Wang Hezhan suddenly opened his eyes, staring at her with a cold and indifferent gaze.
Yan Yuan was startled by his appearance, and unconsciously tightened her grip on her handkerchief, her expression becoming more composed.
He withdrew his gaze, picked up the teacup beside him, lifted the lid, and spoke in a calm voice.
“If a pawn in a marriage alliance dies quietly in the Wang family, no one will seek justice for you. After all, it’s not impossible to bring in another legitimate daughter for the marriage alliance.”
He paused, then looked up at her.
"Yan Yuan, don't you think so?"
Marriage alliances between aristocratic families to consolidate power are the most common means. Yan Yuan is only the legitimate daughter of the fourth branch of the main family. She knows in her heart that the Yan family will not go against the Langya Wang clan for her sake. After all, moving one thing will affect the whole situation.
"you--"
Wang Hezhan had been traveling for several days and was exhausted. He had no interest in arguing with her, so he leaned back and closed his eyes.
"go out."
Yan Yuan glared at him fiercely and left.
After she left, the room became quiet.
Wang Hezhan rubbed his temples, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He had just reached the age to be engaged, and his mother was constantly worried about his marriage, so he agreed to the marriage with the Yan family. If he had known that marrying a woman would be so troublesome, he would have preferred to let his sixth brother marry her.
He lowered his eyes, recalling that delicate and gentle face, and couldn't sleep anymore, so he simply got up and went out.
Wang Hezhan ordered his servants to ride horses to Chunfeng Pavilion. Upon entering the private room on the second floor, he saw Xie San sleeping and Cui Si playing chess.
Several other young masters from prominent families sat nearby, drinking and joking as they lay on the bare breasts of their female attendants, indulging in debauchery and licentiousness.
He walked in without changing his expression, sat down next to Cui Si, and picked up the wine pot to pour wine.
"Why are you back so soon?"
Cui Linyuan looked at the chessboard on the table and smiled faintly.
"There was nothing to stay in the Southeast, so I returned ahead of schedule."
"Ha, you've been gone for so long with nothing to do."
As Wang Hezhan spoke, he leaned back on the couch, his eyes catching sight of the moaning maidservant. He picked up a wine jar and smashed it over her shoulder.
"Wang San, what's wrong with you?"
Lu Fu hurriedly shook off the maid, pulled up his underpants, and cursed angrily.
Wang Hezhan sneered, "Go outside and flirt with your lust."
"---"
The other young masters from prominent families, displeased, took their beautiful maids and went to play next door.
A maidservant gently knocked on the door and entered. She put away the candles, whips, and other items, cleaned up the mess, burned incense, added tea, and then respectfully withdrew.
Xie Xuan was woken up by their noise. He opened his eyes and sat up lazily.
He glanced at the two people opposite him and smiled with narrowed eyes.
"You're back?"
Wang Hezhan held the black chess piece in his hand, not turning his head, and spoke coldly.
“Your half-sister would rather stay in Fancheng than come back.”
Xie Xuan said slowly, "There are countless illegitimate daughters from collateral branches, and many of them look just like her. Shall I pick a few and send them to you?"
"Keep it for yourself."
Hearing his complaints, Xie Xuan stopped talking, picked up the cloak from the shelf, and got up to leave.
After leaving Chunfeng Pavilion, he went straight to a temple in the suburbs.
The sound of bells echoes as an ancient temple stands majestically atop a secluded mountain.
Xie Xuan went up the stone steps, entered the temple, and headed straight for the peach blossom forest on the back mountain.
In mid-spring, the garden is full of peach blossoms, and a perfect couple sits under the tree, chatting happily.
"Sanlang?"
Xie An looked up and saw the person who had come, a look of surprise and doubt flashing in his eyes.
When Wang Wan heard Xie Er's gentle voice from the other side, she suddenly froze and turned around.
The man walked over with a smile, wearing a flamboyant red robe, his eyebrows and eyes arrogant and unrestrained.
"Second brother, sister-in-law."
Xie An couldn't help but laugh and ask, "With your temperament, why are you coming to a temple?"
"Isn't this to see my second brother?"
Xie Er was in poor health, and once winter arrived, he would stay at home and not come out.
The season was perfect, so he came to stay at the temple for a while. Seeing that the peach blossoms on the back mountain were in full bloom, he invited his fiancée to come and enjoy the flowers together.
Unexpectedly, his younger brother came to visit him.
"Thank you for your kindness. Please have a seat."
Xie Xuan smiled and sat down, glancing at Wang Wan, who had lowered her head, seemingly casually.
Xie An poured him a cup of tea and said with a smile, "You and A-Wan have known each other since childhood, so there's no need for further introductions."
When Wang Wan was mentioned, she couldn't help but recall that night at the inn. Feeling uneasy, she picked up her teacup, pretended to drink tea, and responded with a smile.
"Of course, my sister-in-law vomited blood all over me the first time she met me."
He joked playfully, his eyes fixed intently on her.
Xie An seemed oblivious, and calmly inquired about matters within the manor.
Xie Xuan answered all the questions, sipping his tea gently, his slender eyes, hidden in the misty steam, occasionally glancing at the person opposite him.
Wang Wan felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze and couldn't help but cough a few times.
"Did you catch a cold?"
Xie An asked with concern.
Wang Wan took the opportunity to stand up and said gently, "Maybe so. You two talk first, I'll come see you another day."
"Is my sister-in-law avoiding me?"
What are you saying?
Wang Wan's face turned pale instantly, and she immediately looked at Xie An's expression.
Xie An didn't think much of it and comforted her, "A-Wan's health has always been poor; it's an old ailment." He paused, then looked at her and asked with concern, "Should we have someone send you back to your residence?"
"No need, the carriage is waiting at the foot of the mountain, I'll go back myself."
"Since my sister-in-law is not feeling well, why don't I go and deliver it in my brother's place?"
Xie Xuan smiled and looked up at her; her eyes were clear and she looked extremely harmless.
Wang Wan looked away, "No need."
Xie An said, "How about we rest in the back room for a while, have a vegetarian meal, and then go back?"
Wang Wan was afraid that Xie Xuan would insist on seeing her off, so she swallowed hard and agreed.
The peach blossom grove is flat, and pilgrims from all around love to visit the pond and grove behind it.
Xie An was in poor health and was in a wheelchair. He saw the commotion not far away through the corridor and smiled at Wang Wan, who was pushing the wheelchair behind him.
"Once you feel better, you can go to Chilin to play."
"good."
Xie Xuan followed beside her, looking down at her smile, and suddenly reached out to hug her waist, pulling her close.
Wang Wan was startled by his action; her hands gripping the wheelchair instantly turned white and blue, and she looked up to glare at him.
Xie Xuan showed no restraint, gently kneading her waist a few times with his hand, and smiled smugly.
Why is my sister-in-law so nervous?
He whispered something in her ear and gently bit her earlobe.
Wang Wan was furious with him. She reached out to grab him, and taking advantage of Xie An's inattention, she stepped on his boot and gave him a warning glare.
Xie Xuan wouldn't let go, pressing himself close to her, hugging her waist, and kissing her cheek.
Her face paled, but then she heard a voice coming from ahead.
"What's wrong?"
"It's alright, sister-in-law is probably just too tired, I'll push her."
Xie Xuan took the wheelchair and walked forward calmly.
Seeing his expression, Wang Wan's eyes reddened with anger, but she didn't dare to utter a sound.
"Ah Wan?"
Hearing Xie An's questioning voice, she hurriedly followed.
"They're here."
Xie Xuan glanced at her and smiled, "Why are you blushing, sister-in-law?"
Hearing his words, Xie An turned around and saw that the man's expression was indeed not good, and asked with concern.
"What's wrong?"
Wang Wan coughed, holding a handkerchief, and lowered her eyelashes. "It's a cold."
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