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

Mei Wanying had led a sheltered life since she was a girl. Since she was still unmarried, no one would ever suspect she was pregnant.

Diagnosing her with a condition caused by overwhelming stress and anger, the Imperial Physician prescribed a calming remedy for Mei Wanying.

He also advised her to relax and not let herself get too anxious or upset.

A peaceful heart is the key to good health.

After writing the prescription, the Imperial Physician was escorted out of Mei Wanying’s bedchamber.

Having come all this way, the Imperial Physician decided to stay a little longer, just to be safe.

He worried that if he returned to the Capital City and Miss Mei had another episode, His Highness might mistakenly think he hadn’t performed the diagnosis conscientiously.

As he walked out, the Imperial Physician said, "From now on, I will come to check Miss Mei’s pulse every other day. I apologize for the frequent intrusions, and I hope you and Mrs. Mei can forgive me."

The faint sound of his voice drifted in, and Mei Wanying, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, nearly choked.

’This is simply endless.’

’He’s as persistent as Pei Yan!’

Ding Xiang wanted to cry, too. She could bluff her way through this once or twice, but if it went on for too long, the chances of the secret being exposed were high.

After all, the people from the Imperial Hospital had seen it all; they were incredibly shrewd!

Looking at Mei Wanying, Ding Xiang was on the verge of tears. "Miss, what are we going to do?"

Mei Wanying didn’t have a good solution at the moment either.

Suddenly, she remembered the Jade Pendant tucked away at the bottom of her things. It belonged to Pei Yan and was engraved with his unique personal crest.

Chen Shujing had said it could be used to command people.

She hurriedly told Ding Xiang to find the Jade Pendant.

To keep it out of sight and out of mind, she had specifically told Ding Xiang to put it somewhere far away.

She hadn’t really paid attention to where it was placed.

Ding Xiang retrieved the troublesome Jade Pendant from Mei Wanying’s jewelry box.

’She opens this jewelry box every day, yet she never even noticed the Jade Pendant’s presence. It seems she’s really determined not to waste any more energy on that man.’

’Perhaps her subconscious was at work, making her deliberately ignore its existence.’

’As if by doing so, she could sever all ties with Prince Chen.’

Mei Wanying’s gaze lingered on the Jade Pendant for only a moment. "They can’t have gone far. Go tell the Imperial Physician to leave at once. Say it’s an order from Prince Chen."

"I’ll go right now."

Ding Xiang changed into an outer coat and hurried out, carrying the Jade Pendant.

It felt like she was holding a hot potato.

She was afraid of dropping it.

And afraid of it being snatched away.

She cursed inwardly. ’If he really wants to treat Miss well, wouldn’t just giving her the title of Princess Consort Chen be more effective than this stupid Jade Pendant?’

’A Jade Pendant can be lost, but the status of Princess Consort Chen isn’t something you can just lose.’

’The General is gone, but his former subordinates still support Prince Chen.’

’He didn’t have to marry her; no one forced him to agree.’

’But if he marries her only to divorce her later, that would be starting something he can’t finish, a classic case of ungrateful betrayal.’

’The public outcry alone would be enough to drown him!’

Mrs. Mei was also racking her brain for a way to send this "plague god" packing.

She had even considered sending guards to beat the man up after nightfall and have him sent back to the Capital City for treatment.

It was a reckless plan, but when there were no other options, what was a little recklessness?

It was better than letting Ah Yin suffer...

Ding Xiang caught up to her. "Ma’am, Miss has His Highness’s token. She wants the Imperial Physician to return to the Capital City immediately."

The Jade Pendant could not be a fake; no one under heaven would dare to impersonate a member of the Royal Family.

And this was Prince Chen, no less.

His military achievements were legendary, and he was the current Emperor’s only son!

Confirming that it was indeed Prince Chen’s token, the Imperial Physician groaned internally.

’What on earth are these young people doing!’

’One of them insists I treat her.’

’The other insists I don’t.’

’Was it easy for me to come all this way, crossing mountains and rivers?’

Wiping the non-existent sweat from his brow, he consoled himself. At least he had checked Miss Mei’s pulse once; he could report back now.

Mrs. Mei looked puzzled. How did Ah Yin come to possess such a thing?

’Would Pei Yan have given it to her willingly?’

She truly couldn’t figure out the minds of young people anymore. As long as Ah Yin was happy, that was all that mattered.

She gestured for the Imperial Physician to leave. "We have some matters to attend to in the residence recently, so we won’t be able to host you."

As a doctor with superb medical skills, he was treated as an honored guest wherever he went.

This was the first time he had ever been so unwelcome.

He figured he was just caught in the crossfire because of Prince Chen. The last time he had treated Miss Mei, she and Mrs. Mei had not been like this at all.

He cupped his hands in farewell and took his leave.

Mrs. Mei escorted him to the front gate. "Ah Yin’s ailment is of the heart," she said. "She and His Highness were childhood sweethearts for many years. It’s not easy for her to let go now. It’s understandable that she doesn’t wish to see anyone from the Prince Chen Mansion. I hope you can forgive her."

He thought about it and realized it made sense.

No wonder a good-tempered person like Miss Mei flew into a rage the moment she saw him.

’Her heart must be full of suffering!’

He said, "I will inform the people at the Prince Mansion that Miss Mei needs quiet rest, and that she shouldn’t be provoked or angered."

"Thank you."

...

Mei Wanying hadn’t expected Pei Yan’s Jade Pendant to be so effective.

She completely dismissed the idea of throwing it away.

She had Ding Xiang bring her a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone, and wrote a letter to Pei Yan.

This time, it contained only one sentence.

"Good dogs don’t block the road!"

She wanted to stay far away from Pei Yan, but his people kept appearing, one after another, effectively blocking her path.

The one giving the orders was nothing but a dog!

No one had ever dared to use the word "dog" to curse Pei Yan. With his temper, he was sure to turn livid with rage.

But who cared?

She gave the letter to Ding Xiang, who left to run the errand, leaving Mei Wanying alone in the room.

Maids and servants waited at the courtyard entrance; if she needed anything, she only had to call out.

The Jade Pendant on the table had a warm, gentle luster, clearly an item of extraordinary quality.

Mei Wanying looked at it, but it only made her more vexed.

She casually tossed it into her jewelry case, where it would not see the light of day.

After all the commotion, Mei Wanying was mentally and physically exhausted. She had intended to discuss an important matter with the Household Doctor, but now she couldn’t muster the energy.

Leaning back on the chaise lounge, she stared blankly at the burgeoning life in the courtyard.

A gentle breeze brushed her face. Without realizing it, she closed her cool eyes, her consciousness gradually fading as she drifted into a dream.

"Ah Yin!"

The voice was faint and trembling, as if belonging to someone experiencing something terrifying and desperate.

The scene before her was hazy, and Mei Wanying couldn’t see clearly.

A voice in her subconscious told her not to look, that the scene would be horrifying.

She knew clearly that she was dreaming, but she couldn’t break free.

Walking through the fog, she heard the clash of weapons, followed immediately by the overwhelming stench of blood.

She had smelled this stench of blood before.

Mei Wanying touched her neck. A golden hairpin was embedded in it.

It hurt so much.

So much...

The thick fog suddenly vanished, and she saw her own lifeless face.

Drained of color, her skin was a deathly pale, and her body had gone limp. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

A man in armor held her in his arms, trying to drape her hand over his shoulder so she could wrap her arms around his neck.

But again and again, it slipped off.

His head was bowed low. Mei Wanying couldn’t see his expression, only his slumped shoulders and back.

"Ah Yin, I’m taking you both home..."

A choked sob reached her ears, and Mei Wanying jolted awake.

She subconsciously reached for her neck, her fingers meeting warm, smooth skin.

It was a dream!

"Miss, are you feeling nauseous again?"

Ding Xiang came in from outside. Seeing the distressed look on her mistress’s face, she assumed it was morning sickness again.

’This baby is a little tyrant,’ she thought. ’It’s been tormenting our Miss ever since the day she found out she was pregnant.’

’Nausea in the morning, nausea at night.’

’It keeps her from eating anything.’

Seeing Mei Wanying clutching her chest, Ding Xiang thought her morning sickness had returned.

She quickly brought her some sour plums.

Mei Wanying shook her head. "I had a nightmare."

Ding Xiang suggested, "When you’re feeling better, we should go ask for a Peaceful Blessing talisman. If you keep it on you, you won’t have nightmares anymore."

"Alright."

She no longer cared whether that man was Pei Yan or not.

To her, it was all just a nightmare!