[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let":3,"chapter-a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-114":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","A Marriage in Name Only? My Stepbrother Won't Let Me Go",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1326615,1761,"Chapter 114: Ask Gu Xun, Does It Still Count?","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-114",114,"\u003Cp>Mei Wanying had not returned to the Capital City, but a letter from Empress Gu was delivered to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was still in her postpartum confinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the letter was sent, Empress Gu had no idea that Mei Wanying had gone into labor early and given birth to a daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the letter, the Empress ordered her to return to the Capital City at once and marry Pei Yan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s pupils widened, filled with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one person who was most against her marrying Pei Yan was now demanding she do just that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no such thing as a free lunch. Mei Wanying couldn’t help but wonder, ’Could Pei Yan really be in trouble?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’The kind of serious trouble?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what she knew of Empress Gu, the Empress would never have taken this path unless it was an absolute last resort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Capital City was in turmoil, then Empress Gu asking her to marry Pei Yan was no different from pushing her and her child into a pit of fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying didn’t know what Empress Gu was planning, but her intuition told her it was a dangerous path, one she had to stay far away from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would not return to the Capital City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she would certainly not marry Pei Yan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Mrs. Mei had a good grasp of Empress Gu’s temperament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress was obstinate; once she made up her mind, she rarely changed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just like when she sent Mrs. Gu and the others to keep an eye on Ah Yin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the entire pregnancy, those people had trailed Ah Yin, never leaving her side for an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Gu Xun not intervened, Mrs. Gu and her group would never have left the Mei Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that the Empress has spoken, she will see it through. My poor child, you were so close to living a peaceful life. Why is this happening again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Capital City is a furnace, and their fighting is fierce. If you marry Pei Yan, wouldn’t you become a living target?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Empress is trying to kill you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Mei held her granddaughter, that sense of powerlessness washing over her once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Yin had given birth to a daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had thought the Royal Family had given up on them, that they would no longer be bothered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why had Empress Gu suddenly changed her mind, wanting Ah Yin to marry Pei Yan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing good ever fell into their laps. The most likely reason was that something major had happened in the Capital City again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Gu, having run out of options, had turned her attention to Ah Yin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps... on the child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ling was a girl, so whatever Empress Gu wanted to do would not be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Mei was no naive child; a suspicion surfaced in her mind that made her tremble with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her daughter and granddaughter were Mrs. Mei’s life. She could not accept either of them being thrown into the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the tense atmosphere, Ling started to wail in Mrs. Mei’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she cried, her little body turned bright red. It was a pitiable sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s mind was in turmoil. Seeing her daughter, her own eyes reddened with heartache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took the child, gently coaxing, \"Lingling, be good. Mama isn’t going anywhere. We’ll stay right here at our own home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Mei knew her daughter was a woman of firm ideas, and quite bold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was afraid Wanying might do something drastic and hurt herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Mei said, \"Don’t do anything rash. We’re so far from the Capital City; we still have time to respond.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, there’s still time,\" Mei Wanying said as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone was faint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it carried an unyielding determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Mei asked her, \"What do you plan to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying replied, \"Give her a taste of her own medicine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Gu had pretended not to see her letter asking for help, so she would pretend not to see this letter as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would never agree to Empress Gu’s demand that she marry Pei Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she could marry someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying said, \"Mother, please ask Gu Xun for me if what he said before still counts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t want to use Gu Xun, but other than him, who else would dare to stand with her against the high and mighty Empress Gu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying could not find another candidate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could only do Gu Xun this injustice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a good man. If she had a choice, she would not want to use him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Mei thought Gu Xun was a good man, a considerate and caring young fellow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she had to ask, \"Ah Yin, are you sure?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying looked at her daughter’s tear-streaked face, and her heart felt like it was being wrung out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This is the best choice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, what awaited mother and daughter would be a violent storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t afford to take that gamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor did she want to suffer through this undeserved disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mother, Gu Xun is a good man,\" Mei Wanying said, her expression calm. \"He’s good to me, and he’s good to Lingling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Mei said no more. This was indeed the best way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just hoped Gu Xun would prove reliable and not let Ah Yin be heartbroken a second time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun had fallen for Mei Wanying at first sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, she was still chasing after Pei Yan, her eyes unable to see any other man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they met again, Gu Xun finally had a chance to get close to Mei Wanying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had said he was willing to marry into her family, and he was sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought he would have to wait a long, long time before he might move Mei Wanying’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also possible she might never accept him at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never expected such good luck to suddenly fall upon him—Mei Wanying was willing to have him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun was so happy he felt dizzy. He immediately sent his personal assets to the Mei family to show his sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also had someone select several auspicious dates for the wedding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to marry Mei Wanying as soon as possible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted a legitimate title. Only then could his heart be at peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would no longer have to fear his cousin suddenly appearing and stealing his beloved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the excitement passed, he remembered that Mei Wanying was still in confinement and inwardly cursed himself for being inconsiderate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how eager he was, he should give her time to recuperate properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was hesitant, worried that being too eager would make Mei Wanying uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, she was the one who chose the date. It was a very tight schedule; the soonest auspicious day was the day her confinement period ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Xiang came to pass on a message. \"Mr. Gu, our lady wishes to see you. There is something she must tell you in person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’For her to be in such a hurry to marry, there must be some hidden reason.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun’s intuition told him this was precisely what Mei Wanying wanted to discuss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’As long as she isn’t calling off the marriage, I’m not afraid of anything.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she did try to call it off, Gu Xun decided he would play the scoundrel for once and pretend he hadn’t heard a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He followed Ding Xiang to the Mei Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying was still in her postpartum confinement. She couldn’t be exposed to wind, and it was inadvisable for her to sit for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spent most of her time resting in bed, only occasionally getting up to walk around a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To avoid being rude, she waited in the outer room, dressed in a gold-threaded cotton skirt with light makeup on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun had not seen Mei Wanying for a long time, and the sight of her now left him slightly dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but her aura had undergone a complete transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She carried a unique womanly charm, yet also the steadfastness of a mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So very, very beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As dazzling and captivating as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun composed himself and took a seat as a guest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying spoke slowly. \"Mr. Gu, there is something I must make clear to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not want to deceive Gu Xun. Even if she was using him, she had to state things plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun listened attentively. \"Miss Mei, please speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying said, \"The Empress sent a letter. She wants me to marry Pei Yan. I am not willing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t have to say more; Gu Xun understood what she meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hands resting on his knees suddenly clenched into fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Thank goodness, she’s not calling off the wedding...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun’s lips curled into a smile. \"I’m honored to be used by you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said it so frankly that Mei Wanying felt a tinge of guilt. \"I am the one who is wronging you in this. If you are having second thoughts...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun interrupted, \"Then let’s do it as quickly as possible, lest complications arise from the delay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking into Mei Wanying’s guilt-filled eyes, Gu Xun said earnestly, \"I never even dared to dream that this day would come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1564,"2026-06-05T19:26:55.507Z",1,"novelbin.me","4aae5e9ffdae021f94b3e06d68f9717a96ca0bb39d0365837fe94ecaceb9966f","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-115","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-113",175,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-cover.jpg"]