Chapter 234: Mei Wanying Is Very Important
The Imperial Guard cleared the way. The status of the person arriving was, needless to say, exceptionally noble.
Passersby all lowered their heads, not daring to look for too long, terrified of offending a Noble.
A few of the bolder ones quietly looked up and saw a tall, slender figure.
The man was dressed in black robes with a greatcloak, walking with wide, swift strides toward the carriage where the beautiful woman was.
His steps were hurried, his very back radiating a sense of urgency.
Pei Yan had gone to the battlefield in his youth. Every time he returned to the capital in victory, the city’s commoners would come out to welcome him, so they naturally recognized his face.
Now, he had ascended the throne. No wonder he arrived with such great pomp and ceremony.
To have the Emperor himself come out of the city to welcome her, the lady in that carriage surely had no simple identity.
In their peripheral vision, they saw the dignified man standing beside the carriage, taking the woman’s hand and breathing on it to warm it.
This was a gesture only a man and woman in an intimate relationship would make.
The peeking onlookers had a look of sudden realization.
That ethereal beauty was the sole daughter of the Mei family.
Mei Wanying!
She and the Emperor were childhood sweethearts, and she had even borne him a daughter.
Although she had never entered the palace and had no official title, her daughter was Princess Zhao Chen, personally ennobled by the Emperor!
This act was, in effect, a way of backing Mei Wanying.
She was different from those other lowly people with no name or status.
Having her hand held by Pei Yan in front of such a large crowd made Mei Wanying’s face burn.
"Get in."
Ding Xiang was extremely perceptive. She left the space for the family of three and got out of the carriage herself.
The carriage curtain fell, blocking all prying eyes.
The carriage passed smoothly through the city gates and into the capital, and the Imperial Guard departed.
The people left behind could finally speak. "I’ve long heard that the Emperor cares deeply for General Mei’s only daughter, that he even goes back to the General Mansion to visit her from time to time. I used to think it was all baseless gossip—the Emperor is busy with countless affairs of state, how could he have time for such things? But after seeing this today, the rumors are probably true."
"To have the Emperor come out of the city to welcome her... It’s an undeniable fact that Miss Mei is deeply favored."
"If she’s so favored, why hasn’t he brought Miss Mei into the palace?"
Given the history between the Mei family and the Emperor, it wouldn’t be impossible for Miss Mei to enter the palace and become the Empress.
The Emperor is a capable man with the court firmly in his grasp; he doesn’t need to use marriage to consolidate his position.
With so much power in his hands, he naturally wouldn’t let the woman he loves be wronged.
Making Miss Mei the Empress decisively would be more in line with the Emperor’s swift and resolute style.
Unfortunately, the position of Empress remains vacant.
Who knows who will end up with it?
"Could it be... that Miss Mei is the one who doesn’t want to enter the palace?"
No one agreed with this speculation.
"Miss Mei isn’t a fool. Why wouldn’t she enter the palace? That’s not just any high branch to climb."
If she joins the Royal Family and gives birth to a son, maybe Miss Mei’s son could become the next ruler of the realm.
How many people could resist such a great temptation?
"There must be another reason!" someone said. "Maybe Miss Mei’s return to the capital this time is precisely to enter the palace and serve the Emperor."
"Whether there’s a hidden reason or not, it’s not for the likes of us to investigate. Watch your mouth and don’t gossip about Nobles. Be careful, words can bring disaster!"
Mei Wanying was the apple of the Emperor’s eye. Who would dare speak ill of her?
The crowd fell silent.
No one dared to speak further on the matter.
By personally coming out of the city to welcome Mei Wanying, Pei Yan was undoubtedly telling everyone that she was important.
Anyone who dared to look down on her would be making an enemy of him!
Inside the carriage.
Mei Wanying fell onto the man’s lap, given no chance to speak.
On the soft couch beside them, Ling was fast asleep. She took a nap every day, a habit she’d had since she was little.
She was sleeping so soundly that she didn’t even know they had already entered the city.
Nor did she know that her father had come to pick them up.
The kiss ended.
Mei Wanying’s breathing was slightly ragged, her eyes shimmering like a pool of autumn water.
With a hand against the man’s chest, she reminded him in a low voice, "Ling is still here."
Pei Yan stared at Mei Wanying, unable to look away.
The arms around her tightened, not allowing Mei Wanying to move too far from him.
’God knows how much I’ve missed Ah Yin!’
The man’s hard chest rose and fell slightly, his eyes filled with delight.
’My Ah Yin... she really came back to the capital to see me!’
’Does this mean Ah Yin has finally let go of her reservations and is willing to accept me with all her heart?’
Pei Yan was overcome with emotion.
His palm caressed Mei Wanying’s back. "Ah Yin, I finally get to see you."
He said it with a hint of grievance.
They had truly been apart for so, so long. Pei Yan felt both sweet joy and a sense of grievance.
To be accepted and loved by Mei Wanying, he felt he was the happiest man in the world.
But it was so difficult for them to meet, which also made him feel like the most pitiful man in the world.
’If I hadn’t been born into the Royal Family, I would have been the Mei family’s son-in-law long ago.’
’I would be wherever Ah Yin is.’
’We wouldn’t have to be separated at all!’
His gaze swept over Mei Wanying’s eyebrows, her eyes, nose, mouth, ears... He carefully took in every detail.
It was as if he wanted to engrave her into his very bones.
Being stared at so intently by the man, a faint blush crept onto Mei Wanying’s face.
’Is his gaze always this brazen?’
’Shameless!’
Mei Wanying lowered her eyes and said softly, "Let go of me."
"No."
The man’s arms tightened further.
’I’ve only just gotten to see Ah Yin. Telling me to let go now... isn’t that just making things difficult for me?’
Pei Yan wrapped his arms around Mei Wanying’s waist. "Why aren’t you looking at me? Do you think I’ve gotten old?"
’He’s being unreasonable again.’ Mei Wanying gritted her teeth. "The child is still here. Can you show a little restraint?"
"I am showing restraint."
Pei Yan said this, but his gaze never left Mei Wanying.
’If I weren’t considering the child, what I want to do is far more than just hugging and kissing.’
He rested his chin on Mei Wanying’s shoulder, drinking in her scent.
All his fatigue and frustrations were swept away in that moment.
’Ah Yin is my remedy.’
As long as Ah Yin was by his side, he felt better than ever.
Though he knew it was a vain hope, Pei Yan still harbored the fantasy that Ah Yin would stay with him a little longer and not be in a hurry to return to Jiangnan.
As if holding a rare treasure, Pei Yan was reluctant to let go.
From time to time, he would plant a kiss as light as a dragonfly touching water.
The man’s features softened, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and the ice around him melted completely.
He was completely different from the cold, stern, and distant man he was in public.
Mei Wanying was at a loss with Pei Yan and could only let him be.
Fortunately, he hadn’t lost all reason. He just held her, occasionally kissing her on the cheek, without doing anything over the line.
Mei Wanying’s body relaxed as she leaned against the man’s chest. "You guessed long ago, didn’t you?"
"Yes."
"Then why didn’t you say anything?"
Pei Yan: "I didn’t want to ruin the surprise you had for me."
Mei Wanying looked up at him. "Then why did you make such a big scene? Shouldn’t you have stayed in the palace, pretended you didn’t know, and quietly waited for Ling and me to show up?"
Pei Yan: "I wanted to pretend, but I failed."
’The woman I love was so close. Who could restrain the impulse to rush to her side?’
’I was already exercising extreme self-control.’
’Otherwise, I would have galloped out on a fast horse to meet her long ago.’
Pei Yan wanted to kiss Mei Wanying again. Just as he leaned in, he noticed that the little doll on the soft couch had woken up.
She was staring at them with wide, clear eyes, not saying a word.
A few moments later, she suddenly shrieked at the top of her lungs, "Stinky Papa, you’re not allowed to kiss my Mama!"