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

Pei Yan was not in the Capital City, and his return date was uncertain.

Fortunately, Empress Gu and the Gu Family gave him their full support, and his subordinates were fiercely loyal, helping him secure his position.

But the escape of the Useless Crown Prince had given Empress Gu a profound sense of crisis. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

’The Useless Crown Prince’s supporters must be executed as soon as possible.’

’Any delay could bring new complications. There can be no more mistakes.’

Empress Gu had already conferred with her court officials and made a decision on how those people should be executed.

The Xue Family, however, required further consideration.

Xue Xingyao was in possession of a letter from Pei Yan, a fact that many people were aware of.

’It seems Ah Yan intends to show them mercy.’

Pei Yan had only recently deposed the Useless Crown Prince to become the Crown Prince himself. Now was the perfect time to establish his authority.

But Xue Xingyao and Mei Wanying were close friends. If he spared Xue Xingyao’s mother and siblings, it would inevitably attract accusations of favoritism.

Empress Gu worried this would be detrimental to her son.

Mrs. Feng said, "His Highness has his own plans. While it is a time to establish authority, it’s also a good opportunity to show benevolence and win the people’s hearts."

"In the Xue Family’s case, the ones who deserve severe punishment are Duke Xue and his illegitimate son of questionable birth."

The Xue Family had no intention of rebelling; even Duke Xue lacked the courage for it.

Unfortunately, his foolishness implicated his entire clan.

Empress Gu replied, "Even if we show mercy, we need a good pretext. Otherwise, we will fail to convince the public."

The great clans had always risen and fallen together.

’If we make an exception this time, will we be expected to make one next time?’

Xue Xingyao was still in the Capital City, so Empress Gu decided to summon her.

"She was the daughter-in-law I originally had my eye on," the Empress said with a hint of pique. "A pity she was ungrateful and insisted on that boy from the Chen Family. Well, look at her now. With her family in ruins, the only one who can help her is Ah Yan."

’His Highness is a ruthless man himself, so it’s not a matter of kindness,’ Mrs. Feng thought.

’It’s all because that girl from the Mei family is so capable.’

’She hasn’t just bewitched the Crown Prince, making him travel all the way to Jiangnan to find her; now even her friend is receiving his protection.’

’With a close friend like Mei Wanying, Miss Xue has struck gold.’

’As long as Mei Wanying remains in favor, Xue Xingyao can continue to live in splendor, even with her own family’s downfall.’

She said aloud, "Heir Chen is no match for our Crown Prince. His Highness values loyalty and relationships. Miss Xue must have been blind to choose such a fickle man."

"That Heir Chen... I hear he’s withdrawn all his support. People are kicking Miss Xue while she’s down, saying she’s about to be thrown out of the Chen Family."

Reputation is everything, after all.

For a noble lady like Xue Xingyao, being ridiculed like this was probably a fate worse than death.

With her family fallen, she had no choice but to endure it.

She must be feeling utterly humiliated.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Empress Gu was too busy. She had to personally oversee both the imperial court and the Harem and had long had no time for such trivial matters.

Mrs. Feng relayed Xue Xingyao’s recent circumstances to the Empress.

She had paid closer attention to the matter precisely because Xue Xingyao was Mei Wanying’s friend.

"I wonder if she regrets her choice now," the Empress mused.

Not that Empress Gu truly cared about Xue Xingyao’s feelings.

She snorted. "Mei Wanying is a formidable one. She has Ah Yan completely wrapped around her little finger. Xue Xingyao must know her personality; she would never dare compete with her for a man."

Mrs. Feng nodded. "That is true."

’Mei Wanying might look delicate, but she has a spine of steel,’ Mrs. Feng thought. ’She’s not one to be trifled with.’

’No wonder the people sent to Jiangnan came back with their tails between their legs.’

’That Mei Wanying is truly no simple woman.’

At the mention of Mei Wanying, Empress Gu took out a portrait of young Ling to look at.

The more she looked, the fonder she grew, wishing she could bring the little baby back to the palace and raise her personally.

"I wonder if Lingling’s eyes are alright. I hope she didn’t inherit Mei Wanying’s... condition."

"They all say she’s fine, but until I see Lingling with my own eyes, I can’t help but worry."

The chubby baby in the portrait had bright, spirited eyes. As Empress Gu traced a finger over the image, her own eyes filled with loving affection.

’What a lovely child, like a little cherub.’

’A pity she’s a girl.’

The saying goes that a mother’s status is elevated by her son, but Empress Gu felt the truth was the other way around: a son’s status was elevated by his mother.

Unless... a man was incapable of fathering a son.

But that was a rare occurrence.

Ah Yan cared so deeply for Mei Wanying. If Lingling had been a boy, she feared Ah Yan would have handed the entire empire over to the child.

Empress Gu sighed. "But he must have a son."

Mrs. Feng thought the Empress was once again entertaining the idea of choosing consorts for the Crown Prince.

She reminded her cautiously, "His Highness’s heart belongs entirely to Mei Wanying. I’m afraid he has no intention of marrying."

Empress Gu had tried everything, yet she had failed to make Mei Wanying disappear from their lives completely.

She relented. "If he wants to marry Mei Wanying, then let him. It’s better than him holing up in Jiangnan and refusing to return. What would people say?"

In all her years, Empress Gu had never seen such a foolishly besotted child.

’Willing to give up the empire for a woman... he’s become dangerously obsessed!’

’It’s better to channel a river than to dam it. I might as well grant his wish.’

’This way, I won’t have to keep playing the villain and risk being alienated by my own son.’

"Once he marries Mei Wanying and gets this obsession out of his system, perhaps he won’t be so resistant to other women," she said.

"At that time, I can select other well-bred young ladies for him to ensure the continuation of the imperial line."

...

When Xue Xingyao received the verbal summons to the palace from the Empress, she was filled with anxiety.

She feared more trouble was brewing.

Chen Shujing had withdrawn his men, and those on good terms with the Chen Family had all cut ties with her.

If not for the help of Mei Wanying and Pei Yan, she would have been truly isolated and helpless.

Rumors were spreading throughout the Capital City that Xue Xingyao was about to be divorced by Chen Shujing.

An old rival had even mocked her in public, calling her an abandoned wife and saying that if she had any backbone, she should die with her family.

In the past, Xue Xingyao would have put her in her place.

But now that she had lost her standing, she had no choice but to endure it.

Xue Xingyao was certain Chen Shujing was doing this intentionally.

He was pressuring her, trying to make her see how pathetic her life would be without the protection of the Chen Family.

And, just as he’d wished, she had been utterly humiliated in front of old acquaintances, her dignity stripped from her and trampled into the dust.

This incident finally revealed to Xue Xingyao the true depths of Chen Shujing’s arrogance.

’He’s absolutely certain I’ll give in!’

Xue Xingyao’s resolve to seek a divorce grew stronger.

’I am not willing—and I will not—remain married to a man who seeks to crush me!’

’Human nature can’t withstand such tests. If I debase myself, kneeling to beg for a man’s protection and favor, then my life is truly over.’

’My family is ruined, my child is gone,’ Xue Xingyao thought. ’What else do I have to lose?’

’Chen Shujing’s tactics are useless against me!’

Lost in her turbulent thoughts, Xue Xingyao entered the palace and came before the mother of the nation, Empress Gu.

Xue Xingyao composed herself and curtsied deeply. "The daughter of a disgraced official pays her respects to the Empress. Your Majesty."

She had called herself the daughter of a disgraced official, not a wife of the Chen Family. Empress Gu and Mrs. Feng exchanged a look.

’Could it be? Does she really intend to leave the Chen Family?’

The Empress disliked rebellious girls, and Mei Wanying was a prime example.

’So shameless, constantly pestering Ah Yan.’

’Causing such a scandal that the whole city knew she would marry no one but him.’

’How could a young woman be so brazen? Weren’t her parents ashamed?’

But Empress Gu also admired people with backbone, and her impression of Xue Xingyao improved.

She hesitated no longer.

’I’ll listen to Ah Yan this time and grant her this.’

"Miss Xue," the Empress said, her voice cool. "If you wish to save your relatives, you will have to endure great physical suffering. You might even lose your life. Do you still wish to save them?"

Empress Gu already had a plan in mind; it all depended on whether Xue Xingyao had the courage.

Xue Xingyao’s eyes lit up.

She gathered her skirts and knelt decisively before Empress Gu. "I will!"