Chapter 1

Editor: DarkSapphire, Uncia

Xiao Xin stretched out his hand and patted Xiao Lian’s face twice, then deliberately said in an exaggerated tone: “I can say it as many times as I want. Your mother is a shameless prostitute from the Qingfeng House. She climbed into my father’s bed. Otherwise, how would you be alive here?” 

Xiao Lian’s eyes flushed with anger: “The Qingfeng House performs music; it’s not the kind of place you described. Watch your language. My mother is also your elder.”

Xiao Xin sneered: “That is such a pleasant way to say it, but in reality, it’s a place where rich people pay for entertainment. And your mother is my elder? Have more common sense! My mother was officially wed as the first wife, and I am her son. Your mother, on the other hand, is a concubine. Elder? My status is much higher than your mother. Your mother has to be the one who salutes to me when she greets me.”

Xiao Lian was trembling with anger as he clenched his fists, glared daggers at Xiao Xin, and said through his gritted teeth: “Do not speak ill of my mother!”

Xiao Xin looked at Xiao Lian’s appearance and laughed: “Why? Are you going to beat me if I don’t? You have been like this since you were a child. Do you have the courage? Do you dare to hit me? Normally you don’t fight back when I beat you, yet you still dare to lift your hand at me?” 

After Xiao Xin finished speaking, he leaned back and smiled, opening a folding fan gently; creating an image of an outstanding and cheerful young master.

Xiao Lian raised his foot and fiercely kicked Xiao Xin’s stomach. Xiao Xin didn’t expect to suddenly be kicked flat on his back, knocking the folding fan out of his hand. He almost cried, but instead, he shouted hoarsely: “What are you guys looking at? Chase him down and beat him up!”

Xiao Lian turned around after the kick and ran. When he reached the corner, he immediately crashed into Yan Xixia. Because of the momentum, Yan Xixia took a step back but then stretched out his hand to support Xiao Lian, who raised his head and looked straight into Yan Xixia’s eyes.

Standing next to Yan Xixia were Xiao Lian’s father, Xiao Nuofu, and Xiao Xin’s mother, Madam Xiao. Before Xiao Nuofu could scold Xiao Lian, Madam Xiao said in a sharp voice: “What are you running around for? Uneducated brat.”

Xiao Lian lowered his eyes. Before he could make a sound, Xiao Xin’s roar echoed from the main street: “When I catch you, I am going to break your leg!”

Xiao Lian immediately hid behind Yan Xixia when he heard Xiao Xin’s threat. He gently grasped the corner of Yan Xixia’s clothes, like a drowning man grasping for straws.

As soon as Xiao Xin’s voice fell and he turned around the corner, he saw his father and mother standing there. It didn’t matter if there were other people there, he immediately stepped forward like the one wronged and complained: “Father, mother! Xiao Lian is getting bolder and bolder! A moment ago, he kicked me very hard. You must punish him! It still hurts when I walk. I don’t know if I hurt my tailbone or not, but we must call for the doctor.”

Madam Xiao pulled Xiao Xin to her side: “Oh, my dearest sweetheart, where are you hurting? Show it to your mother quickly.” 

Xiao Xin rubbed his stomach: “Mother, he kicked me here.”

Xiao Nuofu cleared his throat to signal that there were people around them: “Madam, be mindful.”

Only then did Madam Xiao shift her focus from Xiao Xin: “My nephew, please excuse us. I, as a mother, can’t stand seeing my child suffering. We become a mess when our children are injured,” she said as she gave Xiao Lian a look.

Yan Xixia smiled: “This nephew understands.” 

Only then did Xiao Xin tidy up his clothes and asked: “Why is Young Master Yan here today?”

Xiao Nuofu replied: “My nephew is here today to discuss marriage.”

Xiao Lian was stunned; the hand holding Yan Xixia’s clothing corner loosened.

The Xiao Family was in commerce, and the Yan Family was in literature. Yan Xixia’s parents owed the grandfather of the Xiao Family a favor. When they were alive, Yan Xixia’s parents arranged for their young son’s marriage with the Xiao Family, but no one could predict a girl was never born in the Xiao Family. However, the Hua Ding Dynasty allowed men to take a male wife, so they decided to select Xiao Xin for the marriage, who was about the same age, even though the two had never met each other. 

However, Xiao Xin was very satisfied with Yan Xixia. Yan Xixia was born from a well-respected family and was very knowledgeable. But the most important thing was that Yan Xixia has the potential to score the highest in the palace examination. It is a blessing for a merchant’s family to climb into such a family. Xiao Xin asked: “How did the discussion go?”

Xiao Nuofu smiled and said: “The day your nephew returns from participating in the provincial imperial examination and passes brilliantly as the first-placed candidate will be the day you get married.”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

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Madam Xiao added: “My dear Xin’er, your blessing lies ahead with Yan Xixia.”

Yan Xixia standing beside them said: “Uncle, you praised me too much.”

Xiao Lian was now behind Yan Xixia, holding his right hand firmly with his left hand as if doing so would provide him with strength.

Xiao Xin walked to Madam Xiao shyly, but when he saw Xiao Lian standing behind Yan Xixia, he remembered he could have his father and mother give him justice: “Mother, he actually dared to hit me. You must punish him!” 

Madam Xiao patted Xiao Xin’s hand and whispered: “Don’t talk about this now. Wait. When we return home, your mother will surely teach him a lesson.”

Yan Xixia looked sideways at Xiao Lian who was standing behind him. He recalled seeing Xiao Xin bullying Xiao Lian once before. Now, seeing Xiao Xin dash around the corner, he presumed Xiao Xin was not seriously injured, so he inquired: “Let me ask something. Why did he hit you?”

Xiao Nuofu echoed: “Little Xin, is there any misunderstanding between you two? Both of you are young adults now, and I know it is inevitable for you two to have conflicting views.”

Madam Xiao frowned and said sternly: “Misunderstanding? He just hit our Xin’er. How could there be a misunderstanding? I think you are too enraptured by him and his mother and can’t distinguish right from wrong.” 

Xiao Xin also aggrieved: “I just said a few words to him, and he decided to beat me.”

Madam Xiao clapped her hands after hearing those words: “Listen to him, Xin’er just said a few words to him. He has such a big temper. He is dreadful.”

Although Xiao Nuofu was usually afraid of Madam Xiao and didn’t meddle in the children’s affairs, he still continued to ask: “What did he say?”

Xiao Xin knew the  words he said shouldn’t be said in front of everyone, so he stalled on saying them out loud. 

This was when Yan Xixia spoke up: “Why don’t we all meet halfway?”

Xiao Nuofu came out to smooth things over again: “That’s right, one hurt with words, and the other hurt with actions. Why don’t we meet halfway for your cousin’s sake? Let’s forget about the whole thing.”

“Whatever,” Xiao Xin said angrily as he turned and left.

Madam Xiao glared at Xiao Nuofu once more, then turned to follow Xiao Xin out. 

Xiao Nuofu looked at his departing wife and child: “My apologies to you for witnessing this. Little Xin is spoiled by his mother.”

Yan Xixia said with a calm appearance: “No worries.”

Xiao Nuofu said to Xiao Lian: “You return first.”

Xiao Lian answered: “Yes, father.” 

He glanced at Yan Xixia secretly then turned and left.

Yan Xixia also helped Xiao Lian once before, which was why Xiao Lian learned that Yan Xixia was kind and willing to step in to stop this.

Yan Xixia was about to marry Xiao Xin, Xiao Lian thought. That’s alright, both his bully and savior will be gone. It would be perfect.

He returned to his residence, took the box he used for embroidery, and went to his mother’s courtyard. 

Lady Chu was born with a beautiful appearance, which Xiao Lian received. Only his eyes were like his father. The deep affection in Xiao Nuofu’s eyes deceived Lady Chu as she left the Qingfeng House and entered the Xiao Family.

Who knew Xiao Nuofu was actually a passionate coward. As the head of the family, Madam Xiao held onto his leash tightly. Life for Lady Chu became even more difficult. Later, when Xiao Nuofu brought home Lady Xia, who was younger and more beautiful, did life for Lady Chu become more comfortable, as Madam Xiao was too busy targeting Lady Xia.

Xiao Xin was the second son of Madam Xiao. Xiao Lian was younger than Xiao Xin, but overall, they were the same age: eighteen years old.

Xiao Lian had been bullied by Xiao Xin since he was a child. This was the first time Xiao Lian has acted out on Xiao Xin. Before, let alone beat people, he wouldn’t even lose his temper. 

Earlier, Madam Xiao came to Lady Chu’s courtyard and made a big fuss. Lady Chu looked at her always well-behaved son: “Xiao Gaui, my good little boy, why do you hit him?”

Xiao Lian said sadly: “His words were too ugly.”

“What did he say to you?”

Xiao Lian lied: “The same old; that I look like a woman who likes to play with needles and threads.” 

Lady Chu caressed Xiao Lian’s hair: “Xiao Gaui, he is the son of the first wife, and his temper will inevitably be more spoiled. Didn’t mother say before: endure it as it will pass.”

Xiao Lian blinked his eyes: “But I couldn’t bear it.”

“Your mother did not work hard enough. After so many years, she’s still a concubine.” Lady Chu cried, “If only your mother was more determined, he wouldn’t bully you all the time.”

Xiao Lian smiled lovingly toward his mother: “I just need to work harder as well. Now that the embroidery workshop is doing well, I can make money and support you.” 

Xiao Nuofu originally promised that Lady Chu would join his family as his wife, but instead, he lied to her as she joined the family as his concubine. Xiao Lian also knew that this was a fixation in his mother’s heart.

The embroidery workshop was a small shop that Xiao Nuofu gave to Xiao Lian when he was sixteen years old. Xiao Lian opened the embroidery workshop relying on the craftsmanship his mother taught him. Because the Xiao Family was a huge family business, it was a simple task to give Xiao Lian a small shop. Madam Xiao was against this, but fortunately, she dropped the subject after a few days.

With such a small shop front, how would business be better? Lady Chu knew that her son was comforting her: “Alright, my good boy  has grown up.”

Xiao Lian chose a plain handkerchief he had brought, picked up a set of embroidering tools, and started to work. 

Lady Chu looked at the things in Xiao Lian’s hands: “Who placed this order?”

Xiao Lian shook his head: “No, I want to embroider for myself.”

“For what?”

“A gift.” 

“Who is it for?”

“Yan Xixia.”

Lady Chu’s inner alarm bell triggered: “Xiao Guai, Yan Xixia will marry Xiao Xin, you must not go the wrong way.”

Xiao Lian seemed to be amused by his mother’s words, and said with a smile on his face: “Mother, what are you thinking? I have only seen him a few times.” 

“Then why give it to him?”

“If it weren’t for him interceding for me this time, my legs would have been broken. I have nothing to express my gratitude except for my craft. Tomorrow he is going to participate in the provincial imperial examination and I want to embroider “Swift Success” on this handkerchief, to wish him luck.” Xiao Lian kept moving his hands. “I know he will marry Xiao Xin once he passes the exam.”

“I see, you want to thank him.” Lady Chu was a little scared, and exhorted, “No matter what Xiao Xin says in the future, don’t be impulsive, Xiao Guai. How could your mother live if something misfortunate happens to you?”

Xiao Lian raised his head and smiled obediently at his mother: “Mother, I know.” 

In the end, Xiao Lian didn’t give Yan Xixia the embroidered handkerchief.

That day, Xiao Lian hid in the place where one must pass to enter the examination room, thinking that he would give the present before Yan Xixia entered.

He looked at Yan Xixia’s figure from far to near. He didn’t conceal himself enough though, as Yan Xixia glanced in his direction, and happened to look him in the eyes. Yan Xixia smiled: “Come out, I see you.”

Xiao Lian walked out embarrassingly. Before he could say anything, his face started to burn, and his brain turned into mush from the heat. He forgot everything he was planning to say and didn’t know how to reply. 

Yan Xixia smiled warmly: “Was there something you needed from me?”

Xiao Lian forced himself to calm down: “I’m here to thank you. Thank you for helping me again, and I want to wish you good luck.”

“It was nothing.”

“Then I will take my leave.” 

Xiao Lian turned around and ran back after speaking. Yan Xixia looked at Xiao Lian’s back and said loudly, “Thanks Young Master Xiao, for coming.”

Xiao Lian quickly left with Yan Xixia’s voice behind him. Because he was running too quickly, his heart seemed to be about to jump out, and his heart was pounding. Sweat glued his clothes to his body, and the handkerchief was still against his chest, wrapped up with love.

Xiao Lian fooled his mother, but he couldn’t fool himself. He had a selfish motive for wanting to give the embroidered handkerchief made by his own hands.

But what did Yan Xixia do wrong? Why should he accept the handkerchief made with secret romantic intentions without realizing it? He shouldn’t be used by Xiao Lian as a means to feel a little selfish. 

Yan Xixia was about to be married, so why let him bear the burden of this unknown love. If he learned of it in the future, Xiao Lian’s love would become Yan Xixia’s disturbing past.

It was better not to give it. After expressing his gratitude, that would be the end of their relationship.

Translator has something to say:

Teo: Hello, this is a side project and also an experiment. I am translating this using memsource and the style is more MTL edit than translation. Please enjoy this short 15 chapter work and let me know what you think at the end.