(Complete manuscript) [Sinister, obsessive elder brother x gentle hypocrite second brother x docile, scheming stepsister] [Possessive romance / brotherly love triangle / not blood-related siblings]
Everyone says Su Miaoli is blessed.
Her elder brother, Su Chenglin, commands the army and has won countless battles. Her second brother, Su Chengjing, holds the prestigious post of Vice Minister.
As the only girl in the family, she has been cherished and spoiled by her father and brothers since childhood. Even the emperor praises the Su family for its harmony.
But whenever her elder brother returns home, Su Miaoli cannot sleep peacefully.
At night, a scorching hand covers her mouth.
Su Miaoli trembles, but dares not resist.
She is not truly of the Su bloodline. If the truth gets out and brings shame to the family, she will surely be put to death to protect its reputation.
The bedpost creaks softly. Her eldest brother's burning breath brushes her ear. "In this household, the only person who can protect you... is me."
*
Only when her eldest brother is away on campaign can Su Miaoli enjoy a brief moment of freedom.
Her second brother always comes to check her studies at dawn.
She is distracted, and her brush strays across the rice paper.
Before she can collect herself, someone comes up behind her. He takes her hand and says meaningfully, "Little sister, you've let your mind wander."
Su Miaoli startles, the tips of her ears turning red. "Second Brother, please show some restraint."
"You're playing favorites, little sister..." Ink still clings to his hand as her second brother pinches her chin and smiles. "If Big Brother can have you, why can't I?"
From then on, Su Miaoli is completely caught between her two brothers.
At the dining table, just as the shad her eldest brother has served lands in her bowl, her second brother's jade chopsticks cut in. "Big Brother, don't you know? Little sister can't eat seafood from the river."
*
She thought marriage would let her escape.
But just as her bridal sedan arrives, before she can even step into the wedding hall, she receives a letter from her future husband's family breaking off the engagement.
Still wearing her red wedding dress, Su Miaoli is sent back home in humiliation.
There, she discovers someone is already waiting for her.
"Little sister, what are you running from?"
Su Chenglin grabs her ankle without giving her a chance to protest and fastens a golden chain around it. "I told you long ago, who else but me could protect you?"
Then Su Chengjing removes her phoenix crown and gently rubs the cinnabar mark between her brows. "If you have time to think about other things, little sister, why not tell us..."
"Which of us treats you better, Big Brother or me?"
Reader's note:
1. Formerly titled Peering into the Fragrance Tent. Sinister, obsessive elder brother x gentle hypocrite second brother x docile, scheming stepsister.
2. Happy ending. The heroine is not a virgin, while the male leads are. They are not real siblings. There is no romance while they still see each other as siblings, mostly just everyday teasing and tension.
3. The dynasty is fictional. Please don't look for historical accuracy.
Theme: Love helps people grow together.
