Chapter 31: Go for it, Brother-in-law 8

Maria is eventually going to marry into this family. Although she will have Slan’s love and protection, I cannot let that brat get too carried away; he looks sharp-tongued and mean-spirited just by the way he carries himself.

Look at how wonderful she is, worrying so much about the original owner of this body, fretting over everything like a weary mother.

Ye Yu was still his usual self, merely offering a slight tilt of his head toward her as a polite acknowledgment. He kept his emotions well-hidden, deep enough to be truly inscrutable.

After Xining offered a polite greeting to Slan, she followed Molly back to her room.

To her surprise, there was a private bathing room here. It contained a large wooden barrel for water; once finished, a small sluice gate at the side allowed the used water to drain directly out into the wild fields behind the house.

Molly returned shortly after to say that clothes had been delivered. They were certainly efficient.

After bathing, Xining picked up the clothes and felt utterly bewildered: they were small-sized black robes.

She wasn't a mage, so why would she need to wear something like this? But she had no choice, so she put them on.

The all-cotton, floor-length robe was actually quite comfortable to wear.

Back in the room, Slan knocked and entered. Seeing her in the black robe, he said apologetically, "I apologize. There are no women in the household, and I couldn't have you wearing the maids' uniforms. These are just the clothes my brother and I wore when we were younger. I will have someone go to town tomorrow to purchase some proper attire for you."

"There is no need for such trouble; this is quite fine," Xining replied courteously.

Outside, the sky had already turned dark, so Slan bid her goodnight and took his leave.

Just as she lay down on the bed, Molly arrived with another stack of clothes, saying they were sent by Slan’s orders.

Watching Molly open the wardrobe to store the black garments, Xining’s mouth twitched. She had only been polite earlier; surely Slan wouldn't take her seriously and expect her to wear mage robes every day?

At the crack of dawn, before the birds had even finished their morning chorus, Molly came in to pull back the curtains and bed hangings.

The morning light streamed in, clearly signaling that it was time to rise. Xining climbed out of bed sluggishly, let Molly style her hair, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

It seemed they always ate in the side parlor. When Xining arrived, Slan and his younger brother, Ye Yu, were already seated.

Both were dressed entirely in black, though Slan wore a robe, while Ye Yu preferred trousers.

Seeing her sit down in the black robe, Slan smiled faintly.

Ye Yu, however, spoke up, looking her up and down. "Hmm, not bad. My clothes from when I was seven fit you perfectly."

When I was seven... if the original owner were here, she would have spat blood by now. Even if she was a bit small, there was no need to be that insulting.

*I didn't hear that, I didn't hear that, I heard nothing at all!*

Xining simply picked up her spoon and began eating the milk oatmeal in front of her.

Slan cast a reproving look at Ye Yu, then asked with a smile, "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Very well, thank you," Xining replied formally.

"But my brother didn't!" Ye Yu said, not looking up from his oatmeal and black bread. "I heard the bed tossing and turning all night in the room next door."

Xining glanced at Slan. His handsome face didn't look particularly unwell, though there were faint shadows under his eyes.

Knowing he would be able to marry Maria and have children in the future, he must have been too excited to sleep. It seemed to be true love after all!

Slan, embarrassed by the brat’s comment, offered an awkward smile toward Xining.

Xining said calmly, "Before the wedding, don't forget to choose a room with better soundproofing. If you keep the current room, you should at least change the bed."

"Pfft!" Ye Yu choked, quickly grabbing his napkin to cover his mouth, then erupted into laughter.

Slan’s handsome face flushed red. The color in his cheeks made him look rather endearing... Yes, she was quite satisfied with this brother-in-law.

After the meal, Slan urged Ye Yu to head to school.

Ye Yu acted like a child, trying to skip school by claiming that since they had a distinguished guest at home, he should stay to help Slan entertain her.

After arguing for a long time without success, he was about to be late. Slan, losing patience, used his staff to lift Ye Yu into the air, tossed him into the carriage, and used magic to teleport the carriage directly to the school.

The school was surrounded by a barrier; once students were inside, they could not leave without special permission. It seemed Ye Yu wouldn't be returning until the next break.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

"Come in." Xining was doing needlework with Molly. The robe was indeed from when Ye Yu was younger, though not as small as seven; it was more like his size at eleven or twelve, before he hit his growth spurt. Over time, some areas needed mending.

Since she was idle anyway, and the original owner possessed some sewing skills, she utilized those memories to repair the clothes.

Slan entered. Even though his mage robes felt somewhat oppressive, they couldn't diminish his striking appearance. When he walked in with his staff, the entire room seemed to brighten.

Molly stood up, offered a slight curtsy to Slan, and exited, leaving the door ajar.

Slan hesitated for a moment before asking, "Can I truly marry your sister?"

"Yes, brother-in-law!" Xining replied with certainty. People often ask the same questions repeatedly regarding uncertain matters; if the answer remains consistent, they will eventually believe it, even if it isn't the absolute truth.

Therefore, her current goal was to make Slan believe that he would definitely marry Maria.

Slan looked troubled. "Must I really... treat your sister that way?"

Xining rolled her eyes. She felt the plot had turned into a runaway dog, sprinting further and further away from its original trajectory. Fortunately, under her firm guidance, the final direction hadn't veered off course.

Except for the first day when she was "kidnapped," Slan had knocked every time he entered since. And he always left the door open, so those outside could see that they weren't engaging in any improper behavior.

How could such a disciplined, handsome nobleman do something despicable or scandalous?

Where was the promised tearing of clothes?

Where was the promised passion?

Had the plot characters gotten it wrong? Actually, Ye Yu’s personality was more like the original character design.

In truth, Xining quite admired this kind of man: handsome, wealthy, and well-behaved. Such men were rare; perhaps this world was the only place to find them. He was the perfect brother-in-law, and she felt completely at ease marrying her sister to him.

But those events... if they didn't happen, how would the twins be born?

"Yes, brother-in-law!" Xining said firmly. "Don't think it's shameless; many women are actually moved by that. You have already successfully caught my sister's attention. If you continue, you will find that even if she cries and calls you shameless, her face will be flushed, and her heart will be racing like a startled deer. Sooner or later, she will realize that she loves you!"

"Really?" Though Slan remained verbally uncertain, the slight excitement on his face and the gleam in his blue eyes betrayed him.

"Yes, absolutely!" Xining said with conviction and seriousness. "So, brother-in-law, keep it up!"

She must be the most treacherous sister in the world!

Just then, there was movement outside. Maria had arrived again.