My Brother Was the Impostor All Along - Chapter 3

Father came over, put his arm around Mother, and cut her off.

“Wan’er, the late emperor left a decree. Your legitimate daughter is to become a commandery princess when she comes of age, and your son is to inherit the peerage after earning an examination degree.”

“Jingyao is our only son. Once he inherits, he’ll be someone both girls can rely on. Let him spend the rest of his life repaying what he owes Zhaozhao.”

“As for Zhaozhao, she may be the eldest legitimate daughter, but Chengxi already holds the princess’s title. If you drive Jingyao away too, who in her birth family will protect her after we’re gone?”

Zhaozhao huddled in Mother’s arms. She glanced at me, a flash of hurt in her eyes.

Crafty old bastard. What a neat way to redirect the blame.

In a few sentences, he had struck Mother’s weakest spot. And while he was at it, he had turned Zhaozhao’s grievance against the boy who stole her life into a contest between us over my title.

Two birds with one stone. Impressive.

Father shot Yan Jingyao a look. He dropped to his knees, sobbing through a flood of tears and snot.

“Mother, you raised me for eighteen years. I owe you my life! Your daughters are my own sisters. What kind of man would I be if I didn’t stay and look after them?”

“Chengxi, I’m sorry. I felt so awful for Zhaozhao that I lost my head and said those terrible things.”

“Zhaozhao, you’ve suffered so much. But without a title, who will stand up for you if your husband’s family bullies you? An elder brother is like a father. I’ll never let anyone hurt you!”

Mother’s resolve toppled yet again. She immediately wrapped her arms around him and cried.

“My good boy. You’ll stay too. You’re not going anywhere.”

Round and round we went, only to come back to the same old line: a woman needed a man to lean on.

How wonderful to be a man. You could be useless, stupid, a complete fraud.

But as long as you were male, you were ever so precious.

Old Madam Chen’s family had their property confiscated and their heads cut off in short order.

But the life stolen from Zhaozhao could not be returned.

She had never learned to read. The family hired a tutor to start from the beginning, but with so little foundation, she would forget a character almost as soon as she learned it.

Father sighed endlessly to Mother.

“Zhaozhao simply can’t compare with Chengxi. Chengxi’s talent is renowned throughout the capital, while Zhaozhao can’t even learn to write her name.”

Yan Jingyao slid a knife between his soft words.

“Chengxi is her own little sister. I’m sure Zhaozhao must be proud to have such an accomplished sibling.”

Zhaozhao flushed scarlet. She forced a smile and lowered her head.

I reached over and took her hand.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. You’re simply starting a few years later. With a whole lifetime ahead of you, what do a few years matter?”

“At five, our brother had a distinguished scholar teaching him. At five, you were tending fires and chopping wood. After all that suffering, you’ve still kept a generous heart. That’s something we should be proud of.”

I fixed Yan Jingyao with a cold stare.

“You should be on your knees thanking her for answering cruelty with kindness. It’s the only reason you’re still allowed to live here.”

His face changed color under my words.

When one attempt to sow discord failed, he tried another.

“I do want to make it up to her. I was going to offer her my courtyard, but it’s full of spears and swords. I was afraid they’d frighten her.”

“Chengxi, haven’t you been having the north courtyard cleaned these past few days? It faces north. How could anyone live there? If you love your sister so much, why not give her yours? Or can’t you bear to part with it?”

I didn’t even lift my eyelids.

“I’ve already had mine prepared for her. I don’t mind weapons. Since you’re so eager to compensate her, I suppose I can bring myself to move into yours.”

“The north courtyard happens to be empty now. Hurry up and pack.”

His smile froze.

I’d barely begun to feel sleepy, and here he was handing me a pillow. He was so stupid I couldn’t be bothered to look at him.

He wanted my sister and me to compete? What a joke.

Why would I fight my own sister? If I was going to fight anyone, it would be the outsider.

All my life, the family had showered me with affection, but Yan Jingyao was the only one they invested in.

I got sweet little treats. He got solid gold.

Even the names Father had chosen for us told the story.

Jingyao: the sun, radiant in all its glory.

Chengxi: receiving the sunlight. Palms up, waiting for whatever light the sun deigned to spill.

Hah. An imitation sun thought he deserved that much?

Hand it over.