Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Keeping It from Pei Yan

"Ah Yan chose her himself. The Emperor and I did not interfere."

Empress Gu added.

Though Mei Wanying was determined to let go of Pei Yan, her heart still ached at those words.

She finally understood. Pei Yan wasn’t opposed to getting married; he was opposed to marrying *her*.

It wasn’t that he went to the Border and suddenly found another woman. It was that as long as the woman wasn’t her, Mei Wanying, she had a chance to get close to him.

The hand hidden by her wide sleeve trembled slightly. Mei Wanying had to dig her nails into her palm just to maintain a calm expression.

She shook her head. "This servant cannot guess His Highness’s thoughts."

But in her heart, she thought of Xue Yunshu.

She was the daughter of the Duke Mansion, deeply favored by Duke Xue. Even the daughter of the main wife was outshone by Xue Yunshu.

Duke Xue had even sent Xue Yunshu to study medicine, not confining her to the rear courtyards, saying he wanted her to be as free as her birth mother.

Mei Wanying had no dealings with Xue Yunshu, but she was a close friend of the Duke Mansion’s second daughter.

She had heard plenty about the Duke Mansion’s affairs from Xue Xingyao.

Mei Wanying didn’t know how Xue Yunshu had gone to the Border in her past life.

She only knew that Xue Yunshu had stayed in the military camp as a medic.

Not only did Pei Yan look at her with special regard, but even his subordinates felt that a woman like Xue Yunshu was the only kind fit to be by Pei Yan’s side.

In their eyes, although Mei Wanying was General Mei’s own daughter, she had been raised too delicately. Unable to lift heavy things or carry heavy loads, she was suited to marrying some pampered Noble Son and becoming a high-society lady.

Xue Yunshu, on the other hand, was unconcerned with trivial matters, had a straightforward and bold personality, and was skilled in medicine. She was completely different from the delicate noble ladies of the Capital City and could follow Pei Yan on his campaigns across the land.

Mei Wanying had personally heard people gossiping that it would have been better if Pei Yan had never married her.

They called her a stumbling block, an obstacle between Pei Yan and Xue Yunshu, preventing the fated lovers from being together.

"It’s the daughter of the Duke Mansion, Xue Yunshu!"

The name Empress Gu spoke was the very one Mei Wanying had been thinking of.

The slight curve of her lips stiffened.

’So their fated connection began this early. Without me standing between them, Pei Yan chose Xue Yunshu even sooner.’

Mei Wanying lowered her gaze. "The woman His Highness has chosen is naturally a most excellent lady."

Empress Gu didn’t miss the ripple of emotion in Mei Wanying’s eyes. ’She really hasn’t let go of Ah Yan,’ she thought to herself.

’Her current display of serene composure... I wonder what scheme she’s plotting.’

’I must make her give up completely.’

’Otherwise, if Mei Wanying goes back on her word one day, Ah Yan will have no peace.’

Empress Gu released Mei Wanying’s hand. "Ah Yan is my only son. Naturally, I want to fulfill his wishes regarding the girl he fancies. So, I am preparing to host a flower-viewing banquet for him to meet her. I have also had an invitation drawn up for you. Don’t be in such a hurry to return to Jiangnan. You can leave after the banquet."

Empress Gu hadn’t originally intended to give Mei Wanying an invitation; she had only just changed her mind.

Of course, she also looked down on Xue Yunshu.

’The bastard child of a Medical Woman. Even if she’s doted on in the Duke Mansion, that fact cannot be changed.’

’I could never accept Xue Yunshu as my daughter-in-law.’

’I might as well choose Mei Wanying!’

’Xue Yunshu can’t be Ah Yan’s principal wife, but the other young lady from the Duke Mansion would be acceptable.’

However, to make her son happy, Empress Gu decided to allow Xue Yunshu into the Prince Chen Mansion as a Concubine.

This was already giving the Duke Mansion a great deal of face.

After all, no wealthy family in the Capital City would consider marrying Xue Yunshu.

In the face of tangible benefits, affection was fragile and easily broken.

Xue Yunshu had no maternal family to back her. In Empress Gu’s eyes, her value was far less than Mei Wanying’s.

If the Crown Prince weren’t so relentless, treating Mei Wanying as a prize already in his grasp, it would actually be very easy for her to marry a Noble Son.

The connections and wealth left behind by General Mei were still very tempting.

Empress Gu looked down on Xue Yunshu. The only reason she was included in the list of candidates was because the old matriarch of the Duke Mansion had pleaded for it.

She had thought Xue Yunshu was just there to round out the numbers and wouldn’t affect anything, but she never expected her own son to pick her.

If she wanted to swap the candidate now, she would have to strategize carefully.

Otherwise, her son would be displeased.

A thousand thoughts raced through Empress Gu’s mind, but she would not reveal her true intentions to Mei Wanying.

’Just let Mei Wanying misunderstand.’

’Let her think she can’t even compare to Xue Yunshu!’

Empress Gu looked at Mei Wanying with a beaming smile, awaiting her reply.

Mei Wanying pondered for a moment before saying with some difficulty, "My mother has been overwrought with worry these past few years, and her health is not good. This servant wishes to return to our hometown soon. It is a more suitable place for her to recuperate. I’m afraid I must decline the Empress’s kind invitation."

In her past life, Mei Wanying had spent a fair amount of time with Empress Gu. How could she not understand the other’s thoughts?

The Empress looked down on Xue Yunshu.

But this was the person Pei Yan had chosen himself. As long as he insisted, he would eventually get his way.

Just like in her past life, when she and Pei Yan had woken up in the same bed. His face had darkened at the time, but he had still rushed to the palace without delay to request an imperial decree for their marriage.

At first, both the Emperor and the Empress had disagreed, but Pei Yan insisted on marrying her.

Unable to change his mind, they sent the imperial marriage decree to the Mei Mansion.

In less than half a month, she was welcomed into the Prince Chen Mansion and became Pei Yan’s wife.

Whatever Pei Yan set his mind to, as long as he was alive, he would accomplish.

Mei Wanying was certain of this.

Taking a deep, subtle breath, Mei Wanying reminded herself that no matter who Pei Yan married, it had nothing to do with her anymore.

’In this life, I will not be a stumbling block again!’

Empress Gu was finding it hard to see through Mei Wanying.

She clearly couldn’t let go of Ah Yan, yet she insisted on returning to her hometown in Jiangnan. It didn’t seem like she was scheming.

’Could something have happened that I don’t know about?’

Empress Gu rubbed her wrist. It seemed she would have to send someone to investigate.

"Since your mind is made up, I will not force you. If you face any difficulties in the future, you can write a letter back to the Capital City."

"This servant thanks the Empress." Mei Wanying rose and gave Empress Gu a graceful bow.

Although she had not yet left the Capital City, she felt a sense of finality, as if the dust had finally settled.

She should have done this long ago.

Let go of Pei Yan and start her new life.

Mei Wanying felt a great weight lift from her shoulders, and the misty haze in her eyes brightened somewhat.

She gave a faint smile, her features lighting up with a captivating brilliance.

Even Empress Gu, who had seen countless beauties, was momentarily dazed.

She clicked her tongue inwardly, beginning to doubt her son’s taste.

’An absolute beauty was right in front of him, so how did he end up picking the plain-looking Xue Yunshu?’

’Could it be that he just pointed randomly?’

If that was really the case, then things would be much simpler.

’Change the candidate for his principal wife to Miss Xue Er, and Ah Yan will surely agree.’

"For now, keep the matter of your return to Jiangnan a secret from Ah Yan."

Mei Wanying felt it was unnecessary. If Pei Yan knew she was returning to Jiangnan, he would probably wake up laughing from his dreams.

But the Empress had spoken, and she had no right to refuse.

With a docile expression, she said, "This servant will obey you."

"Then I wish you a safe journey."

In the wide-open entrance of the hall, a tall, slender figure appeared.

It was Pei Yan, who had just left the palace not long ago.

Mei Wanying felt inexplicably nervous, her heart leaping into her throat.

But on second thought, she hadn’t done anything to wrong Pei Yan. ’Who cares if he heard or not!’

The tall man walked over as if taking a leisurely stroll in a courtyard, his gaze landing on Mei Wanying.

Her head was slightly lowered, revealing the graceful curve of her swan-like neck.

Delicate and very obedient.

Just like in his dreams.

Pei Yan’s expression was blank. "Mei Wanying, here to complain again?"