Chapter 130 Extra 27 – Brother Steals Younger Brother’s Wife (IF Route)

Chapter 130: Extra Story 27 - Brother Takes Brother's Wife What-If Timeline

Usually, if you can't find the culprit, seek out the one who benefits the most. If he's in trouble, who gains?

At this moment, he was tied up, and the one marrying Ji Wanyuan had become his elder brother.

So he figured it was his brother.

"Your Wen family better give us an explanation today! Otherwise, even if it costs me my life, I'll make your family pay!"

"Don't think that just because you hold high office, you can bully people..."

The guy got more worked up, and Wen's father told him to shut up.

Maybe Wen's father's sudden outburst scared them, and they shut up and stopped making a scene.

On the other side, Wen Qiyan had already shown up with his people.

When they saw the groom was Wen Qiyan, not only were the Ji family confused, but even the onlookers were shocked. Everyone was whispering, wondering why Wen Qiyan showed up instead of Wen Yunqin.

Even though they were shocked, in public.

They absolutely couldn't let anyone see them as a joke. Ji Chancellor quickly got things under control and let Wen Qiyan go ahead with the wedding.

As they walked, Ji Chancellor smiled and quietly asked what was up.

"It's a long story. To not waste the auspicious time, how about I explain later, Father-in-law?"

Father-in-law? Son-in-law?

Ji Chancellor narrowed his eyes at the impressive man in front of him. What the hell was going on?

Wen Yunqin hadn't even called him "Father-in-law" once, but Wen Qiyan already had.

Since things had gotten to this point, and even the palace had sent someone today, they couldn't afford to cause a scene.

Ji Chancellor could only go along with the wedding rituals, telling the Ji family to bring out Ji Wanyuan.

With a red veil over her head, Ji Wanyuan was led out by maids and the matchmaker, completely clueless about what had happened. She was thrilled, finally about to see Wen Yunqin and marry him.

Tonight, she'd finally meet him.

She shyly put her hand in his, letting him lead her out.

The second her hand was held, Ji Wanyuan felt something was off, really off.

She'd held Wen Yunqin's hand before, but today it felt way bigger. And it was kind of cool, like touching a piece of jade.

She couldn't really describe it—it just felt unfamiliar.

Maybe it was because she hadn't seen Wen Yunqin in a while, so his hand felt strange? Perhaps that was it.

Ji Wanyuan pushed aside her doubts, listening to the matchmaker's instructions as she followed the man beside her.

Soon, the big hand holding hers got warm.

After getting into the bridal sedan, arriving at the Wen house, bowing to the parents, and finishing the whole ceremony, she was taken to the bridal chamber. Ji Wanyuan's head was spinning. She was both excited and nervous, waiting on pins and needles.

Little did she know, on the other side, Wen's father and Ji Chancellor sat grim-faced, across from each other.

"Is this the son your Wen family raised?"

Ji Chancellor had sensed something was off. After the wedding, he'd told his wife and Ji Lingyue to entertain the guests, pretending to be too drunk to stay up, but he'd actually come to the Wen house. Who'd have thought he'd hear something like this?

"I only have this one daughter, and I won't put up with any blemish."

Wen's father was just as troubled. Though the matter hadn't been made public, it was close enough.

The main issue was that the Ji family already knew, and Ji Chancellor was no ordinary man to be easily fooled.

Wen's father racked his brain but couldn't think of a solution. He smiled dryly and asked Ji Chancellor what he thought.

Ji Chancellor recalled Wen Qiyan's respect that day and how he had called him "Father-in-law."

"I'd like to see the eldest Wen son."

Even though Wen's father held a lower official rank than Ji Chancellor, he could still understand Ji Chancellor's implication.

"Your meaning is..."

Ji Chancellor didn't reply. Wen's father was silent for a moment, then asked Ji Chancellor to wait while he went to find Wen Qiyan.

At that moment, Wen Qiyan was being pestered by guests, all asking what was going on. Wasn't this Wen Yunqin's wedding? Why had it become his?

Wen Qiyan smiled but didn't explain. Wen's father watched for a long time before sending a servant to summon him. Soon, Wen Qiyan arrived.

"Father."

Wen's father looked at his son, dressed in wedding attire, exceptionally handsome and refined—this was his most outstanding son...

"Qiyan, what do you think of this matter?"

"And what does the Ji family say?" Wen Qiyan's tone returned to its usual calm.

"From what Ji Chancellor said, it seems... he wants to let the mistake stand."

As he said this, Wen's father observed Wen Qiyan's expression.

When dealing with Wen Yunqin's matter earlier, Wen Yunqin had claimed someone was plotting against him. When his mother asked who, he said it was Wen Qiyan, because he wanted Ji Wanyuan.

But over the years, Wen Qiyan and Ji Wanyuan had barely interacted—how could that be possible?

So both he and his mother didn't believe that Wen Qiyan had set a trap to harm Wen Yunqin just to take Ji Wanyuan.

They had never had any dealings—how could it be?

Thus, Wen's parents thought Wen Yunqin was attacking Wen Qiyan out of jealousy for stepping in to help with the wedding.

That said, when Wen's father saw Wen Qiyan smiling while mingling with the guests, he was taken aback, as he rarely saw Wen Qiyan smile.

Even though the smile was faint, it was indeed a smile, and he looked quite pleased.

Now, looking at his son's handsome face, which had returned to its usual coldness, Wen's father quickly suppressed the strange thought that had surfaced.

It must have been just for show, to entertain the guests. How could Wen Qiyan do such a thing? That was his own younger brother.

"Let the mistake stand?" Wen Qiyan said with a faint, ambiguous smile.

Wen's father was silent for a moment before nodding. "Ji Chancellor wants to see you."

"...Okay." The father and son said no more.

Old Master Wen went to the front hall to entertain the guests, and the two parted ways.

When Wen Qiyan arrived at the back courtyard, the area had already been cleared, quiet in stark contrast to the lively front hall.

"Chancellor Ji." He clasped his hands and bowed.

Chancellor Ji looked at the man before him—truly graceful and impressive, worthy of the title the Capital's Top Gentleman.

In truth, when the Wen family came to propose, Chancellor Ji had preferred Wen Qiyan. Unfortunately, his daughter did not like him and was only interested in Wen Yunqin.

Since his daughter had her heart set on him, he naturally had to go along with it.

But who could have expected this turn of events? And this change—was it really just a coincidence?

Others might not see it, but Chancellor Ji, a veteran of the political arena for years, had caught a whiff of something even without solid evidence.

So he did not invite Wen Qiyan to sit. He cut straight to the chase: "You're in love with my daughter."

It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

Wen Qiyan wasn't surprised that Chancellor Ji had figured it out. He admitted outright, "Yes."

"Oh?" The Chancellor's tone rose. "Since when?"

He'd never noticed a thing.

"Miss Ji is innocent, straightforward, sincere, and adorable. I've admired her for a long time."

"Is it long-time admiration, or a long-planned scheme?" Chancellor Ji pressed again, cutting right to the point.

"Both." Wen Qiyan answered truthfully.

"And what happened to your brother—you did that too?"

Wen Qiyan hesitated for a moment. "Yes."

"Why be so ruthless and underhanded?" Truth was, Chancellor Ji already knew the answer before he asked.

Whether in the political arena or elsewhere, to get what you want, you've got to be ruthless; otherwise, you'll always be second best.

Wen Qiyan didn't answer, because the answer wasn't pretty, and the other party was Ji Wanyuan's own father.

"I'll accept any punishment, Chancellor."

"Even death?" the Chancellor asked again.

Wen Qiyan looked up, silent, merely meeting the Chancellor's gaze.

In that silent exchange, Chancellor Ji had already found his answer.

"Wen Qiyan, I only have one thing to say: in this life, I only have one daughter, Wanyuan."

Wen Qiyan clasped his hands. "Rest assured, Father-in-law. I'll treat her well, protect her, and never let her suffer the slightest harm."

"Don't just talk pretty." The Chancellor snorted. "Handle Wen Yunqin's matter yourself."

Since it's come to this, there was nothing more to say.

"Yes."

"... ..."

Ji Wanyuan had been waiting in the bridal chamber for a while. She was hungry, and before she could call for Feicui, the maid actually brought her food.

Ji Wanyuan snuck a lot of food. After rinsing her mouth, she was about to ask Feicui what was wrong, for she'd noticed Feicui's expression was off, like she was dying to say something.

But before she could ask, she heard voices outside greeting someone.

It was Wen Yunqin arriving. Ji Wanyuan scrambled in a panic. Feicui wiped her hands, gave her a complicated look, and left.

Wen Qiyan stepped into the bridal chamber, gazing at the red silk decorations. It felt eerily like his previous life in his dreams.

Ji Wanyuan was nervous and fidgety. Why wasn't Wen Yunqin talking? Wasn't he supposed to lift the veil?

She mentally went through the next steps, but as she thought, everything suddenly went dark.

Huh?

Had the candles burned out already? That wasn't right.

Before Ji Wanyuan could react, she was already placed onto the wedding bed.

Her red veil was lifted, but she couldn't make out the man's face clearly. She only felt how tall he was, how imposing his figure, which even frightened her a little.

His breath enveloped her, intensely cold, making her... nervous to the extreme, and she felt so unfamiliar.

"Wen, Wen Yunqin, you—"

Before she could finish, she was lifted by the waist and kissed on the lips.

Ji Wanyuan flailed her hands, whimpering.

She wanted to say they hadn't drunk the nuptial wine yet—why was he so impatient!!!

And her jewelry...

Just as she thought of this, the man's large hand threaded through her hair, tossing her phoenix crown and hairpins aside.

Ji Wanyuan heard the sound of the jewelry hitting the floor and was utterly terrified.

She tried to speak, but the moment she opened her mouth, the man's tongue plunged in, silencing her completely. She couldn't make a sound, and even breathing became difficult.

He was so urgent. Ji Wanyuan was nearly dazed by the kiss, her fear growing heavier, her head spinning.

He pressed down on her, kissing her, even finding her wrist and threading his fingers through hers, locking them together tightly.

Such an inseparable hold. She felt the stranger's presence growing stronger and stronger. Was this really Wen Yunqin?