Chapter Three: My Brothers

Counting the days, it had been over a month since Rong Jiu had crossed over into this world. To be fair, the medicines of these ancient people were truly effective; a daily application had healed her back injury without a trace, leaving no lingering aftereffects. If only she could find a way home, Rong Jiu wished she could bring a whole batch back with her—she’d surely make a fortune!

Ever since she’d recovered and was bounding about again, her days consisted of eating, drinking, sleeping, and admiring the vast scenery of the grasslands. That, and dodging her overprotective brothers, who seemed to be obsessed with their little sister.

Take today, for instance—Rong Jiu was lying atop the roof, basking lazily in the sun after a satisfying meal, when suddenly someone popped up behind her, startling her so much she nearly tumbled off.

“Little Jiu! So this is where you are,” came the cheerful voice.

Rong Jiu patted her chest to calm her wildly beating heart, glaring at the boy who had appeared out of nowhere. “Fourth Brother! Are you trying to scare me to death?”

“My apologies, my apologies—it’s my fault,” Rong Yu stuck out his tongue, looking genuinely remorseful.

“Forget it. What do you want?” Rong Jiu rolled her eyes inwardly. Honestly, she wanted to say, ‘I hid up here and you still found me—are you part bloodhound?’

“Let’s go riding together! Big Brother, Second Brother, and our two cousins are all there.”

“Riding?” Rong Jiu’s eyes sparkled instantly.

She’d loved equestrian sports since childhood; after starting work, she’d enrolled in a riding class, spending hours every weekend at the stables. The thrill of galloping, the sense of freedom and release—it was all she ever wanted.

“Of course! Don’t you want to go? I remember you used to love riding more than anything.”

“I want to, I want to!” Rong Jiu nodded eagerly.

…

The endless grasslands unfolded before them, herds of horses grazing quietly, some grouped together, some solitary, all as beautiful as a painting. Rong Jiu had never seen such breathtaking scenery and was momentarily entranced.

“My goodness, this is too stunning! If this place was turned into a tourist spot, it would make a fortune!” she muttered.

“Little Jiu, what are you mumbling about? Tour what? What does that mean?” Rong Yu leaned in, puzzled.

“Nothing, nothing—you misheard, Fourth Brother. I just said it’s so beautiful here,” Rong Jiu hastily turned away, a little flustered. Damn, she’d almost let slip her secret.

“I misheard? That’s unlikely.” Rong Yu scratched his head. Those who train in martial arts have extremely keen hearing.

“Of course you misheard, Fourth Brother. Maybe you should get your ears checked,” Rong Jiu expertly shifted the blame.

“Really…” Rong Yu still looked doubtful.

“Hey, Ninth Sister! Fourth Brother! What are you two doing over there? Come on!” Second Prince Rong Xian called out from afar.

“Alright, let’s hurry, Fourth Brother,” Rong Jiu, fearing she’d give herself away, quickly pushed Rong Yu along.

…

“Ninth Sister, look, I brought Mu Mu for you! See? Isn’t Second Brother good to you?” Rong Xian said, trying to win her favor.

“Mu Mu?” What was that? Rong Jiu blinked in confusion.

“Mu Mu’s your favorite little red horse—you’ve forgotten?” Rong Xian pointed to the small horse he was holding.

“You fool! She’s lost her memory, how would she remember?” Crown Prince Rong Le smacked Rong Xian on the head, making him yelp and clutch his head.

“Exactly!” Third Prince Rong Yang followed up with another playful smack.

“Hey, you brat, even you hit me?” Rong Xian grumbled. He couldn’t take on Rong Le, but this little cousin he could handle.

“Ninth Sister, look, Second Cousin is glaring at me—he’s so fierce!” Rong Yang quickly hid behind Rong Jiu, sticking his tongue out at Rong Xian.

Rong Xian immediately relaxed his clenched fist and grinned sheepishly. “Hehe, don’t listen to him, Ninth Sister. How am I fierce?”

Rong Jiu couldn’t help but laugh. These boys really were a handful. “Alright, alright, are we riding or not?”

…

“Exactly!” Rong Yu echoed.

“Enough, everyone! Stop fooling around. We’re grown men, not children. Let’s start riding,” Rong Le declared.

Everyone went to fetch their mounts.

Rong Jiu examined her little red horse, Mu Mu—it was indeed gentle and obedient. With practiced ease, she mounted, and after a moment of familiarization, let the horse run freely.

“Ninth Sister, how about a race?” Rong Yu, riding a white horse, caught up.

“Fourth Cousin, that’s not fair—you didn’t include us!” Crown Prince Rong Ying rode up as well.

“Exactly!” Rong Xian chimed in.

“Count me in too,” added Rong Yang.

“I’ll act as judge, then! Whoever reaches the lakeshore first wins!” Rong Le called, and with that, he sped toward the distant lake.

“Great!” Rong Jiu was delighted at the prospect of a race.

“Let’s start!” No sooner had the words left her lips than Rong Jiu shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

“Hey, Ninth Sister, that’s not fair—you started alone!” Rong Xian called after her.

“I’m off too!” Rong Yu announced, already galloping away.

“Second Cousin, let’s go!” Rong Yang and Rong Ying followed suit.

“Wait for me!” Rong Xian whipped his horse and joined the chase.

…

The lush grassland, already home to grazing herds, now had another lively scene.

Hooves beat the earth in a rhythmic ‘da-da-da’, wonderfully melodious. Rong Jiu looked back at the others trailing far behind, wearing a triumphant smile.

Here, amidst the grasslands, she felt a comfort and freedom she'd never known. The fatigue and emptiness accumulated from early mornings and late nights vanished, swept away by the wind.

“Whoa—” In no time, Rong Jiu reached the lakeshore.

“Hey, you grown men can’t even beat your little sister!” Rong Le called out to the others.

Hearing this, they all pushed themselves to catch up.

“Huff… huff… I’m exhausted…” Rong Xian slumped over his horse, panting for breath.

“Second Cousin, you rode the slowest—how come you’re the most tired?” Rong Ying teased.

“Exactly! Look at Little Jiu—she’s much more impressive than you,” Rong Yu chimed in.

“You all talk, but Ninth Sister started first, and I was last! Besides, I haven’t ridden in ages—it’s normal to be tired,” Rong Xian retorted.

“She’s still young, so what if she started first? It’s your own fault for not keeping up,” Rong Le tapped Rong Xian’s head.

“Ow, ow, it hurts! Big Brother, I was wrong, okay?” Rong Xian groaned, protecting his head.

Everyone burst into laughter.

“Big Brother, is there a prize for first place?” Rong Jiu rubbed her hands together, grinning mischievously.

“A prize? Of course there is! Whatever you want, just say it,” Rong Le patted her head, doting.

“I want that!” Rong Jiu pointed at the short dagger at Rong Xian’s waist. Honestly, she’d been eyeing it for ages.

“No, no, absolutely not! That’s my treasure!” Rong Xian clutched it protectively.

“Big Brother, look at him!” Rong Jiu stomped her foot in a playful plea.

To her delight, this tactic worked perfectly. Rong Le immediately fixed his gaze on Rong Xian. “Second Brother!”

“Second Brother, it’s just an old dagger—give it to Little Jiu,” Rong Yu said, unconcerned. He hadn’t forgotten how someone recently gave away his prized jade pendant to curry favor with Little Jiu.

“Exactly, Second Cousin—don’t be stingy!” Rong Ying agreed, only to be glared at by Rong Xian, who quickly hid behind Rong Jiu.

In the end, under the collective pressure, Rong Xian had no choice but to part with his treasured dagger.

“Hehe, thank you, Second Brother! You’re the best!” Rong Jiu’s heart bloomed with joy as she took the dagger, admiring it over and over.

“Ninth Sister, this is my favorite treasure—take good care of it. If you ever tire of it, don’t just toss it away; remember to give it back to me!” Rong Xian pleaded miserably.

“Oh, don’t worry, Second Brother! I’ll cherish it, and I’ll never get tired of it!” Rong Jiu said with a triumphant smile, putting extra emphasis on the last words.

That shattered Rong Xian’s last bit of hope; he could only wear a bitter, helpless expression, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Back at the palace, Rong Jiu happily made her way to her own chambers, eager to share her joy with her sister.

“Sister, guess what lovely treasure I got today!” She called out impatiently as soon as she reached the doors.

“Goodness, my little darling, slow down—you’re running so fast you’re drenched in sweat! Where’s Ah Mu? Why isn’t she with you? How many times have I told you not to wander alone? What if you get hurt?” Princess Rong An looked at her with helpless affection, chiding gently as she wiped Rong Jiu’s brow.

Unlike Rong Jiu, Rong An was gentle and serene, with a delicate beauty that made one reluctant to look away. She was the eldest princess of Xining, renowned as the region’s greatest beauty.

“Oh, Sister, you’re always fussing. I’m grown up now—how could I get hurt so easily?” Rong Jiu pouted playfully.

After spending these days together, she had come to adore her sweet, gentle sister, always finding time to visit. Most importantly, they never ran out of things to talk about.

“In my eyes, you’ll always be a child,” Rong An said, affectionately tapping Rong Jiu’s nose.

“Sister, you’re just like them, always treating me like a kid.”

“Alright, alright—enough about that. Tell me, what fun treasure did you get this time?” Rong An smiled, resigned.

Rong Jiu grinned mysteriously, then drew her hand from behind her back and declared with pride, “Ta-da! Look, Sister!”

“That’s Second Brother’s dagger, isn’t it?” Rong An immediately recognized it.

“Right! But now it’s mine, haha!”

“You’re such a girl—why do you like these things? They’re dangerous.”

“Oh, Sister, you don’t understand! It’s not just exquisite and beautiful—it’s also good for self-defense.” Rong Jiu drew the dagger, showing it off before putting it away.

“Alright, alright, I can’t argue with you. If you like it, keep it,” Rong An smiled helplessly, seeing how happy Rong Jiu was. “By the way, how did Second Brother agree to give you his treasure?”

“Hehe, here’s what happened—let me tell you all about it!” Rong Jiu sat beside Rong An, hands gesturing animatedly as she recounted the story. Laughter and chatter echoed from the room, warm and unending.