Chapter 20: Chapter 20: She Will Not Be a Concubine

The Central Palace.

Mei Wanying was led into the main hall by a Palace Attendant.

In her past life, after she married Pei Yan, the Empress’s displeasure with her had reached its peak. She had made things difficult for Wanying in countless ways, both openly and in secret.

The mental anguish was etched into her very bones.

The moment she stepped into this familiar yet strange place, Mei Wanying’s heart couldn’t help but clench.

If not for the circumstances, she would have turned and left, never to see a member of the Royal Family again.

"Miss Mei, this way please!"

Mei Wanying gave a slight nod, lifted the hem of her skirt, and walked into the grand hall she had entered countless times in her previous life.

Here, she had kneeled, and she had been forced to stand as punishment.

Once, a Palace Maid had told her the Empress was napping and made her wait outside the hall.

The heavens were not kind, and a heavy rain began to fall.

Mei Wanying was left in a wretched state, but as long as Empress Gu didn’t give the word, she could only endure it.

The rain was bone-chilling. Though it was a warm spring day, Mei Wanying shivered.

From her high seat, a flash of disgust crossed Empress Gu’s eyes.

’She’s supposed to be the daughter of a prestigious house, yet she’s so timid. Utterly without composure. No wonder Ah Yan dislikes her.’

Empress Gu used to think her son was uninterested in women, that he hadn’t had his awakening yet, which was why he was unmoved even by a beauty like Mei Wanying.

Now she suddenly understood. It was because Mei Wanying was too provincial to catch her son’s eye.

’A person so timid and shrinking, even one with the beauty of an angel, could never be endearing.’

Having composed herself, Mei Wanying bowed her head, lowered her eyes, and curtsied to Empress Gu.

Her every move was the epitome of a well-bred lady, making her earlier timidity seem like nothing more than a figment of the Empress’s imagination.

Empress Gu clicked her tongue inwardly.

’This Mei Wanying has more than one face, it seems. I really underestimated her.’

With a smile on her face, Empress Gu offered Mei Wanying a seat. She was General Mei’s daughter, after all. Even if the Empress wanted to put her in her place, she wouldn’t go so far as to make her stand as punishment.

Otherwise, if word got out, she, the master of the Harem, would become a laughingstock.

’They would say I’m petty and intolerant!’

Empress Gu smiled and beckoned to Mei Wanying. "I have long heard that General Mei’s daughter is as beautiful as a flower, a celestial maiden. Seeing you today, the rumors are indeed true. Come closer, let me have a good look at you."

Mei Wanying had entered the palace with her father before to attend banquets, but she never had the chance to meet the Empress alone back then.

In that sense, what the Empress said was not inaccurate.

As soon as Mei Wanying came closer, Empress Gu took her hand. Her manner was warm and affectionate, something Mei Wanying had never experienced in her past life.

She smiled shyly, acting no different from any other young lady.

She waited quietly for Empress Gu’s "lecture."

The more composed Mei Wanying remained, the more Empress Gu felt her intentions were impure.

The smile on her lips deepened. "Look at this lovely little face, so endearing. General Mei and Mrs. Mei are truly blessed."

Then her tone shifted. "Ah Yan requested a list from me—all of them are talented young men. He said it was to choose a husband for his little sister. I thought about it, and in the entire Capital City, the only one he would consider a sister is you."

When she said the word "sister," Empress Gu’s tone carried a peculiar emphasis.

’She’s reminding me that Pei Yan only sees me as a sister, so I shouldn’t get any improper ideas!’

"Have you seen the list? Is there anyone you fancy? Just tell me, and I will make the arrangements for you."

Mei Wanying tried her best to restrain herself, but her heart still clenched in pain.

She hadn’t expected Pei Yan to be so cruel.

’Is he that desperate to marry me off to someone else? Is he afraid I’ll pester him again?’

Threads of bitterness spread through her heart.

If she hadn’t been reborn and already decided to let go of Pei Yan, this news would surely have shattered her.

Mei Wanying scoffed inwardly. ’Pei Yan needn’t worry; I will stay far, far away on my own accord.’

’Once I leave the Capital, we’ll never see each other again!’

Knowing what Empress Gu cared about, Mei Wanying didn’t beat around the bush. "My mother and I are planning to return to Jiangnan. The matter of marriage can be set aside for now. We will consider it again once we are settled in our ancestral home."

Empress Gu had been prepared; if Mei Wanying made a scene about not wanting to marry and insisted that Ah Yan take responsibility for her, she would use the Crown Prince to give Mei Wanying a good scare.

’I never expected her to want to return to her ancestral home.’

Empress Gu had never considered this possibility and was caught completely off guard.

"Why the sudden desire to return to Jiangnan?"

Mei Wanying was no fool; she wouldn’t lie to Empress Gu at a time like this.

Beating around the bush would do her no good at all.

She laid all her concerns bare with surprising frankness.

Mei Wanying said bashfully, "I have caused His Highness a great deal of trouble in the past. It won’t happen again. I ask that Your Majesty and His Highness forgive my immaturity."

Empress Gu stared directly into Mei Wanying’s eyes. She didn’t flinch or look away, her expression open and honest.

"Are you certain you want to return to Jiangnan?" Empress Gu asked.

Mei Wanying nodded. "Before he passed, my father always spoke of returning to Jiangnan to live out his retirement. Now that he is gone, my mother and I wish to fulfill his final wish."

A hand gently patted hers. The smile on Empress Gu’s face became a little more genuine.

"You are a filial child, and General Mei did Ah Yan a great service. I will certainly help you achieve your wish."

’Whether Mei Wanying is being sincere or just retreating as a way to advance, if she wants to return to Jiangnan, then I’ll let her go. This will prevent her from clinging to Ah Yan and dragging him down. Once she’s back in Jiangnan, it won’t be so easy for Mei Wanying to return to the Capital.’ thought the Empress.

Seeing that Mei Wanying knew her place, Empress Gu was willing to show her some favor.

"You needn’t worry about the Crown Prince. He made a mistake and has been confined to his quarters by the Emperor. I will restrain him and prevent him from going to Jiangnan to find you. I will also ask His Majesty to intervene and make the Crown Prince give up any idea of taking you into the Eastern Palace. You can rest assured and return to Jiangnan with your mother."

Hearing these words, the taut string inside Mei Wanying finally slackened.

’Before, the Emperor and Empress had not stated their positions, which was what gave the Crown Prince the opportunity to be so aggressive. But the Emperor’s word is law. The Crown Prince just angered the Emperor; at this critical juncture, he certainly wouldn’t dare defy an imperial edict.’

After pondering for a moment, Empress Gu brought up Pei Yan. "You and Ah Yan grew up together; your bond is extraordinary. I was even thinking that after he takes a wife, I would have him take you as a Concubine."

Mei Wanying was startled.

’A Concubine?’

’Even if it was for Pei Yan, I would not be a concubine!’

Besides, she had already let go of her obsession and no longer wanted any entanglement with Pei Yan.

’Forget being a Concubine; I wouldn’t even take the position of his primary wife now!’

Understanding that Empress Gu was testing her, Mei Wanying quickly calmed down.

"His Highness has a magnificent bearing and should be matched with the best woman in the world. I am simple and lack ambition. I only wish to return to my ancestral home in Jiangnan and live a quiet life with my mother."

Mei Wanying’s eyes were clear. There was no calculation or evasion in them, yet Empress Gu still couldn’t bring herself to trust her completely.

’She had loved Pei Yan with a world-shaking passion. How could she suddenly give up on those feelings? It’s impossible.’

Mei Wanying said she was returning to Jiangnan, but before she left, Empress Gu wanted to make her give up all hope.

She was afraid that Mei Wanying would return to Jiangnan, only to regret it and go back to pestering Pei Yan.

’As a woman myself, I know exactly what to do to twist the knife in Mei Wanying’s heart. Make her face reality. And then, despair. So she will never again dare to have such delusional thoughts!’

"Ah Yan has chosen a wife for himself. Have a guess, which family’s young lady is it?"