Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 101 - 91

Lu Ziyuan thought for a long time, trying to figure out where the problem lay.

What was certain was that in this world, he was truly apprehensive about something.

Political enemies in the court?

Born into a family of loyal heroes, yet he didn’t idly rely on his predecessors’ merits but rose to prominence through his own capabilities, far ahead of his peers, with a bright and brilliant future.

Even if someone truly disapproved of his arrogance, they absolutely wouldn’t oppose him without significant conflict of interest.

If there really were such an adversary, he wouldn’t have failed to realize it before.

And looking across the entire court, anyone who could make him so apprehensive to the point of neglecting his own wife couldn’t possibly be just any minister.

Could it be... the one on the throne?

With that thought, Lu Ziyuan’s brows furrowed again, quickly dismissing it.

If the one on the throne truly intended to suppress him, there wouldn’t have been any need to painstakingly cultivate him all these years.

They trusted him and granted him military power.

If not him, then who could it be?

Who else could make him this apprehensive?

Spoiling concubines blatantly and neglecting his wife made everyone believe he favored Liu Manrou and was indifferent to his legitimate wife.

Lu Ziyuan wanted to uncover the truth but for some reason couldn’t leave Xie Wanqing’s side.

It seemed his entry into this dream was destined, by some unseen force, to witness with his own eyes the hardships she endured in this world where she adamantly chose to marry him.

He could only observe everything from Xie Wanqing’s perspective. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Truly useless!

Lu Ziyuan gritted his teeth and cursed.

He had been dissatisfied with this ’self’ for a long time, how could he be such a failure, marrying her yet failing to cherish her properly.

Two years!

She had already endured such tough days for a year, and yet he had her wait another two years!

Lu Ziyuan was filled with hatred and remorse, yet had no way to prevent it all from occurring.

The story continued to slowly progress.

Perhaps Xie Wanqing’s indifference made Lu Ziyuan uneasy, and he visited Shaoguang Courtyard every day in the days before leaving the Capital.

He began to inquire about what she had been busy with during the day, but Xie Wanqing no longer had the heart to share.

Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, he took the initiative to talk about hearsay from outside.

Xie Wanqing occasionally responded with a nod, no longer like the passionate and vibrant person she had been.

The once bright and tender young girl married into the family a little over a year ago, and had already become silent and withdrawn under her husband’s daily neglect.

During their alone time, aside from entanglement on the bed, the two mostly remained silent.

Even the matters of the bed were no longer filled with the intense passion of their honeymoon.

One held back silently, while the other harshly teased.

The more she showed indifference and resistance, the more frequently he sought her, and the fiercer he was.

The night before leaving the Capital, Lu Ziyuan visited under the cover of darkness.

At that time, Xie Wanqing was bathing, yet he barged in directly despite Erqing and the maidservants kneeling on the ground unable to stop him.

He waved away the servants and walked slowly into the bathtub.

Steam rose, and the body of the girl inside was unclothed, with her neck, collarbone, and shoulders bearing marks he left from the previous night, as beautiful as plum blossoms blooming gently in the snow.

In a panic, Xie Wanqing shrunk back into the tub, her face unsure whether it was embarrassment or flushed with the steam’s heat.

Lu Ziyuan fixed his gaze steadily on her for a while, suddenly reaching out to raise her chin.

As the two exchanged gazes, Xie Wanqing clearly saw the desire in his eyes, her mind burst into a roar, and she said tremblingly, "My hair and makeup aren’t tidy, it’s not convenient to see anyone, please step aside."

"Wanwan seems to have forgotten, I’ve seen you in all your disheveled states," whispered Lu Ziyuan, leaning in closer, "but we haven’t bathed together yet..."

Saying this, he reached into the water, prompting Xie Wanqing to hurriedly dodge, clutching her chest, and repeat, "Please go out first!"

Lu Ziyuan’s hand paused, realizing she truly didn’t want to be here, he slowly withdrew.

He seemed helpless, saying, "We’re husband and wife, why be so reserved."

Xie Wanqing bit her teeth tightly, "Yes, I am your wife."

But what difference is there between how you treat me and a concubine who serves on the bed?

He came in the night with urgency, and left in the morning content.

Lu Ziyuan didn’t understand her thoughts, but he could see she was aggrieved.

He flicked her nose lightly, sighed softly, and finally stepped out.

When she came out of the bathroom, he sat by the window on a soft chair, gazing outside, not knowing what he was thinking, but upon hearing footsteps he turned and walked toward her.

Xie Wanqing’s hand in her sleeve clenched tightly.

Lu Ziyuan took a towel to dry her long hair, naturally feeling her stiffness.

"Why so tense?"

Xie Wanqing remained silent.

Lu Ziyuan’s eyes darkened slightly, she had been speaking to him less and less lately.

"I’m leaving the Capital tomorrow," he said, continuing to dry her hair, his tone flat, "I’ll be back in as few as three months, five at most."

Xie Wanqing gently responded.

"I’ve said I’m leaving tomorrow," Lu Ziyuan stared intently at her, "and you have nothing to say to me?"

"...I hope your journey goes smoothly."

"Is that all?" His expression darkened.

Xie Wanqing looked puzzled, "What else?"

Lu Ziyuan’s face fell silent.

These days, he had repeatedly reached out in kindness and backed down, yet she remained coldly indifferent.

Seemingly trying to keep him at a distance.

His expression was truly unpleasant, making Xie Wanqing somewhat uneasy inside.

When her hair had dried, he pressed her wrist down onto the bed with a sudden hold, and instinctively she turned her head to avoid him, meeting his cold and deep eyes, she hurriedly grabbed onto a random topic.

"I embroidered a sachet a few days ago, do you want it?"

Lu Ziyuan’s expression eased slightly, releasing her wrist.

Xie Wanqing quickly slipped out from beneath him, ran to the makeup table, and took from the embroidery basket a sachet embroidered with colorful ’Fu娃’ and handed it to him.

In fact, from the embroidery pattern, this sachet definitely wasn’t meant for him.

But Lu Ziyuan’s angry chest was instantly soothed.

The little doll on the plain sachet was embroidered plump and adorable, softening his heart as he gently stroked the delicate stitching with his thumb, staring at it lost in thought.

After a long while, he said, "Wanwan, when I return, I’ll give you everything you want."

What I give you will be beyond your imagination.

His voice was gentle and exceptionally pleasant, but Xie Wanqing was taken aback, her gaze falling on the sachet, realizing he might have misunderstood.

Did he think she was eager for a child?

After all, they had been married for over a year with no pregnancy.

But this sachet was just something she casually embroidered on a whim.

They were already displeased with each other, who would want to have a child with him.

A sudden tightness around her waist, Lu Ziyuan had already placed the sachet down and embraced her again.

Xie Wanqing stiffened all over, reaching out to push him gently, saying, "I’m not feeling well, could you let me rest for a day?"