Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 42:

Xie Wanqing awkwardly patted the spot next to her, "Sister Xuan, sit for a while."

Pei Yuxuan sat down as instructed, her smile remaining undiminished. Xie Wanqing pushed her in annoyance, "Why are you laughing at me?"

"I’m not laughing at you; I’m laughing at my brother. Ever since I can remember, I’ve never seen him like this. If my mother finds out..."

She chuckled, seemingly recalling something, and said, "Next month, my mother is hosting a flower viewing banquet and is inviting the gentlemen and ladies from various families. Wanwan, you must come."

Xie Wanqing was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, but she didn’t respond.

The idea that Princess Duan Yang organized a flower viewing banquet inviting the younger generation hardly needs explanation.

Over the years, such flower viewing banquets have been held several times each year, without exception, all for choosing a wife for Lu Ziyuan.

It’s just unfortunate that it’s never been successful.

Since the age of ten, Xie Wanqing has been betrothed to Lu Ziyuan, so naturally, she has never attended.

Seeing that she remained silent, Pei Yuxuan leaned closer and whispered, "Wanwan, when did you first meet my brother?"

They were the only two in the room, and the maids had stepped away, making her inquiry very direct.

"Don’t tell me you first met at your cousin’s coming-of-age ceremony. I could tell something was off between you two at that event," Pei Yuxuan grinned meaningfully, "Don’t be fooled by my brother’s gentle demeanor. I’ve never seen him pour tea for any girl."

Let alone entering a girl’s room to help diagnose her pulse, concerned she might dislike bitter medicine, and then specially sending a medicinal diet.

This level of attentiveness—who would believe it if you said you had just met?

Xie Wanqing was left speechless by the questioning.

She thought for a moment and still felt a bit innocent, so she replied, "You should ask your brother when he first saw me."

"Before my cousin’s coming-of-age ceremony, I only met him once at Yuxuan Tea House. My brother was there too, and it’s the first time I recall seeing him."

Although, looking back now, something about him seemed off even then.

After all, who gives such lavish gifts to a friend’s sister on their first meeting?

Pei Yuxuan suddenly realized and chuckled mischievously, "So it was my brother who took a fancy to you first."

Xie Wanqing stared at her in silence, unable to say anything.

Pei Yuxuan nudged her slightly with her elbow and leaned even closer, whispering, "So are you interested in my brother?"

"..." Xie Wanqing choked, reached out to push her away a bit, and said, "Don’t meddle in this."

Pei Yuxuan wanted to say a few good words about her brother, but then she heard Wanqing say, "I don’t interfere with you and my brother; you shouldn’t interfere with me and your brother either."

Now it was Pei Yuxuan’s turn to be speechless.

Her face gradually grew redder.

Seeing this, Xie Wanqing laughed, "You didn’t think I wouldn’t notice, did you?"

Worried about her friend feeling embarrassed, she didn’t mention what she saw at Marquis Qu Mansion and said, "Whenever you see my brother, your eyes practically light up. Anyone would notice something amiss." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Pei Yuxuan felt awkward for a moment, then grumbled, "But your brother seems uninterested in me."

"..." How could Xie Wanqing respond to that?

Thinking of Xie YanYu’s detached manner, she sighed.

Her brother is good in every way, except he’s clueless.

As he grows older, it’s becoming a concern for their parents.

However, considering Lu Ziyuan, much older than Xie YanYu, still unmarried, the Eldest Princess and Duke Pei must be even more anxious.

He’s their sole heir.

...

Just as Xie Wanqing thought, Princess Duan Yang is indeed worried sick about her eldest son’s marriage.

The main purpose of this flower viewing banquet was really to choose a wife for him, and besides, Princess Pingning has also reached a marriageable age.

So, in the following days, invitations from Duke Pei Mansion were sent to the hands of notable families in the Capital.

Any household with eligible daughters and sons received invitations.

Including the Xie family.

Among the Xie family’s young women, besides Xie Wanqing, only Xie Ruyu had just come of age and was not yet engaged.

As for the gentlemen, the eldest son Xie YanYu, as well as Xie Yanping and Xie Yansong from the second branch, were unmarried.

Xie Wanqing originally had no intention to join in the excitement; she had barely managed to call off her betrothal, so why would she want to attend a banquet that was almost explicitly for matchmaking?

But Mrs. Zheng didn’t think the same.

She wasn’t aware of Lu Ziyuan’s feelings toward her daughter, but she knew this flower viewing banquet at Duke Pei Mansion would host the most eligible young bachelors of the Capital. Such opportunities were rare, so naturally she hoped her daughter would make an appearance.

Ideally, find a suitable match. But if not, no matter; they can take their time.

All in all, as a mother, she needed to worry about her children’s lifelong affairs.

Xie Wanqing’s occasional talk of never marrying was viewed by Mrs. Zheng and Xie Shu as merely disheartened by her experience with Lu Ziyuan, and a bit disillusioned—time would heal her.

Life is always looking forward; no one stays in the past forever.

An exquisite girl wouldn’t spend a lifetime unmarried.

Therefore, with the encouragement from Mrs. Zheng and Aunt Liu, both Xie Wanqing and her sister Xie Ruyu decided to attend the banquet.

Mrs. Zheng placed great importance on her daughter’s first outing since breaking off her engagement, and specially prepared outfits for her.

Early in the morning, Xie Wanqing got up, dressed in the outfit her mother prepared, and went to pay respects at Brocade Hall.

When she arrived at Brocade Hall, the sun had not risen much, and even the night dew hadn’t dried up yet. Aunt Liu and her cousin Xie Ruyu were already inside waiting.

Upon seeing her enter, everyone’s eyes lit up.

Xie Ruyu came forward, took her hand, and smiled, "Sister, you look beautiful today."

Xie Wanqing wore a regal-colored skirt, a matching shawl draped over her arm, and a jade pendant hanging from her waist. Her hair was styled in a flying fairy bun adorned with golden bell hairpins, which chimed lightly as she walked.

She was inherently graceful and charming, with bright, enchanting eyes that could captivate anyone with a smile.

Aunt Liu also gazed at her approvingly for a while and complimented, "Our Wanwan is indeed prettier than a flower."

Being praised repeatedly, Xie Wanqing felt somewhat self-conscious, just as Xie YanYu arrived.

Mrs. Zheng smiled and gave some advice, seeing everything was ready, she urged them to leave early, "My child has been cooped up at home, go and enjoy yourself this time."

Since calling off her engagement, Xie Wanqing had fallen ill and hadn’t gone out much. Her daily meals were still medicinal, although they tasted good, they were too bland. Occasionally it was fine, but having them every day had long become tiresome.

Unfortunately, Lu Ziyuan persistently sent over meals to her three times a day, and Xie Wanqing couldn’t bear to waste his good intentions, although each meal was a struggle.