Chapter 210 - 148_2
Pei Yuqing lightly rubbed his fingertips, his gaze darkening slightly as he said in a hoarse voice, "Stop it, let’s sleep."
He didn’t try to hold her again, and Xie Wanqing was more than happy about it. She turned her back to him and fell asleep.
......
The next day, they returned to the Duke Pei Mansion.
In the cold, harsh winter, aside from the servants sweeping the snow in the courtyard, the entire Pei Mansion was tranquil and peaceful. Surprisingly, no one noticed their absence for the night.
Including Princess Duan Yang, no one had come to inquire. Xie Wanqing was glad for the peace of mind and acted as if nothing had happened.
Not long after lunch, Pei Yuxuan appeared at Xuanhua Courtyard, wrapped in a ginger-yellow cloak, braving the wind and snow.
Her large eyes were red, either from the cold or some other reason.
Seeing this, Xie Wanqing quickly called Yuan Yue and Yuanyu to bring hot tea.
She thought that in such weather, Pei Yuxuan must have come to discuss something important, but unexpectedly, the entire afternoon passed with Pei Yuxuan languidly resting her chin on her hand, moving in a lazy manner.
Xie Wanqing summoned two musicians to play new melodies.
The two sisters-in-law spent the entire afternoon enjoying tea and snacks together.
As dusk approached, and when Pei Yuxuan was about to leave, she finally lost her weary expression. She finished her cup of hot tea, sat up straight, and said, "Sister-in-law, when spring comes, mother will arrange a marriage for me."
Xie Wanqing was taken aback.
Pei Yuxuan continued, "Liking someone should make you happy. I don’t want to like your brother anymore. From now on, I will listen to whatever mother decides for my marriage."
The little sister-in-law, who had been so innocent and lively just a day ago, seemed to have grown up overnight.
Xie Wanqing hesitated and said, "Yesterday... my brother..."
"It’s not his fault," Pei Yuxuan sniffed and gave her a faint smile, "Your brother from the Xie family is a good man. I’ve asked him, he doesn’t like me, so I won’t like him either."
With that, she avoided the hand of her personal maid, dressed herself in her cloak, and bowed slightly to Xie Wanqing in farewell.
Xie Wanqing escorted her to the courtyard gate, watching her gradually retreating figure with mixed feelings.
The daughter of the Princess, raised with all the love and affection, who always walked with a proud stride, now carried the poise of noble ladies.
The proud and noble Little Princess also has her own imperfections...
She was really curious, did her brother truly want to find a celestial beauty?
Soon after Pei Yuxuan left, before Xie Wanqing could turn back to the courtyard, Pei Yuqing happened to return from the front yard. Seeing the graceful young lady standing under the eaves from afar, his heart suddenly softened.
He quickly walked up the steps, took her hand, and frowned, "It’s so cold, and you’re standing outside without wearing anything extra."
"Xuan’er just left, I was seeing her off," Xie Wanqing pulled her hand back and turned towards the main hall.
It was already time for dinner, and the meal had been set in the side hall. After they finished eating together, it was completely dark outside.
Seeing the man intending to follow her into the room, Xie Wanqing pointed to the door and said, "Go out."
Pei Yuqing’s steps halted, and he asked, "Where should I go?"
"Wherever you’ve been sleeping before, that’s where you should go now," Xie Wanqing said, "You’re not allowed to move back!"
Not allowed to move back...
Pei Yuqing stood at the door, lowered his eyes at the words, and after a few silent moments, he turned and shut the door.
The sound of the door closing made Xie Wanqing look back. Seeing that he hadn’t left, her brows furrowed slightly, "Why haven’t you left?"
Pei Yuqing steadily gazed at her, "Do you really want me to leave?"
As he spoke, he walked to her in a few steps, lowered his head to gaze at her, "Wanwan, why do you want me to leave?"
Xie Wanqing realized this man had changed quite a bit.
Before, he was always accommodating, never resisting even when she bullied him; she always had the final say.
When playing mind games, it was done secretly, trapping her without her knowing.
But now, even when she refused to let him move back, he questioned her.
Back then, wasn’t he the one who voluntarily moved out...?
Or perhaps, his previous gentleness and good temper were only a facade.
Perhaps the man standing here now, with a subtle air of authority, is his true nature?
Maybe they’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg...
Thinking of this, Xie Wanqing’s lips twitched involuntarily. She really admired his ability, even at his age, to pretend to be so gentle and harmless to trick her.
The man in front of her gazed intensely, causing Xie Wanqing’s movements in combing her hair to slow down and stall; she eventually put down the jade comb and said frankly, "I’m still angry, so I don’t want to share a bed with you."
Such a reason was perfectly reasonable.
Pei Yuqing paused for a moment, leaned closer, and asked, "How long?"
Xie Wanqing was puzzled. She met his deep gaze, stiffened and quickly turned her head, "We’ll talk when I’m no longer angry."