Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 158 - 124

After a long moment, Xie Wanqing was the first to look away. She glanced up at the sun, dryly saying, "I’m hungry. It’s time for the banquet; let’s go eat."

This kind of evasive attitude, without saying anything clearly, made Pei Yuqing’s breath catch. He felt as if his heart were soaking in a vat of vinegar, both sour and astringent, wishing he could embrace her and harshly bully her.

But he was accustomed to restraint, having etched self-control into his very bones, unable to sternly question her.

Ultimately, he merely clenched his fingers tightly and let out a low "mm" from his throat.

Xie Wanqing didn’t notice anything amiss, smiling as if she were granted amnesty, lifting her skirt and walking briskly inside.

Back at the banquet, her familiar friends hadn’t said anything yet, but it was Cao Yingying, whom she’d only met a few times, who tilted her head and looked over.

"Just now everyone was asking about you. Where did you go? We haven’t seen you at all."

Her tone was intimate, as if the two were extremely close.

Xie Wanqing handed the plum branch in her hand to the maid behind her, casually saying, "I saw the plum blossoms blooming beautifully in the garden, so I picked a few branches to bring back."

Cao Yingying also noticed the plum branches she brought back and said with a smile, "There’s a patch of yellow plums blooming perfectly in my garden. If you like, I’ll pick a bouquet and send it to your mansion."

Since someone was proactively being friendly, Xie Wanqing saw no reason to refuse, so she responded with a smile, "Thank you very much."

Speaking of it, Miss Cao was also a victim of the Second Prince’s incident.

The timing of her misfortune was quite coincidental, just a few months ago at the flower viewing banquet hosted by Princess Duan Yang.

During that time, Xie Wanqing herself attended, and was taken to the back of the rockery by Lu Ziyuan for some flirtation. The commotion they caused was significant, drawing all the attention to the three of them, to the extent that when the Second Prince arrived at the Pei Mansion, hardly anyone noticed.

Moreover, even fewer knew that the Minister’s daughter was taken advantage of by the Second Prince.

With Cao Yingying’s background, becoming the prince’s main wife wasn’t out of the question, yet she ended up being inexplicably violated.

Most despicable of all, the Second Prince already has a main wife, and even a concubine, while the remaining concubine position has countless noblewomen who’ve been seduced and live in constant fear, yet want to claim it.

The distinguished daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel now might not even become a concubine.

Even just imagining it, Xie Wanqing felt deeply hateful.

As a fellow woman, facing the victim now, she felt some sympathy and empathy.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries and quickly became acquainted.

Cao Yingying personally served her a bowl of eight-treasure sweet porridge, smilingly saying, "Wanwan is beautiful and pleasant in temperament; we hit it off immediately. I’ll send an invitation to you another day, you must grace us with your presence."

"Sure, I’ll definitely come." Xie Wanqing took the jade bowl and began to eat.

They were engrossed in conversation, while the other ladies at the banquet spoke loudly too.

Soon, a familiar name reached her ears.

Xie Wanqing’s hand holding the spoon paused slightly.

She heard a young woman say, "Did you hear? The Princely Heir of the Wuyuan Marquis Mansion has stirred things up in Qingzhou, capturing fourteen officials consecutively, and they’re on their way back to the Capital City."

"Little General Lu?" someone at the banquet exclaimed, "This God of Killing always involves blood wherever he goes. What are ten-odd officials? You forgot that last year he even beheaded the supervisor appointed by Your Majesty."

That was the supervisor, an emissary from the Emperor and almost equivalent to the Emperor himself.

In the end, Lu Ziyuan executed him on charges of disturbing the military’s morale with a single swing of his knife.

When the news came back to the Capital, it shocked countless people.

Some even thought it was a sign of contempt for the Heavenly Venerate, intending rebellion. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

If any other official committed such an error, even if not killed, they’d likely be banished to some remote corner, never to return.

Yet Lu Ziyuan was merely reprimanded with a few inconsequential words and soon was reused once more.

Back then, Xie Wanqing was still Lu Ziyuan’s fiancée. Many envied her future husband’s competence.

Some even said that not even Your Majesty’s own sons might receive such treatment.

Who knew, he truly was His Majesty’s own son.

The legitimate son born of the main wife.

Xie Wanqing silently cursed to herself, feeling uneasy inside.

Now, just hearing the name Lu Ziyuan made her unable to remain calm or indifferent.

She felt fear, trepidation, restlessness, and complex emotions.