My Royal Stepbrother's Obsession - Chapter 5 - Is the Heir Apparent Interrogating Me?

From a distance, the young girl nestled in the young man’s embrace, much like a younger sister playfully teasing her elder brother. However, the words Xie Guanlan whispered into Wen Xingluo’s ear were dangerously threatening: “Lady Wen, if I ever see you using these despicable tricks in the Prince’s Manor, I assure you, I’ll turn you into another lamp.”

…

Wen Xingluo caught a cold from the chilly wind that night and was ill for two days. Cuicui took care of her, helping her drink medicine, and then touched her forehead. “No fever anymore.”

She put away the bowl and spoon. “By the way, Young Lady, someone from the Wen Family just came to deliver a message. They’ve decided that Eldest Young Master Wen and Fourth Young Lady Wen will go to the White Crane Academy.”

Wen Xingluo was not surprised by this outcome.

She glanced at the gloomy sky outside and suddenly asked, “Did Xie Shian leave the manor today?”

“Yes, Fourth Young Master went to the Golden Flavor House for a meal!”

Wen Xingluo got out of bed. “Let’s go there too.”

She needed to save Xie Shian’s life. In her previous life, Xie Shian had an accident on this very day. Despite his skill in archery and horseback riding, he was crushed by a collapsing restaurant, breaking both legs and spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair. The once sunny boy became gloomy and introverted.

Wen Yueyin often clashed with him, frequently mocking his legs in front of their three brothers. On the day of the restaurant’s collapse, Wen Xingluo happened to be across the street buying stationery for Wen Rufeng, which left a deep impression on her.

Wen Xingluo had no intention of seeking wealth from the Prince’s Manor. But if there was a chance to become an benefactor to the manor, she wouldn’t refuse.

The young lady hurried to the Golden Flavor House by carriage. Led into a private room by the manager, Xie Shian sat among a group of young noblemen, drunkenly asking her, “What are you doing here?!”

“I happened to pass by and heard my brother was here, so I came in to take a look.”

Xie Shian propped his forehead with a smile. “Who is your brother? Wen Xingluo, I’m telling you, don’t think you can compete with me for the family inheritance…”

Wen Xingluo wanted to roll her eyes.

She casually mentioned, “I heard the Golden Flavor House is a century-old establishment.”

“Indeed! What, Wen Xingluo, are you trying to extort a meal from me? Dream on-”

Wen Xingluo interrupted his barking. “It rained for twenty days last month, and many old wooden buildings in Rong City have collapsed from water damage. I wonder if the Golden Flavor House has monthly inspections?”

The room fell silent for a moment.

The manager broke into a cold sweat. “This…”

Wen Xingluo looked up at the beam. “Why does it seem to me that this beam is slightly crooked?”

A sudden clap of thunder sounded outside the window.

Everyone shivered in fright, and even Xie Shian sobered up a bit.

He glared at the manager. “When was your last inspection?”

The manager stammered, “Th-three years ago…”

Their business was too good; closing for even a day would cost them dearly.

Although Xie Shian was playful, he knew the importance of major issues. He overturned the table. “Three years ago?!”

As a noble descendant, the manager dared not argue with him, knowing he was at fault. He quickly cleared the restaurant and immediately arranged for a thorough inspection.

Not long after everyone left, the century-old restaurant collapsed in the rain.

Xie Shian stood across the street, staring blankly at the rising dust.

If it weren’t for Wen Xingluo’s reminder, he would likely be buried under it right now…

The group of young noblemen around Xie Shian were also dumbfounded.

It wasn’t until much later that they swallowed nervously, “Shian, you just said this Lady Wen is your stepsister brought into the Prince’s Manor by your stepmother?”

Thus, after today, Wen Xingluo became the sister of Xie Shian and all his friends.

Young Master Zhang: “My family is the royal supplier of Shu Brocade. Xingluo, my sister, I’ll send you a cart of Shu Brocade tomorrow! You dress too plainly, I’ll send you some brighter colors!”

Young Master Li: “My family deals in jade. We recently acquired a top-grade piece of jadeite. I’ll have my mother personally design a set of jadeite jewelry for you!”

“…”

“Get lost!” Xie Shian kicked them out.

Finally, in peace, he cleared his throat and said, “Wen Xingluo, thank you for this. I thought you were a girl who loves vanity and climbing the social ladder, but it turns out you have a good heart.”

Wen Xingluo replied, “I didn’t do anything.”

“Anyway, I owe you one!” Xie Shian pounded his chest with loyalty. “Wen Xingluo, I declare, I officially welcome you into the Prince’s Manor! From now on, you’re under my protection!”

The young man was rebellious yet pure-hearted.

Like a loyal dog, once fed a bone, he would genuinely be good to you.

When they returned to the Prince’s Manor, the Matron learned of the incident at the Golden Flavor House and quickly summoned them to the Pinecrest Courtyard.

Xie Shian, as if performing a play, walked with vigorous steps, reenacting the scene for his grandmother: “…Hey! Just as I stepped out of the Golden Flavor House, the beam collapsed behind me! Wen Xingluo cried out, ‘There are still people inside!’ I turned back, and guess what?! It was a crying three-year-old child! In the blink of an eye, I heroically saved him-”

Wen Xingluo interjected, “I was merely passing by the restaurant and reminded the manager. We had just cleared the place when it collapsed. Fortunately, there were no casualties.”

Xie Shian scratched his head. “Wen Xingluo, you’re so boring!”

The Matron held Wen Xingluo’s hand, sincerely saying, “We owe you for this! Shian’s life was saved by you. From now on, you are the benefactor of our Prince’s Manor! I truly don’t know how to thank you…”

Wen Xingluo earnestly replied, “Grandmother, you overstate it. You told me last time that we are family. Since we are family, there’s no need for thanks.”

Hearing this, the Matron looked at her with even more affection, holding her hand tightly, already considering her half a granddaughter.

The spring rain was gentle, and the evening was dim.

Granny Chen went to help the Matron change clothes, and Xie Shian eagerly went to the small kitchen to find food.

The maidservants came in to light the lamps, the orange glow of the nine-branched lamp illuminating the young man sitting under the carved window, shadows creeping in the corner, outlining his slender, noble, and aloof figure in the rainy dusk.

It was Xie Guanlan.

He turned a page of his book without looking up, his voice laced with a smile. “Lady Wen, how did you know the Golden Flavor House hadn’t been inspected in three years?”

Wen Xingluo replied, “I didn’t know at the time. I just noticed the beam was slightly crooked and remembered the recent collapses of wooden buildings, so I asked the manager.”

“Lady Wen has sharp eyes, to notice the beam’s tilt. So many people come and go from the Golden Flavor House, why was it only Lady Wen who noticed?”

Wen Xingluo pinched her sleeve.

She said, “Is the Heir Apparent interrogating me?”