My Royal Stepbrother's Obsession - Chapter 2 - Lady Wen's Bracelet Is Very Beautiful

Wen Xingluo lowered her head and stared at the tips of her embroidered shoes.

Perhaps her grandmother didn’t dislike her, but the Young Masters of the Prince’s Manor could hardly accept that her mother had become their stepmother, and so they didn’t like her either.

This was only human nature.

Wen Xingluo never expected that she would be loved by everyone the moment she arrived.

She continued to hold her respectful salute, changing her address, “My humble respects, Your Highness the Heir Apparent.”

Xie Guanlan said nothing more.

Only after he walked away did Wen Xingluo’s tense body finally relax.

She stepped into the inner chamber and greeted the Matron.

The Matron fingered her prayer beads. “This is the first time meeting you, and I wasn’t sure what to give. I heard young ladies love jewelry, so I prepared a pair of gold bracelets for you.”

Granny Chen, the Dowager’s chief maid, smiled and said, “Let me put them on Lady Wen.”

They were a pair of solid gold bracelets with scrolling grass patterns.

Wen Xingluo remembered that her sister had received a similar pair of gold bracelets at the time.

Her sister had worn the gold bracelets home, yet complained that the Imperial Consort was stingy and that the gold was tacky-nowhere near as refined as jade. She criticized the Imperial Consort for being born of a military family, crude and ignorant, lacking even basic taste.

Her sister disliked gold bracelets, but Wen Xingluo had never worn gold bracelets, not even in death.

Their father’s entire salary had gone to pay Shuxiu¹ for her three brothers, and the rest was spent on cosmetics for her sister. Money was always tight at home.

Later, she helped her second brother make money, but he never gave her a monthly allowance or a share of the profits.

It was only after arriving in the Imperial Capital, while preparing her dowry, that she ever saw a few pieces of gold jewelry.

Sadly, she never had the chance to wear them before she perished with them.

Wen Xingluo looked at the heavy, gleaming gold bracelets now hanging on her wrist.

They were weighty and brilliantly golden, exquisitely carved, making her skin look even whiter and more delicate. It was as if the little girl wearing these bracelets was cherished and pampered by her family.

Wen Xingluo glanced at the Matron.

The elder was tasting her tea with downcast eyes, but from the corner of her eye, she kept sneaking worried glances at Wen Xingluo, as if afraid she might not like the bracelets.

Wen Xingluo broke into a sweet, well-mannered smile. “Thank you, Imperial Consort!”

The things her sister despised, she did not.

The Imperial Consort her sister disliked, she liked!

Seeing her sincere expression, the Matron secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said again, “I summoned you today to ask if you would like to study at White Crane Academy?”

White Crane Academy was the best academy in the southwest.

Besides the sons of nobles, daughters of prominent families in the southwest could also attend by virtue of their family status.

In her previous life, Wen Xingluo felt envious when she learned her sister could go to White Crane Academy. She had once gathered her courage to ask her sister to let her attend as a maidservant, but was refused.

Her sister said she was slow-witted, shy and inarticulate, bound to be unable to study.

Her brothers also mocked her, saying she was just imitating others in vain.

They said that studying was a refined pursuit, fit only for noble young ladies like her sister.

A quiet, awkward girl like her would only become a laughingstock.

So, she never got to attend White Crane Academy.

Later, year after year was spent toiling for her brothers, immersed in officialdom and commerce, scheming and exhausting herself, leaving no time to study.

In this life, Wen Xingluo wanted to quietly read a few books.

She bowed with gratitude. “Thank you, Imperial Consort, for your guidance.”

“Look at you, thanking left and right. We’re family now, isn’t it too formal to say such things?” The Imperial Consort chided, half amused and half annoyed. “And from now on, you should call me Grandmother!”

The old lady, born of a military family, was straightforward and spry, leaning on a golden dragon-headed cane by the Luohan couch. Though her face was stern and imposing, Wen Xingluo still caught a trace of tenderness in her expression.

Wen Xingluo smiled, her eyes curving. “Grandmother!”

The girl’s voice was sweet and crisp, like a tender pear in August.

…

Two days later, Wen Xingluo boarded the carriage to White Crane Academy.

The academy was about forty-five minutes’ ride from the Prince of Zhenbei’s Manor, requiring an early departure and late return.

Also in the carriage was Xie Shian.

Xie Shian, the youngest son of the Prince of Zhenbei’s Manor, was a year older than her, at the age of mischief.

Wen Xingluo lifted the carriage curtain and noticed Xie Guanlan riding nearby.

Xie Shian sneered, “It’s your first day, Grandmother was worried and arranged for Eldest Brother to escort us. Wen Xingluo, are you proud of yourself?”

Wen Xingluo ignored his sarcastic tone and looked toward Xie Guanlan.

He was mounted on a tall horse, likely heading to the government office after sending them off. He wore a crimson, immaculate military robe, a narrow blade at his waist, a black feather cloak fastened with gold, holding the reins in one hand. His profile was cold and noble, almost dauntingly aloof.

Sensing her gaze, Xie Guanlan glanced at her coolly.

His eyes fell on Wen Xingluo’s hand.

Because of how she lifted the curtain, her sleeve slipped halfway up, revealing a slender white wrist.

And on that wrist, gleamed the weighty gold bracelets.

He spoke gently, “Lady Wen’s new bracelets are very beautiful.”

Wen Xingluo: “…”

It was clearly praise, but there was mockery in his tone.

It was as if he was ridiculing her for being vain and greedy for luxury.

Wen Xingluo let down the curtain and quietly removed the gold bracelets.

Her sister’s words aside, she had said that Xie Guanlan had two faces, charming in front of others but cold behind their backs-the most detestable person in the Prince’s Manor. On this point, she was right.

When Xie Guanlan escorted them to the academy, it caused quite a stir.

He was strikingly handsome and admired by many young ladies.

He had attended White Crane Academy himself as a youth, always top of the class. Now, not only was he the Heir Apparent, but also the Commander of the Imperial Guards in the southwest, undefeated in battles against border nations.

With such noble birth, power, and military achievements, yet gentle and humble in manner, he was the ideal son-in-law in the eyes of elders. Many noblewomen inquired privately about his marriage prospects.

Wen Xingluo paid no attention to the students’ excitement, carrying her bundle into the classroom.

Her own foundation was too weak.

White Crane Academy held monthly exams, and she didn’t want to rank last.

But there was too little time.

Before Wen Xingluo could catch up on her missed lessons, the exam began.

Wen Xingluo ranked dead last.

Xie Shian was second to last.

In the carriage on the way back, Xie Shian gloated, “You’re always buried in your books, I thought you were smart, but you did even worse than me! Now it’s great, with you at the bottom, Father won’t scold me!”

The carriage drove down the main street.

Hearing a familiar sound of hooves, Xie Shian lifted the curtain and saw Xie Guanlan returning from work.

He exclaimed, “Big Brother, I wasn’t last this time! Wen Xingluo was dead last! Hahaha, Father will definitely whip her and make her reflect in isolation!”

Just like he used to be punished!

Xie Guanlan held the reins, his voice mild and gentle: “Lady Wen ranked last?”

It sounded like concern.

But they were passing through a bustling market.

Xie Guanlan’s voice carried, so everyone in the street learned that the Prince of Zhenbei’s stepdaughter had ranked last.

Wen Xingluo: “…”

The girl silently gripped her exam paper.

Xie Shian, seeing her eyes redden, was surprised. “Wen Xingluo, are you crying? Just because you didn’t do well?”

Wen Xingluo’s voice was muffled: “No.”

“You are crying!” Xie Shian acted like he’d discovered something rare, and shouted out of the carriage, “Big Brother, Wen Xingluo did badly and she’s crying!”

Wen Xingluo’s cheeks burned with embarrassment.

She felt humiliated.

She grabbed Xie Shian’s arm and hissed, “What are you shouting for?!”

Footnote:

1. Shuxiu(束脩):Traditional Confucian tuition gifts symbolize respect for teachers.