When Shang Xinlei returned to her room, she saw that her third brother, Shang Qiao, had already been waiting for quite a while. Although they were biological siblings, it was already late, and Shang Qiao didn’t enter the room. Instead, he insisted on standing outside in the courtyard, letting the cold wind blow.
Once Shang Xinlei dismissed the maidservants, Shang Qiao couldn’t wait to complain: “Why didn’t you go to see Father? He was assassinated, you know. Regardless of the circumstances, you should at least show some concern, right?”
“I don’t have a Healing Token. What’s the point of going and crowding around? Besides, Father agreed with my approach.” Shang Xinlei brushed away the fallen leaves on the stone stool and sat down. “He hates superficial formalities the most.”
“The Emperor says he loathes flattery, loyal ministers claim they despise bootlicking, but which dynasty didn’t have deluded emperors who listened to slander, or treacherous ministers who speculated on imperial intentions?” Shang Qiao shook his head. “Father is also human. What father would be unhappy because his daughter showed concern for him? Besides, there are so many people in the residence aside from Father. Gossip can be dangerous. Do you really want people whispering behind your back that you’re unfilial? How long has it been since you last paid your respects to Kind Madam and Third Madam?”
“Not listening, not listening,” Shang Xinlei covered her ears. “I simply don’t want to go.”
“Do you still think you’re a child? Acting cute won’t work anymore.” Shang Qiao said this, but his tone clearly softened. “Let’s drop this… How’s your friend?”
“She’s fine, eats a lot.” At this, Shang Xinlei couldn’t help but laugh. “Feels like we’ll fatten her up this year.”
“If you want her to have more freedom of movement, I might be able to help,” Shang Qiao offered. “Like taking a stroll in the city or the county… We can negotiate the details.”
Shang Xinlei thought seriously, then shook her head. “Better not. Let’s not even talk about the Jiang Ten incident drawing too much attention to her. If she goes out, someone might try to assassinate her—after all, her Token must be returned in a year. But if she dies, it becomes an ownerless Token worth fighting over. For her, the Shang Family is the safest place. It’s just a year; no need to take the risk.”
“Is that so…” Shang Qiao nodded thoughtfully. “By the way, did you go to the Thieves’ House again today? What’s the target for the next mission?”“Speaking of that, I’ve got a question for you. Did you not tell Father that I entered the Thieves’ House?”
“What?” Shang Qiao blinked. “You… why would you think that? Without Father’s permission, how could the family let you go to the Mansu Woodland?”
“Because Father and I had a talk yesterday, and he never once mentioned the Thieves’ House.” Shang Xinlei said faintly. “I don’t think he’s so old as to be forgetful. As for the Mansu Woodland… I don’t hold any position in the family. Father doesn’t value me. Approving a little outing is hardly surprising.”
“Hmm…” Under his sister’s direct gaze, Shang Qiao had no choice but to tell the truth. “I really didn’t tell him.”
“Why?” Shang Xinlei frowned. “I’m already around the same age Second Sister was back then. A Second Job Change isn’t enough to guarantee I can decide my own marriage. If I don’t add the Thieves’ House into the equation, Father will definitely marry me off to some promising young man of his choosing. If you won’t say it, then I will.”
“Don’t!”
Shang Qiao hesitated for a long time before sighing deeply. “You don’t need to worry about your marriage. Father won’t marry you off.”
“For my own good? Do you even know what truly is good for me?” Shang Xinlei was so furious she paced back and forth, pointing at Shang Qiao. “It’s that you should hurry up and reach your Third Job Change too! In this family, only you and I are truly related. Big Brother and Second Sister aren’t, Fifth Brother and Sixth Sister aren’t—only if both of us are Third-Stage Messengers can we truly have a voice in the Shang Family!”
“That’s nonsense. We’re all siblings, and we get along fine. Would Big Brother really not support you?”
What Shang Qiao said wasn’t false. Though they weren’t all from the same mother, they had grown up under Madam Gu’s care since childhood. They called the three of Shang Xuanwen’s wives as Kind Madam, Second Madam, and Third Madam, all treated with equal respect as mothers. There had never been differences in treatment, and the three madams rarely quarreled. Thus, the six siblings had a fairly harmonious relationship.
“If it were outside, I’d trust Big Brother. But when it comes to internal matters of the Shang Family? I trust no one but you and me,” said Shang Xinlei. “Go to Father and tell him about this. I only need you to mention the Thieves' House, not to give up the Secret Technique Book.”
“I won’t go.”
“Then I’ll go!”
“Shang Xinlei.”
Just as she turned around, Shang Qiao suddenly called her full name. She turned back and saw that the usually docile brother now wore an uncharacteristically solemn expression. The moment he withdrew his smile, silence alone commanded authority.
Only then did Shang Xinlei remember—Third Brother was the Military Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Residence, Father’s chief aide, the overseer of internal affairs. When Father did not handle the specifics, he was, in effect, the Prime Minister himself.
“You always complain that Father uses people to their fullest potential, regardless of their personal wishes.” Shang Qiao stood up and walked beside her, speaking calmly. “But aren’t you doing the same now, thinking only of using me to the fullest?”
“I just—”
“For my own good?” Shang Qiao sighed. “That’s what I said earlier too. But what I hoped for was that both you and I could be more relaxed and happier; whereas what you want is to throw me into anxiety and place yourself in danger.”
“I only want us to have more power to take control of our own lives.” Shang Xinlei held back her anger. “There are rumors outside that the elevation of Qun Liyan to Palace Attendant was a test from the royal family toward Father. The Shang Family has controlled the court for too long, and Father stepping down is all but certain. Even if the Shang Family doesn’t decline because of this, how it affects each individual is uncertain. No matter what, we’re not Kind Madam’s biological children. She and Big Brother are on the same side.”
Shang Qiao stared at Shang Xinlei and said, “You’re absolutely right. I have no rebuttal. Truly, you’re my eloquent and clever little sister.”
“But I don’t accept it.” He shook his head slowly. “Just like how I disagree with many of Father’s arrangements.”
“You and Father both believe you know what’s best, what’s right. You think there’s a path in this world that everyone must follow to find happiness. But you’ve never asked what others actually want. Xinlei, you… are more like Father than any of us.”
“Your kindness toward others completely disregards how they feel.”
Shang Xinlei stood frozen.
By the time she regained her senses, Shang Qiao had long since left.