Protecting the Younger Brother and Establishing Authority

Walking through the estate, Yun Yi couldn't help but feel its cramped confines, a far cry from the spacious grandeur of the Marquis and Prince's mansions she remembered from her past life.

Remembering she hadn't yet visited the young brother of her current body – who would now be *her* own brother – she paused and addressed the maid trailing behind her: "Siqin, accompany me to Hao Ge'er's courtyard."

"Yes, Miss."

As mistress and maid approached the courtyard gate, snippets of conversation from young maids drifted out:

"This little master cries so much, it's giving me a headache."

Another voice held a touch of pity: "Ai, the little master is truly pitiful, so young and without his parents' love..."

"Shh! Everyone in the mansion whispers the little master is jinxed, that he... he jinxed Second Master and Second Mistress to death. Do you think... we might be jinxed too?"

"Rubbish! Are you courting death?! That's utter nonsense! If I hear you slander the little master again, watch your hide!"

Hearing the poisonous words "jinxed" and "jinxed to death," fury ignited in Yun Yi's heart. How could she tolerate it? Her face icy, she strode into the courtyard. "Outrageous! Mere lowly servants dare gossip about their master and curse the young master?!"

The two young maids were terrified by the sudden, sharp rebuke. Recognizing the newcomer, the one named Cai Xia fell to her knees with a thud, kowtowing frantically. "Third Miss, spare me! This servant was wrong! This servant dares not again!"

Yun Yi's expression was frosty, her gaze sharp as a blade. She wouldn't listen to pleas. "Siqin!" she called coldly.

"This servant is here!" Siqin stepped forward immediately.

"Drag this insolent, loose-tongued wretch out! Sell her off! Immediately!" Yun Yi's voice was ironclad, brooking no argument.

"Third Miss, spare me! This servant truly knows her wrongs! Please forgive..." Cai Xia's desperate cries were abruptly cut off as sturdy maids, alerted by the commotion, efficiently gagged her and hauled her away like a sack.

The other maid, who had spoken in Hao Ge'er's defense, knelt trembling on the ground, not daring to lift her head. Yun Yi's gaze swept over her, her tone softening slightly. "You, rise."

The maid scrambled up as if granted a pardon. "This servant Liu Xu thanks Third Miss for your mercy."

"You showed sense. Serve the little master well from now on," Yun Yi instructed.

"Yes! This servant will be utterly diligent!" Liu Xu hastened to agree.

Silence fell over the courtyard. Every servant who witnessed the scene was deathly quiet, hearts filled with shock. No one had expected this Third Miss, known for her gentleness before her serious illness, to act with such thunderous force, directly selling off a maid who served the young master.

Yun Yi understood perfectly. The Second Branch had lost its pillars, leaving only orphans. If she didn't establish authority immediately, they would only face bullying in the future. This drastic change in temperament after her severe illness served as a plausible enough excuse.

Ignoring the varied thoughts swirling around her, she headed straight for the main room. Approaching the doorway, the heart-wrenching wails of an infant and the frantic coaxing of a wet nurse reached her: "Little master, be good, don't cry... Wet Nurse will sing you a little tune, alright? Ai-yo, my little ancestor..."

Yun Yi entered to find Wet Nurse Zhao pacing anxiously, clutching the swaddled infant. Sweat beaded her forehead. "What's wrong with Hao Ge'er?" Yun Yi asked.

Wet Nurse Zhao, seeing Yun Yi, hastily curtsied while holding the child. "Third Miss, the little master has been crying on and off for nearly half an hour. He's been fed, his cloths changed, nothing soothes him. This servant... this servant is truly at her wits' end."

Yun Yi looked at the baby, his little face crimson from crying, gasping for breath. Her heart softened slightly, memories of caring for her own young children in her past life surfacing. She held out her arms, her voice unconsciously gentling. "Here, let me try holding him."

Taking the fragile, precious bundle into her arms, seeing her brother's delicate, newborn features, Yun Yi seemed to glimpse echoes of her own children's infancy. She adjusted her hold, gently patting the swaddling clothes, murmuring softly, "Hao Ge'er, be good. Don't be afraid. With your elder sister here, I *will* protect you and ensure you grow up safe."

Miraculously, within moments in her arms, the child's earth-shattering cries gradually weakened, turning into pitiful little hiccups. A moment later, even the hiccups ceased. Wet, dark eyes like grapes opened wide, gazing blankly yet curiously at Yun Yi's face.

Wet Nurse Zhao gasped, overjoyed. "Ah! The little master recognizes Third Miss! He stopped crying the moment you held him! Truly a blessed miracle!"

A warmth spread through Yun Yi's heart. She reached out a finger and lightly touched Hao Ge'er's soft cheek. The little one seemed to recognize her, his tiny mouth curling into a pure, innocent, toothless smile.

That smile instantly pierced the softest part of Yun Yi's heart, unleashing a fierce wave of tenderness and protectiveness. She couldn't help but smile back, softly teasing the toothless little fellow in her arms.

After playing with him for a while, her body, still recovering from the severe illness, began to tire. Carefully, she handed Hao Ge'er back to Wet Nurse Zhao. Yet, the moment the bundle left her arms, the little one's mouth puckered. He began to fuss and squirm, clearly on the verge of another crying fit.

Yun Yi chuckled. She reached out again, gently tapping her brother's smooth, plump little forehead, her tone affectionate yet firm with reassurance. "You little rascal! Sister is tired today. I'll come see you tomorrow. You must be good, understand?"