Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 153 - 122: Reunion with the Marquis of Qucheng’s Family

The Old Madam of Marquis Qu Mansion beckoned her granddaughter to come closer and asked a few concerned questions.

Seeing her good spirits, she smiled and said, "A woman’s happiness in marriage shows on her face."

The elderly lady looked at her granddaughter’s husband with a gentle and satisfied gaze.

Feeling that the words hinted at something, Xie Wanqing felt a bit shy and lowered her head.

Pei Yuqing remained calm and graceful, merely smiled slightly and softly expressed his thanks.

Sitting beside her grandmother and mother, she chatted with relatives for a while. Once a cup of tea was consumed and knowing the young couple felt uncomfortable here, the Old Lady of Marquis Qu waved her hand and said, "Go play at Liushui Pavilion; all the young people have gathered there today."

The main hall of Marquis Qu Mansion was large, divided into inner, outer, and side halls, and was quite crowded. Xie Wanqing indeed felt unsettled and was about to leave when she walked to the outer hall and saw her brother conversing with someone in a corner.

She loosened Pei Yuqing’s hand and whispered, "Wait for me here."

After speaking, she lifted her skirt and sneaked over to that side.

Xie YanYu was proficient in the Six Arts of the Gentleman and possessed considerable martial prowess. Despite his sister sneaking toward him, he had already sensed it and paused without taking any action.

As Xie Wanqing reached behind him and was about to pat his shoulder, Xie YanYu suddenly turned around and startled her.

"Brother!" she exclaimed in agitation, "You did it on purpose!"

Xie YanYu reached out to pinch her flushed cheek, smiling silently.

Xie Wanqing shook off his hand and said indignantly, "You’ve changed for the worse."

"Wanwan’s courage has grown too," Xie YanYu chuckled, "Earlier, you wouldn’t dare to scare me, but now you have gained courage."

"..." Xie Wanqing was speechless.

Her increased courage was all due to Pei Changqing’s nurturing.

Speak of the devil, and he appears.

Pei Yuqing had already caught up, holding Xie Wanqing’s shoulder, he greeted Xie YanYu and smiled at the person conversing with Xie YanYu, "Brother Ji."

Xie Wanqing also lifted her gaze to look over.

At first glance, she frowned.

Xie YanYu explained, "This is the eldest son of our second aunt. In terms of seniority, you should call him Cousin Ji."

The Old Madam of Marquis Qu Mansion had three sons and two daughters. Mrs. Zheng was the eldest, and she had a younger sister from the same mother, who was their second aunt.

Yet, these years the aunt had been stationed in the Northern Land with her husband, rarely returning to the Capital. This cousin, Xie Wanqing should be meeting for the first time, but she felt oddly familiar.

Perhaps her expression revealed too much hesitance. That Cousin Ji smiled slightly and recited, "Do not let the painted fan be revealed beyond the screen to cover the spring mountains from displaying the talents; should true union be like the bright moon, there within must the osmanthus bloom."

"...!" Xie Wanqing suddenly realized, "Since you are my cousin, why didn’t you attend my going-out banquet, yet became part of the wedding escort?"

On her wedding day, among those who aided Pei Yuqing in fetching the bride, this Cousin Ji was conspicuously present.

He even composed a remarkable short fan verse, which left a deep impression on her, prompting a closer look.

Her forthright question caught Cousin Ji off guard, his expression momentarily stunned.

Pei Yuqing, on the other hand, provided an explanation, "I am quite well-acquainted with Brother Ji; he is this year’s Champion Scholar, extremely talented. Composing poems on the spot comes easily to him, so I invited him to assist me in this endeavor."

After all, escorting the bride home is no simple task; from bridal makeup poems to the fan verse, creating ten plus poems is a modest amount. Especially when facing certain inventively difficult individuals who propose new challenges...

In short, bringing along several literarily adept gentlemen is always a wise choice.

But Xie Wanqing was already stunned.

Champion Scholar?

Though in those dreams she stayed within the square confines of the Lu Family’s back courtyard, seldom aware of external affairs, the incident involving Champion Scholar Ji Chengfeng, sanctioned to inspect Southern Sichuan, dying on the road from illness during a refugee encounter, caused such a stir she had overheard it.

Those who achieve the title of Champion Scholar possess outstanding skills in both literature and martial arts. And this Ji Chengfeng was reputed for genius ability, his death sent profound shockwaves through the Capital. The Holy Emperor mourned deeply, halting court sessions for three days, mandating thorough investigation.

He refused to believe the Champion Scholar he had appointed would succumb so easily, especially dying on a sanctioned inspection journey. And the person tasked with investigating this case is Lu Ziyuan.

It happened after the New Year, with the arrival of spring.

She had heard of this phenomenally talented yet unfortunate Champion Scholar but hadn’t anticipated his youthfulness.

He was tall, equally handsome, with jade-like fair skin, embodying refined grace, standing upright and resilient like green bamboo or pine.

...No wonder his passing was as painful as losing a son for the Holy Emperor.

Such an exceptional young man indeed.

And the court desperately lacks young individuals loyal to the nation, brimming with ambition, ability, and intellect.