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

Shen Mingji and Xue Xingyao were of a similar age. He was full of youthful spirit, his eyes holding an unruly and rebellious air.

He certainly looked like the type who refused to be disciplined.

Xue Xingyao asked, "You were looking for me?"

Shen Mingji replied, "You’re the one."

Chen Shujing, standing by Xue Xingyao’s side, frowned and said, "Miss Xue Er isn’t like the other women you’ve associated with. Drop that flippant attitude of yours!"

The noble ladies of the Capital City would go out of their way to avoid dandies like him.

But Xue Xingyao was not afraid. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

This was the Duke Mansion. If anyone dared to cause trouble, she would simply have them beaten and thrown out.

Although she was secretly pleased, she didn’t actually need Chen Shujing to stand up for her.

She got straight to the point. "What is it you want to say?"

The splendidly dressed young woman wore a Light Smoke Gauze Skirt. Its hem, embroidered with large crabapple blossoms, flowed gracefully.

A Dragon and Phoenix Pendant hung from her waist, obviously a matching pair to the one worn by Chen Shujing.

Shen Mingji’s gaze lingered for a long moment before finally settling on her fair, round face.

Her face was round, yet her features were exquisite—arched brows, large eyes, a high-bridged nose, and a small mouth painted with vibrant lipstick.

Pearl earrings dangled from her ears.

Several hairpins were fastened in her hair, making her look as ostentatious as a peacock displaying its feathers.

Standing on the steps, she looked down on him with an air of immense pride.

This Miss Xue was brimming with confidence, a stark contrast to his sister.

Shen Mingji clicked his tongue and said to Chen Shujing, "Your tastes are truly hard to figure out."

This woman was nothing like his sister.

From head to toe, in appearance and in temperament, he couldn’t see a single trace of resemblance.

’Chen Shujing chose someone completely different.’ Shen Mingji finally felt a bit more at ease.

’If he’d found a replacement, it would have been an insult not only to the girl but to his sister’s memory. She would have been disgusted.’

’His sister was his sister. Chen Shujing could forget her, but he couldn’t go looking for her shadow in someone else!’

Shen Mingji’s mood softened, and the restlessness in his eyes faded somewhat.

He asked Xue Xingyao, "As for your fiancé, don’t you want to hear what kind of person he really is?"

Xue Xingyao frowned.

’Is this person just here to cause trouble?’

’Her family had already made thorough inquiries about Chen Shujing.’

’He was noble and magnanimous, treated everyone with respect, and had no concubines, serving maids, or even close female friends.’

’Compared to other men, Chen Shujing was remarkably clean-living.’

’He might have his flaws, but no one in this world is perfect.’

’Someone too perfect would be intimidating, anyway.’

Xue Xingyao replied, "I’ll find out what kind of person he is for myself. I have no need for outsiders to come and stir up trouble."

’Stir up trouble?’

Shen Mingji pushed his tongue against his cheek. ’Does she really take me for some gossip?’

’If Chen Shujing hadn’t gotten engaged and started meddling in his life, insisting on sending him away to study, he wouldn’t have even bothered to come here.’

’Giving him two choices, he said: either go study or go to a military camp for training.’

’Chen Shujing was about to get married, so why was he still trying to control him?’

’Did he really think of himself as his brother-in-law already?’

’Judging by Xue Xingyao’s reaction, she was completely in the dark.’

Shen Mingji thought, ’Chen Shujing should just be honest. Then they could associate with each other openly in the future.’

’Or, he should just leave him alone.’

’Was keeping her in the dark his way of getting him and his sister cursed and reviled by everyone?’

’If the truth came out, Chen Shujing would earn a reputation for being loyal and righteous.’

’And what would he and his sister be left with?’

Shen Mingji’s expression turned mischievous. "Are you sure you don’t want to listen? This is a limited-time offer."

Xue Xingyao said, "I’m not."

Shen Mingji was naturally contrary. The more Xue Xingyao refused to listen, the more he wanted to speak.

He stepped forward, and Xue Xingyao took a defensive step back.

Chen Shujing’s patience ran out. "If you won’t take the first path, then go to the military camp," he said coldly. "Whether you make it back alive will be up to you."

As if that wasn’t sharp enough, Chen Shujing added, "If you want to do nothing but drift aimlessly while a concubine’s son seizes your family’s fortune, then by all means, continue your foolishness."

"Think of your loved ones. Do you want them to watch from the grave as their enemies triumph, while you turn into a useless wreck?"

"Shen Mingji, this is the last time I’ll meddle in your affairs. Are you determined to sink this low? To not only hand over your inheritance but also let a murderer live out their days in peace?"

Shen Mingji froze. "What do you mean?"

"What do you think?"

"Explain yourself!" Shen Mingji’s voice was thick with emotion.

Before, Chen Shujing had considered Shen Mingji too young and his temperament too unstable. Fearing he would act impulsively and bring about disaster, Chen Shujing had hidden many things from him.

But now, he showed no ambition, content to wallow in his own despair and cause chaos for everyone around him.

In that case, he could no longer keep the truth from him.

If he let him continue on this path, he would be failing the trust Xiaoxiao had placed in him. When his time came, he wouldn’t be able to face her in the afterlife.

The atmosphere between the two men grew tense. Before Chen Shujing could speak, Xue Xingyao took her leave.

’She wasn’t a fool. She could tell Chen Shujing was hiding something from her.’

’But it probably wasn’t anything earth-shattering.’

’Otherwise, the visitor’s attitude wouldn’t be so peculiar.’

’He seemed to resent Chen Shujing, yet at the same time, he seemed to listen to him.’

’It was as if he saw Chen Shujing as... an older brother.’

’And if you can see someone as a brother, it must mean no fundamental lines have been crossed.’

Xue Xingyao thought, ’Chen Shujing was right. He’s just a rebellious "child".’

He watched Xue Xingyao leave.

’She was so gracious and trusting.’ It made Chen Shujing feel a pang of guilt.

’Should I really tell her about Xiaoxiao?’

Shen Mingji had completely forgotten the original purpose of his visit.

He asked impatiently, "What’s going on? Brother, you have to tell me everything."

Chen Shujing sighed. "Did you really think your mother’s death was an accident? She was murdered by the schemes of the inner household."

Mr. Shen doted on his concubine to the neglect of his wife. After Madam Shen passed away, it was obvious who stood to gain the most.

Shen Mingji was too young back then. Sheltered by his sister and grandmother, he was so well-protected that he eventually came to believe his mother’s death was truly an accident.

It was Shen Mingxiao’s death that had changed his entire disposition, turning him into the defiant person he was today.

Shen Mingji’s breathing grew heavy, his chest heaving violently. It felt as if something was lodged in his throat.

"Did my father know?"

Chen Shujing looked at him, his eyes filled with pity.

’For a child, could there be anything more cruel?’

’Even if Mr. Shen didn’t commit the act himself, he had sided with the murderer. That made him just as guilty.’

"Then what about my sister? Did she really die of a broken heart, like the doctor said?"

Chen Shujing said, "She carried a great bitterness in her heart, and she was very tired."

’Perhaps there were other reasons, but he had found no proof.’

’To protect herself and her brother, she had strived to become the talented woman everyone praised.’

’She stood in the spotlight so that Mr. Shen would see her value.’

’It was also to win a sliver of hope for herself and Shen Mingji.’

’If she hadn’t been a renowned talent, her enemies would have had no reason to hold back when dealing with her.’

’Xiaoxiao had held on all by herself for so long. She must have been so tired.’

’If only he had seen her struggles sooner, if he hadn’t let her put on such a brave face... perhaps things would have ended differently?’

The corners of Shen Mingji’s eyes were bloodshot, and his fists were clenched tight.

He said, "Fine. I’ll join the army. Whether I live or die is none of your concern."

’He would avenge his mother and sister himself.’

’He wouldn’t drag Chen Shujing into this.’

’And he wouldn’t have his sister be resented by this Miss Xue!’