Brothers and Sister

So, is she going to prevent these two political upheavals from happening? What power does a mere ordinary woman have to stop them? A single misstep could plunge her into utter ruin.

Moreover, with the Wei Family confiscated, Lady Wei executed, Earl of Suiping's Residence divided, even if she became a student at the Capital Women's Academy, it would still be very difficult for her to marry into the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence. Even if she managed to prevent the subsequent turmoil, what benefit would it bring her? If she failed to become the Wife of the Marquis of Pingnan, but Fu Yunlang continued to rise in rank, wouldn't she have been a pawn in someone else's scheme?

Thinking of this, a look of sadness appeared on her face.

"Miss, everything has been put away, and it's late. Let's go back," Fushu said, seeing her standing there motionless for so long.

Zhao Ruyu was startled by her words, pulling herself out of her grief. She looked at the gray sky and let out a long breath.

Forget it. What business is it of hers how other people live or die? If she's not doing well, what do other people's wealth and glory have to do with her? Even if her third uncle arranged this position Capital Guard Command for her father, she wouldn't stop it. What good would it do her to stop it?

If her father hadn't become an official, she would have remained an ordinary commoner, and she would have been an even less worthy of Fu Yunlang. But once he became an official, her status would be different.

Therefore, all she needs to do is ensure that her father doesn't help her third uncle or get involved in the Crown Prince's affairs at crucial moments. At the same time, she will also work hard for her marriage to Fu Yunlang. If she can win Fu Yunlang's heart and benefit him, their marriage should still be possible, right?

The most urgent task now is to find a way to stop the marriage that my third uncle has arranged for my father, and to prevent my father from getting involved with the third branch of the family.

This is the most important thing for her.

Having sorted out her thoughts, she turned around and headed towards Zhao Jing'an's courtyard.

"Miss, where are you going?" Fushu felt that something was wrong with her young lady, but there were too many people around and too much gossip, so she didn't feel comfortable asking.

Seeing that the girl hadn't returned to her new courtyard but had gone to Zhao Jing'an's place, she had no choice but to follow her with her lantern.

"I'll go see my brother," Zhao Ruyu said.

Since visiting Lady Wei in prison yesterday, Zhao Jing'an has been in a daze and has been brought home ever since, and has had a persistent high fever.

Zhao Jingli silently accompanied him to inquire about the news, silently accompanied him to visit Lady Wei, and silently stayed by his bedside. Since moving back to the second house from the first house, he had hardly said a word.

The second family's courtyard needed to be adjusted. After Zhao Jingli moved in, he didn't go to the courtyard that Zhao Yuanliang had arranged for him, but went directly to live with Zhao Jing'an.

Zhao Ruyu followed the servant inside and saw that Zhao Jingli's clothes were still very neat, but his eyes were bloodshot, his face was haggard, and his expression was indifferent.

Seeing Zhao Jingli like this, Zhao Ruyu felt a complex mix of sympathy and shared suffering.

Zhao Ruxi's rebirth drastically changed her life. Besides her, the person most affected was Zhao Jingli.

In his previous life, Zhao Jingli was still living a good life as the heir of the Marquis's mansion in the main branch of the family. When he turned sixteen, the first wife sold her dowry to find him a job and also arranged a good marriage for him.

At that time, Zhao Jingli had a bright smile and was full of vigor.

Less than a year later, he was implicated by Zhao Yuankun and exiled three thousand miles away, where he lived a miserable life.

In this life, he lost his position as heir apparent, returned to the second wife's household, and had a mother whom he hated yet who schemed and plotted for him. He also had to face a father he always looked down on. Was he emotionally devastated?

But having fallen from grace, he's no longer implicated by the third wife's family and has been spared exile. So, for Zhao Jingli, this change is probably a good thing, right?

Zhao Ruxi's rebirth changed the fate of everyone in the Earl of Suiping's Residence, which was a good thing for others. But for her, it was a bad thing.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ruyu's mood plummeted to rock bottom once again.

Fushu saw that her young lady was in a daze again, but the young master ignored her, making the situation somewhat awkward.

She couldn't help but reach out and tug at Zhao Ruyu's sleeve.

Zhao Ruyu then came to her senses, took a few steps forward, and softly called out, "Big Brother."

Zhao Jingli turned his eyes, seemingly only then noticing her arrival.

He nodded, then turned back to stare at the red-hot stove on the veranda where medicine was being decocted.

"How is Second Brother?" Zhao Ruyu had no choice but to ask again.

Zhao Jingli didn't turn his head, his voice hoarse. "The imperial physician came to see me, and I'm much better after taking the medicine. The fever has subsided now."

Although Physician Shi was highly skilled, he was still helpless in treating Zhao Jing'an's illness.

Now that the family had separated, Zhao Yuanliang, being a commoner, had no right to invite the imperial physician to treat his illness. It was Zhao Jingli who sent his servant to beg Zhao Yuanxun to bring a letter to the imperial physician. The imperial physician prescribed medicine and treated Zhao Jing'an with moxibustion. Only then did Zhao Jing'an, who had been talking incoherently, calm down, fall into a deep sleep, and his fever subsided.

"Is he asleep now?" Zhao Ruyu asked again.

"Okay, I'm going to sleep."

Zhao Jingli paused, seemingly realizing that his coldness was somewhat impolite, and added, "When he wakes up tomorrow morning, I'll tell him that Sixth Sister came to see him."

Zhao Ruyu nodded and got back to the point. "Besides visiting my second brother, I also want to tell you something."

Zhao Jingli frowned, then turned to look at Zhao Ruyu: "What is it?"

Zhao Ruyu glanced around the courtyard. "Can we go inside and talk?"

Zhao Jingli hesitated.

If the two were siblings, there would be nothing wrong with them talking inside. But Zhao Ruyu is not related to him by blood, and it would be really unpleasant if people talked about it.

Zhao Jingli had never liked Zhao Ruyu. He always felt that this younger sister had many ulterior motives and was not an upright person.

He said calmly, "Let's say it here. There's nothing I can't say that others can't hear."

These words were exactly the same as Zhao Ruxi's, which Zhao Ruyu disliked very much.

Suppressing her displeasure, she whispered, "My third uncle came to see my father earlier, saying he wanted my third aunt to help him find a wife."

Zhao Jingli was taken aback and turned to look at the room behind him.

Whether Zhao Yuanliang gets married or not is none of his business. But Zhao Jing'an probably won't be able to stand it.

Of all the three branches of the Earl of Suiping's Residence, Zhao Jing'an had the deepest affection for Lady Wei. If he knew that his mother was imprisoned and awaiting execution, and that his father was eager to marry a new wife, who knows how he would react.

He stood up and said to Zhao Ruyu, "Let's talk over here." With that, he walked a short distance until he reached the door of his own house.

Knowing that Zhao Jing'an wouldn't be able to hear what they were saying even if he were awake, Zhao Jingli said, "Speak." After saying this, he glanced thoughtfully at Zhao Ruyu, wondering why she had come to him to talk about this.