"Brother, you haven't even said it yet, how can you know it's impossible?" Xylira finally relaxed, her smile blooming brightly. Thankfully, it wasn't a dead end after all. As expected, her family had great foresight.
If they hadn't trained her so carefully, not only would future life be difficult, just hearing about this bizarre world would have made her fall apart. Seeing Xylira's persistence, Xiyan finally spoke in his usual calm tone. "There are two ways.
First, a royal marriage. Marry a prince, and you may never be allowed to have another man. The current Emperor has six sons.
The eldest and second are already married, so the third and fourth princes are closest to your age. However, the third prince is already engaged to Jiang Yueqiu, and the Empress is Lord Edgar's blood sister. So marrying into the royal family is not an option.
There's never been a case of two women from the same family marrying a prince. As Xiyan continued, his tone grew colder. Xylira understood what he meant without him finishing the thought.
Marrying a prince meant competing for power. Someone like her, invisible and without status, lay sick in bed for three days with not even a servant checking on her. How could she ever become a prince's wife?
Her father was dead, her mother disliked her, and Lord Edgar controlled her and her brother's marriage. So even if there were a man like those shown on TV dramas, with Edgar's manipulation, she'd never get near him.
Besides, she didn't want to spend a lifetime with someone normal people couldn't understand. "Hmm, you're right," Xylira agreed with Xiyan. Since the royal family was the center of power struggles, she preferred to stay out unless absolutely necessary.
Her life had been saved at the painful cost of her family's separation. She needed to treasure it, to honor her family and herself. "Then what's the second option?"
Xiyan's face remained cold, but his voice softened a bit. A glimmer of relief showed in his eyes. "The second option is even more difficult. When the gender imbalance became extreme, a law was passed allowing women to take three or four husbands."
During the drafting of this law, someone had raised the same concern you have. That's why they created a solution. Xiyan paused here, picking up his slightly cooled tea.
He didn't mind the temperature and took a sip before placing the cup back down. He looked directly at Xylira. "But only a few women ever succeeded. As time passed, those cases became rarer.
Now, in the history of the Dakang Empire, there hasn't been a single woman to achieve it. So," Xylira understood Xiyan's intent, trying to make her back off.
If not for her inherited obsession with emotional purity, she might've chosen a peaceful life. However, Xiyan underestimated her. In the Yue family, when one can't escape, they fight back harder.
His words stirred her rare curiosity and fighting spirit. "Brother, what is it exactly?" Xylira asked with a smile.
"The Imperial Exam," Xiyan answered in a calm and steady tone. "If a woman wants only one husband, she must become an official.
The only path to that is through the exam. She must rank among the top three and, before turning twenty, must hold an official rank of Senior Third Grade or higher.
Xylira, do you think you can do it?" "Heh," Xylira didn't give a direct answer. Xiyan didn't push further.
He gently explained, "Xylira, maybe it's because you've lost your memory that this sounds strange to you. But you still have five years before twenty. I believe by then, you'll have adjusted."
"How many months until I turn fifteen?" Since there's a way, there's no need to rush. She calmed down and began asking about this body.
"You were born on the last day of December," Xiyan answered. Though it was only June, he still couldn't read her true feelings toward Caelen. Before, she'd rather die than marry him.
But now her tone seemed different. "Xylira, what do you really think of Caelen?" "Hmm?" Xylira blinked, confused for a moment, then remembered the unfortunate general who saved General Renyu and was tricked into marrying her.
"What could I think? I've never met him. But if he could save someone on the battlefield, he must be a decent person.
Brother, didn't you look into him?" In this world, women were so rare that men's appearances should matter too. Also, if that blade had cut deeper, Caelen would've lost more than a scar.
It could've been half his head. That must've been terrifying. So she spoke her thoughts out loud.
"To be honest, from my point of view, Caelen is a good man. Loyal, upright, responsible and values emotions.
But Xylira, I don't want you to force yourself just to make things easier for me, understand?" Even without her memories, she was still obedient by nature. Xiyan didn't want her to suffer.
"Lord Edgar is dangerous, but if you truly don't want this marriage, there are ways around it." "Don't worry about that, Brother. You're overthinking. I'd never wrong myself for a lifetime partner."
Xylira smiled. "As long as he's a good person, I have no complaints." "Are you sure?" Xiyan asked again to confirm.
She nodded. "I'm very sure," Xylira answered with a smile. "Since you're serious, I'll investigate thoroughly."
Neither of them mentioned again how Lord Edgar had orchestrated the engagement. Once Xiyan saw her sincerity, he began planning how to learn everything about Caelen.
"Oh, Brother, if you confirm that he's alright, can I meet him once?" Xylira's big eyes curved into crescent moons, and her long lashes fluttered happily.
"Xylira, unmarried men and women aren't allowed to meet alone." As a big brother, Xiyan still took every chance to teach her.
After her suicide attempt, he realized how little time he'd given her. But then he added, "It's not impossible though. Every year, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the Emperor hosts a garden party at Magpie Bridge Garden.
Unmarried men and women from noble families with ranks of Fourth Grade and above can attend. Only on that day can they speak alone for one hour under guard supervision." "That works," Xylira felt relieved.
If Caelen really passed Xiyan's scrutiny, she wanted to meet her disfigured fiancé early. Better to be mentally prepared than be frightened on the wedding night.
That once-in-a-lifetime joyful event shouldn't be ruined. Looking at her now, Xiyan suddenly realized his sister was not only adorable but also unexpectedly tough.
Had she gone from one extreme to the other? This was her lifelong marriage they were discussing.
Yet she made it sound so simple. Her only request was to see the man beforehand. Regardless of what Xiyan thought inside, his face remained cold as ever.
"Xylira, my courtyard is next door. If you need anything, just step out, turn right, and you'll see it." Xiyan stood up.
Now that he mentioned it, Xylira remembered something. "Brother, can you get me some opaque fabric? White, blue, green, purple, any of those is fine."
She really couldn't bring herself to wear those sheer, colorful clothes. "Alright." Xiyan didn't refuse her request. "I'll come back tonight and eat dinner with you."
"Okay." Xylira nodded. Watching him leave, she knew he had his doubts.
But thankfully, the suicide incident helped cover up her memory loss and personality change.
After lying in bed for three days and crying for a while, her spirit was much better. Plus, the news she received today needed some time to process, so after sending off Xiyan, she left her room and wandered around the small courtyard.
The courtyard that belonged to her was really simple, the buildings looked old and worn, as if they had not been repaired in years. Her room was the main building, and there were two more rooms beside it, probably guest rooms, with dark red doors, grey-white walls and green tiles, all with a traditional charm.
To the left, there were two slightly shorter rooms facing the gate on the right, which she guessed were where her two servants stayed. The entire courtyard was divided by a cross-shaped path paved with one-meter wide green stones, leading to the gate, the main house, the servant rooms and a small pavilion across from the main house.
The red paint on the pavilion had peeled off a lot, and inside there was a round table and four stone stools. Next to the pavilion stood a large tree, its leaves lush and green, blocking the hot sun.
She stood under the tree and observed it for a while but still couldn't figure out what kind of tree it was. What caught her attention instead was the swing hanging nearby.
However, aside from the thick dust in the pavilion and the leaves swinging on the swing, the rest of the place was even messier, with weeds growing wildly and narrowing the paths. The already narrow paths were covered with dust and fallen leaves, making everything feel more primitive and untouched.
Half an hour passed slowly. Xiyan still had a calm and distant smile on his face as he spoke to the only two servants in the yard.
"Come in with me."
"Yes, Second Miss." Awen had become more respectful due to the recent scare, but Awu was the complete opposite, not even replying. He simply stood there with his head held high, completely ignoring the duties of a servant.
Inside the house, standing a meter away from the two servants, Xylira circled around them twice before sitting down slowly.
"You can go now. Cut your fingernails and clean them until there is no black dirt left, wash your hair properly, and if you find it too troublesome, shave it or wear a hat. Also, change your clothes every day."
Thinking about the black grime under their nails, the greasy hair, and the dirty collars stained with unknown substances, it took her a lot of effort to hold back her nausea.
"Yes, Second Miss." Awen still answered respectfully, but Awu gave no response.
"From now on, no matter what happens, you are not allowed to enter my room. Remember this well. If I ask for something, just leave it at the door."
Xylira lifted a teacup and paused in silence for about fifteen minutes.
"The water can be reheated if it cools down, but if this teacup is broken, it can't be used again. Don't you think so?"
Xylira's sudden question seemed casual. Awen and Awu did not understand her meaning, but their hearts tightened.
With a bang, the cup hit the floor and shattered in their sight.
"Just slipped." Xylira stood up and said calmly. "Clean it up."
"Yes, Second Miss." Awen and Awu answered at the same time.
She paused while walking into the room. Xylira frowned.
"Second Miss? Just call me Miss from now on." She curled her lip. "That 'Second' sounds annoying."
"Yes, Miss." The two quickly corrected themselves, then looked down at their filthy fingernails with confused expressions. Just now, Miss hadn't said anything harsh or acted stern, so why did they break into a cold sweat?
That afternoon, in the quiet and forgotten courtyard, all three of them were busy. Xylira cleaned her room, Awen and Awu tidied themselves first, then Awu fetched water under Xylira's orders while Awen did a rough sweep of the courtyard.
Before dinner, Xiyan brought over bolts of fabric in various colors, just as Xylira had asked. Clearly, this brother truly cared for her.
She smiled and had dinner with Xiyan.
After that, she spent another day turning the room into a space she liked. From then on, her routine returned to what it had been in modern times.
She woke up at six in the morning. Since it was summer, the sun was already up, so she exercised in the courtyard like before, running laps, stretching, and practicing punches without skipping a thing.
After an hour, she returned to her room, changed out of her handmade white workout clothes and started washing up and grooming. At that time, the two servants were just waking up.
There was a well in the courtyard, so fetching water was easy. Supporting oneself was also something the Yue family taught.
After breakfast, she began sewing her clothes using the most traditional method, one stitch at a time.
Looking at the finished garments, which resembled those sheer and flowing outfits, Xylira was quite satisfied.
After washing them, she ignored the shocked expressions on the two servants' faces and hung them out in the courtyard to enjoy the sunlight. This was the most relaxed and peaceful time for her.
In the afternoon, she would visit Xiyan's courtyard with her unshakable heart. Her brother's living conditions were the same as hers, except he had a study room and a loyal and capable servant named Axin.
However, Xiyan was very busy. He would return at night to have dinner with her. If he couldn't, he would ask Axin to bring her favorite dishes and snacks.
The rest of the time, Xylira could do whatever she wanted in his study. He didn't think his little sister, who used to just sit quietly and study beside him, could figure out anything useful.
But as Xylira kept reading, her heart was shaken again and again. Her understanding of this world kept being overturned.
Because of Queqiao Garden, she discovered this world's version of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl story. But here, the Weaver Girl descended to the mortal world and met seven poor cowherd brothers, bore a bunch of little cowherds and one or two little weaver girls, then got separated from them by the heartless Queen Mother.
They could only reunite once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
After reading what should have been a heartbreaking love story, Xylira didn't even know how to describe her feelings.
Her hands holding the book trembled, and it took all her strength to stop herself from tearing the book apart or throwing it away.
The more she read, the more shocked she felt. This was such a twisted and intense world.
Like ancient times she knew, there was a strict social hierarchy from scholars to farmers to artisans to merchants. But there were also differences.
Except for the throne, all official and noble positions were earned through strength and ability, not inherited.
Of course, those born into good families received better education, so power shifts didn't change much in practice.
What really amazed her was how overwhelmingly dominant men were in every imaginable profession.
Officials, soldiers, merchants, farmers, all were men, which was understandable.
But even tasks like sewing, laundry, cooking and childcare were also handled by men.
If men could give birth, this might have become a world of only men.
It was terrifying.
Women, on the other hand, didn't need to do anything from birth.
They didn't need to study, just grow up peacefully, get married, have children and die.
Even a princess only learned to read but had no practical life skills.
Such women couldn't even take the imperial exam.
Without a man, surviving would be nearly impossible.
It was a society designed by cunning men with a cunning system.
In such an environment, it was no surprise that there were no exceptions among women in Da Kang.
Because in this society, having no talent was considered a virtue for women.
As for the system of one wife and multiple husbands, the first husband had the most power.
He had to always be stronger than the other two.
Otherwise, his position would be threatened.
And the last six men could only marry in with the first husband's approval.
Usually, the first husband came from a noble family.
The later ones were of lower status, so even if they were capable, they couldn't surpass the first.
This system prevented all seven husbands from being officials and forming alliances.
The other six lived in the first husband's house with their wife.
Outside, they had their own businesses.
Half of what they earned went to the wife.
The other half went to their own children.
As for how children with the same mother but different fathers got along, that depended on individual relationships.
Still, this society had some admirable aspects.
For one, the deeply rooted values of loyalty, filial piety, integrity and righteousness.
There was a complete moral framework.
Over time, it had shaped a good public image for society, at least on the surface.
Another point was the high level of protection for women, since there were very few of them.
If a man was murdered, the punishment might be a life sentence or nothing at all if he had connections.
But if a woman was killed, even a prince had to pay with his life.
If it was a regular family, the killer's entire family would be executed.
Women within the same family, however, didn't count.
This showed how rare and precious women were.
They were like caged birds with golden feathers, valuable but without real freedom or power.