Xie Wanqing thought he was reasonable, and since he was concerned about her, he said such things, so she nodded seriously.

Seeing the atmosphere was too serious, she relaxed with a smile and said, "I understand, I’ll certainly remember your advice."

Clearly aware she was teasing him on purpose, Ji Chengfeng still said, "You and I are of the same generation, no need for honorifics."

Xie Wanqing nodded obediently and curiously asked, "Cousin likes peace and quiet and rarely goes out to banquets. Since you came today, do you have a crush on a girl and knew she would be here, so..."

Saying this, she raised her eyebrows with a smile, "Why don’t you perform at the Beast Fighting Arena and win a rose branch for that girl? If that’s the case, Aunt and my mother would be ever so pleased."

Entrusted by her sister, Mrs. Zheng was very worried about her nephew’s marriage, almost as much as she was concerned about her son’s marriage, which had become a top priority recently.

As a daughter, Xie Wanqing couldn’t bear to see her mother so worried and naturally wanted to share the burden with Mrs. Zheng.

Originally thinking her guess was correct, Ji Chengfeng merely looked at her lightly and said, "Too much imagination, cousin. I’m just supposed to leave the Capital for a southern tour soon and came here to join the fun before leaving."

"..." Xie Wanqing was momentarily stumped.

Join the fun...

She looked at the trunk of the towering tree not far away.

Honestly wanting to ask, if you’re here to join the fun, why are you hiding away in peace?

After thinking for a moment, she didn’t continue that line of thought but shifted and said, "Thank you, cousin, for helping me out today. Otherwise, if they had run into me..."

"It was just a small effort," Ji Chengfeng said nonchalantly, "you don’t need to thank me."

Despite his words, Xie Wanqing, having received his favor, couldn’t possibly not express gratitude.

Considering he’s about to leave the Capital, she showed concern, "Well, I wish you a smooth southern tour, avoiding deceitful people, surrounded by loyal ones, and a swift return to the Capital."

"Okay," Ji Chengfeng smiled slightly, "I will certainly follow your advice, cousin, and stay away from deceitful people, divert around the marshes, and prevent epidemics."

"..." Xie Wanqing was somewhat embarrassed.

Her act of pretending to divine the future was just a spur-of-the-moment thing, and seeing him trust and value it so much, she felt a bit awkward.

Facing each other, uncertain of what to say, she turned sideways and looked toward her path back. Awkwardly, she said, "I need to return now; are you going to continue enjoying your solitude here?"

Ji Chengfeng was silent for a moment, then softly replied, "You go on, I will also take my leave."

Xie Wanqing furrowed her brow slightly. Today was a different kind of matchmaking event, and since he had come, he should intend to look at girls, yet...

But ultimately, it’s his private matter, she couldn’t compel him, so she gently nodded, paid her respects, and said goodbye.

Ji Chengfeng stood under the peach tree, watched her gradually distant figure sideways, as pink petals drifted down with the spring breeze, creating a beautiful scene.

......

Xie Wanqing returned to her seat and had just settled in when Pei Yuxuan gazed over. She hadn’t spoken yet when Cao Yingying said from the other side, "Wanwan, where did you go? I was just wondering about you."

The gentle and graceful voice reached Xie Wanqing’s ears, causing her arm pouring wine to pause slightly, yet her face revealed no signs of impropriety. She smiled naturally and said, "There was a little mishap in the kitchen; I went to check it out. Fortunately, it was nothing serious; you can rest assured and enjoy yourselves."

Cao Yingying was about to say something, but Pei Yuxuan grabbed her hand, pointed to the Beast Fighting performance that had already started, and said with a trace of irritation, "Alright, why are you keeping your eyes on my sister-in-law all the time? Look there! That’s where you should focus..."

Evidently, Pei Yuxuan and Cao Yingying had a good relationship, hence the jest, though she didn’t know Lady Shufei planned to propose Cao Yingying as Crown Prince Consort.

What Xie Wanqing cared about wasn’t this; she looked at the two girls holding hands and her heart skipped a beat.

...Cao Yingying’s hands, god knows whether they’ve been washed or not.

Thinking this, she almost wanted to yank Pei Yuxuan’s hand back.

Fortunately, she restrained herself.

Cao Yingying followed Pei Yuxuan’s gaze toward the field. Her eyes inadvertently swept past Xie Wanqing’s feet and saw the delicate embroidered shoes with a ring of mud around them, causing her gentle smile to freeze.

Xie Wanqing looked around; upon realizing many people were absent from their seats, she relaxed.

With so many people gone, even if someone suspected impropriety, they wouldn’t necessarily suspect her, right?

Still, despite Ji Chengfeng’s reminder, henceforth, she wouldn’t have much interaction with Cao Yingying.

After all, that previous scene indeed gave her a severe shock.

The second half of the Beast Fighting performance had already commenced; even though Xie Wanqing stumbled across such an affair, she cared little about watching it. Still, she didn’t want Cao Yingying to notice, so she arduously made herself appear focused.

Until the sun set and guests departed, the day’s smile stiffened her face.

She rubbed her cheeks, tilted her head, and looked at her elder brother who remained till the end. Curious, she said, "Brother, do you have something you wanted to say?"

Xie YanYu softly replied, his eyes skimming over the attendants behind her.

Xie Wanqing was greatly surprised; they, as siblings, never avoided speaking in front of servants, yet since her brother indicated so, she naturally dismissed the attendants.

Once the surrounding entourage retreated, Xie Wanqing couldn’t help but ask, "Brother, what’s the secret you want to tell me?"

Her eyelashes fluttered, and her curious eyes shone bright.

"..." Xie YanYu remained silent momentarily, flicked her forehead with his finger, and said, "Be steady, behave appropriately."

Inside him, he mused that his treasure of a sister seemed more innocent since marrying than before.

Evidently, her married life was comfortable, unmarred by distress, preserving this ’naivety.’ 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

She called out at the forehead flick, covering it with both hands and mumbling in pain, daring not to be resentful.

Xie YanYu thought he had really hurt her, parted her hands, looked closer but saw no red mark. Still, he rubbed it with his fingertips, yet said helplessly, "More and more delicate."

Xie Wanqing huffed but remained speechless.

Xie YanYu withdrew his hand, pondered briefly, and said, "I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Xie Wanqing’s eyes lit up.

"..." Xie YanYu glanced at her, his fingers itching again, but suppressed the urge and said, "I shouldn’t interfere, but I’m worried, perhaps I’ve caused the Commandery Princess to recklessly decide on a spouse."

"Commandery Princess?" Xie Wanqing froze momentarily, then quickly responded, "Is there something wrong with Zhao Rui?"

...That doesn’t make sense. Princess Duan Yang selects a son-in-law; how could she not thoroughly investigate?