[{"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-172":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},1326548,1761,"Chapter 172: Ling Must Miss You","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-172",172,"\u003Cp>The Useless Crown Prince demanded to see Pei Yan’s sincerity, but everyone knew full well that this was just empty talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were so kind, he wouldn’t have orchestrated all of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying was Pei Yan’s weak spot, and the Useless Crown Prince was only using her to torture him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what Pei Yan did, no matter how much \"sincerity\" he showed, Pei Yu would never let Mei Wanying go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outcome today was destined to be a life-or-death struggle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s heart leaped into her throat. Pei Yu was a complete madman, and there was no telling how he would torment Pei Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her life was entirely in Pei Yan’s hands. Only if Pei Yan lived would she have a chance to survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then there was Ling, Pei Yan’s own flesh and blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Pei Yan was alive and well, no one outside would dare to harm Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s hands were bound, making the contents of her sachet useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could hardly protect herself, so all she could do was suppress her emotions and avoid showing fear, lest she make things more difficult for Pei Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one useless hand, Pei Yu’s movements were ultimately hindered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood very close to Mei Wanying, wary of a sudden attack from Pei Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appeared relaxed on the surface, but his hand gripping the dagger was clenched so tightly that the veins bulged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a man who had been on the battlefield. Even holding Mei Wanying’s life in his hands, Pei Yu didn’t let his guard down for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’If Pei Yan dares to try any tricks, I’ll cut the rope and take Mei Wanying’s life immediately!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Pei Yu’s arms hung limp in a strange position, and Pei Yan noticed the abnormality at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’It must not have healed properly after that time at the villa,’ Pei Yan thought. ’Then it was injured again multiple times, and now it’s completely useless.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he understood why Pei Yu had rushed to Jiangnan to seek his own death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing Pei Yan’s gaze on his useless hand, Pei Yu’s pride was stung, and his face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second Brother, if you don’t show some sincerity soon, the person you hold dearest is going to die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dagger pressed against the rope, and Pei Yu gave it a malicious shake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying bit her lip hard to keep from crying out in alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her face was ashen, her breathing heavy, and her forehead beaded with sweat. She didn’t even dare to open her eyes; it was clear she was terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rope was so thin, frighteningly so, swinging precariously with Mei Wanying’s life hanging from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Pei Yan dislocated one of his own arms. His expression didn’t change, as if he weren’t the one who was injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s gaze fell upon Mei Wanying, the veins at his temples throbbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his tone was still calm. He said, \"My life for Ah Yin’s.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Pei Yan slowly walked forward. \"How about I jump off the cliff myself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yu knew Mei Wanying was Pei Yan’s weakness, but he hadn’t expected him to care this much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’No wonder people say he’s a romantic fool. To jump off a cliff for a woman... he really is deeply in love!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his rival, Pei Yu knew better than anyone just how cold and cruel Pei Yan was to the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t Mei Wanying dangling from the cliff, Pei Yan wouldn’t have spared a second glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he certainly wouldn’t be threatened by him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, Pei Yan had drawn closer. Pei Yu’s voice turned cold. \"Second Brother, one more step, and Mei Wanying will breathe her last.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan was a veteran of the battlefield, capable of taking an enemy general’s head from amidst an army of thousands. Pei Yu couldn’t let him get close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, the tables would turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The killing intent in Pei Yu’s eyes was undisguised. He would really cut the rope; this wasn’t just a threat to scare Pei Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan stopped and calculated the distance in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was calculating how fast he would need to be to take care of Pei Yu and catch Mei Wanying at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan had dislocated an arm, but in Pei Yu’s eyes, an injury like that was not enough to quell the hatred in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arm was crippled, but Pei Yan’s was not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the two possibly compare?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vicious expression appeared on his face. Pei Yu suggested with a smirk, \"Second Brother, your sincerity is still lacking. Why don’t you... chop off your arm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yu grew excited. The ruler of the world could not be a cripple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Pei Yan did it, the position of Crown Prince that he had schemed so hard to steal would no longer be his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand was Mei Wanying’s life; on the other, absolute power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which would Pei Yan choose?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter his choice, as long as he lost one of them, Pei Yu would be happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He changed his proposal. \"You chop off your arm, and I’ll let Mei Wanying go. How about it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan raised an eyebrow. \"You’ll keep your word?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yu replied, \"Try it and see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan said, \"Then as you wish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan held out his hand, and a Hidden Guard placed a weapon in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying, who had been silent all this time, wasn’t sure if Pei Yan was serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reason told her he was not an impulsive man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’This must be a move to lower Pei Yu’s guard,’ she thought, ’to find an opportunity and break through his defenses in one fell swoop.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thinking of the madness in Pei Yan’s bones, Mei Wanying’s confidence wavered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened her mouth, her voice trembling slightly. \"He won’t let me go. Don’t fall for his trick.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how well Mei Wanying controlled herself, her trembling voice betrayed her fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the woman he loved suffer before his very eyes, Pei Yan once again felt the sensation of needles piercing his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t lose Mei Wanying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he could save her, he would be willing to give not just an arm, but his very life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He soothed Mei Wanying, \"Be good, Ah Yin. It’ll be over soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying said, \"Nothing can happen to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If something happened to Pei Yan, the entire Mei family would suffer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she found Pei Yan an eyesore, she had never wanted him dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Mei Wanying still cared for his safety at a time of life and death brought a dampness to the corners of Pei Yan’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’My Ah Yin is so good. How could the old me ever have borne to make her sad?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man imperceptibly took two more steps forward and said, \"Ling must miss you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name \"Ling\" made Pei Yu hesitate for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few breaths later, he realized this was the bastard child Mei Wanying had borne for Pei Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own children were all dead, but Pei Yan’s bastard was still alive and well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’It’s not fair!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere between Pei Yan and Mei Wanying seemed to have no room for a third person, and Pei Yu’s face darkened completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t come this far just to watch how \"in love\" they were!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cynical amusement vanished from his face. Pei Yu barked, \"Enough nonsense! I’ll count to three. If you can’t bring yourself to do it, don’t blame me for being merciless!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan ignored him. With the sharp sword in his hand, he said to Mei Wanying, \"Looks like the contents of the sachet will have to be for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’A sachet?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What’s inside it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Pei Yan can still smile. Something is clearly wrong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension in Pei Yu’s body tightened further. His hand on the dagger didn’t move as he tilted his head slightly, his gaze searching Mei Wanying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, there was a sachet hanging from her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking closer, he felt that something about the sachet was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he only had one good hand. To grab the sachet, he would have to pull back the dagger he had pressed against the rope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He caught movement from the corner of his eye and subconsciously turned his head, about to shout at Pei Yan to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he saw two cold glints of light hurtling through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short blade, aimed straight for his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And an arrow, fired by the Hidden Guard in the distance, was flying toward his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yu was terrified. His body moved faster than his mind, and his hand holding the dagger swiped hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sharp arrow pierced his body, the impact sent Pei Yu falling off the cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same moment, the thin rope snapped, and Mei Wanying’s body plunged downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A feeling of weightlessness washed over her, and Mei Wanying couldn’t help but cry out in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I don’t want to die.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I want to go home and see my mother, and see Ling!’\u003C\u002Fp>",1535,"2026-06-05T19:26:55.507Z",1,"novelbin.me","6debb4bb954afb6e9fe871594b3c22a823aa4b0eb02324b7e6e7802d7f7a9170","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-173","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-171",175,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-cover.jpg"]