Chapter 4:  The Second Sister Realizes Something’s Wrong, but It’s Too Late

Inside the great hall, Chu Ruyan’s feelings were deeply conflicted.

She didn’t expect things to escalate to this point.

As the most cunning and strategic among the Chu sisters, Chu Ruyan clearly understood the consequences that Chu Li’s departure could bring.

The three Chu sisters were each stunningly beautiful, with exceptional martial talent and distinct strengths that inspired envy from countless admirers and suitors.

However, in the end, they were not male heirs.

The only male truly carrying on the Chu family bloodline was Chu Li. No matter how much they doted on the adopted son Chu Ming, this was still the reality.

They might accept Chu Ming wholeheartedly—but outsiders would not necessarily see it the same way.

From the perspective of the family’s interests, keeping Chu Li was undeniably the wiser move.

Of course, though she knew this in theory, Chu Ruyan had honestly never thought much about it. Her focus had always been on using every means possible to send the best resources to Chu Ming.

As for Chu Li, this elder sister hadn’t truly concerned herself with him for a long time.

Yet just before, at the moment Chu Li resolutely declared he would leave the Chu family, her heart had inexplicably twinged with pain.

“Why… would I feel that way?”

Chu Ruyan herself couldn’t answer that question, but after hearing her sisters and father speak, she couldn’t help but sense that something felt wrong.

Should they really strip Chu Li of his academy spot?

The Shengwu Academy was the most prestigious institution in Great Xia. Taking away Chu Li’s spot might well ruin his entire future.

“Ruyan, what are you saying? Giving Chu Li’s spot to Ah Ming—what’s wrong with that?”

Chu Lingtian questioned impatiently, his tone dripping with annoyance.

In his eyes, Chu Li was nothing but an ungrateful wretch, undeserving of anything.

Chu Xiao’er also chimed in, glancing at Chu Ruyan in confusion.

“That’s right, Second Sister. What could possibly be wrong? If we don’t cancel his spot, how can Ah Ming enter the academy?”

“I mean… I could find another spot for Ah Ming,”

Faced with her family’s questions, Chu Ruyan could only offer an excuse:

“I just think there’s no need for the Chu family to lose an academy slot for nothing. Let me go and call Chu Li back.”

As the clever and well-connected disciple of Great Xia’s Prime Minister Li Mu, Chu Ruyan had broad networks, and winning the Chu family another Shengwu Academy spot wasn’t beyond her capabilities.

Hearing this, Chu Lingtian and the others fell silent for a moment.

Having an extra Shengwu Academy slot would indeed benefit the family’s future—everyone knew that.

Only the adopted son, Chu Ming, frowned slightly, a hint of unease rising in his heart.

“Don’t tell me Chu Li will really get to go back to school? I finally waited for him to foolishly leave the Chu family so I could snatch his slot.”

If the Shengwu Academy ended up with two young masters from the Chu family—one real, one fake—he, the fake one, would certainly be ostracized.

Thinking of this, Chu Ming grew worried. But after a moment, Chu Xiao’er chuckled.

“Second Sister, there’s no need to go looking for Chu Li. Do you really think he’d actually leave? It’s probably just a trick, playing hard to get!”

Chu Xiao’er spoke with certainty, and her reasoning seemed solid.

In past years, Chu Li had also quarreled with other family members, but every time he came back, even trying to win their favor afterward.

Each time, Chu Xiao’er would go along just enough to smooth things over—but in her heart, Chu Ming was always her first priority.

In her view, this time was no different from before.

Chu Li might walk out, but he’d soon return.

“After all, who would willingly give up a place at the academy?”

“That’s right. Chu Li is so calculating. It won’t be long before he comes back crying, begging us to let him attend,”

Chu Lingtian sneered, acting as though he saw right through Chu Li. But Chu Ruyan gently frowned.

For some reason, she had an inexplicable feeling—this time was different.

Recalling the look on Chu Li’s face at that moment, as though he had let go of something, Chu Ruyan felt he might truly never return.

“Could this be why I feel so uneasy?”

Thinking of this, Chu Ruyan felt puzzled. She hadn’t cared so much about Chu Li before, but now that he had left, she couldn’t help feeling deeply concerned.

It felt as though something inside her had been awakened—or perhaps she was on the verge of remembering something.

After thinking for a moment, she turned to Chu Lingtian:

“Father, this time is different. Let me go in person.”

“Ruyan, you…”

Before Chu Lingtian could finish, Chu Ruyan hurriedly turned and left, leaving the others quite puzzled.

“What’s gotten into Second Sister? Why does it look like she’s taking Chu Li’s side now?”

“I don’t know, but Ruyan has always been clever—she must have her own reasons.”

As Chu Wanling said this, she closed her eyes to rest and began treating Chu Ming’s injuries. Seeing this, Chu Xiao’er also fell silent.

“Hmph, let her do as she likes.”

Chu Lingtian turned his head, deciding not to bother about it anymore.

…

At the same time, in a quiet corner of the vast Chu family estate—

Inside an old yet carefully tidied room, Chu Li had already packed his belongings.

Although to call it “packing” was generous—there really wasn’t much.

Over the years, the Chu family had given him almost nothing, as if they had forgotten he even existed. Even at meals, he sat alone at the farthest table, watching the family happily share food with Chu Ming.

Inside his small pack, aside from some money he’d quietly saved up over the years in case of emergencies, there were only a few things:

A change of clothes, documents allowing him to travel freely, and a sword.

But when he reached a cabinet, Chu Li stopped and fell silent.

There weren’t many items displayed on the cabinet: a martial arts manual, a jade pendant, and a throwing dart—all of little monetary value.

Yet to the former him, they were priceless treasures.

The martial arts manual had been given to him when he was young by his eldest sister, Chu Wanling—back then, she cared for him most deeply.

The jade pendant came from his second sister, Chu Ruyan. Few remembered it now, but when they were children, Ruyan too had been in poor health, and they had shared a special bond. At that time, Ruyan had even been a little overprotective of her younger brother.

This pendant, meant to strengthen his body, was a birthday gift from her.

But now, Ruyan cared only for Chu Ming, and it had been a long time since they’d last spoken.

As for the throwing dart—it had been given by his third sister, Chu Xiao’er, who had once earnestly told him that if his frail health kept him from pursuing martial arts, she’d teach him special techniques instead, because keeping himself alive mattered most.

Looking at these three objects, which he had cherished for years, Chu Li fell silent for a long time before letting out a deep sigh.

A sigh for the ever-changing world and how things and people drift apart; a sigh that familial love had scattered, leaving no way back.

Once, he had treasured that love.

But from now on, he wouldn’t.

After that single sigh, Chu Li turned and walked out of the room—just then, a voice sounded beside him.

“Young master, you’re back. You’re carrying a bundle—what is this?”

“Aunt Liu? You came at just the right time; I was about to look for you.”

Seeing Aunt Liu, the servant who had cared for him all these years, Chu Li looked genuinely glad, a warm smile lighting up his handsome face.

“Aunt Liu, starting today, I’m leaving the Chu family to live on my own outside.”

“Truly? That’s wonderful, young master! You’ve finally thought it through!”

Hearing this, Aunt Liu grew emotional, tears of relief and joy gathering at the corners of her eyes.

Over the years, no one in the household knew better than the servants what kind of life Chu Li, the eldest son, had endured.

Although born as the heir of the Chu family, he lived worse than a servant. His room was the oldest and shabbiest in the estate, and there wasn’t even anyone assigned to properly look after him.

Meanwhile, that fake young master, Chu Ming, lived in the finest residence, enjoyed the best cultivation resources, and had countless attendants.

Aunt Liu had served the Chu family for many years and had seen it all, long feeling that it was unfair and undeserved for Chu Li.

Never mind his martial talent and birthright—just by virtue of the young master’s looks alone, he could charm countless wealthy young ladies outside.

Anywhere else would surely be better than staying in this house!

Yet, what everyone else could see clearly, young master Chu Li could not—blinded by his longing for family affection.

Fortunately, now he had finally realized.

“Young master, it’s good that you’ve thought it through. Go quickly—this place isn’t worth staying in,” Aunt Liu said, wiping her tears.

“Yes, I understand. Before, I was too stubborn and wouldn’t listen to your advice, but now I’ve finally come to see it.”

Looking at the woman who had cared for him for so many years, Chu Li said sincerely:

“Aunt Liu, take care.”

“You too, young master—please take good care of your health!”

“Mm.”

Nodding slightly, Chu Li turned and, under Aunt Liu’s watchful gaze, stepped out of the Chu family gates.

His body was still frail and weak; he couldn’t walk quickly. Yet the moment he left the Chu family, a strange feeling of liberation surged through him, and he couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

In the past, he had always believed that his sickly body wasn’t fit to step outside on his own—but now his mind had changed.

Leaving the Chu family, it turned out, wasn’t so terrifying after all.

“Laughing to the sky, I step out the door—for how could men like us be mere weeds by the roadside!”

Under the surprised gaze of the gate guards, Chu Li left with a smile, never once looking back.

His figure grew smaller and smaller, until finally, it disappeared completely into the setting sun.