“A-Yan chose her himself. Neither His Majesty nor I interfered.”
The Empress added that final sentence.
Even though Mei Wanying had already resolved to let Pei Yan go, her heart still ached at those words.
At last, she understood.
Pei Yan was not opposed to marriage itself.
He was only opposed to marrying her.
It was not that he had gone to the frontier and only then noticed another woman.
Rather, as long as the woman was not Mei Wanying, she had a chance of entering his world.
The hand hidden beneath her wide sleeve trembled slightly.
Only by digging her nails into her palm could she maintain her calm expression.
She shook her head.
“I cannot guess what His Highness is thinking.”
Yet another name surfaced in her mind.
Xue Yunshu.
The daughter of the Duke’s Manor.
Deeply favored by Duke Xue.
Even the legitimate daughter of the household had been overshadowed by her.
The Duke had even arranged for Xue Yunshu to study medicine, refusing to confine her to the inner courtyard. He often said he wanted her to be as free as her mother had once been.
Mei Wanying had never been close to Xue Yunshu.
However, she was good friends with the Duke Manor’s Second Miss.
She had often heard Xue Xingyao talk about matters within the manor.
In her previous life, Mei Wanying did not know how Xue Yunshu had ended up at the frontier.
She only knew that she had remained in the military camp as a military physician.
Not only did Pei Yan regard her differently, but even his subordinates believed that a woman like Xue Yunshu was the ideal match for him.
Bold and straightforward.
Unrestrained by convention.
Skilled in medicine.
Completely different from the delicate noble ladies of the capital.
She could accompany Pei Yan across battlefields and distant lands.
Mei Wanying had personally overheard people discussing them.
They said that if only Pei Yan had never married her.
They called her a stumbling block.
They said she had stood between Pei Yan and Xue Yunshu, preventing two lovers from becoming husband and wife.
“It is the Duke Manor’s daughter, Xue Yunshu.”
The name spoken by the Empress perfectly matched the one in Mei Wanying’s thoughts.
The smile at the corner of her lips stiffened.
So their fate had begun this early.
Without her standing in the middle, Pei Yan had chosen Xue Yunshu much sooner.
Lowering her gaze, she said,
“The woman chosen by His Highness must naturally be exceptional.”
The Empress did not miss the flicker of emotion in Mei Wanying’s eyes.
As expected.
She had not truly given up on A-Yan.
This calm and detached appearance was likely hiding some other plan.
The Empress became even more determined to make her abandon hope completely.
Otherwise, what if Mei Wanying changed her mind after returning to Jiangnan and began chasing after Pei Yan again?
The Empress released her hand.
“I only have one son. Naturally, I wish for him to find happiness with the woman he likes. I am preparing a flower-viewing banquet so the two can meet properly. Your invitation has already been drafted as well. Don’t hurry back to Jiangnan. Stay until after the banquet.”
Originally, the Empress had not intended to invite Mei Wanying.
Now she had changed her mind.
Truthfully, she did not think highly of Xue Yunshu either.
The daughter of a low-born physician.
No matter how much favor she enjoyed in the Duke Manor, it could not change her origins.
The Empress could never accept her as a daughter-in-law.
If she had to choose, she would rather have Mei Wanying.
Still, because her son favored Xue Yunshu, she had already decided to let the girl enter Prince Chen’s residence as a secondary wife.
That was already generous enough.
After all, among the noble families of the capital, no one seriously considered marrying Xue Yunshu as a principal wife.
In the face of real political interests, affection was insignificant.
Without a powerful maternal family to support her, Xue Yunshu’s value was far below Mei Wanying’s in the Empress’s eyes.
Had the Crown Prince not set his sights on Mei Wanying, she could have easily married into another prestigious household.
After all, General Mei’s connections and wealth remained highly desirable.
The Empress concealed all of these thoughts behind a pleasant smile.
Let Mei Wanying misunderstand.
Let her believe she could not even compare to Xue Yunshu.
The Empress waited expectantly for her answer.
After a moment of consideration, Mei Wanying replied apologetically,
“My mother has overworked herself these past few years, and her health is not good. I wish to return home as soon as possible. Jiangnan is better suited for recovery. I’m afraid I can only disappoint Your Majesty’s kindness.”
Having spent years around the Empress in her previous life, Mei Wanying understood her perfectly.
The Empress did not truly approve of Xue Yunshu.
But if Pei Yan had chosen her, he would eventually get his way.
Just as he had in her previous life.
After they woke up together on the same bed, Pei Yan’s face had darkened immediately.
Yet he had gone straight to the palace to request an imperial marriage decree.
Both the Emperor and Empress had opposed it at first.
But Pei Yan insisted.
Unable to change his mind, they finally issued the decree.
Less than half a month later, she had entered Prince Chen’s residence as his wife.
Whenever Pei Yan decided to do something, as long as he remained alive, he would accomplish it.
Of that, Mei Wanying had no doubt.
Quietly taking a deep breath, she reminded herself again:
Whoever Pei Yan married had nothing to do with her anymore.
This time, she would not become the obstacle.
The Empress found herself increasingly unable to understand Mei Wanying.
She clearly had not let go of A-Yan.
Yet she remained determined to return to Jiangnan.
She did not seem to be plotting anything.
Could something have happened that the Empress did not know about?
Slowly rubbing her bracelet, the Empress decided she would have someone investigate.
“Since your mind is made up, I will not force you. If you encounter difficulties in the future, you may write to the capital.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Mei Wanying rose gracefully and bowed.
Though she had not yet left the capital, it already felt as though everything had been settled.
She should have done this long ago.
Let go of Pei Yan.
And begin a new life.
A burden seemed to lift from her shoulders.
The mist clouding her eyes faded slightly.
She smiled.
A dazzling smile that brightened the entire room.
Even the Empress, who had seen countless beauties, found herself momentarily stunned.
She clicked her tongue inwardly.
Perhaps her son’s taste really was questionable.
With a peerless beauty standing before him, how had he chosen plain-looking Xue Yunshu instead?
Could it be that he had simply pointed at random?
If so, things would be much easier.
Replace Xue Yunshu with Second Miss Xue.
Surely A-Yan would not object.
“Do not tell A-Yan about your return to Jiangnan.”
Mei Wanying saw no reason to hide it.
If Pei Yan learned she was leaving, he would probably laugh in his dreams.
But since the Empress had spoken, she had no right to refuse.
Obediently, she answered,
“I will do as Your Majesty says.”
“Good. Then I wish you a safe journey.”
At that moment, a tall figure appeared in the open doorway.
Pei Yan.
The very man who had supposedly already left the palace.
Mei Wanying’s heart skipped a beat.
For a moment, it lodged itself in her throat.
Then she quickly calmed down.
She had done nothing wrong.
Whether he had heard the conversation or not was none of her concern.
The tall man strode forward leisurely, his gaze settling on her.
Her head was slightly lowered.
Her swan-like neck curved gracefully.
Delicate.
Obedient.
Exactly like the woman in his dream.
Pei Yan’s expression remained cold and unreadable.
“Mei Wanying,” he said flatly.
“Have you come to complain again?”