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

Ling’s second birthday was approaching. Pei Yan wrote ahead of time to discuss with Mei Wanying how to celebrate their daughter’s birthday.

He also wanted to come to Jiangnan.

He said he wanted to see for himself how much Ling had grown. If he didn’t see her soon, he was afraid his daughter would forget him again.

He also mentioned bringing a few tutors to begin Ling’s education.

Mei Wanying felt it was a bit early, as starting at three wouldn’t be too late. But Pei Yan thought their daughter was exceptionally bright and should be cultivated early, lest they hinder the child’s future prospects.

Although Pei Yan wasn’t in Jiangnan, he was anything but careless when it came to matters concerning Ling.

In his words, if he wasn’t attentive to his child’s affairs today, she wouldn’t be close to him tomorrow.

He was her father, and he absolutely would not allow that to happen!

Since Pei Yan was willing to take on the trouble, Mei Wanying let him be.

Besides, she would be there to keep an eye on things. She would know whether the child could adapt to the tutors’ teaching, and they could always make adjustments later.

Aside from matters concerning their child, Pei Yan was most concerned about Mei Wanying.

Every time he wrote, he said he missed her.

Such a taciturn man had somehow turned into a smooth-talker. Every time she read his letters, Mei Wanying could feel her face flush.

They hadn’t seen each other in months, and Mei Wanying missed Pei Yan too. But when she thought about the assassination attempt on him, she no longer wanted him to come to Jiangnan.

No matter how formidable Pei Yan was, he was still only flesh and blood.

If he kept facing assassination attempts, who knew when his enemies might actually succeed!

He would be safer in the Capital City.

Mei Wanying had long considered picking a suitable time to take their daughter back to the Capital City to see Pei Yan.

Their daughter’s upcoming birthday was the perfect opportunity.

The Mei family also had businesses in the Capital. She could take this opportunity to go back and inspect them.

This would prevent anyone from getting bold enough to embezzle funds.

As for the tutors Pei Yan had selected, she could bring them back with her when she returned to Jiangnan.

After Ling’s birthday, the New Year would be just around the corner, and they probably wouldn’t be able to make it back in time.

Mei Wanying didn’t want her mother to spend the New Year alone in the old residence.

So she wanted to ask her mother to return to the Capital with them, which would also be a good opportunity to have an Imperial Physician in the Capital City check her pulse.

And prescribe some medicine to help her recuperate.

Mrs. Mei didn’t want the hassle. "You take Ling back with you. I’ll wait at home for your return. As for my old ailments, you don’t need to worry. The Household Doctor is managing them well, and it’s nothing serious."

Compared to her time in the Capital City, Mrs. Mei had fewer things to worry about, and her physical condition was better than before.

She had originally thought she didn’t have many years left to live, but now Mrs. Mei felt that perhaps she could still watch Ling grow up.

Mei Wanying thought for a moment. "In that case, I’ll invite Ah Yao and her family to the estate as guests to keep you company."

Mei Wanying felt bad that her mother would be all alone during a time for family reunions.

’Maybe I should wait until after the New Year to go back to the Capital City?’

No one knows a daughter better than her mother. The moment she saw the look on her daughter’s face, Mrs. Mei knew what she was thinking.

"It’s the New Year. Ah Yao’s family needs to have their own reunion. Just let them have a peaceful holiday."

"There are so many people in the estate. With Nanny Liu and the others to keep me company, it will be very lively. Don’t you worry about me. Take Ling back to the Capital. She misses her father. Let the two of them spend the New Year together."

In the past few years, Pei Yan and Ah Yin were at odds, so the family of three never had a proper New Year’s celebration together.

Pei Yan even missed Ling’s first birthday banquet.

In the blink of an eye, Ling has grown so much. If they don’t cherish the time they have now, they will surely have regrets when they look back later.

Mrs. Mei said, "I can’t celebrate the birthday and welcome the New Year with you this year, but we can make up for it next year. It’s not like you’re never coming back."

At this, Mrs. Mei looked at her daughter uncertainly. "You will come back, won’t you?"

Mei Wanying’s tone was firm. "We will!"

Reconciling with Pei Yan meant she had to compromise appropriately and not just let him be the only one making all the effort.

But she wouldn’t retreat again and again.

Her resolve not to be trapped in the depths of the palace had never wavered.

"Then that’s settled. I’ll wait for you at home."

The path Ah Yin was taking was too unconventional. Some might think her foolish for deliberately missing a chance to soar to the heavens in a single step.

But Mrs. Mei felt at ease.

At least her daughter was before her eyes, where she could see and touch her.

If she had entered the depths of the palace, Mrs. Mei feared she would lose sleep and appetite, worrying about Ah Yin day and night.

She would be terrified that someone might harm her in that place.

The struggles for power had always been cruel.

The powerful and noble in the Capital were all staring at that position.

If Ah Yin were to ascend to it, she would immediately become a thorn in the side of certain people.

With the General gone, who else would protect Ah Yin so unconditionally?

If Pei Yan’s heart were to change, how would Ah Yin survive in the depths of that palace?

The affections between a man and a woman could change in an instant.

Mrs. Mei believed that Pei Yan’s feelings for Ah Yin were genuine, but she couldn’t guarantee that he would stay true to his heart his entire life.

The way things were now was very good.

Ah Yin still had a way out.

Having lived for the better part of her life, Mrs. Mei had come to see things clearly. She didn’t care what outsiders thought; as long as Ah Yin was living well, that was the greatest blessing of all!

Mei Wanying said, "I’m still worried about you..."

Before she could finish, Mrs. Mei interrupted her. "My child, when did you become so naggy?"

Mei Wanying: "..."

’Am I being scorned?’

Mrs. Mei said, "Go and do what you want to do. You have your own life and should put yourself first."

"I’ll be right here. I’m not going anywhere. You don’t need to worry about me. Just come back and see me after you’re done with your business."

Mrs. Mei had completely stopped meddling in her daughter’s affairs. Whatever her daughter wanted to do, she would support her.

She just couldn’t bear to part with Ling.

From the day Ling was born, the grandmother and granddaughter had never been separated.

The Capital City was so far from Jiangnan. This trip could mean they wouldn’t see each other for several months at the shortest, or even up to a year.

Mrs. Mei truly couldn’t bear for them to leave!

She asked Ling, "Do you want to move into Grandma’s courtyard for a few days?"

Ling knew that her mother was taking her on a long journey to the Capital City to see her father.

This meant she wouldn’t see her grandmother for a long time.

The little one nodded emphatically, her voice crisp and clear. "Yes!"

Grandma doted on her the most and would surely be sad to see her go.

She would be sad to leave Grandma, too.

Ling snuggled into Mrs. Mei’s arms and said, as if coaxing a small child, "You have to eat your meals and sleep well, okay?"

Mrs. Mei smiled so widely that fine lines crinkled at the corners of her eyes. "Grandma will listen to Ling."

The little one put on a serious face and added earnestly, "You also have to take your medicine obediently. Even if it’s bitter, you have to drink it. Only then will you get better."

That’s what her mother would say when she was sick and didn’t want to drink her bitter medicine.

Ling didn’t want her grandmother to drink bitter medicine, but she also wanted her grandmother to be healthy.

She rummaged and rummaged in her small purse and pulled out a piece of gold. "I want to buy Grandma candy to eat."

’If she has candy, it won’t be bitter anymore,’ Ling thought.

The smile on Mrs. Mei’s face wouldn’t fade. She kissed Ling’s little cheek a few times. "With Ling here, Grandma isn’t afraid of anything bitter."

She wanted to live for a few more years to spend more time with Ah Yin and Ling.

They were her greatest attachments.

Ah Yin could already stand on her own, but she had too few relatives in this world.

’Even if I’m a burden,’ Mrs. Mei thought, ’I have to try my best to keep living.’

’I have to accompany Ah Yin a little further on her journey!’