If the Yue family was known across the capital for power and stability, then within the Yue residence there was an unspoken truth known to all—
Yue Ning ruled them all.
And her court consisted of ten brothers, each convinced that he loved her the most.
"Move," Yue Heng said, nudging someone aside.
"I got here first."
"You got here first last time too," Yue Tao retorted.
"It's my turn to carry her."
Yue Ning sat on the stone steps, hugging her knees, watching the argument with bright eyes.
"I can walk," she offered helpfully.
Ten voices answered at once.
"No."
"Absolutely not."
"Too dangerous."
"What if you trip?"
"The ground is uneven."
Yue Ning blinked.
Yue Ming, the eldest, closed his book with a sigh.
"All of you—quiet."
Instant silence.
Yue Ning immediately looked at him.
"Big Brother."
Yue Ming's stern expression melted like snow.
"Yes?"
"Can I eat the plum cake now?"
"…Yes."
The silence broke into chaos again.
Yue Ming crouched beside her, adjusting the ribbon in her hair.
"Did you study today?"
"Yes," Yue Ning nodded proudly.
"I wrote my name."
"How many times?"
"Seven."
Yue Qui leaned over.
"She wrote mine too."
Yue Ming raised an eyebrow.
"Did you ask her to?"
"…Maybe."
Yue Ning giggled.
Yue Heng ruffled her hair.
"She's talented. Clearly inherited my bravery."
Yue Liang scoffed.
"She inherited my patience."
Yue Tao snorted.
"She inherited none of yours."
Yue Jun, quieter, handed Yue Ning a carved wooden bird.
"I made this."
Her eyes widened.
"For me?"
Yue Jun nodded, ears red.
Yue Ning hugged it tightly.
"I'll keep it forever."
Yue Jun straightened as if promoted three ranks.
The Younger Ones Crowd In
Yue An and Yue Rui ran in from the side courtyard.
"Little Sister!" Yue Rui called.
"We caught a butterfly!"
"It flew away," Yue An added quickly.
Yue Ning gasped.
"Was it pretty?"
"It was," Yue Rui said solemnly.
"Blue."
Yue Han, leaning lazily against a pillar, laughed.
"She'll want to catch one now."
Yue Bo immediately said,
"I'll catch ten."
"No butterflies in the courtyard," Yue Ming said calmly.
Yue Bo deflated.
"…One?"
"No."
Yue Ning tugged Yue Ming's sleeve.
"It's okay if I don't see it."
Yue Ming nodded.
"Good."
All the brothers stared at her.
Yue Tao muttered,
"How did she turn out so reasonable?"
Yue Heng crossed his arms.
"Clearly not from us."
Lunchtime Negotiations
At lunch, Yue Ning sat at the center of the long table.
Which meant ten brothers leaned in from all sides.
"Eat more vegetables," Yue Ming said.
"Eat more meat," Yue Heng argued.
"She needs balance," Yue Qui added.
"I'll trade my dessert for her greens," Yue Rui offered.
Yue Ning looked overwhelmed.
Zhao Lan passed by, amused.
"Are you feeding one child or ten?"
Yue Ning looked up.
"Mother, they're noisy."
Zhao Lan smiled.
"That means they love you."
Yue Chen paused at the doorway, observing the scene.
"…She eats better when they're around."
Yue Ming nodded.
"She doesn't feel watched."
Yue Chen raised a brow.
"You are watching."
Yue Ming did not deny it.
In the garden, Yue Ning sat on a swing.
Yue Bo pushed gently.
"Higher?"
"Yes!"
"Not too high," Yue Ming warned.
Yue Heng grinned.
"Higher."
Yue Ming shot him a look.
Yue Ning laughed, the sound light and clear.
Yue Han watched quietly.
"She laughs easier now."
Yue Qui nodded.
"She trusts us."
Yue Tao added,
"And we'd better deserve it."
The swing slowed.
Yue Ning jumped down and ran to Yue An.
"Play house!"
Yue An froze.
"…House?"
Yue Rui laughed.
"You be the father."
Yue An panicked.
"I'm too young!"
Yue Ning thought.
"Then be the big brother."
He relaxed instantly.
"That I can do."
Quiet Moments
As the sun dipped, Yue Ning grew sleepy.
She leaned against Yue Ming.
"Big Brother…"
"Yes?"
"Will you all stay?"
Yue Ming's voice softened.
"We're not going anywhere."
Yue Heng knelt in front of her.
"I'll protect you."
Yue Liang added,
"I'll scold anyone who's bad."
Yue Tao grinned.
"I'll scare them."
Yue Jun said quietly,
"I'll make you things."
Yue An and Yue Rui chorused,
"We'll play with you!"
Yue Han smirked.
"I'll watch."
Yue Bo nodded fiercely.
"I'll fight."
Yue Ning listened, eyes drooping.
"…That's a lot."
Yue Ming smiled.
"That's family."
Nightfall
Yue Chen carried Yue Ning back inside.
The brothers followed quietly.
At the door, Yue Ning stirred.
"…Don't fight…"
Yue Heng whispered,
"We won't."
Yue Ming closed the door gently.
Zhao Lan watched them from the corridor, eyes warm.
"They orbit her."
Yue Chen nodded.
"And she anchors them."
Outside, the capital buzzed with power, politics, and ambition.
Inside the Yue residence—
Ten brothers guarded one small girl like a living wall.
Not because they were told to.
But because loving her had become instinct.
And that, more than rank or title, was what made the Yue family untouchable.