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

Fruit wine isn’t strong liquor, so after a nap, Mei Wanying’s head had cleared.

When she found herself in a carriage, her eyes were filled with confusion.

’Wasn’t I at the tavern?’

Confusion gave way to vigilance.

Mei Wanying shot upright. The fact that she could still move her limbs made her sigh in relief.

She lifted the carriage curtain and saw her mother and Xue Xingyao standing not far off, talking about something.

Seeing the people dearest to her, her heart, which had been in her throat, finally settled back into place.

’Thank goodness. I’m not in danger...’

The carriage was stopped, with no buildings, mansions, or passersby in sight. It was clear they had already left the city.

Mei Wanying moved to get out of the carriage.

The Jade Pendants at her waist clinked together, making a crisp sound.

Mei Wanying looked down. Two Jade Pendants hung together, nestled intimately against each other.

One was hers; the other looked somewhat familiar.

She unfastened the Jade Pendants and held them up to examine their carvings.

The moment she recognized whose it was, Mei Wanying panicked. As if holding a hot potato, she tossed the Jade Pendant away without a second thought.

The carriage was lined with soft blankets, and the priceless Jade Pendant landed on them with a faint thud.

The Jade Pendant lay there, completely unharmed.

Mei Wanying was torn, unsure whether to pick it up or leave it be.

’Can someone please tell me how Pei Yan’s possession ended up with me? This is too bizarre!’

’I know I drank by mistake... Don’t tell me I snatched it from Pei Yan?’

After all, one of her old obsessions had been to exchange Jade Pendants with Pei Yan.

Mei Wanying was beside herself. She slapped the carriage wall in frustration.

’Drinking really does lead to trouble!’

"Miss?"

Ding Xiang, who was waiting outside, heard the commotion.

Just as she lifted the carriage curtain, Mei Wanying snatched up the Jade Pendant and shoved it into her sash.

The fine Mutton Fat Jade Pendant now felt like a thorny object, making Mei Wanying completely uneasy.

’I have to return this to Pei Yan!’

Mei Wanying asked Ding Xiang, "Where are we going?"

Ding Xiang smiled. "Miss, we’re going back to Jiangnan!"

Unlike the last time they tried to leave, when the Crown Prince had thwarted their attempt before they even left the city, this time they had Prince Chen’s backing. No one would dare stop them now.

Mei Wanying was even more confused. "Why so suddenly?"

She had expected they would set off tomorrow at the earliest.

Ding Xiang whispered, "It was His Highness’s order. He told us to leave immediately."

’She pursed her lips. Even if His Highness didn’t like their young miss, was it really necessary to chase them away in such a hurry?’

’Men really do go bad once they get power. He’s completely forgotten he was once our miss’s child husband!’

’But he was a Prince, so she couldn’t even curse him for being an ungrateful wretch.’

’How infuriating!’

Mei Wanying pressed her palm against her waist, covering the spot where the Jade Pendant was hidden.

’Could it be? I stole Pei Yan’s possession, he got angry, and that’s why he’s rushing us out of the Capital City?’

With Pei Yan’s capabilities, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to take the Jade Pendant back.

But he hadn’t. What was he trying to do?

Mei Wanying couldn’t make heads or tails of it.

Though they had known each other for years, she had never been able to understand Pei Yan’s mind.

Xue Xingyao saw Mei Wanying and waved.

Mei Wanying composed herself and climbed out of the carriage.

’The Jade Pendant must be returned to Pei Yan. It’s too important to be entrusted to just anyone; it feels too risky. It looks like I can only ask Ah Yao for help.’

’But then I see Chen Shujing is here too. He and Pei Yan are good friends, so having him return it... that might work as well.’

"How are you feeling? Is your head still spinning?" Mrs. Mei asked, her face full of worry.

’Her daughter never drank. Who would have thought a trip out with Xue would leave her drunk and passed out.’

Mei Wanying looked embarrassed. "It’s not spinning anymore."

Mrs. Mei said, "Nanny Liu has gone to prepare some sobering soup for you. Drink some in a little while, and then we’ll get back on the road. It’s a good chance for everyone to rest their feet anyway."

With that, Mrs. Mei gave them some space.

’When young people are talking, her standing around would just make them feel awkward.’

Only then did Mei Wanying realize how far they already were from the Capital City. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Not wanting to trouble Xue Xingyao any further, Mei Wanying said, "We all have to say goodbye eventually. Seeing me off this far is enough."

Xue Xingyao fought back tears, sniffing. "I’ve been in the carriage for so long my bones feel rattled. Even if you wanted me to go further, I wouldn’t."

’The mountains are high and the rivers are wide. After this farewell, when would they ever see each other again?’

The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to cry.

But if she cried, her dear friend would cry too. She quickly turned away and took several deep breaths.

Mei Wanying couldn’t bear to part either, but she knew this day would come sooner or later.

’In my past life, Ah Yao also married someone far away.’

’It was a pity I died too early to see her one last time.’

’The heavens gave me a chance at rebirth, and it has already made up for so many regrets.’

You can’t console someone when they’re on the verge of tears; the moment you do, the dam will break.

Only after Xue Xingyao had composed herself did Mei Wanying say her goodbyes, finally taking out the Jade Pendant.

"Help me return this to him."

If this had happened in the past, Xue Xingyao might have had to guess who "him" was.

But after witnessing *that* incident, she could figure out with her eyes closed why Pei Yan’s Jade Pendant was now in her best friend’s possession.

’Don’t tell me that scoundrel is trying to be like other people, using a Jade Pendant as a love token?’

’It would be normal for anyone else, but coming from Pei Yan, it just seemed bizarre.’

’Tsk, tsk. So Pei Yan has a day like this too.’

’Karma sure came around fast!’

Xue Xingyao was dying to tell her what happened in the private room, but she was afraid Pei Yan was just acting on a whim.

’I can’t let Ah Yin be disappointed again.’

’Besides, that scoundrel Pei Yan had threatened her, saying he’d cut out her tongue if she dared say anything.’

’She wasn’t afraid of that. But Pei Yan had also said that if she didn’t know her place, he’d have the Empress herself decree a marriage for her.’

’He didn’t specify who the marriage would be to, but one look at him and you could tell he was brewing a wicked scheme!’

’Ah Yin really has a bitter fate, falling for someone like Pei Yan.’

’Putting aside how mercurial he is, with that malicious mind of his, Ah Yin is no match for him.’

Xue Xingyao snorted to herself. ’Just wait until Ah Yin returns to Jiangnan and marries some dashing, graceful gentleman. Let’s see if Pei Yan doesn’t jump out of his skin with anxiety!’

At this thought, the stifling anger she felt from his threats vanished completely.

Xue Xingyao didn’t dare touch anything of Pei Yan’s; she was afraid it would shorten her lifespan.

She tilted her head and looked toward Chen Shujing.

Mei Wanying then offered the Jade Pendant to Chen Shujing. "Heir Chen, may I trouble you to return this to its owner?"

’This was the Jade Pendant Pei Yan always carried with him. Giving it to Mei Wanying meant he had chosen her.’

’Chen Shujing didn’t dare interfere.’

’The Pei Family were all mad. If you truly provoked one of them, they were capable of anything.’

’Pei Yan was finally showing a glimmer of understanding when it came to matters of the heart. As his friend, Chen Shujing naturally had to give him a push.’

"His Highness is also leaving the Capital City. I won’t be able to see him."

Mei Wanying replied, "Then leave it at the Prince Mansion. Someone will surely get it to him or keep it safe for him."

Chen Shujing said, "I don’t think it’s anything important, Miss Mei. Why don’t you hold onto it for now? You can return it to His Highness after he has pacified the Border."

’Pacifying the Border wouldn’t be a quick affair. If the Jade Pendant stayed with her that whole time, she wouldn’t be able to eat or sleep in peace.’

’Besides, she had no intention of ever seeing Pei Yan again.’

’Once she returned to Jiangnan this time, she would never come back to the Capital City.’

’And with Pei Yan’s personality, there was no way he would travel thousands of miles to Jiangnan just to see her.’

’Their meeting at the tavern was to be their last farewell.’