![](https://pic1.mangapicgallery.com/r/avatar/72/u2363426_50x50.jpg?2)
Stepson was a potential LIs in the 1st timeline but in the current timeline he never grew to romantically love bc Shuli, unlike the first timeline, Shuli acted as a proper Stepmother and mother figure for the estate, him and his siblings. Plus logically he could never pursue her romantically even if he wants to because he would set her to her death. Since it is viewed and considered incest. Even if they're not blood relatives it is still immoral. Plus everyone in the empire thinks it's incest even if they're not related. Taboo basically. An immoral scandal that whatever him and Shuli do could not change in their favor.
Plus their family is the richest one in court and is expected to be an example for others. If he pursue her romantically the emperor, church, court and common people will target them. Even if their the richest as seen before they cants get away with it.
Guys is she gonna end up with his step son??