At the mention of Mei Wanying, the atmosphere grew tense once more.
Pei Yan's eyelids flickered open, his deep eyes filled with a cold, sharp light.
"There's no need for the Crown Prince to trouble himself. I will have someone send her the things she likes."
"Oh?"
The Crown Prince's expression was taunting. "How is it that I've heard you can't stand Mei Wanying? She's been chasing after you for years, yet you've never agreed to marry her?"
"Gossip and rumors shouldn't be taken seriously."
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow. 'Is he protecting Mei Wanying?'
The blood in the Crown Prince's veins boiled, igniting a fierce fighting spirit. A voice in his heart screamed for him to fight Pei Yan to the death.
The more Pei Yan protected Mei Wanying, the more he wanted to snatch her away.
'Mei Wanying, I must have her!'
'If I win, she'll be my prize.'
'If I lose, then Mei Wanying shouldn't live either!'
'Everything Pei Yan cares about, I'll snatch it away, one by one.'
'Even if I have to destroy it, I won't leave it for Pei Yan!'
The Crown Prince's eyes turned sinister. No matter how well he restrained himself, his dark frustration still seeped out.
Empress Gu was protective of her own and naturally favored her biological son.
She said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "She's just a young woman. How is she worth you two brothers getting so worked up? Don't throw a tantrum over her."
The Crown Prince's lips curved. "Miss Mei is a fair and graceful lady, and I am quite fond of her. Since my dear younger brother is unwilling to marry her, why not let me have her? On your account, I certainly won't mistreat her."
The word "mistreat" was laced with another meaning.
Their gazes clashed in midair.
Not a single soldier had moved, yet the tension was that of a gathering storm.
A few words escaped Pei Yan's thin lips: "She is my person. Whoever touches her will bear the consequences."
Pei Yan only said it once, but everyone could tell he was serious.
He had brought Mei Wanying under his protection.
No one could touch her.
The smile vanished from the Crown Prince's lips. "It seems we'll have to see who is more capable, then. After all, matters of the heart require mutual consent. You can't speak for Miss Mei. Perhaps she'd be more than happy to enter the Eastern Palace."
As if hearing a ridiculous joke, Pei Yan let out a cold laugh. "Then we shall wait and see!"
'Mei Wanying is head over heels in love with me. How could she possibly want to enter the Eastern Palace?'
'If that day ever came, it would only be because she was forced!'
'Mei Wanying may have countless flaws, but she is devoted and persistent, not the type to be fickle.'
Pei Yan was certain of this.
Pei Yan's look of absolute confidence fanned the flames of a raging fire in the Crown Prince's heart.
He wished he could just cut the man before him down with a single stroke.
Suppressing his fury, the Crown Prince rose calmly.
He smoothed his cuffs. "I have just remembered that I have official business to attend to. I won't keep you company."
After bowing to Empress Gu, the Crown Prince left his seat and exited the hall with a dark expression.
Once he was far away, Empress Gu began to complain, "The Crown Prince acts so absurdly. I used to let it slide and even put in a good word for him with the Emperor. And look at him now, daring to throw his weight around in the Central Palace!"
When you despise someone, everything they say and do is wrong!
This was exactly how Empress Gu felt about the Crown Prince.
She probed Pei Yan, "What are your true feelings about Mei Wanying?"
'If my son likes Mei Wanying, then I'll ask the Emperor to decree that after Prince Chen's Mansion has a main wife, we can bring Mei Wanying in as a Concubine.'
'If Ah Yan doesn't like her, then I'll wash my hands of it. Whether she lives or dies will be her own fate!'
Pei Yan's tone was faint. "What feelings?"
Empress Gu chided, "You child, are you still playing dumb with me? Tell Mother the truth. Do you want to take Mei Wanying as a concubine?"
Pei Yan frowned and corrected her, "She will not be a concubine."
Empress Gu: "The Mei family is in decline. She is not fit to be your principal wife."
A stifling feeling flickered through his heart, so fleeting he couldn't grasp it.
"I never said I would marry her."
"Then... what did you mean by what you said just now?"
Pei Yan: "General Mei raised me. I cannot let anything happen to Mei Wanying."
"If you take her as a concubine, she will be your woman. It would then be perfectly justifiable for you to protect her."
"Those old foxes in the Court... plenty of them want to stuff their daughters into your rear courtyard. If they see the Mei family benefiting, they will surely do everything in their power to help you."
At first, Pei Yan had no intention of fighting for the position of Crown Prince. It was the Crown Prince who had pushed him step by step, determined to fight him to the death.
When faced with a fight, he never backed down.
Since his opponent wanted to contend, to fight, to not rest until one of them was dead, then he would answer the challenge!
Pei Yan did not want to use the tactics of power struggles on Mei Wanying.
And he never would!
He wanted to make Empress Gu drop the idea. "Finding Mei Wanying a husband who will love her wholeheartedly, who has a 'clean' rear courtyard, and who will not let her suffer any grievance—that was General Mei's wish."
'That's why General Mei never interfered in matters between me and Mei Wanying.'
'He never used the Mei family's kindness to demand that I marry her.'
"If a suitable candidate appears, I will arrange for Mei Wanying to be married."
Empress Gu: "Which man of any standing doesn't have three wives and four concubines? No matter who she marries, she is bound to suffer grievances. If you take her, you'd be killing multiple birds with one stone."
Her words made Pei Yan uncomfortable.
'Mei Wanying is so delicate, and her possessiveness is ridiculously strong. If she had to share a husband with other women, wouldn't she turn the rear courtyard upside down?'
He had said it: Mei Wanying was under his protection.
'Whoever marries Mei Wanying must be prepared not to take concubines or keep mistresses outside!'
"Anyone who dares to let her suffer any grievance is making an enemy of me!"
Empress Gu suddenly felt as if she were playing a lute to a cow.
'This boy... how is it that when it comes to matters between men and women, he's completely clueless?'
"You protect her so fiercely. Who would dare to marry her?"
Pei Yan furrowed his brow. "Why wouldn't they dare? Unless they have something to hide."
Empress Gu thought to herself.
'They're afraid that *you're* the one with something to hide!'
'Mei Wanying isn't his biological sister. On one hand, he seems to resent her, yet on the other, he protects her so flawlessly. It's hard for people not to read into it.'
'Setting aside the Crown Prince's intentions for Mei Wanying, Ah Yan's attitude alone would make many men hesitate.'
'A man marries a wife, not an ancestor to be worshipped.'
'If they really married Mei Wanying, their whole family would have to live by her whims.'
'Who would be willing to do that?'
'Those who don't know better might think there's something improper between Ah Yan and Mei Wanying, and that marrying her off is just a temporary measure.'
Empress Gu sighed. "If you're unwilling to bring her into your mansion, then stay away from her. If anything needs to be done, have your subordinates handle it."
Pei Yan was puzzled. 'Isn't that what I've always been doing?'
'From start to finish, I've never actively provoked Mei Wanying. She's the one who clings to me and won't let go…'
He didn't want to argue about it.
He had a plan for how to settle Mei Wanying's situation.
Pei Yan had to go to the Border soon. With him away from the Capital City, it would inevitably create opportunities for others to take advantage.
The image of Mei Wanying crying appeared in his mind. 'I have to make sure she's settled before I leave,' Pei Yan thought.
'So she won't be afraid.'
'I wouldn't be able to face General Mei.'
After a moment of thought, Pei Yan said, "When I've gone to the Border, please summon Mei Wanying to the palace."
Empress Gu thought for a moment and knew exactly what he was planning.
'He wants me to help look after Mei Wanying!'
"Why don't I just adopt her as a goddaughter and ask your Imperial Father to grant her the title of Princess? That way, she'll be the nominal sister of both you and the Crown Prince. It would solve the problem once and for all!"