The Crown Prince visited the Mei residence once again.
As the mistress of the household, Madam Mei personally received him.
She invited him to tea in the front hall and did not allow him into the inner courtyard.
After failing to gain the upper hand against Pei Yan, the Crown Prince had been simmering with anger.
The only way to vent that anger was to take it out on someone Pei Yan cared about.
Only then would he feel satisfied.
Pei Yan was cold and detached.
Aside from Mei Wanying, he had no other weakness.
If he could not obtain Mei Wanying, the Crown Prince would never be content.
This was already his second visit, yet he still had not seen her.
A dark storm brewed in his eyes.
Rubbing the jade thumb ring on his finger, he asked casually,
“Why haven’t I seen Miss Mei?”
Madam Mei smiled politely, pretending not to notice his displeasure.
“A-Ying’s illness has not yet recovered. She cannot go outside or be exposed to the wind.”
After a pause, she added,
“If she passes her sickness on to Your Highness, that would be her fault.”
The Crown Prince had already decided that he would see Mei Wanying today.
First, because he was competing with Pei Yan.
Second, because Mei Wanying’s beauty and innocent charm had captivated him the moment he saw her at the Spring Banquet.
He wanted to bring her into the Eastern Palace.
A peerless beauty deserved a dragon among men.
Mei Wanying should belong to him.
His heart had truly been moved.
Otherwise, he would never have come personally to the General’s Manor.
If he merely wanted to pressure the Mei family, he had countless ways to do so.
“Coincidentally, I brought an imperial physician with me. Let him take Miss Mei’s pulse. If she lacks any medicine, I will personally find it. We must restore her health.”
How could Madam Mei allow the Crown Prince near her daughter?
This man was unpredictable and reckless.
They wished to avoid him at all costs.
“A physician has already examined her and prescribed medicine. A few days of rest will see her fully recovered.”
The Crown Prince smiled.
“In that case, her illness is not serious. She should not be bedridden. That puts my mind at ease.”
Then he changed the subject.
“Since I am already here, I would like to exchange a few words with Miss Mei. Madam, surely you do not intend to stop me?”
He used the word stop.
He was the Crown Prince.
The Emperor’s chosen heir.
Without powerful backing, who could stop him?
The Crown Prince was determined to obtain Mei Wanying.
Madam Mei felt both anxious and helpless.
If only Pei Yan had married A-Ying.
Even if she died afterward, she could rest in peace.
But Pei Yan refused.
The more she thought about it, the more her heart ached.
The Mei family had raised him.
Why was he so heartless?
Was it because the General’s Manor no longer had a pillar of support and could provide him no benefit?
Forcing a smile, Madam Mei said,
“When A-Ying recovers, we will hold a banquet. Your Highness must honor us by coming for a cup of wine.”
At that time, she planned to invite all the families with whom they were on good terms.
That would be far better than allowing A-Ying to meet the Crown Prince alone.
Madam Mei had no solution.
She could only take things one step at a time.
The Crown Prince was not so easily dismissed.
Otherwise, he would not have driven Madam Mei into such desperation.
“Why wait for another day when today will do?” he said.
His meaning was unmistakable.
Madam Mei unconsciously rotated the jade bracelet on her wrist.
It was a habit she had whenever she felt troubled.
The Crown Prince sat calmly, ignoring her reluctance and anxiety.
“Madam Mei, will you personally lead the way while I visit Miss Mei, or shall you send someone to summon her to the front hall?”
A wave of helplessness washed over her.
She was still alive, yet people were already stepping into her home and pressuring A-Ying at every turn.
If she were gone, these people would devour her daughter without leaving even bones behind.
Her eyes immediately reddened.
Turning to Nanny Liu, she instructed her to fetch Mei Wanying.
Nanny Liu felt no better.
She had entered the Mei family as Madam Mei’s dowry maid.
Later, General Mei and Madam Mei arranged for her to marry one of the estate managers.
Unfortunately, fate was cruel.
Her husband died less than two months after the wedding.
Even the child she carried failed to survive.
Then Miss Ying was born.
The girl had grown up drinking her milk.
To say something rebellious, Nanny Liu felt that Miss Ying was her own flesh and blood.
Now that the young lady was in danger, if the Crown Prince got his way and brought her into the devouring beast that was the Eastern Palace, how could she survive?
Nanny Liu’s heart felt as though needles were stabbing it.
But with all the men who once upheld the household gone, there was no fighting against the powerful.
In the end, Miss Ying would still suffer.
As soon as Nanny Liu left, the gloom in the Crown Prince’s eyes lessened slightly.
He did not wish to frighten Mei Wanying.
But if they refused to cooperate, then he would not hesitate to use stronger methods.
Fortunately, they still possessed enough sense to understand they could not afford to offend him.
“Quite the display of authority, Crown Prince. Is this your version of visiting the sick—forcing an ill person to drag herself here and entertain you?”
Pei Yan strode into the hall.
Without waiting for a steward to guide him, he walked directly into the main hall as though returning to his own home.
There was not the slightest awkwardness in his movements.
The moment Madam Mei saw him, she released a deep breath of relief.
Pei Yan might refuse to marry A-Ying.
But as long as he was here, no one would bully her daughter.
Not even the Crown Prince.
Finally seeing Pei Yan, Madam Mei desperately wanted to tell him what had happened that night.
She wanted him to take responsibility and marry Mei Wanying.
But with an outsider present, she could only swallow the words.
Standing up, she greeted him warmly.
“A-Yan, what brings you here?”
Her attitude was enthusiastic, her smile sincere.
Pei Yan felt uncomfortable.
Madam Mei had never treated him this way before.
Though she had never mistreated him, she always remained somewhat distant because she believed he treated Mei Wanying poorly.
Pei Yan could understand her feelings.
If his own daughter were being “bullied” someday, he would not give the offender a pleasant face either.
The thought startled him.
Where had that daughter come from?
Quickly, he forced the absurd notion from his mind.
He silently blamed Mei Wanying.
Every time she became involved somehow, he started thinking strangely.
He needed to stay away from her.
After dealing with the Crown Prince, he would find Mei Wanying a flawless husband and marry her off.
After that, he would never see her again.
Nor would he concern himself with her affairs.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in only a few breaths.
Outwardly, however, he remained calm and expressionless.
Turning to Madam Mei, he said,
“I had fresh fish from Jiangnan sent to the kitchen.”
Madam Mei’s emotions became complicated.
One moment it seemed Pei Yan treated A-Ying poorly.
Yet sometimes he showed such thoughtful gestures.
Then again, he often spoke harshly to her and constantly pushed her away.
Madam Mei had never met anyone so contradictory.
No wonder A-Ying’s heart was completely tied to him.
He pushed her away one moment and drew her closer the next.
A slap followed by a sweet reward.
A young girl raised within the confines of her home—how could she not become confused?
Madam Mei said,
“A-Ying loves fish soup whenever she’s ill. She’ll be delighted.”
The corner of Pei Yan’s mouth unconsciously lifted.
Then immediately stiffened again.
The change vanished so quickly that no one noticed.
Pei Yan sat down opposite the Crown Prince.
“Men and women should keep proper distance. A-Ying is not yet married. It is inappropriate for her to meet unrelated men.”
The words were directed at Madam Mei.
Yet his gaze rested firmly on the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince was furious at having his plans disrupted.
He laughed in anger.
“I have already requested an imperial decree from Father granting us marriage. Since Miss Mei is ill, how could I not visit? If I do not see her with my own eyes, I cannot rest easy. Second Brother, that is only natural.”
Pei Yan let out a soft scoff.
He did not bother with subtlety.
Nor did he wish the Mei family to continue worrying.
So he spoke plainly.
“Whoever Mei Wanying marries is for me to decide.”
“She will not enter the Eastern Palace.”