TRBDM -Chapter 130 Xie Yu’s Gift

“Yu’er… he isn’t an orphan without parents.”

“What!” Xie Lan’s eyes widened, and he shot up from his seat. “Mother, you’ve found Fourth Brother’s biological parents?”

Wei Zhaorong nodded. Though still partly a guess, it was almost certainly true.

Last night, the flying pigeon message from the Tenth Prince had confirmed her suspicion.

Xie Yu was the son of the Eldest Princess Zhao Lingchen, and the Tenth Prince’s biological nephew.

“Yu’er’s identity is special and implicates many things.”

“…”

For a moment, Xie Lan’s mind went blank.

“Mother, what do you mean by that?”

“I called you here today to tell you that the Tenth Prince knows Yu’er’s identity. When you go to the Imperial Academy for the upcoming competition, find a chance to meet the Tenth Prince alone and give him this letter.”

The letter Xie Yu had initially intended to send but never did had been burned by Wei Zhaorong. She had written a new one.

She understood the Tenth Prince’s situation—he was not free to act and had to be extremely cautious in everything.

Xie Lan took the letter, frowning deeply.

He recalled the Tenth Prince’s unexpectedly attentive behavior at the Imperial Academy. At the time, he had mistakenly thought the prince had some ulterior motives, hiding some unsavory intentions.

It turned out that he had been deliberately attentive because he knew Fourth Brother’s true identity.

Putting together Wei Zhaorong’s words, Xie Lan began to suspect that Xie Yu might indeed have royal blood.

With such a noble lineage, how could someone have abandoned him in a pile of corpses?

Xie Lan clenched his fists, anger swelling on behalf of Xie Yu.

The world was unjust. If Xie Yu’s parents had been ordinary peasants who tragically died while fleeing famine and had no choice but to leave their barely breathing infant behind, Xie Lan could have accepted it.

But to think that his blood was of noble royal descent—gilded and exalted—and yet he suffered so much…

Xie Lan’s chest heaved violently, his handsome face full of righteous fury.

“Lan’er, don’t be angry. Perhaps she had no other choice,” Wei Zhaorong said gently.

“No matter the circumstances, you cannot abandon your own child. Corpses everywhere reek of decay; one misstep and Fourth Brother would have died.”

Xie Lan’s cheeks puffed out with indignation.

Wei Zhaorong could not deny the truth in his words.

That Xie Yu had survived intact was nothing short of miraculous—it had been far from easy.

She knew how deep the bond between Xie Lan and Xie Yu was; his anger was natural.

After Xie Lan’s fury calmed slightly, Wei Zhaorong continued, “Lan’er, the Tenth Prince’s letter says that Yu’er cannot go to the Imperial Academy—it would be dangerous.”

“What danger?”

Xie Lan immediately thought of the Ninth and Tenth Princes at the Imperial Academy, as well as the sons of other princes. Could they be a threat to Xie Yu?

“Yu’er’s identity is special. If discovered, he could easily be used by those with ill intent.”

Royal succession was a bloody struggle.

Every prince vying for the throne wanted the Eldest Princess’s support. Once Xie Yu’s identity was exposed, he would become a pawn others would scramble to claim.

“Mother, what should we do? Even if Fourth Brother doesn’t go to the Imperial Academy, he attends lessons at the Dong residence every day. Could someone recognize him there?”

Wei Zhaorong had considered this.

But besides Master Dong, she couldn’t find a better tutor.

Xie Yu was gifted. Under Teacher Dong’s guidance, his talent could fully flourish.

It wasn’t an option to cut off his studies and keep him hidden in the manor every day just to avoid danger.

“He must continue Master Dong’s lessons. I will arrange for people to secretly protect Yu’er.”

Xie Lan felt some relief.

“Lan’er, remember—Yu’er cannot know about this.”

“Understood.”

Xie Lan returned to the Lan Courtyard, his mind heavy with thoughts.

“Third Brother, Third Brother!” Xie Yu ran over happily, habitually leaning onto Xie Lan’s shoulder and tilting his head as he said: “Tomorrow, I’ll be your scribe, so I can go to the Imperial Academy with you!”

Xie Yu had already planned it all.

Students participating in the competition were allowed to bring a scribe. Since he had been Xie Lan’s scribe before, carrying his bag, preparing ink and brushes—everything was second nature.

More importantly, he wanted to personally cheer Xie Lan on.

He had even secretly prepared a small gift in advance, to wish his third brother success in the competition.

“…”

Xie Lan looked at Xie Yu with a complicated expression.

He had originally intended to take Xie Yu with him to the Imperial Academy, but now it was impossible.

He had never refused Xie Yu before, so a few simple words felt especially difficult: “Fourth brother, I’ll go myself tomorrow. You should attend Mr. Dong’s lessons.”

Xie Yu’s smile froze on his face.

“Third brother, I’ve already asked Mr. Dong for leave. He agreed to let me go.”

Not only had he agreed—Mr. Dong was actually very happy for Xie Yu to accompany him.

Xie Yu was capable, just a little young, and because of his humble origins, his foundation was weaker.

Though he couldn’t participate in the written test, witnessing top students compete firsthand was a rare learning opportunity.

Since returning from Anhe Courtyard, Xie Lan’s brow had never relaxed.

He rubbed the space between his eyes and said hoarsely, “If you’re there, I’ll be distracted. I want to focus completely on the competition.”

“Distracted? How could that be? I won’t disturb you. If you’re afraid I’ll get in your way, I’ll stand far away, completely out of your sight. Will that do?”

Xie Yu blinked his big eyes and pouted, looking pitiful.

“No. I said you’re not coming, so you’re not coming. Now, I’m tired. Go back.”

Xie Yu felt deeply upset at Xie Lan’s cold tone.

He opened his mouth to speak but then remembered he mustn’t distract Xie Lan. So he shut it, lowered his head, and returned to his room.

Late at night, when the servants in Lan Courtyard were asleep, Xie Lan quietly went to Xie Yu’s room and gently pushed the door open.

Xie Yu was sleeping in the usual position, lying on his side with both hands neatly tucked under his cheek.

Moonlight fell on his face, highlighting porcelain-like skin.

Back when he was still Shi Yi, he had been small and pale, looking at least two years younger than his age.

Ever since becoming Wei Zhaorong’s adopted son, Xie Yu’s skin had whitened, and he had grown taller—transformed from a mere servant boy into a young gentleman.

It wasn’t the Marquis Mansion that had nurtured him—it was his noble bloodline.

His demeanor had changed from the inside out; it was simply his natural self reemerging.

“Third brother, let me go with you…”

Xie Yu mumbled in his sleep.

Xie Lan felt even more guilty.

He crouched by Xie Yu’s bed and whispered, “Fourth brother, don’t worry. Your third brother will protect you.”

The next day, Xie Lan had just opened his eyes when he saw Xie Yu standing by the bed.

“Third brother, you’re awake?” Xie Yu’s eyes narrowed into a line, as if last night’s argument had never happened.

“Fourth brother, why are you up so early?” Xie Lan sat up.

“Of course I have to wake early today to see you off to the competition. I’ll help you pack too, so you don’t forget anything.”

Xie Yu was like a lively little bird, circling around Xie Lan.

It wasn’t until Xie Lan was mounted on the carriage that Xie Yu handed over the gift he had prepared.

“Third brother, this is for you.”

It was a Xiangfei bamboo brush.

“Third brother, this brush has a mix of wolf hair. When you write essays, it can hold dense ink without smudging easily.”

For a scholar, a brush was a sword.

Xie Yu had carefully chosen this gift, considering every detail—it perfectly reflected his feelings for Xie Lan.