Love at First Sight, Chapter 47 Elder Brother Wen Yueze

"The birthday star calls the shots today—wherever you want to go, we'll go," Zun You said with a smile.

"Alright, let's hurry and get ready. We'll leave soon."

Wen Yueqing could hardly wait a moment longer; she rushed back to her room to change into men's attire.

Meanwhile, outside the Third Prince's residence, a burly man arrived and lingered by the gate for a while before approaching a guard.

"Sir, would you please announce me? My name is Wen Yuezhe, and I wish to pay my respects to His Highness."

He was none other than Wen Yueqing's elder brother, Wen Yuezhe, who had returned to the capital at the end of the year to report on his duties. Only upon his return home did he learn of his sister's circumstances.

The guard asked, "Do you have any relation to Wen Yueqing, Miss Wen?"

"Yes, I am her brother. Please, would you kindly let them know?" he replied, bowing.

"Of course. Please wait in the gatehouse, I'll report right away." The guard hurried off to make the announcement, for Miss Wen held considerable status in the residence these days.

"Your Highness, Miss Wen's brother has arrived outside, seeking an audience," the guard reported.

Zun You and Wen Yueqing exchanged glances; both were already preparing to leave.

"My brother—which brother?" She thought it might be Wen Xiuzhou, whom she'd met before.

"He said his name is Wen Yuezhe," the guard replied.

Only then did Wen Yueqing recall, "That's right, I have a biological elder brother—and a younger brother as well," though she wondered at his purpose for coming now.

"Invite him in. Bring him to my study," Zun You said, pulling her back.

Wen Yuezhe entered and immediately noticed Wen Yueqing dressed as a man.

"Your Highness, I am here today especially to pay my respects," Wen Yuezhe said with utmost deference.

"Please, have a seat. May I ask where you are currently serving?" Zun You replied courteously.

"I am now serving as Assistant Commander in the Northwestern Army. Upon returning to the capital, I heard my sister was at your residence, so I simply wished to visit her," Wen Yuezhe said, glancing at Wen Yueqing.

"Brother Wen, your prospects are limitless. Since it's been so long since you siblings last saw each other, you should certainly catch up."

Zun You left them to speak in the study and returned to his own chambers.

"Little sister, why are you dressed like this? What is your position here in the prince's residence?" Wen Yuezhe asked in puzzlement.

Wen Yueqing sat quietly, a bit at a loss; she was, after all, an imposter and had never met this brother before.

She smiled and replied, "Brother, I'm just a maidservant by His Highness's side. Today, I was planning to leave the residence."

"Ah, little sister, it’s all my fault for lacking ability and failing to stand up for you. And as for Father..." Wen Yuezhe’s anger flared at the thought of their father.

He had listened to the words of the legitimate wife, driving Wen Yuezhe’s mother and sister from the residence, then casually marrying off the sister, making her a widow at a young age. A fine young lady, who could have married well, now bought as a maidservant—his gentle sister, with no one to care for or remember her.

Thinking of this, he felt for his sister and silently vowed, no matter what, he would protect her.

"I live well here. His Highness treats me kindly. You needn’t worry about me, brother. Let’s not dwell on past matters," Wen Yueqing tried to reassure him, since she knew little of what had happened before.

"That's good. Oh, I especially came today to celebrate your birthday," Wen Yuezhe said, smiling as he took two pieces of jewelry from his breast.

"Look, I brought these from the Northwest. They're rarely found in our capital."

"Wow, they're beautiful! Thank you, brother," Wen Yueqing genuinely delighted.

"I'm glad you like them. I always remembered how you loved pink as a child," Wen Yuezhe said gently.

The pieces were a headpiece with distinct ethnic flair and a pair of pink earrings set with sapphires, clearly not from the Central Plains. The pale pink hair chain, interwoven with white feathers, formed a hollowed framework adorned with sky-blue gems.

She had never seen such a pink headpiece before—unique, indeed.

Touched by this display of sibling affection, Wen Yueqing felt deeply moved. In this strange world, she needed family and friends, lest her life be unbearably lonely and arduous.

"Brother, is military life hard out there?" Wen Yueqing set the headpiece aside and asked with concern.

"It's nothing. I'm not weary. Before Mother’s grave, I swore I'd make something of myself," Wen Yuezhe said, his gaze unwavering.

"Brother, how long will you stay this visit?" Wen Yueqing asked.

"I'll leave after the New Year. It’ll be another year before I return," he replied. "Actually, I came back this time to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"Our younger brother, Wen Yueche, will turn fourteen after the New Year. He told me he wants to join the army."

"Is that so? Isn't that a good thing? A man should aspire to travel and achieve," Wen Yueqing said, though she did not even know what her younger brother looked like.

Wen Yuezhe pondered for a moment, then said, "It’s good, but with both of us gone, you’ll truly have no one to rely on here."

He was right—their father was unreliable, and he feared leaving his sister without support.

After a bit more conversation, Wen Yuezhe went to bid farewell to Zun You.

"Your Highness, my sister has always been gentle and weak; I entrust her care to you," he said with some worry.

Zun You laughed heartily, glancing at Wen Yueqing. "Rest assured. She lives better here than anyone. Ask her yourself if you doubt it."

"I have one more request, if Your Highness would permit," Wen Yuezhe said, noting the prince’s genuine kindness toward his sister and thus feeling free to speak.

"Please, tell me. If it’s within my power, I’ll grant it," Zun You replied, showing Wen Yueqing every courtesy—her brother was now family.

"I hope, before returning to the Northwest, I can take my sister home for a visit. Since I’ll be bringing our younger brother with me, I’d like the three of us to gather," Wen Yuezhe said, bowing.

"No problem at all. I’ll grant this small request. When the time comes, you may fetch her directly," said Zun You, helping him up.

Wen Yuezhe took his leave from his sister. He had felt uneasy before arriving, worried she might suffer here.

To his relief, she was well cared for, and his heart was at ease.

"Your brother’s truly good to you—coming all this way just to see you," Zun You remarked, noticing the gift Wen Yuezhe had given Wen Yueqing.

"Indeed! So you’d better not bully me; my brother will be a great general one day," Wen Yueqing teased, laughing.