"Old Wei, are you telling me that my big brother who went missing thirteen years ago has come back?!"
Just as Chen An stepped into the family's carriage, he found himself doubting his ears. He stared straight at the servant before him.
Old Wei had served the Chen family for nearly ten years.
His children also worked in the household.
As one of Chen Rong's most trusted retainers, there was no reason he would lie, especially not about something as outlandish as this.
Old Wei nodded solemnly. "Yes. The two young gate guards reported it this morning. At first, I thought they were being foolish again, probably letting in another con man..."
He sighed, "But when I went myself, I saw the young man standing at the gate. Though his eyes were covered by a black cloth, his features were unmistakable, he looked just like Madam Gan Tang in her youth, only more refined and handsome!"
"I was so shocked I ran to fetch Madam right away. The moment she saw him, she burst into tears and said there could be no mistake, he was the young master."
"They chatted for a while, and even the Master was convinced. Now, he's already been settled in the eastern wing."
Chen An frowned deeply.
"Just based on his appearance? Did no one bother verifying his background?"
While the official story told outsiders that Chen Kuang had gone missing, both Chen An and his sister knew very well the truth of that "disappearance."
After all, back then, Chen Kuang had essentially sacrificed himself to save the rest of the family.
Over the years, just from hearing their mother recount that tale again and again, Chen An's ears had grown numb to it.
It wasn't that he felt annoyed, just detached. When Chen Kuang had left, he had only been four years old. His sister had been three.
The memory was vague at best. And of the person himself, he had no impression at all.
So now, with a "big brother" suddenly returning out of nowhere, his first instinct was naturally to question the man's identity.
After all, the Chen family was no longer what it used to be.
They were now powerful and well-connected.
With the turbulent shifts in power around the Canal Guild and Jishao Prefecture, the appearance of an impostor could mean serious danger.
What if this was the scheme of an old enemy?
If so, they'd struck right at the heart, and the threat had to be neutralized as soon as possible.
Old Wei shook his head, smiling bitterly. "The Master didn't give any orders to investigate, and we servants wouldn't dare to act on our own."
He added in a low voice, "But I did see the Master after speaking with the young man. He looked as if he'd been crying. I don't think it's a scam."
"Though there's one odd thing, the young master brought along some female companions. Said they were fellow refugees from the recent chaos and needed a place to stay for a while."
Old Wei's expression turned odd. "One of the women... looked to be around Madam Gan Tang's age."
Traveling with a woman that old? It didn't exactly sound noble.
If that was really the taste of their long-lost young master... there wasn't much one could say.
Chen An was silent for a long time.
"Alright, I understand. From now on, don't involve yourself further in this. Just make sure Father and Mother are well protected. Report to me immediately if anything seems off about this 'big brother'."
This wasn't something Old Wei could handle. Chen An would look into it himself.
But first, he needed to see what kind of person this "big brother" really was.
He shut the carriage curtain, and the coach galloped toward the Chen residence.
...
Since her private school was closer to the estate, Chen Ning arrived at the eastern courtyard before Chen An.
Like her mother Gan Tang, Chen Ning was beautiful.
Her delicate eyebrows arched like distant mountains; her eyes rippled like autumn water. A tiny beauty mark at the corner of one eye added a hint of alluring charm to her otherwise elegant demeanor.
Today, she wore a light pink blouse and skirt that emphasized her graceful figure, swaying like a willow in the breeze. She still held a book in her hands.
Before she even reached the courtyard, a deep, melancholic Zither melody floated to her ears.
Just a few notes were enough to make her eyes fly open in astonishment.
The artistry of the performance was stunning, pure, clear and invigorating.
It was even more moving than the music she had once heard from a Heavenly Sound Pavilion cultivator two years ago.
There was no comparison.
Could this be the music of her never-before-seen older brother?
Holding her breath, she dared not interrupt. She stood quietly at a distance, listening intently.
Alas, the piece was nearing its end.
About fifteen minutes later, the music completely faded.
A hush fell over the courtyard. The rustling bamboo leaves ceased.
Even the sparrows in the trees seemed confused by the sudden silence, cocking their heads but not making a sound.
For just a moment, it felt as though the whole world held its breath.
Then, the wind stirred once more, and life returned to normal.
Chen Ning stood with her eyes closed, still wrapped in the afterglow of the melody.
As the so-called "Talented Lady of the Eastern Court," she loved books and music alike. She believed that the Zither was the most elegant of instruments, capable of expressing the soul, just like the bond between Bo Ya and Zhong Ziqi of old, whose friendship was founded upon the music of the zither.
Before arriving, she had been wary, could this man really be her brother?
But now, her doubts had vanished.
Just from that performance alone, it was clear he could not be someone with a petty, scheming heart.
Within that music, she had heard a broad, expansive spirit, one who bore the weight of the world yet walked alone in its dust.
She imagined a solitary figure, facing the multitude, seemingly one of them, yet fundamentally apart.
Her curiosity swelled.
Many can be openhearted. Few walk alone in quiet sorrow.
Only someone misunderstood and transcendent could carry that kind of loneliness.
And so it was that all sages, since ancient times, walked alone.
Could her brother be one of them?
...
"Ning'er, why are you standing in the corner like that?"
Gan Tang's voice broke her from her thoughts.
"Come greet your brother!"
Chen Ning blinked, took a deep breath, and was immediately pulled over to the stone table.
Chen Kuang turned toward her and smiled gently. "Xiao Ning."
The imagined lonely figure turned, and revealed a calm, gentle face. Unfortunately, a black cloth covered his eyes, the very eyes she had most wanted to see.
The eyes are the window to the soul. If his music was so divine, surely his gaze would have been even more beautiful.
But her brother was blind...
The godlike figure now bore a flaw.
Her heart twisted with sorrow. For the first time, she felt the weight of that tragedy from thirteen years ago.
"Big Brother!" she said earnestly.
Chen Kuang chuckled. "I've got nothing fancy to give you for a reunion gift. But I remember playing house with you when we were little. After traveling all these years, my cooking isn't too bad. Next time, I'll make something special for you."
Chen Ning was stunned. Then her face bloomed into a smile. "Alright!"
She didn't care that it wasn't an expensive gift. What mattered was the genuine affection behind it.
Sometimes, a meal was more meaningful than anything else.
Seeing her children getting along so well, Gan Tang's heart swelled with joy.
"The timing is perfect, it's nearly lunchtime. There's a small kitchen here in the east wing. Why don't Kuang'er cook for us? Ning'er and I can help!"
...
When Chen An finally arrived and asked the servants where his brother was, he rushed to the kitchen, only to find a surreal scene.
Gan Tang and Chen Ning were both standing beside the stove, watching Chen Kuang cut vegetables with rapt attention.
"Careful, Kuang'er! Don't cut your hand!" Gan Tang fretted.
"Big Brother, this fruit tastes really strange. Are you sure we can cook with it?" Chen Ning asked curiously.
Chen An looked closer.
His "brother" was slicing several plump red fruits.
"Oh," Chen Kuang replied with a grin. "These are called tomatoes, though nowadays people call them Western Fan Fruit. Not many people eat them, but if prepared well, they taste great. Just try it and see."
"?"
Chen An blinked in disbelief.
"Wait a minute... aren't those Western Fan Fruits the same ones that were confiscated from the barbarian fleet the other day? Weren't they meant to be ornamental tribute for the emperor?"