Chapter 156:
Xie Wanning felt that what he said made sense, and that he only said such words out of concern for her, so she nodded very seriously.
Seeing the atmosphere was too serious, she smiled easily and said, “I understand, I will certainly keep your guidance in mind.”
He clearly knew she was deliberately teasing him, yet Ji Chengfeng still said, “We are of the same generation, no need for honorifics.”
Xie Wanning nodded accommodatingly, then asked curiously, “Cousin likes quiet and rarely goes out to banquets. Since he came here today, could it be that he has a young lady he favors and learned she would also come, so…”
As she spoke, she raised her brows with a smile, “Why not go perform in the beast taming field and win a rose branch to present to that young lady? Perhaps the marriage would come to fruition. If so, Aunt and my mother would be overjoyed.”
Madam Zheng, entrusted by her younger sister, was very concerned about this nephew’s marriage, almost the most pressing matter on her mind recently besides her own eldest son’s engagement.
And Xie Wanning, as daughter, could not bear to see Mother so worried, so naturally she had to share Madam Zheng’s concerns.
She originally thought her guess was correct, but Ji Chengfeng merely lifted his eyes to glance at her and said indifferently, “Cousin is overthinking it. I am to leave the capital in a few days by imperial decree for a southern inspection tour, so before leaving, I came specially to join in the fun.”
“…” Xie Wanning choked.
Join in the fun…
She looked toward the trunk of a towering tree not far away.
She really wanted to ask, since you’re here to join in the fun, why run here to hide in quiet?
After thinking it over, she did not continue but changed the subject: “Many thanks to Cousin for helping out today, otherwise if they had seen…”
“Just a small effort,” Ji Chengfeng said indifferently, “No need to thank me.”
Though he said so, Xie Wanning, having received the favor, could not possibly not express thanks.
Thinking that he was about to leave the capital, she asked with concern, “Then I wish Cousin a smooth southern inspection tour, steering clear of petty people, surrounded by loyal retainers, and an early perfect return to the capital.”
“Good,” Ji Chengfeng curved his lips in a faint smile, “I will certainly heed Cousin’s words, stay away from petty people, detour around the water marsh, and guard against disease.”
“…” Xie Wanning fell silent, feeling rather awkward.
She had only pretended to be a seer in a moment of desperation, but with him trusting and valuing it so much, she instead felt a bit embarrassed.
Facing each other silently, not knowing what to say, she turned sideways to look back the way they came and said dryly, “I’m going back. Do you want to continue hiding here in quiet?”
Ji Chengfeng was silent for a breath, then gave a low hum and said, “You go ahead. I’m taking my leave too.”
Xie Wanning frowned slightly. Today was an unusual arranged meeting banquet. Since he had come, he should have plans to meet young ladies, so why…
But after all, it was his private matter, and she had no reason to press, so she nodded lightly, curtsied, and bid farewell.
Ji Chengfeng stood under the peach tree, turning his gaze to her receding figure. Tender pink petals drifted down with the spring breeze, the scene very beautiful.
…………
Xie Wanning returned to her seat and had just sat down when Pei Yuxuan looked over from beside her. Before she could speak, Cao Ying’er from the other side said, “Wanwan, where did you go? We were just talking about not seeing you.”
The gentle and melodious voice entered her ears, and Xie Wanning’s hand paused slightly as she lifted her arm to pour wine, but her face showed no irregularity as she smiled very naturally, “There was a mishap in the kitchen. I went to check, but luckily it was nothing serious. You all just relax and enjoy.”
Cao Ying’er was about to say something more when Pei Yuxuan took her hand and pointed to the beast taming performance that had already begun in the arena, saying crossly, “Enough, why are you always staring at my sister-in-law? Look, that’s the place you should be staring at…”
Clearly, Pei Yuxuan had a good relationship with Cao Ying’er, so she made such a joke, but she did not know Imperial Consort Shu’s intention to betroth Cao Ying’er as First Prince’s Consort.
But what Xie Wanning cared about was not that; she looked at the two young ladies’ clasped hands, and her heart skipped a beat.
……Those hands of Cao Ying’er, who knew if they had been washed.
Just thinking that, she nearly wanted to pull Pei Yuxuan’s hand back.
Fortunately, she held back.
Cao Ying’er followed Pei Yuxuan’s words and looked toward the arena, her gaze subtly sweeping past Xie Wanning’s feet. When she saw the circle of mud on the edge of those small and exquisite embroidered shoes, the gentle smile at her lips instantly stiffened.
And Xie Wanning, looking around, gradually relaxed her lifted heart upon noticing quite a few people were not at their seats.
With so many people absent, even if suspecting someone had caught an adultery, it would not necessarily point to her, right?
However, even without Ji Chengfeng’s reminder, she could not possibly have much interaction with Cao Ying’er in the future.
After all, that scene just now had truly given her a great shock.
The second half of the beast taming performance had begun, but after witnessing such a thing, Xie Wanning had no mind to watch, though she did not want Cao Ying’er to notice anything unusual and could only force herself to appear very engrossed.
Until dusk fell in the west and the guests were seen off, her face ached from maintaining the smile all day.
She rubbed her cheeks, tilting her head to look at her elder brother who remained till the end and had yet to leave, asking curiously, “Elder Brother, do you have something to tell me?”
Xie Yanyu gave a soft hum, his gaze sweeping over the servants behind her.
Xie Wanning was greatly surprised. The brother and sister had never avoided servants when talking, but since Elder Brother indicated so, she naturally dismissed the attendants on both sides.
Once the surrounding attendants had retreated to a distance, Xie Wanning could not help but say, “Elder Brother, what secret do you have to tell me?”
Her eyelashes fluttered, her clear and limpid pupils full of curiosity.
“…” Xie Yanyu fell silent for a moment, reached out to flick her forehead, and said, “Be more steady. What does this look like?”
In his heart, though, he thought that his precious little sister seemed even more naive after marriage than when in the boudoir.
Evidently, her married life was comfortable, free of hardship, to maintain such naivety.
Her forehead flicked by the finger, Xie Wanning cried out in pain, hands covering her forehead as she whined, daring anger but not to speak.
Seeing this, Xie Yanyu thought he had really hurt her, pushed her hands aside, lowered his head to look, saw no red mark, still gently rubbed with his fingertip, but said helplessly in rebuke, “You’re getting more delicate.”
Xie Wanning huffed, saying nothing.
Xie Yanyu withdrew his hand, pondered for a moment, and said, “I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?” Xie Wanning’s gaze brightened.
“…” Xie Yanyu glanced at her, his fingers itching again, but he restrained himself and said, “I shouldn’t meddle in this matter, but I’m worried that perhaps because of me, the Commandery Princess made such a rash decision on the marriage.”
“Commandery Princess?” Xie Wanning was stunned for a moment, then instantly realized, “Is there something wrong with Zhao Rui?”
……It made no sense. How could Princess Duanyang not investigate thoroughly when selecting a husband for her daughter.
