Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 68 - 66: Twenty-Seven Years Old

A proper twenty-seven.

Xie Shu’s face darkened slightly, skipping all formalities, he directly said, "Does the Young Master know how old my daughter is? She is only sixteen years old."

Beside him, Mrs. Zheng hurriedly covered her slightly twitching lips with a handkerchief, feeling quite helpless.

Her husband’s tone was as if some old geezer had taken a fancy to their daughter.

Yet the person standing in front of them was striking in appearance and dignified in demeanor, and his background in the Capital City was undeniably prestigious.

If one sets aside the age, he is definitely an excellent choice for a husband.

How could someone like him be regarded as so unworthy?

Pei Yuqing listened to his future father-in-law’s borderline mockery, feeling increasingly embarrassed. Fortunately, he had come prepared; upon hearing this, he lifted his slightly bowed head gently.

Under Xie Shu and Mrs. Zheng’s gaze, he reached out to lift his robe hem, and knelt down resolutely.

"To be honest with both of you, before meeting your daughter, I had no intention of marriage in this life. After meeting her, despite the age gap troubling me, I was even more grateful that I had not yielded to parental commands to marry and have children."

If he had obeyed his parents early on and married at an appropriate age, then when he first met her, there would have been another woman accompanying him.

How should he face his spontaneous feelings and involuntary affection?

He felt perhaps it was a premonitory sense that foretold he would meet such a young lady, whom he would cherish, wishing to present her with the finest things for just one smile.

Thinking of that captivating girl, Pei Yuqing’s embarrassment quickly dissipated, replaced by an ache and warmth.

He straightened his back, his gaze restrained and solemn, his voice gentle and slow: "I am aware that I am much older than your daughter. While this cannot be changed, I assure you that she will never face any grievance apart from this. I can swear to the heavens that if Xie Wanqing becomes my wife, she will be the only one in my life, treated like a precious treasure. Should I break my vow, may I endure the pain of never obtaining what I seek in every lifetime."

As his words settled, the hall suddenly fell silent.

Even the servants standing unobtrusively in the corner lifted their heads in astonishment upon hearing this, not to mention Xie Shu and Mrs. Zheng.

Why did their girl’s previous betrothal get canceled?

Was it not because of that Lu Family boy and the scandal he caused before the wedding?

Wanwan herself said that she is quite narrow-minded and only wishes to find a husband like her father, who accepts no second wife, only one.

Yet if one counts the prominent families in the Capital, in which house does the young master not have a close maid accompanying him since his teen years, with mistresses aplenty?

The rule of taking a concubine only after thirty is exclusive to the Xie family among aristocrats.

This rule was brought when they moved from Xiangzhou to the Capital City, and it merely states that concubines cannot be taken before thirty.

Xie Shu and his brother, even after turning thirty, still have no intention of taking concubines, partly because they are steadfast and do not indulge in women, and partly due to the deep affection with their wives, resulting in a harmonious household that they do not wish to disrupt.

The Marquis Xuanping Mansion’s backyard being this pristine is something rare and hard to find.

It is inherent for men to be attracted to women and indulgence; among the young masters of aristocratic families who are of good birth and lacking neither wealth nor power, who can urge them to suppress their nature?

Isn’t this against human nature?

Xie Shu and Mrs. Zheng both knew well that their daughter Wanwan was determined to find a husband who would be wholeheartedly devoted to her and who had acceptable background, ability, and appearance.

It truly is an impossibility akin to ascending to heaven.

The couple exchanged a glance, each understanding the other’s thoughts.

Xie Shu lightly coughed and said, "Nephew, please rise."

Pei Yuqing stood up as instructed and took a seat.

Mrs. Zheng ordered the servants to pour fresh tea and smiled, "Nephew, we understand your intentions clearly, yet there is one more thing..."

Pei Yuqing nodded respectfully, "Please go ahead."

With the thought of marrying her daughter, Mrs. Zheng spoke candidly with a mother’s love, without further pleasantries, asking directly, "Is the long-standing rumor in the Capital true?"

The rumor claimed the Duke Pei Mansion’s young master would not live past thirty, yet he is already twenty-seven...

"Three parts truth, seven parts falsehood," Pei Yuqing smiled gently and said slowly, "I have been frail since childhood, which is true, but through meticulous care over the years, now only the heart condition remains difficult to cure. Please rest assured, as long as there is no extreme joy or sorrow, the heart condition poses no threat."

Considering he is already much older than her, if he truly couldn’t live past thirty, how could he dare to entangle with that budding young lady?

Xie Shu stroked his beard pensively, remaining silent for a long time, still undecided in his heart.

The heart condition can range from mild to severe, and one misstep means his daughter could become a widow, leaving him unable not to be cautious.