Chapter 57: Not Allowed

Yun Yichen had chosen a few gifts but found it difficult to decide on one. He thought it might be wise to discuss it with his cousin to avoid the embarrassment of sending the same gift. As for Mu Fengwu, he was completely excluded from consideration. Who could rely on an unreliable person for a valuable suggestion?

The next day, the three of them happened to meet outside the gate of the Imperial Academy. As they walked and chatted, the topic of General Xiao’s birthday came up.

“What’s so hard about this? Get the old man a weapon! He loves those the most,” said Mu Fengwu, shaking his head dramatically, almost as if he could take flight.

It was common knowledge in the capital that General Xiao loved weapons. However, truly exceptional ones were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

“If only we could ask someone from the Xiao family, they’d surely know what else the old man likes,” Mu Fengwu added again.

As expected, his suggestion was utterly useless, the brothers thought in unison. Over the past three years, only the two youngest grandchildren of General Xiao had accompanied him to the Imperial Academy. The rest of the Xiao family members were unknown to them. How could they possibly ask two little children, “Hey! Tell us what your grandfather likes the most”? That would be too awkward.

As they stepped onto the training ground, Mu Fengwu let out an excited shout, “Heaven always leaves a path! Our luck today is extraordinary.”

In the distance, he had already spotted Xiao Jun practicing his horse stance beside General Xiao’s usual reclining chair, along with Xiao Qi, who had not only failed to shed any weight over the past three years but had grown even chubbier, panting heavily as he kicked.

Seeing that General Xiao was not nearby, Mu Fengwu raised his voice and shouted arrogantly, “Hey, Little Strong, Little Chubby, did you miss your big brother?”

The two little boys either ignored them to focus on the task their grandfather had assigned or simply didn’t think the visitors were worth their time.

“Ah, Xiao Qi, right? How come you’ve grown even chubbier since the last time we met? What have you been eating every day?” The Ninth Prince particularly liked Xiao Qi. The boy was honest, good-natured, and always smiling. He was even more endearing than the lucky children depicted in New Year paintings.

“Heh, heh.” Xiao Qi scratched his head with his plump little hands. He, too, was puzzled about where things had gone wrong. Despite his family trying everything, he continued gaining weight.

Xiao Jun quickly pulled his younger brother aside. He had no good feelings toward the people in front of him, especially that so-called heir. He frequently irritated their grandfather, yet the old man praised him as a martial arts prodigy. Hmph, when I grow up, Xiao Jun thought, the first thing I’ll do is teach him a lesson until he begs for mercy.

Mu Fengwu lightly nudged Yun Yichen with a grin, making exaggerated expressions, as if to tease him, “Look at you! Even little kids dislike you.”

Yun Yichen paid no mind to Xiao Jun’s hostility. The Xiao family was indeed peculiar. Not only did they avoid using their grandchildren to forge connections with royal family members, but they also didn’t care if their grandchildren offended influential people. Perhaps this was why Father valued them—they neither flattered nor fawned over anyone.

“Looks like you’re quite the protective older brother. Do you often take care of your younger sister at home?” Mu Fengwu enjoyed provoking Xiao Jun. Despite being young, Xiao Jun had quite a temper—was this a trait passed down from the old general?

“That’s none of your business! You’re not allowed to talk about my sister!” Xiao Jun retorted fiercely. Before leaving home, his mother had reminded him not to talk about his sister with strangers. His grandfather had also warned that mentioning her in front of unfamiliar people would result in punishment. Though Xiao Jun didn’t understand why the adults said this, he obediently complied.

Besides, he didn’t want anyone to know about his beautiful and smart little sister. Why should these unlikable people know about her?

“Is your sister as sturdy as you? Aha, a girl growing up like you…” Mu Fengwu circled around Xiao Jun, shaking his head and adding, “By the way, aren’t you and your sister twins? Does that mean you two look alike? I’d really like to meet such a sturdy, glaring little girl.”

“I said, you’re not allowed to talk about my sister!” Xiao Jun glared at Mu Fengwu with even more intensity. If this babbling young master ever saw his sister, he’d never speak so frivolously again. Ignorance is truly pitiful. Who told him that twins must look the same? My sister is so beautiful. No, wait. What did he mean by that? Was he saying I look ugly?

Xiao Jun glared at him even harder, adding a cold snort. Being called ugly made him angry; mocking his sister made him even angrier.

“Don’t get mad. I was just joking,” Mu Fengwu said sheepishly. Why couldn’t he control his mouth? He had inadvertently insulted someone’s sister. At this point, Mu Fengwu was convinced Xiao Jun’s twin sister must look just like him. Aren’t twins supposed to look alike?

Yun Yichen and Yun Yifan each grabbed one of Mu Fengwu’s arms. With this reckless young master around, they couldn’t afford to let their guard down for even a moment, lest he blurt out something inappropriate.

“My sister is the prettiest,” Xiao Qi said slowly. He rarely expressed opinions, but he couldn’t accept Mu Fengwu’s tone. How dare someone say his sister was ugly? Little Chubby couldn’t tolerate it.

Xiao Jun didn’t expect his younger brother to suddenly speak up. Now, how were they supposed to handle this? For a moment, he was at a loss.

“She’s the prettiest, huh? How about we meet her someday?” Yun Yifan teased the little chubby boy.

“No.”

“Sure!”

The three older boys couldn’t help but laugh. So, whose word should they trust now?

Xiao Jun quickly covered his brother’s mouth, forbidding him from saying more.

Luckily, General Xiao returned at that moment. Mu Fengwu instantly donned a serious expression—a transformation only years of practice could achieve at such speed.

“You boys are practicing archery today,” the general said sternly.

Originally, five young boys trained under him, but after three years, the grandson of Prince Rong had dropped out, unable to endure the hardships. The youngest son of Prince Qi attended sporadically. Only the remaining three consistently showed up, likely forced by their families.

“Yes, sir,” the three boys responded in unison, turning toward the archery field. Whether they were willing was irrelevant to the general.

“Grandfather, Mu-gege said my sister isn’t pretty,” Xiao Qi complained, hoping his grandfather would confirm that his sister was indeed the most beautiful and that he hadn’t lied.

Xiao Jun sighed deeply. What you fear always comes true. With his brother’s outburst, they were all likely in trouble.

“What’s going on? Xiao Jun, explain!” General Xiao suppressed his anger. He had clearly warned Xiao Jun not to mention Ping’an to outsiders. Why hadn’t he listened?

Seeing Xiao Jun remain silent, General Xiao understood.

He shouted at the group of three, who hadn’t gone far, “Come back here!”

Confused, Yun Yifan and the others turned back, thinking the old man had more instructions.

General Xiao deliberated. What could he say to them now? Warn them not to inquire about his granddaughter? That would be inappropriate.

Whether their remarks were jokes or casual remarks, the Xiao family had no intention of currying favor with the royals. In two years, they would part ways, bridges separated, and paths diverged. They would never trade their granddaughter’s future for status. This belief had kept Ping’an from being introduced to the dragon and phoenix heirs over the past three years.

“It’s nothing. Go practice,” General Xiao waved them off.

Mu Fengwu, oblivious as always, turned and left. However, the two Yun brothers felt something was off. What was the old man’s intention? General Xiao was becoming increasingly inscrutable.

Xiao Jun exhaled in relief. That was close. He resolved to warn his younger brother at home: no more careless words.

Meanwhile, General Xiao made up his mind: he would bring his grandchildren here less often. The scheming minds of royal offspring were too complex for his pure-hearted children to handle. Comparing the shrewd Ninth Prince and the composed Yun heir to his straightforward Xiao Jun and good-natured Xiao Qi, he sighed deeply. They were simply not on the same level.

---