Phoenix Seeks Home - Chapter 2

“Miss, the sun is at its peak by now. You really should wake up.”

A cold breeze assault the young maid once she steps closer. The sliding door of their bamboo courtyard is wide open. Yun’er remembers closing it in the morning.

Against the soft and silky fabric which scattered on the floor, her mistress, yet again, buried herself in.

Yun’er sighs.

If you wake her up in the morning, the second miss would obediently get up only to lay on the ground and continue her sleep in there.

“Eldest young master will be here anytime by now.” Yun’er assists her mistress to get up. Like a child, Xu Xiaoyao rubs her eyes and then lay on the other side.

“Miss!”

A hand tap on her shoulders. Followed by a deep masculine voice. “It’s alright Yun’er, let your mistress be.”

The well-behaved handmaid took a step back and properly curtsy. “Eldest young master.”

Xu Huajie kneeled down beside his second sister. “You always don’t get enough sleep, do you?”

Not bothering to open her eyes, Xu Xiaoyao replied, “I’m in the process of growing. Sleep is essential.”

This only made Xu Huajie chuckle. This little girl has been giving him the same excuse for years. Haven’t she thought yet that next year, it’ll be her coming of age?

This second younger sister of his is the epitome of laziness. Most of the day is spent sleeping. If she has time to go out, she rather adds that to sleep.

But she’s just so delicate, soft and small. As an older brother, it brings him more delight than he expects when he dotes on this sister. He even wishes she would rely on him more.

Xu Huajie fondly traces her face and then pick her up from the floor. He mentally notes to send more blankets to the bamboo courtyard.

The moment her body lost contact with her warm blankets, she squeezed herself further into her brother’s embrace, relying on him while also complaining. “It’s cold brother.”

In a single large step, Yun’er got a hold on the sliding door and close it.

“What did winter do to you? Always acting like it’s against you.” He walked inside, towards the warmer part of the courtyard.

“Bad things.”

Winter stollen many things from her and mark her end as well. It was cruel to the point that it gave her a life she didn’t want. Especially after it buried all her feelings and turn her numb from the cold.

Once again, she witnesses her mother burial and her father promoting his concubine as a wife. Even though mother spirit hasn’t passed yet. Even though he promised he only have her as a wife.

The lies she thought she’d walk away from was present in front of her again. Tears weren’t enough to pave way for this repeating nightmare.

Blatantly showing his love for his first daughter, Xu Rong sent his only di daughter to live alone in a desolated bamboo courtyard. It was like suddenly, she’s not part of the family. Suddenly she had become that person that would only destroy the happiness that they painstakingly build.

Way back then, she did all the best she could to gain his father attention. Studying the four arts, perfecting her etiquette, smiling softly, nodding her head obediently, bowing down to her sisters and even marrying to an unfavored prince in exchange of her sister.

No complaint came out of her mouth even once. But what did that gave her?

How naive. How tiresome. She just returns at the start of her walk towards death.

“Help your mistress change.” Xu Huajie instructs Yun’er. He put Xu Xiaoyao in front of her bronze mirror. “Ah Yao, your Hua gege will ready the carriage and then we will go out. Just take your time, I’ll return to pick you up once you’re ready.”

“En.” Xu Xiaoyao replied; a lazy smile hangs on her lips. She closed her eyes when Xu Huajie bows down to implant a kiss on her forehead.

This older brother of hers still treats her like a precious child. How funny.

Once he is out of the door, Yun’er starts to busy herself on helping Xu Xiaoyao dress. Her mistress yawn at her actions and then looked over to where the young master exited.

Xu Huajie. The Xu family’s eldest young master. Xu Rong’s heir and Xu Xiaoyao brother from the new madam.

A prodigal son. Arrogant but useless. Had too many bad friends and can only waste money. His mother spoiled him and have no talent to back him.

In his first life, he marked the end of the Xu family. Thinking about it, maybe that made it easier to deposed Xu Xiaoyao. An empress with no maternal family to back her is just like a lamb on an open field, ready for sluther.

But it does not matter, for he is now Xu Xiaoyao’s to play.

Her new mother treats her like an eyesore, her sisters bully her, her father is a hopeless case.

Then what about her older brother? If she is favored only by him, others won’t be excessive. She’s not his sister from the same mother and what could he give is limited. It’s not too much, but at least she could hide in his shadows.

A man, acting proudly but nothing to back it, if you rely on him, wouldn’t it make him happy? A few praises and acting dependent would make him give everything to you.

A poor man who wants some acknowledgment.

Such a pushover. His friends definitely have fun playing with this brother of hers.

If he does not know to live, it isn’t so bad to make him live for her right?