Mei Wanying’s attitude was resolute.
Madam Mei burst into tears. “Things have already come to this. What can you do if you refuse to marry him? You have no way out!”
“I know Pei Yan well. He will definitely marry you as his legal wife. He won’t wrong you.”
There was another reason Madam Mei had chosen this path.
Pei Yan had already been acknowledged by the imperial family.
He was the eldest legitimate son of the Empress. At birth, he had been switched with a stillborn infant. After that, all children born in the palace were princesses, and no more princes were born.
Under pressure, the Emperor had adopted a prince from the imperial clan and established him as Crown Prince.
Now that Pei Yan had been found and brought back, he had become a thorn in the Crown Prince’s side.
After all, people naturally favored their own blood.
Between a biological son and a nephew, most would choose the former.
The position of Crown Prince was no longer secure.
The Crown Prince’s interest in A-Ying was also partly because he wanted to compete with Pei Yan.
He regarded A-Ying as a prize and was determined to obtain her by any means necessary.
Families who understood the situation were unwilling to form marriage ties with the Mei family, fearing they would be dragged into the conflict.
Even if some hot-blooded young talents were willing to take the risk, they would not be able to protect A-Ying.
Other than Pei Yan, there was no second candidate.
The current Mei family could offer Pei Yan no support.
Even the Empress looked down on them.
Madam Mei had spoken with Pei Yan about her concerns before.
Pei Yan had said that he would protect Mei Wanying, but he would not marry her.
He regarded her as a younger sister and felt no romantic affection toward her.
Pei Yan was naturally indifferent, and once he made a decision, it was nearly impossible to change his mind.
Madam Mei had no way to persuade him.
She had intended to take her time and gradually find a way to make him agree to the marriage.
But the Crown Prince was pressing forward step by step and had already requested an imperial decree from the Emperor to grant the marriage.
The Emperor had neither agreed nor refused.
At this critical moment, rumors spread that the Empress intended to select a wife for Pei Yan.
Madam Mei only had one daughter.
She could not wait until there was no way out before taking action.
So she decided to go all in and force Pei Yan’s hand.
He might be angry.
But with enough time, even the greatest anger would eventually fade.
After all, the Mei family had shown him great kindness, and he and A-Ying had been childhood companions for over ten years.
Now that the deed was done, for some reason, her daughter no longer wanted to marry him.
What a tragedy.
Madam Mei was overwhelmed with anxiety.
“A woman’s chastity is incredibly important. If you don’t marry him, who else can you marry?”
Looking away, Mei Wanying wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her slender fingers.
“Then I simply won’t marry. I’ll remain an old maid for the rest of my life.”
“Nonsense!”
The emotional turmoil caused Madam Mei’s chest to rise and fall rapidly.
“The Crown Prince is overbearing and ruthless. Do you think refusing to marry is enough to deal with him?”
Having only just been reborn, Mei Wanying’s memories from her previous life were tangled together with everything happening now.
Her mind was in complete chaos.
She could not think clearly.
“Pei Yan won’t stand by and do nothing. I… I don’t want to trap him. A forced melon is never sweet.”
Madam Mei’s heart ached.
Her daughter was too kind.
Too innocent.
She was only one step away from getting everything she had wished for, yet she was still thinking about Pei Yan’s feelings.
Madam Mei wrapped an arm around her daughter’s slender shoulders.
“It’s Mother’s fault. I’ve harmed you.”
Mother and daughter cried together.
Nanny Liu’s heart clenched painfully.
As Mei Wanying’s wet nurse, she had always been deeply attached to her.
“This matter can be hidden from outsiders, but not from that young master. Otherwise, the one who suffers will be our Miss Ying. He—”
Before she could finish, Mei Wanying interrupted her.
Grasping her mother’s hand, she pleaded,
“Mother, don’t let him find out. Let’s pretend nothing ever happened.”
In her previous life, Pei Yan had married her.
But he had also hated her to the extreme.
On the second day after their wedding, he left for the border and abandoned her alone in that enormous residence.
A cold war was like a dull knife slowly cutting flesh.
It could kill a person all the same.
Mei Wanying did not want to experience it a second time.
Nor did she want to compete with another woman for affection.
She did not want to be hated.
And she certainly did not want to die in the devouring battles of the inner household.
As the only daughter of the family, Mei Wanying had been cherished since childhood.
She was innocent and cheerful, always wearing a smile.
Only two people had ever made her cry this bitterly.
One was her late father.
The other was Pei Yan.
Madam Mei felt as though knives were slicing through her heart.
In her panic, she had resorted to a dangerous plan and left herself with no chance to regret it.
Closing her eyes, she said,
“I can’t protect you forever. You must marry Pei Yan.”
Pei Yan was noble, capable, and powerful.
He was the best possible destination for A-Ying.
Mei Wanying pulled a hairpin from her hair and, just as she had done in her dream, pressed it against her neck.
“Since neither path ends well, I might as well free myself sooner.”
Madam Mei was horrified.
She immediately snatched the hairpin away and threw it to the ground.
She had only one daughter.
This child was her life.
Holding Mei Wanying tightly, she cried,
“Then don’t marry him. Don’t marry him. Mother won’t force you anymore…”
Only after a long while was Mei Wanying escorted back to her courtyard.
Because of her eye condition, she often struggled at night.
For that reason, more lanterns were hung around her residence than anywhere else.
The courtyard was brightly illuminated.
For the first time, Mei Wanying felt a sense of security.
Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, the servants dared not ask questions.
Today was the General’s death anniversary.
Every year on this day, their young mistress would cry her heart out.
After preparing hot water, Dingxiang helped Mei Wanying toward the bath.
She reminded her to watch her step.
When they arrived at the bathing room, Dingxiang moved to help her undress.
Mei Wanying stopped her.
“Wait outside. I want to be alone for a while.”
Dingxiang did not dare argue.
Afraid of upsetting her further, she quietly prepared all the bathing supplies before withdrawing.
She did not go far, however.
She stood behind the curtain, ready to respond immediately if anything happened.
Mei Wanying removed her clothes.
Below her collarbone, her skin was covered with scattered red marks.
Her complexion was so fair that even the slightest trace stood out clearly.
The worst areas still bore faint finger marks.
He had truly used a great deal of force.
In her previous life, seeing those marks had made her feel sweet and happy.
As long as they were given by Pei Yan, no matter how painful they were, she accepted them willingly.
Now, however, they looked shocking.
She silently cursed Pei Yan for being a beast.
Outwardly, he appeared detached from women, pure and restrained.
In reality, he had been like a wild animal, as if he wanted to swallow her whole.
Mei Wanying suddenly remembered their wedding night in her previous life.
Pei Yan had originally stayed in his study, causing her immense embarrassment.
Yet before leaving, he unexpectedly returned to the bridal chamber.
Behind the crimson curtains, he said nothing.
His movements had been rough, as though he wanted to crush her apart.
Afterward, he left behind a few cold words and walked away without looking back.
A bitter ache filled Mei Wanying’s heart.
If she had not stubbornly clung to her obsession, Pei Yan might have become a wonderful older brother.
Slowly exhaling, she forced away the gloom in her heart.
Heaven had treated her kindly.
It had given her a second chance.
If she continued chasing after Pei Yan now, she would truly be a fool.
She lowered herself into the bath.
The moment the water touched her skin, certain areas stung painfully.
Her expression changed.
Suddenly remembering something, she hurriedly called for Dingxiang.
“Bring me paper and a brush. Follow a prescription and fetch some medicine.”
While seeking treatment for her eye condition, Mei Wanying had learned a little medicine from the physicians.
Dingxiang asked worriedly,
“Miss, are you feeling unwell? Should I call a doctor?”
Mei Wanying shook her head.
“I probably caught a chill. My stomach aches a little.”
Dingxiang silently counted the days.
Her mistress’s monthly cycle was still several days away.
Could it be that her emotions had been affected by grief?