My Royal Stepbrother's Obsession - Chapter 14 - Xie Guanlan Pins a Peach Blossom in Her Hair

Xie Guanlan twirled the peach blossom branch in his hand.

The peach blossoms and the human face complemented each other, the young man’s enchanting features were as exquisite as jade, his lips slowly curving into a smile.

He said, “I never knew that Eldest Miss Wen was so fond of involving herself in the affairs of the Prince of Zhenbei’s Manor.”

Wen Yueyin’s face stiffened, looking at him in disbelief.

He referred to Wen Xingluo’s matters as his own family affairs…

Was this indirectly acknowledging Wen Xingluo as his sister?

But in her previous life, she spent her entire life without receiving a single word of kindness from him!

How could this be?!

“Yueyin,” Wen Rufeng said tenderly, taking her hand, “The banquet is about to start, let’s go inside.”

Wen Yueyin lowered her head with reddened eyes, obediently following them away.

It wasn’t until Xie Guanlan and the others were out of sight that Wen Ruyun sneered, “I’ve always said that dead girl is calculating, and hasn’t she just calculated the Xie Family into her plans?! Unfortunately, lies and deceit can only fool people for a while, but not forever. As time goes on, they will naturally see her true colors.”

Wen Rulei agreed, “Second Brother is right, only a girl like Yueyin is truly a good girl! Anyway, in this life, I only recognize Yueyin as my sister!”

Wen Rufeng sighed, “I don’t know when Xingluo started to grow crooked like this. In my opinion, apart from Xie Guanlan having some skills, the other young masters of the Prince of Zhenbei’s Manor are all show and no substance, and can’t compare to the potential of us three brothers. In the future, Xingluo might have regrets.”

Wen Yueyin dabbed her moist eyes with a handkerchief.

Big Brother is right, in the previous life, their family was indeed prominent.

She actually didn’t need to envy Wen Xingluo for receiving the protection of the Prince of Zhenbei’s Manor.

According to the trajectory of the previous life, her father and brothers would eventually rise to great heights, and she could become the Crown Princess.

A Crown Princess, isn’t that more prestigious than a Consort of the Heir Apparent?

In the corridor.

Xie Shian and the others had gone to the front courtyard, leaving only Wen Xingluo and Xie Guanlan.

Wen Xingluo performed a curtsy with sincerity, “Thank you, Heir Apparent, for speaking up for me.”

Xie Guanlan replied coolly, “Lady Wen misunderstood, I was merely defending the Prince of Zhenbei’s Manor.”

Wen Xingluo understood her awkward position in the Manor and knew that Xie Guanlan wasn’t helping her.

But she indirectly received protection, which was a favor from him.

As she was about to leave, Xie Guanlan suddenly said, “I used to think that Lady Wen was greedy for wealth and power, but after interacting with your sister today, I realized she surpasses you in this regard.”

Wen Xingluo twiddled the red tassel at her waist.

She felt there was more to Xie Guanlan’s words.

Xie Guanlan approached her, pinning a peach blossom in her hair.

The seemingly intimate gesture was accompanied by words that weren’t so pleasant: “With your sister’s methods and the importance she holds in your esteemed family, it should have been easy for her to follow your mother into the Manor. Surely, she herself also longs for the riches of the Manor. So, may I ask, Lady Wen, why is it that you ended up in the Manor instead?”

The spring breeze brushed against her face, the birds chirped, and the peach blossoms crowded the garden.

Yet Wen Xingluo felt a chill in this warm spring day.

She raised her eyes to meet Xie Guanlan’s gaze.

The young man smiled like a seductive ghost, the cold desolation in his eyes seemed to freeze her.

Digging deep, tracing the lines…

This was his forte.

But she couldn’t possibly answer that her sister had been reborn and didn’t want to repeat past mistakes, could she?

Both she and Wen Yueyin would be treated like demons.

So she said, “Heir Apparent has achieved great military success on the battlefield, receiving rewards from the court, and holds the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards in the southwest, a position of high authority and influence. Yet since I entered the Manor, Heir Apparent seems particularly fond of making things difficult for me. Why, is Xingluo, a mere girl, more terrifying than the enemy’s thousands of troops? To make Heir Apparent so guarded?”

Her tone was calm yet subtly mocking.

Xie Guanlan’s brow furrowed dangerously.

From the front courtyard came the faint sound of lively firecrackers.

The banquet was about to begin.

Xie Guanlan leisurely wiped his fingertips with a silk cloth.

He said warmly, “I was merely curious.”

Wen Xingluo curtseyed again, not speaking further to him, and headed straight to the front courtyard.

The front courtyard was filled with distinguished guests, every seat occupied.

The Imperial Consort sat in the center, accompanied by the Prince of Zhenbei and Xie Guanlan, with Second Young Master Xie Yanchen also returned, seated beside Xie Guanlan, but Third Young Master Xie was nowhere to be seen.

Maidservants carried exquisite food and wine, weaving through the crowd, laughter and chatter everywhere.

The Imperial Consort asked, “Where are the fourth and Xingluo?”

As she spoke, the Wen siblings stepped forward, respectfully greeting her.

The Imperial Consort was puzzled, “Who are these?”

The Prince of Zhenbei, Xie Jing, stood up, smiling, “Mother Consort, these are the children Sisi had with the Wen Family. They are all filial children, having specially come to celebrate your birthday.”

The Imperial Consort nodded, “You are thoughtful.”

Wen Yueyin said softly, “Reporting to the Imperial Consort, my brothers and I have prepared a birthday gift for you, an Inkstone Screen.”

Everyone looked over to see Wen Rulei presenting the Inkstone Screen.

The Inkstone Screen, carved from golden nanmu wood, was inlaid with fine white jade, depicting the scene of Magu presenting longevity, both expensive and delightful.

It was purchased by Wen Yueyin and her three brothers last night, spending all their savings.

Listening to the praises around her, she couldn’t help but smile.

Wen Xingluo’s birthday gift was also an Inkstone Screen.

But it wasn’t as exquisite and valuable as hers.

She deliberately presented her gift before Wen Xingluo, so that when the Imperial Consort saw Wen Xingluo’s Inkstone Screen, the difference would be obvious, making the old lady suspect that Wen Xingluo didn’t value her sixtieth birthday.

The Imperial Consort always loved children and didn’t dislike the Wen siblings for being born to Wei Si with her former husband.

She said warmly, “You are all good children, thank you for your trouble.”

As she spoke, she signaled Granny Chen to reward them.

The Wen siblings held the thin red envelopes, knowing they contained silver notes, feeling a sense of return, each smiling brightly, speaking more humbly and gently.

Wen Yueyin added, “Oh, where is Xingluo? On such an important day, has she mischievously run off to play again?”

Wen Rulei exclaimed, “The Imperial Consort might not know, but Wen Xingluo loves to play! When our father had his birthday, we planned to have a good meal at a restaurant, but when we arrived, she was nowhere to be found, worrying us greatly! Later, we returned home to find she had gone to play with the neighbor’s children! She’s very irresponsible!”

The Imperial Consort’s eyes shifted slightly, her loving gaze changing.

She smiled, “Is that so? I think Xingluo is quite well-behaved.”

“What well-behaved!”

Wen Rulei wanted to say more, but suddenly the sound of drums and gongs erupted.

Six vibrant and festive lions marched in with majestic steps, drawing curious gazes from everyone, striding into the garden.

The Imperial Consort was curious, “What is this?”

She was unaware of the surprise Xie Shian had prepared for her.

Xie Guanlan said warmly, “Fourth Brother specially invited the Lion Dance for Grandmother.”

As he spoke, his gaze fell further away.

Behind the peach trees, a small pink lion was peeking around, hugging a large wine jar.

Why… was there an extra lion?

Xie Yanchen took a sip of wine, looked around, and asked, “Big Brother, where is Xingluo?”