Unlike the quiet elegance of Tianyu Hall within the imperial palace—
The Yue Mansion was loud.
Very loud.
Especially today.
The large eastern courtyard of the Yue residence had somehow transformed into complete chaos before noon. Training swords lay abandoned across the stone ground, servants hurried around carrying snacks and tea helplessly, and laughter echoed through nearly every corridor.
At the center of it all—
Was Yue Ning.
And her ten brothers.
The Yue Family had always been unusually close despite being one of the empire's greatest aristocratic houses. Perhaps because the old master raised them strictly while the old matriarch spoiled them endlessly.
Or perhaps because Yue Ning, the only daughter of the younger generation, had been treasured since birth.
Which resulted in one terrible reality—
All ten brothers spoiled her differently.
At this moment, Yue Ning sat beneath the courtyard pavilion while Yue Rui dramatically accused Yue Tao of cheating during their earlier martial match.
"You kicked dirt into my face!"
"That's called strategy."
"That's called shamelessness!"
Yue Tao looked proud instead of guilty.
Nearby, Yue Liang sighed while drinking tea. "You both embarrassed the Yue Family again."
Yue Jun immediately replied, "As if you're any better."
Yue Liang looked offended. "I'm dignified."
Several brothers laughed instantly.
Yue Ning calmly continued eating fruit while ignoring the chaos around her.
Yue Ming, the eldest brother, sat beside her reviewing official documents even during family time. Despite the noise surrounding him, his expression remained calm and composed.
Yue Ning glanced toward him. "Eldest Brother."
"Mm?"
"You brought work again."
Yue Ming didn't even look up. "The empire refuses to pause because of your wedding."
Yue Tao immediately grinned mischievously. "You're just upset because Ning'er will move into the palace soon."
Yue Ming finally looked up slowly.
The courtyard instantly quieted.
Even Yue Tao straightened slightly.
Because everyone knew one thing clearly—
Among all ten brothers, Yue Ming was the most protective of Yue Ning.
The eldest brother looked toward Yue Tao calmly.
"Would you like to repeat that?"
Yue Tao immediately shook his head. "No."
Yue Ning nearly laughed softly.
Across the courtyard, Yue Heng sat beneath a tree cleaning his sword quietly. Unlike the others, the third brother remained calmer and more reserved.
Yet even he looked up faintly when marriage discussions appeared again.
Yue Rui sighed dramatically. "I still can't believe our little sister is becoming Crown Princess."
"She already acts like one," Yue Jun muttered.
Yue Ning immediately threw a peach toward him.
Yue Jun barely caught it before it hit his face.
The brothers burst into laughter instantly.
Yue Jun looked betrayed. "You attacked your own brother?"
"You deserved it."
Yue Tao leaned toward Yue Liang whispering loudly, "See? She already learned palace violence from His Highness."
"I heard that," Yue Ning said calmly.
Yue Tao immediately hid behind Yue Rui.
The courtyard became noisy again afterward.
One brother challenged another to sword practice while two others argued over who embarrassed themselves most during last month's banquet. Several younger cousins watched the older brothers with admiration while servants sighed helplessly at the increasing mess everywhere.
At the center of everything—
Yue Ning remained relaxed.
This was the Yue Family.
Loud.
Chaotic.
Warm.
Nothing like the carefully controlled atmosphere of the imperial palace.
Yue Liang suddenly looked toward Yue Ning suspiciously.
"Ning'er."
"What?"
"When was the last time His Highness visited?"
The entire courtyard quieted instantly.
Yue Ning looked entirely calm. "A few days ago."
Yue Tao gasped dramatically. "A few days ago?!"
Yue Rui looked equally shocked. "That often?"
Yue Ning blinked once. "Is that strange?"
All ten brothers stared at her silently.
Yue Jun finally answered helplessly, "For the Crown Prince? Yes."
Yue Tao crossed his arms dramatically. "His Highness visits our mansion more than some officials visit court."
Yue Ning calmly took another piece of fruit. "He gets bored."
No one believed that.
Absolutely no one.
Yue Heng suddenly spoke quietly from beneath the tree.
"He only comes when Ning'er is here."
The courtyard instantly became silent again.
Yue Tao pointed dramatically. "Exactly!"
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes slightly. "Why are all of you acting strangely?"
Yue Rui looked genuinely confused. "You still don't understand?"
"Understand what?"
All ten brothers looked at each other.
Then simultaneously sighed.
Hopeless.
Completely hopeless.
Yue Tao suddenly grinned mischievously again.
"Ning'er, after marriage, will you still come back often?"
Yue Ning answered immediately. "Obviously."
"Even after becoming Crown Princess?"
"Yes."
Yue Liang smirked slightly. "What if His Highness refuses?"
Yue Ning looked entirely unconcerned. "Then I'll ignore him."
Several brothers burst into laughter immediately.
Yue Tao looked delighted. "As expected of our sister!"
Even Yue Ming's lips curved faintly.
Because honestly—
None of them could imagine Yue Ning quietly obeying anyone completely.
Not even the Crown Prince.
Yue Rui suddenly leaned closer curiously. "Do you actually argue with His Highness?"
Yue Ning looked thoughtful. "Sometimes."
Yue Jun nearly choked on tea. "Sometimes?!"
Yue Tao looked spiritually shaken. "You willingly argue with the most terrifying man in the empire?"
Yue Ning frowned slightly. "He's not terrifying."
All ten brothers stared at her in disbelief.
Yue Liang pointed toward himself. "Do you know how many officials nearly faint when His Highness looks at them?"
"That sounds like their problem."
The brothers immediately collapsed into helpless laughter again.
At that moment, a servant hurried into the courtyard nervously.
"Young Miss… His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then all ten brothers slowly turned toward Yue Ning together.
Yue Tao spoke first.
"…You summoned him with your thoughts, didn't you?"
Yue Ning: "…"