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

Chen Shujing was also anxious to head to Jiangnan to pick up Xue Xingyao. Hearing that Pei Yan had shown himself, he came to the General Mansion to corner him.

He just needed Pei Yan to give his word that he would spare the lives of Mrs. Xue and her son. Then, he could go back and report to Ah Yao.

He wouldn’t have to keep watch in the Capital City, just in case something unexpected happened.

Perhaps it was because Xue Xingyao’s attitude had been too cold—that night she hadn’t left a candle lit for him, nor had she waited for him to return to their room. It left Chen Shujing feeling unsettled.

Or perhaps it was his own guilty conscience, his fear that she would discover the secret in his study. Whatever the reason, Chen Shujing was desperate to see Xue Xingyao.

Only by seeing her with his own eyes could his restless heart finally find some peace.

Pei Yan couldn’t be bothered with Chen Shujing.

Xue Xingyao was Ah Yin’s good friend. He didn’t need anyone else to plead on her behalf; for Ah Yin’s sake, he would naturally show mercy.

The man swung himself onto his horse. Looking down at Chen Shujing, he said, "As of today, our friendship is over. You and I are not the same kind of people."

Chen Shujing was speechless.

’I was pleading for the Xue Family,’ he thought. ’That’s perfectly reasonable. How did I manage to offend this behemoth?’

’Not only does he want to end our friendship...’

’He even said we’re not the same kind of people.’

’What kind of person am I?’

’Why am I being treated with such disdain?’

Chen Shujing couldn’t make heads or tails of it, so he could only press on with the matter at hand. "Your Highness, for Miss Mei’s sake..."

"Of course I’ll consider her. I will protect anyone she wants to protect. I hope you have the self-awareness not to go running to Xue Xingyao to take credit for it."

Chen Shujing was left speechless.

Pei Yan continued, "I was never doing this for you. It was for Ah Yin."

Chen Shujing retorted, "Your Highness, aren’t you doing the exact same thing—trying to win points with Miss Mei?"

Pei Yan said, "I grant her everything she wants. Why shouldn’t I take credit for it?"

Chen Shujing fell silent.

’So it’s one rule for him and another for everyone else?’ he fumed inwardly.

’He really has a way of twisting everything to his advantage!’

As Pei Yan’s friend, Chen Shujing knew his temperament. The man was mercilessly sharp-tongued and wouldn’t easily give anyone face.

He wouldn’t hold back, not even for those close to him.

Otherwise, Miss Mei wouldn’t have become so disheartened that she left for Jiangnan in a rage.

She didn’t even come back to see him when he had his accident.

Clearly, her heart had been shattered.

Now that he was the one getting his heart stabbed, Chen Shujing finally understood just how venomous Pei Yan’s words could be.

And how utterly unreasonable he was!

Chen Shujing wanted to say more, but Pei Yan had already spurred his horse and galloped away. Judging by his direction, he was likely heading out of the city.

Wei Jue gave Chen Shujing a cupped-fist salute before riding off in pursuit.

The only person in the world who could make Pei Yan this anxious was Mei Wanying.

It was obvious he was heading to Jiangnan.

Chen Shujing sighed, suddenly feeling a bit envious of Pei Yan.

’I wish I could go to Jiangnan too...’

He called over an attendant. "Have there been any letters from my wife?"

The attendant shook his head. "Not since she last inquired about the Xue Family’s situation."

Chen Shujing’s heart began to race again. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong with Xue Xingyao.

She had lost their child, and her family was in trouble. At a time like this, she should be relying on him.

Instead, she chose to go to Jiangnan to find Miss Mei.

As Xue Xingyao’s husband, Chen Shujing felt this wasn’t right.

A suspicion began to form in his mind.

’Could it be? Did Ah Yao see Xiaoxiao’s things?’

The moment the thought appeared, Chen Shujing forcibly suppressed it.

’Ah Yao is no pushover. She wouldn’t tolerate being wronged in the slightest. If she had discovered his deception, she would have definitely confronted him.’

’Besides, her dowry is still at the manor. After seeing Miss Mei and getting her feelings in order, she’ll naturally come home.’

Chen Shujing pressed a hand to his chest, forcing himself to calm down.

He finally made a decision, telling his attendant, "Go back yourself and get rid of the things in the study."

He was a married man now. Keeping things related to Xiaoxiao had always felt improper.

The objects were inanimate, but people were not.

He could cherish Xiaoxiao’s memory in his heart; there was no need to leave behind physical traces.

This way, he wouldn’t have to worry about his secret being discovered.

Chen Shujing knew he had wronged Xue Xingyao. For the rest of his life, he would be devoted to her and her alone.

He would consider it compensation for what he’d put her through.

...

There was still lingering poison in Pei Yan’s body, and the journey to Jiangnan was long. Wei Jue was truly worried.

While chasing after Pei Yan, he summoned a Hidden Guard and ordered him to bring the Imperial Physician along.

’His Highness only just woke up. We absolutely cannot let anything else happen to him!’

Pei Yan didn’t want to think about anything. He just wanted to see Mei Wanying as soon as possible.

That day, the Empress Dowager had used Mei Wanying as bait to lure him out, then claimed the child belonged to the Useless Crown Prince.

He hadn’t believed it at the time.

’How could Mei Wanying possibly bear a child for the Useless Crown Prince?’

’Even if she did, it would have been against her will.’

’She is not the one at fault.’

Now, Pei Yan was certain: the child Mei Wanying was carrying was his.

She had been so frightened that day, likely afraid that if her pregnancy was exposed, he would fight her for the child.

’I want Mei Wanying,’ Pei Yan thought. ’Why would I snatch the child? If Mei Wanying isn’t with me, I have no desire to raise a child on my own. It’s her I love, and the child through her. Mei Wanying is the only bond between us.’

Without Mei Wanying, what meaning would the child have for him?

Most importantly, he would never again do anything to hurt Mei Wanying.

That would only push her further and further away.

Having experienced a brush with death, Pei Yan cherished this second chance with all his heart.

As long as Ah Yin didn’t think of leaving him, he would agree to anything.

Pei Yan raced toward Jiangnan at full speed. During the arduous journey, the lingering poison flared up once.

But he took his medicine and insisted on continuing.

No one could do anything with him.

The Imperial Physician complained to Wei Jue, "His Highness is only daring to push himself like this because he’s relying on his strong constitution. Anyone else would have kicked the bucket long ago."

Wei Jue nodded silently. ’He wasn’t wrong.’

’In the past, His Highness was so aloof toward Miss Mei, but now he’s willing to risk his own life to win her back.’

’Haven’t the tables turned?’

Just as he was thinking this, a chilly voice cut through the air.

Wei Jue jolted and quickly urged his horse forward. "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

The man’s face was pale with sickness. Wei Jue had no idea how he was managing to hold on, let alone travel this far.

’No wonder his enemies on the battlefield tremble at the mere mention of his name.’

’He’s truly formidable!’

Pei Yan ordered Wei Jue to ride ahead. "Bring Gu Xun back to the Capital City."

Wei Jue asked, "And if Mr. Gu resists?"

He was His Highness’s cousin. If they injured him, it would be difficult to answer for.

Pei Yan was determined to keep Gu Xun away from Mei Wanying. "Do I need to spell it out for you?"

Wei Jue understood. He had permission to use any means necessary.

He carefully asked one last question. "What if the ceremony has already been completed?"

If Mr. Gu had truly married into the Mei family, and they just dragged him away, wouldn’t that make an enemy of the Mei family?

Miss Mei would surely be furious.

The coldness of Pei Yan’s aura intensified. With an obsessive look in his eyes, he said matter-of-factly, "He dared to come between me and Ah Yin while I was away. Taking him away is already generous. He shouldn’t push his luck."

Wei Jue was speechless.

’Listening to him, anyone who didn’t know better would think His Highness was actually Miss Mei’s husband...’

’Who’s the one really interfering here?’

Pei Yan continued, "Since he’s an interloper, it will never be legitimate. Even if the ceremony is complete, it can be annulled."

Wei Jue’s eyes widened.

’He can do that?’

The man’s gaze grew even colder. "Why are you still here?"

Wei Jue quickly offered a salute, then led a contingent of men and galloped ahead.