Xiyan's expression softened even more as he looked at his younger sister, her chin slightly raised with pride. There was a hint of pride in his eyes that even he didn't notice.
"You're so shameless, who praises themselves like this? Too proud, don't forget there are still five more subjects."
Like Caelen, after the shock from the first two tests, they truly started to believe that Xylira might really achieve the top three ranking she claimed.
But how did she manage it? Xiyan couldn't help but wonder.
In the past, Xylira had always been quiet and calm, silently following him into the study room. Was she learning all that during those times?
Even if she was a genius like she claimed, how would that explain her riding and archery skills? Could she really have achieved that just from those few morning training sessions in the yard after jumping into the well?
Still, Xiyan chose not to ask. Too much had changed since Xylira jumped into that well, and it could all be explained by memory loss.
But until now, he hadn't figured it out. She never left the house, and with Dongyi and another servant always by her side, how did a summer jump into a well nearly kill her?
What really happened that made her lose all her memories after waking up?
And considering how cautious Lord Edgar always was, there was no way he would have told Xylira about marrying Caelen. He definitely wouldn't have exposed the truth about Caelen's injuries, which could ruin his own plans.
Then how did Xylira find out? Who told her?
These unanswered questions only made Xiyan more certain that the Prime Minister's residence was too deep and dangerous. For Xylira, marrying out of the house was actually a good thing.
"This is confidence," Xylira said with a grin. Then her forehead was tapped accurately.
In the remaining five subject exams, when Caelen and Xiyan looked at the rankings, they had already developed the habit of checking from the top.
Even though they were mentally prepared, each time they saw the numbers next to Xyl's name getting smaller and her rank moving up, it still felt like walking on clouds, like a dream.
Especially after the final subject. The two men arrived together in front of the ranking board and saw a familiar name right under the number one spot.
One man had a blank expression, the other was cold as ice. But when their eyes met, both saw shock and disbelief in each other's eyes.
With stiff steps, they both turned and walked away.
"Say it," said one of them after reaching a private room in the restaurant. They both looked dazed as they drank a cup of tea and placed the cups down stiffly.
"You first," they said in unison again.
"Fine, I'm sure we're not dreaming." Caelen licked his lips and went straight to the point.
Then he asked, "How did you teach Xylira? She actually came first! She beat all those men. Amazing!
But Xiyan, you should know, if people find out that Xyl is a girl, not just Kangcheng but all of Dakan will explode.
The impact would be beyond anything we can imagine."
By the end, Caelen got more and more emotional, already imagining the looks on the officials' faces when the Emperor and court found out.
Even though Caelen was about to become his brother-in-law, Xiyan never really liked him.
But now, his feelings were just like Caelen's eyes, turbulent and unsettled.
Still, his face remained cold as he looked at Caelen with disdain.
"So what? You can expose Xylira if you want. In fact, if you plan to cancel the engagement, I'd be happy about that."
"You're dreaming." Caelen looked at Xiyan with a cheerful smile.
"Xylira is my fiancée. From now on, whatever concerns her concerns me. Xiyan, don't think I don't know what you're thinking.
And don't think I don't know that the reason Xylira worked so hard is because she wants only one husband."
As he said this, his smile grew even brighter, and also more twisted.
But the happiness behind that grin was what annoyed Xiyan the most.
"Can you stop smiling? It's ugly, creepy, and scary." Xiyan's eyes darkened, the coldness inside them even stronger.
His voice was filled with disgust and contempt. "You'll scare Xylira into fainting."
To Xiyan's surprise, Caelen didn't seem hurt at all. Instead, his smile grew more arrogant and pleased.
"Haha, you probably don't know. Xylira herself told me I should smile more. She said I look good when I smile like this."
"Then why were you so emotional just now?" Xiyan stayed silent for a moment.
Fine, Caelen, you're thick-skinned. Don't think I don't know your injury makes it hard for you to have facial expressions.
Look at how twisted your face gets. Tsk tsk. Never mind, I won't argue.
He tried to comfort himself and suppress his jealousy. In the end, Xiyan still muttered a small retort.
"Then why were you emotional earlier?" Caelen shot back with equal contempt.
"Don't think I didn't see how awkward you looked walking back."
They exchanged a few more sarcastic jabs before calming down.
"Let's keep Xylira's identity a secret for now. She's already taken the first step. There's no way she'll give up now.
If she really wins a top-three spot and enters the court, I'll help her hide her identity.
But before that, Prime Minister's residence and you, Xiyan, need to help more."
"Hmph, you don't need to say that. She's my sister, Caelen. Her surname is Yue." Xiyan still spoke with no kindness.
"I know that well."
If he hadn't truly fallen for her, he wouldn't care what kind of wife he had, as long as she could carry on the family name.
But Xylira was different. Caelen understood that his feelings for her couldn't be described with just the word "like."
How could he not care if other men got close to her? Even though it was normal in Dakan for women to have multiple husbands, he couldn't stand the thought of Xylira smiling sweetly at anyone else.
If before he thought her words in the Plum Hall were just sweet talk, after this exam, he genuinely believed that Xylira didn't want any other man.
Even if he didn't understand why she was so different and bold as a girl, he admired her courage to pursue her own path.
One thing was clear. He had fallen even deeper.
Whether it was her uniqueness or her determination, he couldn't stop liking her.
Since that was the case, he, Caelen, would never be a coward. He would walk beside her, no matter how hard the road.
As long as she didn't change her heart, he would never back down.
Xylira had no idea about Caelen's change in mindset.
The top 400 names from the exams had already been announced. In the coming days, the court needed time to organize the exam documents and prepare for the next round, the palace examination.
This was important not only to the candidates but also to the officials in charge.
If the results from the palace exam were too different from the previous ones, the responsible parties would also be blamed.
But this had nothing to do with Xylira.
General Renyu and Yarith each took the top spots in their examination halls.
With Lady Evelyne soon to marry the Third Prince, the Prime Minister's residence was once again in the spotlight.
Their reputation, damaged by the Qixi incident, was now fully restored, and the rumors had disappeared.
"Sigh," Xylira looked at the bright red wedding symbols, even their remote little courtyard wasn't spared.
She could already imagine how lively the Prime Minister's residence would be on the third of August.
She shook the wedding invitation that Dongyi had just delivered.
Looks like there's no escaping it.
On the night of the second of August, Lord Edgar delivered the wedding clothes he had sewn to Lady Evelyne.
After giving some instructions, he returned to his room.
"Are you ready? I agreed to let you act tomorrow, but don't let those siblings affect Evelyne's wedding."
Maybe it was because General Renyu had performed so well, Lord Edgar had been in a good mood recently.
"Please rest assured, Master. Everything has been arranged," Dongyi promised.
Xylira left her small courtyard and had barely walked a few steps toward the main courtyard when she felt an overwhelming festive atmosphere rushing toward her. The servants passing by all wore joyful smiles, and even the green trees at the side were forced to dress in red decorations.
Led by Awen, the three of them arrived at Lady Evelyne's courtyard. Even before stepping into the main house, just from what Xylira saw upon entering the courtyard, and judging by Awen and Awu's gasps behind her, it was clear that this place was far superior in both size and quality compared to hers, it would not be an exaggeration to say they were worlds apart.
"Second Miss, please." The two gatekeepers relaxed upon seeing Xylira dressed in pink with a matching veil. They had no idea that last night, Awen and Awu had begged endlessly for Xylira to wear a veil today, fearing she might outshine Lady Evelyne.
The servant boy stayed outside while Xylira entered Lady Evelyne's boudoir alone. Rouge and powder filled the air, red silk drapes fluttered, the scent of perfume floated about, and silhouettes of women whispered flirtatiously, making the room seem like a place of romance and indulgence.
She stared silently at the group of scantily dressed women surrounding Lady Evelyne as they helped her with her makeup in front of a mirror. Big sister, are you really getting married today? Look at all that gold and silver in your hair, isn't it heavy? And that face of yours, red like a monkey's backside, she turned away, unable to look any longer, afraid she might throw up.
"Oh, you came without saying anything," Lady Mei Lin said with dissatisfaction. "Mother," came the overly sweet voice that made Xylira shiver, "Little sister, come here quickly, I'm just not satisfied with my look, come help me."
So you actually know that, but can you stop pouting your overly red lips while talking? Xylira would rather deal with her idiotic older sister who always caused trouble. Who told them she knew how to apply makeup? "Hurry up and come over here!"
Lady Mei Lin shouted sharply. If it weren't for Lord Edgar and General Renyu both insisting that this girl was good with makeup, hmph, did she really think she deserved to attend her daughter's wedding?
Seeing all the unfamiliar women staring at her and making space, Xylira knew she had no excuse. Stepping forward, she got a clearer look at the vibrant embroidery on the wedding dress. "Big sister, are you really wearing this to your wedding today?"
"Of course," Lady Evelyne said proudly as she admired herself in the mirror. "My father made it himself. Xylira, it's a pity your father died so early. Ugh, I shouldn't say such words on my wedding day. How pitiful for you, little sister, what will you wear when you get married?"
This was the Lady Evelyne she knew. Xylira did admire the embroidery on the dress, but still said, "Even if your father were alive, his skills wouldn't compare to my father's."
"Yes, Lord Edgar was truly talented in many ways, and his embroidery was unmatched."
Praise poured in from all sides. Listening to all of them, Xylira started to doubt whether Edgar was even human anymore. Still, her hands kept moving, hoping to finish the makeup quickly and escape the sickening perfume and constant noise.
Half an hour later, the women had gone from talking about Edgar to General Renyu, then to the Third Prince Zhaoye. "Big sister, are you satisfied now?"
Her clear and cool voice interrupted a woman about to speak, who glared at Xylira. Then a chorus of gasps filled the air as they turned to look at Lady Evelyne, who had done the same. Even Lady Evelyne herself found it hard to believe the reflection in the bronze mirror was her.
Her eyes looked bigger, the slight upward tilt of her eyes gave her a lively spirit, making her look much brighter. Her straight nose and pale cheeks had a natural blush under the ruby earrings, and her red lips with sharp outlines made her appear more seductive and elegant.
Soon Xylira was pushed aside by the astonished women who surrounded Lady Evelyne, chirping nonstop. As the auspicious hour approached, Lady Evelyne finally remembered Xylira's contribution and called her forward like summoning a pet. If not for Lady Mei Lin's cold stare from the side, Xylira would have turned and left.
Lady Evelyne picked through the items on her vanity, then handed a golden hairpin to Xylira. "Little sister, this is your reward. Your work is not bad."
Even with Xylira's calm nature, she felt the urge to throw it in her sister's face. But thinking about the potential gossip and that her own mother was present, she reminded herself to uphold filial respect.
"Thank you, big sister." Xylira finally spoke. "I'll go wait outside." Without caring how they reacted, she walked to the door, paused, and tossed the gold hairpin at the guard to her right. "For you." Whether he caught it or not, or how the people inside reacted, none of it mattered to her.
The wedding itself was nothing special. Zhaoye came to escort the bride, and in the loud noise of drums and firecrackers, he took Lady Evelyne away under her red veil. After the couple left, the guests finally sat down, men and women seated separately. The food was decent, just a little too salty.
After the meal, the women gathered to gossip about which man was attractive, who had a new addition to their family, who liked whom, even bedroom matters were discussed openly. As it got more and more indecent, Xylira pretended to feel unwell and left at a suitable moment.
Back in her own small courtyard, though it was smaller, quieter and a bit desolate, it still felt more comfortable. "Bring me some hot water," Xylira said, feeling a bit thirsty. "Just leave it at the door. I want to rest for a while, don't disturb me."
On the men's side, General Renyu and Yarith attracted most of the attention. One was cheerful and sunny, the other gentle and refined, both considered outstanding with great prospects.
Xiyan and Caelen sat quietly to the side, as they never got along well. "What? Getting restless?" Xiyan said coldly. "I already told Xylira to return to her courtyard after the meal. Until the wedding is over, don't expect to see her." His eyes clearly showed he was on guard.
Though his feelings were seen through by Xiyan, Caelen wasn't angry. He just felt a little disappointed.
After the feast, General Renyu and Yarith led a group of young nobles to tour the Prime Minister's residence. Xiyan and Caelen were among them.
"Young master," Axin approached Xiyan as they walked through the garden, whispered something in his ear. Xiyan's expression changed at once. He said a few words to Caelen and quickly left.
Caelen was left alone and felt quite bored. Since he couldn't see Xylira, he figured he might as well return early. "General Caelen, our second young miss is in trouble. Please come quickly." A young servant grabbed Caelen's sleeve, eyes wide and on the verge of tears.
Hearing it was about the one he cared for and thinking of Xiyan's pale face earlier, Caelen didn't hesitate. "Lead the way."
Meanwhile, in Xylira's courtyard, Awen hesitated for a moment, then knocked on her door. Getting no response, he blushed and walked in nervously, gently closing the door behind him as he stepped slowly toward the pink figure on the bed.
Her veil had long fallen off, and on her pale face were two patches of unusual redness. Her breathing was quick, and her closed eyes had long, pretty lashes. A light sheen of sweat gathered on her slightly furrowed forehead.
Awen held his breath, his heart pounding like a drum, but he didn't dare touch her delicate face. His trembling hands reached slowly for the pink ribbon tied around her slender waist.