Pei Yan left Wei Jue in the Capital City to handle affairs.

Before leaving, he instructed, "Send a message to Jiangnan. Have people look after Mei Wanying and ensure nothing, not even the slightest thing, goes wrong."

The situation at the Border was unclear. If the two armies were to clash, he might not have time to read any letters Mei Wanying sent him.

Besides, distant water can’t put out a nearby fire. The best solution was to arrange for more manpower to clear away any obstacles for Mei Wanying, leaving her without a worry in the world.

Pei Yan said, "If she has any urgent matters, you are to go and handle them personally. Her affairs take top priority."

Wei Jue cupped his hands in a fist, his expression wooden.

Unlike the previous times, his emotions weren’t in turmoil.

He just knew His Highness wouldn’t leave Miss Mei to fend for herself. Even with thousands of miles between them, His Highness would still clear the way for her.

It had been like this for the past few years.

If not for His Highness’s protection, Mrs. Mei and Miss Mei would have long since been devoured by their relatives, with not even a scrap left behind.

Now that Miss Mei had returned to her hometown, who knew if those people would relapse into their old ways.

Whether in the Capital City or her hometown, Miss Mei was always surrounded by lurking wolves and tigers.

It was only natural that His Highness couldn’t set his mind at ease.

Wei Jue said, "Your subordinate will dispatch more men to Miss Mei’s side. Your Highness can set off without any worries."

The man shot Wei Jue a cold glare. "Clumsy-tongued fool. No wonder no woman is willing to marry you."

Wei Jue: "..."

’What does that have to do with anything?’

’He was as handsome as a jade tree in the wind; plenty of young women would be willing to marry him, thank you very much!’

’It was His Highness who was getting on in years and still unmarried. Young ladies saw him and scurried far away in fear—he was the one no one was willing to marry.’

’No, that’s not right. Miss Mei was willing to marry him, but His Highness broke her heart.’

’And now, she was gone.’

’Unable to see Miss Mei, His Highness was like a spurned husband, tormenting his subordinates.’

’Wei Jue felt his life was full of hardship.’

He forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Your Highness’s lesson is well-received."

Pei Yan snorted. "Blockhead. No wonder young women don’t like you."

’Unlike him. Mei Wanying was so in love with him she couldn’t pull herself away. From the first stirrings of her heart, she had given it all to him.’

’The thought filled Pei Yan with immense satisfaction.’

’Mei Wanying loved only him.’

’No matter how others threatened or tempted her, she never wavered in the slightest.’

’For the sake of her sincere heart, once he returned to the Capital City, he would take the betrothal gifts to Jiangnan and bring Mei Wanying back.’

’He had to keep this a secret. If Mei Wanying found out in advance, she would definitely do something drastic in her excitement.’

’She might even go to the Border to find him.’

’It was too dangerous there. Mei Wanying was a delicate young lady; her body wouldn’t be able to handle the hardships of the Border.’

’If the enemy targeted her and managed to capture her, her life would be in danger.’

’Just thinking about it made Pei Yan’s blood boil. If Mei Wanying dared to put herself in danger, he would make her pay!’

’Better to keep it from her for now, to avoid any complications,’ Pei Yan thought.

He was certain that Mei Wanying loved only him, yet he feared that some stray man might try to seduce her.

Not long ago, he had forced Mei Wanying to marry someone else. She had been so angry that she’d randomly picked a name just to deal with him.

The man Mei Wanying had chosen... later, when Pei Yan returned to his residence, he took out the register and looked again, only then discovering that the man was no stranger to him.

The man’s surname was Gu, and his given name was Xun. He was a young man from his mother’s side of the family.

His own cousin, by his calculations.

Pei Yan had never met this cousin; he only knew that he was serving as an official in another region.

The Gu Family had been gravely feared by the Emperor back then, and the official careers of the men in the family had been fraught with difficulty.

If they didn’t go to the outer regions to gain experience, it would be difficult for them to make a name for themselves in the Capital City.

And the place where his cousin was stationed was... Jiangnan.

At that thought, a wave of dread washed over Pei Yan.

He wished he could sprout wings and fly to Mei Wanying’s side to warn her to stay away from other men.

’She’s not allowed to talk to them.’

’She’s not allowed to look at them.’

’Not even a single glance!’

’If she dared to look at another man, he would make Mei Wanying pay!’

It was too late to say anything now. Pei Yan could only console himself with the thought that he was the only one in Mei Wanying’s heart. To her, other men couldn’t even compare to his little finger.

’If something did happen, it would be because some shameless man on the outside took the initiative to seduce Mei Wanying.’

Pei Yan pondered this as he walked, and as he was leaving the residence gates, he issued an order.

"Pave the way for Gu Xun. Have him transferred back to the capital as soon as possible."

’He was at a loss when it came to Mei Wanying, but dealing with other men was as easy as flipping his hand.’

’Whoever got close to Mei Wanying, he would get rid of.’

’If one appeared, he’d deal with one. If two appeared, he’d deal with the pair.’

’And since Mei Wanying didn’t like them anyway, he was just helping her solve her problems.’

’Mei Wanying ought to thank him!’

...

Pei Yan rode out of the city. He had much to attend to that day, but halfway there, he unexpectedly ran into Chen Shujing.

His attendants were restraining a young man, trying to shove him into a carriage parked by the roadside.

The young man resisted, shouting that he wouldn’t go home.

"My father dotes on his concubine and scorns his wife! My mother is gone, my sister is gone, and you still want to send me back? Do you want me to be disgusted to death by them before you’re happy?!"

Chen Shujing’s face was ashen. He restrained his emotions, not losing his temper in public.

Seeing Pei Yan was like spotting a savior.

"Behave, or I’ll ask Prince Chen to help take you to the Border for some ’training’!"

Shen Mingji didn’t recognize Pei Yan, but who didn’t know of Prince Chen’s reputation?

’The man was a living King of Hell!’

He was about to curse Chen Shujing for being inhuman enough to throw him to the living King of Hell for punishment when he suddenly met a deep, profound gaze.

The man on horseback sat tall and straight. His face was expressionless, radiating a noble indifference that made it difficult to look him in the eye.

Meeting Pei Yan’s eyes, Shen Mingji felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

When he saw Chen Shujing bow to the newcomer, his defiant aura instantly deflated.

’So, this was Prince Chen.’

’Chen Shujing hadn’t been lying; he really did have a connection with Prince Chen...’

Shen Mingji shifted his shoulders, broke free, and offered a bow to Pei Yan.

Then he stood obediently behind Chen Shujing, a completely different person from the little tyrant who had been causing a scene just moments before.

Pei Yan raised an eyebrow. "And this is?"

’If I remember correctly, this isn’t a child of the Chen Family.’

Chen Shujing cupped his hands again. "This is a child of the Shen family. To me, he is no different from my own younger brother."

Shen Mingji snorted. "What younger brother? My older sister never married you."

Pei Yan had initially paid it no mind, but upon hearing this, his eyes narrowed.

’He knew better than anyone how much Mei Wanying treasured Xue Xingyao.’

’If Xue Xingyao was not doing well, Mei Wanying would surely be upset.’

’And when she got upset, she cried.’

’She’d cry until her eyes were red and puffy, just like a little rabbit.’

’Mei Wanying’s eyes weren’t strong. Pei Yan didn’t want her shedding tears for outsiders.’

’Not a single drop!’

Pei Yan’s gaze grew probing. "What’s going on?"

Chen Shujing’s expression turned desolate, his voice laced with bitterness. "That’s all in the past."

He and Xiaoxiao were childhood sweethearts, but before they could confess their feelings, Xiaoxiao fell gravely ill and passed away.

’He truly never did get to marry Xiaoxiao.’

Pei Yan was fiercely protective of his own. He had no interest in the affair between Miss Shen and Chen Shujing, but he would not stand by and watch if Chen Shujing were bullying Xue Xingyao.

That was Mei Wanying’s sworn sister!

His sharp gaze fell upon Shen Mingji. "Is this the urgent matter you mentioned?"

Chen Shujing nodded frankly. "Ah Ji is young. I can’t just watch him go astray. I came to the Capital City this time to take him home."

Pei Yan let out a soft, mocking laugh. "Since when were you such a great philanthropist?"

Chen Shujing: "..."

’This man is so sarcastic and passive-aggressive. No wonder Miss Mei couldn’t stand his temper.’

’If he were Mei Wanying, he would have galloped away without a second’s hesitation!’