Chapter 49:
With a “bang.”
“Is this bullying our Xie Family for having no one?” Xie Shu slammed the table and stood up, his anger fierce.
After Xie Yanyu sent his younger sister back to her courtyard, he went to find his father and reported the matter, but he didn’t mention the indecent details, only saying that Lu Ziyan saw his younger sister and then blocked her from leaving.
Seeing his father so furious, he said slowly, “Lu Ziyan is so arrogant, and in these two years, he has offended quite a few people. Tomorrow at the morning court session, there will surely be someone who brings him up in a memorial over this matter. Father, why not draft a memorial yourself and ask His Majesty to uphold justice.”
Xie Shu had exactly this intention, and after a moment’s thought upon hearing this, he summoned his confidant and instructed, “Go invite Lord Liu and Lord Jiang to the residence for a talk.”
These two lords were on good terms with the Xie Family and had influence at the imperial court. With the three of them submitting a joint memorial, even if His Majesty truly favored the Lu Family, he would have to give it some consideration.
After all, by both reason and sentiment, Lu Ziyan was clearly the one at fault this time.
While the Xie Family father and son were discussing how to seek justice, Madam Zheng, who had heard the news, had already arrived at her daughter’s Jianxia Courtyard.
After Xie Wanning bathed, she came out of the washroom and saw her mother waiting for her in the room.
Madam Zheng picked up a handkerchief and personally wrung out her daughter’s hair, gazing at her own young lady’s jade-like fair face in the bronze mirror, and said tenderly, “My daughter suffered grievance today.”
Xie Wanning’s nose tingled, and fearing her mother would worry, she forced a comforting tone, “He didn’t take any advantage either. He fought with the Pei Family guards, and with so many people watching, there are surely more people laughing at him than at me.”
After all, it was he who blocked the young lady from leaving after the engagement was broken off.
No matter who saw it, Lu Ziyan’s behavior today was truly lacking in grace and dignity.
While Xie Wanning was at most just a weak woman endlessly entangled by her former fiancé.
From another angle, the more Lu Ziyan was reluctant to let go, the more it proved how excellent Xie Wanning was.
It’s just that…
Madam Zheng pulled her daughter to sit down and carefully examined her complexion, probing, “Wanwan, tell your mother the truth. Does Young Lord Pei… does he have feelings for you?”
Xie Wanning was stunned and hesitated for a long time before telling the truth.
Apart from not mentioning the overly secretive matter of Pei Yuqing being the commander of the Qing Tian Guard, she recounted everything from their first meeting up to how he protected her today.
Madam Zheng was somewhat astonished as she listened, “You’re saying he has admired you for a long time, yet you don’t even remember when you met him?”
Her brows furrowed slightly, somewhat disapprovingly, “Calculating the ages, he is a full eleven years older than you.”
“I didn’t say I want to marry him,” Xie Wanning certainly couldn’t bring herself to say that she had proposed marriage and been rejected, so she only said softly, “Besides, being eleven years older isn’t a big deal. He looks like he’s only in his early twenties.”
Pei Yuqing had come to the Xie Residence just a few days ago, so Madam Zheng had of course seen him. Thinking back on it now, she couldn’t help but nod, “He truly is talented and handsome, and his temperament seems much better than Lu Ziyan’s.”
With Lu Ziyan’s dog-like temper, when the engagement between the two families was still in place, he hadn’t shown much interest, but now that it was broken off, he was clinging on relentlessly.
Relying on his martial power, he actually did something like blocking a girl and not letting her leave.
Comparing the two, Madam Zheng really didn’t think being eleven years older was a problem anymore.
“If Wanwan has feelings for him, your mother wouldn’t object…”
As she spoke, she hesitated again, “However, is Young Lord Pei’s health really as frail as the rumors say?”
…He doesn’t look like it though.
“Rumors mislead people. From my observations of him several times, he is very healthy.” Seeing her mother look satisfied, Xie Wanning quickly added, “Mother, don’t overthink it. I haven’t planned to marry yet.”
By her own heart, she had no intention of marrying at all. The tragic misery after marriage in her dream was still vivid, and she was thoroughly frightened.
Being a daughter by her parents’ side was far happier than being a wife or daughter-in-law to others.
It’s just that today, Lu Ziyan went so mad just seeing her admiring flowers alone with someone. If she remained unmarried in her boudoir, could he really let her live a peaceful life?
The thought of possibly being endlessly entangled by Lu Ziyan in the future made Xie Wanning feel darkness before her eyes.
The notion of casually finding someone to settle her marriage resurfaced strongly.
Today, before she was married, relying on their prior engagement relationship, his act of blocking her midway was though overbearing, but if seriously argued, he could claim it was lovesickness, unable to let go of his former fiancée and trying to win her back.
But once she married and became another man’s wife, if Lu Ziyan dared to block her again, it would be bullying a woman.
Once the thought of marrying to get rid of Lu Ziyan’s entanglement reemerged, it became unstoppable.
Madam Zheng stayed to have dinner with her daughter before leaving.
That night, Xie Wanning lay on the couch, tossing and turning as she thought of many things.
Counting the outside men she knew, if she really had to marry, Pei Yuqing was undoubtedly the best choice.
After all, Lu Ziyan’s mad vigor today still made her panic thinking back on it now. If she married into a family of lower status, he probably wouldn’t easily give up.
While Pei Yuqing had noble status, the Princess was His Majesty’s own elder sister, and her weight in His Majesty’s heart was not light.
He was His Majesty’s own nephew by blood, closely related, and the Princess had been hoping for him to marry for so many years…
If she really married into Duke Pei’s Mansion as the Young Lord’s Consort, even if Lu Ziyan was arrogant and had great merit, he would have to weigh his options.
Most importantly, Pei Yuqing had excellent character. Once the matter passed, if she wanted to regain her freedom, he surely wouldn’t refuse.
Thinking this way, Xie Wanning felt there was no better candidate than him.
If she really married such an upright and jade-like man, she surprisingly felt no aversion in her heart.
Just before falling asleep, Xie Wanning was still thinking that fortunately Lu Ziyan was leaving the capital for several months, giving her a chance to breathe.
At least giving her time to calm down and think carefully about what she should do.
Until her mind grew groggy from thinking, she finally fell asleep.
Perhaps because her sleep quality had been poor these days, or perhaps due to the fright during the day, after who knows how long, Xie Wanning felt thirsty and hazily opened her eyes, only to discover a dark shadow standing in front of the bed.
She thought it was her eyes playing tricks, but after blinking, the figure hadn’t disappeared. Startled, she bolted up and opened her mouth to shout halfway when her mouth was covered.
“It’s me,” the person’s voice was low and sank, patting her shoulder as if to soothe her. “The maidservants and old women guarding the courtyard at night have all been acupointed to sleep, but you still need to keep your voice down. Don’t alarm the guards patrolling the outer courtyard.”
After all, if she shouted and a group of guards rushed in, seeing a man standing in front of their eldest young lady’s bed…
A low chuckle came in the darkness, and the hand over her lips was released.
“Lu Ziyan!” Xie Wanning hugged the quilt and shrank to the corner of the bed, her voice urgent and angry, incredulous. “Are you insane!”
