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

Xue Yunshu was quite pleased with herself and took the opportunity to put Xue Xingyao down a notch.

Xue Yunshu truly couldn’t stand these so-called noble ladies, with all their sniveling and crying.

The Old Madam was already annoyed, and now Xue Yunshu was just adding to the chaos.

She barked, "You have no place to speak in this family! Go back to your courtyard, learn your manners properly, and stop bringing shame to the Xue Family!"

Xue Yunshu bit her lip. "Grandmother, please don’t be angry with me. I won’t be so rash next time."

Seeing her petty and graceless demeanor reminded the Old Madam of how that Medical Woman had run off with her son.

A wave of irritation washed over her. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

’If my son hadn’t asked me for help, I never would have given Xue Yunshu this chance to stand out!’

The Old Madam warned her, "Ah Yao is the family’s legitimate daughter, and she has a bright future ahead of her. If you dare to push her around again, don’t blame me for enforcing family discipline."

’A bright future?’

Xue Yunshu sneered inwardly. ’The one Prince Chen has taken a liking to is me, not Xue Xingyao!’

She desperately wanted to tell them the truth, but she was afraid Xue Xingyao would compete with her and ruin her good fortune.

After a moment’s consideration, Xue Yunshu put on a bashful expression and said evasively, "This granddaughter has met Prince Chen once, and we got along very well."

The Old Madam was startled, her anger quickly dissipating. "When did you start associating with His Highness?"

Xue Yunshu looked shy. "It must have been fate. This granddaughter just happened to run into His Highness when I was out."

The Old Madam wanted to ask for more details.

’If Xue Yunshu has truly caught His Highness’s eye, then having Ah Yao marry into the Chen Family wouldn’t be out of the question.’

Nothing was set in stone yet, so they couldn’t go around blabbing about it. Especially when the Royal Family was involved, they had to be discreet and cautious.

She shot Mrs. Xue a look. "I’m going to have a word with Yunshu. You may go back first."

Mrs. Xue had already investigated the matter between Pei Yan and Xue Yunshu.

’A chance encounter, my foot.’

’It was obvious Xue Yunshu had learned her mother’s tricks and was now using them on Prince Chen!’

’He didn’t even pay her any mind, yet she could lie through her teeth without batting an eye.’

’Saying His Highness got along very well with her.’

’Pah!’

’The absolute nerve!’

Since things were moving in the direction she had anticipated, Mrs. Xue didn’t expose Xue Yunshu’s lie.

When the Old Madam spoke, she really did leave.

Upon returning to the main courtyard, she immediately sent a letter to the Chen Family, telling them to come and propose marriage.

Based on her understanding of the Xue Family, as long as the future Xue Yunshu dangled was tempting enough, the Old Madam would surely relent and allow Ah Yao to marry into the Chen Family.

Playing both sides, the Xue Family would be the one to benefit.

Isn’t this what the Old Madam wanted?

As for the Duke, he had wanted Xue Yunshu to be the one to marry into the Prince Chen Mansion all along, which was why he was paving the way for her.

Afraid that people would look down on Xue Yunshu’s background, he wouldn’t even spare her mother’s side of the family, planning to parade the bastard in front of everyone and force them to acknowledge her.

Mrs. Xue was boiling with hatred, but she had no choice but to pinch her nose and accept it.

It didn’t matter if she suffered a little injustice, as long as her own children didn’t fall into a pit of fire for the rest of their lives.

’Perhaps the Empress will be furious. How can they discuss marriage before the outcome is certain?’

’When that time comes, they can just push Xue Yunshu out to bear the brunt of the anger.’

’Who told her to make up stories?’

’She made them think it was Prince Chen’s wish, which is why they had Ah Yao withdraw.’

...

Mei Wanying was in a hurry to leave and ordered her people to pack their belongings through the night.

The storehouse was filled with valuables that certainly couldn’t be left behind in the Capital City.

Although someone would be managing the residence, with the master of the house gone, there was no guarantee that people wouldn’t set their sights on the treasures in the storehouse.

Mei Wanying arranged for guards and even hired Escort Masters to transport the valuables back to Jiangnan in batches.

She and her mother would travel light, which would make the journey much easier and less conspicuous.

Mei Wanying had grown up in a deep-courtyard mansion, but she was no naive little girl who knew nothing of the world.

Otherwise, in her past life, she wouldn’t have dared to run off to the Border to find Pei Yan while pregnant.

’You have to keep a low profile when you’re away from home. If someone targets you, it’ll be big trouble.’

’You also need to bring enough guards, in case of an emergency where you’re completely helpless.’

On the day she was set to leave the capital, Xue Xingyao came to see Mei Wanying off.

The two friends were parting, not knowing when they would see each other again, and both of them had tears welling in their eyes.

Xue Xingyao couldn’t bear to part with Mei Wanying, but she also knew this was the best choice.

The Capital City was fraught with danger. With Uncle Mei gone, those wolves and tigers had bared their fangs, ready to take a vicious bite the moment they had the chance.

"It’s good that you’re leaving. I’m happy for you."

Mei Wanying used a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "We will see each other again."

The world may be vast, but as long as they wanted to meet, that day would eventually come.

Xue Xingyao nodded emphatically. "Definitely!"

Even if Ah Yin didn’t come back to see her, she would go to Jiangnan to see for herself if Ah Yin was doing well.

Mei Wanying gave Ding Xiang a look, and Ding Xiang immediately brought over a box.

The box was carved from Dalbergia odorifera wood. It went without saying that it contained something valuable.

Xue Xingyao asked, "What’s this?"

Mei Wanying handed the box to her. "A dowry gift for you."

When a woman married, friends and relatives would offer dowry gifts. Xue Xingyao and Mei Wanying were bosom buddies, so it was perfectly normal for them to give each other such gifts.

This was a token of Mei Wanying’s affection, so of course Xue Xingyao wouldn’t refuse it.

It had been two years since her coming-of-age ceremony. Once her marriage was arranged, she would be wed soon after.

Cradling the box carefully, Xue Xingyao’s eyes filled with adoration.

She said to Mei Wanying, "On the day you get married, I will personally travel down to Jiangnan to give you your dowry gift."

’Marriage...’ Mei Wanying had no such thoughts, but Empress Gu didn’t trust her, always feeling that she would return to the Capital City to find Pei Yan.

To prevent any future trouble, Empress Gu had already sent word, telling her she absolutely must settle on a marriage.

Mei Wanying thought to herself, ’The Royal Family is really bending over backward worrying about my marriage.’

’If they keep pressuring me, perhaps the day will really come when I get married.’

She smiled and nodded. "I’ll be waiting for you."

Seeing her calm expression, Xue Xingyao truly believed that her dear sister was determined to let go of Pei Yan.

Hugging Mei Wanying, Xue Xingyao said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Xue Yunshu made up a story and has my grandmother and my father wrapped around her little finger."

"You know how my father was tricked by that Medical Woman and eloped with her. They think Pei Yan is just like my father, that he likes that ’special’ type of woman."

"Now, all of them think that Pei Yan fell for Xue Yunshu at first sight. They believe that with a little more push from the family, they can elevate Xue Yunshu to that position."

"No one will ever love Pei Yan the way you did. Losing you is his loss!"

Xue Yunshu is full of schemes, and her ambition is higher than the sky. From the day she returned to the Xue Family, she never gave up on climbing to a higher branch.

Her unrestrained words and actions were just her method.

She knew her birth was humble and she couldn’t compare to the noble ladies, so she deliberately used this method to appear special.

When it came down to it, she just wanted to attract men’s attention.

She really did learn everything from her mother!

The thought of Xue Yunshu deliberately blocking Pei Yan’s carriage and then shamelessly fabricating such a brilliant story made Xue Xingyao want to laugh.

"If he really marries a creature like that, Pei Yan’s good days will be over!"

Mei Wanying didn’t care who he was going to marry.

Be it Xue Yunshu or some noble lady from another family.

It had nothing to do with her anymore.

She and Pei Yan should never have crossed paths in the first place. Now, they were just returning to their respective places.

Mei Wanying patted the back of Xue Xingyao’s hand. "I’m leaving now, Ah Yao. I hope everything goes smoothly for you."

Xue Xingyao’s eyes reddened again. "I wish you the same."

The moment of parting had finally arrived.

Mei Wanying stepped onto the carriage stool. Just as she was about to duck into the carriage, a sharp voice called out.

"Miss Mei, receive the edict from the Empress Dowager!"