A Marriage in Name Only? My Stepbrother Won't Let Me Go

Somehow, word of Gu Xun wanting to marry into the family reached Mrs. Mei’s ears.

The more Mrs. Mei saw of Gu Xun, the more pleased she was. She had been lamenting that since their Ah Yin wasn’t marrying out and would stay home to inherit the family business, she and Gu Xun were likely fated to meet but not to be together.

She never expected Gu Xun to be so bold as to offer to marry into their Mei family.

Had it been anyone else, Mrs. Mei would have wondered about their ulterior motives.

But the Gu family was a great and noble clan, which eased many of Mrs. Mei’s worries.

"For him to go this far for Ah Yin, he must love her deeply."

Pei Yan had resisted Ah Yin, wasn’t it because he hated people calling him a child husband and thought it was a disgrace?

Yet Gu Xun was willing to marry into the family. In that regard, he was far better than Pei Yan!

Nanny Liu was also pleased with Gu Xun. "When we take on a son-in-law to marry into the family, it’s not as if we’ll accept just any riffraff. A divine beauty like Ying deserves only a handsome and talented gentleman."

"Mr. Gu and Ying are a good match in terms of social standing. Our Ying is an only daughter, the heir to the family. For Mr. Gu to marry into our household, he’s not actually at a disadvantage."

Gu Xun wasn’t the heir to the Gu family. With so many people in his family, how much could he possibly inherit?

It was nothing like Ying’s situation. The entire estate, built by the General’s hard work, was all hers.

In this respect, Gu Xun couldn’t compare to Ying.

’As for the children... they would still be part of the Gu family, so Gu Xun isn’t really losing out, is he...’

With that connection, Gu Xun would surely treat their young mistress well.

Besides, the fact that Ying can bear children proves she’s in good health and can have more in the future.

No matter how Nanny Liu looked at it, she felt Gu Xun was not getting the short end of the stick.

"With Mr. Gu around, those people will finally give up any idea of seizing the family fortune."

Without a capable man in the house, people will always come looking for trouble.

Even if Ying gives birth, those people’s greedy ambitions won’t die until the child is grown!

Mrs. Mei nodded in agreement. "But if Ah Yin doesn’t agree, what can we do?"

The consequences of forcing her daughter last time were still vivid in Mrs. Mei’s mind.

Now, she truly didn’t dare to act on her own authority again.

Nanny Liu said, "Let’s wait until after Ying has the baby. Knowing Mr. Gu’s character, he’ll surely visit often. A woman is often vulnerable at a time like that and needs someone to lean on. If Mr. Gu plays his cards right, Ying might just agree."

Mrs. Mei said, "I would feel very much at ease entrusting Ah Yin and the child to him."

Gu Xun and Pei Yan were different.

Pei Yan was difficult to read, and his childhood experiences had forged a cold and distant personality.

Gu Xun, on the other hand, had grown up in a large family, surrounded by the care and affection of his relatives. His personality was leagues better than Pei Yan’s.

Given the choice, Mrs. Mei would much rather have Gu Xun as the Mei family’s son-in-law.

’At least he’s a normal person!’

She scoffed. "Pei Yan refused to marry Ah Yin for anything in the world. Well, look how that turned out. Ah Yin has finally given up on him and now has a caring gentleman by her side. Pei Yan no longer has to worry about her pestering him."

Even after having a child, Mei Wanying hadn’t gone back to Pei Yan, which showed Mrs. Mei the depth of her resolve.

Pei Yan had truly lost Ah Yin.

Nanny Liu gloated a little. "Once Ying and Mr. Gu are together, Ying will have to call that man ’cousin’. Didn’t he always say he saw Ying as a little sister? I’d say he got exactly what he asked for, wouldn’t you?"

Mrs. Mei: "..."

Ah Yin had been unwilling to address Pei Yan as an elder brother, but if she ended up with Gu Xun, she truly wouldn’t be able to avoid it.

’I wonder what kind of face Pei Yan will make?’

The two exchanged a look, and a spark of life returned to Mrs. Mei’s face. "It’s about time he was put in his place."

’If Ah Yin marries Gu Xun, with a child in tow... even if Pei Yan has no romantic feelings for her, how could he not feel thwarted watching his child call another man ’Father’?’

’The very thought was thrilling!’

Mrs. Mei thought highly of Gu Xun and wanted him to marry into the Mei family.

She even wanted to invite Gu Xun to their estate for New Year’s Eve.

The excuse was that he had left his home and family behind to take up an official post in Jiangnan. Since Gu Xun had helped them so much, inviting him to celebrate the New Year with them was a simple matter of returning a courtesy.

’Her mother’s intentions were so obvious, how could Mei Wanying not see through them?’

’New Year’s Eve was still a long way off. Perhaps her mother would change her mind by then.’

...

Pei Yan had long been planning to have Gu Xun transferred back to the Capital City.

The Useless Crown Prince’s faction had been completely eradicated, freeing up many positions. He had planned on saving a good post for Gu Xun.

It was a way to entice him back to the Capital City.

But as it turned out, Gu Xun really was unwilling to return.

He’d said that the Gu family had plenty of sons—one more or one less wouldn’t make a difference—and suggested that Pei Yan promote one of his other clansmen instead.

He wanted to stay in Jiangnan.

If his request wasn’t granted, he was even prepared to resign his post.

Pei Yan’s face was cold and silent as he stared at the letter Gu Xun had sent back to the Capital City.

Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu exchanged a look of dismay.

This imposing figure had shown up at their residence out of the blue, just to read Xun’s letter.

And now, after reading it, he was completely silent.

’Look at that icy aura around him... It’s truly terrifying!’

Mr. Gu cleared his throat. "That rebellious son of mine has been away for too long; his heart has gone wild. Your Highness, please just let him be. When he misses out on this golden opportunity, he’ll have plenty of time for regrets later!"

’If Pei Yan couldn’t figure out who Gu Xun was staying for, he’d be an absolute idiot.’

He stroked the letter, his eyes a mask of tranquility.

"If he wants to stay in Jiangnan, then let him stay."

’In any case, he would be heading to Jiangnan soon to bring Mei Wanying back.’

’Gu Xun staying in Jiangnan actually suited his plans perfectly.’

’He wouldn’t allow anyone to covet his Mei Wanying. Not even in their thoughts.’

’Mei Wanying was his and his alone.’

’In the entire world, only he was allowed to think of her!’

Pei Yan’s agreeableness only made Mr. and Mrs. Gu more uneasy.

Few people knew about that matter, and the couple was among them.

Even Mrs. Gu had been personally selected by Mrs. Gu, sent to the palace for vetting, and only dispatched to Jiangnan after being confirmed to be suitable.

They had no objection to Gu Xun marrying Mei Wanying.

Punishments and rewards are all part of the sovereign’s grace. When the Empress needed them to solve a problem for her, they naturally would not refuse.

The child in Mei Wanying’s belly also carried a trace of Gu family blood.

They would just treat it as raising one of their own.

As for Mei Wanying, if Xun liked her, then they would let the two of them live their lives in peace.

If Xun found the situation distasteful, they would just give Mei Wanying the title of a proper wife, keep her in a rear courtyard, and otherwise ignore her.

When he met a woman he truly loved, they would arrange for Xun to take her as a wife of equal standing, as compensation.

They never expected that Mei Wanying would be unwilling to marry into the Gu family, throwing their entire plan into disarray.

’Fine, if she won’t marry in, so be it. It’s not like they were thrilled at the prospect of having her, anyway.’

’But the Gu family had so many sons; why did His Highness have to take notice of Xun of all people?’

’Could it be that His Highness knows something?’

’The Empress had instructed them that the matter must be kept from His Highness at all costs...’

The couple grew increasingly apprehensive.

Then they saw Pei Yan set down the letter. He spoke in a calm voice, "My cousin has been out on his own for years, with no one to look after him. As his older cousin, I find I can’t bear it."

Mr. Gu: "..."

Mrs. Gu: "..."

’Since when was he so warm-hearted?’

Pei Yan’s expression was sincere. "Aunt, which young lady do you think would be suitable for my cousin? I shall ask my Father Emperor to bestow a marriage upon them."

’The method was dishonorable, but as long as it worked, that was all that mattered.’

’Once he was married, Gu Xun could no longer think about Mei Wanying.’

’To do so would be immoral!’