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

Mrs. Mei suddenly received word: Pei Yan wanted them to depart for Jiangnan at once.

Thinking the Crown Prince was about to make another move, Mrs. Mei hurriedly instructed Nanny Liu, "Go find Ah Yin."

Nanny Liu replied, "Ying’s carriage has already left the city. His Highness says we should set out as soon as possible. They will wait for us outside the city walls."

With things so urgent, how could Mrs. Mei possibly delay?

Fortunately, their luggage hadn’t been unloaded, so they could leave as soon as the staff was gathered. With Pei Yan personally escorting them out of the city this time, there shouldn’t be any mishaps.

Clutching her husband’s memorial tablet as she left home, Mrs. Mei couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.

It wasn’t that she was reluctant to leave the splendor and riches of the Capital, but she was lost when it came to her daughter’s future.

Ah Yin was far too beautiful. No matter where she went, she would be targeted by those with ill intentions.

She needed a powerful family to back her to live a life free of worry.

Mrs. Mei couldn’t protect her daughter forever. Even with the General’s old subordinates looking out for them, there were bound to be moments of oversight.

Once they returned to their ancestral home and escaped the Crown Prince’s entanglements, would her daughter’s life truly go smoothly?

Mrs. Mei had no confidence in the answer.

But she was out of options. The person most capable of protecting her daughter was Pei Yan, yet he was also the one pushing her away.

To keep insisting would only hurt everyone involved.

Nanny Liu understood Mrs. Mei’s feelings best. Once a person reached a certain age and was plagued by illness, they naturally began to worry about what would happen after they were gone.

The mistress’s greatest worry was Ying.

She had no siblings to support her. If she didn’t marry, once the mistress was gone, not only would Ying be all alone, but she might also fall prey to wicked people who would seize her entire family inheritance.

Beauty was a gift from the heavens, but sometimes, it was also a death warrant.

The man she married had to be powerful enough to protect Ying.

Sometimes, Nanny Liu also found herself quite worried about Mei Wanying’s future.

After thinking it over and over, the best match for Ying was Prince Chen.

They were childhood sweethearts with a deep emotional foundation. They knew each other inside and out, which would mean fewer conflicts in their life together.

Ying was wholehearted in her affection. As long as His Highness accepted her and didn’t hurt her, living a harmonious and respectful life together would be a simple matter.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

Nanny Liu said, "Ying is a fortunate girl. She always manages to turn misfortune into good luck. Ma’am, please rest easy. The General will watch over you and Ying from the heavens."

Mrs. Mei sighed. "What else can I do but look forward?"

She had already tried everything she could.

She couldn’t rely on anyone else. In the end, they could only rely on themselves.

After one last look at the stately mansion, Mrs. Mei resolutely boarded the carriage.

’Things will work themselves out in the end. Ah Yin has been through so many hardships; perhaps going to Jiangnan will be a turn for the better after all the bitterness.’

In another carriage, Mei Wanying was still unconscious.

Pei Yan hadn’t allowed Xue Xingyao to follow. The girl chattered endlessly, giving him a headache.

He really didn’t know how Mei Wanying had put up with her, being friends with Xue Xingyao for so many years.

’Wasn’t she annoying?’

But on second thought, Mei Wanying was hardly the quiet type herself.

Every time she saw him, she would also chatter endlessly in his ear.

She told him everything, big and small. She even had to wear her newly bought jewelry just to show him.

Like a peacock displaying its feathers, she dressed herself up flamboyantly every day.

Parading back and forth right in front of him.

Pei Yan gently rubbed Mei Wanying’s small face. "Why are you unwilling to talk to me anymore?"

Lately, whenever they met, she just told him to get lost.

She was so unwilling to even speak to him. If it weren’t to avoid him, she wouldn’t have mistakenly drunk that fruit wine.

Though he knew she couldn’t hear him, Pei Yan still asked, "That night... did I bully you?"

He remembered every little moment with Mei Wanying, except for that night. He had been drunk, and when he woke up, he had no memory of it whatsoever.

After that night, Mei Wanying had turned completely hostile toward him. Pei Yan started to wonder if he had really done something to make her unhappy again.

Before, he had always wanted Mei Wanying to stay away from him. But now that she really was distant, Pei Yan realized he didn’t want to be ignored and alienated by her.

Not one bit!

He wanted Mei Wanying to always stand somewhere he could see her. He didn’t need to touch her; just being able to see her and hear her voice was enough.

But the reality was, Mei Wanying wanted to leave his world.

"I won’t allow it."

The man pinched Mei Wanying’s delicate, firm little face. "I said, you are not allowed to be too far from me. Do you hear me?"

She didn’t answer.

Pei Yan, feeling perfectly justified, pinched her face again and huffed, "Ignoring me again. Mei Wanying, have you grown a rebellious streak?"

Perhaps feeling uncomfortable, Mei Wanying frowned and let out a soft whimper.

Pei Yan felt a pang of guilt.

He immediately pulled his hand back.

Then he saw that the spot he had pinched had turned red.

Pei Yan flexed his hand. He hadn’t even used much force. How could her skin turn so red from just a touch?

’The journey to Jiangnan is long. Mei Wanying is so delicate; can her body handle it?’

After sending Mei Wanying off, Pei Yan would also be leaving the Capital.

The last incident had taught him a lesson. As long as Mei Wanying was in the Capital City, the Crown Prince had countless ways to try and abduct her.

Leaving the Capital City for a while was the best choice.

He would dispatch more men to protect Mei Wanying.

’She’s been so unhappy these past three years. Jiangnan has beautiful scenery; she can treat this as a trip to lift her spirits.’

Afraid that Mei Wanying would wake up, see the mark on her face, and throw a fit, Pei Yan leaned over and blew gently on the red spot.

’I’ll have to be gentler next time,’ Pei Yan thought.

"Ding Xiang..."

Mei Wanying’s eyes fluttered open. "Water..."

Her eyes were clearly open, yet she mistook him for someone else.

Pei Yan looked displeased. "Mei Wanying, do you even see me at all?"

Mei Wanying thought he was so noisy.

Her throat was painfully dry. She just wanted to drink water, not listen to the buzzing of a fly.

"Water..."

She repeated herself.

Pei Yan retorted, "If you can’t even recognize who’s in front of you, you can just stay thirsty!"

"Water..."

Pei Yan: "I’m not your servant. Why should I get you water?"

"How dare you order me around? Mei Wanying, just how much nerve do you have?"

"Look clearly! Who do you think I am!"

His words were harsh, but his body was honest. He poured a cup of warm water and brought it to Mei Wanying’s lips.

Afraid she would choke, Pei Yan half-cradled her in his arms.

Mei Wanying was so thirsty her throat felt like it was on fire. The moment the water touched her lips, she drank the entire cup.

It wasn’t enough. "More..."

Her voice was soft and gentle, not at all cold or distant. Pei Yan felt like he had returned to the past.

In the past, Mei Wanying had always spoken to him in this tone.

A wave of pleasure washed over him.

The corners of his mouth turned up.

But then he remembered she hadn’t recognized him, and the smile instantly vanished.

Seeing her pitiful appearance, he uncontrollably poured her another cup of warm water.

Pei Yan gritted his teeth. "I must have owed you in a past life to be repaying the debt like this in this one!"

Having drunk the water, Mei Wanying contentedly fell back asleep, completely oblivious to what Pei Yan was saying.

The man resignedly set down the teacup and used the pad of his finger to gently wipe away the drops of water from the corner of her lips.

Mei Wanying’s skin was too delicate; he didn’t dare use any force this time.

His deep eyes lowered, gazing at her luscious, dewy lips as his expression darkened.

He took off the Jade Pendant that symbolized his status and tied it to Mei Wanying’s waist.

"Be good, Ah Yin. Wait for my return."