Chapter 119:
Her own branch had flourishing descendants, which brought glory to Zhao Shi’s face; even in front of the princess sister-in-law, her back straightened even more.
Hearing her words, Xie Wanning instantly understood.
Zhao Shi must have noticed something and knew that she had not yet consummated.
What she was thinking in her heart was unknown to anyone, but from her eager indirect probing, one could guess a thing or two.
Fortunately, Xie Wanning was quite confident and felt no guilty conscience upon hearing this; she casually brushed it off: “Thank you for your concern, Aunt, but matters of offspring are all destined by heaven; just let nature take its course, they won’t come by rushing.”
Zhao Shi’s smile on her face remained unchanged, but her hands trembled faintly with excitement.
No matter what she said, Zhao Shi took it as her being stubborn.
More than three months since marriage, the couple seemed to have good affection, yet her niece-in-law was still a virgin…
Zhao Shi had never truly extinguished those thoughts in her heart; almost instantly they surged back, the flame named hope burning ever brighter, nearly bursting from her eyes.
Having dealt with this sister-in-law for decades, Princess Duanyang saw through her thoughts with just a glance; she smiled faintly, merely amused by the sight.
She had long made up her mind in her heart: even if she never got to hold her own grandson in this lifetime, the Duke’s Estate’s title would not fall to the eldest branch that daily hoped for her son’s line to end without offspring.
During the banquet, adults were toasting and chatting merrily, but the young ladies led by Princess Pingning could not sit still; the sisters of the same hall happily ran out together to play games.
Princess Duanyang watched her daughter’s carefree appearance and smiled at her daughter-in-law: “You go play with them too, no need to stay here accompanying us.”
Xie Wanning obediently rose to take her leave.
Sitting among so many madams, she indeed felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Outside the courtyard.
The descendants from several uncles’ families were numerous; everyone shared the same roots and origins, and it was rare to gather like this, so it was already lively chaos.
The young ladies formed a pitch-pot game; Xie Wanning, considering herself already married and grown up, had no intention to join, so she leaned on the railing, quietly watching these vibrant young ladies, a smile unconsciously appearing on her face.
A figure suddenly appeared beside her; Xie Wanning turned her head to look—a young lady of just sixteen, with refined beauty, was smiling at her.
“Aunt not going to play a round?”
It was Pei Lin, the eldest granddaughter of the eldest branch of the Pei Family.
Being called aunt by someone of the same age, even after three months of marriage, Xie Wanning still was not used to it.
She did not show it on her face, only nodded calmly and said very dignifiedly: “This is something only you children play.”
After saying this, she originally did not bother to look at the other’s expression, but at that moment, a man’s laughter came from behind.
Xie Wanning turned back with Pei Lin.
Several young masters strolling in the garden had unknowingly come behind; separated from here by just a long corridor, the leading laughing man had handsome eyebrows and refined eyes, extraordinary demeanor; seeing her look over, his expression stiffened slightly before his smile deepened.
Xie Wanning frowned slightly; she could not remember clearly the Pei Family’s nephews and nieces, but she still recognized the Second Prince of the court.
But at today’s Pei Family family banquet, what was the Second Prince doing here?
Coming to pay respects to his aunt?
Thinking this in her heart, her body already reacted quickly; she curtsied: “Greetings to the Second Prince.”
“No need for formalities.” The Second Prince paused, then smiled: “…Cousin-in-law.”
“…”
Xie Wanning’s expression was somewhat unsightly; the address cousin-in-law was indeed correct, but hearing it from this debauched prince made it feel laced with teasing.
As the atmosphere grew somewhat tense, Pei Lin nearby looked in another direction: “Second Uncle and the others are here.”
Second Uncle…
Xie Wanning turned her head, and at first glance, she saw that tall, jade-like man, like a clear breeze and bright moon.
She was stunned for a few moments, then her gaze brightened, unmasked delight blooming on her lips.
Wind blew her dress, the slender waist sash swaying with the breeze; the stunningly beautiful young lady tilted her head smiling at the approaching man, utterly unaware of how criminally alluring she was.
Pei Yuqing’s breathing stopped for an instant; upon reaching her, he took her hand, and at the moment their fingers touched, he frowned: “Why didn’t you bring a hand warmer out.”
Xie Wanning tucked her hand into his palm, tilting her head up at him with a smile: “I’m not cold.”
Compared to her earlier frosty aloofness, she was now both coquettish and charming; even Pei Lin could not help but look a few more times.
The smile on the Second Prince’s face completely froze; after a pause of a few breaths, he slowly smiled: “As expected, newlyweds have good affection; look at Cousin now, truly no different from a changed man.”
The previous Pei Yuqing would not even hold a young lady’s hand while smiling like spring breeze; his temperament was so indifferent he barely spared people a glance.
Regardless of gender.
And due to his health, he rarely even attended banquets, in a complete state of seclusion, very mysterious.
Being teased, Pei Yuqing felt no discomfort, merely lowering his head to gaze at the young lady before him, his eyebrows and eyes full of gentleness.
Being looked at like this, Xie Wanning inevitably felt some sweetness in her heart, like a hot spring bubbling up sweet foam.
The Second Prince did not stay long; after chatting a few words, he went to the flower hall to pay respects to Princess Duanyang, then soon took his leave.
The family banquet was also nearing its end; Xie Wanning arranged everything properly, then returned to Xuan Hua Courtyard with Pei Yuqing.
The weather was chilly, but Xie Wanning was in the mood to admire the scenery; instead of taking a sedan, she pulled her husband to walk together, taking in the garden views along the way.
On the way, she asked curiously: “Why did the Second Prince come?”
Pei Yuqing hid nothing from her and directly explained: “Probably learned that the Qing Tian Guard is in my hands and couldn’t resist coming to test the truth.”
An institution like the Qing Tian Guard had been the Great Khan’s eyes and ears since its founding; every leader had been a renowned powerful minister shocking the court.
Over these years, the Qing Tian Guard’s name had gradually faded from public view; many officials assumed it had fallen into decline, become the Emperor’s discarded pawn, unlikely to regain its former glory.
The Second Prince, having somehow learned the news that the Qing Tian Guard was in Pei Yuqing’s hands, naturally could not resist coming to test amid his shock and doubt.
Thinking this way, Xie Wanning said no more.
The two walked hand in hand for a stretch until Xuan Hua Courtyard’s courtyard gate was visible in the distance; Pei Yuqing softly said: “In the future, remember to stay away from the Second Prince.”
“Why do you say that?” Xie Wanning was stunned: “I’m not familiar with him to begin with.”
She thought he was jealous again, but he said: “The Second Prince is indulgent and reckless, with flaws in private morality.”
Xie Wanning strongly agreed: “The Second Prince is debauched by nature; his estate is full of flocks of songbirds and swallows—I had already heard of it from my boudoir.”
“Not only that, he has a secret quirk,” Pei Yuqing stopped walking, pulled her shoulder closer, somewhat hesitant to speak: “His prince’s estate often sees married women coming and going… and several unmarried noble ladies too.”
