Chapter 80

After an autumn rain, the weather grew even colder.

Nianxi, feeling too lazy to go out, declined many invitations and only visited Fusheng Banzhan every couple of days. Almost every time she went, she would see or hear something about Xu Wanxin and Xing Yuan.

For instance, right now, Miss Cao from the Transport Commissioner’s family was telling her companions, “The other day, I accidentally saw Miss Xu crying secretly, her eyes red and pitiful.”

“She was hiding to cry privately, not expecting to run into me. She was both embarrassed and sad. She’s so delicate, I was afraid the wind might blow her over.”

“But,” added Miss Liu from the Prefect’s family, “I heard from my brother that Mr. Xing is now infatuated with a courtesan named Qing Yu from the Music Bureau. He spends all his time with her and hasn’t been seen with his flashy carriage lately, has he?”

Someone exclaimed, “Miss Xu is so elegant and beautiful, and he’s already tired of her? That fast?!”

In everyone’s eyes, it was clear that Xing Yuan’s reputation as a fickle and unfaithful man who toyed with and abandoned Xu Wanxin was already set in stone. The only question was when it would happen.

“Miss Xu is so pitiful. Such a devoted person, first Pei Jian and then Xing Yuan, has been let down again and again.”

Someone hesitated and said, “But Lord Pei… he’s not as fickle as Mr. Xing, playing with women’s feelings.”

“He’s more hateful than Mr. Xing!” Someone immediately countered. “If he had no intention, why didn’t he clarify things earlier with Miss Xu, letting her wait in vain for years and waste so much of her youth!”

“Now that he’s gained success and has a bright future, he goes around humiliating her. It’s said he might have provoked Miss Xu, which led her to take a wrong step and board the pirate ship with Mr. Xing!”

The group of women fell silent, nodding in agreement, their hearts filled with pity for the delicate and gentle Miss Xu.

Nianxi wanted to say a few words, but it was a fact that Xu Wanxin was deeply in love with Pei Jian, and it was also a fact that Pei Jian neither admitted nor denied this.

Regardless of Xu Wanxin’s character, Pei Jian’s behavior in this matter was equally despicable. If, in the previous life, Pei Jian had clarified his involvement with Miss Xu earlier, she wouldn’t have rushed headlong into becoming an awkward third party.

Nianxi stayed silent and instead instructed the maid to serve tea and refreshments.

“In the whole capital, if you ask me, there’s only one truly perceptive woman!” Seeing the mood dampen, Cao Xitang raised her voice.

Fusheng Banzhan was now thriving, and many madams and young ladies chose it as a gathering spot. Private rooms were in high demand, often requiring advance reservations.

Today was the small gathering hosted by Cao Xitang. Over the past six months, Nianxi had made quite a few close friends. When she noticed Cao Xitang glancing at her, she immediately knew she was about to be teased.

And sure enough—

Pointing at Nianxi, Cao Xitang laughed and said, “Someone barely arrived in the capital and was quick to win the heart of the finest young man in the city.”

Cao Xitang was much like Cousin Mu, both straightforward and outspoken by nature.

Blushing from the teasing, Nianxi tried to maintain her composure and retorted, “It’s because he bit the hook himself and climbed up.”

“Yes, yes, you’re irresistible. No need for bait to reel him in personally~”

Nianxi’s slip of the tongue led to further teasing from Cao Xitang, leaving her flustered, as the group of women laughed even more.

Amidst the commotion, Liu Pan’er suddenly pointed downstairs and exclaimed, “Look! Is that Mr. Xing’s carriage?”

The women, having just discussed Xu Wanxin, all turned their eyes toward the bustling street below. They saw a carriage adorned with a brocaded canopy, gauzy curtains, and gold-embedded, gem-adorned windows obscured by light chiffon. The golden bell at the front jingled melodiously as the carriage passed, drawing the attention of onlookers. It was none other than Xing Yuan’s flashy carriage.

The women exchanged puzzled glances, speculating if Xu Wanxin was inside. Their question was soon answered.

The carriage stopped, and Xu Wanxin stepped out alongside another young lady.

“It’s her cousin, Xu Shanfang.”

Xu Wanxin’s face was full of sweetness, but Xu Shanfang’s expression barely held even a forced smile. As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, she walked straight into the shop without looking back.

Xu Wanxin, however, lingered, speaking with Xing Yuan for quite some time. She only turned around leisurely after watching Xing Yuan mount his horse and leave, the carriage disappearing around the street corner.

The women fell silent. Reflecting on their earlier defense of Xu Wanxin, they were at a loss for words.

What they didn’t know, Xu Wanxin understood well. Having heard of the gathering, she had brought her cousin to make an appearance. Her face radiated happiness, completely unrestrained.

Someone inquired, “I noticed a familiar carriage downstairs earlier. Just as I was wondering, you arrived.”

A blush spread across Xu Wanxin’s fair cheeks. “It was Mr. Xing. He heard I wanted a drink and personally brought my cousin and me here.”

Someone remarked sarcastically, “He’s very attentive to you.”

Xu Wanxin appeared oblivious, nodding shyly. “Yes, he’s always so thoughtful and remembers my preferences.”

One might think he doesn’t reserve such attentiveness solely for you, as the women exchanged knowing glances.

Someone curious asked how Xing Yuan showed his attentiveness, and Xu Wanxin bashfully answered each question, making for a lively discussion.

During the conversation, Wang Muyi entered with a laugh. “I could hear the excitement from outside. What delightful news are you all discussing?”

Cousin Mu originally had matters to attend to at home and had told Nianxi she wouldn’t come today, but to everyone’s surprise, here she was.

“I have some delightful news to share, too!” Wang Muyi, always lively and full of cheer, brought an even more vibrant energy upon her arrival.

Someone explained, “We were just talking about Wan’er’s good fortune.”

Wang Muyi entered and immediately noticed Xu Wanxin at the center of the group, smiling radiantly as she spoke. Disinterested in such emotionally messy stories, Wang Muyi skipped over it and turned her attention to Nianxi in the corner.

“Duke Zhen returned to the capital only yesterday, and today, we’ve already received news of a great victory at the border! The two generals from Duke Zhen’s household have outdone themselves, annihilating an entire battalion of Northern Liang’s cavalry!” She announced this all in one breath, her face glowing with joy.

The generals Wang Muyi referred to were none other than Gu Ci’s two elder brothers. Another triumphant achievement for Duke Zhen’s family!

The women were stunned at first, then quickly turned to Nianxi, congratulating her.

Unlike Xing Yuan, Gu Ci wasn’t showy, but his sincerity toward Nianxi was evident to anyone with eyes. With Nianxi present, Gu Ci’s focus and affection seemed to belong solely to her. In contrast, Xing Yuan’s flirtatious gaze and wandering eyes often drew dislike.

Gu Ci and Nianxi, a perfect match of talent and beauty, were widely regarded as an ideal couple.

Cao Xitang was the first to tease, “Oh, Nianxi, you really know how to keep calm. Such good news, and you didn’t say a word.”

Nianxi only knew that Duke Zhen had returned yesterday and that Gu Ci would be returning home early the past couple of days. However, the news of the border victory was completely new to her. Surrounded by teasing from the group, she felt happy but mostly relieved to have avoided her previous fate. With a smile, she said, “My fault. I’ll cover all expenses for today!”

Wang Muyi laughed as well, pointing at Nianxi and shaking her head, “Look at how confident she is! But half of this shop is still mine, you know.”

The women burst into laughter again.

Xu Wanxin’s expression darkened slightly, and she bit her lip gently. However, she quickly regained her warm and gentle demeanor, seamlessly joining the others in teasing Nianxi.

Only her cousin Xu Shanfang, standing by her side, sneered softly, her eyes full of mockery as she observed Xu Wanxin’s change in expression.