The moment Pei Yan spoke, Mei Wanying was left speechless.
Complaining?
So that was the kind of person she was in his eyes.
She laughed bitterly to herself.
Whatever kind of person she was had nothing to do with Pei Yan.
And whatever Pei Yan thought of her no longer mattered either.
Turning to the Empress, Mei Wanying bowed politely.
“I’ve been away for quite some time. My mother must be worried.”
The Empress had wanted to discuss changing Pei Yan’s future bride, so she summoned a palace maid.
“Escort Miss Mei out.”
Mei Wanying curtsied once more and followed the maid away.
From beginning to end, she never spared Pei Yan a single glance.
She truly was different now.
Before he had even taken a seat, Pei Yan instinctively moved to follow her.
“Wait, A-Yan.”
The Empress called after him.
The slender figure disappeared beyond the hall doors and vanished from his sight once again.
For no reason at all, Pei Yan felt a sudden panic.
He only wanted to chase after her.
Just in case she accidentally offended someone and caused trouble again.
Without even turning around, he replied,
“We can talk later.”
Before the Empress could stop him, he had already left.
His strides were long and hurried, lacking all of his usual composure.
The Empress’s expression became complicated.
“A-Yan… went after Mei Wanying?”
Her trusted maid replied,
“Perhaps he’s going to settle accounts with her.”
The moment he entered, he had accused Mei Wanying of complaining again.
His face had been cold and displeased.
Now, as soon as she left, he was hurrying after her.
Surely he was eager to lecture her.
The Empress’s expression grew even more complex.
“He’s a grown man. Surely he wouldn’t make things difficult for a young lady.”
Even if Mei Wanying had complained, what impact would it have had on him?
He could simply have ignored it.
Yet he had chased after her.
The influence she held over him was alarmingly obvious.
No wonder the Crown Prince had targeted her.
Anyone standing against Pei Yan would naturally see Mei Wanying as the easiest point of attack.
The Empress shook her head.
She could not tell whether Pei Yan had intentionally turned Xue Yunshu into a target by drawing everyone’s attention toward Mei Wanying…
Or whether Mei Wanying truly mattered so much to him that he couldn’t stop himself from finding excuses to be near her.
As Mei Wanying walked, she heard footsteps behind her.
She knew Pei Yan too well.
Without turning around, she knew exactly who it was.
She could even tell his mood from the sound of his steps.
Not wanting any further entanglement, she unconsciously quickened her pace.
“Why are you running?”
A hand closed around her wrist.
His cold, familiar presence enveloped her.
Mei Wanying immediately glanced around.
She was terrified someone might see them together and once again claim she was shamelessly chasing after Pei Yan.
If rumors spread, no amount of explanation would clear her name.
The palace maids sent by the Empress lowered their heads the moment Pei Yan appeared and tactfully retreated several steps away.
Mei Wanying tried to pull free.
Instead, his grip tightened.
His tall figure cast a shadow over her.
Looking down at her beautiful face, Pei Yan repeated,
“Why are you running?”
Her delicate brows furrowed.
She genuinely did not understand what he wanted.
Shouldn’t he be happy that she was leaving him alone?
“Let go.”
Her voice was cold.
Unlike before, when she always spoke to him in a soft, coquettish tone.
Every time she did, his heartbeat became erratic and his breathing strange.
Only by staying away from her could he return to normal.
Pei Yan disliked that inexplicable feeling.
He considered it a sign that something was wrong with him.
Yet now, even with Mei Wanying staring at him coldly, he still felt uncomfortable.
Whenever Mei Wanying was involved, he was never at ease.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
Finally, he released her hand.
His fingers curled into a fist behind his back as he stood there.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Overwhelmingly imposing at close range.
Mei Wanying immediately put distance between them.
As though drawing a clear boundary.
A dull ache settled in Pei Yan’s chest.
His words came out harsher than intended.
“I didn’t hold that incident against you. Yet here you are, running to complain first?”
Given Mei Wanying’s personality, she had surely told the Empress everything and begged her to make him take responsibility.
What she wanted had always been the same—
To marry him.
Now that she finally had leverage, Pei Yan refused to believe she wouldn’t use it.
His fingers rubbed together unconsciously.
The atmosphere in the hall earlier had been peaceful, even pleasant.
Nothing like the tense confrontation he had expected.
His mother must have promised Mei Wanying something.
His expression was full of certainty.
As if saying:
Stop pretending, Mei Wanying. I know exactly what kind of person you are.
Suddenly, Mei Wanying laughed.
There was no joy in the sound.
Only self-mockery and disappointment.
She didn’t want to appear vulnerable in front of him.
But this was the man she had loved for years.
Being misunderstood by him still hurt.
A sour ache spread through her chest.
Her eyes grew moist.
A faint redness stained the corners of them, making her look heartbreakingly fragile.
Forcing down the lump in her throat, she said,
“Then let’s just say I came to complain.”
“Your Highness, may I leave now?”
There was no point explaining.
Pei Yan would never believe her.
He would only think she was making excuses.
If that was the case, why bother?
Once she left the capital, they would never meet again.
She no longer dreamed of marrying him.
Whatever image he held of her no longer mattered.
A thin mist clouded her almond-shaped eyes.
There was a finality in the way she looked at him.
As if she were severing all ties.
For a brief instant, panic flashed through Pei Yan’s heart.
Every sarcastic remark he had prepared suddenly vanished.
He had no idea how to stop her tears.
No idea how to make her smile again.
Feeling inexplicably frustrated, he stepped aside and stopped blocking her path.
Mei Wanying left without hesitation.
Not a single extra word.
His frustration deepened.
What was wrong with her?
Why was she crying?
He hadn’t even scolded her.
Keeping a measured pace, Pei Yan followed behind her.
No matter how fast or slow she walked, he maintained the same distance.
Watching the back of her head, his mood only worsened.
He had saved her life just two days ago.
Even if his tone had been a little harsh, was that really enough to make her this angry?
Crying.
Ignoring him.
Why was her temper so terrible?
Mei Wanying knew he was following her.
Yet she ignored him completely.
She never looked back once.
When they finally reached the palace gates, however, her carriage was nowhere to be seen.
Pei Yan cleared his throat awkwardly.
“I told the driver to return first.”
Mei Wanying was furious.
“Who gave you the right to make decisions for me?”
He ignored the question.
“I’ll take you home.”
The day he pulled her from the water, countless people had witnessed it.
The matter needed to be handled properly.
Otherwise, once he left the capital, rumors would inevitably spread.
After all, secrets never stayed hidden forever.
On the day it happened, Pei Yan had felt manipulated and furious.
But two days had passed.
Even the greatest anger had faded.
Mei Wanying only wanted to marry him because she loved him.
She had never harbored ill intentions.
There was no reason to stay angry.
Though he still couldn’t quite lower his pride.
“Have you looked at the list?”
“Who do you want to marry?”
“As your elder brother, I’ll make it happen.”
Mei Wanying let out a cold laugh.
So that was why he was being so considerate.
Why he insisted on escorting her home.
He wanted to discuss marrying her off.
“You’re really that eager?”