Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 155 - 123

Arriving at Liushui Pavilion, it was already filled with laughter and chatter.

Xie Wanqing went over to the ladies’ side to chat with familiar sisters, while Pei Yuqing, finding it inconvenient to follow, headed to the men’s side.

Thanks to that letter, revealing such secrets, Xie Wanqing felt uneasy meeting several noblewomen she often encountered.

Several were victims seduced by the Second Prince.

Even after being taken advantage of, to avoid exposure, they remained controlled, regaining freedom only when the Second Prince grew bored.

Feeling troubled, Xie Wanqing lost interest in socializing and left with an excuse.

Earlier, she had seen a distant patch of blood-red plum blossoms in full bloom, and wanted to admire them.

Before leaving, she glanced towards the men’s direction, where they seemed to be engaging in lively conversation. Pei Yuqing, holding a tea cup, listened nonchalantly, exuding an air of casual modesty. Xie Wanqing thought for a moment, decided not to disturb them, and walked out on her own.

The deep courtyard, with red plum blossoms carefully tended by gardeners, was not covered by snow, standing out vividly against the white snowy landscape.

Such is the resilient red plum, perhaps.

Joy bubbled within Xie Wanqing’s heart; she bent closer to gently sniff, inhaling the delicate and cool fragrance. A slight smile tugged at her lips. After some thought, she reached out to snap off a few plum branches, intending to take them back to place in a Jade Bottle for a few more days of viewing.

As she cradled the plum branches and retraced her steps, descending at the bridgehead, she saw, not far from Liushui Pavilion, a man in blue standing in the corridor.

A closer look revealed it was none other than Ji Chengfeng.

Xie Wanqing was slightly taken aback; in the icy and snowy setting, why was he alone as well? Thinking this, her footsteps didn’t halt as she stepped onto the corridor stairs.

Ji Chengfeng clearly saw her too, watching her approach, only to salute with folded hands when she drew near.

He glanced at the plum blossoms in her hands and smiled, "My cousin, you have quite the refined interest."

"..." That address made Xie Wanqing pause momentarily, then she too smiled, "I came out for the flowers. What brings you out here alone, cousin?"

"Just needed some air," Ji Chengfeng replied. "Too many people inside, the noise was giving me a headache." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The tone sounded quite close, making Xie Wanqing hesitant once more.

This was her legitimate maternal aunt’s eldest son, her cousin, the new top imperial scholar, a pillar of the nation, and she knew he would embark on a doomed path after the Spring Festival...

She wished to save him but didn’t know how to convey the impending disaster in such a short moment.

While she was contemplating, the person before her spoke first.

"Do you... wish to inquire about Duan Cheng’s character?" he said.

Xie Wanqing’s eyes brightened, "Cousin, do you know Duan Cheng well?"

After speaking, she remembered this person and Duan Cheng were fellow scholars, ranked among the top three personally named by the Holy Emperor in the golden hall.

If they weren’t familiar, it would be odd.

Indeed, Ji Chengfeng smiled and said, "Ask what you wish to know, I’ll see if I can help clarify."

"...He," Xie Wanqing paused, unsure what to ask, simply suggested, "Tell me briefly about his character."

"The legitimate son of the Liangzhou Duan Family, fatherless in childhood, motherless in youth; a child student at twelve, scholar at fifteen, ranked at nineteen, and chosen as the third place in the imperial examination by the Holy Emperor at twenty," Ji Chengfeng said. "He is resolute in character, skilled in both literary and martial arts, a remarkably outstanding man."

Xie Wanqing listened quietly, easily detecting admiration in his words for Duan Cheng.

She wasn’t surprised; after all, the marriage between Xie Ruyu and Duan Cheng was decided by her second uncle for his daughter, who wouldn’t have chosen a mere decorated pillow.

However, what men and women care about absolutely differs...

Thinking this, Xie Wanqing asked, "He is twenty, does he have any engagements, is he still free of attachments?"

Xie Ruyu was even stronger in nature than herself, absolutely intolerant of any flaw.

She regretted that the dream scenes were fleeting, leaving her with mostly memories of entanglements with Lu Ziyuan, less so of others.

She did not know if her cousin was pleased with this marriage.

Upon hearing her question, Ji Chengfeng finally furrowed his brows, his gaze landing on her face.

Discussing others’ private matters behind their back is not the conduct of a gentleman.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly, "I’ve heard that while Mrs. Duan was alive, she once selected a young lady for her son. However, before the engagement was set, she passed away. The young lady’s family didn’t want to waste three years of their daughter’s youth, so the engagement fell through."