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

Thanks to the Empress Dowager’s intervention, the Emperor ultimately decided against deposing the Crown Prince.

But letting the matter slide was out of the question. How could he possibly save face?

The Crown Prince was placed under house arrest again, and the Emperor also made an example of the Crown Princess Consort’s family, who had clearly sided with him.

He found faults with several key officials in their faction and had them demoted.

An old case involving the Crown Princess Consort’s brother embezzling relief silver was brought to light, and he was promptly banished to a remote post.

The Emperor was truly furious.

This series of punishments dealt a crippling blow to the Crown Prince.

Pull one thread, and the whole thing unravels.

The Crown Prince’s supporters were all on edge, terrified the fire would spread to them. They had no choice but to keep their heads down and behave.

The Crown Prince was seriously injured, and with so many eyes on him, it would not be easy to make any moves for some time.

Even before Pei Yan was officially recognized by the Royal Family, the Crown Prince had heard tales of his valor and prowess in battle.

Back then, he had greatly admired Pei Yan and had even planned to give him a position of great importance once he ascended the throne.

Who would have thought that after all the twists and turns, Pei Yan would turn out to be his blood-related cousin—and his rival.

Every clash left the Crown Prince feeling defeated.

’Am I really no match for Pei Yan?’ 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

’But this empire was supposed to be my father’s!’

’Pei Yan’s father stole the throne from my father, and now Pei Yan is here to steal what’s mine.’

The Crown Prince gritted his teeth in hatred.

He slammed the medicine bowl to the ground, his expression sinister. "Pei Yan, this doesn’t end until one of us is dead!"

His expression was so cold and sinister that the Crown Princess Consort’s hair stood on end.

She braced herself and offered some comfort. "Your Highness, please don’t be angry. Pei Yan is just a brute who only knows how to lead troops into battle. As long as you remain patient, he is no match for you."

’Although Pei Yan is the Emperor’s biological son, his foundation isn’t as deep as the Crown Prince’s.’

’The Empress Dowager and most of the Imperial Family support the Crown Prince.’

’If it really came down to a bitter fight, it’s still uncertain who would win.’

Having clashed with Pei Yan several times, the Crown Prince knew exactly how difficult his enemy was.

The Crown Princess Consort’s words didn’t comfort him in the slightest; they only fanned the flames of his anger.

’Pei Yan knows how to lead troops, and his prestige in the army is extremely high. That’s exactly what I fear the most!’

He shot a cool glance at the Crown Princess Consort. "A woman’s short-sightedness. If you don’t understand the situation, keep your mouth shut."

The Crown Princess Consort felt aggrieved.

’My marriage into the Eastern Palace was a desperate measure. Before the imperial edict for the marriage arrived, my older sister was framed by our father’s concubine, and her reputation was ruined.’

’There was no other choice. I had to take my sister’s place and marry into the Eastern Palace.’

’Ever since I was little, my family said I was too soft-hearted and not very bright. They never expected me to bring glory to the family.’

’My destiny was supposed to be marrying a carefree young master from a family of similar standing.’

’I am the second legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Above me are my brother, on whom the family places great hope, and my well-read, sensible older sister. Below me is my favored younger brother. Stuck in the middle, I was even less conspicuous than the daughter of my father’s favorite concubine.’

’And yet, someone like me was the one who married into the Eastern Palace.’

’The Crown Prince is arrogant and untamable, his actions are absurd, and his moods are unpredictable. I am his wife, but I dare not meddle in his affairs.’

’I’ve watched as new women were brought into the Eastern Palace one after another, and I’ve heard rumors that His Highness has a new love interest outside the palace walls.’

’Still, I don’t dare say a word.’

’I’m afraid that if I displease His Highness, I won’t even be able to hold onto my position as Crown Princess Consort.’

’Even with her reputation ruined, my sister still found a husband in the Third Place In The Imperial Examination. But if I am cast aside by the Crown Prince, I will truly have nothing left.’

This time, His Highness snuck out of the Eastern Palace and got involved with the Mei family’s daughter, implicating the Prime Minister’s Mansion in the process.

’My family sent me a letter, blaming me for failing to capture His Highness’s heart and letting him be bewitched by that vixen outside.’

’For Mei Wanying’s sake, His Highness provoked Pei Yan time and again, and the result was clear for all to see: our side suffered devastating losses.’

’In the letter, my family told me to serve His Highness well. They said if I don’t get my act together, they will send a few of my younger, distant cousins into the Eastern Palace to serve him alongside me, just so he’ll forget Mei Wanying.’

’I’ve seen Mei Wanying before. She has the face of a goddess, more delicate than any flower. Her personality is so charmingly innocent; one look and you can tell she’s a precious pearl, raised doted upon and cherished.’

’After three years in mourning, she’s become more composed, not as bubbly as she used to be.’

’Mei Wanying is just too beautiful. Whether she’s being playful or demure, her beauty is impossible to ignore.’

’Whenever she appears, everything else pales in comparison.’

’Countless men in the Capital City admire her, but they don’t dare pursue her for fear of offending the Royal Family.’

’Could the Crown Prince really forget such a peerless beauty?’

The Crown Princess Consort bit her lip, concealing her thoughts.

She poured another bowl of medicine. "Your Highness, let me help you with your medicine. You must get well soon, otherwise the child and I will worry."

Not long after marrying into the Eastern Palace, the Crown Princess Consort had borne the Crown Prince a son.

A son, no less.

At the mention of the child, the Crown Prince showed no reaction. The boy was merely a tool to consolidate his power.

’Fatherly love?’

’What’s that?’

’I don’t have any.’

When he was in a good mood, he would play with the child for a bit. When he was in a bad mood, even the sound of the child’s whimpering annoyed him.

And right now, his mood was foul.

The woman before him was still chattering on. "After you take your medicine, I’ll have someone bring the child. You wouldn’t know it, Your Highness, but he’s gotten so much chubbier lately, like a plump little rice dumpling. He’s so adorable..."

"Shut up."

The Crown Prince’s brow was deeply furrowed, his face a mask of irritation.

The Crown Princess Consort immediately fell silent, a bitter sorrow welling up in her heart.

’Not only am I not loved by my husband, but he doesn’t even care for the child I bore him.’

’For a moment, I couldn’t decide who was more pitiful—me or my son.’

’But then I remembered that he doesn’t care for any of the children born in the Eastern Palace, and some of the gloom in my heart dissipated.’

’Perhaps the entire Pei Family is like this, each one more cold and heartless than the last.’

’Look at Pei Yan. He’s the same.’

’The Mei family raised him, yet he would rather let Mei Wanying be ridiculed and hounded by the Crown Prince than agree to marry her.’

’His heart is truly cold and hard as stone.’

’That entire family is the same!’

A thousand thoughts twisted in her mind, but since the Crown Prince had told her to shut up, she didn’t dare utter another word.

She could only silently scoop up a spoonful of the medicinal broth, blow on it to cool it, and bring it to the Crown Prince’s lips.

She whispered, "Your Highness, your medicine."

She spoke in a soft, delicate voice, her gaze lowered in submission. With her pretty, docile features, she looked like a spineless clay doll.

The Crown Prince looked down his nose at her, finding her utterly dull.

’Mei Wanying is delicate too, but her eyes hold a fearless spark. She’s fundamentally different from other women.’

’If Mei Wanying were the one I married, if she were the one who bore my child, I think I would have a little more patience.’

’After all, the one Mei Wanying loves is Pei Yan. Conquering her would bring a great sense of accomplishment.’

’And having a child would be like putting a leash on her.’

’No matter how much she likes Pei Yan, she would have to stay by my side for the child’s sake.’

’Mei Wanying would be living in misery, and as for Pei Yan... as her former child husband, the one who dragged her into this mess, he wouldn’t be feeling too good either, would he?’

His long fingers brushed against the gauze on his shoulder, and the Crown Prince sneered inwardly.

’He shouldn’t think I’ll give up just like that.’

’Mei Wanying will be mine, and Pei Yan’s life... that will be mine too!’

Ignoring the medicine the Crown Princess Consort held to his lips, the man’s expression was cold and cruel.

"Get out!"