"What? My brother's bridal chamber? I have a brother?"
Yunxi asked curiously.
A Dian nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Miss, don't you remember?"
Yunxi shook her head and continued under the maid's somewhat worried gaze.
"A Dian, tell me about my brother and his new wife."
"All right."
A Dian nodded, then began to recount the story in detail.
Yunxi's elder brother was a textbook scholar. He devoted himself wholly to the teachings of the sages, deaf to all that went on outside his window. After passing the Xiucai examination, he had planned to bury himself in study and sit for the Autumn Imperial Examination three years later, hoping to earn the title of Juren and bring glory to the family name.
Yunxi's parents greatly supported their son's studies and naturally spared no effort in providing for him. However, her father did not want him to become a bookworm who knew only dead words on a page, so he suggested that his son spend a year traveling and studying abroad. He could take in the grandeur of the land and learn of the true hardships of the common people, rather than gaining only a thin understanding of the dynasty from books.
Yunxi's elder brother thought his father's suggestion was excellent. He invited two fellow Xiucai scholars who had passed in the same examination, packed his bags, left home, and began his year-long journey of study.
Yunxi's family possessed modest means. They were not fabulously wealthy, but supporting their son's education was no problem at all. After sending him away, her parents turned their attention to their daughter. Yunxi had already come of age, so it was time to consider her marriage.
Hearing this, Yunxi interrupted.
"A Dian, although I've come of age, my brother isn't married yet. As his younger sister, it