The Imperial Palace.
Guided by palace attendants, Mei Wanying entered the main hall of the Central Palace.
In her previous life, after marrying Pei Yan, the Empress’s dissatisfaction toward her had reached its peak. Openly and secretly, she had made life difficult for her countless times.
Those emotional wounds had sunk deep into her bones.
The moment she stepped into this familiar yet unfamiliar place, her heart involuntarily tightened.
If circumstances had not forced her hand, she would have liked nothing more than to turn around and leave, never to see another member of the imperial family again.
“Miss Mei, this way.”
Mei Wanying nodded lightly, lifted the hem of her skirt, and stepped into the great hall she had visited countless times in her previous life.
Here, she had knelt in punishment.
Here, she had been forced to stand for hours.
Once, a palace maid told her the Empress was taking a nap and ordered her to wait outside the hall.
Unfortunately, the heavens chose that day to unleash a torrential rainstorm.
Mei Wanying had been drenched and miserable, but without the Empress’s permission, she could only endure it.
The rain had been bitterly cold.
Though it was supposed to be a warm spring day, Mei Wanying suddenly shivered.
A trace of disgust flashed through the Empress’s eyes.
A daughter of a noble family, yet so timid.
Lacking even a hint of grace.
The Empress had once believed her son simply had no interest in women and had yet to awaken to romance.
Now she suddenly realized that perhaps Mei Wanying was simply too petty and lacking in refinement to catch his eye.
A woman who constantly shrank back in fear would never be appealing, no matter how beautiful she was.
After steadying herself, Mei Wanying lowered her gaze and performed a respectful salute.
Every movement displayed the manners of a well-bred lady.
The timidity from moments ago seemed almost like the Empress’s imagination.
The Empress clicked her tongue inwardly.
So Mei Wanying had more than one face.
She truly had underestimated her.
Smiling warmly on the surface, the Empress granted her a seat.
At the very least, Mei Wanying was General Mei’s daughter.
Even if she intended to humble her, she would not resort to making her stand as punishment.
Otherwise, people would laugh at the mistress of the harem.
They would say she was petty and narrow-minded.
The Empress beckoned with a smile.
“I’ve long heard that General Mei’s daughter is as beautiful as a celestial maiden. Seeing you today, the rumors are indeed true. Come closer and let me have a good look at you.”
Mei Wanying had attended palace banquets with her father before, but she had never met the Empress privately.
The Empress’s words were not unreasonable.
The moment she approached, the Empress took her hand.
The gesture was intimate and warm.
Something Mei Wanying had never experienced in her previous life.
She smiled shyly, appearing no different from any other young lady.
Quietly waiting for the Empress’s “guidance.”
The more composed Mei Wanying appeared, the more the Empress suspected hidden motives.
Her smile deepened.
“Look at this pretty face. Truly adorable. General Mei and Madam Mei are blessed indeed.”
Then her tone shifted.
“A-Yan obtained a list from me. Every name on it belonged to an outstanding young gentleman. He said he wished to find a husband for his younger sister. After thinking about it, I realized that in the entire capital, the only person he treats as a younger sister is you.”
The words “younger sister” carried a pointed meaning.
The Empress was reminding Mei Wanying that Pei Yan saw her only as a sister.
She should not harbor inappropriate hopes.
“Have you seen the list? Is there anyone you fancy? Just tell me. I will make the arrangements for you.”
Despite her efforts to remain calm, Mei Wanying still felt a sharp pain in her heart.
She had not expected Pei Yan to be so ruthless.
Was he really that eager to marry her off?
Was he afraid she would continue clinging to him?
Bitterness spread through her chest.
Had she not been reborn and already resolved to let him go, this news would have shattered her completely.
A trace of mockery rose in her heart.
There was no need for Pei Yan to worry.
She would willingly stay far away from him.
Once she left the capital, they would never meet again.
Knowing exactly what concerned the Empress, Mei Wanying decided not to waste time with indirect answers.
“My mother and I intend to return to Jiangnan. Marriage can wait. Once we’ve settled down back home, we can think about discussing future matches.”
The Empress had prepared herself for a scene.
If Mei Wanying insisted on marrying Pei Yan and demanded he take responsibility, the Empress planned to use the Crown Prince to frighten her into submission.
Never had she expected this answer.
Returning to Jiangnan?
The possibility had never crossed her mind.
Caught completely off guard, she asked,
“Why the sudden desire to return to Jiangnan?”
Mei Wanying was not foolish.
This was not the time for lies.
There was no benefit in playing games.
So she laid all her concerns bare with astonishing honesty.
Looking slightly embarrassed, she said,
“In the past, I caused His Highness a great deal of trouble. I won’t do so again. I ask both Your Majesty and His Highness to forgive my childish behavior.”
The Empress studied her eyes carefully.
There was no avoidance.
No calculation.
Only calm sincerity.
“Are you truly determined to return to Jiangnan?” she asked.
Mei Wanying nodded.
“Before he passed away, Father often spoke of retiring there. Now that he is gone, Mother and I wish to fulfill his final wish.”
The Empress gently patted her hand.
The smile on her face became noticeably more genuine.
“You are a filial child. General Mei rendered great service to A-Yan. I will naturally help you fulfill this wish.”
Whether Mei Wanying was sincere or merely retreating to advance later did not matter.
If she wished to leave for Jiangnan, then let her go.
Better that than continuing to cling to A-Yan and become a burden.
Once she returned to Jiangnan, coming back to the capital would not be so easy.
For the sake of her apparent good sense, the Empress was willing to show her some favor.
“You need not worry about the Crown Prince. He has angered the Emperor and has been confined. I will ensure he behaves himself. He will not pursue you to Jiangnan, and I will ask His Majesty to put an end to any thoughts he has of bringing you into the Eastern Palace. You may leave with peace of mind.”
At those words, the tension that had been coiled inside Mei Wanying finally loosened.
The Emperor and Empress’s silence had been what allowed the Crown Prince to grow increasingly aggressive.
Once the Emperor spoke, his words would become law.
And having just angered the Emperor, the Crown Prince would not dare openly defy an imperial command.
After thinking for a moment, the Empress casually brought up Pei Yan.
“You and A-Yan grew up together. Your bond is unlike any other. I had even considered letting him take you as a secondary wife after he married.”
Mei Wanying nearly jumped in shock.
A secondary wife?
Even if the man were Pei Yan, she would never become a concubine.
Besides, she had already abandoned her obsession.
She wanted no further entanglement with him.
Forget being a secondary wife.
Even if someone offered her the position of principal wife, she would refuse.
Realizing this was a test, Mei Wanying quickly regained her composure.
“His Highness possesses extraordinary grace and talent. He deserves the finest lady in the world. As for me, I am slow-witted and lacking in ambition. I only wish to return to Jiangnan and spend peaceful days with my mother.”
Her eyes were clear and honest.
No schemes.
No hesitation.
Yet the Empress still found it difficult to trust her completely.
Mei Wanying had loved Pei Yan so fiercely and publicly for years.
How could she suddenly give up so easily?
Since Mei Wanying claimed she intended to leave, the Empress wanted to ensure she abandoned all hope before her departure.
She feared that once Mei Wanying returned to Jiangnan, she might regret her decision and come chasing after Pei Yan again.
As a woman herself, the Empress knew exactly how to stab another woman’s heart.
How to force her to face reality.
And then despair.
To make sure she never dared dream again.
“A-Yan personally chose a future wife for himself,” the Empress said with a smile.
“Would you like to guess which family’s daughter she is?”