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

Only Mei Wanying and those closest to her knew who Ling’s father truly was.

Too many men were willing to be Ling’s father, making it impossible for outsiders to guess the truth.

At first, everyone truly believed Mei Wanying was a widow, pregnant with a posthumous child.

For a woman of her immense wealth and standing, taking on a live-in husband to produce an heir was perfectly normal.

Later, when they saw how devoted Gu Xun was to her, having cared for Mei Wanying throughout her pregnancy, people began to assume the two shared a secret relationship.

Perhaps the child was Gu Xun’s.

But after the wedding-crashing incident, more people began to suspect Pei Yan.

And to think he actually admitted it!

Pei Yan looked proud. Ling was his biological daughter, the precious treasure born to him by Mei Wanying. It was something that should be proclaimed to the world.

Anyone who dared to bully Ah Yin and Ling would be making an enemy of him.

In the future, Ling would inherit everything he possessed. If outsiders didn’t know her identity, how could she ever openly and rightfully claim what was hers?

Whether Mei Wanying acknowledged their union or not, in Pei Yan’s heart, he and Mei Wanying were already married.

And they had a daughter.

They were a family of three!

The butler was so shocked his jaw dropped.

Although he had his suspicions, hearing His Highness admit it himself was still utterly shocking.

For a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

In his moment of stunned silence, Pei Yan strode brazenly through the manor gates.

The butler wiped his brow of sweat that wasn’t there. This man was a Prince, the Crown Prince, someone who could command armies on the battlefield and manipulate the tides of the imperial court. He truly didn’t dare use force to stop him.

He hurried to catch up. "Your Highness, please come to the front hall for some tea."

Without breaking stride, Pei Yan replied, "No need for formalities."

The butler: "..."

’Was that me being formal?’

Pei Yan had not come empty-handed. He brought New Year’s gifts for Mrs. Mei, Mei Wanying, and Ling.

Nanny Liu, Ding Xiang, and the other servants were each given a handsome sum of silver as a reward.

The rest of the household also shared in the good fortune, and everyone received a gift.

Mei Wanying refused to see Pei Yan and forbade anyone else from attending to him. Unperturbed, Pei Yan simply sat by himself in a pavilion, drinking tea.

The pavilion was perfectly situated, offering a clear view of Mei Wanying’s courtyard.

His wife and daughter were inside, not too far, yet not too close. He knew that if he wished, he could walk right in and see them.

The restlessness surging within Pei Yan gradually subsided.

’Just a little longer.’

’She’ll come out of her courtyard eventually.’

Pei Yan made himself at home, not feeling in the least bit snubbed by the cold reception.

Following behind him, Wei Jue experienced for the first time what it felt like to be too ashamed to even lift his head.

He silently prayed, ’I hope Miss Mei forgives His Highness soon. I can’t take another single day of this disgrace...’

Most importantly, matters back in the Capital City required His Highness’s personal attention.

If Miss Mei didn’t forgive him, His Highness would just linger here indefinitely. If this dragged on, there was no telling what complications might arise.

For reasons both professional and personal, Wei Jue hoped these two masters of his would reconcile as soon as possible.

’Don’t let this delay crucial affairs!’

「Elsewhere」

Ding Xiang approached Mei Wanying, holding what felt like a hot potato.

She looked as if she wanted to cry but had no tears left. "Miss, what am I supposed to do with these two gold ingots?"

She may have loved money, but she knew who her true mistress was.

Pei Yan was clearly trying to buy her off, to get her to sing his praises.

’But she wasn’t going to fall for it!’

Besides, Mrs. Mei and the Young Miss had never treated them poorly; they had already given out their holiday bonuses.

Even the errand runners and chore helpers had received two taels of silver each.

She cursed Pei Yan’s cunning methods under her breath. There was a saying: ’Whoever provides is your mother.’ If this kept up, he’d soon have everyone in the manor bought and paid for.

Upon hearing about Pei Yan’s latest "good deeds," Mei Wanying was no longer as agitated as before.

"If he wants to give it, then just keep it."

She could refuse her own portion of Pei Yan’s gifts, but if she tried to claw back what he’d given to others, wouldn’t that make her the villain?

It was the middle of the New Year’s celebrations, so she would let it slide this time.

If it happened again, she would either deal with Pei Yan himself, or she would deal with the people who accepted his gifts.

This was also an opportunity for her to see who the turncoats were—who could be bought with such small favors.

Mei Wanying was so calm that if Ding Xiang hadn’t personally witnessed her lose control—to the point of being willing to abandon her own child—she would have thought Pei Yan no longer had any effect on her.

Ding Xiang said, "In that case, I’ll keep a close eye on the staff. If anyone dares to do his bidding, I’ll report back to you immediately."

Tucking the gold into her sachet, Ding Xiang began to dress Ling in her new clothes.

New Year’s Eve was an auspicious occasion, a time to wear festive attire.

The fiery red, padded jacket made Ling look just like a little fortune doll.

Ding Xiang was utterly smitten, holding Ling close and refusing to let go.

No wonder that day when Pei Yan saw Ling, after the Young Miss forbade him from holding her, he just stood to the side, watching with such longing.

That look of envy in his eyes... It was almost too pitiful to watch!

Ling was just so lovable.

Just like her mother!

Ling had that sweet, milky baby scent, and her skin was fair and delicate.

Ding Xiang smiled. "She’s like a little mochi ball. I just want to gobble her up with a kiss."

Mei Wanying teased her, "Then I should find you a good husband during the New Year festivities. By this time next year, Ling will have a playmate."

It was rare for Mei Wanying to be in such a relaxed mood, and Ding Xiang had no intention of spoiling it.

She played along, "In that case, Miss, you have to find me a handsome one."

Mei Wanying smiled faintly. "You can’t live on good looks alone."

Ding Xiang gave Mei Wanying a pointed look but said nothing.

Mei Wanying felt uneasy under her gaze. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ding Xiang said meekly, "But you’re the one who likes handsome men..."

’If Pei Yan were even a little bit ugly, there’s no way the Young Miss would have liked him for so long.’

’The man has a vicious tongue and a bizarre temper, but his looks are truly impeccable.’

’He’s tall, dashing, and heroically handsome.’

’And after years on the battlefield, he carries an air completely different from that of other noble scions.’

’Even Mr. Gu, who resembles Pei Yan, pales in presence when compared to him.’

’It’s human nature to be drawn to the powerful; it was only natural for the Young Miss to have fallen for Pei Yan.’

Mei Wanying flushed, using her daughter as a shield to avoid responding to Ding Xiang’s comment.

She took Ling into her arms and placed a tiger-head hat on her.

Looking at her daughter’s adorable, chubby-cheeked appearance, Mei Wanying felt a fresh wave of guilt.

’That day... she shouldn’t have taken her anger out on her daughter.’

’Pei Yan was the one who was wrong. Ling is innocent.’

Thankfully, children are forgetful. Though Ling had cried her little heart out that day, she was back to clinging to Mei Wanying right after having some milk.

Mei Wanying resolved then and there to control her emotions in front of her child and never frighten her like that again.

Just as she had this thought, an errand girl burst in from outside. "Miss, you have to come quickly! Our young master—I mean... His Highness and Mr. Gu are fighting!"

Mei Wanying’s eyelid twitched.

’Whether Pei Yan lived or died was no concern of hers, but she couldn’t just ignore Gu Xun.’

The calm she had just found was once again thrown into turmoil.

Not wanting to frighten her daughter again, Mei Wanying left the child in the room for Ding Xiang to watch.

A small child can’t bear to be parted from its mother.

Seeing the sight of Mei Wanying hurrying away, Ling’s little mouth scrunched up, and she began to wail.

Afraid the crying would upset her mistress further, Ding Xiang quickly scooped up the little one to soothe her.

Ling gazed in the direction her mother had gone, two streams of tears running down her fair, tender cheeks, a truly pitiful sight.