Pei Yan spent two full days at the military camp.
He had just returned to his mansion when a messenger from the palace arrived, saying the Empress wished to see him.
He was to make a trip to the Imperial Palace.
Before he could even leave the mansion, the Mei family sent someone over as well.
"What is it?"
Pei Yan's expression was placid, his voice devoid of warmth. It was a cold indifference that seemed to emanate from his very bones.
His bearing was so noble and imposing that the messenger boy didn't dare to breathe too loudly.
He replied with his head bowed, "Mrs. Mei says she has an urgent matter to discuss and requests that Your Highness pay a visit to the mansion."
Pei Yan's expression was inscrutable. He rubbed the pad of his thumb, and the air around him grew several degrees colder.
Everyone present held their breath in unison.
'His Highness doesn't punish people without reason, but when he's silent, he's truly terrifying!'
"Has Mei Wanying gotten into trouble again?" Pei Yan asked.
The young servant wiped the cold sweat from his brow. "After the anniversary of General Mei's death, the young lady fell ill. She hasn't left the mansion or received any visitors for the past two days."
The Crown Prince had come to visit her, but the young lady hadn't seen him either. Fortunately, the Crown Prince didn't take offense, simply leaving some tonics before departing.
Since Pei Yan didn't ask, the servant didn't mention it.
'Say too much and you're bound to slip up. Better not to invite trouble.'
Pei Yan sneered.
'Mei Wanying hasn't changed a bit. When she wants to see me, she either feigns illness or asks an elder to act as an intermediary.'
'So full of petty schemes!'
'And here I was, thinking she had actually started to behave. It's only been a few days, and she's already showing her true colors again.'
He didn't even need to see her; Pei Yan could already picture her reaction.
'She'll put on a wronged expression, bite her lip gently, and stare at me with those big, teary eyes.'
Every time, it made his chest tighten. It felt like a hand was squeezing his heart, leaving a sour, bloated ache that was deeply unsettling.
Sometimes, it even sparked a nameless rage in him, a desire to destroy something.
'I really do detest Mei Wanying,' Pei Yan thought.
'She's delicate, a crybaby, loves to throw tantrums, and is impossibly clingy.'
'If Mei Wanying weren't General Mei's daughter, I wouldn't give her a second glance.'
'Not a single glance!'
Pei Yan's tone was detached. "Inform Mrs. Mei that I am occupied with official business and will not be visiting in the coming days. If there is something urgent, she can send a message directly. I will take care of it."
'If I actually go, Mei Wanying will just push her luck.'
'It's what she does best.'
The year General Mei passed away, she fell gravely ill. When he went to visit, Mei Wanying ordered him to do one thing after another.
One moment, she wanted him to feed her medicine.
The next, she wanted him to feed her sweets.
He refused, of course.
So Mei Wanying just looked at him with those tear-filled eyes.
She looked so pitiful that his heart softened for a moment, and he gave in just once.
And then, she started pushing her luck.
Mei Wanying said she had to observe a mourning period and demanded that he wait three years for her.
She even "ordered" him not to associate with any other women during those three years, demanding he remain chaste for her.
Pei Yan felt another sneer coming on.
'Why should I wait for Mei Wanying?'
'And why should I remain chaste for her?'
'Does she really think I'm her child husband?!'
'Ridiculous!'
Without waiting for the young servant to reply, Pei Yan turned and strode away.
He was tall and had practiced martial arts for years, so even his walk carried an undeniable presence.
He walked out the mansion gates and boarded a carriage bearing the insignia of the Prince Chen Mansion.
The carriage departed, heading in the direction of the Imperial Palace.
With a crestfallen look, the young servant returned to the Mei Mansion to deliver the message.
Upon learning that Pei Yan was not coming, Mrs. Mei was displeased, but it was also what she had expected.
'If Pei Yan were that easy to manipulate, he would have agreed long ago when I asked him to marry Ah Yin.'
'But he didn't agree.'
'He said he only saw Ah Yin as a younger sister.'
'Even bringing up the General hadn't been enough to make Pei Yan change his mind.'
'That Pei Yan really is a stubborn block of stone!'
Mrs. Mei instructed Nanny Liu to wait at the palace gates. "You just give him a hint. I'll say the rest."
Nanny Liu hesitated. "What if His Highness doesn't come?"
"He'll come."
Pei Yan may be stubborn and unyielding, but he is not a man who shirks his responsibilities.
Once he learns that he got drunk and was intimate with Ah Yin, he will marry her and bring her into his home, whether he wants to or not.
Mrs. Mei was certain of this.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken such a desperate risk, sending her own daughter to attend to a drunken Pei Yan.
'Putting his personality aside, Pei Yan is a rare and decent man.'
'He doesn't even have a concubine. After being acknowledged by the Royal Family, his temperament didn't change one bit; he still keeps his distance from women.'
'If Ah Yin marries him, she might feel a little wronged, but at least she won't have to engage in the bloody battles of the inner court like other women.'
'Pei Yan is the best choice.'
'Perhaps he'll rise to an even higher position in the future. By then, Ah Yin will likely have a child to secure her standing.'
'Ah Yin is kind, but she's also sharp. Give her some time, and she'll learn how to protect herself.'
'By then, even if other women appear at Pei Yan's side, Ah Yin will be able to handle them.'
'This is all I can do for my daughter,' Mrs. Mei thought.
'From now on, Ah Yin will have to walk her own path.'
"Mother!"
Mei Wanying entered from outside, her face ashen and tears shimmering in her eyes. It was impossible to know how much she had overheard.
Mrs. Mei froze.
Her heart leaped into her throat for a moment, but she quickly composed herself.
She gave Nanny Liu a look, signaling her to leave and carry out her task.
Nanny Liu had just started to move when Mei Wanying snapped, "I told you, you are not to go find him!"
Mei Wanying was usually good-natured, prone to the occasional small tantrum, but this was the first time she had ever been truly furious.
Her gaze was piercing, her presence overwhelming. A single glance from her made Nanny Liu's legs tremble.
Nanny Liu instinctively looked to Mrs. Mei.
Mrs. Mei's tone was firm. "Go. Bring him here."
'If we don't resolve this, Ah Yin will dwell on it all day and make herself sick with worry!'
Mrs. Mei comforted herself. 'I'm only doing this for my daughter's own good...'
'Perhaps Ah Yin will feel embarrassed and feel she has wronged Pei Yan, but those feelings will pass. Once she takes this step, everything will be fine.'
Mei Wanying's eyes stung. The tears welling up within them began to fall like pearls.
This time, she didn't threaten to take her own life.
'That would be too foolish.'
'She had died once already; she cherished this chance to live.'
Mei Wanying let out a heavy breath, and the lump that had been caught in her throat dissolved, finally allowing her to speak.
"If Father knew of this, he would never be able to rest in peace!"
Mrs. Mei gripped the armrest at her side. "The General... The General would understand my decision."
"My father was an upright and honorable man! He would have scorned the use of such schemes to force someone's hand. He couldn't understand this, and he never would!"
Mei Wanying stepped forward slowly. "This brings shame upon my father!"
Mrs. Mei's face went white. A tickle rose in her throat, and she quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, letting out a few suppressed coughs.
Nanny Liu expertly poured her a cup of water and patted her back. "Madam, please don't be angry. Your health is what's most important."
Then she turned to Mei Wanying. "Ying, you are your mother's own flesh and blood. If she weren't completely desperate, would she ever resort to this? Things have already come to this point. Just listen to her arrangements. Your mother would never harm you."
Seeing the graying strands at her mother's temples and the slight stoop in her back as she coughed, Mei Wanying felt a sharp, needle-like pain in her heart.
She couldn't deny it. From the day she was born, her mother had given her so much love.
She instinctively stepped forward, wanting to pat her mother's back.
But then she heard Mrs. Mei say, "It doesn't matter whether you understand or not, you must marry Pei Yan! When I die, I will go to the underworld and atone for my sins to your father myself!"
Mei Wanying froze, her expression turning vacant. "I will not marry him."
Mrs. Mei: "This is your parents' command! It is not for you to decide!"