Chapter 18:
Entering the elegant hall, it was already filled with laughter and cheerful voices, extremely lively.
Seeing her leading Princess Pingning inside, the noble ladies inside hurriedly stood up to curtsy.
Xie Wanning, as the host, helped introduce them to each other before they all took their seats.
All young ladies of similar age, and Princess Pingning was not one to put on airs, so in no time she blended in with everyone and they started playing drinking games.
Amid the banquet, the young ladies’ laughter never stopped, with host and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Not long after, today’s protagonist Xie Ruyu also came in.
Seeing a stranger sitting so intimately beside her cousin, she was slightly taken aback.
These past few days, Xie Wanning had somewhat understood how much her little cousin loved sour things, and hurriedly introduced, “This is Princess Pingning of Duke Pei’s Mansion.”
Then to Pei Yuxuan, “This is our family’s second young lady; today is her coming-of-age ceremony.”
A commandery princess with rank, Xie Ruyu dared not neglect her and curtsied in greeting.
Pei Yuxuan held her arm, about to speak, when her gaze fell on her wrist, and she smiled faintly, “So Wanwan chose this jade bracelet to celebrate her own younger sister’s coming-of-age ceremony.”
Seeing Xie Ruyu look puzzled, she explained a few more sentences, rather enviously, “My family only has an elder brother, no sisters around my age.”
“If Xuan Jie Jie doesn’t mind, you can come visit me and my sisters often in the future.” Xie Wanning took one hand each and pulled them to sit down, though she didn’t take the words to heart.
Princess Duanyang indeed only had one son and one daughter, but Duke Pei’s Mansion also had collateral branches, and at worst, there were still the imperial clan’s commandery princesses who were her cousins.
Unexpectedly, Pei Yuxuan’s expression lit up with joy: “Then I’ll take it seriously; in a few days when I send you invitations, you mustn’t make excuses to decline.”
Xie Wanning naturally smiled and agreed.
The other noble ladies at the banquet also smiled and joined in the fun, “Commandery Princess, don’t forget us.”
They warmed pot after pot of wine, until everyone was slightly drunk, and Xie Wanning was also a bit tipsy, so she instructed the maidservants to clear the wine banquet.
She helped her friends, whose faces were flushed from drinking, into soft sedans one by one.
After seeing off the last noble guest, she heard Pei Yuxuan beside her say with a beaming smile, “First time at your residence, Wanwan, why not take me to tour the marquis’s estate back garden to dispel the smell of alcohol.”
Xie Wanning examined her complexion and saw that though she was slightly tipsy, her demeanor was clear-headed, so she led her toward the back garden.
Though the Xie Residence was hosting a banquet today, it was right at the time of the feast, with guests at the wine tables toasting and changing cups, few people strolling the garden.
The two young ladies strolled hand in hand, Xie Wanning as the host introducing the garden scenery very earnestly.
Until she saw Pei Yuxuan getting a bit tired from walking, she led her along another path, saying, “There’s a lakeside pavilion ahead; let’s rest there and brew a pot of tea to sober up.”
The viewing platform was set at the lakeside, perfect for admiring lotuses in summer and snow in winter.
But when they arrived, someone had already taken it.
It was Xie Yanyu with several of his friends.
Xie Wanning looked closely and it seemed Pei Yuqing was also up there.
Before she could confirm, Pei Yuxuan beside her said joyfully, “It’s your elder brother and my elder brother.”
The person who had proactively suggested touring the garden but had been absent-minded all along now had a slightly raised tone, clearly cheerful.
Xie Wanning’s heart stirred, somewhat puzzled, following her line of sight to… Xie Yanyu in the pavilion.
In that moment of hesitation, the people in the pavilion also noticed them, their gazes turning this way.
“Let’s go,” Pei Yuxuan took her arm and said, “My mouth is so dry after drinking; let’s go ask for a cup of tea.”
Xie Wanning had no time to voice opposition before being pulled up the steps; seeing her so elated, she finally confirmed in her heart the reason behind this commandery princess’s actions today.
…Truly, the drinker’s intent was not on the wine.
“Elder Brother, Young Lord Xie,” as soon as they reached the viewing platform, Pei Yuxuan smiled and said, “Wanwan and I got tired strolling the garden; we came up to beg a cup of tea.”
Xie Yanyu wore a long robe of azure, wide sleeves slightly billowing in the wind; hearing this, he nodded slightly, lifted his hand to leisurely pour two cups of tea, “Commandery Princess, please.”
His voice was clear and pleasant, every movement carrying his unique charm, paired with that extraordinary face, indeed very capable of stirring a young lady’s heart.
Only as his sister did Xie Wanning know that her elder brother could only deceive people with that face.
Not only was he rigid and dull, he also had the pedantic temperament of a stern tutor, the type who loved lecturing most.
The commandery princess actually liked her elder brother!
Servants added two chairs; as Xie Wanning sat down, her mind was still recalling those dreams where she had married into the Lu Family for two years and her elder brother still hadn’t taken a wife.
She didn’t know if at that time the commandery princess had married.
Seeing his sister absent-minded, Xie Yanyu frowned slightly: “Drunk?”
“…Drank some,” Xie Wanning came back to herself, held up two fingers, and whispered, “Two pots in total.”
As she spoke, she took a shallow sip from the teacup to suppress the smell of alcohol, then said, “I’m not drunk.”
“Young Lord Xie seems truly a strict elder brother.” Pei Yuxuan looked at Xie Yanyu and smiled, “Wanwan, don’t be afraid; none of us are drunk.”
“…” Xie Wanning saw through her intentions and pursed her lips, lowering her head in silence.
Suddenly, at the edge of her vision appeared a man’s hand, slender finger bones gripping the teapot, steadily refilling her empty cup.
Xie Wanning tilted her head to look and met a pair of gentle eyes; she was slightly stunned, only then realizing the one sitting beside her was actually Pei Yuqing.
Perhaps because they were sitting closer this time, Xie Wanning found this person seemed even more handsome, with gentle eyebrows and eyes, refined nose, clearly still carrying a clean youthful air.
Not at all like someone in his twenties.
Until the person before her trembled his eyelashes and turned away, Xie Wanning suddenly realized she had stared too long.
She coughed lightly in some embarrassment and picked up the teacup to drink it all down.
Fortunately, her elder brother and the others were all drawn by Princess Pingning’s attention, no one noticing her boldness.
…Boldness.
What a rare word, actually appearing on her.
Xie Wanning felt thoroughly off; she sat with perfect posture, seemingly listening calmly to their conversation, but in truth was extremely uncomfortable all over.
The person beside her refilled her cup again.
Nervous people always unconsciously want to do something, and Xie Wanning was the same.
She picked it up and drank it down in one go.
Pei Yuqing continued to pour full, and Xie Wanning didn’t hold back, continuing to drink.
After three cups like this, Xie Yanyu’s gaze glanced over, reminding, “Tea should not be overconsumed either.”
“Yes,” Xie Wanning reflexively set down the teacup in her hand and nodded obediently, “I know.”
This obedient appearance made the youth beside her curve his lips slightly.
Pei Yuxuan even burst out laughing with a ‘puchi’, her gaze sparkling as she looked at him, praising, “Elder Brother Xie is truly a good elder brother.”
