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

The carriage stopped at the entrance of the old residence, and Pei Yan followed closely behind Mei Wanying.

He said with a high-sounding excuse, "I’m going to fix Lingling’s kite."

This time, Mei Wanying didn’t chase him away.

She had made up with Pei Yan, and she felt her mother and the others should know.

They’d been fighting for some time, and although her family hadn’t said anything, they were actually very worried about her.

They didn’t even dare to mention Pei Yan’s name in front of her.

Whenever Pei Yan was involved, the atmosphere at home would turn strange. Mei Wanying didn’t want to live through those kinds of tangled days anymore.

She first took Pei Yan to her mother’s courtyard.

When Mrs. Mei saw them appear together, she was stunned for a moment, then she understood: the "young couple" had reconciled.

"The hour is late. You two should go back and check on Ling. She was just here crying, making a fuss about finding you."

Mei Wanying and Pei Yan hadn’t even sat down before Mrs. Mei was already shooing them away.

If it were any other young man, she would have definitely given him a long talk, telling him to treat Ah Yin with all his heart.

But since the visitor was Pei Yan, there was nothing much to say.

First, his status was special.

Second, his feelings for Ah Yin were plain for all to see. Since they knew him inside and out, there was really no need to nag.

Their relationship looked a bit unconventional, but it was the best possible option under the circumstances.

Ah Yin wouldn’t have to suffer in the depths of the Imperial Palace.

Pei Yan could handle things and was capable of protecting Ah Yin and Ling.

As for everything else, there was no need to demand perfection.

Mrs. Mei didn’t make any demands of Pei Yan, but he still showed his sincerity.

He took a golden plaque engraved with a mark from his robes, presented it to Mrs. Mei with the bow of a junior, and said, "With this item, any request will be granted."

Pei Yan’s words were as good as gold; the weight of this item surpassed countless rare treasures.

This was Pei Yan’s calming pill for the entire Mei family.

In addition to this, he had also prepared Tokens for Ah Yin and Lingling, allowing them to return to the capital at any time and enter and exit the Imperial Palace without obstruction.

To come to his side, Ah Yin wouldn’t need to wait or get anyone’s approval.

She could come whenever she wanted.

The gates of that palace could not stop her.

Mrs. Mei’s expression grew serious. She hadn’t expected Pei Yan to bestow something so important.

She was about to bow in thanks but was stopped by Pei Yan.

"I am entrusting Ah Yin and Lingling to you. I hope you will set your worries aside, take good care of your health, and stay by their side for a long, long time."

This was Ah Yin and Lingling’s only living relative, and Pei Yan hoped Mrs. Mei would live a long life.

Mrs. Mei was visibly moved.

Before, she had always thought Pei Yan was cold-hearted and unfeeling, a stone that could never be warmed.

’Ah Yin was destined to suffer endlessly by being with him.’

Now, Pei Yan had changed.

He was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and his devotion to their Ah Yin was beyond reproach.

Seeing the atmosphere grow emotional, Mei Wanying quickly accepted the golden plaque from Pei Yan.

She instructed Nanny Liu, "Get a box and store this properly."

She shot a glance at Pei Yan. ’He just carries something this important tucked in his robes. Isn’t he afraid of losing it?!’

Pei Yan awkwardly touched the tip of his nose. He hadn’t been sure when he would be allowed into the old residence, so he had to carry it with him at all times.

Keeping it in a box would have been inconvenient, which was why he had tucked it into his robes.

Nanny Liu brought a golden box, placed the item inside, and held it carefully.

’So this is a Death Exemption Token,’ she thought.

Even if the Mei family tore a hole in the heavens, with this thing, they could still survive.

As long as they were alive, they would have a chance to make a comeback.

Mrs. Mei waved her hand. "Your Majesty hasn’t seen Ling in so long, you must miss her. And Ling misses you too. You two, father and daughter, should have a good chat."

Pei Yan nodded. "I have missed her very much."

Without even staying for a cup of tea, the two of them left Mrs. Mei’s courtyard.

Mei Wanying snorted. "You lie without even batting an eye. Have you no shame?"

Pei Yan’s lips curved into a smile. "I simply didn’t deny Mother’s words. That’s not lying."

’His Ah Yin is so clever. She sensed my presence long ago.’

’That’s why she circled back to catch me red-handed.’

The sky had already grown dark.

Pei Yan naturally took Mei Wanying’s hand. "Don’t rush. Let’s walk slowly."

His dry palm pressed against hers.

The path was lined with lanterns, so Mei Wanying didn’t need this "cane," but she didn’t pull her hand away.

She let him lead her, taking the familiar path toward her courtyard.

As they drew closer, she saw several figures standing at the courtyard gate. Mei Wanying squinted, trying to make out who they were, when she heard her daughter’s delighted cry.

"Mama!"

"Papa!"

The little one slid out of Ding Xiang’s arms and, as soon as she found her footing, ran happily toward them.

Knowing that her mother’s eyesight was poor and she couldn’t see well at night, Ling kept calling out "Mama" as she ran.

Mei Wanying didn’t need to look closely; she could tell how far away her daughter was just by the sound of her voice.

Just as she was about to let go of Pei Yan’s hand to bend down and catch her pouncing daughter, the man scooped Ling up first.

His other hand held Mei Wanying’s firmly, not letting go.

Ling was very curious and asked haltingly, "Papa, not going home?"

In Ling’s mind, this was her and Mama’s home. Papa’s home wasn’t here.

It was already dark, so why wasn’t he going home?

Her big eyes were filled with confusion.

Pei Yan lifted his chin, his face full of bliss. "Wherever Lingling and Mama are, that’s where Papa’s home is."

Afraid the little one wouldn’t understand, he added, "Papa’s home."

Ling was still a little confused, but she didn’t dwell on it. With Mama and Papa both by her side, she was just so happy.

The family of three entered the courtyard. Mei Wanying instructed Ding Xiang to have the small kitchen prepare dinner and bring it directly to the main room.

Seeing how excited her daughter was, she knew the girl wouldn’t be sleeping anytime soon, so she let Pei Yan keep her company.

But Pei Yan was very clingy. As important as his daughter was, she couldn’t surpass his Ah Yin.

He asked, "Where are you going? I’ll go with you."

Heat rose on Mei Wanying’s face.

’Is he really that dense, or is he asking a question he already knows the answer to?’

She shot him a glare. "None of your business!"

She ordered someone to bring hot water, then went into the inner room and took off her jewelry.

Then she went to the bathing chamber.

Only then did it dawn on Pei Yan. They hadn’t bathed earlier, merely wiped themselves down with a cloth. She must have felt uncomfortable.

He wanted to bathe too.

’If I go with Ah Yin, they’ll only have to bring hot water once. Not only will it save time and effort, but it will also conserve water.’

’How wonderful.’

But his daughter was staring at him with her big eyes, and he felt too embarrassed to go looking for Ah Yin in the bathing chamber.

He covered Ling’s eyes. "It’s dark now. Time to sleep."

’If the child doesn’t sleep, it will delay my and Ah Yin’s "important business" later.’

Ling thought her papa was playing a game with her. She pulled his big hand away and giggled, her little mouth wide open. She looked even more energetic now, without a hint of sleepiness.

In the bathing chamber, Mei Wanying sent her maids to stand guard at the door while she undressed herself.

Her affair with Pei Yan wasn’t a secret, and there was nothing to hide, but she still felt her face flush.

She shed her clothes and stepped into the tub.

Mei Wanying’s skin was fair and delicate, and the ambiguous marks were all too obvious.

They had been apart for too long; it was inevitable that they couldn’t control their passion.

Having taken this step, Mei Wanying felt as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Soaking in the hot, petal-strewn water, her body and mind relaxed.

As soon as she relaxed, she started to feel sleepy.

Just as she was about to get out of the tub, she heard steady footsteps approaching from outside.