Strict Brother Xue Yuanshao

He was the future Emperor, after all; being a bit arrogant was only natural. Besides, Lin Xingcheng and she were indeed strangers right now. But it didn't matter; as long as Lin Xingcheng became close to Xue Qingquan later, she—a little salted fish like herself—could also soar to the heavens in one step.

Using her gaze to stop Xiao Tao from speaking further, Xue Qingning continued walking toward her eldest brother's study.

When she entered the study, her heart was truly reluctant. She wanted to turn around and leave, but it was too late. Her eldest brother, Xue Yuanshao, had clearly heard her footsteps and was turning around from the bookshelf. His gaze immediately landed on her.

Xue Yuanshao was eighteen this year, at the age of transitioning from a youth to a young man. He wore a dark blue round-collared robe, his figure tall and straight, giving off a very calm and refined impression.

Seeing Xue Qingning standing motionless at the door, he called to her, "What are you doing standing there? Come here."

Xue Qingning was very unwilling, but she could only respond and walk over slowly.

By the time she reached the large desk by the window, Xue Yuanshao had already picked a book from the shelf. As he sat down in the armchair behind the desk, he asked her, "Is the punitive copying of ten times I assigned the other day finished? Bring it here for me to see."

After speaking, he held out his right hand, palm upward.

Xue Qingning was a bit afraid of this eldest brother. In her memory, her father had never disciplined her, nor was he very close to this daughter. The one he was close to was Concubine Luo’s daughter, her half-sister Xue Qingxue. But she didn't care; having her mother and two brothers close to her was enough. However, her eldest brother was very strict with her, truly living up to the title of a strict elder brother.

So she handed over the pages she had finished. Seeing Xue Yuanshao bowing his head to look at them, Xue Qingning’s heart began to flutter with unease.

Sure enough, not long after, Xue Yuanshao looked up, frowning at her. "Didn't I tell you to copy it ten times? Why are there only four? Where are the remaining six?"

Xue Qingning certainly didn't dare say that she had only copied it four times and didn't even know where the other six were supposed to be.

"Big Brother..."

She signaled Xiao Tao to bring the food box over. Then, as she opened the lid, she smiled flatteringly at Xue Yuanshao. "These are the lotus cakes I mentioned to you before; the small kitchen finally finished them today. I've tasted them, and they're delicious. Would you like to try? There's also this bowl of silver ear and lotus seed soup. Mother said the weather is dry now and it's easy to get internal heat, so drinking this will clear heat and moisten the lungs. Drink it quickly, Big Brother."

She wanted to use the lotus cakes and soup to divert Xue Yuanshao’s attention, but unfortunately, this sugar-coated bullet had no effect on him.

He glanced indifferently at the pastries and soup that Xue Qingning had pointedly placed in front of him. He then set the papers in his hand on the desk and said slowly to her, "Copy it three times here with me today, and another three times when you go home. I will check it tomorrow during dinner."

This meant there was no room for negotiation; he was determined to make her finish the remaining six times.

What else could Xue Qingning do?