Returning Home

"The transportation array for the capital city is ready! Travelers, please come this way!"

Looking over the line forming for the transpiration array, I got up from my seat and walked over to the front to give my ticket to the ticket master.

"Right this way, young miss," after collecting my ticket, the ticket master pointed to the vast array platform where a line formed.

One by one, each patron stood on the platform before they there teleported away to their next destination.

"Next!"

Stepping up onto the platform, I waited for the array to activate. Soon, within a blink of an eye, I stood in the capital's transportation array.

"Welcome to the capital city," a young woman greeted as I climbed down from the platform.

Nodding at her, I followed the crowd of people that began to filter out the exit. Walking down the hall, I could tell the festive spirit in the air as the Emperor's birthday soon, and many in the capital were hustling for the celebration.

"Xiao Hua!"

"Eldest Brother?" What was he doing here? Especially considering his poor health, he should be at home right now.

Waving at me from the inside the carriage, Eldest Brother grinned at me as I came closer to him.

"Welcome back to the capital, Young Miss," Butler Yu greeted as he helped me into the carriage.

"Eh, it's good to be back," I nodded to him as I climbed into the warm carriage. "Eldest Brother."

"Tsk," Eldest Brother shook his head as he frowned half-heartedly. "Is that all I get? Just a simple greeting?

Ah, my Xiao Hua must be too big now to properly greet her big brother.

Aiyah, what happened to that small and affection little girl that would tail me wherever I went?

Ah, I think I can still hear her calling in the winter breeze:

'Eldest Brother!

Eldest Brother, I love you,'" mimicking with a high pitched voice, Eldest Brother let out a dramatic sigh. "Ah, to see that girl again. I suppose we will only reunite in my dreams, as a cold-hearted young maiden takes her place now."

Sigh, must Eldest Brother tease me like this?

"Ah, it's nice to see you too, Eldest Brother," smiling, I couldn't help but roll my eyes at Eldest Brother's melodrama. "I've missed you."

"Hmph," tapping his bamboo fan against his mouth, a fox-like grin spread across his face. "That's more like it! Hehe."

"Emm," Eldest Brother looks pretty healthy, but somewhat pale still. "Where's the heater? We need to put some more coals into the burner."

"Pah, what? Bundled up to my neck in clothes, with the heater is constantly on, not to mention I have a hand warmer with me right now" — he lifted the small stove to show me — "I'll be fine!

And enough about me! Tell me about you!

How come you didn't respond to my last letter a few months ago? Were you being held captive somewhere?

Were you being unworked with paperwork? Oh, should Eldest Brother go and beat up that old Master of yours!"

"Erm, no, no need for that," I can't have Eldest Brother have such a negative image of Master.

Though, he's not entirely wrong in some aspects.

But, it would be troublesome should the two meet, and Eldest Brother decides to 'seek justice for me.'

Ah, I feel a headache just thinking about it.

"Master has been treating me very well. And before you jump to more conclusions, the reason I was unable to respond to your last letter was that I was in closed-door cultivation." I stopped speaking about cultivating.

I knew it was a sore topic for my brother, and I didn't want to rub salt on his wound. '

"Oh? Did you advance?"

"Eh, I did," bowing my head. I didn't want to see Eldest Brother's expression. Perhaps it was out of pity or guilt, but I didn't want to see the look of despair in his eyes.

"Pah," lightly smacking to top of my head with his fan, Eldest Brother grumbled with a playful tone. "What the heck is this pitiful look on your face, huh?

Didn't I say we're talking about you? Why are you so sad all of a sudden?"

"But-"

"Enough," Eldest Brother let out an exasperated sigh as he shook his head. "My condition should not be a deterrent for you not to talk about your accomplishments.

You're so much more talented than I was at your age!

You did well," he beamed as he patted my head. "It's okay to be worried about your amazing, talented, and handsome older brother. But cut me some slack, okay?

I'm not that weak, hmph!

I know for a fact that I can kick your butt at weiqi!"

"Eh," slightly smiling, I let Eldest Brother brag about his achievements. It's nice to see Eldest Brother active, especially since the incident.

"Anyways, what about that Junior Sister of yours? How is she?"

Hmm, she underwent some harsh training courtesy of Master for several months, retrieving some delicacies for Master.

And then after trying to speed through her assigned homework within one night, which consequently ruined her sleep schedule.

Other than being tired, "She's doing well."

Though it would've been nice to see her one last time before I left, however, I figured she could use the sleep more.

"Ah, that's good," picking up a teacup, Eldest Brother gulped down the entire cup in one go. "I guess I should fill you in on what's been going on."

"Please do."

"Eh, well," he tapped the fan against his chin in thought. "Let me think…

Oh! Yes, Grandfather is expecting as soon as you're available to go and greet him with a pot of freshly brewed tea. The last teapot you sent didn't last long as Grandfather coincidently had friends over.

And you know how that usually goes down."

"Em," it usually ends with Grandfather forced to share the entire pot of tea, leaving him with only one cup of the precious beverage. "I suppose it was bad timing."

"I'll say," Eldest Brother laughed. "As soon as they left, Grandfather was sour about the incident for a month.

You better see him as soon as possible.

Eh, what else," he scratched his head as he tried to think of more topics. "Oh! Recently Father has wanted to take Third Brother to court."

What? How could Father bring Third Brother into court with him?

"However, Grandfather disagreed, of course, and that ended in a huge argument. The tension between the two has mellowed a bit, but it still lingers."

"Hmm, it seems a lot has been going on between Grandfather and Father." The two would usually argue about similar topics, but it wouldn't escalate to this degree.

What happened at home while I was away? Looking at Eldest Brother's carefree expression, I couldn't help but wonder what he wasn't telling me.

I suppose I'll have to ask him on a later date, as he doesn't look too willing to talk. Perhaps when I see Grandfather, he might fill me in.

"And of course," Eldest Brother smiled with a mysterious gleam in his eye as he brought my attention back. "My Xiao Hua is growing into a more beautiful woman.

And let's just say something is waiting for the birthday girl."

"Oh? Tell me." Ah, how could I forget? Every year, Eldest Brother would plan some sort of surprise but would ruin it as he is notoriously bad at keeping secrets.

However, I made sure to act surprised each time. I couldn't let Eldest Brother's hard work go down the drain after all.

"Nope! It's a surprise! You can't spoil surprises!

And this year, I'm not letting peep about it out. Not even a fly would know what I'm planning this year!"

A soft smile graced my face as Eldest Brother attempted to keep the secret to himself with a mysteriously gleeful smile.

His secret was practically spilling from his tightly pursed lips.

"Alright, then I'll be waiting for Eldest Brother's grand gift." I'll let him have his fun.

For the rest of the ride, Eldest Brother gossiped a bit about some servants and events in the capital.

Some marriage scandals and more political infighting between the princes, the tension in the capital seemed to grow higher as the Emperor's birthday neared.

The carriage suddenly came to a halt as Butler Yu knocked on the carriage door. "Eldest Young Master, Second Young Miss, we have arrived."

Pushing aside the curtain, I peered out to look at the gates I have left a year before.

"Ye Residence."