Matters of the heart

Xiao Yuanqi had thought something terrible had happened to him. After hearing his explanation, he could not help laughing. "Hahaha! I thought something serious had happened! It turns out my dear little brother has fallen in love. That's perfectly normal. It isn't an illness.

"At your age, it's about time you had someone you liked. Speaking of which, who is this person who's left you so distracted that you thought you were ill? Do I know her?

"Anyone who could win the heart of a cold, ruthless god of war like you must be extraordinary. But in all my years in the Capital, I've never heard of any official's daughter being quite so unique.

"Could it be a woman you met in the Borderlands? Did she come to the Capital with you this time?"

Delighted that his younger brother had finally fallen in love, Xiao Yuanqi excitedly began answering his own questions. Before long, however, he realized something was wrong.

There had not been any women accompanying Xiao Jinyi when he returned to the Capital, had there?

Just as Xiao Yuanqi was about to ask more, he noticed that his brother seemed to have turned to stone. He reached out and nudged Xiao Jinyi twice before he came back to his senses.

Ever since Xiao Jinyi first went to war, he had developed a habit of being intensely vigilant. Few people could get close to him, and this was the first time Xiao Yuanqi had touched him without having his wrist seized!

Xiao Jinyi had been stunned by what Xiao Yuanqi said. He had never imagined that this was what his feelings meant. Now he was panicking, longing to see Shen Shixu again yet afraid to face him.

After bringing Xiao Jinyi back to his senses, Xiao Yuanqi noticed how flustered he was, as though something frightened him.

He found it rather surprising. "What's with that expression? Aren't we talking about the person you like? Why do you look so scared? Is the person you like that terrifying?"

Xiao Yuanqi could not help growing frightened himself. Just how fierce did this woman have to be to scare his invincible younger brother?

Before he could press him further, Xiao Jinyi confessed on his own. He looked at Xiao Yuanqi in panic. Right now, the only person who could give him any sense of security was this older brother who would always stand on his side.

"Brother, I've fallen for someone. Someone I shouldn't love."

Hearing this, Xiao Yuanqi thought Xiao Jinyi had fallen for a married woman. He was just thinking that, as long as his brother liked her, he would swallow his pride and break up the couple.

Then Xiao Jinyi's next words nearly made him choke to death on his own saliva.

"I think I've fallen for Shen Shixu!"

After a violent coughing fit, Xiao Yuanqi reached out to feel Xiao Jinyi's forehead, checking whether he had a fever and was talking deliriously.

At the gesture, Xiao Jinyi instinctively slapped his hand away. "Brother, I don't have a fever. I'm perfectly clearheaded, and everything I'm saying is true."

Xiao Yuanqi picked up the tea Xiao Jinyi had left unfinished and drained it in one gulp. He needed a moment to recover.

He was not opposed to Xiao Jinyi falling for Shen Shixu. He was simply shocked.

Nor did he assume that Shen Shixu had seduced his younger brother and resent him for it.

Over the past few days, he had observed enough to see what sort of person Shen Shixu was. He was mild-mannered without losing his edge, quick-witted, cautious, and perceptive. Tact and decisiveness were somewhat contradictory qualities, yet they blended perfectly in him.

"To be honest, if you'd told me today that you'd fallen for any other man, I might have flown into a rage, assumed he'd seduced you, and had him arrested and killed."

At this, Xiao Jinyi could not help clenching his fists and watching Xiao Yuanqi warily. If he so much as ordered someone to arrest Shen Shixu, Xiao Jinyi would throw a punch at him.

Noticing his clenched fists, Xiao Yuanqi felt a little hurt. His brother had only just fallen for Shen Shixu, and they were not even together yet, but he already cared so much about him that he wanted to hit his own older brother over him.

Once the two of them got together, he would probably have no place left in his brother's heart at all. All those years of looking after him had been wasted!

"But if it's Shen Shixu, I wouldn't suspect him of seducing you. I haven't spent much time with him, but I know he's a clever man. He would never do something that could cost him his life.

"Besides, with his abilities and looks, he's more than good enough to marry a princess. And our father has three princesses. Rather than pursuing a prince like you and certainly being executed for it, pursuing a princess would bring him the same benefits without putting his life at risk.

"As long as Shen Shixu isn't a fool, he'll know what to do."

By the time Xiao Yuanqi finished speaking, Xiao Jinyi's expression had visibly brightened.

Pretending not to notice the change, Xiao Yuanqi continued, "But Jinyi, are you sure about this? Your feelings for him aren't very deep yet. You're merely fond of him. As long as you stop seeing him, that budding affection will soon fade, and you'll fall for someone else someday.

"But if you keep going, given who you both are, you're bound to face obstacle after obstacle. With your status and our parents' love for you, you won't come to any harm. The same can't be said for him.

"It's true that Father values him now, but nowhere near as much as he values you. If he found out, Shen Shixu would most likely lose his life."

Xiao Jinyi knew that Xiao Yuanqi was right. Reason told him he should choose the first option, but his heart ached.

"Brother, I don't want to give up. Will you help me?"

This was the first time Xiao Jinyi had ever shown weakness in front of Xiao Yuanqi. At the very least, Xiao Yuanqi, who already doted on his younger brother, could not possibly refuse. He sighed helplessly and waved his sleeve. "Ah, when you plead with me like that, how could I refuse?

"Don't worry. I'll keep this secret for you for now. After that, we'll split our efforts. You go win your beloved's heart, and while you're courting him, I'll work on Father and Mother for you.

"In the meantime, we must also make sure Shen Shixu gains more standing in their eyes. There happens to be an opportunity coming up. In ten days, Mother will be choosing a crown princess for me again.

"I'll mention Shen Shixu to her and have him come to the palace to help her weigh the candidates, so he can leave a good impression."

The reason Xiao Jinyi had come to Xiao Yuanqi first when he ran into trouble was that he knew his older brother loved him most—even more than their parents did. No matter when or where, he would always take his side.

"Thank you, Brother!"

At those rather sentimental words, Xiao Yuanqi deliberately shuddered and cast Xiao Jinyi a disdainful glance. "Enough of that mushy talk. I think you had this all worked out before coming here. You knew I'd protect you no matter what. You really do know how to make trouble for your older brother."

"If you ever need anything, Brother, you can come to me too. I'll help you no matter what it is. Even if I have to brave a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, I'll do it."