[{"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-45":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},1326596,1761,"Chapter 45: Pei Yan, a Man Alone","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-45",45,"\u003Cp>The restaurant was doing a booming business, and it was impossible for an ordinary person to book a private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For one, the prices were exorbitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For another, the private rooms were reserved exclusively for the nobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying and Xue Xingyao were noble ladies of the Capital City. Even though they hadn’t made a reservation, the manager was willing to curry favor with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guests for one of the rooms had a last-minute cancellation, so it was perfect to offer it to the two ladies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to lead them upstairs, a young busboy came running down, winking at him incessantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager was a shrewd man and immediately understood. The personage upstairs was making things convenient for the young lady from the General Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This way, please, ladies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager’s smile was warm—excessively so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Xingyao whispered to Mei Wanying, \"Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying nodded silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also felt that something was amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t until they reached the top floor and saw Wei Jue standing guard outside a private room that she understood her unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan was here, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was probably the one who had arranged for them to come upstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Jue cupped his fist in greeting. \"His Highness has already given the order for one of every signature dish. Miss Mei, is there anything else you require?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying shook her head. \"Please thank His Highness on my behalf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A finger tickled her palm. Xue Xingyao whispered, \"What is Pei Yan up to?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could that scoundrel be so kind?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’He isn’t thinking of making a move on Ah Yin now that he’s seen her beauty, is he?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Why else would he be so attentive?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Xingyao had no dealings with Pei Yan, but she knew he always avoided Mei Wanying. Whenever Mei Wanying was around, he’d act like he wanted to be a million miles away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was just too strange!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something this strange must mean trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying couldn’t fathom Pei Yan’s intentions, nor did she want to waste her energy trying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She squeezed Xue Xingyao’s hand in return. \"His Highness means well. Don’t overthink it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nodding at Wei Jue, she led Xue Xingyao into the adjacent private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Xingyao was completely on edge. \"Is he really being that kind? He’s not going to poison us, is he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. \"What good would that do him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t pestering Pei Yan anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that she was being so sensible, he ought to be pleased. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have arranged a room for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given his usual temperament, Pei Yan would have just ignored them completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Arranging a private room and a meal must be his reward for my good sense,’ Mei Wanying thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Xingyao said, \"He’s being too attentive for no reason. He’s either a scoundrel or up to no good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a fair hand, Mei Wanying picked up the teapot and poured her friend a cup. \"Calm yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Xingyao gave her a searching look. \"Aren’t you curious what game Pei Yan is playing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying’s expression was serene, a far cry from the past when her eyes would light up at the mere mention of Pei Yan’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only at this moment that Xue Xingyao truly believed that her dear friend was really letting Pei Yan go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t just throwing a fit, nor was this some feigned retreat as a tactic to advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’How could it be easy to let go of someone you’ve loved for so many years?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Ah Yin must be in so much pain to have made this choice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeezing Mei Wanying’s hand, Xue Xingyao said, \"You’ll meet a better man and live happily ever after! Let Pei Yan live to regret this, and may he end up all alone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walls had ears, and her words carried over to the adjacent room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s face fell completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unclear if it was because of the first part of her statement, or the second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him show a rare crack in his composure, Chen Shujing used the act of sipping his tea to hide the smirk on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were full of mirth, clearly enjoying the drama.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want to laugh, then laugh. Stop pretending.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Shujing let out a laugh, rose gracefully, and straightened the cuffs of his brocade robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since we’ve run into her, I’ll go say hello to Miss Xue Er.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Always one to stir the pot, he asked Pei Yan, \"Want to come along?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s gaze was dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’One Mei Wanying is vexing enough. Now she has a helper. What would I go over there for?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’To get mocked?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Mei Wanying is a heartless little thing. I just saved her yesterday, and she’s already forgotten my kindness.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’She didn’t even refute Xue Xingyao’s words.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’All alone?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Hah... ’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’The Empress is already screening candidates for me!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems you have no desire to see Miss Mei. In that case, I’ll just have to go myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Shujing turned and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan remained seated, taking out the thank-you note Mei Wanying had left for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ran his thumb over the paper, his gaze intense enough to burn a hole through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying used to write to him all the time, especially when he was away at war. Her letters came one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though she knew he had no time to reply, she wrote relentlessly, filling every single page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when they were apart, he knew the details of her daily life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan was struck by a sudden realization: ever since the anniversary of General Mei’s death, Mei Wanying had stopped sharing things about herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he didn’t take the initiative, they wouldn’t even see each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, a look of confusion appeared in the man’s deep, well-like eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What’s wrong with Mei Wanying?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Does she really not love me anymore?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the thought surfaced, a suffocating tightness constricted his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan knew this was wrong. He wasn’t going to marry Mei Wanying; he shouldn’t feel this possessiveness toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was good for neither him nor Mei Wanying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forcefully crumpled the letter and threw it into a water basin. The ink bled in the water, smudging the two characters of her name, \"Wanying,\" into an illegible blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s face was devoid of expression. ’This is how it should be.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I should sever all ties with Mei Wanying.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’She will marry, have children, and live a happy life.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’And I... I will either reach the pinnacle of power or die on the path to seize it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mei Wanying was the sole heir of the General Mansion, and thus incredibly precious. Pei Yan saw her as a younger sister, which was all the more reason he had to consider her future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drawing a clear line between them was the only way to keep Mei Wanying safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would prevent others from targeting her again. He could save Mei Wanying once, maybe twice, but he couldn’t always be there in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knocked on the table, and Wei Jue entered at the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, what are your orders?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan said, \"Arrange for the Hidden Guards to follow Mei Wanying. Ensure her complete safety.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Jue asked cautiously, \"Should I also arrange for someone to report Miss Mei’s daily activities to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan sneered. \"Who is she to me that I should keep tabs on her every moment? Sending men to protect her is already more than benevolent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Jue: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’If you don’t want to keep tabs, then don’t. Why be so scary about it...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, another person came in to announce, \"Your Highness, a Miss Xue requests an audience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Xingyao was in the room next door. Ever since Chen Shujing had shown up, her voice had become high and affected; she was like a different person from moments before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, this couldn’t be that Miss Xue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which left only one other possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan tapped his fingers idly on the tabletop. He said nothing, and since no one could discern his thoughts, they dared not make a decision on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Mei Wanying’s voice drifted over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said, \"The prospective brides the Empress has chosen for His Highness are all the finest of ladies. No matter who His Highness marries, it will surely be a wonderful match.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s fingers froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden emptiness bloomed in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’That’s right, I’m to marry whomever my elders arrange. As long as it’s not Mei Wanying, anyone will do.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Mei Wanying’s tone was so calm. Does she truly not care at all anymore?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness, Miss Xue says she has something urgent to tell you personally. She says she can’t allow you to be deceived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pei Yan’s voice was devoid of emotion. \"Bring her up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1504,"2026-06-05T19:26:55.228Z",1,"novelbin.me","1dd5b79606c28f5e33b90ad44ce5a3841d5643aed42d6663a749fc0e11a103f8","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-46","a-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-chapter-44",175,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-marriage-in-name-only-my-stepbrother-won-t-let-cover.jpg"]