Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 24

Xie Wanqing just thought about this, and her heart relaxed a bit, earnestly saying, "My mother is still the best."

"Alright, which family’s girl is so happy about canceling a wedding?" Mrs. Zheng glanced at her, and seeing her genuinely delighted, she added with a slight chuckle, "Don’t worry, now we’re just waiting for the Lu Family to return the marriage contract. I’ve discussed with your father, if the Lu Family doesn’t return the contract within three days, he’ll go to the Lu Mansion again."

"Everything is up to father and mother." Xie Wanqing nodded obediently and then raised her hand to pour tea for her mother.

Mrs. Zheng took a sip of tea and said, "Have you been bored at home these past few days? Tomorrow is your grandmother’s birthday, so go out and have some fun."

Xie Wanqing’s eyes lit up, "Great!"

Wasn’t she bored to death?

She hadn’t gone out for several days, stuck in the courtyard, almost getting moldy.

Afraid that Lu Ziyuan would be entangled and cause a scene, she didn’t dare to leave the mansion, in case they met on the road.

Now, without such worries, Xie Wanqing said repeatedly, "I haven’t seen grandmother for some days, of course, I want to go."

"You are indeed filial, no wonder grandmother adores you so," Mrs. Zheng smiled gently, tidying her daughter’s hair, and said softly, "When you go, have fun and don’t let those troubling matters affect you again. Even if you remain unmarried for life, your mother can still support you."

"..." Xie Wanqing blinked rapidly, hugged her mother’s shoulder, and whimpered, "I made mother worry about me."

"A mother cares for her child for a hundred years, always worried to ninety-nine. It’s not your fault for meeting the wrong person, but it’s your brother..." Mrs. Zheng shook her head slightly and said helplessly, "He really worries me."

The eldest son at the age of twenty always seemed indifferent whenever the topic of marriage was mentioned.

In the Capital, the young ladies of suitable age have been seen through family banquets over the years, but none could make him agree to a marriage.

If that were all, Mrs. Zheng could assume her son just hadn’t found anyone he likes and doesn’t want to settle. But...

Even the maid, well-versed in personal matters, arranged for him by his mother was not used by him.

Others start arranging this at fifteen or sixteen, but her son had reached adulthood and yet...

Mrs. Zheng sometimes couldn’t help but doubt in her heart...

However, these words couldn’t be said in front of her daughter.

Seeing her mother troubled by her brother’s affairs, as a dutiful daughter, Xie Wanqing naturally consoled, "Mother, don’t worry, my brother is handsome and distinguished, he won’t have trouble finding a wife, it’s just that the right person hasn’t appeared yet."

"...I just fear he might never find someone he likes." The Xie kids are all good-looking, if one truly liked someone, they’d find a way.

But Mrs. Zheng’s worries were not just about that, she sighed deeply, as it wasn’t easy to talk to her daughter about her brother’s private matters.

...

Mrs. Zheng was born in the Marquis Qu Mansion, a top-tier noble family in the Capital. She is the full sister of this generation’s Marquis Qu and married into the equally prestigious Marquis Xuanping Mansion. On her mother’s sixtieth birthday, she returned early in the morning with her husband and children to celebrate.

The weather today was also cooperative, with clear skies and a gentle breeze, making it comfortably warm.

The main gate of the Xie family opened, and two carriages engraved with their family crest rolled out slowly.

Mrs. Zheng and Xie Shu’s carriage was at the front, with Xie Wanqing and her brother’s carriage closely following behind.

When they alighted, the sun was already quite warm. Her uncle from the Zheng family was greeting guests and hurriedly came over when he saw the Xie family’s carriage arrive.

After exchanging pleasantries, more guests arrived, so he asked Princely Heir Zheng Ye to lead them inside.

The Xie family came early, but several groups had already arrived in the elegant hall, either relatives or married daughters like Mrs. Zheng returning with their husbands.

The Old Lady of Marquis Qu was sixty years old, with gray at the temples, and a gracious demeanor, appearing as a kind elderly lady.

Seated at the head, she was engaged in conversation when she noticed her eldest daughter’s family arriving and immediately focused on them, waving at Xie Wanqing, "Wanwan, come here and let grandmother have a good look at you."

Xie Wanqing and Xie YanYu, brother and sister, bowed properly and said a few birthday greetings before happily stepping forward and affectionately calling, "Grandmother."

"Ah," The Old Lady of Marquis Qu held her granddaughter’s hand, her face full of affection, glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law and smiled, "Our Wanwan looks a bit thin."

"She indeed does," Marchioness Li glanced at her niece, chiding, "Your two cousins talk about wanting to play with you every day, and the other day when they sent an invitation, you declined."

Mrs. Zheng explained, "Sister-in-law might not know, Wanwan caught a bit of the wind these past two days and just recovered."

Hearing this, the Old Marchioness asked a few more concerned questions.

Wishing to keep her granddaughter by her side for a good chat, but considering the numerous guests today, she said after a while, with a pat on the granddaughter’s shoulder, "Go to the flower hall and play with your cousins."

Xie Wanqing was peeling almonds for the elderly lady and, hearing this, placed the peeled almonds onto a plate, bowed, and exited the elegant hall.

Before leaving, she took a special look; apart from her mother still in the hall accompanying the grandmother in entertaining guests, her father and brother had already left at some point. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Familiar with the Marquis Qu Mansion, Xie Wanqing didn’t need a guide maid, so she instructed Erqing to head to the flower hall first while she took a stroll around.

Not long after leaving the elegant hall, she encountered several groups of guests. The open manners of the dynasty meant male and female guests didn’t need to avoid each other, so meeting acquaintances and chatting for a while wouldn’t start rumors.

Xie Wanqing met a few familiar noblewomen, and although recent rumors had spread about her, they showed no change in demeanor, and after a few natural conversations, each went their way.

After wandering for a while, until she felt a bit tired, Xie Wanqing planned to head to the flower hall to find her cousins, but as she looked up, she saw a slender figure at the corner ahead.

A smile appeared on her face as she unexpectedly recognized Princess Pingning arriving, just about to call out when she saw the person standing opposite her.

Xie Wanqing was taken aback, almost doubting her own eyes.

Why was her brother here as well?

In the distance, Xie YanYu stood under flowering trees, looking down at Princess Pingning before him.

From Xie Wanqing’s perspective, the two seemed to be engaged in some conversation.

Realizing this, she raised an eyebrow and quietly prepared to sneak closer, but a shadow appeared on the grass beneath her feet and her wrist was gently held through her sleeve by someone.

Startled, she turned around and met with a pair of warm eyes.

"Shh..." Pei Yuqing gestured for silence and leaned in, whispering, "If you go over, it might be awkward for them."

Xie Wanqing: "..."

She hadn’t intended to go directly over, she actually wanted to eavesdrop.

Embarrassed by his comment, Xie Wanqing turned her head aside, avoiding his gaze.