Big Brother didn’t move, letting her cling tightly to his leg, enjoying the feeling of being fully relied on by his little junior sister at this moment.

Over these years, he had been living in the capital and was not allowed to leave unless there was an urgent matter. Every year, he managed somehow to visit their teacher once, and at the same time, he would see Shier (Twelve).

Because of the large age difference between them, naturally, they couldn’t be as close as with Xiao Shi (Ten) or Shi Yi (Eleven). As expected, she was afraid of him, but despite her fear, that didn’t stop her from pulling his beard, getting into trouble and then hiding behind him. When she wanted to use him as a “banner,” she would shamelessly act all fierce right in front of him, as if she wasn’t worried at all about him exposing her.

She would run after him when he was about to leave and return to the capital, and whenever something upset her, she would cling to his leg like now.

Because he was her big brother, she put all her emotions out in front of him. She feared him, yes, but when happy, she would laugh with him; when unhappy, she wanted him to comfort her; when sad, she wanted to lean on him. That bit of fear seemed almost fake.

He had children and grandchildren, officials who depended on him, subordinates, and many peers, but only Shier would throw away all the heavy identities that weighed on him and treat him like an ordinary big brother. In her eyes, none of those titles mattered as much as being her brother.

“Big Brother, will the descendants of the Mo family give it to me or not?”

See, whatever she asked from him, she did so with absolute confidence—neither roundabout nor scheming. If he didn’t give it, when she was little she would have bitten his leg. Later, Wan Xia taught her not to bite people anymore, so she would just hug his leg and wouldn’t let go until she got what she wanted. If he dared to forcefully pry her off, their teacher’s stick was always faster than his hands.

Big Brother smiled, “What if I don’t give it? Teacher isn’t here now.”

“What can I do then? I’ll just have to go home with you! I haven’t even met my big nephew and great-grandson yet!”

Big Brother gave her a playful tap on the head, then reluctantly started to rub it: “Threatening your big brother?”

“Yes.” Shi Buyu struggled to break free and stop him from rubbing her head: “Give it or not?”

“Still too early.” Big Brother no longer hid it: “He’s already preparing for the future. When you need it, he will come.”

Shi Buyu pondered, “I know him?”

“Yes.”

She knew him! Shi Buyu instantly perked up and started digging through everyone she knew, trying to guess who it could be. But since she knew too many people, she really couldn’t think of who was most likely.

Just as she was about to narrow down the possibilities, Big Brother cut in, “Have you decided what to do about the Zamuguo (Zamu Kingdom) side?”

Clearly, he didn’t want to tell her who it was. Shi Buyu softly hummed, taking the cue: “Isn’t it just evidence? I can provide as much as needed. After Big Brother Nine confirms it by letter, it won’t be too late to act. Yan Shian has also sent people to keep watch.”

Shi Buyu looked up: “Big Brother, in your letter you said you think highly of Yan Shian?”

“Beyond expectations.” Big Brother picked up a book and flipped through it. “He’s been carefully trained since childhood, so his intelligence isn’t bad. His performance in this regard didn’t surprise me, but his willingness to take risks made me look at him differently. After all, people from his background usually prioritize survival and lack courage.”

Shi Buyu nodded, unexpectedly thinking of the emperor who instinctively shuddered in disgust. She quickly recalled Yan Shian’s situation.

“And you?” Big Brother asked her. “What do you think of him?”

Shi Buyu pressed her head against Big Brother’s knee and thought for a moment: “He’s very calm and won’t be controlled by emotions to make rash decisions; he’s smart, very capable of reasoning and extrapolation; he works hard—in public he seems splendid, but behind the scenes, he’s very diligent; he reacts quickly and has strong self-adjustment abilities; he treats people around him well, so those people think highly of him; he…”

She paused, then continued, “Actually, I don’t see much ambition in him, but from the moment he was born, his mother never gave him any other choice.”

“Angry for him?”

Shi Buyu nodded heavily: “His mother, really, I can’t stand her.”

Big Brother knew her well and saw she even sympathized with Yan Shian so much, so…

“What did you do?”

Shi Buyu chuckled and enthusiastically told him about the things she did that touched his sore spots.

Big Brother listened and inevitably felt a bit moved. The concubine titled Li Fei (Consort Li) was named “Li” by the late emperor—her beauty must have been exceptional. He had seen her a few times before; she was bright and elegant, completely unlike the woman Shier mentioned.

“Considering how much she devoted herself to giving the late emperor this bloodline, you shouldn’t go too far.”

Shi Buyu blinked: “Big Brother, do you think I’ve gone too far?”

“Acceptable.”

“I think so too.”

The senior siblings smiled at each other. If Old White Beard (teacher) saw this, he’d probably grumble: “Always spoiling Little Twelve, who else in the whole sect compares to the eldest brother? He puts on a strict older brother facade to scare people but is actually the most indulgent with Little Twelve.”

“We should head back.”

Hearing this, Shi Buyu hugged his leg even tighter: “It’s so hard to see you, who knows when the next time will be. Big Brother, let me lean on you some more.”

Big Brother, usually full of scheming and cunning, was now soft as dough. He patted her head gently: “Once this matter is settled, Shier can go anywhere.”

“Still a long way off.”

“Compared to the future, it’s not long at all.”

Shi Buyu looked up again: “Is Old White Beard really better now? Big Brother, you promise you’re not lying.”

“When have I ever lied to you? I won’t let Gongyi (the teacher) leave until he’s completely better.” Big Brother looked ahead, his gaze calm. “Don’t worry, teacher won’t fall that easily.”

“I’m just a little scared.” Shi Buyu leaned on him. “He’s over eighty, most people don’t live that long.”

“Teacher will live to a hundred.”

“A hundred only leaves a dozen or so years—that’s not enough, he has to live to one hundred and fifty.”

Big Brother tapped her head: “Greedy.”

“Hmph, don’t you want that too?”

Of course he did! How could he not! Big Brother looked at Little Twelve’s confident but silly look. After teaching her for thirteen years, she already cared about this so much, but teacher had been raising and guiding him for over fifty years.

He was only seven when his father died in war, the family in chaos, no one cared for him. It was the then young teacher who took him in, accepted him as the eldest disciple in front of Emperor Qizong’s witness, backed him up, taught him skills, helped him manage the family, paved his way when he grew up—more than a biological father could do.

If there were such a thing as a wish that could come true, he hoped teacher would live as long as heaven.

Shaking the leg being held, Big Brother reminded again: “It’s late, we have to go.”

Reluctantly, Shi Buyu let go and sat on the ground, negotiating with Big Brother: “I want something from the Mo family that can protect you.”

Big Brother raised an eyebrow: “For Yan Shian?”

Shi Buyu looked matter-of-fact: “He’s going into danger; I have to give him more things to keep him alive.”

Big Brother looked at her clueless expression, half amused and half exasperated: “Wait.”

“Hehe, thanks Big Brother.”

“Why are you thanking me? It’s not for you to use.”

“Then I thank you on Yan Shian’s behalf.”

“…Hurry and get going.”

Shi Buyu happily rolled away.