiying heard that Nangong Xin had been hospitalized the previous night and came by to visit her.

Knowing Nangong Xin's fondness for a certain brand of skincare and fragrance, she brought plenty as gifts. She also invited her to a fashion party the next evening.

But this time, Nangong Xin declined politely, "Zhiying, I won't be attending any gatherings for a while."

"Why not?" Xiao Zhiying asked, puzzled. "Has your brother grounded you?"

In this world, only Lady Nangong and Nangong Ao could keep the third young lady in line. Now that Nangong Xin was staying at the family manor, it was obvious whose orders these were.

Unable to reveal the truth, Nangong Xin could only nod in affirmation.

"Is it because of your cousin? I can tell your brother treats her…" Xiao Zhiying trailed off suggestively.

Nangong Xin was baffled. "What about my brother and my cousin?"

"Xin Xin, don't you think your brother is unusually kind to her?" Xiao Zhiying hinted. "He never lets anyone stay at the family manor—not even my sister, when she was dating him."

"That was Grandmother's request!" Nangong Xin failed to catch her meaning. "Besides, Grandmother never liked your sister. Even if my brother was fond of her, he couldn't bring her here."

"But your brother spoils your cousin too much. He even punished you for her sake!"

In the past, such words would have made Nangong Xin grit her teeth in hatred for Xianyu Qing. But now, since she had used Xianyu Qing as a scapegoat, she felt embarrassed to speak ill of her.

"Never mind, I'm moving back home tomorrow anyway. She can do whatever she wants." Nangong Xin waved her hand indifferently.

As long as Xianyu Qing kept her word and didn't try to get close to Junle, that was enough.

Xiao Zhiying was momentarily speechless.

When had Nangong Xin become so easygoing?

After a while, Xiao Zhiying continued, "Xin Xin, if you're moving back tomorrow, what if your cousin tries to pester Young Master Xi?"

Nangong Xin pursed her lips. "She'll never set foot inside the Xi family home. Grandmother would never agree. No matter what she tries, she can't stir up much trouble."

"Let’s not talk about her." Xiao Zhiying changed the subject. "What about you? Weren’t you hoping to stay here to get closer to Young Master Xi?"

Nangong Xin had come to terms with it. "Junle is always busy outside and rarely returns to the manor. Even if I stay here, I won't see him. I'd be better off attending his concerts."

In fact, Nangong Ao had advised her to use this time, when she couldn't attend social gatherings, to catch up on etiquette lessons and learn how to manage family affairs. Otherwise, how could she ever hope to be the lady of the house?

Nangong Xin found her brother’s words reasonable and even began to regret having spent all her time playing instead of working toward her goals.

Xiao Zhiying hadn’t expected that, in just a few days, Nangong Xin would have been so thoroughly influenced by her brother.

"Well, if you can see it that way, that's for the best," Xiao Zhiying said with a forced smile.

When Xiao Zhiying returned home, she passed by the music room and heard Xiao Zhiyun playing Nangong Ao’s favorite piece.

Unable to resist, she entered and mocked, "So you still have the leisure to play the piano? Don’t you know Xianyu Qing is openly living at the Nangong manor now, while you’re still trying to curry favor? How laughable!"

Xiao Zhiyun paused, half-believing, half-doubting. "Xianyu is living at the Nangong manor?"

"What, the young master didn’t tell you? And you think you’re his favorite," Xiao Zhiying sneered.

Hearing the sarcasm, Xiao Zhiyun couldn’t tell what had provoked her sister, nor did she want to ask further and risk more ridicule. She decided she would ask Xianyu Qing herself another day.

But Xiao Zhiying wasn’t finished. "Let me give you a word of advice, dear sister. As long as your illness remains, you will never enter the Nangong family. And even if you recover, whether the position of mistress is still waiting for you is another matter entirely!"

Xiao Zhiyun replied calmly, "I have faith in Ziyu."

"Ha!" Xiao Zhiying scoffed. "Men's hearts change without warning. With a beauty by his side, do you really expect him to stay loyal to you?"

"…"

"Take my advice: don't let yourself be used by others. By the time you regret it, it'll be too late!"

Xiao Zhiyun had no wish to hear more of her sister’s dire warnings. She closed the piano lid and walked out.

Xiao Zhiying watched her leave, her eyes glinting with venom. "Stay blindly confident. One day, what’s mine—you won’t be able to take from me."

Returning to her room, Xiao Zhiyun retrieved her diary, where she had recorded every precious moment since meeting Nangong Ao.

Though her health had always been poor; though their time together was brief; though Lady Nangong’s prejudice kept her from standing openly at Nangong Ao’s side…

Despite all these "thoughs," there was one "but"—but she simply liked Nangong Ao.

Even before saving him three years ago, she had been fond of the eldest young master of the Nangong family.

She had first seen him at a gathering in Jiangnan before she was sixteen, and was struck by his grace and bearing. She had wondered then why such a handsome, elegant man would always appear so solemn.

If she could, she would gladly trade her frail life just to see him truly smile.

Later, in a twist of fate, she saved him.

She thought she might finally have the chance to bring him happiness. Who could have guessed that his frown only deepened?

Because of her illness, because she had not yet received a heart transplant, because of Lady Nangong’s dislike, because of the world’s malicious gossip… his smile had never appeared.

Sometimes, Xiao Zhiyun thought, if someone could make him smile, even if the one standing by his side was not her, she would accept it.