Chapter 76: The Hot Spring (Part 1)

The hot spring resort is located over a hundred miles from Capital, nestled in a valley surrounded by towering mountains. Verdant pines and lush cypress trees create a scene of abundant greenery. The closer one gets to the valley’s center, the warmer it becomes, and the stretches of green bamboo and vibrant flowers stand out strikingly in the winter landscape.

The resort spans an area of over a hundred acres and comprises an open-air hot spring and three indoor hot springs. A light mist lingers, giving the place an ethereal, dreamlike quality.

After taking in the surrounding scenery, even Xiao Lang, Xiao Yi, and Xiao Yang—who came to see them off—fell in love with this place, calling it nothing less than a paradise on earth.

After settling their two younger sisters, Xiao Yi and Xiao Yang placed the little trinkets and books their sister liked on the small table beside her bed. They repeatedly reminded her not to eat cold food, not to play around excessively, and not to leave the windows open at night. Xiao Yao nodded in agreement to everything.

Seeing her second and third brothers being so attentive, Xiao Yuan couldn’t help but yearn for her own elder brother, Xiao Rui, to be as gentle and caring toward her. But no matter how many times she looked around, she couldn’t find her brother anywhere.

Xiao Yao gently nudged her second brother, hinting for him to notice Xiao Yuan’s despondent expression. Understanding her meaning, Xiao Yi rubbed his sister’s head. His little sister could be so mischievous at times that he wanted to give her a good scolding, but when she was sensible, his heart ached for her.

Xiao Yang, pretending not to notice their interaction, continued arranging Xiao Yao’s belongings. He placed her most commonly used and favorite items where they would be easily accessible and carefully organized her stationery so that she could find what she needed at a glance.

“Thank you, Third Brother,” Xiao Yao said emotionally, hugging his arm. Though Xiao Yang could be indifferent and aloof toward others, he was always attentive and thoughtful toward his little sister—apart from occasional bouts of stubbornness, he was simply impeccable.

Bending down to hug his sister, Xiao Yang thought about how much he adored her. No matter what kind of person she was, he liked her just the same. He might not know how to express his emotions fervently or make his sister laugh, but he knew she never looked down on him. Even though they weren’t always together, the bond between them was as strong as ever.

Once Xiao Yi had comforted Xiao Yuan, the brothers considered their duties fulfilled. It wasn’t until the servants came looking for the third time that Xiao Rui finally rushed over to join them.

“Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, this place is amazing! Can I—”

“No, you can’t,” Xiao Lang and Xiao Yi interrupted him in unison. They were there for Ping An to soak in the hot springs and recover from her illness. Having a boy around would only make things inconvenient, especially since it was a day off and the girls needed privacy. Moreover, Xiao Rui still had his studies to attend to—wasn’t he planning to read at all?

“I knew that’s what you’d say,” Xiao Rui grumbled in dissatisfaction.

If you knew, why even ask? Such a pointless endeavor.

“Just go back. Otherwise, I’ll write to Mother and tell her what you’re up to,” Xiao Yi threatened. “Why are you even staying here? Are you going to take care of me, or are you going to make me constantly worry about the trouble you’ll cause?”

Xiao Jun, meanwhile, clung to Xiao Yao’s hand, reluctant to leave. “Sister, I’ll come visit you in a few days. Don’t forget to think about me, okay?”

“I’ll remember. Now hurry back,” Xiao Yao replied with a smile, giving her fifth brother a playful push. She and this brother, being twins, were very close even if they didn’t look alike. Their longest separations had always been during vacations like this.

Watching from the side, Xiao Yuan couldn’t help but feel a mix of envy and jealousy. Her sister had three doting brothers, each treating her with such care, while she only had one elder brother who wasn’t even as attentive as their cousins. Why was her fate so unlucky?

After inspecting the hot springs, Nanny Ruan returned to her room. For two days straight, Mr. Zhao gave lessons to Xiao Yao and Xiao Yuan, while Nanny Ruan was nowhere to be seen.

The sisters took the opportunity to explore the entire resort. Xiao Yuan, in particular, roamed freely like an untamed horse and wouldn’t return to her room until nightfall.

On the third day, Nanny Ruan brought some medicinal herbs and led Xiao Yao to an indoor hot spring. Medicinal baths combined with hot springs had numerous benefits for recovery.

Xiao Yuan, worried about her sister, wanted to follow but was firmly rejected by Nanny Ruan. Remembering their grandmother’s instructions—that her sister needed to bathe alone for her health—Xiao Yuan reluctantly watched her sister disappear and sulked off alone.

Thankfully, aside from the medicinal baths, the sisters spent their days studying, eating, and playing together. Gradually, Xiao Yuan grew accustomed to the arrangement.

Six days after arriving at the hot spring resort, the sisters received their first visitor: Xiao Jingyan. Xiao Yuan was surprised, but Xiao Yao, seeing the furrowed brows of their fourth uncle, immediately knew he had come to vent his frustrations.

“Ping An, have you missed your Fourth Uncle? I think about you all the time—how considerate of me, right?”

Feigning innocence, Xiao Yao leaned on the table, resting her head on her arms, and silently stared at Xiao Jingyan, thinking, Let’s see how long you can keep this act up.

“Alright, alright, you’re getting less adorable by the day. Ruyi, go play with the maids for a bit; I need to talk to your sister.”

Why? First, Nanny Ruan wouldn’t let her follow her sister, and now even Fourth Uncle was excluding her. Xiao Yuan felt truly dejected.

Xiao Yao whispered something in her ear, and the chubby girl’s eyes instantly lit up, her previous sadness vanishing as she ran off.

“You sure have a way with her. What did you say to trick Ruyi this time?” Xiao Jingyan asked, momentarily setting aside his troubles to probe into their little secret.

It seemed his problems weren’t urgent yet—after all, he still had the energy to tease.

Xiao Yao didn’t have any special tricks. The sisters had caught some butterflies the previous day, and Xiao Yuan’s share had died overnight. She had been eyeing Xiao Yao’s ever since, so Xiao Yao used them as bait to buy some time.

“I’ve been feeling uneasy lately,” Xiao Jingyan confessed. “It’s been almost two months since your grandfather’s birthday, and Miss Yu has practically vanished. It’s really concerning.”

Fourth Uncle, do you realize how ambiguous your words sound? Anyone overhearing might think you two have a close relationship—or worse, that you’re lovers!

Poor Fourth Uncle—he must be driven mad by Miss Yu. When she was relentlessly pursuing him, he was distressed; now that she had stopped, he was even more unsettled.

“Do you think she’s had a change of heart and given up? Doesn’t seem likely. Maybe she’s plotting something and could strike anytime,” Xiao Jingyan speculated, shivering at the thought.

Miss Yu had been a source of torment for years, and being unable to hold back his concerns, Xiao Jingyan naturally turned to his niece Ping An for support. Somehow, he believed she could understand him, and even if she couldn’t offer solutions, she would at least be a great listener.

“What about using a honey trap to distract her? Maybe she’ll shift her focus,” he suggested.

If anyone were to use a honey trap, it would have to be you, Fourth Uncle—who else could be more suitable?

Shaking her head, Xiao Yao thought about how Miss Yu had chased her uncle for five or six years. She wouldn’t give up easily, and besides, no distinguished, handsome man would willingly act as bait.

“So that won’t work? I haven’t thought of anything else. I’ll come up with another idea. You’re clever—think of something for me. I’ll be off now,” Xiao Jingyan said hurriedly, leaving without giving Xiao Yao a chance to respond.

What do you mean I’m full of bad ideas? Is this how you ask for help? Xiao Yao was so frustrated she didn’t know how to react.