Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 147 - 117

But this was not enough, Lu Ziyuan added, "Don’t let her be played to death in a few days, make sure she lives at least five years."

Wasn’t she lacking men, didn’t she know how to sow discord, he would let her serve men to her heart’s content.

Ming Feng was extremely puzzled as to why the master bore such hatred for a woman, but at this moment, the cold air around Lu Ziyuan was intense, and he dared not ask further, only bowing in agreement.

......

The monthly family banquet of the Pei Mansion was approaching, and this was Xie Wanqing’s first time organizing the family banquet alone, so she was very attentive.

Though it was a family banquet, it had to be grand, but not overly extravagant, nor too shabby, lest the other branches criticize her for being petty.

The musicians and dancing girls also had to be arranged, and if it weren’t for Pei Yuqing’s obstruction, she might have even arranged an opera troupe to add some excitement.

On this day, she jotted down all the already arranged matters in her booklet, took a menu, and hurried to Feng Garden, intending to seek her mother-in-law’s opinion.

Princess Duan Yang awoke from her midday rest and was grooming herself. Upon hearing of her daughter-in-law’s arrival, she was slightly surprised.

After all, since the marriage, she had excused her daughter-in-law from the ritual morning and evening greetings, so each visit was usually with her husband, paying respects to the in-laws.

Coming alone to Feng Garden was indeed rare.

As Princess Duan Yang entered the inner hall, Xie Wanqing approached and respectfully curtsied, apologetically saying, "Greetings, mother, have I disturbed your rest?"

"You haven’t disturbed me at all, your timing is perfect," Princess Duan Yang smiled, pulling her to sit, and asked, "Is there something you need?"

Xie Wanqing, being a straightforward person, immediately stated her purpose for coming.

Princess Duan Yang took the booklet from her, examined it carefully, and nodded, "Your mother has taught you well, everything is handled properly without any errors."

"Not at all," Xie Wanqing smiled with curved eyebrows, "It’s all thanks to your leniency; even if there’s anything wrong with me, you never point it out."

Seeing her happy and young-looking like a little girl after a compliment, Princess Duan Yang felt her heart soften, "You are already very good, the household matters are well-organized by you, I’ve noticed these days."

Speaking of which, this daughter-in-law of hers was even a year younger than her daughter.

Isn’t she just a girl in her teens?

Still, a girl with picturesque features and a sweet smile, stunningly beautiful.

Princess Duan Yang, looking at her clear and beautiful face, unknowingly felt a little more compassion.

"Wanwan, is Changqing good to you?"

This was the first time Xie Wanqing had an intimate conversation with her mother-in-law, and she couldn’t help but be a little surprised. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Princess Duan Yang sighed internally, such a girl at the age of a budding flower, just married and already living apart from her husband...

Even though she was born a legitimate eldest princess and Pei Changqing’s biological mother, she felt a twinge of reluctance.

"Rest assured," Princess Duan Yang patted Xie Wanqing’s hand comfortingly, "I know all your grievances, and have had the Imperial Physician examine you, they say there is no major issue, I’m sure..."

She paused and said, "Be patient, things will surely get better."

Xie Wanqing: "..."

She finally understood what her mother-in-law meant, and couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

Others might not know, but how could she not know if her husband was capable?

For two months, they lived next door, never sharing a bed, but he loved to kiss her.

When kissing, he was fierce and urgent, regardless of the occasion, as long as they were alone, whether in the inner chamber, study, or even in the viewing pavilion and flower field, he couldn’t help but start.

In short, he was no longer the shy and awkward lad in her impression.

They hadn’t consummated the marriage because the last veil between them hadn’t been pierced.

Xie Wanqing, out of a girl’s pride, would never take the initiative to ask him to move back, and Pei Yuqing felt bringing it up would seem like forcing her, so neither of them took that step.

Now hearing her mother-in-law mention it, Xie Wanqing not only felt embarrassed but a headache.

She couldn’t hide her feelings well, and her face showed some awkwardness.

Seeing this, Princess Duan Yang smiled and changed the subject.

She said, "Recently, I heard something; I wonder if Wanwan has heard of it?"

Xie Wanqing shook her head, "I haven’t left the mansion for some days."

"It wasn’t very recent," Princess Duan Yang smiled, "About half a month ago, a child was born to the second branch of the Wuyuan Marquis Mansion, who was believed to be cut off."

"..." Xie Wanqing was momentarily stunned.

"It’s that woman kept by the Heir of the Lu Family outside who gave birth to a son; now they’ve already returned to the Lu Family."

She scoffed and said, "Speaking of which, the illegitimate eldest son’s birth, yet his father wasn’t there. With less than two months to the year-end, he left behind a house of widows and a pregnant concubine to run off to Qingzhou, claiming to investigate a case."

Princess Duan Yang’s words were meant to reassure her daughter-in-law to ’settle down in our family, since your former fiancé who broke into your wedding night already has an illegitimate eldest son.’

She also implicitly criticized Lu Ziyuan, indulging the birth of an illegitimate eldest son before marriage and, despite being a first-time father, leaving an about-to-deliver woman, showcasing his heartlessness.

In short, not a good man.

Xie Wanqing understood the implied meaning, but she wasn’t thinking about other things at the moment.

She only thought to herself that she had been living too comfortably, not realizing that Liu Manrou’s child had been born without her noticing.

Also, she hadn’t known that Lu Ziyuan wasn’t in the Capital City at this time.

She hadn’t seen or heard the name for a long time.

Unexpectedly, the next time she heard it was from her mother-in-law’s mouth.

In her past life, that person had never gone to Qingzhou City or investigated a case at this time.

It was easy to guess that he was using foresight to cause some trouble.

This case must involve some official in the court who hindered him...

She didn’t understand the court’s layout, so her thoughts stopped there.

But Xie Wanqing knew that Lu Ziyuan’s main opponent in his bid to rise again was the Crown Prince.

She didn’t want Lu Ziyuan to rise to power, nor did she want the Crown Prince to sit in that position.

After all, in her past life, she died at the hands of the Crown Prince and Consort Shufei.

One was her cousin, the other her aunt, yet they didn’t hesitate to sacrifice her to deal with Lu Ziyuan.

Lu Ziyuan acted so well that even she was deceived; how did they know she was his true love?

As soon as this question arose, a face flashed in her mind.

Also, who else could it be but Lu Xiyao?

But why did they think that her death would hit Lu Ziyuan so hard that he wouldn’t even compete for the Crown Prince’s position?