Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 58 - 56: The Winter of Snow Blindness

"That winter when I was fourteen, I suffered from snow blindness and couldn’t see. I came to the farm specially to recuperate. Here, I met a brother, well-read and knowledgeable, who played the zither beautifully and even taught me to play. Several times, he saw I was about to cry and would coax me by reading books and telling stories."

She paused for a moment and said, "Even my father was not that patient with me."

Pei Yuqing’s lips twitched slightly, his eyes showing helplessness.

Xie Wanqing ignored him and continued, "After my eye disease recovered and I could see, he disappeared. I didn’t know his age, didn’t know his identity, only remembering he told me his name was Pei Changqing."

"I searched throughout the tenant farmers on the estate and the nearby villages, but there were no families with the surname Pei. He was so knowledgeable, surely he wasn’t from an ordinary farmer’s family. I thought he was at least a scholar, went to look for him at the surrounding academies, but still found nothing."

She looked up at him and asked, "Was that Pei Changqing you?"

Pei Yuqing remained silent for a few breaths, then slowly nodded in acknowledgment, "It was me."

Xie Wanqing accused, "Why did you disappear back then?"

"..." Pei Yuqing hesitated slightly, then said, "You had an engaged fiancé you were deeply fond of, it was inappropriate for me to get too close to you."

He was very forthright, so forthright that Xie Wanqing was a bit stunned.

She recalled two winters ago, during those weeks of snow blindness, her eyes covered, the world devoid of color, as she came to the farm for recovery.

At that time, near the New Year, her parents were busy with affairs, her brother, a new third place in the imperial examination, had already entered court service and couldn’t be with her constantly. Only occasionally could they visit her on the farm.

That summer, Lu Ziyuan was ordered to escort the Crown Prince to Lingnan, leaving only with news he’d return before New Year.

So during the cold winter months, suffering from an eye disease, she was surrounded only by two close maidservants, without family or love beside her.

The letters written to Lu Ziyuan never received a reply. Normally it didn’t feel much, but a person sick, is always more fragile.

Xie Wanqing neglected her eye disease several times, feeling wronged and wanting to cry.

It was Pei Changqing, who appeared without warning, but gently and patiently coaxed, diverting her attention, keeping her from feeling sad or fearful.

He accompanied her through those days.

When Lu Ziyuan returned to the Capital and visited her at the farm, her eye disease had just healed, and she could remove the white silk covering her eyes.

But after Lu Ziyuan arrived, she couldn’t find that person anymore.

Seeing her search in high profile for a man, Lu Ziyuan was angered.

Xie Wanqing rarely disregarded his thoughts, stubbornly searched the nearby villages, but still to no avail, had to give up. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Thinking of herself searching everywhere that New Year’s, Xie Wanqing’s eyes reddened, stubbornly glaring at him.

Pei Yuqing couldn’t bear to see her look so aggrieved; his wrist instinctively lifted as if to soothe her clear and bright eyes.

Rationale returned, he stopped the movement, after a while, he moved his lips, explained, "I couldn’t let my presence affect you."

During those days, she treated him as a brother, trusted him immensely, with no defense, sharing many of her thoughts.

Said how much she liked Lu Family’s young master, their marriage arranged early, to be confirmed after she came of age.

Lu Ziyuan he’d met, not yet twenty but capable, a truly outstanding young man.

In terms of origin, ability, age, character, and appearance, he was a top figure among the emerging talents in the Capital.

Their match would be considered a splendid union in the Capital.

He was eleven years her senior, frail and sickly, burdened by heart troubles since childhood, liable to die any moment from cardiac overload, not long-lived.

How could he dare to appear before her in such a state?

His original plan was just to ensure she would marry and have children happily.

This was the girl cherished deep in his heart. If Lu Ziyuan treated her even better, was more patient, refrained from hurting her, didn’t keep a mistress, he wouldn’t have appeared before her in the first place.

Xie Wanqing blinked lightly, "Why do you think you’d affect me?"

Pei Yuqing looked at her quietly, didn’t speak for a long time, Xie Wanqing just waited, seemingly determined to get an answer.

After an indeterminate time, he lowered his gaze, said, "Do you think I can affect you now?"

Xie Wanqing: "..."

She froze for a moment, finally understanding his meaning.

He thought that perhaps after she met him back then...

Xie Wanqing’s lips moved slightly, unexpectedly this person seemed quite confident.

But undeniably, upon first meeting him, she was truly captivated.

Her expression was very lively, Pei Yuqing glanced at her for a while and asked, "What do you want me to agree to?"

"..." Xie Wanqing stayed silent, she worked hard to lay it out all evening, yet he just asked so directly.

After hesitating for several moments, she still couldn’t say it directly.

Last time, this person already rejected her once...

But thinking of the domineering Lu Ziyuan, she steeled herself and said, "Didn’t you notice?"

Pei Yuqing paused slightly, somewhat stunned.

Xie Wanqing pressed her lips together, straightforwardly said, "Have you ever thought about getting married?"

She emphasized, "With me."

Pei Yuqing’s eyelashes trembled, awkwardly turned his face away, not looking at her, "I’ve never considered..."

"Brother Changqing," Xie Wanqing interrupted him gently, "Think carefully, I’ve asked you this once before, you refused, this time is the last, are you sure you still want to refuse me?"

She lowered her head, her gaze fell on their crossed shadows, "If you refuse, then I won’t be able to talk to you calmly anymore."

Which girl wouldn’t harbor resentment towards a man who rejects her twice?

Fingers within her cuffs slowly curled up, Pei Yuqing’s downcast eyes full of struggle.

Xie Wanqing couldn’t sense his feelings, seeing he hadn’t spoken for a long while, disappointment swept over her again.

Only feeling she was indeed ridiculous for pressing him repeatedly.

Losing all dignity, she couldn’t stay any longer, turned to leave.

"Wanwan..." Pei Yuqing called her, his voice trembling slightly, "If you’re seeking marriage just to avoid Lu Ziyuan, there’s no need... Even if you don’t marry me, I won’t stand idly by."

Xie Wanqing halted, stopped her turning motion, looked at him, "You know what Lu Ziyuan did to me at your residence last time right?"

Although when he arrived, Lu Ziyuan didn’t continue any frivolous acts, but he said those obscene things.

Things like the taste being nice...

She pointed to her lips, "He kissed me."

Hands within cuffs suddenly clenched tightly, Pei Yuqing lowered his eyes, gaze settled on her pretty lip shape, expression shadowed.