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

Pei Yan had been ambushed and now lay in a coma. Although there was no definitive evidence pointing to the mastermind, everyone knew who was behind it.

The Crown Prince had made his move.

Pei Yan had just won another military victory, further bolstering his prestige within the army. He had not only captured the hearts of the common people, but even the Emperor favored his biological son.

How could the Crown Prince possibly tolerate this?

Waiting any longer would be like death by a thousand cuts. The rivalry between the two brothers had long since reached a life-or-death struggle.

The Crown Prince had been adopted by the Empress as a child. In the years he was raised as the heir apparent, he had built his own faction.

But compared to Pei Yan’s momentum, he was clearly losing ground.

No one had expected such a swift turn of events. The Crown Prince had grievously wounded Prince Chen, and suddenly, everyone was on edge.

They were terrified of backing the wrong side, fearing this fire would burn them to cinders.

Pei Yan’s fate dealt a heavy blow to Empress Gu. He was her only son.

Her own flesh and blood, whom she had only found again after so much hardship!

Empress Gu couldn’t bear to experience the pain of a parent outliving their child again.

She prayed day after day, hoping the heavens would take pity and allow her son to awaken soon.

Days turned into weeks, but no good news arrived.

Empress Gu grew haggard, looking as if she had aged several years.

If not for the child in Mei Wanying’s womb, a sliver of hope for Empress Gu, she didn’t know how she would have endured.

Her son’s life hung in the balance; she could not allow her grandchild to meet with any harm.

Empress Gu secretly dispatched more guards and cut off all news concerning Mei Wanying.

Not a single whisper about her was permitted to reach the Capital City.

At the same time, she discreetly erased all traces of Mei Wanying, deliberately making the people in the Capital City forget she ever existed.

Only by being forgotten could Mei Wanying and her child, now thousands of miles away, be safe.

Otherwise, even if mother and child were to hide at the ends of the earth, those with malicious intent would eventually find them.

’I can go years, even decades, without seeing my precious darling,’ Empress Gu thought, ’as long as the child is safe and sound!’

"Your Majesty, the Crown Princess Consort has come with the young lord, requesting an audience."

Empress Gu utterly despised the people of the Eastern Palace. Her own son’s life hung in the balance, yet they dared to flaunt themselves before her.

’Are they courting death?’

’Anyone connected to the Crown Prince... she wished she could tear them limb from limb!’

"What is she doing here?" Empress Gu’s tone was ice-cold, her eyes devoid of any emotion.

The announcing Palace Attendant replied, "The Crown Princess Consort says that she has returned from visiting her family and brought back a fine restorative medicine. She wishes to present it to you, hoping for Your Majesty’s continued health."

’As if my palace lacks any kind of restorative herbs,’ Empress Gu scoffed internally. ’Why would I need a special delivery from the Crown Princess Consort?’

The Crown Princess Consort was known for her soft temper, pliable as a clay doll that anyone could mold.

She couldn’t manage the women of the Eastern Palace, nor did she have the means to handle the Crown Prince’s lovers outside the palace walls.

She was utterly without guile, a complete disgrace to the daughters of esteemed noble families.

Had her elder sister not met with misfortune, it would never have been her turn to enter the Eastern Palace.

For such an inconspicuous person to seek her out proactively, Empress Gu couldn’t help but be suspicious.

’Is she here to gloat?’

’Or to fish for information?’

Empress Gu’s eyes narrowed. "Let her in."

’Fawning for no reason... I’ll see just what tricks she’s trying to pull.’

The Crown Princess Consort entered the hall with her child in her arms. Seeing the graceful and stately woman seated on the throne, she felt a flicker of apprehension.

But the thought of the Crown Prince’s cruelty hardened her resolve.

Since it was a desperate gamble either way, she would fight for herself and her child. That was far better than leaving their fates in the hands of a faithless man.

’If I fail, it will be my own choice. I will have no regrets!’

The Crown Princess Consort steadied herself and had her personal Palace Maid present the restorative medicine.

"I heard that Mother-Empress has been unwell, and I was worried. So I brought my son to see you. I hope we are not disturbing your rest."

Pei Yan and the Crown Prince were cousins, and the two bore a slight resemblance.

The little boy was bright and sturdy, with a clear trace of the Pei Family in his features. Empress Gu glanced at him, her mind filled with images of her own grandson.

’Mei Wanying is exceptionally beautiful. Her child with Ah Yan will surely be even more adorable than this one.’

Empress Gu loathed the Crown Prince, and that hatred extended to all those around him. No matter how cute the child was, he could not soften her heart.

She shot a look at Mrs. Feng.

Mrs. Feng stepped forward to accept the medicine. "The Crown Princess Consort will stay and speak with the Empress. The rest of us will wait outside."

With that, she led the Crown Princess Consort’s attendants away.

Empress Gu said nothing. She simply rested her forehead on her hand and closed her eyes, feigning sleep, completely ignoring the Crown Princess Consort and her son.

The Crown Princess Consort bit her lip and said softly, "A short while ago, His Highness took a Palace Maid to his bed."

The Crown Prince was both faithless and amorous, and the Eastern Palace was filled with countless beauties. It was hardly a rare occurrence for him to favor a new woman.

Empress Gu remained silent, her eyes still closed in repose.

The Crown Princess Consort continued, "After the incident at the other villa, His Highness abstained from all pleasures to recuperate. That Palace Maid is the only woman he has taken to his bed in months."

Having navigated the Harem for decades, how could Empress Gu not detect the hidden meaning in the Crown Princess Consort’s words?

"Oh? And what is so special about this Palace Maid, that the Crown Prince has become so captivated by her?"

Before coming to the Central Palace, the Crown Princess Consort had seen that Palace Maid from a distance.

Her face was plain, but her figure was exquisite. From behind, she bore a striking resemblance to the only daughter of the Mei family.

A melancholy look crossed the Crown Princess Consort’s face. "His Highness still cannot forget Miss Mei. He’d rather find a substitute than favor any of us sisters in the Eastern Palace."

At these words, Empress Gu’s eyelids fluttered.

Clearly, she still cared about Mei Wanying.

’If she still cares about Mei Wanying, does that mean there’s still a chance for Prince Chen?’

’Otherwise, with her own son on the brink of death, what mother would have the energy to care about an outsider?’

The Crown Princess Consort breathed a small sigh of relief.

Beating around the bush any further would only be irritating. She said, "His Highness is sending her away, and I cannot understand why."

The Crown Princess Consort put on a frightened expression. "Everyone already says that I cannot manage the inner court. With her departure, those who don’t know the truth will think I drove her out. My reputation is already poor. If more vicious rumors spread, I fear I’ll be scolded by my parents again the next time I visit my family."

To see a Crown Princess Consort in such a state, even Empress Gu felt embarrassed for her.

’If you can’t stand on your own two feet, it’s useless even if you’ve married into the highest echelons.’

’However... the hidden meaning in her words is worth considering.’

With the Crown Prince’s temperament, when he favored a woman, he would either grant her a title and keep her, or leave her nameless and unrecognized to continue her duties as a servant.

To suddenly send her away was indeed unusual.

’Could it be that this woman holds a secret?’

’Or perhaps... the Crown Prince is about to make his move and wants to preserve his bloodline, to ensure he can make a comeback later?’

It was just like the child in Mei Wanying’s womb, on whom she had placed similar hopes.

If Ah Yan didn’t pull through, that child would be their only hope.

Empress Gu’s heart sank. If the Crown Prince made a move now, it would be disastrous for Ah Yan.

’When will Ah Yan wake up?’

Her mind raced with anxiety and the many arrangements that needed to be made. She decided to dismiss the Crown Princess Consort.

She had revealed such a vital piece of information, yet received nothing in return. The Crown Princess Consort suddenly understood the meaning of "devouring someone whole, leaving not even the bones."

Her arms tightened around her child. "Mother-Empress," she said, "I wish to go to the Temple for a period of spiritual cultivation."

The Crown Prince would make his move soon. Once news of his failure arrived, she would take her son and flee to a faraway place.

She had intended to confess everything to the Empress and negotiate terms, but now she saw things clearly.

She couldn’t rely on anyone.

Let them fight their own battles. She would not get involved.

No matter who died, her life would not be an easy one.

The Crown Princess Consort knew full well that even if the Crown Prince were victorious, her position as mistress of the Harem was not secure.

After all, he was still utterly obsessed with Mei Wanying. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Wouldn’t he ascend the throne one day, only to bring that woman back the next and eagerly offer her the position of empress?