Chapter 11

In a large family, the eternal and unchanging topic is the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, a cliché that never changes.

In fact, it all boils down to the struggle for one's status, power within the family, resources, inheritance, and even the favor of elders.

Xu Hao had never felt pity for the few illegitimate sisters in a difficult situation from the bottom of his heart. Being an illegitimate daughter still meant being a lady, with no worries about food and clothing, and someone to serve them. Compared to the girls outside the courtyard standing in the sunlight, sweating, the so-called lack of affection from elders, loneliness, and sorrow were merely the sentimental and elegant affairs of wealthy young ladies.

Of course, Xu Hao had often felt fortunate and secretly rejoiced at being a legitimate child, yes, this was a common human sentiment.

"What has Third Brother been busy with lately? I heard you haven't been to the school for a long time?"

Suddenly, the bored Xu Cuitao asked him. Xu Hao turned his head to look at her youthful and beautiful face and said honestly, "I don't like reading the dull Four Books and Five Classics, so I just don't bother going. Anyway, going there is just a waste of time and money."

"Then are you thinking of giving up literature for martial arts?" Xu Cuitao asked absentmindedly, fanning herself.

Xu Hao shook his head, "I'm a cultured person, I don't like fighting."

The honest answer brought a small surprise to Xu Cuitao, who frowned and raised her voice, "Not studying literature or martial arts, Third Brother, you really are becoming more and more useless as you grow older."

Their conversation drew the attention of the other sisters. Xu Lüzhu, on the opposite side, said disdainfully, "Third Brother is really useless."

"None of your business. My brother is capable, he uses his power to bully others, fights, and is very competent," Xu Hongye immediately countered.

"Hmph!" Xu Lüzhu, with a disdainful and coquettish look, turned her face away, just in time to face her illegitimate sister Lüge, and said irritably, "Get lost, you're annoying."

Lüge hurriedly stood up and took a step back, at a loss. Seeing this, Xu Hongye smiled and waved her over, "Sister, come sit with me."

Lüge glanced at her sister with wide eyes, gently shook her head, and walked to the corner. The surrounding maids, seeing the young lady come over, continued to chat with each other as if no one else was there, ignoring her. Lüge was stunned for a moment, bit her lip, and walked out of the flower hall.

"Cold-blooded and heartless, a villain." Xu Hongye, who liked to stand up for the underdog, sneered and turned her back on Xu Lüzhu.

"None of your business." Xu Lüzhu smiled sweetly, unperturbed, and returned the same words.

Xu Cuitao saw this and, no longer paying attention to the self-destructive Xu Hao, said with a smile, "Hongye still has a passionate heart, but it's a pity you're young and can't see through people's true nature."

"How can I not see through people's true nature? Second Sister, explain yourself clearly." Hongye, whose temper was roused, was very dissatisfied.

"Arrogant and foolish." Xu Lüzhu didn't forget to take the opportunity to add insult to injury.

"Hongye, Lüzhu." Xu Qinglian softly called the names of her two sisters, her face calm.

"Oh." The always fearless Hongye, upon encountering her elder sister, immediately turned into a gentle kitten, crossing her arms and playing with her delicate fingers.

Interestingly, even the spoiled Xu Lüzhu stuck out her tongue and obediently closed her mouth, leaning toward Xu Qinglian, making Hongye clench her fists in anger, while Lüzhu laughed triumphantly.

Xu Cuitao glanced at the calm Xu Qinglian and said coolly, "Elder Sister, you have such good people skills, your ability to protect yourself is unmatched, and your skill in winning people's hearts is truly commendable."

Before anyone else could speak, Xu Hao, impatient, said, "Shut up, or get out of here."

"You, say that again." Xu Cuitao's eyes widened instantly, having never been treated so rudely from childhood to now, she was so angry that she trembled all over.

"Second Sister, do you believe I would hit you now?" Xu Hao waved his fist at her and smiled lightly, "I will certainly be severely punished by the elders, receive a harsh beating, and not be allowed to eat for three days and three nights, kneeling in the woodshed to reflect. The problem is, I'm a boy, I'm not afraid, but what about you? Being beaten by your younger brother in front of so many people, a beauty like you, would you ever be able to show your face again?"

"Madman."

Xu Cuitao angrily cursed, not being a fool, she quickly weighed the pros and cons and calmed down. Although she didn't believe Xu Hao would dare to hit her, his threat was real. She couldn't bear the serious consequences if he did, no matter how much punishment Xu Hao would receive afterward, it wouldn't restore her reputation and honor.

"Maybe, but what you said just now is true, you can't judge a person by their appearance." Xu Hao looked into the distance and said softly.

Xu Cuitao, who had just calmed down, was instantly enraged again, gritting her teeth and glaring at Xu Hao, her voice icy, "Explain yourself, or I'll report to Grandmother and the elders immediately."

"Huh?" Xu Hao turned his head and carefully looked at his second sister, who seemed genuinely angry, and began to understand, "Second Sister, you really care about me saying you're insincere, right? Okay, I'll apologize, although I wasn't referring to you."

"Then who were you referring to?" Xu Cuitao, who had been repeatedly provoked, couldn't bear Xu Hao's threats, provocations, and apologies, her chest heaving.

Xu Hao looked around, and wherever his 'aura' went, all the sisters and younger sisters avoided his gaze. Only his elder sister Xu Qinglian's eyes showed a mix of reproach and relief, and his younger sister Hongye's delicate eyes were filled with excitement.

"I was referring to Lüge." Xu Hao frowned, "Second Sister's assessment was spot on. I saw Lüge slap her maid as soon as she went out, her actions were fierce, completely different from her usual meek appearance."

"Hmph! I was just speaking the truth." Xu Cuitao, praised, quickly recovered from her previous loss of composure, and resumed her proud demeanor, provocatively looking at Xu Qinglian, but not daring to continue her taunts with the "villain" right there.

Hongye's mouth opened wide in surprise, not believing it, while Lüzhu made a face at her and called out, "Fool, fool."

Xu Qinglian, unperturbed, hugged the mischievous Lüzhu and said helplessly, "I'm not deliberately winning people's hearts. No one is perfect, as an elder sister, I have to be tolerant of my younger sisters."

"I just can't stand them all favoring you, even though I'm better than you in every way." Xu Cuitao, repeatedly provoked, said angrily.

"This isn't about being better or not, sigh!" Xu Qinglian sighed helplessly. She knew Xu Cuitao's proud and ambitious nature too well, and knew that whatever she said in front of everyone would backfire.

Xu Hao's mood became very good because he suddenly realized that his second sister had some good qualities, and the spoiled Lüzhu was actually as innocent as Hongye.

As for Lüge, who was different in public and private, let her be. Everyone has their own way of surviving, who isn't like that? Right and wrong are not important.

What's important is to survive, isn't it?