Rou'er, how did you come to fancy Hui Qinghui?

Afternoon, at the maternal uncle's house in Zhuxin Village

At the same time, another pair of siblings was working through their own troubles. Zhao Chengxian and Si Rou sat together in the living room, chatting. Zhao Chengxian looked at Si Rou with a smile and asked, “Si Rou, do you feel that your brother has always been especially strict with you? Are you afraid to tell me anything, is that right?” People have many sides to them, and Zhao Chengxian was no exception. He particularly disliked seeing Si Rou burst into tears at the slightest provocation, so he hoped she would learn to be strong, and thus treated her with severity.

Si Rou wanted to speak her heart to her brother as well. Summoning great courage, she nodded and said, “I’ve always known you don’t like me. When I was little, I saw you playing with the Emperor and Sister Feng Wu, and I envied you so much. But knowing you disliked me, I never went over, even though Mother kept telling me you didn’t really hate me. Still, I just couldn’t get close to you!” Si Rou looked seriously at Zhao Chengxian and asked, “Brother, do you really hate me?” At last, she voiced the question she’d always wanted to ask.

Zhao Chengxian shook his head, patted Si Rou’s head and smiled, “I don’t hate you. It’s just that you’re too soft, too easy to bully, and that made me angry, you understand? Maybe I was hoping you’d get stronger, so I was intentionally strict. But you still never argued back. No matter how I provoked you, you’d only cry, never retort. I was so disappointed, and so I stopped wanting to be around you. It’s more a feeling of frustration than dislike, truly not hate!” He remembered the first time he saw Si Rou in his father’s arms, when the old prince had told him, “This is your sister, you must take good care of her in the future.” Zhao Chengxian had never forgotten those words, which explained his feeling of frustrated affection.

For the first time, hearing her brother’s heartfelt words, Si Rou finally understood Zhao Chengxian wasn’t as she’d imagined, that he didn’t hate her. She felt deeply moved, her eyes reddening again, and apologized, “Brother, I’m sorry, I misunderstood you all these years. It turns out everything you did was for my sake!” But she knew her brother disliked seeing her cry, so she held back her tears.

Zhao Chengxian smiled gently and said, “Silly girl, what’s there for siblings to apologize about? But your elopement really made me see you in a new light. Where did you find the courage?” If someone had told him his pitiful little sister would run off with a man, get pregnant before marriage, he never would have believed it; but now the facts were right before him, and he had no choice.

Si Rou looked at Zhao Chengxian with guilt, “Brother, I brought shame to the family. At the time, I just wanted to be with him. Brother, I’m sorry. Could you let me marry him? Now I…” If Si Rou returned to the capital, only two paths awaited her: if she could marry Hui Qinghui before her pregnancy became obvious, it would be best; otherwise, once discovered, she’d be punished severely. Of course, Zhao Chengxian would never let things come to that.

Though Zhao Chengxian felt Hui Qinghui was someone who avoided hardship and lacked the courage a man should have, things had come to this, and he could only agree. “This is the only way now. When we return to the capital, I’ll arrange the wedding for you immediately!” He looked at Si Rou and asked, “Si Rou, how did you fall for Hui Qinghui?” He understood that when love arrives, there is no reason.

Before Si Rou could answer, Hui Yue’er, who had just entered, countered, “Then how did you fall for me?” You still think my brother isn’t good enough for your sister—well, I’ll give you a hard time! She also knew that Zhao Chengxian’s opinion wasn’t about family background; he simply thought Hui Qinghui lacked ability, and so looked down on him.

Zhao Chengxian didn’t want to lose face in front of Si Rou and Hui Qinghui, nor offend the woman he loved. After thinking a bit, he said, “I was just teasing Si Rou. Of course I know there’s no reason for love!” At last, he managed to smooth things over. Si Rou and Hui Qinghui looked at them and wanted to laugh; every couple had their own unique way of getting along, and once found, it could be a joy.

Hui Yue’er nodded, took Zhao Chengxian’s hand and led him outside. Si Rou, supported by Hui Qinghui, walked slowly after them. Zhao Chengxian and Si Rou were both confused, not knowing where they were headed. Yue’er, walking ahead, said to Zhao Chengxian, “You’ve never seen the little bugs inside bamboo, have you? I’ll show you how they’re extracted!” She wanted Hui Qinghui to impress Zhao Chengxian.

Ladies, gentlemen, the old and the young, and those neither old nor young, hurry and shower me with gold medals, red packets, and gifts! Don’t hold back—let the storm come even more fiercely!