No reproach, no blame, his care softened Xie Wanqing’s nose.

She gently shook her head, guilt washing over her as mist pooled in her eyes.

Xie YanYu and Ji Chengfeng had already withdrawn, along with the attendants who quietly left.

The grand courtyard was left with only the two of them.

Pei Yuqing wanted to hug her, but her belly was too large, leaving him unsure of how to proceed.

"Don’t stand," his voice was a bit hoarse. After helping her to sit down slowly, he asked, "How many months?"

It was truly a ridiculous scene.

They used to be husband and wife; even the last time they met, they were whispering sweet nothings, deeply in love.

Yet, upon meeting again, she was pregnant with another man’s child, and he calmly asked how many months along she was.

Xie Wanqing swallowed dryly and answered.

Seeing her embarrassment, Pei Yuqing sighed gently, carefully holding her hand, and said, "I don’t blame you."

As soon as the words fell, Xie Wanqing couldn’t hold back her tears anymore, and her emotions spiraled out of control, crying and continuously saying sorry.

Pei Yuqing had never seen this proud girl cry like this, and suddenly felt a little flustered.

"Don’t cry," he raised his hand to wipe away her tears, but her always vibrant and confident almond eyes were like waterfalls now and couldn’t be stopped. After coaxing her a bit, he helplessly stood up, moved in front of her, and pressed her face into his waist and abdomen.

"I really don’t blame you," he spoke in a low voice, as if afraid to scare her, very tenderly, "You’re just a young girl; in such a situation, no matter what happens, you’re not to blame." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Not even Lu Ziyuan.

If not for Lu Ziyuan, his Wanwan would’ve been taken to Jin Country.

Though he spoke to Lu Ziyuan with righteousness, saying all the troubles began because of him,

only Pei Yuqing knew how deeply he hated his own incompetence.

If only he had been more ruthless, if he hadn’t been delayed and returned to the Capital within three months as promised, his Wanwan wouldn’t have gone through this.

Wouldn’t have been seized by Jin Wuji, wouldn’t have been rescued by Lu Ziyuan.

Thus, she wouldn’t have altered her perception of Lu Ziyuan due to gratitude, nor would she have fled from his side out of guilt.

She was raised in privilege and luxury, never experiencing the humiliation of falling into enemy hands.

The person who saved her was Lu Ziyuan, and her change of heart toward him was natural.

Pei Yuqing saw clearly that this girl was willing to abandon her identity and family, discard readily attainable status, and flee the Northern Land just for him.

Now, having her alive and standing before him is a heaven-sent fortune, how could he bear to blame her?

The child...

Whether the child is Lu Ziyuan’s or someone else’s... does not matter.

What matters is she is still alive.

Xie Wanqing, crying and gasping, was suddenly pressed into his waist, causing her sobs to become muffled.

Soon, she finally stopped shedding tears.

Then, Pei Yuqing released her and slowly crouched down.

His height allowed him to meet her gaze at eye level when crouched.

At the moment their eyes met, Xie Wanqing turned her face away in guilt, "Aren’t you angry?"

Her voice was trembling, "This is Lu Ziyuan’s child."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuqing’s first reaction was actually a sigh of relief.

...Just now, he had prepared for the worst outcome.