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

It takes a man to know a man, and Chen Shujing didn’t believe for a second that Pei Yan had no feelings for Mei Wanying.

His teasing gaze made it clear—the guy obviously considered Miss Mei his woman.

That smug satisfaction of his was practically bursting out.

’If she doesn’t wise up soon, she’ll regret it when it’s too late!’

Pei Yan had arranged for a table of signature dishes for Mei Wanying and her companions. The private room next door was empty, so with permission, the food was brought into their room instead.

The sight of Xue Yunshu made Xue Xingyao lose her appetite.

She was sitting with Pei Yan, and anyone who didn’t know better would think they were a couple. It was even more grating.

If looks could kill, the two people across from her would have been torn to shreds by now.

Mei Wanying, in contrast, looked completely calm.

It was as if whether those two got together or not had no effect on her whatsoever.

Thinking about how she would be leaving the capital soon and wouldn’t be able to enjoy the food here anymore, Mei Wanying focused wholeheartedly on her meal.

She savored every signature dish, her appetite quite robust.

Everyone at the table had their own thoughts.

Xue Xingyao secretly marveled at her friend’s resilience. ’That was Pei Yan, the man she’d liked for years, and there was also Xue Yunshu, a potential love rival!’

Chen Shujing felt much the same.

This Miss Mei was not quite like the rumors described.

’Seeing is believing, after all.’

He had met many noble ladies from prominent families, but one as genuine as Miss Mei was a true rarity.

It was no wonder that the cold and unfeeling Pei Yan cared so much about her.

He might be stubborn with his words, but his actions proved everything.

And right now, his eyes were practically glued to the girl.

Pei Yan felt a pang of annoyance. He had just stood up for Mei Wanying, yet she didn’t even thank him. Instead, she just kept eating with gusto, ignoring him completely.

And when he was displeased, someone was bound to suffer.

Pei Yan asked, "Miss Xue, was everything you said the truth?"

Xue Yunshu was inwardly cursing Mei Wanying, calling her a reincarnated hungry ghost, when she was startled by the sound of Pei Yan’s voice.

First, she froze.

Then, her ears quickly turned red.

’He called me Miss Xue... His voice is so deep and pleasant.’ Just those two simple words were enough to make Xue Yunshu ecstatic.

She hastily pointed to the heavens and swore, "If I told a single lie, may I be struck by lightning!"

She shot a triumphant glance at Mei Wanying.

’Has His Highness ever shown *you* such favor?’

’I think not!’

Mei Wanying rolled her eyes. ’What terrible taste Pei Yan must have. To think he actually fell for Xue Yunshu in their past life.’

’Well, every pot has its lid. He’s no saint himself!’

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Mei Wanying shot Pei Yan a glare.

She shifted closer to Xue Xingyao, making it clear she wanted nothing to do with certain people.

Pei Yan gritted his teeth. "Miss Xue Er, don’t you think you owe me an explanation?"

’Xue Yunshu had exposed the matter, but Heir Chen is here too. It seems he knows Pei Yan, so for the sake of the Chen Family, Pei Yan probably won’t press the issue.’

’Besides, Pei Yan doesn’t even like me.’

’Unless he’s out of his mind, he would never choose me to be Princess Consort Chen.’

’And Ah Yin is here.’

’Ah Yin will protect me.’

’No matter how domineering Pei Yan is outside, I doubt he’d dare to actually touch Ah Yin.’

With that thought, Xue Xingyao straightened her back, all her anxiety and hesitation vanishing.

She decided to make things clear with Pei Yan once and for all, so everyone could be at ease.

Xue Xingyao said, "Heir Chen and I are in love. I beseech Your Highness to grant us your blessing."

As she spoke, Xue Xingyao glanced quickly at Chen Shujing.

Overcome with shyness, she immediately looked away and thus missed the fact that Chen Shujing had frozen for a moment, apparently lost in thought.

Pei Yan said, "And what if I don’t?"

Xue Xingyao was speechless. She suddenly understood just how malicious Pei Yan could be.

’This man is truly awful.’

’If he weren’t a Prince, the apple of the Empress’s eye, I’d really love to dump this plate of food on his head!’

"A forced melon is never sweet," Xue Xingyao managed to say dryly.

"A forced melon is never sweet?"

Pei Yan snorted softly, his gaze landing unabashedly on Mei Wanying.

"But shouldn’t you at least take a bite to see if it’s sweet?"

His words were aimed at Mei Wanying. Anyone who wasn’t blind could see that.

The only question was what Pei Yan’s true intentions were.

Xue Xingyao had a strange look in her eyes.

’Why do I get the feeling that Pei Yan is trying to seduce Ah Yin, hoping she’ll take a bite?’

The man’s stare made Mei Wanying’s skin crawl. ’What on earth is Pei Yan trying to do?’

’Doesn’t he hate me? Doesn’t he want nothing to do with me?’

’Now that Xue Yunshu has shown up early, his like-minded sweetheart is here.’

’Why isn’t he off cultivating a relationship with Xue Yunshu instead of picking a fight with me?’

Not wanting her good friend to be put in a difficult position, Mei Wanying said to Pei Yan, "Your Highness, there is no woman you cannot have. Why must you force someone who does not love you?"

Something in her shimmering eyes seemed to have changed.

Pei Yan unconsciously tightened his grip on the porcelain cup.

He didn’t control his strength, and the cup cracked before shattering into pieces.

A shard cut the pad of Pei Yan’s finger, and a startling bead of red welled up.

"Your Highness!"

Xue Yunshu cried out in alarm, pulling out the medicinal powder she carried with her to treat Pei Yan’s wound.

Before she could even touch his hand, the man’s voice was frigid. "Get out!"

Xue Yunshu said anxiously, "Miss Mei, you should leave! His Highness doesn’t want to see you. Because you’re here, he won’t even let his wound be bandaged."

Mei Wanying snorted. "Such a serious wound. Any more delay and it might just heal on its own."

She rose gracefully. She didn’t want to stay here either.

’Get out?’

’Suits me just fine.’

As Mei Wanying prepared to leave, Xue Xingyao got up to follow, but not before bravely glaring at Pei Yan.

’Serves him right for being so fierce!’

’We’ll see if Ah Yin forgives him when he regrets this later!’

Pei Yan’s eyelids flickered open. "If you can’t understand plain language, you might as well not have ears!"

At that moment, Wei Jue entered the private room and made a gesture toward Xue Yunshu. "Miss Xue, if you please!"

He cursed inwardly, ’Where did this genius come from, daring to offend Miss Mei?’

’Is she sick in the head?’

Xue Yunshu was completely baffled. ’Doesn’t His Highness have a good impression of me? Isn’t that why he chose me, wanting me to become the mistress of the Prince Chen Mansion?’

’Why is he suddenly kicking me out...’

’This guard must be dim-witted. He must have misunderstood, right?’

"Your Highness..."

"Take her out."

Without a shred of hesitation, Wei Jue escorted Xue Yunshu away.

He stepped out one moment and pulled the door shut the next.

’His Highness obviously doesn’t want Miss Mei to leave. If only there was a lock, I’d just lock the door.’

’It would be best to take Heir Chen and Miss Xue Er away too. If Miss Mei were left alone with him, His Highness would probably calm down.’

Although he didn’t know what his master was angry about, Wei Jue firmly believed that only Miss Mei could influence His Highness’s moods.

Mei Wanying was already used to Pei Yan’s volatile temper. No matter what he decided, nothing he did surprised her.

She comfortingly patted Xue Xingyao’s hand.

Xue Xingyao was quite frightened. She had never dealt with Pei Yan before and had no idea he was so temperamental.

The only reason she dared to stand up to him was because her good friend had her back.

Otherwise, even if she had a hundred times the courage, she would never dare to talk back to a member of the Royal Family.

Her own punishment would be a small matter, but if her entire family suffered because of her, that would be a catastrophe!

Chen Shujing said, "For my sake, Your Highness, please stop frightening my fiancée."

His tone was familiar, and Xue Xingyao frowned in confusion. "You two..."

"His Highness and I are good friends," Chen Shujing said. "He won’t make things difficult for us. He was only joking just now."

Xue Xingyao felt like she was going to faint.

’Chen Shujing... is actually good friends with Pei Yan.’

’Birds of a feather flock together. Don’t tell me this guy is a scoundrel too!’