Chapter 31: Heartfelt Instructions

“Right now, the Nangong family is your support. You needn’t fear trouble! If anything happens, just talk to Ziyu—he values your affairs more than his own business!”

Xianyu Jing found Lady Nangong’s words a little odd, but didn’t dwell on it, quietly listening.

Lady Nangong picked up a gilded bone china teacup from the table, took a sip of fragrant, warm black tea, and continued, “Ziyu is the head of our family. Many noble ladies outside are vying to marry into the Nangong family, to become the wife of the one in power.

That Second Miss Xiao is one of them! Ziyu treats her with courtesy because she once happened to save him; he’s merely repaying her kindness.”

Xianyu Jing hadn’t expected that the bond between the eldest Nangong son and Second Miss Xiao stemmed from this.

Still, if it was only gratitude, with his temperament, he’d just offer the Xiao family some support—he wouldn’t need to be so close to Xiao Zhiyun, would he?

“Jing Jing,” Lady Nangong sighed, “Our family has unique genes, vast wealth, and many enemies. As head of the house, Ziyu’s future partner must be someone trustworthy.

The Xiao family’s background is complicated, and their second miss is frail. Even if Ziyu wants to repay the debt and marry her, I absolutely wouldn’t agree to it!”

Xianyu Jing understood. Marriages among the affluent were always tangled with countless threads; no young master or miss could act entirely on impulse.

Yet, knowing the eldest Nangong son’s domineering ways and decisive manner, if he’s set his mind on something, he’d hardly give up easily.

As Xianyu Jing pondered this, Lady Nangong gazed at her expectantly. “If you have a chance, help me persuade Ziyu. He mustn’t act recklessly in matters of marriage!”

Xianyu Jing: “…”

She was only a distant relative; how could she dare meddle in the eldest son’s affairs!

Lady Nangong understood Xianyu Jing’s hesitation and offered advice: “You’re a perceptive child. Show Ziyu more care, and once you’re closer, he’ll naturally listen to you.”

Unable to refuse, Xianyu Jing agreed, “Alright.”

She would care for him, certainly, but to interfere in his lifelong decisions—that was too much. She knew her own limits.

In the afternoon, before leaving the villa, Lady Nangong solemnly reminded Xianyu Jing, “I hear Second Miss Xiao is also in the student council at Liyang Academy. If she tries to curry favor with you, keep your distance.

Women outside are always angling to get close to the Nangong family. Now that you live with Ziyu, they’ll see you as a rival and scheme against you.”

“I’ll remember,” Xianyu Jing replied obediently.

After watching her leave in Su Cha’s car, Lady Nangong asked the steward, Xue, “How much do you think this child has perceived?”

Steward Xue hesitated, “I don’t think the young miss is that clever, Madam.”

“Ha!” Lady Nangong scoffed softly, walking back slowly. “She may have grown up in the countryside and seem docile and innocent on the surface, but she’s still a child of the Nangong family. Don’t underestimate her!”

Xue followed behind, respectfully echoing, “You’re absolutely right!”

———

When Xianyu Jing returned to the Nangong residence, Nangong Lü was already waiting. He’d come to escort her to the ball.

Worried she might change her mind, he’d arrived early that afternoon.

Unexpectedly, he learned she’d gone to the villa, and he’d had to wait until dusk—enduring the security captain’s scrutiny, which was most annoying!

Seeing Xianyu Jing step through the door as the sunset bathed her in golden light, Nangong Lü’s displeasure vanished, replaced by a dazzling smile. “Jing Jing, I finally waited for you. They say beauty is the hardest to wait for, and it’s true!”

Xianyu Jing ignored his teasing, simply telling Aunt Rong about her evening plans. Aunt Rong nodded, “After Second Young Master arrived, I already reported this to the eldest master.”

Nangong Lü raised his brows, “Does my brother really need to be so strict with Jing Jing? Even going out requires checking in!”

Aunt Rong smiled, “The eldest master is concerned for her safety. After all, she’s a young lady.”

“With me protecting her, what’s there to worry about?” Nangong Lü pursed his lips, “And besides, doesn’t she have a bodyguard?”

Mentioned by the second young master, Su Cha quietly followed Xianyu Jing upstairs, preparing her evening attire and jewelry.

Aunt Rong wasn’t fond of this second young master’s romantic ways.

She’d already decided that Xianyu Jing was someone special in the eldest master’s heart. In her view, Nangong Lü’s invitation while his brother was away was rather like poaching.

So, as Xianyu Jing changed into her evening dress, Aunt Rong went upstairs too, instructing Su Cha—absolutely no revealing styles.

But evening gowns are never conservative! Su Cha picked five or six strapless dresses, all rejected by Aunt Rong.

Finally, Aunt Rong chose a pale green off-shoulder dress with lotus leaf trim that reached below the knees. Not attention-grabbing, but paired with Xianyu Jing’s delicate features, it perfectly highlighted her gentle charm.

She added a diamond necklace from the lucky clover series, styled a princess bun, letting a few strands fall naturally behind her ears. The whole look was like a refined young lady from a scholarly family.

“Hmm, very nice,” Aunt Rong nodded in satisfaction, praising her.

That was precisely the effect—a pure snow lotus, beloved yet untouchable.

However, when Xianyu Jing descended the stairs in transparent heels adorned with tiny diamonds, Nangong Lü’s heart skipped a beat: Was he really taking this sister to the ball tonight?

If she wasn’t devoured by the hungry gazes of those young men inside, it would be a miracle. If she weren’t his own sister, he might not be able to restrain himself!

Perhaps Nangong Lü’s gaze was too dazzling, for Aunt Rong reminded him once more, “Second young master, the young miss is entrusted to you—protect her well. And, the eldest master insists you must return before midnight!”

Nangong Lü waved dismissively, “I remember.”

He knew the Nangong family rules—curfew had always been before midnight. But he, the second young master, never obeyed them.

Aunt Rong found his attitude perfunctory, so she carefully instructed Su Cha as well before letting Nangong Lü take Xianyu Jing away.

As the car left the residence, Jiang Mohe stood in the gatehouse, watching Xianyu Jing and her companions depart through the window.

Beside him, Xiao Zhao looked at Jiang Mohe in his sharp black uniform and asked curiously, “Captain Jiang, why not accompany the young miss directly?”

His attire clearly suggested he was going to protect her—why act separately?

Jiang Mohe didn’t answer, only solemnly instructed, “Remember what I said—except for the eldest master, don’t tell anyone where I’m going tonight.”

Xiao Zhao replied seriously, “Understood!”