Caelen had no idea that just one sentence from him had completely ruined the good mood they had. He just found it unbelievable. Could women really get shy?
But soon, his confusion was answered. Xylira's face flushed bright red, and she quickly tried to hide her embarrassment. She lifted her head stubbornly and raised her voice slightly, "Who said I was shy?"
Her big eyes were full of threat, as if saying, could this man not be so blunt with his words? "Who saw it?" she snapped. I did, with both my eyes.
Although he wanted to say that, facing Xylira who was clearly angry from embarrassment, Caelen thought it would be better not to expose her. He simply looked at her in silence, but the joy in his eyes betrayed his good mood.
Being stared at like that, Xylira started feeling like maybe she was the one being unreasonable. She turned her head awkwardly toward the blooming peonies outside the pavilion. Xylira, you're so dumb. What was that obvious behavior just now?
"To change the subject and ease her discomfort, she asked, "Do you regret it?" She smiled at Caelen from across the table. "You must know by now what kind of person you saved, right?"
"I didn't know before, but I do now." Caelen thought of General Renyu, and his heart still held a faint disappointment. But he said, "If I hadn't saved him, that's what I would've regretted."
"Besides, on the battlefield, weapons don't have eyes. There's no time to decide whether to save someone or not. You look at the uniform and act."
His tone was full of helplessness when he said that. "That's true." Xylira nodded. This was the era of cold weapons and close combat. It was either kill or be killed. Speed was everything.
"Also," Caelen hesitated for a moment. "Now, I should thank the heavens that the one I saved was General Renyu. Otherwise, this arranged engagement wouldn't have happened."
Understanding what he meant, Xylira's face turned red again. Was this man saying sweet things now? It seemed he really was pleased with the engagement.
As expected, she got shy again. Caelen chuckled inwardly. But she looked even more beautiful like this. He thought seriously that he should say more things like that in the future.
"Of course. My sister is so beautiful, smart, and unique. Marrying you is more than enough. At least you, General Caelen, have some self-awareness."
Xiyan's cold and hard voice instantly shattered the pleasant atmosphere inside the pavilion. His striking eyes held a chill as they fixed on Caelen.
Had it not been for the earlier conversation, Caelen would have definitely been nervous again. But now, he had the confidence. He met Xiyan's gaze directly.
While Xylira wasn't looking, he even gave a slightly provocative look, paying him back for all the unease and overthinking he had caused earlier.
"Brother, why are you here?" Xylira was delighted to see her elder brother. Her big eyes curved into crescent moons as she stood up quickly and walked over, affectionately taking his arm.
Thankfully, her brother arrived in time. Otherwise, she really didn't know how to deal with what Caelen had just said. "Hmph," Xiyan let out a proud snort toward Caelen.
"It's time. Put your veil back on. We're going home." "Okay," Xylira replied sweetly.
The siblings greeted Caelen, then left arm in arm. Perhaps it was because of Caelen's earlier provocation, but two meters after walking away, Xiyan's voice rose slightly.
"Xylira, the clothes you made for me are really nice. I like them a lot." "Really?" Xylira knew exactly what her brother meant by saying this, but still went along with him.
"I'll make all your clothes from now on." "Aren't you about to get married?"
Even as he felt the pressure from behind him like a heavy force, Xiyan straightened his back. He forced himself to act as if he was uncomfortable, determined to provoke Caelen to the very end.
Hmph. The more he thought about his adorable sister becoming part of Caelen's family, the less he liked the man. "Hehe," Xylira chuckled softly.
"Even if I marry, I'll still be your sister." The two of them gradually walked farther away.
Caelen stared at the narrow path glowing white in the distance where their figures had disappeared. Although he quickly understood the meaning behind Xiyan's words, knowing he couldn't bear to give Xylira to anyone if she were his own sister.
He also knew Xiyan had said all that on purpose for him to hear. But still, Caelen was affected. Hmph. Xiyan, you're so childish.
I'll let it go just because you're Xylira's brother. "Pa!" In the side hall of the Chancellor's residence, Lord Edgar dismissed all the servants.
When he saw his gloomy-faced son and his smiling daughter, he couldn't hold back. He slapped Lady Evelyne across the face, startling the three people nearby.
"Father," General Renyu also wanted to slap her, but seeing Lady Evelyne's rapidly swelling cheek, he felt a bit of pity. "Why are you doing this?"
Before he could finish, Lord Edgar gave him a harder slap than the last one. "Lord Edgar, what are you doing?"
Lady Mei Lin trembled as she screamed at him. She didn't know whether she was more scared or angry. Though her favorite son was Yarith, her beloved daughter was Evelyne.
And she also had deep feelings for General Renyu. "Shut up," Lord Edgar shot a cold, sharp look at her.
Lady Mei Lin, who had been so arrogant earlier that day, immediately lost all her strength. She lowered her head and stood to the side, not noticing the disgust in his eyes.
He didn't want to say much to Lady Evelyne. She probably wouldn't understand anyway. But, "General Renyu, how could you be so stupid?"
"Have you forgotten everything I taught you?" His voice was full of disappointment. "Father," General Renyu dropped to his knees.
"I know I was wrong." "You know? I don't think you do."
Lord Edgar glared at his son and shouted, "You'll understand tomorrow just how foolish your actions were. And you," he turned to the tearful Lady Evelyne who didn't dare wail.
"You'll understand too. Your ridiculous drama will bring consequences not just for yourself, but for your brother and for me."
"Father," Lady Evelyne cried out. Tears finally rolled down her cheeks. "Until you're married, you're not allowed to go anywhere."
"I've already asked Her Majesty the Empress to send the most disciplined eunuch from the palace to teach you manners. Learn properly."
"If you even think about being rebellious, I'll beat you to death." Lady Evelyne didn't dare say a word. She nodded quickly.
Even if she were foolish, she knew she had made a huge mistake. "As for you, General Renyu, other than doing your duties well, stay by my side."
A flash of cruelty appeared in Lord Edgar's eyes. Those siblings from the Yue family were doing well. Their wings were growing strong.
The next day, all the rumors about Caelen disappeared without a trace. The emperor even demoted a few officials who had spoken most loudly the day before.
He harshly scolded them. And when he left, perhaps to save face for his third son, he only gave Lord Edgar a meaningful glance.
General Renyu finally understood what his father meant. Not only had his friendship with Caelen's group grown distant, even those he used to be close with now avoided his gaze.
Some even looked uncomfortable. The imperial censor had even formally reported him, claiming he was ungrateful and had poor character.
If he didn't already hold a low-ranking position and if the emperor wasn't thinking of his father and Empress Aunt's influence, he might have been dismissed.
In truth, General Renyu was frustrated too. His father didn't explain anything to him, just told him to follow.
So he kept thinking about it, and still didn't believe he had done anything wrong. If he had to say something, maybe it was just that he had a sister named Lady Evelyne.
He was completely dragged down by her. During the event at the Magpie Bridge, if he had stood up to refute his sister, wouldn't that have just told the world the Chancellor's family wasn't united?
"Father, I want to take part in the imperial examination this time." Because he had been dragged into trouble during the Qixi Festival, General Renyu was feeling upset. Thinking about how he was only a low-ranking official and that if not for his father and aunt, someone like him would be common in Kangcheng, he grew more frustrated.
Thinking about his education and hearing that his third brother had signed up for the exam, he suddenly saw a way forward. That was why he rushed over and said this to Lord Edgar.
Lord Edgar looked at his son for a while, seeing him still staring back firmly. "Very good, Renyu, you finally understand which path you should take." Lord Edgar paused for a moment. "However, you should know that when it comes to the examination, even I can't help you. It all depends on your own ability."
"Yes, I understand, Father." General Renyu finally showed his usual bright and confident smile.
In the side courtyard, Mr. Tao walked into the study carrying ginseng tea. "Yarith, don't push yourself too hard. Your talents are definitely enough."
"I know." Yarith put down the book in his hands, stood up and took the tea, showing a gentle and calm smile similar to Mr. Tao's. "It's just that I have nothing else to do. I might as well spend my days reading like always. Besides, I don't feel tired."
In a small, distant courtyard, the summer morning arrived early. Xylira faced the bronze mirror, carefully using a brow pencil to thicken her willow-shaped eyebrows. She applied light powder to her face, making her small nose more prominent and her delicate features more defined.
The usually smiling corners of her mouth turned flat. She didn't even overlook her Adam's apple.
After nearly half an hour, a handsome young scholar dressed in gray and white appeared in the room. His features were refined and fresh. He reached out with slender pale hands to straighten his hat.
He smiled faintly, the strong spirit in his expression made it impossible to doubt his gender. Looking down at her flat chest, she felt relieved that due to nutritional issues, her body had just started to develop and she didn't need to wrap her chest.
Otherwise, in this hot summer weather, it would have been unbearable. Taking advantage of the fact that the two servant boys were not awake yet, Xylira took her money pouch and left the house in a good mood.
She had already asked about the registration location for the examination early on. It wasn't far from the street where the Prime Minister's residence was located. That made her even more relaxed.
The antique and smooth main road was extra quiet and peaceful. Maybe because many high-ranking officials lived here, even though it was already broad daylight, only the occasional sound of passing carriages could be heard.
However, once she left the straight avenue, the lively atmosphere was like stepping into another world. Shops stood in rows, and people came and went constantly.
In this bustling crowd, Xylira quickened her pace without realizing it. Her cold smile faded as she walked into a restaurant filled with the scent of breakfast.
After eating, she saw that it was getting late and headed toward the registration office. The examination system of Dakan was already very similar to modern college entrance exams.
There were essay questions, classical studies, and the six arts. Of course, among the eight subjects, one could choose the strongest ones to apply for, just like students with special talents in her original time.
However, based on what Xylira understood, the top three ranked scholars were selected based on the total scores of all eight subjects. So she had no other choice.
The strict and tightly monitored exam rules made cheating nearly impossible. Besides, the punishment for getting caught was beyond what most could bear.
Losing the right to take the exam for life was just the beginning. The family name would be ruined, and in severe cases, heads could roll.
Xylira somewhat understood now. No wonder this extreme society could remain so stable and prosperous. It probably had a lot to do with how deeply the men respected strength.
"Sir, please write your name and age here." Xylira took the thin brush and glanced at the long list of applicants and the already four-digit exam numbers. She paused for a second, then wrote down the name she had prepared long ago.
The three characters for Xyl matched her current image: elegant and refined. Xylira had thought it through. Her male disguise now was only to avoid drawing too much attention.
However, even under the best and smoothest conditions, she would be exposed by the age of twenty. If the Emperor asked her name, she could say her name was Xylira, with the courtesy name Xyl.
In this era, scholars usually had courtesy names, and courtesy names could be used as real names. That would not be considered deception.
Besides, this society also had the story of Xyl. Though not as widely known as the story of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, men clearly did not like to talk about it.
With time, it had been forgotten. If she hadn't accidentally found an ancient bamboo scroll in her brother's study, she wouldn't have known either.
That's exactly why she chose this courtesy name. If the Emperor pursued it, she could say she had already revealed her gender long ago.
"Sir, here is your exam token. You really aren't very lucky." The staff member looked embarrassed as he handed it to her.
Xylira took the token with confusion, then frowned. "Four-four-four-four." What kind of number was that? Even though she wasn't superstitious about numbers, she had to agree with the staff.
"Haha, good thing I arrived a little later. Otherwise, I'd have gotten that number." A voice behind her clearly carried a gloating tone.
Xylira glanced at the speaker with a good temper. Her stiff expression relaxed back into calm. She refused to argue with a loud brute like that.
What she didn't know was that the loud man, who was just one number behind her, would end up following her throughout the entire exam. Even in the future.
Much later, when Xylira looked back on it, her heart would still ache. After receiving her exam token, she relaxed and decided to explore Kangcheng.
As expected, there were many men here. Whether it was embroidery towers, rouge shops, or accessory stores, from shopkeepers to assistants, they were all men.
Of course, the customers were both men and women. But those women dressed so revealingly that it was like putting a layer of thin gauze over a bikini.
Maybe because their lives were so easy, their full white chests were too much even for her, another woman. What puzzled her most was how those peaks stood firm without underwire.
She also saw the kind of spoiled young women her brother Xiyan had mentioned. Watching them wear lewd smiles and strange glints in their eyes, ready to pounce on innocent young men in the street, she quickly covered her face and avoided them.
Clearly, just like how she could not accept the idea of having three husbands and four servants, she could not accept becoming such an idle and aggressive woman who harassed good young men.
Fine, Xylira admitted that scene had deeply shaken her again. Even her tough heart became a little unsettled.
She lost interest in shopping and went to her brother's restaurant. "Brother." She pushed open the door to the third floor room, which was reserved for Xiyan.
It had Xiyan's nameplate, so getting in was easy. "You are?" Hearing the voice of his precious sister, Xiyan looked up to see a handsome young man walk in.
He felt both familiar and unfamiliar, so he hesitated and asked, "Xylira?" "Hee hee." Xylira saw his reaction and knew her disguise had worked well.
"Brother, it's me. What do you think?" She took out the fan hanging from her waist, opened it, and struck a dashing pose, blinking her big eyes.
"Xylira, are you serious?" Xiyan quickly guessed the reason for her outfit. "Of course. Look, I even got the token."
She handed over the token. Sure enough, even the cool and composed Xiyan twitched his mouth at the number.
"In that case, do as you wish." Even though he knew how unusual his sister was, Xiyan had no hope she would make it into the top three.