Brother-in-law: C01-1

01.1: A Promise to Yan Fei

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{In the town of Yaoguang, the person holding the highest position was named Fang Xuanjing.}
Yaoguang was a small town—one with an economy that was not prosperous. But it was a town renowned for its swordsmanship, producing many of the top swordsmen of the land, fighters who would go seek out the Five Great Houses after mastering their art form and exchange their skills for high official positions and wealth.

In the town of Yaoguang, the person holding the highest position was named Fang Xuanjing.

_{As a result, in his longing for a grandson, Fang Xuanjing declared that whoever sired his grandson would be established as his successor.}
In the town of Yaoguang, the person holding the highest position was named Fang Xuanjing.

As a result, in his longing for a grandson, Fang Xuanjing declared that whoever sired his grandson would be established as his successor.

_{"Who are you, and what business do you have here? State your name."}Yan Ran being this fierce meant there was no way for Yan Fei to take him.

"Who are you, and what business do you have here? State your name."

_{Yan Fei, herself, had only given birth once to a pair of twins, who were also girls. She had urged Fang Shixiu to marry another and that she would not mind.}
The Fang family was originally an aristocratic one in that town, one having deep historical ties, and, at present, they had risen to control the highest position within. The more brilliant their house shone, the more proud they became. So, in this place, tucked far away from the emperor's gaze, House Fang had become an overlord.

Yan Fei, herself, had only given birth once to a pair of twins, who were also girls. She had urged Fang Shixiu to marry another and that she would not mind.

_{In the early hours of the morning, at the entrance of that Breaking Water Courtyard, someone had begun kicking up a fuss. A troublemaker—with hair flowing madly—was a boy in his youth.}From then on, Yan Ran had begun hating that man he had never laid eyes on. He also didn't believe that damned guy would ever be able to give his sister happiness.

In the early hours of the morning, at the entrance of that Breaking Water Courtyard, someone had begun kicking up a fuss. A troublemaker—with hair flowing madly—was a boy in his youth.

_{From then on, Yan Ran had begun hating that man he had never laid eyes on. He also didn't believe that damned guy would ever be able to give his sister happiness.}
Fang Xuanjing had four sons, and according to ancestral precepts, the eldest son should be the one tasked with continuing the family line. But, in the eyes of everyone in the town of Yaoguang, the second son of House Fang seemed more qualified than the first.

From then on, Yan Ran had begun hating that man he had never laid eyes on. He also didn't believe that damned guy would ever be able to give his sister happiness.

_{After a while, a young servant girl ran over hurriedly. She looked over the youth with scrutiny, then proceeded to ask, "Are you Young Master Yan Ran?"}"Who are you, and what business do you have here? State your name."

After a while, a young servant girl ran over hurriedly. She looked over the youth with scrutiny, then proceeded to ask, "Are you Young Master Yan Ran?"

_{Yan Ran nodded desperately in response.}"Let me in!" He looked around fourteen years old, perhaps even a year older, and had hair scattered wildly around his shoulders like a bundle of straw. His face, soiled with dust and dirt, made it so his features could not at all be discerned. But its shape was oval and quite slim, no bigger than a palm. But the temper of this youth was more than enough for his stature, as his raven black eyes, shining with brilliance, appeared as though flames shot from them as he glared at the people surrounding him.

Yan Ran nodded desperately in response.

_{Fang Shixiu's displeasure was, of course, something Yan Fei could sense. But one was the man she loved the most, and the other was her most beloved kin, putting her in quite a dilemma. She couldn't understand why the two were so averse to each other, like fire and water.}The Captain of the Guard was so pissed, his heart felt as though it would burst! But a meaningful look in the young servant girl's eyes made him grit his teeth and bear it.

Fang Shixiu's displeasure was, of course, something Yan Fei could sense. But one was the man she loved the most, and the other was her most beloved kin, putting her in quite a dilemma. She couldn't understand why the two were so averse to each other, like fire and water.

_{Fang Shixiu's displeasure was, of course, something Yan Fei could sense. But one was the man she loved the most, and the other was her most beloved kin, putting her in quite a dilemma. She couldn't understand why the two were so averse to each other, like fire and water.}
The name of this second son was Fang Shixiu, and he resided in the Breaking Water Courtyard.

_{In the end, it was the bitter pleas of Fang Shixiu's mother that made Fang Xuanjing reluctantly allow his son to keep his position. But from that moment on, Fang Shixiu was no longer favoured or respected.}But Fang Shixiu adamantly refused such a proposal, telling her, "I never had any interest in being this family's heir, nor do I have any interest in marrying another."

In the end, it was the bitter pleas of Fang Shixiu's mother that made Fang Xuanjing reluctantly allow his son to keep his position. But from that moment on, Fang Shixiu was no longer favoured or respected.

_N/AYan Ran's older sister was named Yan Fei. Their parents had left the world when both of them were still young, so the brother-sister pair only had each other to depend on in this life. His older sister was six years older than himself. When their parents passed away, she was just a fourteen-year-old girl and one who had to take up the heavy burden of raising her younger brother. So, from their village, she had to leave for the town of Yaoguang to get employed as an embroiderer. She was clever and quite skilled with her hands, too. So not long after, she was welcomed by high-ranking officials and practically became the exclusive embroiderer for many rich families.

N/A

_{Other than Fang Shixiu, his other three brothers all gave the best effort to take concubines in which to sow their seeds, but man was always inferior to the will of heaven. So, despite all their wives and concubines being impregnated, they had all given birth to 'flowers,' with no 'stems' in sight.}
In the early hours of the morning, at the entrance of that Breaking Water Courtyard, someone had begun kicking up a fuss. A troublemaker—with hair flowing madly—was a boy in his youth.

Other than Fang Shixiu, his other three brothers all gave the best effort to take concubines in which to sow their seeds, but man was always inferior to the will of heaven. So, despite all their wives and concubines being impregnated, they had all given birth to 'flowers,' with no 'stems' in sight.

_☆☆☆☆☆☆

☆☆☆

_N/A
"Let me in!" He looked around fourteen years old, perhaps even a year older, and had hair scattered wildly around his shoulders like a bundle of straw. His face, soiled with dust and dirt, made it so his features could not at all be discerned. But its shape was oval and quite slim, no bigger than a palm. But the temper of this youth was more than enough for his stature, as his raven black eyes, shining with brilliance, appeared as though flames shot from them as he glared at the people surrounding him.

N/A

_{The Fang family was originally an aristocratic one in that town, one having deep historical ties, and, at present, they had risen to control the highest position within. The more brilliant their house shone, the more proud they became. So, in this place, tucked far away from the emperor's gaze, House Fang had become an overlord.}In the beginning, Fang Shixiu had still attempted to ease their rigid relationship. But, afterwards, he saw that Yan Ran's attitude was too stubborn to be changed. So, even he had grown irritated and no longer paid any attention to the matters concerning Yan Ran. No matter how much Yan Fe tried to persuade him, he had no interest in that petulant child again.

The Fang family was originally an aristocratic one in that town, one having deep historical ties, and, at present, they had risen to control the highest position within. The more brilliant their house shone, the more proud they became. So, in this place, tucked far away from the emperor's gaze, House Fang had become an overlord.

_{"My sister is still alive?" Yan Ran gasped.}In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.

"My sister is still alive?" Yan Ran gasped.

_{Yan Ran never believed in tales where young women went from rags to riches. He never believed in such things!}For Yan Ran, such an event was truly a disaster. He saw that his sister was left in a daze, unable to eat. His sister had fallen in love with Fang Shixiu, but she also knew she was not someone worthy of his station. So she quickly grew haggard as she pined away.

Yan Ran never believed in tales where young women went from rags to riches. He never believed in such things!

_☆☆☆
"Who are you, and what business do you have here? State your name."

☆☆☆

_{Hearing the youth blathering on such nonsense gave the gatekeeper a good laugh. "Kid, are you trying to get yourself killed?"}Fang Shixiu's displeasure was, of course, something Yan Fei could sense. But one was the man she loved the most, and the other was her most beloved kin, putting her in quite a dilemma. She couldn't understand why the two were so averse to each other, like fire and water.

Hearing the youth blathering on such nonsense gave the gatekeeper a good laugh. "Kid, are you trying to get yourself killed?"

_{"Who are you, and what business do you have here? State your name."}N/A

"Who are you, and what business do you have here? State your name."

_{"Who are you, and what business do you have here? State your name."}
"None of you are worthy of knowing this young master's name!" The youth spat crossly.

"Who are you, and what business do you have here? State your name."

_{And to Yan Ran's refusal to meet him, Fang Shixiu only smiled at Yan Fei and said indifferently, "It's alright. There'll be lots of opportunities for us to meet in the future."}
The gatekeeper fumed from being put to shame. "Where'd a street urchin like you even come from? Go muck around somewhere else, will you?! Do you not know where this place is?"

And to Yan Ran's refusal to meet him, Fang Shixiu only smiled at Yan Fei and said indifferently, "It's alright. There'll be lots of opportunities for us to meet in the future."

_{And to Yan Ran's refusal to meet him, Fang Shixiu only smiled at Yan Fei and said indifferently, "It's alright. There'll be lots of opportunities for us to meet in the future."}"My sister is still alive?" Yan Ran gasped.

And to Yan Ran's refusal to meet him, Fang Shixiu only smiled at Yan Fei and said indifferently, "It's alright. There'll be lots of opportunities for us to meet in the future."

_{But in truth, he was also fuming on the inside and secretly cursed: {What an ungrateful little brat!}}Finding those curses offensive, the captain of the guards struck the youth's acupoint to mute him, resulting in the young man using those raven black eyes to shoot the captain a glare that greatly resembled a sharpened blade. The guard shivered instinctively, an act he simply couldn't help. This youth's killing aura was truly quite strong!

But in truth, he was also fuming on the inside and secretly cursed: What an ungrateful little brat!

_{In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.}In the beginning, Fang Shixiu had still attempted to ease their rigid relationship. But, afterwards, he saw that Yan Ran's attitude was too stubborn to be changed. So, even he had grown irritated and no longer paid any attention to the matters concerning Yan Ran. No matter how much Yan Fe tried to persuade him, he had no interest in that petulant child again.

In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.

_{The gatekeeper fumed from being put to shame. "Where'd a street urchin like you even come from? Go muck around somewhere else, will you?! Do you not know where this place is?"}
In the youth's hand was a sword—one possessing a sharpened edge. He then waved that sword to the ones facing him and spat, "Where is this place, huh? Spit! I won't rest until I meet Fang! He's the bastard I'm going to kill! So let me in! Let me in, or I will kill you all in his stead!"

The gatekeeper fumed from being put to shame. "Where'd a street urchin like you even come from? Go muck around somewhere else, will you?! Do you not know where this place is?"

_{The servant girl then turned to the captain of the guard and said, "Be quick about it; set him down. He's the younger brother of the young mistress."}
Hearing the youth blathering on such nonsense gave the gatekeeper a good laugh. "Kid, are you trying to get yourself killed?"

The servant girl then turned to the captain of the guard and said, "Be quick about it; set him down. He's the younger brother of the young mistress."

_{At first, Yan Ran was overjoyed, but after seeing the servant girl's expression, the unease again overtook him, his hands erupting in a cold sweat. For a moment, he had forgotten his reason for coming here to confront Fang Shixiu. So now, with the servant girl, he ran madly towards the backyard.}Finding those curses offensive, the captain of the guards struck the youth's acupoint to mute him, resulting in the young man using those raven black eyes to shoot the captain a glare that greatly resembled a sharpened blade. The guard shivered instinctively, an act he simply couldn't help. This youth's killing aura was truly quite strong!

At first, Yan Ran was overjoyed, but after seeing the servant girl's expression, the unease again overtook him, his hands erupting in a cold sweat. For a moment, he had forgotten his reason for coming here to confront Fang Shixiu. So now, with the servant girl, he ran madly towards the backyard.

_{Fang Xuanjing had four sons, and according to ancestral precepts, the eldest son should be the one tasked with continuing the family line. But, in the eyes of everyone in the town of Yaoguang, the second son of House Fang seemed more qualified than the first.}
"Then just try!" The youth pointed his sword at the gatekeeper and then attacked. His sword technique was as swift as it was fierce. Thus, the gatekeeper had lost a few strands of hair.

Fang Xuanjing had four sons, and according to ancestral precepts, the eldest son should be the one tasked with continuing the family line. But, in the eyes of everyone in the town of Yaoguang, the second son of House Fang seemed more qualified than the first.

_{Thus, disregarding the lingering effects of her difficult first pregnancy, Yan Fei again conceived with her weakened body, praying every day with all her might that her third child would be a boy.}
The shock made his body erupt in a cold sweat, with him no longer daring to act carelessly. He drew his sword holstered at his hips to meet the boy while shouting to another guard, "Go call the captain. This kid is not easy to deal with!"

Thus, disregarding the lingering effects of her difficult first pregnancy, Yan Fei again conceived with her weakened body, praying every day with all her might that her third child would be a boy.

_{Fang Shixiu's displeasure was, of course, something Yan Fei could sense. But one was the man she loved the most, and the other was her most beloved kin, putting her in quite a dilemma. She couldn't understand why the two were so averse to each other, like fire and water.}"Then just try!" The youth pointed his sword at the gatekeeper and then attacked. His sword technique was as swift as it was fierce. Thus, the gatekeeper had lost a few strands of hair.

_{In the end, she did succeed in giving birth to a fine baby boy. However, it came at the cost of her body completely breaking down. She knew her time was coming before she sent the messenger to deliver that letter to Yan Ran. She also knew that saying she was already dead was the only way she could make Yan Ran enter the Fang mansion.}
In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.

In the end, she did succeed in giving birth to a fine baby boy. However, it came at the cost of her body completely breaking down. She knew her time was coming before she sent the messenger to deliver that letter to Yan Ran. She also knew that saying she was already dead was the only way she could make Yan Ran enter the Fang mansion.

_{In the end, she did succeed in giving birth to a fine baby boy. However, it came at the cost of her body completely breaking down. She knew her time was coming before she sent the messenger to deliver that letter to Yan Ran. She also knew that saying she was already dead was the only way she could make Yan Ran enter the Fang mansion.}Fang Xuanjing had four sons, and according to ancestral precepts, the eldest son should be the one tasked with continuing the family line. But, in the eyes of everyone in the town of Yaoguang, the second son of House Fang seemed more qualified than the first.

_{But, just as before, the youth still shouted, "Fang Shixiu, get out here and accept your death, you аsshole! You son of a bіtch! I'm going to feed you to the dogs! You coward! Get your ass out here! Pay your debt with your life!"}N/A

But, just as before, the youth still shouted, "Fang Shixiu, get out here and accept your death, you аsshole! You son of a bіtch! I'm going to feed you to the dogs! You coward! Get your ass out here! Pay your debt with your life!"

_☆☆☆But Fang Shixiu adamantly refused such a proposal, telling her, "I never had any interest in being this family's heir, nor do I have any interest in marrying another."

☆☆☆

_{Once free, the stream of curses Yan Ran screamed was immediate. "There's not one damn good person in this place, only bad! Nothing's good about you! See if I don't kill all of you in the future! How could you tie someone up with rope so tightly, huh? Look, look at it! My skin is already bleeding! Do you not have any experience tying people up with ropes? With just one look, you could clearly see I was nothing but an amateur.}
But, just as before, the youth still shouted, "Fang Shixiu, get out here and accept your death, you аsshole! You son of a bіtch! I'm going to feed you to the dogs! You coward! Get your ass out here! Pay your debt with your life!"

Once free, the stream of curses Yan Ran screamed was immediate. "There's not one damn good person in this place, only bad! Nothing's good about you! See if I don't kill all of you in the future! How could you tie someone up with rope so tightly, huh? Look, look at it! My skin is already bleeding! Do you not have any experience tying people up with ropes? With just one look, you could clearly see I was nothing but an amateur. What the hell are you doing in this house, guard captain?! If an actual killer did come here, what would you do, huh? Were you planning to just lie down like a dog and wait for them to kill you?! I hate unreasonable people who just mute a person's acupoint the most! If you don't believe me, just argue with me, for heaven's sake! The one I want to curse is Fang Shixiu, not you! So what's with that face? Why are you all red and boiling with anger? You're nothing but a servant!"

_{Tugging Yan Ran's sleeve, the servant girl urged, "Young Master, you need to come with me quickly. The young mistress is dying!"}
Finding those curses offensive, the captain of the guards struck the youth's acupoint to mute him, resulting in the young man using those raven black eyes to shoot the captain a glare that greatly resembled a sharpened blade. The guard shivered instinctively, an act he simply couldn't help. This youth's killing aura was truly quite strong!

Tugging Yan Ran's sleeve, the servant girl urged, "Young Master, you need to come with me quickly. The young mistress is dying!"

_{In the early hours of the morning, at the entrance of that Breaking Water Courtyard, someone had begun kicking up a fuss. A troublemaker—with hair flowing madly—was a boy in his youth.}In the town of Yaoguang, the person holding the highest position was named Fang Xuanjing.

In the early hours of the morning, at the entrance of that Breaking Water Courtyard, someone had begun kicking up a fuss. A troublemaker—with hair flowing madly—was a boy in his youth.

Despite Yan Fei being moved by his words, she still felt uneasy. Although she was a mere woman, she did know her husband was the most talented and qualified to lead the family among the four sons of the Fang household. And his not being the eldest was the reason he was not respected. But now there was a chance for that to all change, so how could she just let it pass by?

_{On the eve of the grand wedding, Yan Fei asked Yan Ran to meet his future brother-in-law. But Yan Ran refused with all his might, taking up a kitchen knife and putting it to his neck as he replied, "No! I refuse! I hate that man! He stole you away from me! So why would I ever want to meet him? If I ever lay eyes on him, I swear, I will take his life!"}
After a while, a young servant girl ran over hurriedly. She looked over the youth with scrutiny, then proceeded to ask, "Are you Young Master Yan Ran?"

On the eve of the grand wedding, Yan Fei asked Yan Ran to meet his future brother-in-law. But Yan Ran refused with all his might, taking up a kitchen knife and putting it to his neck as he replied, "No! I refuse! I hate that man! He stole you away from me! So why would I ever want to meet him? If I ever lay eyes on him, I swear, I will take his life!"

_{The Captain of the Guard was so pissed, his heart felt as though it would burst! But a meaningful look in the young servant girl's eyes made him grit his teeth and bear it.}
Yan Ran nodded desperately in response.

The Captain of the Guard was so pissed, his heart felt as though it would burst! But a meaningful look in the young servant girl's eyes made him grit his teeth and bear it.

Yaoguang was a small town—one with an economy that was not prosperous. But it was a town renowned for its swordsmanship, producing many of the top swordsmen of the land, fighters who would go seek out the Five Great Houses after mastering their art form and exchange their skills for high official positions and wealth.

_{Hearing the youth blathering on such nonsense gave the gatekeeper a good laugh. "Kid, are you trying to get yourself killed?"}
The servant girl then turned to the captain of the guard and said, "Be quick about it; set him down. He's the younger brother of the young mistress."

Hearing the youth blathering on such nonsense gave the gatekeeper a good laugh. "Kid, are you trying to get yourself killed?"

_{Despite Yan Fei being moved by his words, she still felt uneasy. Although she was a mere woman, she did know her husband was the most talented and qualified to lead the family among the four sons of the Fang household. And his not being the eldest was the reason he was not respected. But now there was a chance for that to all change, so how could she just let it pass by?}Once free, the stream of curses Yan Ran screamed was immediate. "There's not one damn good person in this place, only bad! Nothing's good about you! See if I don't kill all of you in the future! How could you tie someone up with rope so tightly, huh? Look, look at it! My skin is already bleeding! Do you not have any experience tying people up with ropes? With just one look, you could clearly see I was nothing but an amateur. What the hell are you doing in this house, guard captain?! If an actual killer did come here, what would you do, huh? Were you planning to just lie down like a dog and wait for them to kill you?! I hate unreasonable people who just mute a person's acupoint the most! If you don't believe me, just argue with me, for heaven's sake! The one I want to curse is Fang Shixiu, not you! So what's with that face? Why are you all red and boiling with anger? You're nothing but a servant!"

_{01.1: A Promise to Yan Fei}
Upon hearing her words, the captain of the guards' face changed colours greatly, his eyes looking over Yan Ran once more in disbelief. That youth still glared at him, his ridiculing gaze one of haughtiness and snobbery.

01.1: A Promise to Yan Fei

_{In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.}Yan Ran refused all of Yan Fei's help, and apart from when she visited the sword academy alone to see him, the two would not have seen each other for a year.

In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.

_{In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.}
The guard immediately released Yan Ran's acupoint, unmuting, then unbound him.

In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.

_{As a result, in his longing for a grandson, Fang Xuanjing declared that whoever sired his grandson would be established as his successor.}Around that time, for a reason no one knew, the Fang family was cursed. All four sons of the house had failed to produce a male child, with every one of them giving birth to a girl, thus bestowing Fang Xuanjing with a total of fourteen granddaughters.

As a result, in his longing for a grandson, Fang Xuanjing declared that whoever sired his grandson would be established as his successor.

_{Like this, Yan Fei had entered the Fang household as the second young mistress, while her younger brother ran away to join some poor sword academy to learn the art of swordsmanship. From then on, the brother-sister pair parted ways.}In the end, it was the bitter pleas of Fang Shixiu's mother that made Fang Xuanjing reluctantly allow his son to keep his position. But from that moment on, Fang Shixiu was no longer favoured or respected.

Like this, Yan Fei had entered the Fang household as the second young mistress, while her younger brother ran away to join some poor sword academy to learn the art of swordsmanship. From then on, the brother-sister pair parted ways.

_{"None of you are worthy of knowing this young master's name!" The youth spat crossly.}
Once free, the stream of curses Yan Ran screamed was immediate. "There's not one damn good person in this place, only bad! Nothing's good about you! See if I don't kill all of you in the future! How could you tie someone up with rope so tightly, huh? Look, look at it! My skin is already bleeding! Do you not have any experience tying people up with ropes? With just one look, you could clearly see I was nothing but an amateur. What the hell are you doing in this house, guard captain?! If an actual killer did come here, what would you do, huh? Were you planning to just lie down like a dog and wait for them to kill you?! I hate unreasonable people who just mute a person's acupoint the most! If you don't believe me, just argue with me, for heaven's sake! The one I want to curse is Fang Shixiu, not you! So what's with that face? Why are you all red and boiling with anger? You're nothing but a servant!"

"None of you are worthy of knowing this young master's name!" The youth spat crossly.

_{Yan Ran never believed in tales where young women went from rags to riches. He never believed in such things!}Once free, the stream of curses Yan Ran screamed was immediate. "There's not one damn good person in this place, only bad! Nothing's good about you! See if I don't kill all of you in the future! How could you tie someone up with rope so tightly, huh? Look, look at it! My skin is already bleeding! Do you not have any experience tying people up with ropes? With just one look, you could clearly see I was nothing but an amateur. What the hell are you doing in this house, guard captain?! If an actual killer did come here, what would you do, huh? Were you planning to just lie down like a dog and wait for them to kill you?! I hate unreasonable people who just mute a person's acupoint the most! If you don't believe me, just argue with me, for heaven's sake! The one I want to curse is Fang Shixiu, not you! So what's with that face? Why are you all red and boiling with anger? You're nothing but a servant!"

Yan Ran never believed in tales where young women went from rags to riches. He never believed in such things!

_{The name of this second son was Fang Shixiu, and he resided in the Breaking Water Courtyard.}
The Captain of the Guard was so pissed, his heart felt as though it would burst! But a meaningful look in the young servant girl's eyes made him grit his teeth and bear it.

The name of this second son was Fang Shixiu, and he resided in the Breaking Water Courtyard.

Thus, disregarding the lingering effects of her difficult first pregnancy, Yan Fei again conceived with her weakened body, praying every day with all her might that her third child would be a boy.

_{However, before he found a way to make money, his sister, at the age of seventeen, met Fang Shixiu.}For Yan Ran, such an event was truly a disaster. He saw that his sister was left in a daze, unable to eat. His sister had fallen in love with Fang Shixiu, but she also knew she was not someone worthy of his station. So she quickly grew haggard as she pined away.

However, before he found a way to make money, his sister, at the age of seventeen, met Fang Shixiu.

_{But in truth, he was also fuming on the inside and secretly cursed: {What an ungrateful little brat!}}Upon hearing her words, the captain of the guards' face changed colours greatly, his eyes looking over Yan Ran once more in disbelief. That youth still glared at him, his ridiculing gaze one of haughtiness and snobbery.

But in truth, he was also fuming on the inside and secretly cursed: What an ungrateful little brat!

_{In the end, she did succeed in giving birth to a fine baby boy. However, it came at the cost of her body completely breaking down. She knew her time was coming before she sent the messenger to deliver that letter to Yan Ran. She also knew that saying she was already dead was the only way she could make Yan Ran enter the Fang mansion.}Finding those curses offensive, the captain of the guards struck the youth's acupoint to mute him, resulting in the young man using those raven black eyes to shoot the captain a glare that greatly resembled a sharpened blade. The guard shivered instinctively, an act he simply couldn't help. This youth's killing aura was truly quite strong!

_{Yan Ran refused all of Yan Fei's help, and apart from when she visited the sword academy alone to see him, the two would not have seen each other for a year.}01.1: A Promise to Yan Fei

Yan Ran refused all of Yan Fei's help, and apart from when she visited the sword academy alone to see him, the two would not have seen each other for a year.

_{Like this, Yan Fei had entered the Fang household as the second young mistress, while her younger brother ran away to join some poor sword academy to learn the art of swordsmanship. From then on, the brother-sister pair parted ways.}
The servant girl nodded. "Yes, but... you need to come with me quickly!"

To marry her, Fang Shixiu suffered a great deal of criticism and opposition from his family. Fang Xuanjing had even threatened to kick him out of the clan. This was due to marriage customs having rather strict rules at that time, meaning marriages between nobility and commoners were absolutely forbidden, and offenders would lose their titles of nobility.

_{Upon hearing her words, the captain of the guards' face changed colours greatly, his eyes looking over Yan Ran once more in disbelief. That youth still glared at him, his ridiculing gaze one of haughtiness and snobbery.}
At first, Yan Ran was overjoyed, but after seeing the servant girl's expression, the unease again overtook him, his hands erupting in a cold sweat. For a moment, he had forgotten his reason for coming here to confront Fang Shixiu. So now, with the servant girl, he ran madly towards the backyard.

Upon hearing her words, the captain of the guards' face changed colours greatly, his eyes looking over Yan Ran once more in disbelief. That youth still glared at him, his ridiculing gaze one of haughtiness and snobbery.

_{Thus, disregarding the lingering effects of her difficult first pregnancy, Yan Fei again conceived with her weakened body, praying every day with all her might that her third child would be a boy.}"Then just try!" The youth pointed his sword at the gatekeeper and then attacked. His sword technique was as swift as it was fierce. Thus, the gatekeeper had lost a few strands of hair.

Thus, disregarding the lingering effects of her difficult first pregnancy, Yan Fei again conceived with her weakened body, praying every day with all her might that her third child would be a boy.

_{However, before he found a way to make money, his sister, at the age of seventeen, met Fang Shixiu.}The servant girl then turned to the captain of the guard and said, "Be quick about it; set him down. He's the younger brother of the young mistress."

However, before he found a way to make money, his sister, at the age of seventeen, met Fang Shixiu.

☆☆☆

_{Yaoguang was a small town—one with an economy that was not prosperous. But it was a town renowned for its swordsmanship, producing many of the top swordsmen of the land, fighters who would go seek out the Five Great Houses after mastering their art form and exchange their skills for high official positions and wealth.}
Early that morning, Yan Ran received a message from the Fang mansion saying that his older sister had left this world. When he first got the news, everything in front of his eyes went dark, and he fainted. After his master woke him up, he immediately jumped on a horse and rode like mad to get there. In his mind, he was certain his sister must have met her end due to Fang Shixiu's torment, and he was determined to kill Fang Shixiu to avenge her.

_{"None of you are worthy of knowing this young master's name!" The youth spat crossly.}"Let me in!" He looked around fourteen years old, perhaps even a year older, and had hair scattered wildly around his shoulders like a bundle of straw. His face, soiled with dust and dirt, made it so his features could not at all be discerned. But its shape was oval and quite slim, no bigger than a palm. But the temper of this youth was more than enough for his stature, as his raven black eyes, shining with brilliance, appeared as though flames shot from them as he glared at the people surrounding him.

"None of you are worthy of knowing this young master's name!" The youth spat crossly.

_{Around that time, for a reason no one knew, the Fang family was cursed. All four sons of the house had failed to produce a male child, with every one of them giving birth to a girl, thus bestowing Fang Xuanjing with a total of fourteen granddaughters.}
Yan Ran's older sister was named Yan Fei. Their parents had left the world when both of them were still young, so the brother-sister pair only had each other to depend on in this life. His older sister was six years older than himself. When their parents passed away, she was just a fourteen-year-old girl and one who had to take up the heavy burden of raising her younger brother. So, from their village, she had to leave for the town of Yaoguang to get employed as an embroiderer. She was clever and quite skilled with her hands, too. So not long after, she was welcomed by high-ranking officials and practically became the exclusive embroiderer for many rich families.

Around that time, for a reason no one knew, the Fang family was cursed. All four sons of the house had failed to produce a male child, with every one of them giving birth to a girl, thus bestowing Fang Xuanjing with a total of fourteen granddaughters.

_{In the end, it was the bitter pleas of Fang Shixiu's mother that made Fang Xuanjing reluctantly allow his son to keep his position. But from that moment on, Fang Shixiu was no longer favoured or respected.}Thus, disregarding the lingering effects of her difficult first pregnancy, Yan Fei again conceived with her weakened body, praying every day with all her might that her third child would be a boy.

_{But Fang Shixiu adamantly refused such a proposal, telling her, "I never had any interest in being this family's heir, nor do I have any interest in marrying another."}Yan Ran had still refused to see Fang Shixiu.

But Fang Shixiu adamantly refused such a proposal, telling her, "I never had any interest in being this family's heir, nor do I have any interest in marrying another."

_{"Let me in!" He looked around fourteen years old, perhaps even a year older, and had hair scattered wildly around his shoulders like a bundle of straw. His face, soiled with dust and dirt, made it so his features could not at all be discerned.}The shock made his body erupt in a cold sweat, with him no longer daring to act carelessly. He drew his sword holstered at his hips to meet the boy while shouting to another guard, "Go call the captain. This kid is not easy to deal with!"

"Let me in!" He looked around fourteen years old, perhaps even a year older, and had hair scattered wildly around his shoulders like a bundle of straw. His face, soiled with dust and dirt, made it so his features could not at all be discerned. But its shape was oval and quite slim, no bigger than a palm. But the temper of this youth was more than enough for his stature, as his raven black eyes, shining with brilliance, appeared as though flames shot from them as he glared at the people surrounding him.

_{Yan Ran had still refused to see Fang Shixiu.}
In Yan Ran's eyes, his older sister was the kindest and most beautiful girl in the world. He had sworn he would be good to his sister all their lives. And would, therefore, make a lot of money in the future to take care of her. All so she would never have to do embroidery work all day and night again and never have to endure pain in her fingers, which were now deformed to the point they could no longer be straightened.

Yan Ran had still refused to see Fang Shixiu.

_{So, not a soul had expected Fang Shixiu to truly wish to marry his sister in the end, let alone that it would also be a complete and legal marriage according to the Three Letters and Six Rites. It was news that not only shocked House Fang, but it had also spread like wildfire throughout the town of Yaoguang. Some found it to be wonderful news, while others were on the fence.}In the beginning, Fang Shixiu had still attempted to ease their rigid relationship. But, afterwards, he saw that Yan Ran's attitude was too stubborn to be changed. So, even he had grown irritated and no longer paid any attention to the matters concerning Yan Ran. No matter how much Yan Fe tried to persuade him, he had no interest in that petulant child again.

So, not a soul had expected Fang Shixiu to truly wish to marry his sister in the end, let alone that it would also be a complete and legal marriage according to the Three Letters and Six Rites. It was news that not only shocked House Fang, but it had also spread like wildfire throughout the town of Yaoguang. Some found it to be wonderful news, while others were on the fence.

_{The name of this second son was Fang Shixiu, and he resided in the Breaking Water Courtyard.}Yan Ran had still refused to see Fang Shixiu.

The name of this second son was Fang Shixiu, and he resided in the Breaking Water Courtyard.

_{For Yan Ran, such an event was truly a disaster. He saw that his sister was left in a daze, unable to eat. His sister had fallen in love with Fang Shixiu, but she also knew she was not someone worthy of his station. So she quickly grew haggard as she pined away.}Fang Xuanjing had four sons, and according to ancestral precepts, the eldest son should be the one tasked with continuing the family line. But, in the eyes of everyone in the town of Yaoguang, the second son of House Fang seemed more qualified than the first.

For Yan Ran, such an event was truly a disaster. He saw that his sister was left in a daze, unable to eat. His sister had fallen in love with Fang Shixiu, but she also knew she was not someone worthy of his station. So she quickly grew haggard as she pined away.

_{Yan Ran's older sister was named Yan Fei. Their parents had left the world when both of them were still young, so the brother-sister pair only had each other to depend on in this life.}
However, before he found a way to make money, his sister, at the age of seventeen, met Fang Shixiu.

Yan Ran's older sister was named Yan Fei. Their parents had left the world when both of them were still young, so the brother-sister pair only had each other to depend on in this life. His older sister was six years older than himself. When their parents passed away, she was just a fourteen-year-old girl and one who had to take up the heavy burden of raising her younger brother. So, from their village, she had to leave for the town of Yaoguang to get employed as an embroiderer. She was clever and quite skilled with her hands, too. So not long after, she was welcomed by high-ranking officials and practically became the exclusive embroiderer for many rich families.

_{In Yan Ran's eyes, his older sister was the kindest and most beautiful girl in the world. He had sworn he would be good to his sister all their lives.}
For Yan Ran, such an event was truly a disaster. He saw that his sister was left in a daze, unable to eat. His sister had fallen in love with Fang Shixiu, but she also knew she was not someone worthy of his station. So she quickly grew haggard as she pined away.

In Yan Ran's eyes, his older sister was the kindest and most beautiful girl in the world. He had sworn he would be good to his sister all their lives. And would, therefore, make a lot of money in the future to take care of her. All so she would never have to do embroidery work all day and night again and never have to endure pain in her fingers, which were now deformed to the point they could no longer be straightened.

_{Other than Fang Shixiu, his other three brothers all gave the best effort to take concubines in which to sow their seeds, but man was always inferior to the will of heaven. So, despite all their wives and concubines being impregnated, they had all given birth to 'flowers,' with no 'stems' in sight.}Other than Fang Shixiu, his other three brothers all gave the best effort to take concubines in which to sow their seeds, but man was always inferior to the will of heaven. So, despite all their wives and concubines being impregnated, they had all given birth to 'flowers,' with no 'stems' in sight.

_{In the early hours of the morning, at the entrance of that Breaking Water Courtyard, someone had begun kicking up a fuss. A troublemaker—with hair flowing madly—was a boy in his youth.}
From then on, Yan Ran had begun hating that man he had never laid eyes on. He also didn't believe that damned guy would ever be able to give his sister happiness.

In the early hours of the morning, at the entrance of that Breaking Water Courtyard, someone had begun kicking up a fuss. A troublemaker—with hair flowing madly—was a boy in his youth.

_{Fang Shixiu's displeasure was, of course, something Yan Fei could sense. But one was the man she loved the most, and the other was her most beloved kin, putting her in quite a dilemma. She couldn't understand why the two were so averse to each other, like fire and water.}Upon hearing her words, the captain of the guards' face changed colours greatly, his eyes looking over Yan Ran once more in disbelief. That youth still glared at him, his ridiculing gaze one of haughtiness and snobbery.

_{After a while, a young servant girl ran over hurriedly. She looked over the youth with scrutiny, then proceeded to ask, "Are you Young Master Yan Ran?"}
So, not a soul had expected Fang Shixiu to truly wish to marry his sister in the end, let alone that it would also be a complete and legal marriage according to the Three Letters and Six Rites. It was news that not only shocked House Fang, but it had also spread like wildfire throughout the town of Yaoguang. Some found it to be wonderful news, while others were on the fence.

After a while, a young servant girl ran over hurriedly. She looked over the youth with scrutiny, then proceeded to ask, "Are you Young Master Yan Ran?"

_{Yan Ran never believed in tales where young women went from rags to riches. He never believed in such things!}
On the eve of the grand wedding, Yan Fei asked Yan Ran to meet his future brother-in-law. But Yan Ran refused with all his might, taking up a kitchen knife and putting it to his neck as he replied, "No! I refuse! I hate that man! He stole you away from me! So why would I ever want to meet him? If I ever lay eyes on him, I swear, I will take his life!"

Yan Ran never believed in tales where young women went from rags to riches. He never believed in such things!

_{In Yan Ran's eyes, his older sister was the kindest and most beautiful girl in the world. He had sworn he would be good to his sister all their lives.}From then on, Yan Ran had begun hating that man he had never laid eyes on. He also didn't believe that damned guy would ever be able to give his sister happiness.

_{"My sister is still alive?" Yan Ran gasped.}In the early hours of the morning, at the entrance of that Breaking Water Courtyard, someone had begun kicking up a fuss. A troublemaker—with hair flowing madly—was a boy in his youth.

"My sister is still alive?" Yan Ran gasped.

_{"Let me in!" He looked around fourteen years old, perhaps even a year older, and had hair scattered wildly around his shoulders like a bundle of straw. His face, soiled with dust and dirt, made it so his features could not at all be discerned.}So, not a soul had expected Fang Shixiu to truly wish to marry his sister in the end, let alone that it would also be a complete and legal marriage according to the Three Letters and Six Rites. It was news that not only shocked House Fang, but it had also spread like wildfire throughout the town of Yaoguang. Some found it to be wonderful news, while others were on the fence.

_{Tugging Yan Ran's sleeve, the servant girl urged, "Young Master, you need to come with me quickly. The young mistress is dying!"}Around that time, for a reason no one knew, the Fang family was cursed. All four sons of the house had failed to produce a male child, with every one of them giving birth to a girl, thus bestowing Fang Xuanjing with a total of fourteen granddaughters.

Tugging Yan Ran's sleeve, the servant girl urged, "Young Master, you need to come with me quickly. The young mistress is dying!"

_{In Yan Ran's eyes, his older sister was the kindest and most beautiful girl in the world. He had sworn he would be good to his sister all their lives.}The guard immediately released Yan Ran's acupoint, unmuting, then unbound him.

_{Finding those curses offensive, the captain of the guards struck the youth's acupoint to mute him, resulting in the young man using those raven black eyes to shoot the captain a glare that greatly resembled a sharpened blade. The guard shivered instinctively, an act he simply couldn't help. This youth's killing aura was truly quite strong!}
And to Yan Ran's refusal to meet him, Fang Shixiu only smiled at Yan Fei and said indifferently, "It's alright. There'll be lots of opportunities for us to meet in the future."

Finding those curses offensive, the captain of the guards struck the youth's acupoint to mute him, resulting in the young man using those raven black eyes to shoot the captain a glare that greatly resembled a sharpened blade. The guard shivered instinctively, an act he simply couldn't help. This youth's killing aura was truly quite strong!

_{"Then just try!" The youth pointed his sword at the gatekeeper and then attacked. His sword technique was as swift as it was fierce. Thus, the gatekeeper had lost a few strands of hair.}From then on, Yan Ran had begun hating that man he had never laid eyes on. He also didn't believe that damned guy would ever be able to give his sister happiness.

"Then just try!" The youth pointed his sword at the gatekeeper and then attacked. His sword technique was as swift as it was fierce. Thus, the gatekeeper had lost a few strands of hair.

_{To marry her, Fang Shixiu suffered a great deal of criticism and opposition from his family. Fang Xuanjing had even threatened to kick him out of the clan. This was due to marriage customs having rather strict rules at that time, meaning marriages between nobility and commoners were absolutely forbidden, and offenders would lose their titles of nobility.}Yan Ran's older sister was named Yan Fei. Their parents had left the world when both of them were still young, so the brother-sister pair only had each other to depend on in this life. His older sister was six years older than himself. When their parents passed away, she was just a fourteen-year-old girl and one who had to take up the heavy burden of raising her younger brother. So, from their village, she had to leave for the town of Yaoguang to get employed as an embroiderer. She was clever and quite skilled with her hands, too. So not long after, she was welcomed by high-ranking officials and practically became the exclusive embroiderer for many rich families.

_☆☆☆From then on, Yan Ran had begun hating that man he had never laid eyes on. He also didn't believe that damned guy would ever be able to give his sister happiness.

☆☆☆

_{"Let me in!" He looked around fourteen years old, perhaps even a year older, and had hair scattered wildly around his shoulders like a bundle of straw. His face, soiled with dust and dirt, made it so his features could not at all be discerned.}
Fang Shixiu's displeasure was, of course, something Yan Fei could sense. But one was the man she loved the most, and the other was her most beloved kin, putting her in quite a dilemma. She couldn't understand why the two were so averse to each other, like fire and water.

_{Fang Xuanjing had four sons, and according to ancestral precepts, the eldest son should be the one tasked with continuing the family line. But, in the eyes of everyone in the town of Yaoguang, the second son of House Fang seemed more qualified than the first.}Yan Fei, herself, had only given birth once to a pair of twins, who were also girls. She had urged Fang Shixiu to marry another and that she would not mind.

_{In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.}The shock made his body erupt in a cold sweat, with him no longer daring to act carelessly. He drew his sword holstered at his hips to meet the boy while shouting to another guard, "Go call the captain. This kid is not easy to deal with!"

In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.

_{As a result, in his longing for a grandson, Fang Xuanjing declared that whoever sired his grandson would be established as his successor.}The name of this second son was Fang Shixiu, and he resided in the Breaking Water Courtyard.

As a result, in his longing for a grandson, Fang Xuanjing declared that whoever sired his grandson would be established as his successor.

_{The servant girl nodded. "Yes, but... you need to come with me quickly!"}
To marry her, Fang Shixiu suffered a great deal of criticism and opposition from his family. Fang Xuanjing had even threatened to kick him out of the clan. This was due to marriage customs having rather strict rules at that time, meaning marriages between nobility and commoners were absolutely forbidden, and offenders would lose their titles of nobility.

The servant girl nodded. "Yes, but... you need to come with me quickly!"

_{The gatekeeper fumed from being put to shame. "Where'd a street urchin like you even come from? Go muck around somewhere else, will you?! Do you not know where this place is?"}Hearing the youth blathering on such nonsense gave the gatekeeper a good laugh. "Kid, are you trying to get yourself killed?"

The gatekeeper fumed from being put to shame. "Where'd a street urchin like you even come from? Go muck around somewhere else, will you?! Do you not know where this place is?"

_{In the town of Yaoguang, the person holding the highest position was named Fang Xuanjing.}"None of you are worthy of knowing this young master's name!" The youth spat crossly.

In the town of Yaoguang, the person holding the highest position was named Fang Xuanjing.

_{In the end, it was the bitter pleas of Fang Shixiu's mother that made Fang Xuanjing reluctantly allow his son to keep his position. But from that moment on, Fang Shixiu was no longer favoured or respected.}
But Fang Shixiu was willing to risk being banished as a pauper, and continued to insist he would be marrying Yan Fei. This degree of his love was deeply ingrained in Yan Fei's heart. So, of course, she would not abandon him because of Yan Ran's opposition.

_{"Then just try!" The youth pointed his sword at the gatekeeper and then attacked. His sword technique was as swift as it was fierce. Thus, the gatekeeper had lost a few strands of hair.}Once free, the stream of curses Yan Ran screamed was immediate. "There's not one damn good person in this place, only bad! Nothing's good about you! See if I don't kill all of you in the future! How could you tie someone up with rope so tightly, huh? Look, look at it! My skin is already bleeding! Do you not have any experience tying people up with ropes? With just one look, you could clearly see I was nothing but an amateur. What the hell are you doing in this house, guard captain?! If an actual killer did come here, what would you do, huh? Were you planning to just lie down like a dog and wait for them to kill you?! I hate unreasonable people who just mute a person's acupoint the most! If you don't believe me, just argue with me, for heaven's sake! The one I want to curse is Fang Shixiu, not you! So what's with that face? Why are you all red and boiling with anger? You're nothing but a servant!"

"Then just try!" The youth pointed his sword at the gatekeeper and then attacked. His sword technique was as swift as it was fierce. Thus, the gatekeeper had lost a few strands of hair.

_{"Then just try!" The youth pointed his sword at the gatekeeper and then attacked. His sword technique was as swift as it was fierce. Thus, the gatekeeper had lost a few strands of hair.}
In the end, it was the bitter pleas of Fang Shixiu's mother that made Fang Xuanjing reluctantly allow his son to keep his position. But from that moment on, Fang Shixiu was no longer favoured or respected.

"Then just try!" The youth pointed his sword at the gatekeeper and then attacked. His sword technique was as swift as it was fierce. Thus, the gatekeeper had lost a few strands of hair.

_{In the early hours of the morning, at the entrance of that Breaking Water Courtyard, someone had begun kicking up a fuss. A troublemaker—with hair flowing madly—was a boy in his youth.}N/A

In the early hours of the morning, at the entrance of that Breaking Water Courtyard, someone had begun kicking up a fuss. A troublemaker—with hair flowing madly—was a boy in his youth.

But Fang Shixiu was willing to risk being banished as a pauper, and continued to insist he would be marrying Yan Fei. This degree of his love was deeply ingrained in Yan Fei's heart. So, of course, she would not abandon him because of Yan Ran's opposition.

_{In the youth's hand was a sword—one possessing a sharpened edge. He then waved that sword to the ones facing him and spat, "Where is this place, huh? Spit! I won't rest until I meet Fang! He's the bastard I'm going to kill! So let me in! Let me in, or I will kill you all in his stead!"}
Like this, Yan Fei had entered the Fang household as the second young mistress, while her younger brother ran away to join some poor sword academy to learn the art of swordsmanship. From then on, the brother-sister pair parted ways.

In the youth's hand was a sword—one possessing a sharpened edge. He then waved that sword to the ones facing him and spat, "Where is this place, huh? Spit! I won't rest until I meet Fang! He's the bastard I'm going to kill! So let me in! Let me in, or I will kill you all in his stead!"

_{Once free, the stream of curses Yan Ran screamed was immediate. "There's not one damn good person in this place, only bad! Nothing's good about you! See if I don't kill all of you in the future! How could you tie someone up with rope so tightly, huh? Look, look at it! My skin is already bleeding! Do you not have any experience tying people up with ropes? With just one look, you could clearly see I was nothing but an amateur.}The servant girl nodded. "Yes, but... you need to come with me quickly!"

_{The Captain of the Guard was so pissed, his heart felt as though it would burst! But a meaningful look in the young servant girl's eyes made him grit his teeth and bear it.}The Captain of the Guard was so pissed, his heart felt as though it would burst! But a meaningful look in the young servant girl's eyes made him grit his teeth and bear it.

The Captain of the Guard was so pissed, his heart felt as though it would burst! But a meaningful look in the young servant girl's eyes made him grit his teeth and bear it.

_{In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.}So, not a soul had expected Fang Shixiu to truly wish to marry his sister in the end, let alone that it would also be a complete and legal marriage according to the Three Letters and Six Rites. It was news that not only shocked House Fang, but it had also spread like wildfire throughout the town of Yaoguang. Some found it to be wonderful news, while others were on the fence.

In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.

_{"Let me in!" He looked around fourteen years old, perhaps even a year older, and had hair scattered wildly around his shoulders like a bundle of straw. His face, soiled with dust and dirt, made it so his features could not at all be discerned.}Around that time, for a reason no one knew, the Fang family was cursed. All four sons of the house had failed to produce a male child, with every one of them giving birth to a girl, thus bestowing Fang Xuanjing with a total of fourteen granddaughters.

_{In the end, it was the bitter pleas of Fang Shixiu's mother that made Fang Xuanjing reluctantly allow his son to keep his position. But from that moment on, Fang Shixiu was no longer favoured or respected.}In the youth's hand was a sword—one possessing a sharpened edge. He then waved that sword to the ones facing him and spat, "Where is this place, huh? Spit! I won't rest until I meet Fang! He's the bastard I'm going to kill! So let me in! Let me in, or I will kill you all in his stead!"

But Fang Shixiu adamantly refused such a proposal, telling her, "I never had any interest in being this family's heir, nor do I have any interest in marrying another."

_{After a while, a young servant girl ran over hurriedly. She looked over the youth with scrutiny, then proceeded to ask, "Are you Young Master Yan Ran?"}In the beginning, Fang Shixiu had still attempted to ease their rigid relationship. But, afterwards, he saw that Yan Ran's attitude was too stubborn to be changed. So, even he had grown irritated and no longer paid any attention to the matters concerning Yan Ran. No matter how much Yan Fe tried to persuade him, he had no interest in that petulant child again.

After a while, a young servant girl ran over hurriedly. She looked over the youth with scrutiny, then proceeded to ask, "Are you Young Master Yan Ran?"

_N/A
In the beginning, Fang Shixiu had still attempted to ease their rigid relationship. But, afterwards, he saw that Yan Ran's attitude was too stubborn to be changed. So, even he had grown irritated and no longer paid any attention to the matters concerning Yan Ran. No matter how much Yan Fe tried to persuade him, he had no interest in that petulant child again.

N/A

_{The shock made his body erupt in a cold sweat, with him no longer daring to act carelessly. He drew his sword holstered at his hips to meet the boy while shouting to another guard, "Go call the captain. This kid is not easy to deal with!"}
Around that time, for a reason no one knew, the Fang family was cursed. All four sons of the house had failed to produce a male child, with every one of them giving birth to a girl, thus bestowing Fang Xuanjing with a total of fourteen granddaughters.

The shock made his body erupt in a cold sweat, with him no longer daring to act carelessly. He drew his sword holstered at his hips to meet the boy while shouting to another guard, "Go call the captain. This kid is not easy to deal with!"

_{For Yan Ran, such an event was truly a disaster. He saw that his sister was left in a daze, unable to eat. His sister had fallen in love with Fang Shixiu, but she also knew she was not someone worthy of his station. So she quickly grew haggard as she pined away.}
As a result, in his longing for a grandson, Fang Xuanjing declared that whoever sired his grandson would be established as his successor.

_{Other than Fang Shixiu, his other three brothers all gave the best effort to take concubines in which to sow their seeds, but man was always inferior to the will of heaven. So, despite all their wives and concubines being impregnated, they had all given birth to 'flowers,' with no 'stems' in sight.}But Fang Shixiu was willing to risk being banished as a pauper, and continued to insist he would be marrying Yan Fei. This degree of his love was deeply ingrained in Yan Fei's heart. So, of course, she would not abandon him because of Yan Ran's opposition.

_{Other than Fang Shixiu, his other three brothers all gave the best effort to take concubines in which to sow their seeds, but man was always inferior to the will of heaven. So, despite all their wives and concubines being impregnated, they had all given birth to 'flowers,' with no 'stems' in sight.}Despite Yan Fei being moved by his words, she still felt uneasy. Although she was a mere woman, she did know her husband was the most talented and qualified to lead the family among the four sons of the Fang household. And his not being the eldest was the reason he was not respected. But now there was a chance for that to all change, so how could she just let it pass by?

_{"My sister is still alive?" Yan Ran gasped.}
Other than Fang Shixiu, his other three brothers all gave the best effort to take concubines in which to sow their seeds, but man was always inferior to the will of heaven. So, despite all their wives and concubines being impregnated, they had all given birth to 'flowers,' with no 'stems' in sight.

"My sister is still alive?" Yan Ran gasped.

_{But Fang Shixiu was willing to risk being banished as a pauper, and continued to insist he would be marrying Yan Fei. This degree of his love was deeply ingrained in Yan Fei's heart. So, of course, she would not abandon him because of Yan Ran's opposition.}So, not a soul had expected Fang Shixiu to truly wish to marry his sister in the end, let alone that it would also be a complete and legal marriage according to the Three Letters and Six Rites. It was news that not only shocked House Fang, but it had also spread like wildfire throughout the town of Yaoguang. Some found it to be wonderful news, while others were on the fence.

_{For Yan Ran, such an event was truly a disaster. He saw that his sister was left in a daze, unable to eat. His sister had fallen in love with Fang Shixiu, but she also knew she was not someone worthy of his station. So she quickly grew haggard as she pined away.}Yan Ran never believed in tales where young women went from rags to riches. He never believed in such things!

_{In the beginning, Fang Shixiu had still attempted to ease their rigid relationship. But, afterwards, he saw that Yan Ran's attitude was too stubborn to be changed. So, even he had grown irritated and no longer paid any attention to the matters concerning Yan Ran. No matter how much Yan Fe tried to persuade him, he had no interest in that petulant child again.}
Yan Fei, herself, had only given birth once to a pair of twins, who were also girls. She had urged Fang Shixiu to marry another and that she would not mind.

In the beginning, Fang Shixiu had still attempted to ease their rigid relationship. But, afterwards, he saw that Yan Ran's attitude was too stubborn to be changed. So, even he had grown irritated and no longer paid any attention to the matters concerning Yan Ran. No matter how much Yan Fe tried to persuade him, he had no interest in that petulant child again.

_{The guard immediately released Yan Ran's acupoint, unmuting, then unbound him.}
But Fang Shixiu adamantly refused such a proposal, telling her, "I never had any interest in being this family's heir, nor do I have any interest in marrying another."

The guard immediately released Yan Ran's acupoint, unmuting, then unbound him.

_{The shock made his body erupt in a cold sweat, with him no longer daring to act carelessly. He drew his sword holstered at his hips to meet the boy while shouting to another guard, "Go call the captain. This kid is not easy to deal with!"}In a flash, a group of henchmen came running, surrounding the youth one by one and quickly managing to subdue and bind him before carrying him into that mansion.

_{And to Yan Ran's refusal to meet him, Fang Shixiu only smiled at Yan Fei and said indifferently, "It's alright. There'll be lots of opportunities for us to meet in the future."}In the youth's hand was a sword—one possessing a sharpened edge. He then waved that sword to the ones facing him and spat, "Where is this place, huh? Spit! I won't rest until I meet Fang! He's the bastard I'm going to kill! So let me in! Let me in, or I will kill you all in his stead!"

And to Yan Ran's refusal to meet him, Fang Shixiu only smiled at Yan Fei and said indifferently, "It's alright. There'll be lots of opportunities for us to meet in the future."

Thus, disregarding the lingering effects of her difficult first pregnancy, Yan Fei again conceived with her weakened body, praying every day with all her might that her third child would be a boy.

_{So, not a soul had expected Fang Shixiu to truly wish to marry his sister in the end, let alone that it would also be a complete and legal marriage according to the Three Letters and Six Rites. It was news that not only shocked House Fang, but it had also spread like wildfire throughout the town of Yaoguang. Some found it to be wonderful news, while others were on the fence.}
Despite Yan Fei being moved by his words, she still felt uneasy. Although she was a mere woman, she did know her husband was the most talented and qualified to lead the family among the four sons of the Fang household. And his not being the eldest was the reason he was not respected. But now there was a chance for that to all change, so how could she just let it pass by?

_{But in truth, he was also fuming on the inside and secretly cursed: What an ungrateful little brat!}
What's more, because of her, the immensely talented Fang Shixiu was ostracised by the family and looked down upon by his clansmen. It had made her quite sad. So, if she could give birth to a boy, her husband's situation might be better.

But in truth, he was also fuming on the inside and secretly cursed: What an ungrateful little brat!

_{Early that morning, Yan Ran received a message from the Fang mansion saying that his older sister had left this world. When he first got the news, everything in front of his eyes went dark, and he fainted.}
Thus, disregarding the lingering effects of her difficult first pregnancy, Yan Fei again conceived with her weakened body, praying every day with all her might that her third child would be a boy.

Early that morning, Yan Ran received a message from the Fang mansion saying that his older sister had left this world. When he first got the news, everything in front of his eyes went dark, and he fainted. After his master woke him up, he immediately jumped on a horse and rode like mad to get there. In his mind, he was certain his sister must have met her end due to Fang Shixiu's torment, and he was determined to kill Fang Shixiu to avenge her.

_{Early that morning, Yan Ran received a message from the Fang mansion saying that his older sister had left this world. When he first got the news, everything in front of his eyes went dark, and he fainted.}Like this, Yan Fei had entered the Fang household as the second young mistress, while her younger brother ran away to join some poor sword academy to learn the art of swordsmanship. From then on, the brother-sister pair parted ways.

_{Yan Ran nodded desperately in response.}The gatekeeper fumed from being put to shame. "Where'd a street urchin like you even come from? Go muck around somewhere else, will you?! Do you not know where this place is?"

Yan Ran nodded desperately in response.

_☆☆☆Like this, Yan Fei had entered the Fang household as the second young mistress, while her younger brother ran away to join some poor sword academy to learn the art of swordsmanship. From then on, the brother-sister pair parted ways.

☆☆☆

_{Yan Ran refused all of Yan Fei's help, and apart from when she visited the sword academy alone to see him, the two would not have seen each other for a year.}
In the end, she did succeed in giving birth to a fine baby boy. However, it came at the cost of her body completely breaking down. She knew her time was coming before she sent the messenger to deliver that letter to Yan Ran. She also knew that saying she was already dead was the only way she could make Yan Ran enter the Fang mansion.

Yan Ran refused all of Yan Fei's help, and apart from when she visited the sword academy alone to see him, the two would not have seen each other for a year.

Author's Note:

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Notes:

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Updated every Friday. Raws: Kobo

Advanced chapters on ko-fi

Brother-in-law: C01-1

01.1: A Promise to Yan Fei

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