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

The Mei family.

Mei Wanying was the family’s only daughter. Her decision to take a husband who would marry into her family was a major event, one that had to be celebrated with great pomp and ceremony.

The groom-to-be was none other than the legitimate son of the Gu family, which meant they had to be even more careful not to slight Gu Xun.

Although time was short, not a single necessary preparation had been overlooked.

The residence was draped in red silk and adorned with double happiness characters everywhere. The joyous atmosphere was palpable.

The Mei family’s relatives, their previous wounds healed and the pain forgotten, came to the residence to join in the excitement.

They wanted to see if Gu Xun was truly marrying into the Mei family or just playing along with Mei Wanying’s act.

"Ying’s last husband only died a few days ago, and now she’s bringing a second one into the family. Isn’t that against decorum?"

Someone else agreed, "She should have at least observed a mourning period of a year or two. Otherwise, she’s just giving people something to gossip about."

The previous man had been a fabrication, but Gu Xun was real, so Mrs. Mei was full of confidence.

"Ling can’t be without a father."

A relative then asked, "Is Mr. Gu really willing to be Ling’s stepfather? I’m not trying to stir up trouble, but there are rumors out there that Ying is a jinx to her husbands. Isn’t Mr. Gu afraid?"

Mrs. Mei’s expression darkened. "It seems to me you’re all just suffering from sour grapes! You can’t stand to see that our Ying is blessed with good fortune and has so many people who love her!"

The relatives exchanged glances, all thinking that Mrs. Mei was incredibly thick-skinned.

’If Mei Wanying were so fortunate, would her last husband have died so quickly?’

’She just finished her postpartum confinement, and she’s already found a new man.’

’She has no sense of shame!’

’A noble lady supposedly refined by the Capital City, and this is how she behaves! When we go out to socialize, we feel embarrassed on her behalf!’

Finally, one of them asked the question on everyone’s mind. "Did Ying ever actually get married? Or could it be that she had Ling and, unable to explain it, just made up a story to fool us?"

When Mei Wanying first returned to her hometown, she had said she was married, but her husband had contracted a sudden illness and passed away.

She even produced a marriage certificate, so they believed her.

Thinking about it again now, they realized they might have been duped.

Gu Xun holds a position at the Government Office. For him to help Mei Wanying forge evidence would be as easy as flipping his hand.

’He’s clearly been wrapped around Mei Wanying’s little finger for a long time!’

’Maybe Ling is his child, too!’

’Otherwise, why would Gu Xun be so devoted to Mei Wanying and the child?’

’What man in this world would be so magnanimous?’

’Absolutely impossible!’

Mrs. Mei refused to fall into the trap they were digging.

Continuing to argue would only lead to more mistakes, giving them a handle to use against her.

She took a calm sip of her tea. "If you have any evidence, feel free to present it. Otherwise, you’re just slandering Ah Yin."

If they had any proof, the relatives would have blown the situation up long ago instead of just staring greedily at the Mei family’s assets.

Mrs. Mei’s gaze swept over them. "Since you can’t produce any evidence, then shut your mouths. The new son-in-law will be arriving tomorrow. Don’t you dare bring him any bad luck."

Gu Xun’s background was not simple. He was a son from the main branch of the Gu family and the Empress’s own nephew.

His connections were truly formidable; everyone in Jiangnan had to show him respect.

With Mrs. Mei bringing him up, the relatives had no choice but to shut their mouths, no matter how unwilling they were.

But inwardly, they were now certain: Ling was Gu Xun’s child.

’Otherwise, why would a perfectly fine young noble give that up to become a live-in son-in-law?’

’Becoming a live-in son-in-law is one thing, but a stepfather on top of that!’

’The only way to explain all this is if he’s Ling’s real father.’

On the eve of the wedding, the residence was already bustling with activity as relatives and friends came to join the festivities.

Mrs. Mei didn’t want them to disturb her daughter and granddaughter, so she kept everyone in the front courtyard.

Still, the lively sounds reached Mei Wanying’s courtyard, where she was holding Ling, trying to lull the child to sleep.

Seeing her so calm, Ding Xiang couldn’t help but be impressed.

"Miss, are you not nervous?"

"Nervous about what?"

Her expression was serene, no different from usual. She truly wasn’t nervous.

A bitter feeling welled up in Ding Xiang’s heart, and the tip of her nose suddenly tingled.

Seeing a layer of mist form in her maid’s eyes, Mei Wanying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "I’m not marrying into someone else’s family. What’s there to cry about?"

Ding Xiang shook her head.

’That’s not what I mean.’

’Marriage is a major life event, yet the Miss shows no anticipation at all. She must have had no other choice to have taken this path.’

Ding Xiang’s heart ached for Mei Wanying.

’If it weren’t for the Royal Family pressing them at every turn, our Miss and Ling could be living such happy lives!’

Taking a sharp breath, Ding Xiang reached for Ling. "You should go rest, Miss. You have a busy day tomorrow."

Mei Wanying smiled. "You’ve all worried about everything for me. What’s left for me to be busy with?"

In her last life, on the eve of her marriage to Pei Yan, she had been very busy. She had tried on her wedding attire several times, and her hair and makeup were adjusted again and again.

She had wanted to appear before Pei Yan in her most beautiful state.

That night, she had been too excited to sleep.

But on their wedding day, Pei Yan’s anger hadn’t subsided. From beginning to end, he never once appeared in the bridal chamber.

When Nanny Liu went to ask him to come, he had rebuked her in a cold voice.

That night, she sat on the edge of the wedding bed and watched the candles burn down to nothing.

Then she heard that Pei Yan had left the mansion.

Once she was certain that he truly wasn’t coming to the bridal chamber, she couldn’t stop herself from crying out loud.

She cried until the sun came up.

She cried until her eyes ached.

Pei Yan was just that cruel—always slapping her in the face before offering her a sweet date.

Just when she thought he wouldn’t show up, he had appeared in the bridal chamber completely unexpectedly.

Recalling the events of her past life, a ripple spread through Mei Wanying’s heart.

’I will never marry such a vile man a second time!’

Ling’s sleep schedule was reversed; she was always awake at night. Hearing the lively commotion, her big eyes kept darting toward the source of the sound.

’Looks like she loves to be where the action is.’ 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Mei Wanying squeezed her daughter’s small, tender white hand. "I wonder who she gets that from."

Ding Xiang replied, "She gets it from you."

’Our Miss used to have such a lively and active personality, too.’

’It was Pei Yan who hurt her so badly that she became so downcast.’

Now, all she could hope for was that Gu Xun would be a good man and treat their Miss and Ling well.

’Don’t be like that bastard Pei Yan!’

’Otherwise... otherwise, I’ll definitely urge the Miss to divorce him! To be like Miss Xue Er and not take any nonsense from a man!’

By the time she lulled her daughter to sleep, the night had grown deep.

The candles were extinguished, and the bedroom was plunged into pitch-black darkness. Mei Wanying could not see again.

Ever since Pei Yan had terrified her once, she had been afraid of pitch-black environments.

She always felt as if some monster were watching her from the shadows.

But if she left a lamp lit, she couldn’t sleep well.

Ling’s cradle was nearby, the little one’s breathing even and steady.

Feeling as if she were being protected, Mei Wanying felt much more at ease.

She turned onto her side and, without realizing it, drifted off to sleep.

Perhaps because the situation stirred up old feelings, she dreamed of the wedding from her past life.

Out of consideration for the kindness the Mei family had shown in raising him, Pei Yan had personally come to the General Mansion to escort the bride.

The wedding matron said the bride’s soles could not touch the ground, so Pei Yan bent down and swept her up into his arms.

This drew a collective gasp from the onlookers.

The man’s arms were firm, holding her securely without the slightest jolt.

Her arms were wrapped around the man’s neck. They were so close she could feel the steady beat of Pei Yan’s heart.

At that moment, she had thought Pei Yan’s anger had faded.

She thought they would have a good life together.

A good life... In the end, it never came.

"Miss, why are you crying?"

Awakened, Mei Wanying was still dazed. She subconsciously touched her face and felt the wetness of tears.