Chapter 244: If There’s Any Fault, It’s All on Me
"This is improper," Mei Wanying said. She felt sitting beside Empress Dowager Gu was perfectly fine.
It wouldn’t lower her standing, but it also wouldn’t be presumptuous enough to draw the ire of the court officials.
"Don’t be afraid. Even if the sky falls, I’ll be there to hold it up. If anyone dares to object, I will personally shut them up." He used the imperial pronoun, his attitude resolute.
Mei Wanying: "..."
To Pei Yan, Mei Wanying was the most important person of all. Placing etiquette above her? How absurd.
He was determined to back Ah Yin.
He wanted to make it known to all that the only one who could sit by his side was Mei Wanying, and Mei Wanying alone!
With Ah Yin right there, leaving that seat empty would surely lead some to wild speculation. They might mistakenly believe he had no intention of making Ah Yin his Empress.
They might even start scheming again, trying to shove the daughters of their clans into the palace.
And they would dress it up with a pretty name, like helping the Royal Family continue its line and produce more heirs.
’He had Ah Yin. What need did he have for their meddling?’
Pei Yan wanted only Mei Wanying. He would only give his fatherly love to the children she bore, and he would do everything in his power to pave their way.
Only if his stance was uncompromising would outsiders not dare to offend Ah Yin and Lingling.
’If he couldn’t even protect the people he cared for, he couldn’t sit securely on this throne. He might as well just hand it over to someone else and be done with it!’
Since Empress Dowager Gu was still present, Pei Yan and Mei Wanying shared a tacit understanding and dropped the subject.
Empress Dowager Gu could only feign ignorance.
’Ah Yan wouldn’t listen to her anyway. And since that was the case, why start a fight with her own son?’
’The relationship between them, mother and son, had finally eased after much difficulty. Another falling out might be irreparable.’
’Before her son had ascended the throne, she had always thought of finding him a capable wife from a powerful family, one who could help him secure the seat of the ruler of all under heaven.’
’Now, her son no longer needed anyone’s support to hold power firmly in his grasp.’
’Marrying a wife from a powerful family at a time like this—wouldn’t that just be asking for trouble?’
’If he really did, the consequence would be the empress’s relatives meddling in state affairs, leading to court instability. Ah Yan himself would be in danger.’
’That was just borrowing trouble!’
With this in mind, Empress Dowager Gu began to think that Mei Wanying was, in fact, the best candidate for Empress.
’First, she and Ah Yan were childhood sweethearts with a deep bond.’
’Second, she had borne him a child.’
’Third, General Mei was gone, and the Mei family’s former subordinates were all loyal to Ah Yan. Even if Mei Wanying were to have a son, there would be no fear of her relatives causing chaos in the court.’
’Elevating the daughter of his benefactor to the position of Empress would be seen as a noble tale.’
’Ah Yan would even earn a good reputation from it.’
’If there was any downside at all, it was that Ah Yan cared for Mei Wanying far too much.’
’He put her first in all matters and might do something foolish for her sake.’
’But compared to the benefits, what did that matter?’
The more Empress Dowager Gu thought about it, the more she felt the title of Empress ought to go to Mei Wanying.
The pros of this move far outweighed the cons!
Empress Dowager Gu’s gaze on Mei Wanying softened, carrying with it a hint of sincerity.
"Ah Yan holds you in his heart; that is why he is willing to fight for your standing. Do not disappoint his good intentions."
Mei Wanying couldn’t help but be shocked to hear such words from Empress Dowager Gu.
In her past life, Empress Dowager Gu had made things difficult for her more times than she could count.
And in this life, she had been suppressed by her as well.
She had thought Empress Dowager Gu would never accept her, and that maintaining a superficial peace was the best result she could hope for.
She never expected the woman to have such a sudden change of heart.
Mei Wanying found it very unsettling.
So much so that she was still pondering it well into the night.
A sudden bite on her shoulder made Mei Wanying slap Pei Yan’s face. "Are you a dog?"
Pei Yan tutted. "It seems you’re not tired enough."
To ensure their daughter’s birthday banquet went perfectly, Ah Yin had insisted on making every decision herself, big or small.
She had even personally cooked eggs and tangyuan for Ling.
After they ate the eggs and tangyuan, she took their daughter to watch the fireworks.
She’d had a busy day, so out of consideration for her exhaustion, they’d only made love once before he blew out the candle.
And yet, here she was, not sleeping soundly.
Her mind was clearly elsewhere!
The hand Pei Yan had resting on her slender waist began to move. His voice was nonchalant, but it held an undercurrent of threat.
"Another round?"
He was always like this, with seemingly endless stamina. Mei Wanying was both exasperated and impressed.
She rolled over to face him, pressing a hand against his chest to stop him from his mischief.
She asked Pei Yan, "What was that about with the Empress Dowager? I can’t shake the feeling that she’s acting strange."
The woman who had always looked down on her was suddenly being so "kind." Not only was it unsettling, but it also made her a little anxious.
She was afraid Empress Dowager Gu was plotting something.
Pei Yan lowered his gaze and kissed the crown of her head. "Don’t be afraid. No one can harm you."
Mei Wanying wasn’t afraid. She whispered, "As long as the Empress Dowager is good to Ling, as for the rest... I’ll face whatever comes my way."
No matter what Empress Dowager Gu was planning, she would not be threatened by her again.
Having settled her thoughts, Mei Wanying closed her eyes, letting sleepiness wash over her.
She was sprawled on the man’s broad chest, one long leg draped over his to keep him from moving.
Suddenly, she remembered the matter with the Gu Family. "Are you going to decree a marriage for Gu Xun?"
He knew without having to ask. Ling must have secretly "tattled" to Mei Wanying.
The little one’s report had been muddled, but Mei Wanying wasn’t a fool. She could piece together the whole story from just a few of her daughter’s words.
The Gu Family elders were forcing a marriage; that was the Gu Family’s affair.
Mei Wanying didn’t want Pei Yan to get involved.
The feeling of being oppressed by Imperial Power was awful. She had personally experienced that kind of helpless frustration all too well.
Gu Xun had helped her before; she didn’t want to see him forced into a desperate situation.
The man’s arms tightened around her abruptly. "Don’t say that name!"
Even though he knew full well that Mei Wanying had no romantic feelings for Gu Xun, Pei Yan still couldn’t suppress the jealousy souring in his heart.
’Gu Xun had come so close to becoming the son-in-law of the Mei family.’
’He couldn’t just let it go.’
Pei Yan admitted to himself that he was petty. He kept a running tally of every man who had ever had dealings with Mei Wanying.
That included the men from years ago who, taking advantage of Ah Yin’s youth and innocence, had invited her on spring outings or to admire the autumn scenery.
’He hadn’t forgotten a single one of them!’
"Pei Yan, you’re really sick in the head!"
’I just mentioned a name. Would any sane person react like that?’
Mei Wanying reached out to pinch the man’s taut, lean waist.
The man tensed his muscles. All she could feel was firm muscle, hard as a rock.
’She couldn’t get a purchase at all!’
Mei Wanying switched to scratching him with her nails and huffed. "So you love dredging up the past, do you? Fine. Let’s start with *your* past..."
Pei Yan immediately cut her off. "Who’s dredging up the past? Don’t you slander me."
Mei Wanying snorted. "You’re just being stubborn!"
Pei Yan cleared his throat. "I didn’t agree to decree a marriage. Matters between a man and a woman require mutual consent. Gu Xun is my cousin; how could I possibly harm him? Ah Yin, I’m not that petty. You shouldn’t always accuse me unjustly."
’Mei Wanying knew better than anyone just how petty he could be.’
’And now he dared to turn the tables on her!’
"You really haven’t harmed him?"
Pei Yan lifted his chin. "If his elders are forcing the marriage, that can’t be blamed on me."
As long as Pei Yan didn’t interfere, there wasn’t much else Mei Wanying could do.
At the end of the day, she still felt a sense of guilt toward Gu Xun.
Pei Yan could see it.
He gently patted Mei Wanying’s shoulder. "He’s not a child. Every step he takes is his own choice. As such, he must bear the consequences himself."
’Whether Gu Xun’s life turns out well or not has nothing to do with Ah Yin. Ah Yin never forced him into anything.’
’Blaming it on Ah Yin would make him a coward.’
’And Ah Yin has no reason to carry this guilt.’
Pei Yan held her tighter. "If there’s any fault to be had, let it all be on me."