Zhang Qi and the other girls had just returned from school when they saw two old women carrying a bloody maid over.

  At this moment, the crowd who were laughing suddenly fell silent and began to whisper to each other, "Who is that?"

  Among the murmurs, Zhang Xuan, the eldest daughter of the tenth princes mansion, said calmly: "Who else could it be? It must be Ajins maid." With one sentence, everyone suddenly realized that at this time, only Ajins maid could have been punished. Who else could it be besides her personal maid?

  Zhang Qi was shocked and immediately thought of Ah Lan. At this time, the two old women had already walked closer, and Zhang Qi saw at a glance that the girl on the stretcher was covered in blood, motionless, and it was unclear whether she was dead or alive - wasnt it Ah Lan?

  The two old women had just approached when a bloody smell wafted over with the wind. Zhang Qi took a step back, her face suddenly turning pale.

  Yesterday evening, she went to Xiao Fu with Zhang Jin and A Lan. Now, Zhang Jin is locked up, A Lan is lying on the bed unconscious, only herself is still safe and sound...

  Xiao Xiao turned her head slightly, and Zhang Qis line of sight no longer looked this way until Alán was far away.

  Another day has passed.

  The sky was just brightening, and Zhang Qi woke up. She lay on the kang, listening to the birds chirping and insects buzzing.

  Another beautiful morning today, with bright sunshine and a clear sky that seems to have been washed clean.

  Lying for a while, Zhang Qi stepped on her shoes and walked along the forest path, treading on the morning dew.

  As she walked, a chanting voice came over. Zhang Qi was taken aback, looked up and saw. After a glance, she lowered her head and slowly turned around.

  At this time, the chanting voice paused, and a young mans voice came, "Wu Nangzi, turn back."

  The one who called was Zhang Qi.

  Zhang Qi turned around, she bowed her head and curtsied from a distance, saying in a crisp tone: "I have seen you, Lord Lang."

  Fifty paces away, on the pavilion in the middle of the lake, a young man lowered his head to look at her. Seeing that she seemed to be a little afraid, the young mans voice softened, "Who are you? How come Ive never seen you before?"

  Zhang Qi opened her mouth, just about to respond when a maid walked up behind the young man and whispered something in his ear.

  That sentence made the young man suddenly enlightened, he nodded and said: "So you are my new little sister. Dont be afraid, I am your ninth brother."

  Jiulang is Zhang Xiaos second son, Zhang Xuan, who has been traveling and studying abroad for a long time and only recently returned to the mansion.

  Zhang Qi hastily lifted her head. With bright and yearning eyes, she looked at her elder brother with the same father for a moment, then hurriedly lowered her head, respectfully and solemnly bowed, and called out: "A Qi has seen Ninth Brother."

  Nine Brothers two words, both sticky and crispy, reminded him of Zhang Jin from his childhood. Even when she was a little girl, she would follow behind him, softly calling out in her gentle voice.

  The young man smiled and softened his voice, "No need for formalities. You dont have to be afraid of me, if you like it here, play a bit longer."

  "Yes."

  Zhang Qi raised her head again and smiled brightly at Zhang Xuan, this smile contained the affection of a younger sister for her older brother.

  The maid stood behind her, taking in Zhang Qis expression with a faint smile.

  The second son, Rulan, had three concubines and one wife. The ninth sons younger sister also had two daughters born out of wedlock. These illegitimate daughters always yearned for their legitimate older brothers, but dared not get close to them. Zhang Guis behavior was as normal as could be.

  What the maid did not expect was that after hearing the young mans words, Zhang Gui not only stopped but also walked closer to the pavilion.

  A thirteen or fourteen year old little girl, carrying a skirt cover, carefully and happily treading over the wet grass, the slippery wooden corridor, arrived at the pavilion.

  ... seeing Jiulangs good character, you want to cling to this legitimate elder brother?

  The maid raised her eyes and didnt stop him, but instead backed away.

  Zhang Qi came before Jiulang.

  She tilted her head, carefully glanced at the book in Jiulangs hand, and unintentionally swept her hair with the back of her hand, revealing a small half of her forehead between her slightly raised hair.

  Jiulang was writing poetry, and he never liked others to get close to him. Feeling Zhang Qi approaching without knowing the timing, he couldnt help but feel a sense of annoyance. He raised his head and took a glance, but his gaze paused.

  Standing in front of him, the young girls eyes were wide open, her big black eyes shining with a misty light, looking at him. Her small white face, small red lips, under the morning light, tender and delicate, was so lovely that it made ones heart soften at first sight.

  Zhang Xuan lowered his voice, as if afraid of scaring her away, and said extremely gently: "Does Ah Kui also like poetry?"

  She nodded quickly, her long eyelashes fluttering like swallows flying in the spring light. She said in a crisp tone: "I like it," she lowered her head, her hands twisting at the hem of her clothes, her voice weakening, "but I dont know how to write poetry yet." At this point, she suddenly raised her head and turned to Zhang Xuan: "But Ive only been learning characters for three months, Im not stupid." Her tone was a bit urgent, that was because she was afraid of being despised by him.

  Zhang Xuan looked at her innocent and timid appearance, as if he saw a white rabbit in the mountains. He couldnt help but stretch out his hand and said gently: "Come over, Jiu will teach you."

  "Really?" Zhang Qis eyelashes fluttered, her dense eyelashes like feathers.

  Zhang Xuan looked at her with a pleased expression and nodded: "Really."

  "Great, thank you Ninth Brother." Zhang Qi called out in a crisp voice, her eyes curved into crescent moons. After speaking, she jogged to Zhang Xuans side, unafraid to lean against his shoulder, and the warm, fragrant breath she exhaled landed on Zhang Xuans face.

  This is his own younger sister, and she looks really pitiful and lovely. Zhang Xuan also smiled and held her hand, opening the book of poems and pointing to a character asking: "Does Ah Gui recognize it?"

  "Recognize this, its a spring character."

  "Really clever, this one?"

  "This is a dirty word."

  Zhang Xuan smiled, "Not bad, this is a color word. When these two words are combined, it becomes spring color. In this poem, it refers to a woman with a beautiful face. Ah Gui, if you want to learn poetry, first read poetry, read more and appreciate more, naturally you will also be able to compose one or two."

  As he spoke, he felt Zhang Qis warm breath on his face and the soft touch of her leaning against him, and he couldnt help but look up at her.

  Feeling Zhang Xuans gaze, Zhang Qi blinked and asked with a hint of shyness: "Ninth brother, what are you looking at me for?"

  Zhang Xuan smiled and said in a low voice: "My familys A Kui is really lovely."

  As soon as these words of praise came out, Zhang Qis face turned even redder.

  Zhang Xuans voice sank, and he said softly but seriously: "In the future, Ah Gui is better off with a darker face. When meeting outsiders, dont be as close to Brother as you are now."

  Soft voice, all care!

  Zhang Qi was taken aback!

  She stared blankly at him. In these days, she had heard the maids mention this Ninth Brother several times and knew that he was a kind and honest person. Today, she also came with the intention of meeting him.

  She knew that in this house, flattering her father Jūniro would provoke the jealousy of her sisters, but flattering this brother was different.

  She just didnt think that in a short while, Jiulang would take care of it for her.

  He is indeed a kind and gentle soul!

  Zhang Qi blinked, and then blinked again, quietly blinking away the sourness in her eyes. She lowered her head, gave him a gentle bow, and said softly: "Thank you, Ninth Brother."

  The brother and sister were chatting and laughing on this side, while the maid was quietly watching from fifty paces away. When she saw Zhang Gui approaching without being scolded by Zhang Xuan, she hesitated for a moment.

  At this time, a maid ran over and saw the scene. The maid asked somewhat annoyed: "Jian sister, where did this rascal come from?"

  "Ah-ying said quietly: She is Lang Zhus illegitimate daughter from the countryside."

  The maid relaxed and smiled: "Mei sister, I brought you some breakfast. Are you hungry?"

  "Actually, Im hungry."

  The maid smiled and took out two boxes of pastries, handing one to Qians sister and opening the other herself. As she munched away, she lowered her voice and said: "It was said that it would be closed for five days, but the mistress went to beg the old mistress and just returned in a hurry. Now she is looking for someone to call Xiao Mo. I think Jin Gus marriage is near."