My Royal Stepbrother’s Obsession

“She can’t do it.”

Xie Guanlan stood behind Wen Xingluo.

His tall figure, like a towering tree, completely enveloped Wen Xingluo in his shadow, exuding a protective stance.

Xie Yanchen sighed regretfully. “Alright then. By the way, what should we do with the body?”

“Send it to Yang City.”

Back in the carriage, Wen Xingluo cautiously lifted a corner of the curtain.

Xie Yanchen stood in the wind, holding a candlestick, smiling as he bid her farewell. “Take care, little sister. Come visit again sometime.”

She quickly dropped the curtain as if she’d seen a ghost.

Under the dim light of the glazed lantern, she turned to Xie Guanlan. “Isn’t he returning to the manor?”

Xie Guanlan seemed lost in thought. Hearing her question, he replied indifferently, “He rarely returns to the manor.”

Wen Xingluo was puzzled.

Xie Yanchen was clearly the second son of the Prince of Zhenbei’s Manor, yet he lived in the Corpse Depot instead of the manor. How peculiar.

After the carriage had traveled some distance, Wen Xingluo asked again, “Did I help you tonight?”

Xie Guanlan glanced at her.

The warm orange glow of the glazed lantern illuminated her face. The young girl sat with her hands neatly placed on her knees, her round, soft features exuding a quiet innocence. Her large almond-shaped eyes held a cautiousness that seemed beyond her years.

As the carriage swayed, the silver butterfly hairpin in her bun flickered, adding a touch of girlish charm and liveliness to her demeanor.

Xie Guanlan had an inexplicable urge to reach out and pinch those silver butterflies.

He withdrew his gaze and gave a soft “Mm.”

“Then…” Wen Xingluo mustered her courage. “Since I helped the Heir Apparent, could I ask you for a favor in return?”

“To write a Longevity Benediction?”

“Yes! I’ve already drafted the content-it’s just a few dozen words. I just need the Heir Apparent to copy it out for me.”

Xie Guanlan agreed to her request.

The next day, Wen Xingluo looked at the Longevity Benediction Cuicui had brought back and smiled in satisfaction.

Xie Guanlan’s handwriting was bold and majestic, its strokes sharp and powerful. Even among renowned calligraphers, it would stand out as unique.

As a birthday gift, it was perfect!

She began practicing Xie Guanlan’s handwriting during her study breaks. Only when she had thoroughly mastered the brushwork did she transfer the entire piece onto silk, preparing to embroider it.

The Imperial Consort had always treated her well, and Wen Xingluo wanted to make the embroidery as perfect as possible.

The spring sunlight was radiant.

Wen Xingluo spent her days immersed in her studies. When she grew tired of reading, she would work on her embroidery. She didn’t need to worry about household chores or her family’s future, and her days were more peaceful than ever before.

Outside the window, the weeping crabapple blossoms bloomed in vibrant splendor.

In the most recent exam, Wen Xingluo had improved by over ten ranks.

When the teacher announced the results, she even ranked one place higher than Wen Yueyin.

After class, Wen Rufeng came to pick up Wen Yueyin.

His expression was grim. “Yueyin, I did terribly on this exam.”

Wen Xingluo quietly packed her writing tools in the back row.

Wen Rufeng had always been overly ambitious, with weak fundamentals and poor handwriting. It would have been surprising if he had done well.

In her past life, she had gone to great lengths for her elder brother’s studies. She had climbed Mount Yuntai, kneeling and bowing nine times to meet the reclusive great scholar. She had even agreed to personally care for him for three years. Only then had the great scholar been moved by her sincerity and agreed to tutor her brother.

She had monitored Wen Rufeng’s handwriting practice daily, ensuring he started over from the basics, stroke by stroke. Only then did he achieve the fame of the Talented Tanhua, known for his elegant calligraphy.

But now…

Wen Xingluo glanced at the Longevity Benediction written by Xie Guanlan.

Even after years of practice, Wen Rufeng’s handwriting in her past life couldn’t compare to Xie Guanlan’s current work.

How utterly foolish.

She thought this as she heard Wen Yueyin comforting Wen Rufeng. “The White Crane Academy is full of brilliant minds. It’s normal to struggle a bit when we first arrive. Don’t be too upset, big brother.”

Wen Rufeng asked with concern, “How did you do, Yueyin? I’m sure you did better than Wen Xingluo. We told her not to embarrass herself by coming to the academy, but she just wouldn’t listen. She thought we were trying to harm her.”

Wen Xingluo chuckled softly.

Only then did Wen Rufeng notice her presence in the classroom.

He frowned. “What are you laughing at?”

Wen Xingluo straightened her back. “I scored slightly better than my sister.”

Wen Yueyin spent her days dressing up and playing around at the academy, waiting for the day she’d leave for the Imperial Capital to become the Crown Princess. She hadn’t put any effort into her studies.

In her past life, her father and brothers had always called her stupid, saying her sister was smarter and that she wouldn’t succeed even if she went to the academy.

But the truth proved them wrong.

Learning was like rowing upstream-if you didn’t advance, you would fall behind. Wen Xingluo believed that diligence and hard work would always pay off.

Wen Yueyin’s face turned pale. She clutched her handkerchief, tears welling up in her eyes. “I know you did better than me, but you didn’t have to show off like this.”

Wen Rufeng, distressed, supported her and turned to scold Wen Xingluo. “Don’t you know your sister is in poor health? How could you humiliate her like this? Wen Xingluo, do you have no conscience? Have you forgotten the lessons I taught you about sibling harmony and mutual respect?”

Wen Xingluo remained calm. “First, it was you who brought up the exam results. Second, your so-called ‘harmony and respect’ only ever applied to me. When have you ever shown me the same courtesy?”

“You-” Wen Rufeng was furious. “You’re our little sister. We’ve always indulged and spoiled you, but you’re unruly and always make us angry. That’s why we discipline you-for your own good! Now, I insist you apologize to your sister, and this matter will be settled.”

Wen Xingluo ignored him.

She picked up the Longevity Benediction on the table, but Wen Rufeng strode over and pressed it down with his hand. “Apologize to your sister!” he demanded.

Wen Xingluo raised her head and stared at him.

Her gaze was icy and detached.

Wen Rufeng felt a chill in his heart. For the first time, he found Wen Xingluo unfamiliar, as if she were no longer the little sister who had once revered and adored them.

His eyes fell on the Longevity Benediction, and he froze.

Softening his tone, he asked, “Have you been preparing a birthday gift for me these past few days?”

Wen Xingluo pried his hand away and tucked the Longevity Benediction into her bag. “It’s not for you.”

“But I saw it. My birthday is just around the corner. You must be planning a surprise for me, right?” Wen Rufeng sighed. “Xingluo, I know you’re not a bad person, but your jealousy and ambition are too strong. Your sister is in poor health, so you shouldn’t provoke her. From now on, you must let her excel in her studies. Do you understand?”

As he spoke, he reached out to pat Wen Xingluo’s head.

Wen Xingluo dodged his hand.

In her past life, she had yielded to her sister in everything, yet it had brought her no good.

In this life, she wouldn’t yield to anyone.

Wen Rufeng’s hand hung awkwardly in midair.

Frowning, he was about to scold her when Xie Shian appeared at the classroom door.

Leaning lazily against the frame, he called out, “Wen Xingluo, time to go home!”

“Fourth Gege!”

Wen Xingluo’s voice was clear and bright as she ran toward him.

Xie Shian casually took her bag and ruffled her hair. “I’ll treat you to roasted chicken legs. Isn’t your Fourth Gege the best?”

As the sun set, its golden rays outlined the boy’s rebellious silhouette.

The silver butterflies in the girl’s hairpin fluttered gently as she looked up at him, her soft profile glowing in the evening light. Her round, amber-colored almond eyes curved into crescents, sparkling with joy.

She said, “Fourth Gege is the best!”

Wen Rufeng stood frozen, watching them walk away.