Chen Shujing braced himself, fully expecting a tongue-lashing from Mei Wanying.

She didn’t even give Pei Yan any face; she certainly wouldn’t waste pleasantries on him.

He hadn’t expected her to be so blunt, or to so staunchly support Ah Yao’s divorce.

Chen Shujing sighed. "Miss Mei, does this mean you won’t forgive the Crown Prince either?"

"Heir Chen, this has nothing to do with you."

If Ah Yao hadn’t married Chen Shujing, she would be a complete stranger to this man.

And there was no reason to discuss her private affairs with a stranger.

Chen Shujing said, "In this life, there are times when one’s hands are tied. If your daughter wanted a complete family with both her parents, would you still reject the Crown Prince so resolutely?"

To make his argument more persuasive, Chen Shujing added, "The Crown Prince is the heir apparent. One day, he will be the master of the realm. Everyone admires strength, and children are no exception. Miss Mei, can you guarantee your daughter will be satisfied with just being the heir to the Mei family?"

Being the heir to the Mei family was indeed a prestigious position, but what was it compared to being a Heavenly Royal?

Mei Wanying’s expression didn’t change.

She gently rocked the daughter in her arms, tapping the tip of the little one’s nose when she broke into a toothless grin.

Ling knew her mother was playing with her and became even more excited.

She tried to grab her mother’s fingertips.

Mei Wanying’s eyes were filled with adoration; she thought her daughter was the most adorable child in the entire world.

As for the future, who could say for certain?

’Why should I worry about it now?’

Mei Wanying gave Chen Shujing a cool glance. "What gives a man who has made such mistakes the right to discuss these things with me? You can’t even manage your own marriage. What good advice could you possibly have for me?"

That hit Chen Shujing right where it hurt.

He retorted weakly, "Those involved are blind to the truth, while outsiders see it clearly."

Mei Wanying wasn’t falling for it. "You want to drag me into this so you can use the opportunity to sway Ah Yao. Heir Chen, I can hear your little scheme from a mile away."

Chen Shujing had heard that Mei Wanying had a sharp tongue and was merciless when she had reason on her side.

But in his few interactions with her, she had always been polite and courteous. He had even thought the rumors were just people maliciously slandering her.

Today, he was finally getting a taste of it firsthand.

’This woman is not to be trifled with!’

No wonder she always had Pei Yan hopping mad.

Since Mei Wanying was unwilling to help, Chen Shujing could only rely on himself.

He remembered how he’d withdrawn his support for the Xue Family when he left the Capital City, and wondered if Ah Yao had run into trouble.

Chen Shujing regretted it.

He could have used other methods to make Ah Yao stay.

Instead of forcing her like this.

It was a truly hurtful thing to do.

It was like taking a person’s dignity, throwing it on the ground, and stomping on it...

Xue Xingyao had a fiery personality. Chen Shujing didn’t dare to imagine how much more resolute she would be about the divorce if she had suffered because of his actions.

The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became to rush to the Capital City.

He didn’t stay long at the Mei family’s residence, and decided against seeing Pei Yan.

Chen Shujing rose to take his leave. Before he left, he offered Mei Wanying a sincere apology.

"I was in the wrong before. I hurt Ah Yao, and I hurt our unborn child. I admit to it all."

"But I still must ask for your help, Miss Mei. Please, try to talk to Ah Yao for me."

"I don’t want a divorce. I will make it up to her in the future."

Seeing the mocking expression on Mei Wanying’s face, as if she were about to lay into him again, Chen Shujing could only beat a hasty retreat.

He didn’t think he could take another one of her cutting remarks.

...

Pei Yan received a message from the Capital City. The Empress Dowager had passed away. He was ordered to return to the capital at once.

There was another piece of news: the Useless Crown Prince had been rescued and had vanished without a trace. His current whereabouts were unknown.

The first piece of news didn’t cause Pei Yan’s expression to change in the slightest. He had no affection for the Pei Family to begin with.

’Someone who plotted against me... what does it matter to me if she’s dead or alive?’

Besides, the Empress Dowager had aided the Useless Crown Prince’s escape. In his eyes, that made her no different from a rebel.

’So what if I don’t return to the capital?’

Pei Yan casually threw the letter on the table, leaned back, and unconsciously tapped the armrest.

Wei Jue had been punished not long ago, and his wounds hadn’t fully healed.

This time, he didn’t dare run his mouth.

’Whatever His Highness wants to do is his business.’

To protect Miss Mei and Ling, the Crown Prince would never give up the power he now held.

"Investigate. Find him, and kill him on sight!"

Pei Yan didn’t fear danger, but he had to eliminate all potential threats for Ah Yin and Ling.

Having crossed swords with the Useless Crown Prince several times, Pei Yan knew him well.

He was a madman.

He would rather die than live out his days in obscurity under a false name.

Once he found an opportunity, he would carry out his revenge.

Back in the Capital City, the Useless Crown Prince had already targeted Mei Wanying.

If he did it once, he would do it again. It was highly likely he would target Ah Yin again.

Before, Mei Wanying was Pei Yan’s only weakness. Now, he had a daughter, too.

He had to prepare in advance.

Besides sending people to track the Useless Crown Prince’s whereabouts, he also dispatched more Hidden Guards to protect Mei Wanying and the child.

After arranging everything, Pei Yan still felt uneasy.

Looking toward the Mei Family’s old house, the man thought, ’Perhaps the only way I’ll ever be at ease is if I keep Ah Yin tied to my side, taking her with me wherever I go.’

Reason told Pei Yan that he couldn’t force Mei Wanying’s hand anymore, or he would only push her further away.

But some thoughts, once they arise, become harder and harder to suppress.

He longed for Mei Wanying.

He longed to be with her day and night.

Fiddling with the sachet embroidered with plum blossoms, Pei Yan thought, ’I should go see Ah Yin.’

’It would be best if Ah Yin would just curse me out again.’

’Otherwise, I’m going to lose control.’

"Your Highness, Miss Mei is here."

Mei Wanying was a person of great importance, so Wei Jue had come to deliver the news himself.

The man looked dazed, as if he had misheard. "Who’s here?"

Wei Jue: "Miss Mei..."

He hadn’t misheard.

’It’s Ah Yin.’

The frost in the man’s expression melted instantly, replaced by an irrepressible, wild joy.

He was ecstatic.

So much so that his body was trembling.

"Show her in."

The words had barely left his lips before he was already striding toward the main entrance.

The man was tall and slender. His strides were so long that he nearly vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.

Wei Jue’s lips twitched. ’His Highness isn’t being very reserved, is he...’

The thought had barely formed when the figure in black came to a halt.

Wei Jue tensed for a moment.

He watched, wide-eyed, as the man turned and headed for his bedchambers.

Wei Jue had a strange feeling that the Crown Prince had gone to... "pretty himself up."

After all, Miss Mei likes handsome men.

That’s what the maid, Ding Xiang, had said herself.

Mei Wanying was waiting in the front hall when Wei Jue invited her to the study in the main courtyard. "The Crown Prince is waiting for you there."

Mei Wanying refused to go to Pei Yan’s personal courtyard. Their relationship wasn’t nearly that intimate.

"I’ll wait for him here. Tell him to come whenever he’s free."

This hall wasn’t far from the main gate. If Pei Yan proved to be unreasonable and refused to release Gu Xun, she could leave the residence at a moment’s notice.

This was the woman the Crown Prince cherished above all others, so Wei Jue had no choice but to obey.

He went to relay the message.

Mei Wanying sat ramrod straight, not touching the tea or refreshments on the table.

With her gaze lowered, she mulled over how to negotiate with Pei Yan. She needed to get him to release Gu Xun and, at the same time, convince him to return to where he belonged.

Hearing footsteps, Mei Wanying looked up.

A man approached, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe and a jade coronet. He walked with the casual, leisurely gait of a dashing young nobleman.

Mei Wanying’s pupils unconsciously dilated.

Pei Yan... ’He seems to have gone mad...’