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

The restaurant was doing a booming business, and it was impossible for an ordinary person to book a private room.

For one, the prices were exorbitant.

For another, the private rooms were reserved exclusively for the nobility.

Mei Wanying and Xue Xingyao were noble ladies of the Capital City. Even though they hadn’t made a reservation, the manager was willing to curry favor with them.

The guests for one of the rooms had a last-minute cancellation, so it was perfect to offer it to the two ladies.

Just as he was about to lead them upstairs, a young busboy came running down, winking at him incessantly.

The manager was a shrewd man and immediately understood. The personage upstairs was making things convenient for the young lady from the General Mansion.

"This way, please, ladies."

The manager’s smile was warm—excessively so.

Xue Xingyao whispered to Mei Wanying, "Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?"

Mei Wanying nodded silently.

She also felt that something was amiss.

It wasn’t until they reached the top floor and saw Wei Jue standing guard outside a private room that she understood her unease.

Pei Yan was here, too.

He was probably the one who had arranged for them to come upstairs.

Wei Jue cupped his fist in greeting. "His Highness has already given the order for one of every signature dish. Miss Mei, is there anything else you require?"

Mei Wanying shook her head. "Please thank His Highness on my behalf."

A finger tickled her palm. Xue Xingyao whispered, "What is Pei Yan up to?"

How could that scoundrel be so kind?

’He isn’t thinking of making a move on Ah Yin now that he’s seen her beauty, is he?’

’Why else would he be so attentive?’

Xue Xingyao had no dealings with Pei Yan, but she knew he always avoided Mei Wanying. Whenever Mei Wanying was around, he’d act like he wanted to be a million miles away.

Today was just too strange!

"Something this strange must mean trouble."

Mei Wanying couldn’t fathom Pei Yan’s intentions, nor did she want to waste her energy trying.

She squeezed Xue Xingyao’s hand in return. "His Highness means well. Don’t overthink it."

After nodding at Wei Jue, she led Xue Xingyao into the adjacent private room.

Xue Xingyao was completely on edge. "Is he really being that kind? He’s not going to poison us, is he?"

Mei Wanying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "What good would that do him?"

She wasn’t pestering Pei Yan anymore.

Now that she was being so sensible, he ought to be pleased. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have arranged a room for them.

Given his usual temperament, Pei Yan would have just ignored them completely.

’Arranging a private room and a meal must be his reward for my good sense,’ Mei Wanying thought.

Xue Xingyao said, "He’s being too attentive for no reason. He’s either a scoundrel or up to no good!"

With a fair hand, Mei Wanying picked up the teapot and poured her friend a cup. "Calm yourself."

Xue Xingyao gave her a searching look. "Aren’t you curious what game Pei Yan is playing?"

"Not at all."

Mei Wanying’s expression was serene, a far cry from the past when her eyes would light up at the mere mention of Pei Yan’s name.

It was only at this moment that Xue Xingyao truly believed that her dear friend was really letting Pei Yan go.

She wasn’t just throwing a fit, nor was this some feigned retreat as a tactic to advance.

’How could it be easy to let go of someone you’ve loved for so many years?’

’Ah Yin must be in so much pain to have made this choice.’

Squeezing Mei Wanying’s hand, Xue Xingyao said, "You’ll meet a better man and live happily ever after! Let Pei Yan live to regret this, and may he end up all alone!"

The walls had ears, and her words carried over to the adjacent room.

Pei Yan’s face fell completely.

It was unclear if it was because of the first part of her statement, or the second.

Seeing him show a rare crack in his composure, Chen Shujing used the act of sipping his tea to hide the smirk on his face.

His eyes were full of mirth, clearly enjoying the drama.

"If you want to laugh, then laugh. Stop pretending."

Chen Shujing let out a laugh, rose gracefully, and straightened the cuffs of his brocade robe.

"Since we’ve run into her, I’ll go say hello to Miss Xue Er."

Always one to stir the pot, he asked Pei Yan, "Want to come along?"

Pei Yan’s gaze was dark.

’One Mei Wanying is vexing enough. Now she has a helper. What would I go over there for?’

’To get mocked?’

’Mei Wanying is a heartless little thing. I just saved her yesterday, and she’s already forgotten my kindness.’

’She didn’t even refute Xue Xingyao’s words.’

’All alone?’

’Hah... ’

’The Empress is already screening candidates for me!’

"It seems you have no desire to see Miss Mei. In that case, I’ll just have to go myself."

Chen Shujing turned and walked away.

Pei Yan remained seated, taking out the thank-you note Mei Wanying had left for him.

He ran his thumb over the paper, his gaze intense enough to burn a hole through it.

Mei Wanying used to write to him all the time, especially when he was away at war. Her letters came one after another.

Even though she knew he had no time to reply, she wrote relentlessly, filling every single page.

Even when they were apart, he knew the details of her daily life.

Pei Yan was struck by a sudden realization: ever since the anniversary of General Mei’s death, Mei Wanying had stopped sharing things about herself.

If he didn’t take the initiative, they wouldn’t even see each other.

For the first time, a look of confusion appeared in the man’s deep, well-like eyes.

’What’s wrong with Mei Wanying?’

’Does she really not love me anymore?’

As soon as the thought surfaced, a suffocating tightness constricted his chest.

Pei Yan knew this was wrong. He wasn’t going to marry Mei Wanying; he shouldn’t feel this possessiveness toward her.

It was good for neither him nor Mei Wanying.

He forcefully crumpled the letter and threw it into a water basin. The ink bled in the water, smudging the two characters of her name, "Wanying," into an illegible blur.

Pei Yan’s face was devoid of expression. ’This is how it should be.’

’I should sever all ties with Mei Wanying.’

’She will marry, have children, and live a happy life.’

’And I... I will either reach the pinnacle of power or die on the path to seize it.’

Mei Wanying was the sole heir of the General Mansion, and thus incredibly precious. Pei Yan saw her as a younger sister, which was all the more reason he had to consider her future.

Drawing a clear line between them was the only way to keep Mei Wanying safe.

It would prevent others from targeting her again. He could save Mei Wanying once, maybe twice, but he couldn’t always be there in time.

He knocked on the table, and Wei Jue entered at the sound.

"Your Highness, what are your orders?"

Pei Yan said, "Arrange for the Hidden Guards to follow Mei Wanying. Ensure her complete safety."

Wei Jue asked cautiously, "Should I also arrange for someone to report Miss Mei’s daily activities to you?"

Pei Yan sneered. "Who is she to me that I should keep tabs on her every moment? Sending men to protect her is already more than benevolent."

Wei Jue: "..."

’If you don’t want to keep tabs, then don’t. Why be so scary about it...’

Just then, another person came in to announce, "Your Highness, a Miss Xue requests an audience."

Xue Xingyao was in the room next door. Ever since Chen Shujing had shown up, her voice had become high and affected; she was like a different person from moments before.

Clearly, this couldn’t be that Miss Xue.

Which left only one other possibility.

Pei Yan tapped his fingers idly on the tabletop. He said nothing, and since no one could discern his thoughts, they dared not make a decision on their own.

At that moment, Mei Wanying’s voice drifted over.

She said, "The prospective brides the Empress has chosen for His Highness are all the finest of ladies. No matter who His Highness marries, it will surely be a wonderful match."

Pei Yan’s fingers froze.

A sudden emptiness bloomed in his chest.

’That’s right, I’m to marry whomever my elders arrange. As long as it’s not Mei Wanying, anyone will do.’

’Mei Wanying’s tone was so calm. Does she truly not care at all anymore?’

"Your Highness, Miss Xue says she has something urgent to tell you personally. She says she can’t allow you to be deceived."

Pei Yan’s voice was devoid of emotion. "Bring her up."