[{"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-116":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},1326617,1761,"Chapter 116: Verification","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-116",116,"\u003Cp>Wei Jue followed Pei Yan, thinking that His Highness, upon receiving the news, would rush to Jiangnan without a moment’s delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Miss Mei was about to marry Gu Xun!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he didn’t go stop it, the next time they met, Miss Mei would have to call His Highness \"cousin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he went to the Mei family’s residence in the Capital City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Jue was baffled. He reminded him, \"Your Highness, Miss Mei has gone to Jiangnan. She hasn’t returned to the Capital City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Could it be that after being unconscious for so long, His Highness’s mind has become muddled?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Wei Jue thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan entered the residence in silence. Wei Jue couldn’t tell if he had heard him or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing his master’s temper and dislike for chatter, Wei Jue could only shut his mouth and follow behind without a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing a covered walkway with carved railings, they saw a pond of withered lotuses. The steward was leading men to dredge the dead branches and fallen leaves from the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They fished out a box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The box was exquisitely crafted; one look was enough to tell it was no ordinary object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward was about to wipe it clean to see what was inside before deciding whether to put it in the storeroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the young miss asked about it, he could have someone send it to Jiangnan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The object in his hands was suddenly snatched away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Pei Yan, the steward froze, truly not expecting him to come to the residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw that Pei Yan’s face was pale and he had grown thin, as if he had just recovered from a major illness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward recalled the rumors in the Capital City. Some said that the prince might not make it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Why else would he not show his face?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly performed a grand bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he asked uncertainly, \"Your Highness, is there some urgent matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan held the box, his eyes lowered in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would recognize this thing even if it were turned to ash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying had once forced him to carve his name on the bottom of the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said it was deeply meaningful and that they had to leave a special mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he refused, she would glare at him with her watery eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And scold him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She forced him to carve the character ’Yan’ and even carved a small plum blossom next to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Pei Yan didn’t understand why Mei Wanying was so insistent on leaving one mark after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She not only carved on the box, but also left small marks on the clothes she wore and the handkerchiefs she used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if this was some special ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would be happy whenever she saw such marks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Touching the plum blossom on the box, Pei Yan understood Mei Wanying’s feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This is the bond between them. How could she not be happy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, he was certain this was that very box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was the hairpin-pinning ceremony gift he had given Mei Wanying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s breathing grew heavy, and his hand holding the box tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This object shouldn’t be here. It should have been kept close by Mei Wanying, never left behind no matter where she went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’How could it have been left behind?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the lake, no less, nearly lost forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A suspicion in the depths of his heart quickly took root, sprouted, and broke through the soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice hoarse. \"Why is it here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Did Mei Wanying drop it by accident?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Or did someone steal it from her and deliberately throw it in the lake?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That one suspicion grew clearer and clearer. Pei Yan suddenly felt a little afraid and subconsciously chose to avoid it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a flash, the steward recalled something. \"It should be something the young miss threw away. One night, she came to the lakeside. Someone saw her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was an illusion, but after he said this, Pei Yan’s face seemed to turn even paler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward was a little worried. He turned his head to look at Wei Jue, asking with his eyes if they should call for a doctor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Jue shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know what His Highness was thinking, but it was certainly related to Miss Mei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Let His Highness do as he pleases...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something Pei Yan needed to verify himself. Only then would he know how he should approach Mei Wanying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told the steward to summon the Household Doctor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward said, \"After the mistress and the young miss left, the residence dismissed a number of staff. I don’t know if the person you wish to see is still in the Capital City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan was determined to see him. \"One hour. Find him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to confirm the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t waste all his time here. He had to set out to find Mei Wanying today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Mei Wanying married or not, it would not change the purpose of his journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was his wife to begin with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only natural that she return to his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s gaze was profound. His long, slender fingers held the wooden box, wiping away the mud bit by bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he opened the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The golden hairpin lay quietly inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan gazed down at it, the pad of his finger caressing it gently, and then he suddenly laughed out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’She can throw away the golden hairpin, but can she throw away the memories that belong to them?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Ah Yin can’t forget. She’s just deceiving herself!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, I’ve brought the man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Mei Wanying and Mrs. Mei left the Capital City, they had given the Household Doctor a sum of silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally planned to return to his hometown and open a medical clinic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was found by Empress Gu’s people and interrogated for news about Mei Wanying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was terrified, afraid of bringing trouble to his family back home, so after that incident, he had stayed in the Capital City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a Noble wanted to find him, it would be useless even if he fled to the ends of the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might as well stay right under their noses. If something happened, he would bear it himself, saving his family the trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan gave Wei Jue a look, and the latter immediately had the steward and all other uninvolved people leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary people wouldn’t dare to listen in on the private affairs of someone like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward ordered the men to move far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, however, he was muttering to himself, ’The Mei family isn’t going to get dragged into some trouble, are they?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’If so, I’ll have to write a letter to the mistress and the young miss, telling them to go far, far away.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’They are the people the General cared about most. I must ensure the General can rest in peace.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan had no time to beat around the bush. He directly asked the Household Doctor, \"On the anniversary of the General’s death, that prescription—what was it for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’As I expected, it’s about this matter again.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Household Doctor wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. \"It was... it was abortion soup.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s expression froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’So, she had come back that early.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’No wonder she ignored me afterward.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’She wasn’t throwing a tantrum or playing hard to get; she truly wanted to draw a clear line between them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Pei Yan remained silent, the Household Doctor could only spill the beans, explaining everything about that night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I saw the prescription, I found it strange. The only masters in the residence are the mistress and the young miss. That abortion soup is very potent and can harm the body. I was afraid someone had ill intentions and was using it for malicious purposes, so I asked you about the patient’s symptoms...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, Pei Yan had said she had abdominal pain, the symptom of a woman’s monthly period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the doctor adjusted the prescription.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought I had done a good deed, but I never expected both the Empress and His Highness to be asking about that night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Household Doctor wiped his sweat again. ’It seems I’ve caused a disaster...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The suspicion in his heart was confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like him, Ah Yin had been reborn, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only this time, she had chosen a completely different path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was unwilling to marry him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unwilling to love him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’No matter. This time, it’s my turn to love Ah Yin.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan shot to his feet, his grip on the box in his hand tightening fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A storm of emotions surged through him, and a trace of color returned to his pale face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Mei Wanying really was pregnant.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’No wonder she was so secretive, refusing to let me see her belly no matter what.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’And cried so sorrowfully.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Hiding such a huge secret, she must have felt so wronged and anxious, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, she had gotten pregnant that night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a seed planted on the day after their wedding, from their passionate entanglement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The events of his past life and this one all connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The change had all started that one night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s heart pounded, urging him to go to Jiangnan and find his wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’If Mei Wanying dares to marry someone else while carrying my child, I will tear Gu Xun to pieces.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’She is my woman, and that is my child.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I will never forgive anyone who dares to interfere!’\u003C\u002Fp>",1599,"2026-06-05T19:26:55.507Z",1,"novelbin.me","81df21246c3d86577807727514ecadb58ac33bf2e3e1fc18ad5ee4e3bb0ac088","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-117","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-115",175,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-cover.jpg"]