Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 29

"Oh?" Xie Wanqing looked down at him and asked with a smile, "If he reports to the Holy Emperor and asks for an imperial edict to fulfill this marriage, do you think the Xie family would disobey the decree?"

The sunlight was at its peak, and they sat and stood, their shadows stretching long and beautifully.

Pei Yuqing’s gaze fell on the entangled shadows of the two, his voice very soft: "Don’t worry, the current Holy Emperor is enlightened and would never forcefully issue a marriage edict against a lady’s will."

At this point, anyone could see that he truly had no intention of marrying her.

Xie Wanqing began to doubt if she had misunderstood his feelings.

Could it be her own arrogance, leading to a misunderstanding?

Perhaps he really only considered her a sister and was kind to her for Xie YanYu’s sake, while she...

Attempted to gauge his feelings, asking if he was willing to marry her.

Just thinking about it made her feel awkward.

Xie Wanqing could no longer stay, awkwardly smiling and nodding: "Alright, I understand. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now."

"Wanwan." Pei Yuqing called her again, his voice no longer calm and ripple-free, but with traces of cautiousness: "Will you come to Yuxuan Tea House again?"

"..." Xie Wanqing was stunned by the series of turns.

She frowned and slowly crouched down, meeting his gaze, and asked: "Is it very important to you whether I go or not?"

How could it be like this, refusing to marry should mean he doesn’t like her, yet he doesn’t want to sever their connection.

No one could know the hesitation and struggle in Pei Yuqing’s heart; his lips slightly pursed, and evident struggle was in his eyes.

Xie Wanqing quietly watched, seeing his embarrassment, seeing his struggle.

Gradually, she somewhat understood his feelings, understood his concerns.

The shame and irritation from her proactive marriage proposal being rejected simply vanished.

She reached out and clasped his hand resting on his knee, her eyes sparkling, offering a radiant smile: "Wait for me, I’ll come."

She didn’t exert any strength, only lightly held, still sensed his fingers tremble slightly in her palm.

Yet he never withdrew his hand.

...Clearly, he liked her.

Xie Wanqing’s smile grew more pronounced; she lightly prodded his hand with her fingertip, looking up to ask, "Pei Yuqing, has anyone told you that you’re really interesting?"

Interesting enough that, although he upset her, she never thought of ignoring him.

After all, liking her so obviously, yet stubbornly refusing to admit it.

Really quite interesting.

Xie Wanqing had never encountered such a person before.

Pei Yuqing was extremely embarrassed by her question, his eyelashes trembling, then lowering, speaking softly: "I’ve never interacted much with other young ladies."

—So naturally, no one had ever told him if he was interesting.

Xie Wanqing was teased to laughter by his awkward response, but given his thin-skinned nature, she refrained from pressing further.

Her fingertip prodded his hand again; she stood up and glanced at the sun, saying: "Alright, I really should be going."

It was about time for the banquet to start; if she didn’t go, her several cousin sisters might send someone to look for her.

She gave him one last look, an inexplicable joy rising in her heart, curved her lips in a smile, and this time, without waiting for his reply, left with light and quick steps.

Long after Xie Wanqing left, Pei Yuqing still sat on the stone bench in the pavilion, his gaze fixed on the hand she had touched; the patch of skin seemed to still be burning and carried a faint scent lingering from her.

He lightly touched it, his fingertips subconsciously pinching, with his lowered eyes filled with a sense of melancholy.

......

When Xie Wanqing arrived at the flower hall, the banquet had just begun. Upon seeing her come in, several girls from the Zheng Family complained: "Your family’s maid arrived early, why are you only coming now?"

"I wandered around a bit and was delayed," Xie Wanqing was pulled to her seat and, filling her own cup, smiled: "I’ll drink a cup as self-punishment, and let me off for being late."

The second girl of the Zheng Family raised three fingers, giggling: "One cup isn’t enough, at least three."

She was Marquis Qu’s legitimate second daughter, with her elder sister already married, making her currently the eldest girl in the Zheng Family, and she had always had a good relationship with Xie Wanqing, knowing she was troubled by her marital issues and hadn’t left the manor for days.

Since she came out to visit today, she couldn’t spare to not entertain her guest well and fulfill her duty as a host.

Xie Wanqing didn’t haggle, drank three cups, and pleaded: "My brother will come to find me later; if you get me drunk, he’ll surely lecture me."

Upon hearing that her cousin from her aunt’s family was coming, the girls from Zheng Family lit up, found even directing the servants to pour wine insufficient, finally moving to take action themselves.

Aside, many noblewomen from other families also joined in the persuasion of drinking.

After all, it wasn’t their brother lecturing them.

Xie YanYu’s name was too illustrious, akin to an untouchable flower on a high ridge; even a glance was worthwhile.

Xie Wanqing alone was no match for a table full of people; before the third round was over, she was already tipsily intoxicated.

By the time Xie YanYu came to collect her, she was already flushed and struggled to keep her eyes clear.

She grabbed her brother’s sleeve, still trying hard to argue for herself: "I’m not drunk!"

"..." Xie YanYu silently glanced at her, seeking to help her onto the carriage.

Xie Wanqing clung to his sleeve and refused to leave, muttering: "Where are Dad and Mom?"

Xie YanYu didn’t want to deal with this little drunkard; it was Pei Yuqing, accompanying him, who answered: "Your father has returned to the manor, and your mother stayed to help your several aunts see the guests off."

Only then did Xie Wanqing notice he was there too, tilting her head to look at him, her gaze lingering on his face unblinkingly.

Pei Yuqing’s heart pounded with uncertainty.

He worried the young lady might say something bold in front of everyone, which she’d regret when sober.

Fortunately, in the end, Xie Wanqing merely tilted her neck to offer him a smile, took her brother’s arm, and got onto the carriage.

But it was just that look, which made Xie YanYu feel something was amiss. After she got in the carriage, he turned to his friend.

"Does Changqing have private dealings with my sister?"

Pei Yuqing paused briefly and replied with a smile: "I just met her earlier in the Zheng Family’s courtyard; your sister is lively and lovely, I regard her like Xuan’er and consider her as a sister."

Upon hearing ’Pei Yuxuan,’ Xie YanYu’s gaze dropped involuntarily, saying: "Get in the carriage."

Pei Yuxuan had already gone ahead in the carriage, waiting for Duke Pei Mansion’s carriage to arrive would take some time; Pei Yuqing didn’t hesitate long and got in, followed by Xie YanYu.

As the wheels slowly turned, leaning against the carriage wall with eyes closed, resting, Xie Wanqing opened her eyes, saw the two men inside, and paused slightly, doubting she was truly drunk and hallucinating. Then, she heard Xie YanYu’s voice.

Xie YanYu first explained a few words about Pei Yuxuan having already returned to the mansion, then said: "Duke Pei Mansion isn’t far from our home, it just happens to be along the way."