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

There were some things Chen Shujing didn’t want Shen Mingji to hear.

He had him get into the carriage first.

This time, Shen Mingji didn’t refuse. Not only did he board the carriage, but he also told the driver to move it further away so as not to disturb Chen Shujing and Pei Yan’s conversation.

Pei Yan swung himself off his horse. "Deceiving a young lady’s affections? Chen Shujing, have you no shame?"

Never mind Xue Xingyao; even he hadn’t known that Chen Shujing had an unforgettable love hidden in his heart.

Hiding this old flame was one thing, but to be slaving away for her little brother was another.

It was as if he was afraid people *wouldn’t* know who the most important person in his heart was!

Chen Shujing choked on his words. "I am going to marry Miss Xue Er, so how is that deception? Xiaoxiao is already gone. It won’t affect her."

Pei Yan snorted. "The person is dead, but she left you her dear brother, as if afraid you’d have nowhere to place all that affection. How lucky for you."

The word "dead" struck a raw nerve with Chen Shujing.

He could accept the fact that Shen Mingxiao had died from illness, but he couldn’t stand someone mentioning her in such a flippant tone.

’Is it so hard to respect the dead?’

Chen Shujing’s expression soured with anger. "That is my private affair. You need not trouble yourself with it, Your Highness."

"Oh, but I’ve decided I’m going to make this my business."

Pei Yan asked, "Are you going to confess to Xue Xingyao yourself, or should I send someone to tell her?"

Chen Shujing was about to die from anger.

’Doesn’t this man have anything better to do? Why is he meddling in my private affairs?!’

"Your Highness, you are overstepping."

As if not noticing Chen Shujing’s fury, Pei Yan said in a low, deliberate voice, "She is Mei Wanying’s good friend. I don’t care if your sweetheart is dead or alive, but *she* cannot be the one to suffer for it."

Chen Shujing laughed in anger. "And to think I was just putting in a good word for you with Miss Mei. Is this how you repay me?"

"Your mouth is laced with poison, and your words are like knives, completely disregarding the feelings of others. Miss Mei made the right choice! She should have returned the Jade Pendant to you and cut all ties!"

Pei Yan’s expression flickered.

’Mei Wanying doesn’t want his Jade Pendant?’

’That’s a lie!’

’It’s impossible!’

’Could it be that I wasn’t clear, that Mei Wanying didn’t grasp my intentions?’

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that had to be the reason.

Pei Yan sighed internally. ’It’s because I was too harsh with Mei Wanying in the past. That’s why she doesn’t dare to assume the best.’

’It’s my fault.’

Pei Yan forced himself to appear calm.

He lifted his chin, his tone arrogant. "You think I would want something back after she’s touched it?"

"Since she’s already touched it, she can have it."

"It’s not like I’m short one Jade Pendant."

Chen Shujing felt like rolling his eyes.

’This guy is still being stubborn. I don’t know where he gets the confidence.’

’Miss Mei has spoiled him rotten!’

Chen Shujing showed no mercy. "You deserve to die alone. It would be best if Miss Mei never looks back. She should go to Jiangnan, find a considerate husband, and live out the rest of her life happily with someone else."

Every one of these words trampled on Pei Yan’s last nerve.

His face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

He laughed in extreme anger. "I am not like you. There is no one else in my heart. You are the one who deserves to die alone."

’Mei Wanying won’t marry anyone but him. They will live happily ever after.’

’And they’ll have several children.’

’That’s Mei Wanying’s wish!’

With that, Pei Yan genuinely made to send someone to the Xue Family with a message.

Chen Shujing was completely exasperated with him. Helpless, he said, "Your Highness, please don’t interfere in my affairs with Miss Xue Er. You’ll only cause trouble for us."

Pei Yan looked as if it were only natural. "I am saving her. If she’s grateful, she can spend her whole life being a good friend to Mei Wanying."

"Of course, if she wants to praise me in front of Mei Wanying, I won’t stop her either."

Don’t think he didn’t know. Mei Wanying’s friends, and even her personal maids, were all goading her to have an affair.

They even said he was a crooked tree and told Mei Wanying not to hang herself from him.

Before, he hadn’t taken these words to heart.

And Mei Wanying never listened to their instigations.

But times had changed. Mei Wanying’s temper had grown, and it wouldn’t be good if she listened to their nonsense.

Pei Yan didn’t need Xue Xingyao to sing his praises; as long as she stopped encouraging Mei Wanying to stray, he would be eternally grateful.

The corner of Chen Shujing’s mouth twitched.

He didn’t know whether to call Pei Yan honest or just shameless.

His own love life was a complete mess, yet he seemed to hope everyone else would end up a lonely bachelor like him.

Not wanting Pei Yan to interfere in his affairs, Chen Shujing promised him, "From now on, there will be no other woman by my side. Regardless of whether we have heirs, I will not take a concubine."

Pei Yan raised an eyebrow. "Truly?"

"Absolutely."

Chen Shujing was his good friend, so Pei Yan was willing to give him a chance to turn over a new leaf.

He said, "Go explain things clearly to Xue Xingyao yourself. But if you make Mei Wanying cry, don’t blame me for turning on you."

Chen Shujing was speechless.

’Wait, since when did his business with Miss Xue Er depend on Miss Mei’s mood?’

’Having to consider Miss Mei’s feelings was one thing; she and Miss Xue Er were good friends, so it was only natural for them to have each other’s backs.’

’But why did Pei Yan have to stick his oar in too?’

He said through clenched teeth, "Your Highness is truly warm-hearted."

Pei Yan replied, "It’s the Mei family tradition to be helpful!"

With that, he nimbly mounted his horse and left.

Even his departing figure radiated smugness.

Chen Shujing shook his head. ’That man has well and truly fallen into Miss Mei’s hands.’

’Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was a live-in son-in-law of the Mei family!’

Watching Pei Yan leave, Chen Shujing stood rooted to the spot.

He and Xiaoxiao had been childhood sweethearts. She was already gone; she shouldn’t be dragged into these disputes any longer.

She was of noble character and never liked to argue with others.

He couldn’t let her peace be disturbed.

At some point, Shen Mingji had come to Chen Shujing’s side. He asked uncertainly, "Big Brother, are you getting married?"

Chen Shujing fell silent. After a long moment, he said, "The Chen Family needs an heir."

Shen Mingji’s expression was dazed.

’Everyone is moving forward. In a few more years, will Big Sister be forgotten?’

’But Big Sister is gone. I can’t stop Brother Chen from taking a wife.’

Shen Mingji looked crestfallen. He wanted to say something but didn’t know where to begin.

He turned and walked back toward the carriage.

The young man’s figure was dejected, enveloped in a thick fog of confusion, as if about to be crushed by it.

Chen Shujing thought of Shen Mingxiao, and of the siblings’ situation in the Shen family.

Mr. Shen doted on his concubine to the neglect of his wife. Madam Shen passed away early, and later, Mr. Shen simply promoted his favorite concubine to the position of main wife. The siblings’ lives at home were very difficult.

Xiaoxiao had been Ah Ji’s pillar of support. Her sudden death from a serious illness was a huge blow to him.

In the past few years, he had become increasingly rebellious. Perhaps he was acting out of despair, or perhaps he just wanted to get some attention.

’He’s just a pitiable person.’

Chen Shujing hurried after him. "Even if I take a wife, I won’t stop looking after you."

He had promised Xiaoxiao that he would look after Ah Ji for her.

Shen Mingji shot back, "How are you going to look after me? By cleaning up my messes forever, like you always have? Won’t your fiancée mind?"

"Miss Xue Er is righteous and a very good person. She won’t fuss over such things."

"You’re not her. How do you know she won’t fuss?"

Chen Shujing pressed his lips together. "That is not for you to worry about. I will marry Miss Xue Er, give her the honor of being my main wife, and I will not wrong her."

He paused, then continued, "You don’t need to feel burdened, and you certainly don’t need to feel like you’re letting her down."

’Don’t be fooled by Ah Ji’s rebelliousness and defiance. Deep down, he’s kind-hearted and sensitive, just like Xiaoxiao.’

Shen Mingji huffed, "You’d best stop looking after me, or else I’ll lose all respect for you!"