The Eldest Brother Becomes a Wife

A cold, brooding younger powerbroker on the verge of going dark, kept in check by his older brother with a collar around his neck x a deeply responsible and dependable family head, the beloved ideal

Before Shen Lin turned eight, he was the son of the most cherished concubine in the Shen household. His father doted on him, and no one in the entire household dared to cross him. Even his principal mother and her children would never look down on him.

But when he was eight, a servant caught his mother in the act of adultery. Overnight, his father beat her to death, and Shen Lin became like a rat in the street, someone anyone could bully.

As servants who once wouldn't even dare look at him nearly beat him to death, shadows swallowed Shen Lin's lifeless eyes. He hated his mother, his father, and everyone in the household. He wanted a dagger in his hand. He would gouge out their eyes, cut out their tongues, smash their heads one by one, and burn this place to the ground!

Suddenly, a voice rang out. "How dare you!"

"Let go of the Seventh Young Master."

--

Shen Lin did not know, and did not believe, that his eldest legitimate brother would help him or save him.

So after his eldest brother brought him to Guiyun Court, the thing he did most was watch him from corners where no one could see.

He saw his eldest brother tell their principal mother, "He's only a child. He won't eat or wear that much. Just let him stay there."

He saw his eldest brother tell their legitimate siblings, "Third Brother, Fourth Sister, Fifth Brother, as the saying goes, a single tree cannot support a forest, but many trees can form a sea. The Shen family isn't what it used to be. Only by gaining another person and another helping hand can we remain in the capital in the years to come."

Finally, he looked at his eldest brother, who had come to stand before him. His brother patted his head and said, "Xiao Lin, everyone has a past, but you mustn't let it bind you. Your life is only just beginning. You don't need to do things for anyone else. Eat well and do your best for yourself."

Shen Lin stared at his eldest brother without blinking. He remembered that since childhood, besides hearing how beautiful and cherished his mother was, he had heard people say that his eldest brother was a gentleman like jade, with a scholar's heart and a Confucian's bearing.

Back then, he had never taken those words seriously. Now he knew they were true, and even understated.

--

So, elder brother, how could I not love you, not admire you?

In the dim candlelight, Shen Lin, now half a head taller than his eldest brother and broader in the shoulders, slowly bent down.

His long, bony fingers lifted his eldest brother's silky black hair. His thin lips, almost devoid of affection, curled into an indescribable smile.

Note:

Age gap: Lin is four years younger than Yuzheng.

At first, Lin and Yuzheng don't know they aren't biological brothers, so... restraint, restraint, restraint!!! ╰_╯

Theme: A song of love and desire.