Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 157 - 123:

Ji Chengfeng’s eyes narrowed.

"Also," Xie Wanqing continued, "it’s best to steer clear of water, even if you have to take a detour for one or two more days, stay away."

In his past life, he fell ill at Shangyang Lake and died at Shangganling, the cause of death being an epidemic.

But Lu Ziyuan found out that it was his followers who leaked his whereabouts.

And it just so happened that an epidemic broke out near Shangyang Lake. Someone behind the scenes deliberately drove the plague-stricken refugees in that direction.

Causing him to die in a chain of coincidences.

If it weren’t for Your Majesty’s thorough investigation, the death of this extraordinarily talented Champion Scholar would have been concluded as having a short life and a lack of fortune, with the heavens begrudging his talent.

Thinking of this, Xie Wanqing looked up at him earnestly, "Don’t doubt me, I’m really accurate in my calculations."

Ji Chengfeng also glanced down at her, the smile on his lips slowly retracting, with an indescribable look in his eyes.

Initially, he thought the girl was just joking around with him.

But her words were too serious.

Serious to the point where it didn’t seem like she was making it up.

After a long while, he gently nodded and said, "I understand."

Xie Wanqing was still a little uneasy and earnestly reminded him a few more times.

Not until the corner of her eye caught a tall figure did she stop abruptly and turn her head sharply.

Pei Yuqing had also come out at some point, standing quietly under the eaves of Liushui Pavilion, looking over with an unclear expression.

Xie Wanqing’s eyes slowly widened, and unable to say anything, she hurriedly walked toward him.

Ji Chengfeng beside her paused for a moment and then followed her.

In the past, as long as she walked toward him, he’d come forward to meet her even before she got close, but now, he stood there, motionless.

Xie Wanqing, no matter how slow, sensed something amiss. She blinked and asked with a smile, "Why did you come out too?"

Also...

Pei Yuqing pondered over this word and suddenly grasped her shoulders, pulling her into his arms.

"Are you cold?" His voice was calm. "Why didn’t you call me when you came out?"

His sudden embrace made Xie Wanqing lucky enough to react quickly, not crushing the plum blossoms in her hand.

"I just saw a patch of red plums over there and wanted to check them out. You were deeply engrossed in conversation with your friend, so I went alone."

She pushed his shoulder and said, "On my way back, I bumped into Cousin Ji and chatted for a bit."

Pei Yuqing didn’t move an inch, merely murmured a sound, his gaze landing on Ji Chengfeng as he smiled slightly, "Quite a coincidence, what were you discussing that made for such an enjoyable conversation?"

Upon realizing Xie Wanqing wasn’t among the women at the table, Pei Yuqing began to search everywhere, finally arriving at Liushui Pavilion.

Looking up, he saw her and his friend staring into each other’s eyes, chatting incessantly, while his typically quiet friend patiently listened, occasionally responding.

They were so engaged that they didn’t notice him standing nearby.

These insinuating words made Ji Chengfeng’s smile slightly freeze, and Xie Wanqing feel awkward.

She couldn’t just say she was reading his palm, hesitated for a bit, and couldn’t think of an explanation, so she replied dryly, "Nothing much."

"Indeed, nothing much," Ji Chengfeng smiled, "Just admired the red plums and talked for a bit."

Saying this, he cupped his hands in a salute, "I’ll leave you two to chat; I won’t interrupt."

His eyes briefly passed over the lady whom Pei Yuqing held, then he turned and left.

Not until the person left did Pei Yuqing slowly release her.

Xie Wanqing emerged from his embrace, saw his expressionless face, and said with a smile, "Why are you doing this? Are you jealous?"

Her face showed no sign of anything wrong, and there wasn’t a guilty look in her eyes, appearing entirely straightforward.

Pei Yuqing looked at her for a moment and said lightly, "I admit I am quite possessive."

His candid acknowledgment made Xie Wanqing’s smile grow even wider, and she coaxed softly, "Don’t be jealous, I really just bumped into him by chance."

"Bumped into him by chance, yet talked for such a long time?" Rarely persistent, he said, "Wanwan, you are my wife. I care very much if you show interest in others..."

Even with her own brother, he couldn’t stand their closeness, let alone others.

Xie Wanqing was entirely unaware of his thoughts, feeling wronged and said, "I didn’t show any interest in others." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Making it sound like she was fickle.

But Pei Yuqing said nothing, just looked at her steadily, making her uneasy and inexplicably guilty.