Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 145 - 115: Room Apart, Hearts Together

"..." Xie Wanqing’s eyelashes fluttered, her face flushed with embarrassment, yet she stubbornly remained silent.

Until her wrist was held by him, slowly moving downward.

"...No, no, no," this time she reacted quickly, pulling her hand back before touching anything, her tongue speaking as if scalded, rapidly saying, "Don’t do this."

Pei Yuqing paused as well.

Her reaction clearly indicated she knew what he intended, unlike a girl who knew nothing.

For a moment, that dark red on the hem of her dress flashed before his eyes.

Those ridiculous speculations flooded into his mind again.

Xie Wanqing, overwhelmed with embarrassment, suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder, and in the next instant, she was pulled into his embrace.

Startled, she thought he wouldn’t let go and mustered all her strength to break free, but he held her tightly.

"Hush, I won’t do anything, just let me hold you for a moment."

Xie Wanqing: "..."

She doubted whether she had heard it wrong, wondering how she could hear a catch in his voice, as if he was about to cry.

...Was it really necessary?

Was he just so upset about not consummating the marriage for fear of seeing marks left on her by another man?

Or was he afraid she wouldn’t want him?

She faced the fierce Lu Ziyuan fearlessly and unyieldingly, without succumbing to wealth, yet she couldn’t harden her heart against this man who was bashful and aggrieved, now seeming ready to cry.

Even though he was clearly much older than her. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Xie Wanqing pondered and then gently patted his shoulder, cautiously asking, "...Are you going to cry?"

The man remained silent, only cautiously nuzzling the side of her neck.

"..." Xie Wanqing fell silent.

...Was he really that upset?

Hesitating for a while, just as she was considering if she should empathize with her husband and make some sacrifices, the head resting on her shoulder lifted.

His eyes were slightly red, but his emotions had calmed down; Pei Yuqing smiled gently at her, "Did I scare you?"

Xie Wanqing shook her head lightly, her nose tingling, realizing this person, though feeling bad himself, was still trying to comfort her.

Pei Yuqing leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead, chuckling, "After this, won’t you let me move to the study?"

Xie Wanqing: "..."

Not even willing to touch hands, yet insisting on sharing a room, indeed put him in a difficult position.

She remained silent for a few breaths, then heard him continue, "I am indeed busy these days; once things settle, and when you allow, I’ll move back, alright?"

The key phrase was still "when you allow."

Both knew that once she allowed him to move back, it implied consent to consummate the marriage.

Xie Wanqing found this arrangement quite satisfactory.

It’s just...

She frowned and said, "I don’t want to be too far from you."

Having been married for a few days, she was familiar with the layout of the Duke Pei Mansion and knew that his study was in the front courtyard, a fair distance from Xuanhua Courtyard. Once he moved into the study, it would be hard even to see him.

Her words brought joy to Pei Yuqing’s heart, as he looked at her with a gentle smile, "You want me to stay?"

"..." Xie Wanqing hesitated, saying, "How about this, Xuanhua Courtyard also has a study room; why not tidy it up and stay there?"

"This way, when you’re busy, I can help you prepare ink and add fragrance, and you can see me every day. It will help nurture our relationship, we can admire the moon and scenery together, dine together, and travel hand in hand."

Her words painted a beautiful picture, making Pei Yuqing’s eyes shine, his heart stirred by her desire to nurture their marital relationship, almost reluctant to leave.

Why move to the study when he had a tender, gentle accomplice by his side? With her soft-heartedness, as long as he addressed the root issues and worked at it, eventually, they would naturally progress to that step.

However, since he had already spoken, and she was willing to nurture feelings together, there was no rush.

But since it was already late that night, moving to the study didn’t make sense; otherwise, the servants might think there was discord.

The next day, after they awoke, the small study in Xuanhua Courtyard was tidied up, and from that day forward, they lived side by side, just sleeping in different beds.

Regarding this matter, Pei Yuqing had no intention of hiding it, so news spread to Princess Duan Yang’s ears within a couple of days.

A newlywed couple, in the prime of their affection, yet sleeping in separate rooms...

The Eldest Princess frowned slightly, looking at the trusted maid who came to report, and asked, "Has this news already spread within the mansion?"

Nanny Zhou shook her head gently, "The servants at the Heir’s Mansion are very discreet; they only gave a hint to me, you see..."

"If only you know, then Changqing didn’t intend to hide it from me," Princess Duan Yang pondered for a few moments and said, "Keep this matter quiet, and don’t let the people over at Yu Shuzhai catch wind of it."

The first branch of the Pei family resided at Yu Shuzhai.

If that orphaned mother and son learned that her son was suffering from an ailment and had already separated from his newlywed wife, their quieted ambitions might reignite.

Nanny Zhou respectfully agreed, a look on her face suggesting she had more to say.

"They’ve been married for days and haven’t even consummated, now they’re living in separate rooms, what about heirs... Why don’t you summon the heir’s wife..."

"No," said Princess Duan Yang, "Let the young couple handle their own life, matters of Xuanhua Courtyard I should not intervene."

Given her son’s weak health, she, as a mother-in-law, had no grounds to set rules for her daughter-in-law.

Let alone discuss matters of heirs.

After all, she is a noble lady from the Marquis Mansion, not someone from a small family, whose every move you can control.

For Princess Duan Yang, the Xie family daughter being able to swallow this grievance shows her immense sensibility.

Reflecting on this, not only did she lose the thought of scolding her daughter-in-law, but she also ordered a few pleasing items from the warehouse and sent them to Xuanhua Courtyard.

Xie Wanqing looked at the piece of red coral tree Nanny Zhou praised endlessly and, with radiant eyes, asked, "What’s the occasion for mother to gift me such items?"

Nanny Zhou slightly curtsied and smiled, "The Princess is concerned you may not be accustomed to the mansion yet and sent me to inform you that if you’re ever idle, you might visit Feng Garden and chat with her."

As for these rare items, they obviously expressed the mother-in-law’s affection and satisfaction toward her daughter-in-law.

At the writing desk, Pei Yuqing showed a knowing smile, put down his pen, and turned his gaze to the girl examining the oddities with a bent posture.

"Wanwan," his eyes were soft and indulgent, he spoke softly, "Have you heard this saying?"

Xie Wanqing snapped back to reality, looking at him, "What?"

Pei Yuqing’s smile was natural and unstrained, "Love me, love my dog."

As soon as the words fell, Xie Wanqing was momentarily stunned, her face quickly flushed, glancing at him with playful anger.

There were still numerous servants in the room, including the personal nanny from Feng Garden’s Eldest Princess, and yet this man was openly speaking such sweet words.

This playful banter between the couple, in Nanny Zhou’s eyes, was a different flavor altogether.