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

Mei Wanying was terrified. The moment she saw Pei Yan, the taut string of her nerves suddenly went slack.

Help had arrived...

Mei Wanying’s tears fell even faster.

"What took you so long?"

His sharp gaze swept over her from head to toe. Seeing no blisters on her, his tense nerves relaxed slightly.

Holding his daughter in one arm, he freed his other hand to wipe the tear tracks from Mei Wanying’s face.

Pei Yan said softly, "It’s my fault. I came too late."

Heaven knew how terrified he was when he received the news on the road that Lingling was gravely ill.

His limbs had gone weak, and he could barely hold the reins. He, a man who had galloped across battlefields for years, had nearly fallen from his horse.

He had known this same terror when Ah Yin was abducted.

He wished he could sprout wings and fly to Ah Yin and Lingling’s side in an instant.

Held by a scowling stranger, Ling wailed in fear, but after a few sobs, she was too weak to cry anymore.

Pei Yan soothed her. "Daddy’s here. Don’t be afraid."

Ling gazed up at Pei Yan with tear-filled eyes, her little nose red as she cried in hiccuping sobs. She looked utterly pitiful.

With his wife and daughter both in tears, the man’s own eyes reddened, a thin film of moisture welling up within them.

’There’s no one in this world who loves Ling more than Ah Yin,’ he thought. ’With our child so gravely ill, Ah Yin must be terrified.’

Pei Yan reassured Mei Wanying, "I brought the Imperial Physician. Lingling will be all right."

The little one had blisters on her face and body. To prevent her from scratching when she grew uncomfortable, her small hands were covered with mittens.

Even as she cried, Mei Wanying didn’t forget to gently hold her daughter’s little hands, keeping her from rubbing and breaking the blisters.

This was not the right time for conversation.

Mei Wanying sniffled and said in a trembling voice, "Quick, have the Imperial Physician look at Ling."

’The Household Doctor’s skills are superb, but with one more expert to treat Ling, her chances of recovery will be even higher.’

With her daughter’s life at stake, Mei Wanying would not push Pei Yan away at a time like this.

In fact... deep down, she relied on Pei Yan. She always felt that with him by her side, any storm could be weathered.

The Imperial Physician, who had been a few steps behind, hurried over. "Your Majesty, please leave this to your humble servant. You must withdraw at once, lest you harm your imperial health."

This kind of illness could be fatal to a child!

Even an adult caring for the child, no matter how strong their constitution, could be infected.

Anyone else could look after the child, but not the Emperor. He was the ruler of the realm; how could he be tied down by a small child?

If something were to happen to the Emperor, the realm would descend into chaos once more.

The Imperial Physician was experienced and had seen much of the world. He had encountered similar situations before, but this was the first time he had ever seen an emperor personally stand vigil over a child.

’The rumors are true,’ he thought. ’Miss Mei and the child she bore are truly the apple of the Emperor’s eye.’

’If I fail to cure the young mistress, I fear the Emperor will be consumed by rage!’

Pei Yan ignored the pointless chatter. "You must cure the Little Princess. There can be no mistakes!"

Those two words, "Little Princess," affirmed Ling’s status.

Even though she had not returned to the capital or lived in the Imperial Palace, the honor that was rightfully hers would not be denied.

The expressions of everyone present shifted.

The Imperial Physician bowed. "This servant will do everything in my power to ensure the Princess’s well-being!"

The man carefully placed Ling back on the couch. Without needing a reminder from Mei Wanying, he was careful to avoid her blisters.

He murmured softly, "When you’re all better, Daddy will take Lingling horseback riding and teach you archery."

Ling was listless, and it was unclear if she had even heard him. Pei Yan’s heart ached.

He stepped back of his own accord to stand beside Mei Wanying, making way for the Imperial Physician.

The Imperial Physician immediately stepped forward to examine Ling. The Household Doctor was also present and explained Ling’s condition in detail to him.

Treating the sick was a task for which Mei Wanying and Pei Yan were not equipped. As parents, the only thing they could do was stay by their child’s side.

Pei Yan knew Mei Wanying’s temperament; she wouldn’t leave until their child was out of danger, so he didn’t try to persuade her otherwise.

His palm enveloped Mei Wanying’s hand, and he felt her body trembling.

’She’s truly terrified.’

The hand holding hers tightened as Pei Yan offered her silent comfort.

He was here.

He would always be here.

’Ah Yin can rely on me. She doesn’t have to keep putting up a brave front.’

When he felt the hand in his palm stir, Pei Yan instinctively thought Mei Wanying was trying to pull away.

He didn’t want to let go. This was the woman he had yearned for for so long, but he couldn’t bring himself to force her at a time like this.

Ling was not yet out of danger. Who had the heart for romance at a time like this?

So, he could only loosen his grip.

He didn’t let go completely, but if Mei Wanying wished to break free, she could now do so with ease.

The soft hand stirred, and a warm sensation spread from where their skin touched.

Pei Yan froze, his face a mask of confusion and shock.

’Ah Yin... isn’t resisting my touch?’

’She’s pressing her palm against mine?’

Something this wonderful was a wish he had only ever seen fulfilled in his dreams.

He didn’t dare lower his eyes to confirm, merely tightening his grip on the soft hand within his own.

If this was a dream, he was more than willing to lose himself in it...

Perhaps it was Pei Yan’s timely arrival that had eased Mei Wanying’s fear.

Or perhaps his repeated overtures had finally shaken her resolve.

Her mind was a chaotic mess, her thoughts a tangled knot, but her body had already made its choice.

She had squeezed his hand back.

The man’s grip tightened, and a sharp pang of pain brought Mei Wanying abruptly back to her senses.

By the time she thought to pull away, it was too late.

Even when she had been cold and hard, Pei Yan had been brazen enough to pester her. Now that she had made a move, there was no way he would let go.

His grip was strong, and Mei Wanying’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

Before she could cry out in pain, he had already loosened his grip, gently caressing her hand with his thumb as if to soothe her.

Pei Yan finally dared to look down.

At the end of his gaze, her fair hand still rested in his palm, her skin against his.

It was not a hallucination.

The man’s eyelashes trembled, his Adam’s apple bobbed, and he squeezed their joined hands once more.

This time, he controlled his strength and was careful not to hurt her.

Pei Yan’s eyes grew moist, the corners turning red.

’Has Ah Yin forgiven me?’

Pei Yan knew perfectly well that it was only his fortunate timing today that had made Mei Wanying rely on him.

But no matter the reason, now that Ah Yin had taken the first step, he would not allow her to retreat!

The Imperial Physician diagnosed Ling’s condition and went to personally prepare and brew the medicine.

Mei Wanying dismissed Ding Xiang and the other attendants, leaving only the family of three in the room.

She did not tell Pei Yan to leave.

Call her selfish or call her foolish, but Pei Yan was Ling’s father. At a time like this, Mei Wanying wanted him to stay.

She and Ling both needed him.

Ling was drowsy, her small face still streaked with tears.

Pei Yan sat on the edge of the couch. He had Mei Wanying hold their daughter’s little hands while he applied the medicine to Ling.

The medicine had to be applied. For one, it would relieve the itching, and for another, it would prevent the blisters from festering and leaving scars.

As he applied the medicine, Pei Yan blew on her skin gently. The man who was so cold and aloof to the world now revealed his tender side.

At this moment, he was not the powerful New Emperor, but an ordinary father.

After finishing with the medicine, Pei Yan took out two peace charms meant to ward off evil. There was one for Mei Wanying and one for their daughter, which he had prayed for before leaving the capital.

Previously, he would have thought such things foolish.

But for Mei Wanying and Ling, he did so gladly.

He had knelt before the gods, praying that his wife and daughter would be safe and sound, always!