Chapter 151

Based on this idea, there was a banquet with beast fighting performances to choose a husband for Princess Pingning.

Even the emperor praised loudly after hearing this. After all, any military general with real talent and ability was his favorite. What the Khan lacked most was generals who were loyal to the royal family.

The sister-in-law wanted to choose a husband, and as the eldest sister-in-law, Xie Wan Ning naturally helped to prepare.

She posted a message specifically for her relatives and friends.

The Pei and Xie families are in-laws. In addition to Xie Yanyu, the Xie family has two legitimate sons in the second branch, who are of course also on the invitation list.

Xie Ruyu had already arranged to get married to Duan Cheng half a month ago, but beast fighting performances are rare after all, so it would be nice to come and watch.

In addition, Zheng was concerned about her nephew, so she specifically reminded her daughter that Ji Chengfeng had not discussed marriage with Cao Ying'er, and that he was still in the capital, so she asked Xie Wan Ning to send him an invitation as well.

Although Ji Chengfeng is a scholar and may not meet Princess Duanyang's standards, almost all the noble ladies of marriageable age in the capital are present at the banquet, so there must be a good match for him.

With such busyness, time passed quickly and it was already mid-March, the day of the animal fighting performance.

It was spring, and the capital was sunny. Half a month ago, the nobles had taken off their thick fur cloaks and put on soft and delicate brocade and silk.

Today, the young men and ladies from various families, dressed in slim-fitting riding clothes, rode their horses out of the city to the beast fighting manor. Their cheerful laughter attracted the attention of countless people on the street.

Xie Wan Ning was originally going to ride in the carriage with her mother-in-law, but Princess Duan Yang waved her hand, looked at her eldest son beside her, and said with a smile: "There is no need for me to accompany you here. Go and coax your husband every night. I see that Chang Qing is not in a good mood these days."

"..." Xie Wan Ning was silent for a moment, then glanced sideways at the person beside her, and her eyes met that of the other person.

They were clearly a close couple, but she turned her head back as if she was burned and said hurriedly, "Yes."

As an experienced person, how could Princess Duanyang not see that the young couple might be feeling awkward? She didn't say much and got on the carriage, leaving Pei Yuqing and Xie Wan Ning looking at each other in bewilderment.

Xie Wan Ning lowered her head nervously. Although the two of them still dined together since the Lantern Festival banquet, they always felt awkward when getting along with each other.

Even being alone is rare.

...Even though he was so silent, the princess could tell that he was in a bad mood.

So, how bad is his mood?

"Want to ride a horse or a car?"

The man's cold voice interrupted her thoughts. Xie Wan Ning paused and said, "Let's take a carriage."

She is a woman now, and it is indeed not suitable for her to show up in public or ride a horse in the streets.

Pei Yuqing nodded lightly and asked someone to prepare the car.

It was still the same carriage, and after two months, the two sat opposite each other again.

Almost the moment she sat down, Xie Wan Ning felt a little regretful.

If she had known earlier, she should have chosen horse riding.

How could Pei Yuqing not notice how nervous she was? He raised his hand and pinched his brows, and said with a tired look, "What are you afraid of?"

What are you afraid of...

Xie Wan Ning choked and whispered, "I'm not afraid."

Pei Yuqing tilted his head and chuckled. He didn't say anything else, but looked out the window lazily. After a long while, he stopped smiling, lowered his eyes and said, "If you don't want to see me so much, then how about I leave Beijing?"

Leaving Beijing?

Xie Wan Ning was shocked, "Where are you going?"

"Something happened in Yangzhou, and the emperor wanted me to go there in person," Pei Yuqing said.

"Why so sudden..." Xie Wanning frowned: "How long will you be gone?"

Seeing her concerned expression, Pei Yuqing felt relieved and asked her softly, "You care about these things... I thought Wanwan was tired of me and didn't want to see me at all."

"I don't... mean to not want to see you... I just..." Whenever Xie Wan Ning thought about him leaving, her heart started to panic and she stuttered when she spoke. She felt even more uncomfortable when she heard him say that.

"Just what?" Pei Yuqing looked at her without blinking, "You don't want to see me, so why are you becoming more and more indifferent to me?"

"I'm not cold to you, I just don't know how to get along with you. You always lie to me...always lie to me..." Xie Wan Ning blinked desperately, holding back tears, "I'm a little afraid of your methods..."

Even though she tried hard to hold back her tears, her eyes were still a little moist, and the tip of her straight nose was tinged with red of grievance.

Pei Yuqing subconsciously raised his wrist, wanting to coax the person, but his hand stopped in mid-air and he slowly withdrew his hand.

"I won't lie to you again," he took a deep breath and said, "I promise you, no matter what happens from now on, I will never lie to you again."

...Even if you want to leave, even if you choose someone else, I will no longer play tricks on you or lie to you.

After saying this, Pei Yuqing felt a bitter taste in his throat.

How could she blame her for being cold? She should only blame him for acting recklessly and hurting her trust.

"When are you leaving? ... Can you not leave?"

Xie Wan Ning's mind was focused on his impending departure from Beijing. She was anxious and panicked, and was completely overwhelmed by this sudden news. She had no time to care about the previous deception.

The beloved girl stared at him with her watery eyes and asked him cautiously if she could not leave.

The man who boasted of his excellent self-control clenched his finger bones tightly, and soon stretched out his arms to hug the person in his arms as if surrendering.

He was eager and held her tightly. Before Xie Wan Ning could react, she was on his legs. The back of her neck was grasped by him. His deep voice reached her ears, "Why don't you want me to leave?"

"Hmm?" Before Xie Wan Ning could say anything, he lowered his head and approached, "Tell me, why don't you want me to leave?"

"I'm afraid you'll be in danger," Xie Wan Ning sat obediently on his lap, holding his sleeves with her hands, looking up and speaking with a crying voice: "Every state and prefecture is in chaos right now, I'm afraid something will happen to you."

"anything else?"

"……what?"

"Are you just afraid that I might be in danger?" Pei Yuqing tightened his jaw, lowered his head to her forehead, and stared at her with a torch-like gaze: "Is there anything else?"

Xie Wan Ning felt uneasy at his coercive look, and her throat felt dry. She swallowed hard, but she had no idea what to say to satisfy him.

Pei Yuqing closed his eyes. He didn't believe that this girl was his but had no feelings for him. But when he pressed her like this, she...

"Who do you like?" He couldn't hold back any longer and asked directly, "Tell me the truth, who is the one in your heart? ...Me, or Lu Ziyan?"

Upon hearing these words, Xie Wan Ning's pupils suddenly dilated, and she subconsciously wanted to lower her eyes to avoid his sight.