Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 31

Xie Yanyu chuckled softly, "When have you ever understood him?"

"Well, we did grow up together..." Xie Wanqing retorted somewhat unhappily, but halfway through her words, she felt her brother’s point was valid.

Indeed, she never really understood Lu Ziyuan. She used to think that despite his cold demeanor, he had some sort of feelings for her.

It was only after having those dreams that she realized everything was just her own wishful thinking.

Such a cold-hearted person not only had no romantic feelings for her but didn’t even have the affection of growing up together.

In the dream, she ended up coughing blood that led to her death, which seemed like a punishment for her self-deception.

Thinking of this, Xie Wanqing said languidly, "Forget it, let’s not talk about him. It doesn’t matter what he does, I’m done with him."

She had long decided on this union and had a clear way to disengage from Lu Ziyuan’s sudden obsession with marriage, not wanting to bother with him anymore.

Having the energy to deal with him would be better spent on...

Xie Wanqing tilted her head to look at her brother nearby, propping her chin with a smile, "Not only did I run into Lu Ziyuan, but I also saw Princess Pingning blocking you and not letting you leave."

She spoke outright, which made Xie Yanyu pause momentarily. He glanced at her and replied with a bit of irritation, "Since you saw it, why didn’t you come out and help me but chose to hide and watch?"

"Help with what?" Xie Wanqing cheerfully poured tea for her brother, obediently saying, "I was afraid that by rushing out, it would make the princess and you embarrassed."

Her reasoning was indeed sensible. After all, as women, they were sensitive; even the bold Princess Pingning wouldn’t want anyone catching her blocking a man.

Xie Yanyu said nothing more, sipping tea as the mischievous spirit beside him whispered mysteriously, "Brother, do you really not like her at all?"

Xie Yanyu paused slightly, looked up and said, "A lady’s reputation is important. You’re not allowed to spread this matter; you cannot tell anyone."

"Got it, got it," perhaps due to the lingering effects of the alcohol, Xie Wanqing persistently asked, "So, do you have any feelings for the princess?"

Xie Yanyu held his teacup, sipping slowly, showing no intention of enlightening the little inebriated soul.

While Xie Wanqing was anxiously waiting, Erqing happened to come in with sobering tea, prompting Xie Yanyu to put down his teacup and slightly nodded, saying, "Drink."

"Answer me first and then I’ll drink."

She shook her head while covering her mouth, as if someone was going to force her to drink.

Xie Yanyu was amused, taking the sobering tea from Erqing, gently blowing it until it was at a suitable temperature, then handed it over, saying, "Drink it and I’ll tell you."

Her brother, though steady and serious, loving to preach, has never deceived her.

Thinking like this, Xie Wanqing cupped the teacup and drank it sip by sip, looking obedient and charming.

Seeing this, Xie Yanyu’s heart softened, he rubbed her little head and said, "I don’t like her."

Afraid she might keep prying, he stood up after speaking and instructed Erqing, "Take good care of your lady, let her rest early; the spring chill at night shouldn’t cause a cold."

Erqing responded with a bow.

Once everyone had left, Xie Wanqing realized how uninteresting it all was and put down her teacup.

She got up and entered the inner chamber; as Erqing helped to remove her makeup and hair, she pondered, "My brother is quite cold-hearted, Sister Xuan is exceptionally beautiful, generous, and genuinely affectionate towards him, yet he dislikes her. Is he waiting to find a goddess?"

Listening to her question, Erqing couldn’t help but laugh, "Young Master isn’t cold-hearted; I see no better brother than him in the world."

For this sister, Young Master is incredibly kind; even if he nags sometimes, it’s because of concern.

......

The next day, upon waking, even with sobering tea, the hangover left her body feeling slightly weak.

Lying on her back, Xie Wanqing recollected the drunken events of the previous day.

In the carriage, she hadn’t completely passed out, and now, sober, she recalled everything clearly.

Obviously, the teahouse encounter wasn’t their first meeting, so where did she see that person before?

Why did she have no impression at all?

After a long while, she sighed softly and called for a maid to enter and assist with her grooming.

After Marquis Qu Mansion’s birthday banquet, a summer rain fell continuously for three days, the lotus in the pond quietly formed buds, and temperatures grew higher.

On the fourth day, the weather cleared up, and Lu Ziyuan visited again. This time, the Xie family opened the main door, welcoming him inside.

Neither Mrs. Zheng nor Xie Shu appeared, and Xie Wanqing seized the sunny weather to attend a poetry gathering with a friend’s invitation, staying out.

Lu Ziyuan was personally entertained by Xie Yanyu, and no one knew what they discussed all afternoon. When Xie Wanqing returned home, she surprisingly ran into him.

One was outside the door, the other inside, both stopped at the same time.

Xie Wanqing sighed inwardly at the ill-fated encounter and stood under the eaves, silent, intending to let him pass.

After several days of not seeing her, the way she stood gracefully before him made Lu Ziyuan’s heart flutter.

Before her temper tantrum, he never knew meeting this young lady would be so difficult.

Calming his emotions, he approached step by step, seeing the persistent yet cold demeanor of the girl, he softened his voice, "Where did you go for fun?"

Xie Wanqing frowned and didn’t answer, instead she questioned, "Are you here to bring the annulment letter?"

Lu Ziyuan’s expression darkened slightly. He reached out to touch her shoulder but withdrew when she avoided his touch, speaking softly, "Wanwan, can we talk for a bit?"

His voice carried softness, an unusual plea, lacking the cold and calculating image praised by others.

But Xie Wanqing frowned even more tightly, "The answers I wanted, you already told me everything at your mansion. Now, I have nothing to say to you."

Saying this, she turned her head aside, intending to bypass him, but her wrist was tightly grasped, "I regretted everything I said that day. Ask again, and I’ll tell you properly, no more ignoring your feelings or dismissing you."

I regret what I said that day...

Xie Wanqing blinked, never envisioning she would hear the word "regret" from his mouth one day.

What is he regretting?

Regretting how he’s become increasingly impatient and cold over the years, addicted to bullying her?

She remained silent for a while, glancing down at his hand holding hers, then spoke word by word, "But I don’t want to ask anymore, Lu Ziyuan. I don’t want to make things difficult for you."

Lu Ziyuan recalled the day under the rose tree when he impatiently said, "Are you trying to make things difficult for me?" His heart sank, and his grip tightened.

Xie Wanqing frowned, "Let go, you’re hurting me."

Lu Ziyuan was momentarily stunned, reflecting on what else he had said.

He seemed to have said many foolish things, hurting her and leading her to refuse to marry him.

What was he thinking at the time, why did he say those things?