Chapter 42:
Xie Wanning patted the spot beside her uncomfortably, “Xuan Jie Jie, sit for a bit.”
Pei Yuxuan sat down as instructed, the smile on her face not diminishing at all. Xie Wanning pushed her irritably, “What are you smiling at me for.”
“I’m not smiling at you, I’m smiling at my elder brother. Ever since I can remember, I’ve never seen him like this. If my mother finds out…”
She chuckled, as if thinking of something, and said, “At the beginning of next month, my mother will hold a flower appreciation banquet, inviting young masters and young ladies from various families as guests. Wanwan, you must come.”
Xie Wanning was slightly stunned upon hearing this but did not respond.
Princess Duanyang was holding a flower appreciation banquet out of the blue, inviting the younger generation—what else could it be for? Did it even need to be said?
Over these years, such flower appreciation banquets had been held several times almost every year without exception, all to select a young lord’s consort for Pei Yuqing.
It was just a pity that it had never succeeded.
Xie Wanning had been engaged to Lu Ziyan since she was ten, so she had naturally never attended one.
Seeing her silent, Pei Yuxuan leaned closer and whispered, “Wanwan, when did you meet my elder brother?”
There were only the two of them in the room; the maidservants had all withdrawn, so she asked very directly.
“Don’t tell me that at your cousin’s coming-of-age banquet that day was the first time you met. I could tell something was off between you two that time,” Pei Yuxuan smiled meaningfully. “Don’t think my elder brother’s temperament is all gentle and soft. I’ve never seen him pour tea for any young lady.”
Not to mention entering a young lady’s boudoir to check her pulse, and even worrying she would find it bitter, specially sending medicinal cuisine.
With such attentive care, who would believe they had just met?
Xie Wanning was speechless at the question.
She thought for a moment and felt herself quite innocent, so she said, “You should ask your brother when he first saw me.”
“Before my cousin’s coming-of-age banquet, I had only met him once at Yuxuan Teahouse. My elder brother was there too—that was the first time I remember seeing him.”
Although thinking back now, that person had already seemed a bit off at the time.
After all, who gives such an expensive gift to a good friend’s younger sister the first time they meet?
Pei Yuxuan let out an enlightened “oh” and grinned mischievously, “So, it was my elder brother who unilaterally took a fancy to you.”
Xie Wanning glared at her speechlessly, unable to say another word.
Pei Yuxuan nudged her with an elbow and leaned even closer, whispering, “So, do you have feelings for my elder brother?”
“…” Xie Wanning choked and pushed her away a bit, saying, “Don’t meddle in these things.”
Pei Yuxuan still wanted to say a few good words for her elder brother when she heard her add, “I won’t meddle in your matters with my elder brother, and you aren’t allowed to meddle in my matters with your elder brother either.”
Very well, now it was Pei Yuxuan’s turn to be speechless.
Her face gradually flushed red.
Seeing this, Xie Wanning smiled, “You didn’t think I couldn’t tell, did you?”
Worried her good friend would be embarrassed, she didn’t mention running into her at Qu Cheng Marquis’s Estate that day and only said, “When you see my elder brother, your eyes light up. Anyone can tell something’s off.”
Pei Yuxuan fidgeted for a moment and said somewhat annoyed, “But your elder brother seems uninterested in me.”
“…” How was Xie Wanning supposed to respond to that?
Thinking of Xie Yanyu’s distant attitude, she sighed.
Her elder brother was good in every way; he was just oblivious.
As he grew older, it was practically worrying their parents to death.
But then she thought, Pei Yuqing, who was much older than Xie Yanyu, was still unmarried, so Princess Duanyang and Duke Pei must be even more anxious.
He was their only heir, after all.
…………
Just as Xie Wanning thought, Princess Duanyang was indeed very worried about her eldest son’s marriage.
The main purpose of this flower appreciation banquet was indeed to select a young lord’s consort for him; additionally, Princess Pingning had also reached marriageable age.
Thus, over the next few days, invitations were sent out from Duke Pei’s Mansion to the prominent families in the capital city.
Almost every family with eligible young ladies or young masters received an invitation.
Including Xie Family.
Among Xie Family young ladies, besides Xie Wanning, Xie Ruyu had just come of age and was not yet betrothed.
As for the young masters, eldest branch young lord Xie Yanyu, and second branch Xie Yanhai and Xie Yan Song were also unmarried.
Xie Wanning originally had no intention of joining the excitement. She had finally broken off her engagement—what was the point of attending this kind of banquet that practically screamed ‘arranged meeting’?
But Madam Zheng did not think so.
She was unaware of Duke Pei’s Mansion young lord’s feelings for her daughter, but she knew this flower appreciation banquet at Duke Pei’s Mansion would be attended by the capital’s most outstanding young talents—a rare opportunity. Naturally, she wanted her daughter to make an appearance.
If she could find a suitable young master again, that would be best; if not, it didn’t matter—they could take it slow.
In any case, as a mother, she had to worry about her children’s lifelong events.
Xie Wanning’s occasional mutterings about never marrying were seen by Madam Zheng and Xie Shu as disappointment over her relationship with Lu Ziyan, leading to some disillusionment. It would get better after some time.
Life always moves forward; no one stays stuck in the past forever.
A flower-like young lady would never stay unmarried for life.
Therefore, with Madam Zheng and Aunt Madam Liu’s strong urging, both Xie Wanning and her cousin Xie Ruyu decided to attend the banquet.
Madam Zheng placed great importance on this being her daughter’s first outing after breaking the engagement and specially prepared outfits for her.
Early this morning, Xie Wanning rose early, changed into the outfit her mother had prepared, and went to Jinxiu Hall to pay respects.
When she arrived at Jinxiu Hall, the sun had just risen not long ago; even the dew from the night had not fully dried, yet Aunt Madam Liu and her cousin Xie Ruyu were already waiting inside.
Seeing her enter, everyone’s gazes brightened.
Xie Ruyu came forward, took her hand, and smiled, “Elder Sister looks truly beautiful today.”
Xie Wanning wore a consort-colored ruqun, with a matching shawl draped over her arm, a jade banbu hanging at her waist, her hair in a flying immortal bun adorned with a gold bell buyao. As she walked, there was a faint, ethereal tinkling sound.
She was already born with delicate and charming beauty, her pair of bright, watery eyes especially radiant. A single smile from her could almost make one lose their soul.
Madam Liu looked at her several times and praised, “Our family’s Wanwan is indeed more delicate than a flower.”
Being praised repeatedly, Xie Wanning felt a bit uncomfortable, just as Xie Yanyu arrived.
Madam Zheng smilingly gave a few instructions and, seeing everything prepared, urged them to set out early. “My daughter has been cooped up at home these days—go and enjoy yourselves fully.”
Since breaking the engagement, Xie Wanning had fallen ill once and hadn’t gone out properly. She ate medicinal cuisine every day; though the taste was good, it was too bland. It was fine for a few meals, but after days of it, she was already fed up.
Pei Yuqing’s side sent three meals a day without fail. Xie Wanning couldn’t bear to waste his good intentions, but mealtimes were truly painful for her.
Dear ones, just a heads-up—we passed PK2.
PK3 is about to start; this is the final round, so get your tickets ready~~~
Don’t forget to read ahead too; I’m about to add updates~~
