Chapter 6 Elder Brother’s Clothes Are Wet
She laughed, a sound born of extreme fury. “And what of being a woman? Is not the An'an you speak of also a woman?”
Wen Jinli found her utterly ridiculous. How could Wen Xueling, with her usual monkey-like antics of climbing trees on the mountain, possibly compare to the clever and endearing An’an?
“Ling’er, you mustn’t compare yourself to An’an in everything. She is a lady of distinguished family, tutored by Father since childhood, well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, and her mastery of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting is truly exceptional. What right do you have to be mentioned in the same breath as her?”
“Elder Brother knows there’s injustice in your heart, but facts are facts. You must learn to acknowledge your shortcomings and never speak such boastful words.”
In Wen Jinli’s heart, he and his three brothers, having received Father’s guidance since youth and Grandmother’s meticulous care daily, were just like An’an—proper and well-mannered.
Not like Wen Xueling, with her weak disposition, who in the countryside knew only how to indulge in pleasure.
He recalled her in the old residence, reading books, sprawled ungracefully on the soft couch, utterly lacking proper decorum.
Truly a country bumpkin!
A sigh flitted across Wen Jinli’s eyes. Aside from blood relations, she truly shared little resemblance with them four brothers. It was only out of their lack of disdain that they put up with her; why then was she still so tactless in her demeanor!
Wen Xueling knew, of course, that men only placed their hopes on women when they themselves were incapable.
But the performance, it must continue.
Her uplifted eyes brimmed with tears, and she choked back a sob, “Yes, all of you had Father’s guidance. Only I, since I began to remember things, have never seen Father’s face. But was that my wish?”
She met Wen Jingshu’s gaze, tears tracing paths down her cheeks. “I, too, wished to grow up with Father’s companionship, like my Elder Brothers, like the An’an you speak of. But I cannot.”
These words choked off Wen Jinli’s desire to continue his reproaches. He opened his mouth several times, but no sound emerged, turning instead to look at his father.
Wen Jingshu suddenly remembered Wen Xueling as a newborn, a tiny bundle, even more beautiful than his four sons had been at birth. She was his first daughter, making him unable to put her down out of sheer adoration.
“Enough. In the end, it is this father who has wronged you.”
“Father will return and discuss this with your mother. In a while, I will arrange for you to enter the residence as the Second Miss of the Prime Minister’s Estate. Surely, you are satisfied now?”
This was his greatest concession. The status of the Prime Minister's legitimate eldest daughter could not be hers; he could not wrong An’an, who had grown up under his very gaze.
Wen Xueling gently reminded him, “Father, if I were to enter the residence as the second daughter, how would outsiders view Mother?”
He had not returned to Huaxi County since coming to the capital. If he were to announce her existence, would it not be tantamount to proclaiming to the world that Mu Qingyu had cuckolded him!
Wen Jingshu, of course, cared little for Mu Qingyu’s reputation, but he would certainly care about his own standing as a man.
Wen Jinli felt she was deliberately making trouble for them. “This is not acceptable, that is not acceptable. Ling’er, why must you trouble Father so? It's merely the status of an adopted daughter! We’ve already said you won’t be treated any worse than An’an later. Why are you so greedy for vanity, insisting on the status of a legitimate daughter?”
The room fell into a stalemate.
Wen Xueling waited, waiting for the woman in the mansion to lose her patience, and waiting for Mother to see her youngest son’s true colors.
As expected, a attendant soon arrived to report.
“My Lord, a letter from the residence. The Madam has suddenly taken ill.”
“What?! Quickly, go invite the imperial physician!”
Wen Jingshu’s face remained impassive, but his tone visibly quickened. He turned to leave immediately.
“Li’er, take them to Fangfei Courtyard in the city outskirts for now. They can reside there temporarily.”
He paused, then continued in a low voice, “Arrange for more people to attend to your mother diligently. On no account must those observing the Prime Minister’s Estate from the shadows learn of their existence.”
Their gazes met. Wen Jinli understood the hidden meaning in his words: he wanted them to keep watch over the two women, ensuring Mother and An’an remained ignorant.
“Mother’s health is unwell; she most needs Father by her side. Please return to the residence at ease. I have matters here well in hand.”
Wen Jingshu patted his shoulder, then left the inn without a backward glance.
He turned back and urged, “Mother, Ling’er, the courtyard is already prepared. You should both come with us now.”
He wanted to settle them as quickly as possible so he could return to the mansion to visit his own mother.
Wen Xueling said to Mu Qingyu, “Mother, I’ll go pack our belongings.”
“Don’t bother packing! Those ragged things you brought won’t be of any use in the capital. Just come as you are. Hurry, let’s go, don’t waste time.”
Wen Xueling paid no heed to his complaining words. She turned back and continued to pack their belongings.
The clothes in the luggage were all sewn by Mother, stitch by stitch. A large portion of the space was left for the new clothes Mother had sewn for her four elder brothers.
But judging by his current attitude, it was likely he would never wear them.
“Mother, the wind outside is strong. Put on an outer robe.”
Even though winter had arrived, their clothes were still thin, made of the most common fabric. Wearing two layers didn't offer much warmth either.
Mu Qingyu touched her daughter's cold hand, her heart aching. “Mother isn’t cold. Ling’er, you wear it.”
Both the palm and the back of the hand were flesh—meaning both were equally precious.
Despite Wen Jinli’s behavior today being different from when he was at home, Mu Qingyu still gently urged, “Li’er, Mother made new clothes for all four of you brothers. Take them back and try them on. I sewed them on the journey to the capital, so they should fit.”
Wen Jinli wanted to say there was no need, but he feared Mu Qingyu might become distraught.
By now, the four brothers’ robes were all custom-made by tailors, using superior fabrics, and their ready-made clothes were the most fashionable styles in the capital.
The gentle and magnanimous mother in the mansion would often personally make them beautiful silken garments. How could they possibly care for the coarse linen clothes Mu Qingyu had sewn for him?
Wen Jinli looked up at the sky, then down at the ground, remaining silent.
Wen Xueling noticed his hesitation and reached out, picking up the teapot on the table.
With a feigned slip, hot water splashed onto Wen Jinli’s clothes. “Elder Brother, your clothes are wet!”
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