Chapter 1: A False Alarm

In the twelfth year of Tianyu, shortly after the spring imperial exams, the capital welcomed another grand event.

The usually serene and elegant Songshan Academy was now bustling with noise and excitement as the annual academy polo match reached its final competition. On the field, young scholars clad in red and blue uniforms vied fiercely for the win, refusing to yield.

“Xiao Yi, why are you so absent-minded? Is it because the Wen family’s clan school is connected to your aunt’s family, and you’re hesitant to give it your all?” teased another boy, also in a red uniform.

The boy addressed as Xiao Yi was about eleven or twelve years old. Despite his youth, he sat upright on horseback with a poised demeanor. His slightly flushed face from exertion highlighted his thinly pressed lips, long phoenix eyes, and ink-black hair tied up high with a black ribbon.

Xiao Yi frowned slightly but said nothing, guiding his horse away. He couldn’t explain why he felt restless today, distracted, and oddly hoping for the match to end quickly.

When the dust finally settled, he hurriedly waved to the servant standing outside the field. It was supposed to be Qingzhou accompanying him today, but seeing Qingfang here instead signaled something was up.

“Is there something wrong?” Xiao Yi asked.

“Young Master, Young Master,” Qingfang hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear.

“What did you say? Repeat that!” Xiao Yi seemed unsure if he had heard correctly or wished he had heard wrong.

Qingfang nervously swallowed before repeating, “I said… Madam has just given birth to a little young master… the Fifth Young Master.” His voice trailed off, barely audible by the end.

A heavy feeling settled in Xiao Yi’s heart as his grandfather’s words echoed in his mind. With a bitter smile, he shook his head.

“Brothers, this is our academy’s third consecutive championship! Let’s go to Wanfu Pavilion and celebrate!”

“Exactly! What a joyous day—we should celebrate!”

“Yes, yes!”

The group grew more animated as they spoke, crowding together and heading toward Wanfu Pavilion. Xiao Yi gradually lagged behind. Once everyone was out of sight, he mounted his horse, eager to return home to see his mother. With that thought, he cracked his whip and galloped away.

It didn’t take long for Xiao Yi to arrive at the grand gates of his family’s estate. Just as he reached out to push open the vermillion door, his grandfather’s words from earlier rang in his ears again:

“Now that the eldest and second daughters-in-law are both expecting, whichever family gives birth to a girl will be the pride of the Xiao family. That child will be engaged to Miss Fang. If both bear sons… humph… we’ll draw lots.”

Clearing his thoughts, Xiao Yi stepped through the gates. His mother’s safe delivery of a younger sibling brought him immense joy, more valuable than anything else, didn’t it?

Walking through the courtyard and along the corridors, he was greeted by the smiling faces of maids, servants, and houseboys, all brimming with congratulations.

Outside the elegant garden where his parents resided, Xiao Yi first spotted his father, Xiao Jingkang, pacing back and forth while craning his neck to peer inside. Normally composed and dignified, the head of the Xiao family now seemed flustered and at a loss.

“Father, why are you outside? Aren’t you going in?” Xiao Yi asked, puzzled.

“I’m waiting for you and Ayang,” Xiao Jingkang replied, his smile unable to be concealed.

“Father, how are Mother and the baby?” Xiao Yi asked, feeling a bit embarrassed at his father’s exaggerated reaction. After all, this was already his third son.

Before Xiao Jingkang could reply, hurried footsteps approached. Xiao Yang—no, the second son, Xiao Yang—arrived breathlessly. He said nothing, his face tilted upward, staring intently at his father with a look that screamed: Well, is it a boy or a girl?

In an unusually jovial mood, Xiao Jingkang decided to tease him and remained silent. The father and son engaged in a staring contest while Xiao Yi imagined cartoonish crows flying above their heads. This was hardly the time for childish games!

“Father, I want to see Mother!” The younger boy finally broke down, blinking rapidly as he spoke.

“Only your mother?” Xiao Jingkang teased again, enjoying this rare moment of seeing his normally stoic son flustered.

“Father!” Xiao Yi intervened, exasperated. Otherwise, who knew how long this nonsense would last?

“Alright, let’s go together,” Xiao Jingkang relented. Truthfully, he was just as eager—no, even more so—to see his child. He’d only had a quick glance earlier before being shooed away by the women in the family.

As the three entered the garden, they ran into the family patriarch, General Xiao Hu, on his way out.

“Father.”
“Greetings, Grandfather.”
“Greetings, Grandfather.”

“Hmm, rise. Go see your little sister now, but keep your voices down. Don’t frighten her, and you can’t hold her just yet. Wait until she’s older,” the spirited General Xiao, nearing sixty, instructed.

When neither boy responded immediately, General Xiao cast a puzzled glance at Xiao Jingkang, who shook his head just as confused.

“I have a little sister?” Xiao Yang’s voice shot up an octave. Grabbing his father’s sleeve, he shook it with excitement, throwing his usual reserved demeanor out the window. He had just learned he was now a big brother, not yet even clarifying whether it was a brother or sister.

Though older and more composed, Xiao Yi’s heart swelled with joy. He also thought of Qingfang—the source of his earlier distress—and resolved to give him a proper scolding later. Cleaning the stables sounded like a fitting punishment.

“Yes, Ayang, you have a little sister. Not only that, but you also have a little brother!” General Xiao smiled, patting Ayang’s head.

“Twins!”

“Twins!”

The brothers exchanged a glance, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Seeing their eagerness, General Xiao mercifully waved them along. Forgetting everything else, the boys sprinted toward their mother.

“Mother, Sister, I’m here to see you!” they thought simultaneously. As for their brother, well, they would spare him a glance.

Poor Fifth Young Master, unaware that being overlooked had only just begun.

Watching his sons dash off, Xiao Jingkang rubbed his nose and looked pleadingly at General Xiao, who ignored him entirely. He hadn’t had enough time with his granddaughter yet! If it weren’t inappropriate to linger in his son’s quarters for too long, he wouldn’t have left either.

“This is our Xiao family’s first legitimate granddaughter. Make sure she’s well cared for. I recall Elder Zhao boasting about how robust and clever his grandson is. I’ll ask where he found his wet nurses and hire two for my granddaughter,” he declared, striding off before Xiao Jingkang could respond.

Xiao Jingkang sighed. His father’s partiality toward the granddaughter was blatant, but there was no arguing with him. He silently hoped his prepared wet nurses were sufficient. Before taking more than a few steps, he heard his father’s footsteps returning.

“Eldest, I forgot to mention one thing.”

“Father, please go ahead,” Xiao Jingkang said, stopping in his tracks.

“When it comes to naming the children, think carefully before making any decisions. As for the granddaughter’s name, I’ll take care of that!” With that, he hurried off again, leaving no room for objection.

Xiao Jingkang’s mouth twitched. If his father wanted to name the granddaughter, he could have just said so. Did he really need to sideline his other grandson so blatantly? Luckily, Xiao Jingkang had anticipated this. For now, his father’s heart and mind were filled solely with his granddaughter.

Poor Fifth Young Master.