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

If Pei Yan found out that Mei Wanying was carrying his child, he would never agree to her marrying into the Gu Family.

He might even insist on making her his Princess Consort.

This was not the outcome Empress Gu wanted.

She was grateful to the Mei family for raising Pei Yan, and she hadn’t forgotten General Mei’s glorious military achievements.

If her own son didn’t have so many obstacles in his path, choosing Mei Wanying as a daughter-in-law wouldn’t be out of the question.

She could consider it a way of repaying their kindness.

It would even earn her a good reputation.

As things stood, she only wanted to choose a daughter-in-law who could provide support. She needed to deal with the Crown Prince as quickly as possible and avoid complications from further delays.

The Emperor’s health had been ruined in his youth, and his condition was deteriorating. It was clear he was not destined for a long life.

If the Emperor were to suddenly pass away, the Crown Prince would legitimately ascend the throne.

That would leave Pei Yan with only two paths: either be hunted down and exterminated, or raise an army and rebel.

If he rebelled, he would be branded a traitor and forever nailed to the pillar of shame.

Even if he ultimately succeeded, he would have to pay a much greater price.

Mei Wanying knew very well what Empress Gu wanted.

She was a woman, and while she could not hold a position in the imperial court, that didn’t mean she was oblivious to the news or unable to grasp the political situation.

By leaving the Capital City, she was helping the Empress.

The Empress would no longer have to worry about how to handle her in a way that both demonstrated the Royal Family’s grace and didn’t hinder Pei Yan’s grand plans.

She had granted the Empress’s wish; now the Empress should grant hers.

Using Imperial Power to crush people was effective, but even a cornered rabbit will bite.

’If I just accept their arrangements without a word, this time they want me and the child to enter the Gu Family. What about next time? Will they demand my death?’

’All under the noble-sounding pretext that the child can’t have a tainted mother?’

Mei Wanying gave a cold laugh.

’Either kill me in one clean stroke and forget about maintaining appearances, forget about not alienating your loyal subjects and benefactors!’

They wanted to use a dull knife to slice away at her, forcing her bit by bit toward a dead end.

But that trick was useless against the woman she was today.

Mei Wanying took a step forward and looked Mrs. Gu straight in the eye. "Either stay out of my business, or I’ll tell Pei Yan the truth. Make your choice!"

Mrs. Gu’s expression shifted. "Miss Mei, are you threatening us?"

Mei Wanying gave a noncommittal response. "You can try to intercept my letters, but don’t forget—the child is in my womb. If I don’t want to keep it, I have plenty of ways."

Her expression was placid as she added, "What’s the point of causing such a scene, only to end up with nothing?"

Mrs. Gu’s eyes filled with shock. "This is a child of royal blood, a lineage of utmost nobility! How dare you threaten it?"

Realizing that they truly cared about this child, Mei Wanying finally seized a sliver of control. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

She placed a hand on her lower abdomen. "And why wouldn’t I? It is in my body, after all."

Mrs. Gu was speechless.

For the first time, she understood what it meant to be utterly speechless.

Suppressing her frustration, she tried to persuade her. "Miss Mei, please don’t resent the Empress. Her Highness is only thinking of the greater good."

"And what does your ’greater good’ have to do with me?"

"How could it not?"

Mrs. Gu lowered her voice. "Once His Highness achieves his goal, given the relationship between the Mei family and him, won’t your and Mrs. Mei’s status naturally rise as well?"

Mei Wanying retorted, "And if he fails? Will my mother, myself, and the entire Mei family have to die with him?"

Mrs. Gu was furious. How could the girl say such horribly pessimistic things?

’His Highness is the Empress’s eldest legitimate son. The title of Crown Prince should have been his from the start.’

’He has the Mandate of Heaven. How could he possibly fail?’

Mrs. Gu no longer wanted to argue with Mei Wanying. "Miss Mei, you will give birth to this child, and you will marry into the Gu Family. The Empress will not allow His Highness’s flesh and blood to remain adrift in the world!"

Then, she added, "We will be staying with you, Miss Mei. You would do best to abandon any thoughts of ending the pregnancy. The Empress gave specific orders: if anything happens to the child, all of us will be severely punished—and that includes you!"

The girl was carrying a gold lump, yet she wanted to get rid of it. Mrs. Gu was convinced she had lost her mind.

’Perhaps Mei Wanying is just bluffing.’

’The opportunity to gain status through her child is right before her eyes. I don’t believe she isn’t tempted.’

’No matter what Mei Wanying is thinking, I have to keep a close watch on her.’

’The Empress ordered that absolutely nothing can happen to the child.’

’If Mei Wanying tries to send a message to His Highness, no matter how many letters she writes, they’ll all be intercepted by the Empress’s people.’

’As long as I watch her carefully, everything will be under control!’

Sensing the other woman’s confidence, Mei Wanying’s lips curved into a slight smile. "There’s something you don’t know. Pei Yan gave me a token before he left. With it, do you really think my message can’t reach him?"

Her gaze was calm and her expression unruffled. This composure only made her words more believable.

Mrs. Gu’s heart sank.

She had long heard that Mei Wanying was simple by nature—the family’s only daughter, raised to be naive and spoiled.

If His Highness hadn’t been found, the Mei family would have likely forced him to marry into their household.

The fact that Mei Wanying possessed a token from His Highness proved he no longer disliked her.

It wasn’t impossible that he had left her a way to send messages.

Mrs. Gu’s mind was in turmoil, and she didn’t know what to do.

But one thing was certain: the child had to be saved, and His Highness had to be kept in the dark.

The only room left for negotiation... was that Mei Wanying might not have to marry Xun.

The matter was too great for Mrs. Gu to decide on her own. All she could do for now was placate Mei Wanying.

"Miss Mei, please focus on your health and the pregnancy. Our Xun is a decent man. If you are unwilling, he will not force the marriage."

Mei Wanying stared at Mrs. Gu without a word.

Though her beautiful eyes were as calm as still water, Mrs. Gu felt a chill run down her spine, feeling as if she were being seen through completely.

Bracing herself, she said, "I will relay your words to the Empress. Please wait for her response."

Mei Wanying pressed a palm to her lower abdomen. Her clothes were thin, and she could feel the faint, swelling curve.

She knew they were just stalling for time. Once the baby grew larger, it would be too late to terminate the pregnancy.

The child was in her womb. If she were ruthless enough, a fall or a hard blow could still achieve her purpose.

But doing so would put her at great risk as well.

The ultimate price could be her own life.

’But what would I gain by sacrificing my life?’

’I would only cause my family pain. Beyond that, I’d gain nothing.’

To Mei Wanying, life was too precious to be risked so carelessly.

Otherwise, she would have drunk the abortifacient without a second thought on the very day she discovered she was pregnant.

Mei Wanying’s expression grew uncertain. ’Is keeping this child the only way for me to gain control and negotiate with the Empress?’

’I don’t want to get married.’

’I don’t want to live at the mercy of others’ whims anymore.’

’Only in the Mei family can I truly be myself.’

’It’s such a small wish. Surely it can come true, can’t it?’

Mrs. Mei, understanding her daughter’s thoughts, spoke up. "The child can be kept, but Ah Yin will not marry. We will raise the child ourselves. In the future, he will bear the Mei surname and inherit the Mei family estate. This is the only outcome we can accept."

Otherwise, this child should not be born!

’If she really marries into the Gu Family, everyone will push Ah Yin to her death.’

’They only care about the child, not its mother. They even see Ah Yin as a stain.’

’Once she’s in the Gu Family, Ah Yin could die in the inner quarters and no one would ever know.’

’If death is the only outcome, what’s the point of risking her life to have this child?’

’It would be better not to have it at all!’