[{"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-119":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},1326620,1761,"Chapter 119: Let Me Go","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-119",119,"\u003Cp>Mei Wanying was taking a live-in husband, so she didn’t need to go out to greet the bridal procession. She only had to wait in the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mei family had already sent out the welcoming party. When the hour arrived, Gu Xun would be led through the doors by a young boy and girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After they bowed to Heaven and Earth, the ceremony would be considered complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressed in her wedding attire with a red veil over her head, Mei Wanying waited quietly in the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps sounded from the direction of the main entrance as if many people were entering. The guests suddenly grew restless, and a wave of gasps went through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s vision was obscured by the veil. She couldn’t see, but she could feel the atmosphere suddenly grow tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Mei Wanying’s first time taking a live-in husband, and she had never witnessed a scene like this before. The guests might be surprised, they might jeer playfully, but the atmosphere shouldn’t feel like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Did something go wrong?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying hesitated, wondering if she should lift the veil to see what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the small space visible beneath the hem of her veil, a pair of men’s boots embroidered with auspicious patterns in gold thread suddenly appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wedding matron stammered, \"The groom has arrived. Quick, begin the ceremony. Don’t miss the auspicious hour.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few moments later, Mei Wanying heard her mother’s voice. \"The auspicious hour has arrived...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying dismissed the thought of lifting her veil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but she felt the man’s gaze was scorching hot, fixed on her without blinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if it would burn through the veil and set her aflame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s hand, holding the red silk ribbon, tightened. Her heart began to race, and she grew inexplicably nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person on the other end of the ribbon gave it a gentle tug and seemed to let out a faint, almost inaudible laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was very happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind of happiness he couldn’t hide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. ’Today’s Gu Xun feels a little strange.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This sort of despicable behavior is more like his scoundrel of a cousin.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As her thoughts ran wild, the master of ceremonies shouted, \"First bow, to Heaven and Earth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red ribbon was tugged gently again, as if urging her to bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying composed herself and, under the guidance of the master of ceremonies, completed the wedding bows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Escort them to the bridal chamber!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newlyweds were led by the wedding matron toward the decorated bridal chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Mei’s tense body suddenly went slack. Her voice trembled. \"Give Ling back to me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guests, who had been intimidated by guards armed with swords, all let out a collective breath of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had heard of wedding scams, but never one where the groom was switched so brazenly and openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone with sharp eyes recognized the newcomer’s identity. The sound of whispering rose and fell, punctuated by gasps of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some covered their mouths, too shocked to recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmuring almost drowned out Mrs. Mei’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared intently at Ling, afraid that if she blinked, her granddaughter would be snatched away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps sensing that something was wrong, Ling’s mouth turned down, and she began to wail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she cried, she flailed her little arms and legs as if trying to break free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying faintly heard a child crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Is Ling hungry?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anxious, she just wanted to get through the formalities quickly so she could have someone bring her daughter back to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She quickened her pace, and the man chuckled softly again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After laughing, he seemed to grind his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’So fickle and unpredictable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying wasn’t sure if she had heard correctly. All her attention was focused on her daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bridal chamber had been meticulously decorated with red silk hangings and \"double happiness\" characters. On the table was a fruit platter for \"bearing a son soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fruit platter also had a \"double happiness\" character on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside it was the nuptial wine, and next to that, the ceremonial weighing rod used to lift the veil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Large red dragon and phoenix candles were burning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everywhere she looked was a festive red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying sat primly on the wedding bed, the man seated beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was unnaturally quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the normally chatty wedding matron said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Has the auspicious hour not yet arrived?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long moment, the man reached out to take her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s fingers curled instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was pleased again, a laugh escaping his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying grew annoyed. ’Gu Xun must be laughing at me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She secretly wondered if she had just escaped a wolf’s den only to fall into a tiger’s pit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xun was Pei Yan’s cousin. They even looked somewhat alike; could they really be so different in other ways?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, Mei Wanying began to panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She suddenly felt restless and uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said, \"Let’s get through the rest of the ceremony quickly. Ling must be crying nonstop since she can’t see me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the wedding matron brought over a tray with the ceremonial rod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting on a cheerful tone, she said with a smile, \"A happy union is tied today! Once this veil is lifted, a hundred years of bliss shall follow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’A hundred years of bliss?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s lips curled up uncontrollably. ’He and his Ah Yin were destined for this!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His large, well-defined hand gripped the ceremonial rod and gently lifted the red veil embroidered with mandarin ducks and lotus flowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her vision blurred for a moment. With the obstruction gone, Mei Wanying could see clearly again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slowly raised her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint smile she had just formed froze. Her pupils trembled, her beautiful eyes widening in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if she couldn’t believe who was standing before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While she was still in a daze, Pei Yan sat back down beside Mei Wanying and forcefully grabbed her soft, fair hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah Yin, it’s time to drink the nuptial wine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled at her, the ice on his face melting away, his eyes full of anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he were truly the groom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s senses returned. She tried to pull her hand back, but the man only held it tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her composure crumbling bit by bit, Mei Wanying suppressed her fury. \"Pei Yan, what in the world are you trying to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if not detecting her anger, Pei Yan had the wedding matron bring over the nuptial wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mused to himself, \"You can’t handle alcohol, not even fruit wine. You got drunk that one time at the restaurant. I wonder if they swapped it for honey water...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s chest heaved. She cut him off, \"Get out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was speaking to Pei Yan, but the wedding matron put down the tray and fled the bridal chamber without a moment’s hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Mei Wanying and Pei Yan remained in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former wore a furious expression; the latter, a smile in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man leaned over and picked up a jade cup. He sniffed it—a sweet fragrance, with no scent of alcohol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His long fingers holding the cup, Pei Yan gazed greedily at her enchanting, beautiful face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will you drink it yourself, or should I feed it to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rage ignited in Mei Wanying’s heart. ’He’s always like this, forcing people to do things with such a casual air.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’He’s a bastard!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This is outrageous!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcing back her tears, Mei Wanying reminded him, \"The one I married is Gu Xun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan raised an eyebrow. \"You recoiled from his touch. How could you possibly be married?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’When the veil was still on, Ah Yin thought I was Gu Xun and wouldn’t let me hold her hand.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of pleasure washed over Pei Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What is Gu Xun even worth? Ah Yin doesn’t like him at all!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying said, word by word, \"Cousin, please conduct yourself with dignity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cousin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was what Gu Xun called Pei Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By doing this, Mei Wanying was undoubtedly telling Pei Yan that she and Gu Xun were the real husband and wife!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s eyelashes trembled. \"Don’t provoke me on purpose. You used to love calling me Ah Yan. I won’t object anymore. You can call me that from now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s expression turned pleading. \"Brother, please let me go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corners of the man’s eyes instantly turned crimson, a thin layer of moisture welling up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’He didn’t want to be Mei Wanying’s brother!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forcefully shoved the jade cup into Mei Wanying’s hand. The nuptial wine had to be drunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying refused to take it, trying to let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also tried to leave the bridal chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan wrapped an arm around her waist, his large hand covering hers, preventing her from dropping the nuptial cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mei Wanying, I am your husband!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1501,"2026-06-05T19:26:55.507Z",1,"novelbin.me","e6b7c339d4a6820ec11045ce8969af6d85878e0426411b212b952ef937b9970b","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-120","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-118",175,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-cover.jpg"]