Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 43:

Truly, she regretted not asking how long this medicinal diet had to be consumed back then.

She had already planned that if she saw someone at the Duke Pei Mansion this time, she would definitely ask how long this medicinal diet needed to be consumed.

Mrs. Zheng watched her children walk away, feeling both satisfied and worried.

The children of their family were all outstanding yet had difficulties finding good matches.

Perhaps it was true that good things come to those who wait.

......

The two young ladies rode in a carriage while the three brothers of Xie YanYu rode horses to the banquet.

By the time they arrived at the Duke Pei Mansion, the sun was already high, and many guests had already come.

In the back garden, noblewomen who arrived early gathered in groups, chatting leisurely with their close friends.

It was midsummer, and the weather was somewhat hot. The Duke Pei Mansion, being wealthy, even provided ice urns in the garden.

Xie YanYu gave a few instructions to his two younger sisters and went with his cousins to the nearby area for male guests.

Xie Wanqing took the opportunity to glance towards the male guests’ side. Just as she was about to withdraw her gaze, she saw a familiar figure.

She froze on the spot, almost unable to believe her eyes.

Lu Ziyuan had come to such an occasion?

Xie Ruyu naturally saw it too. The corners of her lips, which were previously curved, immediately straightened. Unhappily, she said, "Is he here for Sister Wanwan?"

Had it been the Xie Wanqing before the broken engagement, she wouldn’t have been so presumptuous.

But now, she wasn’t sure.

The words from that day were still fresh in her memory.

Lu Ziyuan said that their relationship wouldn’t end just because the engagement was broken.

She frowned deeply.

Could it be that even after breaking the engagement, he still wouldn’t leave her alone?

Taking advantage of him not having noticed them yet, the sisters turned and left.

As the eldest lady of the Duke Pei Mansion, Pei Yuxuan started receiving the delicate guests early in the morning, constantly looking around with her eyes. As the sun rose higher, she seemed somewhat disappointed.

A close noblewoman by her side noticed and curiously asked, "Is the Commandery Princess waiting for someone?"

Pei Yuxuan was about to reply when her eyes suddenly brightened.

"Wanwan, Rurou."

She quickly walked up and said in a teasing tone, "I thought you weren’t coming."

The noblewoman following her then realized that she had been waiting all morning for the two young ladies of the Xie family. She commented with a smile, "The Commandery Princess was looking forward to it, waiting for a long time."

Xie Wanqing recognized her, the daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Cao Yingying.

Both sides exchanged greetings.

Pei Yuxuan then took Xie Wanqing and her sister by the hand and brought them to meet several Princesses of the imperial family.

After greeting everyone, the smile on Xie Wanqing’s face had become somewhat stiff. Finally, she found an opportunity to retreat, only to be noticed by the ever-watchful Pei Yuxuan.

Pei Yuxuan smiled and said, "My mother is in the flower hall. She wants to meet the new sisters I’ve made. Wanwan, would you like to come with me to see her?"

Xie Wanqing’s pupils suddenly dilated.

Seeing this, Pei Yuxuan’s smile deepened, and she whispered, "Don’t worry, my mother probably doesn’t know my brother’s thoughts yet."

"But..." Just as Xie Wanqing was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she heard Pei Yuxuan change the topic: "My brother has been going to your Xie Residence quite often these days, and he’s been sending medicinal diets three times a day for many days. It’s possible my mother has caught some wind of it."

There’s no wall in the world that doesn’t let in the wind, especially considering the Eldest Princess’s attention to her son.

Pei Yuqing had indeed visited the Xie Residence quite frequently lately, and the medicinal diets had all been sent from the Duke Pei Mansion.

Thinking of this, Xie Wanqing’s expression turned somewhat stiff.

She repeatedly declined Pei Yuxuan’s intention to take her to meet Princess Duan Yang.

Her nervous demeanor made Pei Yuxuan laugh uncontrollably: "My mother is very kind and not a fierce beast."

Xie Wanqing felt a complex mix of emotions: "Don’t laugh at me."

She wasn’t a timid or cowardly person, but with so many noblewomen attending the flower-viewing banquet today, being the only one to meet Her Highness the Eldest Princess alone, she naturally felt a bit uneasy.

Everyone knew the real purpose of the flower-viewing banquet.

Pei Yuxuan gradually restrained her smile, put on a serious expression, and quietly asked her, "Then Wanwan, do you want to see my brother?"

Xie Wanqing: "... No."

"There are too many ladies around the flower hall. Every time my mother holds such a banquet, my brother doesn’t show his face. If you want to see him, I can take you..."

Saying this, Pei Yuxuan glanced at her and added a bit enigmatically: "Though this time it’s hard to say."

"..." Xie Wanqing remained silent for a moment, gave her a look, and said, "Go and attend to your other guests. I’ll stroll around the courtyard myself."

Pei Yuxuan didn’t insist and instead gave directions with a smile: "In the southeast, there’s a flower field. If you’re interested, you can take a look. The Capital’s best varieties are there, with flowers to admire all year round."

Upon hearing this, Xie Wanqing indeed became a bit interested. Seeing that her cousin was engrossed in playing a game of pitch-pot with others, she didn’t call her and began to stroll around the garden.

This was her first visit to the Duke Pei Mansion, and it was evidently more grand than the Marquis Xuanping Mansion.

Rock formations, flowing water, pavilions, and towers were all within sight.

Many people were wandering around the garden, and Xie Wanqing encountered several groups of people, both male and female guests, along the way.

It was evident that the Duke Pei Mansion was bustling with excitement today.

She walked around with Erqing, finally reaching the flower field Pei Yuxuan had mentioned.

Both master and servant were somewhat amazed.

The Duke Pei Mansion displayed great extravagance; the large flower field was made entirely of glass. From outside, the view within the transparent glass shelter could be seen clearly.

There were no other guests inside, and it seemed very quiet.

May was the peak season for peonies, and naturally, the Pei family’s flower field was planted with the finest varieties.

There were peonies Xie Wanqing recognized and some she didn’t.

The sight of these large, dazzlingly bright peonies with their layered petals in full bloom could only be described as the true national beauty among flowers.

One particular plant she couldn’t name seemed especially beautiful.

Intrigued, she called over a servant who was tending the flowers in the field and asked, "What is this flower’s name?"

The servant bowed and replied, "This flower is called ’Noble Concubine Grace’. It originally grew in the Southern region and is extremely difficult to cultivate in the Capital. It is very rare and precious."

Xie Wanqing nodded, lifted her skirt, and squatted down to carefully admire it when suddenly footsteps sounded behind her.

She turned to look and saw Pei Yuqing, dressed in a moonlit long robe, emerging from somewhere, gazing down at her.

He said, "If you like it so much, how about taking it back to grow it yourself?"

Xie Wanqing blinked, not finding it odd to see him there.

After thinking for a moment, she gently declined, "Never mind. The flowers and plants in my courtyard are all tended to by my brother. This flower is so precious; I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep it alive."

She didn’t like gardeners entering her courtyard, yet she loved to raise some rare and unique flowers for pleasure.

If Xie YanYu didn’t occasionally come by to help trim the plants, the seedlings would likely need replacing several times.

Such a difficult peony was best admired from afar.