Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 95 - 87:

Lu Ziyuan held Xie Wanqing in such high regard that he rushed back to the Capital in just a few days and nights, solely to prevent her from marrying someone else. Needless to say, the person most displeased with this situation would be His Majesty the Emperor.

This displeasure was not directed at his trusted lieutenant but rather at Xie Wanqing.

In these turbulent times of the Empire, Lu Ziyuan was a rising star among the younger generation in the field of military talent, having never lost a battle despite numerous campaigns eastward, westward, suppressing unrest, and eliminating bandits.

Meanwhile, Pei Yuqing, with his sharp mind and extraordinary capabilities, gradually reversed the decline of Qingtian Guard over the years, nearly restoring it to its peak. Nothing stirred in any state or county without his knowledge.

The two of them were talents in command and strategy most trusted and valued by His Majesty the Emperor.

But now, they were at odds over a woman, causing the Empire’s twin stars to be in discord.

The Emperor’s slightly indifferent attitude was sensed not only by the Empress and Consort Shufei, but Xie Wanqing herself also felt it.

In fact, in those dreams, after she married into the Wuyuan Marquis Mansion, she had accompanied Lu Ziyuan to attend several banquets in the palace. The Emperor’s attitude towards her was gentle, and he even bestowed a pair of top-grade jade Ruyi on her.

She understood why she was being cold-shouldered this time and thus sat quietly beside Pei Yuqing, saying nothing like an invisible person.

No one dared bring up last night’s farce in the hall.

The Empress, dressed in her usual attire, smiled and said, "They say joy refreshes a person; Changqing does indeed look much healthier."

When it came to health, the Emperor’s expression became serious, and he asked, "Have you had the Imperial Physicians routinely check your safety pulse?"

"Thank Your Majesty and Consort for your concern," Pei Yuqing replied, "I am well in every way."

The Emperor’s expression softened slightly and continued, "You’re nearing thirty now, and since you’ve settled down, have you considered when to enter the court and share the burdens of governance with me?"

In public, Pei Yuqing was merely a free spirit who found joy in nature, and few in the Capital knew that Qingtian Guard was under his control.

Xie Wanqing lowered her eyes, fiddling with the sachet at her waist, listening idly to their conversation when a peeled grape suddenly appeared before her eyes.

The man’s skin was very fair, and the purple-red grape juice slowly trickled down his long fingers, the intense, abrupt color striking her eyes. Xie Wanqing was momentarily stunned, hesitant to open her mouth.

As she reached out to take it, the hand dodged away, then came closer to her lips, affirming, "It’ll dirty your hands."

Xie Wanqing: "..."

Feeling the gaze of several important figures in the hall on her, she turned her head to glare at the culprit only to meet a pair of gentle, smiling eyes.

She hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly opened her mouth to eat the grape, fearing he might continue with his antics, and promptly took out a handkerchief to spit out the seeds.

Pei Yuqing helplessly retracted his hand as he was about to peel another grape but was softly stopped by Xie Wanqing, "I don’t want to eat anymore."

Observing the sweet affection of this newlywed couple, the expressions of the others in the hall varied. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The Emperor, impatient with the display of affection, drained his jade cup in one gulp and stood, "Come, let’s go to the front hall and have a chat."

Pei Yuqing was startled and hadn’t yet spoken when Consort Shufei teased, "The Princely Heir needn’t worry; your wife won’t be lost. You can pick her up at my palace later."

"Wanwan hasn’t visited the palace in a long time. Since she’s here, of course she should come to my palace and sit for a while."

With that said, Pei Yuqing had nothing left to say. He wiped his hands clean with a handkerchief, softly instructed Xie Wanqing with a few words, and then stood to leave.

After the Emperor departed, the Empress remained to speak privately with Xie Wanqing for a while.

The current Empress was the successor, not the Emperor’s legitimate wife. During the late Empress’s time, she was Lady Lian Fei, favored above others in the six palaces. After the late Empress passed away, she was established as Empress and maintained her favor over the years.

Since she ascended to the position of Empress, the Emperor exempted her from the triennial selection, leaving the harem empty, and no other concubines bore offspring thereafter.

Yet despite being highly favored, the Empress only bore the sixth prince and the second princess, both born when she held the position of a concubine.

Notably, the sixth prince didn’t survive infancy, but the second princess grew up safely.

Currently, the Emperor has only four Princes. The eldest, born of Consort Shufei, is already in his twenties, and even the youngest of the four, the fourth prince, has grown up.

Although the Emperor is still healthy, with age advancing, the struggle for succession among the princes is already an undercurrent.

The position of Crown Prince remains vacant, and none of the four princes is legitimate. As the eldest, the Crown Prince is seen as virtuous and talented, well-respected by the court ministers, and appears to have the most potential.

The position of Crown Prince Consort is almost equivalent to the future Empress, so Consort Shufei was extremely cautious in her selection, only finalizing the engagement with the granddaughter of Liu family’s elder at the beginning of the year.

If not for fear of the Emperor’s apprehension, Consort Shufei’s choice would have been a daughter from a family of generals for her son. Nevertheless, the Liu family’s status as a civil servant family, known for its strict adherence to rules, ensured the granddaughter was upright and virtuous, fitting for the future Empress.

Adding to this, her niece’s earlier engagement to someone from the Wuyuan Marquis Mansion and Lu Ziyuan’s considerable military reputation further strengthened the Crown Prince’s position.

Previously, Xie Wanqing thought that insisting on calling off her engagement to Lu Ziyuan would displease her aunt in the palace, but this meeting proved otherwise. Her aunt remained gentle, and Xie Wanqing felt touched.

Perhaps due to the lingering sorrow of losing a child, the Empress, in her early forties, appeared older even compared to Consort Shufei, who had served the Emperor since his time as a Prince. Her dignified demeanor in a bright yellow dress commanded respect as she warmly ordered the palace maid to serve more tea.

Consort Shufei sat below her, maintaining a respectful and humble demeanor, while Xie Wanqing listened quietly to their discussion, only speaking when addressed.

After finishing a pot of tea, the Empress waved her hand with a smile, "Look at me, keeping you all for so long, I must have interrupted your conversation with your niece."

Consort Shufei quickly expressed she dared not complain.

The Empress rubbed her forehead wearily, smiling as she dismissed them.

Consort Shufei performed a respectful curtsey, and after the Empress left, she led her niece out of Changchun Palace.

Aunt and niece boarded the palanquin together and returned to Yanxiang Palace.

As soon as they stepped down from the palanquin, Xie Wanqing noticed a young man wearing a python robe in the courtyard.

Promptly, she saluted, "Greetings to the Crown Prince."

"There’s no need for such formality," now in her own territory, Consort Shufei dropped her formal demeanor, smiling, "This is your cousin, and there’s no one else around, no need for such courtesy."

The Crown Prince Qi Mingsheng also smiled, "Mother is right; no need for formality, cousin."

Xie Wanqing smiled subtly.

The autumn breeze was cool and not ideal for lingering; the three of them entered the hall.

Consort Shufei held her niece’s hand as they sat down, observing her complexion and showing concern, "Were you frightened last night?"

Finally, they mentioned the previous night’s incident, confirming that anyone in the palace with any connection had indeed heard of Lu Ziyuan’s intrusion into the new marital chamber.

Xie Wanqing was momentarily stunned and slowly shook her head.

With a sympathetic pat on her hand, Consort Shufei continued, "That rascal is utterly reprehensible, but for now, we cannot act against him. Let him be arrogant for a while, once your cousin ascends to power..."

Her eyes turned sharply cold as she spoke.