I Became the Older Brother of the Heroine in an Abusive Novel

Jun Huailang accompanied Xue Yan as he knelt in the Buddhist temple all night. In the middle of the night, he felt sleepy. He was in a daze and didn’t know when he fell asleep.

He was awakened by the sunlight early in the morning of the second day. When he opened his eyes, the candles in the temple were already extinguished. The morning sunlight streamed into the hall behind him and their elongated shadows reached the golden Buddha’s knee. Jun Huailang’s shadow leaned against Xue Yan’s shadow shoulder.

Jun Huailang became alert and got up. His movement disturbed an indigo cloak and it slid to the ground. It was the same one Consort Shu had asked him to bring last night. 

Jun Huailang looked at Xue Yan drowsily. His voice was a little hoarse and nasally as he said, “This cloak…?”

He didn’t realize how gentle his tone was, but Xue Yan gave him an ambiguous look. “I’m not cold.” 

Xue Yan reached out, picked up Jun Huailang’s fallen cloak, and gracefully stood up. Jun Huailang got up after him. But after a night of kneeling, his legs were numb. The sudden movement made him stagger and he almost fell to the ground.

Xue Yan immediately reached out and caught him. Holding the cloak with one hand and Jun Huailang’s arm with the other, Xue Yan easily lifted Jun Huailang up with his strength, allowing Jun Huailang to stand up easily.

But in this position, it looked as if Jun Huailang was leaning against Xue Yan.

Jun Huailang found his footing, only to realize that there was someone else in the temple. The novice monk from last night was cleaning in the hall. Sensing his gaze, the little monk calmly lowered his eyes and performed a Buddhist salute to him. 

Only then did Jun Huailang realize that to bystanders, his actions with Xue Yan just now looked excessively intimate. He also thought about how he slept leaning on Xue Yan last night, and wondered if anyone saw them. Jun Huailang’s ears grew hot and he hurriedly pushed away Xue Yan’s hand.

Even though they were both boys, it was too intimate.

On the other hand, Xue Yan stood there calmly as if he hadn’t seen anyone. He quietly waited for Jun Huailang’s legs to regain sensation, then cupped his hands to return the little monk’s greeting.

“It’s windy in the temple at night, Benefactors have suffered. Please take care of your health when you go back.” The little monk had a peaceful expression without the slightest hint of impropriety on his face as they exchanged greetings.

Jun Huailang nodded his thanks.

“Let’s go,” Xue Yan said. Seeing that Jun Huailang had mostly recovered, he bent down, picked up the food box, and walked out.

Jun Huailang followed him out.

Fuyi was waiting at the gate when the two of them returned to Mingluan Palace. Seeing Jun Huailang come back, Fuyi hurried forward to meet him and said, “Madame was worried when she heard that Young Master did not return all night. She already asked this servant to prepare a meal and burn the dilong[1] so you can quickly warm yourself up!”

Fuyi looked at Xue Yan and smiled shyly. He said, “Madame also specially ordered this servant to prepare more. Your Highness, please have breakfast together.”

Jun Huailang smiled slightly. He knew it. Although his aunt was domineering and brash, she had a rare sincere heart. She could be awkward but her thoughts were obvious at a glance.

Jun Huailang couldn’t resist glancing at Xue Yan. His smiling eyes met Xue Yan’s.

Xue Yan never knew that someone casually smiling could look so good. That smile made people feel comfortable from the bottom of their hearts, like a clean and clear wind in the morning. Ordinarily, Consort Shu’s overtures were of no use to him. In fact, it might even bring him some trouble. But at this moment, he felt that there was no harm in resolving these few annoyances. It would only take a bit of effort.

The normally taciturn Xue Yan hummed and said a rare “thank you” to Fuyi.

As a result, Jun Huailang’s room was extremely lively early in the morning. On the table was a pot filled with fragrant mutton soup. Mutton bones had been simmered over a low flame for six hours. Now it was at a rolling boil, the aroma and steam rose from the pot and filled the room. The maids and eunuchs served dishes of meat and vegetables until the table was completely full.

Jinbao was also there. He waited on Xue Yan for a while, but he had become more brave after being scared so often. Now he helped the maids with winks and a honeyed tongue, and teased the maids until they burst out laughing. They poked his forehead with a finger and scolded him for being wily.

When Jun Huailang walked in and felt the steaming heat of the pot and dilong, he realized how cold he was. A maid took off their outer cloaks, gave them each a hand stove, and seated them at the table. Only then did Jun Huailang finally warm up.

“Is Linghuan awake?” Jun Huailang asked, after receiving hot tea. “If she’s awake, ask her to come eat with us.”

He remembered that Jun Linghuan especially loved eating this hot pot. He also remembered that there were still some misunderstandings between her and Xue Yan. They needed to resolve it as soon as possible and eliminate the grudge between the two of them.

Not long after, a maid led Jun Linghuan in. 

“Gege,[2] why are we eating hot pot so early in the morning?” Jun Linghuan ran in happily. The maid behind her hurriedly helped her out of her cloak.

Jun Linghuan greeted Jun Huailang, then saw Xue Yan sitting next to him. Even without Jun Huailang saying anything, she became embarrassed. Her little face turned red and she saluted Xue Yan.

“I’m sorry, Fifth Prince-gege,” she whispered. “Linghuan was wrong yesterday, I apologize to you!”[3]

Jun Huailang was relieved. He couldn’t help glancing at Xue Yan, but he didn’t expect that Xue Yan was also looking at him. ……My sister is apologizing to you, why are you looking at me?

But in the next moment, Xue Yan turned away and looked at Jun Linghuan. He said calmly, “No matter, I didn’t take it to heart.”

“Really?” Jun Linghuan smiled happily. “Fifth Prince-gege, you’re so kind! The chest of a hero really can hold a whole saddle!”[4]

Jun Huailang cast a reproachful glance at the maid behind her. “Don’t spoil her and read those stories from the streets to her, she’s learning vulgar jianghu sayings.”

The maid quickly agreed.

Jun Huailang beckoned for Jun Linghuan to sit down and warned her, “Remember what you did wrong. If you don’t know the person well, don’t follow them alone, no matter who they are.”

Jun Linghuan responded obediently.

He said again, “There are also people who speak ill of others to you behind their backs. Don’t trust them. Those people say that others are monsters or demons, but in fact they themselves have the heart of a jackal.”

Jun Linghuan didn’t really understand but she said “oh,” and committed his words to memory.

But on the side, Jinbao snorted.

The Lord Heir looked cold and untouchable, and he understood etiquette the most. Who could’ve expected that he would indirectly accuse[5] the Second Prince of having a jackal heart for the sake of Jinbao’s master!

Before he could finish laughing, a cold gaze cut him like a knife. His smile froze in fright, and he quickly wiped the expression from his face.

There were too many beautiful women[6] in the Lord Heir’s room. Everyone was friendly and it made him let down his guard. He almost forgot that his master was a temperamental, cold-hearted King of Hell. Jinbao stood mute as a quail for a while, then carefully looked at his master to see if Xue Yan’s anger had subsided.

But his master was sitting across from the Lord Heir and had long forgotten Jinbao. Instead, Xue Yan glanced at the heir frequently. In his eyes, a slight smile could not be concealed.

Jinbao pouted furtively. You’re also happy, why did you glare at me?

Jun Huailang had a lively meal in his room. After the meal, the maids brought water to wash their hands and served them tea. After the Thousand Years Banquet, the usual practice was for the princes to rest for two days. They did not need to rush to Wenhua Hall early in the morning to study.

Then Diancui arrived.

“Ah, my lord just ate?” She was beaming as she paid her respects to the two of them. “Then this maidservant came at the right time.”

Jun Huailang gestured for her to rise and asked, “Diancui-gugu,[7] what is it?”

Diancui smiled and said, “I came to look for His Highness, the Fifth Prince. Last night, Consort Shu said that she heard the Fifth Prince got up early every day to practice martial arts in the rear courtyard. She sent me to find some common weapons for him to use. I purchased a weapons rack and just found a place for it just now. Would Fifth Highness like to take a look and check what is lacking?”

Hearing this, Jun Huailang had some misgivings. Everyone had shunned the Fifth Prince since he entered Consort Shu’s palace. Prior to yesterday night, Consort Shu had also hated him. Who would dare blab about Xue Yan in her presence? 

Nevertheless, Jun Huailang asked, “Oh? where did you place it?” 

Diancui smiled and replied, “In the front courtyard. It is close to Fifth Highness’ room so he will not have to detour behind the palace every day.”

Jun Huailang frowned and glanced out the window. 

The most exquisite and unique part of Consort Shu’s Mingluan Palace was the front courtyard. It had been rebuilt into an elaborate garden and a special flowing pond had been dug. Anyone who came and went passed by this courtyard. Other concubines often gathered to enjoy the garden views of the front courtyard. To suddenly place a bulky and cumbersome weapons rack among jeweled flowers was particularly jarring.

Anyone who came would see it. It seemed deliberately placed here for everyone to see, to tell others how much Consort Shu treasured the Fifth Prince. In addition to the other concubines, the Emperor also came every few days. Putting Xue Yan’s things right under his nose, wouldn’t it make him unhappy?

And going to the spacious rear courtyard from Xue Yan’s residence only required a detour around a main hall. It wasn’t tedious or far at all. 

Jun Huailang scrutinized Diancui discreetly. Ever since he entered the palace, he felt that there was something amiss about her. The more he saw, the more suspicious she seemed. On the surface, she seemed accustomed to thinking for herself and just happened to dislike Xue Yan. But although the things she did were harmful to Xue Yan, in the end, the target of all criticism became Consort Shu.

Jun Huailang looked at the weapons rack with a curious expression to hide what he was thinking. He racked his brains for an excuse to move it to the rear courtyard without alerting the snake.[8]

Then he heard Xue Yan speak. “Move it to the rear courtyard,” he said. “I’m used to practicing there, it’s spacious.”

Jun Huailang looked at Xue Yan in surprise only to find Xue Yan looking at him impersonally. There was no emotion in those eyes, but he still felt like Xue Yan had seen through him.

But perhaps Jun Huailang was thinking too much. Seeing Diancui look hesitant, he smiled faintly and chimed in, “That’s right, Diancui-gugu. This rack looks impressive in the front courtyard, but what if His Highness accidentally tramples the plants? It’ll make my aunt unhappy again.”

After speaking, he took a sip of tea. He secretly admired Diancui’s speechless expression and was quite pleased with himself. He didn’t know he was being watched too. A pair of amber eyes drank in Jun Huailang, who was like a haughty and reserved little fox, getting what it desired.

Notes:

[1] 地龙 underground heating system in the imperial city but due to the amount of resources needed to build and use, only implemented in important places such as the emperor and empress’s palaces.[2] 哥哥 older brother, can also be used to address older men of the same generation not related by blood.[3] 您 respectful form of you.[4] 好汉的胸膛, 能容下全鞍马 A Mongolian saying about how good people are generous and not petty.[5] 指桑骂槐 lit. to point at the mulberry tree and curse the locust tree; to make oblique accusations.[6] 莺莺燕燕 lit.warblers and swallows; a metaphor for beautiful women or concubines.[7] 姑姑 paternal aunt, but can also be used to address older women. In this story, most of the characters use “gumu” for blood related & “gugu” for non-blood related aunties.[8] 打草惊蛇 lit. beat the grass and scare the snake; inadvertently alert an enemy.