Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 56 - 55:

"I practice martial arts only for fitness, without rigorous training," Pei Yuqing looked down at her, his gaze under the moonlight showing no emotion, and explained, "Only my Qinggong is decent."

Xie Wanqing responded, "Oh," so that’s how it was.

She thought, just a moment ago he was next door, and suddenly he was right in front of her.

Pei Yuqing asked, "Do you have something to ask me?"

Xie Wanqing smiled, "Yes, I have a lot of questions for you."

But now she was not in a hurry. She looked around and pointed to the lake not far away, saying, "Let’s go sit over there."

The manor couldn’t compare to the Marquis Mansion, lacking pavilions, towers, artificial hills, flowing water, or scenic platforms; just stone benches everywhere.

By the lake, grass grew wild, and several stubborn stones were piled together.

Xie Wanqing stepped forward to walk over there but was stopped by an arm holding hers.

"In this season, don’t easily tread on places where grass grows wild in the manor," Pei Yuqing looked at the puzzled expression on the young girl’s face and laughed, "Are you afraid of snakes?"

"..." Xie Wanqing paused, instinctively holding onto his arm, "Are you saying there might be snakes here? Would they come inside at night?"

The lake was quite close to the courtyard where she stayed.

Last time she visited was in winter; back then she was blind and never imagined there would be snakes in the manor during summer.

"Don’t worry," Pei Yuqing quickly reassured upon inadvertently scaring her, "Your servants will take care of everything... otherwise, let me accompany you to check the courtyard."

Things the master doesn’t know, the servants surely would, wouldn’t they?

And the manor’s managers, how could they not prepare properly? If snakes, insects, or rodents were to disturb the master...

Thinking this way, Xie Wanqing didn’t feel so anxious anymore.

Yet her gaze still lingered on the grassy lake shore.

Pei Er had already been instructed to inspect over there and confirmed there were no snakes or insects, allowing her to finally breathe easy.

What girl wouldn’t be afraid of snakes? At the market, she had seen snake vendors, arms wrapped with snakes of varying sizes, and just seeing them from afar would give her goosebumps.

Pei Yuqing pulled her to sit on a stone, bending down to meet her gaze, "I misspoke earlier, there aren’t any snakes here, don’t let it scare you to the point you can’t sleep at night."

"..." Xie Wanqing looked at him speechlessly, "Do you think I’m really that timid?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

If not timid, then what?

With just a breeze, she would be disturbed to the point of tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

... She also tends to cry.

Remembering when he first met her, wrapped in thick furs, afflicted with an eye condition, always ready to shed tears, Pei Yuqing’s heart softened impossibly.

He sighed lightly, smiling, "A girl being a bit timid is no harm."

"..." Xie Wanqing was genuinely displeased now, pulling on his sleeve, she grumbled, "I think you’re the timid one, always hesitating, unsure and fearful, not knowing what you’re afraid of."

Her seemingly pointed remark made Pei Yuqing momentarily stunned, remaining silent for a while.

Usually, if he retreated, Xie Wanqing would leave him be, as she didn’t intend to emotionally entangle with any other man. But not now.

Ever since Lu Ziyuan intruded upon the Marquis Mansion courtyard, sneaked into her bedroom, persistently and threateningly, demanding she waits for his return, Xie Wanqing’s thought of escaping by marriage had become irresistible.

Finally, when Lu Ziyuan left the Capital City, if she genuinely waited for his triumphant return, they would enter yet another cycle of entanglement.

At that time, would she still be able to easily free herself?

If he dared to intrude into her bedroom at night, what else couldn’t he do?

Xie Wanqing didn’t want to have any further ties with him whatsoever.

With this in mind, she looked at the man in front of her with increasing anger.

Clearly he was interested in her, even appearing deeply affectionate, yet stubbornly refused to show courage.

He even dared to call her timid.

How was she timid? Facing Lu Ziyuan’s cold demeanor, she had advanced fearlessly for so long, always growing stronger from setbacks, until she finally awakened from those painful dreams.

And him?

He was the truly timid one!

In the night, the girl’s gaze was intense, almost piercing, Pei Yuqing turned his face away from her sight.

"Do you remember what you said," Xie Wanqing asked, "if I could remember who you are, you would grant me one request?"

Pei Yuqing’s eyelashes slightly fluttered, he raised his gaze to look at her, remaining silent.

"Does it not count anymore?" Xie Wanqing felt her heart sink and pressed her lips together, "Then forget it."

She wasn’t one to insist on anything; if he was unwilling, could she force him to compromise?

It was quite pointless.

Releasing hold of his sleeve, Xie Wanqing stood up, "I’m leaving."