Chapter 221 - 152:
Based on such an idea, there was a banquet with beast-fighting performances to select a consort for Princess Pingning.
Even the Emperor praised it loudly, for any military general with true talent and ability was a treasure to him, and what the Great Khan needed most were loyal leaders to the Imperial Family.
As the sister-in-law, Xie Wanqing naturally helped organize since the little sister-in-law was choosing a husband.
She specifically sent invitations to her acquaintances and friends.
The Pei and Xie families were in-laws, and aside from Xie YanYu, the second branch also had two legitimate young masters, who were of course on the guest list.
Xie Ruyu had already arranged a marriage with Duan Cheng half a month ago, but after all, the beast-fighting performance was rare, and it was good to come and see.
Moreover, Mrs. Zheng remembered her nephew and deliberately reminded her daughter that Ji Chengfeng had not arranged a marriage with Cao Yingying, and he was still in the Capital City, so she also sent him an invitation.
Ji Chengfeng, though a scholar, might not fit Princess Duan Yang’s criteria, but this banquet would have nearly all the suitable noble women from the Capital, surely there would be a good match for him.
With such busy preparations, time quickly moved to mid-March, the day of the beast-fighting performance.
It was the season for warm spring and blooming flowers, and the Capital had been bright with sunshine. Half a month ago, the nobles had already taken off their thick fur muffs and changed into soft and delicate brocade satin clothes.
Today, the young masters and noble women each wore tailored riding outfits, dressed in bright attire, mounted their spirited horses, headed out of the city to the beast-fighting estate, their cheerful laughter attracting countless civilians’ attention on the streets.
Xie Wanqing was originally going to accompany her mother-in-law in a carriage, but Princess Duan Yang waved her hand and looked at her eldest son with a smile, saying: "There’s no need to accompany me here, Wanwan, you should comfort your husband well; I see Changqing’s mood hasn’t been great recently."
"... Xie Wanqing hesitated for a moment, secretly glanced at the person next to her, only to meet his eyes.
They were clearly intimate, yet she seemed burned and quickly turned her head, hastily replied, "Yes."
Princess Duan Yang, being experienced, could certainly see that this young couple might have had disagreements, but she didn’t say much more, and got into the carriage herself, leaving Pei Yuqing and Xie Wanqing looking at each other.
Xie Wanqing lowered her head nervously. Since the Lantern Palace banquet until now, although they still dined together, their interaction was always a bit awkward.
They had hardly ever been alone together.
... A person who usually didn’t show emotion, yet the Commandery Princess could see he was in a bad mood.
So, just how bad is his mood...
"Do you want to ride a horse or take the carriage?"
The man’s cold voice interrupted her thoughts, Xie Wanqing hesitated, then said, "Take the carriage."
She was now a married woman, and indeed not suitable for publicly riding through the streets.
Pei Yuqing softly replied, calling for the carriage to be prepared.
Returning to the carriage, after two months, they once again sat facing each other.
Almost as soon as she sat down, Xie Wanqing regretted it.
If she’d known earlier, she should have chosen to ride a horse.
Her nervousness was evident; Pei Yuqing couldn’t help but notice. He raised his hand to pinch his brow, seeming tired, and asked, "What are you afraid of?"
Afraid of what...
Xie Wanqing was choked, softly said, "Not afraid."
Pei Yuqing tilted his head and chuckled lightly without speaking further, lazily lifting his eyes to look out the carriage window.
After a while, he collected his laugh, lowered his eyes, and said, "If you really don’t want to see me, maybe I should leave the Capital."
Leave the Capital?
Xie Wanqing was shocked, "Where would you go?"
"There’s been some trouble in Yangzhou, the Holy Emperor intends for me to go personally," Pei Yuqing replied.
"Why is it so sudden..." Xie Wanqing frowned, "And how long will you be gone?"
Seeing her concerned expression, Pei Yuqing’s heart softened, gently asked her, "You care about these things... I thought Wanwan had grown tired of me, not wanting to see me at all."
"I don’t... mean I don’t want to see you... I just..." Just thinking about him leaving made Xie Wanqing’s heart flutter with panic; she spoke hesitantly and hearing him say that, she felt unbearably miserable.
"Just what?" Pei Yuqing kept looking at her without blinking, "If you don’t want to see me, then why grow colder towards me?"
"I haven’t grown colder to you, I just don’t know how to get along with you, you always deceive me... always deceive me..." Xie Wanqing blinked hard, holding back tears, "I’m somewhat afraid of your ways..."
Even though she tried hard to repress her tears, her eyes still grew a bit red, her proud nose tinted with a shade of grievance.
Pei Yuqing’s wrist bones instinctively lifted, wanting to soothe her, but stopped halfway, slowly withdrawing his hand.
"I won’t deceive you anymore," he took a deep breath, said: "I promise you, from now on, no matter what happens, I won’t lie to you again."
... Even if you leave, choose someone else, I won’t employ tricks, won’t deceive you.
As he said this, Pei Yuqing only felt the bitterness spreading in his throat.
How can she be blamed for her coldness, blame only my unbounded behavior that wounded her trust.
"When are you leaving,... can you not go?"
Xie Wanqing’s mind was solely occupied by the thought of him leaving the Capital, anxiety flooding her heart, leaving her unprepared to deal with this sudden news, utterly unable to care about previous deceptions.
The beloved girl blinked her moist eyes, cautiously asking him if he could not depart.
A man who prided himself on excellent self-control, gripped his fingers, soon surrendered, reaching out to pull her into his arms.
His movement was urgent, his embrace tight, and before Xie Wanqing could react, she found herself on his lap, her neck clasped by his hand, his deepened voice speaking close to her ear, "Why don’t you want me to leave?"
"Hmm?" Before Xie Wanqing could respond, he lowered his head near hers, "Tell me, why don’t you want me to leave?"
"I’m afraid you’ll be in danger," Xie Wanqing obediently sat on his lap, holding his sleeve, speaking with a sobbing tone: "Now the various provinces and prefectures are quite chaotic, I’m worried about you having problems."
"Anything else?"
"... What?"
"Just afraid I’ll be in danger?" Pei Yuqing’s jaw tightened, lowering his head to touch her forehead, gazing intensely at her, "Is there anything else?"
The probing look made Xie Wanqing’s heart race, her throat dry, swallowing painfully, but she didn’t know what words would please him.
Pei Yuqing closed his eyes briefly, he couldn’t believe that the girl who was already his would have no affection for him, yet his persistent questioning...
"Who do you like?" He could no longer bear it, asking directly, "Be honest, who’s in your heart?... Is it me or Lu Ziyuan?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Wanqing’s pupils suddenly dilated, instinctively wanting to avoid his gaze by lowering her eyes.