Xie YanYu said, "Zhao Rui is well-versed in both literature and martial arts, conducts himself with calm and composure, and among the young heirs in the Capital City, he is indeed one of the outstanding ones. Currently, the court is experiencing a shortage of talent, and within two years, he will surely make a name for himself."

Hearing this, Xie Wanqing felt relieved and curious, "If he is so outstanding, then what are you worrying about, brother?"

"...I once heard about something," Xie YanYu said, "The Zhao Mansion has two cousin girls from the north who have been living there for several years. Now one is nineteen and the other eighteen, yet the Zhao family has never spoken of arranging marriages for the two cousin misses."

"Is there really such a matter?" Xie Wanqing was somewhat surprised.

A nineteen-year-old girl, even in our current liberal society, is already considered quite old for marriage, and yet no marriage discussions have occurred?

What is the Zhao family planning?

Do they intend to leave them for their son as concubines, or has the matter already been settled?

Her brother works in the Inspectorate and is well-informed, able to know much little-known information in the Capital City.

If one were to seriously investigate this information, Princess Duan Yang could certainly also find it out, but when a mother-in-law chooses a son-in-law, she mostly just looks into how the person is, whether the parents are easy to get along with, and if the back garden is peaceful. Only after passing all these checks will she mention the person’s name to her daughter.

As for the cousin girls who have sought refuge in a mansion, to be honest, in these years, with the Great Khan often faced with natural and man-made disasters, who in the prestigious families in the Capital hasn’t had a few fallen relatives seeking refuge? Even the Xie family has distant relatives from the homeland seeking refuge. It’s hardly worth specifically investigating.

So, the two cousins in the Zhao family reaching marriageable age yet never having had marriage discussions might imply a plan to keep them as concubines, and Princess Duan Yang must not be aware of this.

And her brother knows about it and specifically tells her, intending for her to...

Thinking about this, Xie Wanqing’s heart jumped suddenly. She raised her eyes to look at her brother, composed herself, and asked, "Brother, tell me honestly, do you have any intentions towards the Commandery Princess?"

Before he could answer, Xie Wanqing continued, "If you truly have no intentions towards the Commandery Princess, then why would you be concerned about whom she marries? Don’t say it’s because she would rashly choose someone and marry because of you, that’s too far-fetched."

"How is it not far-fetched?" Xie YanYu glanced at his sister and said lightly, "I just don’t want to be the reason a girl wastes her life."

"I don’t believe you!" Xie Wanqing couldn’t stand seeing him like this and stubbornly asked, "Do you like the Commandery Princess or not?"

Xie YanYu did not wish to discuss such a topic with his sister here, and turned to get on the carriage, but was stopped when Xie Wanqing grabbed his sleeve.

He lowered his eyes, "Let go."

"No!" Xie Wanqing refused, "If you don’t answer me, I won’t let go."

"...You’ve really become bolder," Xie YanYu pulled at his sleeve and said, "Let go!"

"No, no," Xie Wanqing shook her head stubbornly, "Answer my question first, do you like the Commandery Princess or not?"

Xie YanYu, being naturally reserved, was unwilling to discuss such topics with his sister here, and after being repeatedly asked, he said helplessly, "I really don’t like her."

Xie Wanqing still didn’t believe him. With her brother’s cold and self-controlled nature, if he truly didn’t like her, why would he care about such a small matter as who Pei Yuxuan is marrying, especially considering those two cousin girls staying in that family?

But if he really liked her...how could he not marry the girl he likes home?

Thinking this, her suspicion wavered a bit, "Really don’t like?"

Xie YanYu hummed a response, "Really don’t like."

Hearing this, Xie Wanqing let go of his sleeve in a deflated manner and glared at him angrily, "I’ll wait and see if you bring home a fairy to be my sister-in-law!"

"..." Xie YanYu reached out and patted her little head, and said helplessly, "With your temperament, I really wonder why Changqing took a liking to you."

"It means your sister is well-liked by others," Xie Wanqing slapped his hand away and said angrily, "Hurry up and go!"

Being urged to leave, Xie YanYu didn’t get annoyed, gently tapping her forehead before turning to get on the carriage.

As the wheels began to turn, Xie Wanqing stood there dazed for a while. When she turned around with a bitter face, she saw Pei Yuqing standing quietly under the eaves, gazing in their direction.

Her expression froze, and she quickly approached him, asking awkwardly, "How long have you been here?" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

...He better not have heard her brother saying he doesn’t like his sister.

What brother can stand to see his own sister being so disliked?

Pei Yuqing appeared calm, showing no sign of emotions, and simply said softly, "I have been here for a while."

With this, he took her hand and added, "Whatever you want to say, let’s talk in the carriage."