My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Chapter 267 My Little Brother’s Life

The four girls looked at each other. Si Muyan was also helpless. How could they break the trap set against them?

"Shangge, do you know any other girls with good kung fu skills? The two of you combined might be able to give them a run for their money."

The younger sister nodded: "If there is someone, that would be even better. Tomorrow, the eldest and second sisters will use the excuse of feeling unwell and not attend..."

She was the county princess and had been recuperating with the empress dowager for a month, so it was difficult for her to refuse. However, Si Muyan and her second sister were ill and could not attend, so it was not impossible for her to do so.

Then Du Shangge said dejectedly, "I've been back in Kyoto for six years, but almost none of my friends came this time, and those who did probably won't participate."

The noble lady has her own circle. Du Shangge has a hot temper and doesn't like red tape. Moreover, she has been following her third cousin all year round and playing with the men in the military camp, so she doesn't make many close friends.

This is also why, as soon as Princess He Ji came back, she asked Du Shangge to curry favor with the daughter of the Si family, just to make her niece have more friends.

There are not even five of us together, and we're still trying to find excuses not to participate.

The three sisters looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

Du Shangge waved his hand again and said, "It's okay. Have you forgotten that I know Kung Fu? I've hunted real wild animals in the mountains and forests. Our hunting ground is just a small part of the entire hunting ground, blocked by a fence. Such a small fence can't stop me..."

Si Muyan hurriedly said, "Shangge, please don't mess around. Even if we lose, it's nothing..."

Du Shangge put his hands on his hips and said, "When it comes to martial arts, no girl in Kyoto can compare to me. How could I possibly lose? Even if I bring you guys with me, I will definitely not lose."

Si Muyan shook her head: "If it was a normal competition, I believe you wouldn't lose. I'm just afraid that Zhu Qingwei's purpose is not so simple."

Hearing this, the younger sister also hurriedly advised: "Yes, let's sing. Winning or losing is not important to us. Safety is the most important thing."

The second sister followed up, "Yes, after we three sisters returned to the capital, there were a lot of gossips about us behind our backs, but this is not one of the most common ones. As for you, at most people will say that you can't handle it alone, which is nothing."

Si Muyan finally made the decision: "Tomorrow the four of us will go on stage. Don't get separated. Winning or losing is not important, just do your best."

Du Shangge was a person who refused to accept defeat, but since her three sisters all advised her, she didn't say anything. However, she was still secretly competing with them in her heart.

When it was time for dinner, my younger brother came back.

Si Xingzhi was very happy. He hadn't seen his son for more than twenty days and had been worried that he would be bullied by the Third Prince.

But now it seems that my younger brother is in good condition, he doesn’t look thin or haggard.

The second sister had already pulled the younger brother over, looking him up and down, and asked, "Is it hard to study with you? Are you okay?"

The younger brother laughed and said, "Second sister, do you think I look bad? I'm fine wherever I am."

Si Xingzhi asked, "Is the Third Prince diligent?"

This made the younger brother hesitate for a moment: "It's okay... Your Highness is a little playful."

"What about you? Are you studying hard?"

The younger brother hung his head, feeling guilty and not daring to look at his father.

Si Xingzhi was unhappy: "Xiao An, what did your father tell you? No matter where you go, you must study hard. The success of our mansion depends on you."

Si Muyan looked at the scene in front of him. "My little brother is hiding his incompetence. Where's Dad?" Is he asking this on purpose?

It didn't look like it. Her father was a bit scheming, but he wasn't the type to fake it. Perhaps he thought the crisis was over and was eager to catch up on all the lessons his younger brother hadn't caught up on for ten years, all in one night.

She interrupted Si Xingzhi and said, "Okay, Dad, it's been so long since I came back, why are you always asking about homework? Come over here and sit down, it's time for dinner."

The younger brother sat obediently between his second and third sisters. His two sisters loved him very much and were afraid that he would not have enough to eat, so they personally picked up food for him.

After dinner, the servants were sent out and the family gathered together to talk privately.

The second sister dared to ask, "Was the news sent by the Guan family earlier deliberately exaggerated? From what I heard from my younger brother, the Third Prince is doing well."

Si Muyan said, "There's no need for the Guan family to exaggerate. I was personally chosen by the emperor to be the third prince's study companion. Even if the third prince is unruly, Concubine Xin will definitely keep him in check and won't allow him to do anything wrong. Don't worry, little brother, but don't let your guard down either, understand?"

"I know, sister."

Si Xingzhi asked in more detail, and I told him everything about the Third Prince.

The Third Prince had four study companions. The one who had been with him the longest was a member of the Tang family's side branch, who had been there for over eight years. The second-longest was a son of the Yang family, also eight years. Then there was the illegitimate son of the Wan family, who had been a study companion for a year.

Si Xingzhi explained these people to his daughters: "The Tang family is one of the four great families and was once very favored by the emperor. The Wan family has four Hanlin scholars and two imperial tutors. Their status is not ordinary. The choice of a Wan family son may not be without the intention of having the Wan family serve as the tutor for the Third Prince."

"What is the status of the Yang family?" the younger sister asked curiously. She knew about the Tang family and the Wan family, but she had never heard of the Yang family.

Si Xingzhi thought for a while before saying, "I heard that the Yang family in Lingcheng has a good reputation."

"Lingcheng?"

Lingcheng is not close to Kyoto. The noble families from other places will never be considered impressive in Kyoto. Moreover, according to Si Xingzhi, the Yang family of Lingcheng is just well-known, but not very prominent.

How could such a person go to the imperial city to be the third prince's tutor and serve as such for eight years?

But Si Xingzhi didn't say much, and asked again: "Are there any other unusual things about you being with the Third Prince?"

The younger brother thought for a moment before saying, "Dad, when I first entered the palace, I knew nothing. The Third Prince was playful and liked to tease me, but he didn't go too far. Now he says I'm boring and doesn't pay much attention to me."

Si Xingzhi breathed a sigh of relief. If the Third Prince was truly a bad person, it would be best for him to ignore his son. He didn't want to be associated with a powerful person, he just wanted a peaceful home.

The younger brother added, "But I discovered that one of the eunuchs who followed me was secretly recording my every move, but I don't know for whom he was recording it."

Si Xingzhi's heart tightened: "Can I hurt you?"

"No." The younger brother shook his head. "He's quite clever. I only saw him when I had a stomachache and went to the bathroom. But I pretended not to notice anything."

Si Muyan thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps the emperor is worried about you, so he sent someone to follow you."

As for this worry, whether it is to protect the younger brother or to monitor him, it is hard to say.

"Whatever it is, I'll be safer with him around, right?" the younger brother said with a smile. After a moment's thought, he added, "Oh, there's one more thing."

"I think Yang Yan is a bit strange. Moreover, His Royal Highness the Third Prince is very interested in this hunting expedition. They seem to be planning something."