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

Xue Xingyao didn’t want to waste any more time on Chen Shujing.

After her mother’s birthday celebration, she was going to the Xu Family to work as a tutor.

This was the first time she had ever stepped out of the inner courtyard to earn a living. Even though it wouldn’t bring in many Silver Tael, the matter was deeply significant to Xue Xingyao.

She had finally found her own worth.

The books she had read, the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting she had learned, her skills in managing a household and its accounts—none of it was just for the sake of marrying into a good family and being someone’s virtuous wife anymore.

The invisible ropes that bound her had loosened. A sense of longing grew in Xue Xingyao’s heart; she yearned to break free and see what the world outside was truly like.

Xue Xingyao didn’t want to waste her energy on meaningless people and matters.

She was completely done with Chen Shujing. She had no desire to even sit down and talk with him.

There had been nothing left for them to say to each other for a long time.

’I should write a letter to my former mother-in-law,’ she mused. ’No matter what it takes, I hope Madam Chen will get Chen Shujing to go home.’

He needed to stop appearing before her.

She wouldn’t bother saving Chen Shujing’s face. If this affair turned into a farce, it would be the Chen Family’s reputation that was damaged.

The Chen Family was a prominent, noble family, a family of esteemed scholars. Xue Xingyao knew exactly what they cared about.

With nothing to lose, she wasn’t afraid of embarrassment or losing her dignity.

Perhaps Chen Shujing wasn’t afraid either, but the family behind him would not let him act so foolishly.

He was the eldest son of the primary wife, the family’s successor. He had always followed the rules, unlike the reckless Pei Yan, who did as he pleased.

If an elder stepped in to restrain him, he would be leaving Jiangnan before long.

Not wanting her dear friend to be troubled, Mei Wanying said, "How about I send some people to escort him away by force?"

Xue Xingyao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’My friend’s methods are getting more and more like that scoundrel Pei Yan’s,’ she thought.

’Why waste words when you can use your hands? Isn’t that exactly Pei Yan’s style?’

But then she remembered that her friend and Pei Yan had had a falling out and still hadn’t reconciled, so Xue Xingyao swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.

She wasn’t about to bring up a sore subject.

She only said, "Just ignore him. Some people get even more worked up the more attention you give them."

Before Mei Wanying could reply, Ling nodded with great earnestness. "Wight~"

That made Xue Xingyao burst out laughing.

The frustration bottled up in her chest began to dissipate.

She pinched Ling’s little cheek. "So clever. Who do you get that from, hm?"

Ling sat on Mei Wanying’s lap, nestled obediently in her mother’s arms, and stammered, "Mama~"

Xue Xingyao clicked her tongue in amazement. ’Such a little person, and she already understands what people are saying.’

’The child is bright, and her father is the ruler of the world. Ling is probably destined for great things in the future!’

Xue Xingyao leaned toward Ling’s tiny shoulder. "Auntie will be counting on you to back her up from now on..."

The little one’s neck was so short it was barely visible, and her shoulders were too narrow for Xue Xingyao to lean on. So she nuzzled Ling’s little face instead.

This sent the little one into a fit of giggles, and a string of drool, like a crystal pendant, trickled from the corner of her mouth, nearly dripping onto Xue Xingyao.

Mei Wanying quickly took out a handkerchief and caught her daughter’s "crystal pendant."

"Backing people up is for later. The urgent matter right now is learning to control her drool."

Xue Xingyao couldn’t stop laughing. "Our Ling’s drool smells milky and sweet, not like those other filthy, stinky things."

Mrs. Xue watched them with a gentle smile, but upon hearing this, she shot her daughter a reproachful look. "Watch your words. Don’t be a bad influence on the child."

Xue Xingyao said, "Our Ling is a clever girl. She’s not so easily corrupted."

Mrs. Xue replied, "You should still be careful with your words, lest they get out and cause a misunderstanding."

Chen Shujing had visited, and Ah Yao had thrown out everything he brought.

If Chen Shujing were to hear that comment about "filthy, stinky things," he might think Ah Yao was cursing him. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Xue Xingyao didn’t respond, teasing Ling a little more instead.

The congratulatory gifts had been delivered and the meal eaten. Before night fell, Mei Wanying left the Xue Family with her child.

No sooner had she left than Xue Xingyao’s letter was sent off to the Chen Family.

There was no curfew in the city. The night market was bustling, its lanterns brightly lit.

It was a rare outing for Ling, and she found everything fascinating.

Leaning against the carriage window, she pointed with her little hand, wanting this and that.

Mei Wanying doted on her daughter, and since these were not excessive demands, she naturally indulged her.

She took her daughter down from the carriage to walk slowly, with maids, old serving women, and guards following closely behind.

She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but Mei Wanying kept feeling that someone was watching them.

While picking out a glass lantern for Ling, she turned to the side and scanned the area.

And then she saw Wei Jue, who even clasped his hands in a respectful greeting to her.

The long street was crowded with people. Perhaps feeling uneasy, Wei Jue stopped following from a distance and revealed himself openly.

Mei Wanying looked away.

Ding Xiang also saw Wei Jue and thought to herself, ’The Emperor left his most trusted man behind. Who would believe him when he said he would let go and never appear again?’

’As soon as he has a moment to spare, that man will come down to Jiangnan.’

’I just wonder if the Young Miss will change her mind?’

After a stroll through the night market, Mei Wanying had bought many things for Ling.

A glass lantern, spun sugar figurines, a clay auspicious beast... she bought everything Ling’s little finger pointed at.

She even bought a kite.

When the weather was good, Mei Wanying wanted to take her daughter on an outing outside the city.

No matter what had happened between her and Pei Yan, she didn’t want it to affect her daughter.

Mei Wanying didn’t want Ling to have to cry with her again.

Wei Jue followed them, vigilantly watching the movements of everyone around.

Only when Mei Wanying and Ling had returned safely to their residence did Wei Jue relax.

He turned and returned to the residence across the street to write a letter to his master.

He reported every single detail, no matter how small.

Even the fact that Mei Wanying had glanced at Shen Mingji a couple of extra times was included in Wei Jue’s letter.

And of course, he didn’t forget to mention Ling mistaking someone for another person.

...

From the moment she had written the divorce paper, Xue Xingyao had never thought of turning back.

Chen Shujing chasing her to Jiangnan filled her with nothing but annoyance.

Therefore, when Chen Shujing cornered her at her front door, she didn’t spare him a single glance.

She moved to walk around him and board her own carriage.

A hand grabbed her wrist.

Xue Xingyao shook it off without hesitation. "Heir Chen, we are already divorced. If you don’t know what ’divorced’ means, I suggest you find a doctor and get your brain checked!"

Xue Xingyao had never been a good-tempered person.

Even though the Duke Mansion had fallen and she was a divorced woman, her temper remained. Its sharp edges had not been worn smooth.

Her gaze, as she looked at Chen Shujing, was laced with ice, without a single trace of lingering affection.

The Xue Xingyao who had fallen in love with Chen Shujing at first sight was completely gone.

The man was stunned, and in that moment of hesitation, Xue Xingyao had already boarded the carriage.

Sitting inside the carriage, her slender hand resting on the curtain, she said, "I don’t fall for that persistent pestering act, and I will never go back. Heir Chen, I hope you will act with some dignity."

"Don’t make me feel like I must have been blind to fall for you at first sight."

The carriage gradually pulled away.

From beginning to end, Chen Shujing didn’t even have a chance to speak.

He looked lost. "Does it really not work?"

But that other man had used this exact method to move into the Mei Family’s old house.

He’d heard that he even reconciled with Miss Mei for a while, only getting sent back to the Capital City after he did something wrong.

A thought surfaced in Chen Shujing’s mind. ’Is it because... because my child with Ah Yao is gone? Is that why Ah Yao won’t forgive me?’

’Time can’t be turned back. What can I do to give Ah Yao a child and make things right?’