Chapter 91

Xu Wanxin came over as usual to greet everyone. The compliments she once gave Xing Yuan were still fresh in everyone’s ears. Yet now, Xing Yuan had caused a scandal by competing in favor of a courtesan, making a spectacle of himself. Comparing the two situations, it was truly embarrassing.

Everyone assumed she wouldn’t show up in public for a while. Who would have thought she was so resilient, even showing up at the capital’s busiest spot, “Fusheng Banzhan.”

Miss Liu from the capital magistrate’s family, who knew the whole story, asked first, “Why didn’t Mr. Xing accompany you today?”

Feigning ignorance, Xu Wanxin smiled and replied, “Would such a considerate and caring person really not show up?”

You couldn’t really blame Miss Liu for her sharp tone. Early on, everyone pitied Xu Wanxin, believing she was naive and innocent, deceived by a wayward man. But over time, people realized that might not be the case. Xu Wanxin seemed fully aware of Xing Yuan’s character yet insisted on boasting about how wonderful he was, ignoring all advice.

Now, the outcome could only be described as self-inflicted.

However, today, Xu Wanxin broke from her usual pattern. She didn’t defend Xing Yuan but instead lowered her head and said sorrowfully, “I’ve heard all about his actions. I was blind in the past and poor at judging character. Ladies, please don’t mock me.” She spoke with sorrow, and tears began to fall incessantly.

Xu Wanxin’s sincerity made Miss Liu, who had been the first to challenge her, feel a bit embarrassed. Seeing her cry, Miss Liu felt even guiltier and murmured awkwardly, “It’s good that you’ve seen him clearly now.”

The ladies present, all raised in the luxury and sheltered environments of prominent families, had no ill intentions. At this moment, seeing Xu Wanxin crying so pitifully, they each felt compassion and stepped forward to comfort her.

After crying for a while, Xu Wanxin composed herself and wiped away her tears. She gave a gentle, shy smile and said, “I was foolish before and distanced myself from you all, my dear sisters. Now that I’ve come to my senses, if you host any banquets or gatherings, I’d love to join you.”

“Of course, that would be wonderful.”

“Miss Xu, you are a renowned talent of the capital—how could a Chrysanthemum Festival be without your poetry?”

“And the Crab Banquet—I remember Wan’er couldn’t eat cold food in the past and always looked on longingly as we ate.”

The group recalled the past and burst into laughter.

Surrounded by everyone, Xu Wanxin appeared grateful, but when she inadvertently glanced at Nianxi, her eyes revealed a subtle yet undeniable sense of triumph.

That look reminded Nianxi of her past life. When she had lost her child, and Xu Wanxin came to visit her, it was precisely this kind of complex yet self-satisfied expression Xu Wanxin wore when she lowered her gaze.

It was fleeting yet unforgettable.

As expected, Xu Wanxin continued, “Back then, my cousin advised me to turn back before it was too late and stop getting involved with that surnamed Xing. I felt a bit sad at the time, but now I realize he truly meant well.” She spoke with full trust and gratitude, “I should have listened to my cousin earlier.”

The lively atmosphere among the crowd suddenly stopped upon hearing her words.

“Lord Pei… ?”

“Of course, it’s Cousin Pei,” Xu Wanxin replied with a tender, affectionate smile. “He dislikes seeing me act foolishly and wishes for me to live a happy life.”

Earlier, when Xu Wanxin was crying and laughing, Wang Muyi stayed silent and didn’t join in. But now, upon hearing her mention Pei Jian, Wang Muyi couldn’t help but glance at Nianxi.

Nianxi’s expression remained as calm as ever.

The fact that Pei Jian persuaded Xu Wanxin to stay away from Xing Yuan seemed entirely natural to Nianxi.

Regardless of whether Pei Jian’s feelings for her now stemmed from a man’s lowly pride or something else, he had always shown pity and closeness toward his cousin Xu.

Nianxi thought that Pei Jian should have spoken out to discourage Xu Wanxin from associating with Xing Yuan from the very beginning.

As for Xu Wanxin, her obsession with Pei Jian ran even deeper. In fact, when it came to Xing Yuan, one couldn’t even tell who was manipulating whom.

While Nianxi accepted the situation between Xu Wanxin and Pei Jian calmly, it was a different story for others.

Previously, despite her unyielding infatuation, everyone had tried in vain to dissuade Xu Wanxin. When she finally came to her senses and decided to distance herself from the playboy, just as they were about to celebrate this change, they learned it was only because of another man’s words that she changed her mind. This gave the impression that Xu Wanxin was inherently inclined to cater to men, rendering her sisters’ words unimportant.

Moments earlier, the atmosphere had been lively and bustling, but it turned cold and quiet instantly.

Xu Wanxin, unaware of what she had said wrong, anxiously tried to salvage the situation. After two failed attempts, she resorted to her old tactics—tears glistening on her lashes as she brought up Xing Yuan’s shameless behavior and her grievances. However, this time, no one joined her in condemning him. Even the kindest among them refused to go along with her words anymore.

It was Xu Shanfang, who had been silent all along, who suddenly spoke up. “Have you not embarrassed yourself enough? We all now know that you’ve cut ties with that surnamed Xing and that surnamed Pei cares for you. Is there more to it? If not, then return to the residence.”

Xu Shanfang, having seen enough of her cousin’s performance, left after saying her piece.

This left Xu Wanxin standing in the center of the crowd, her expression as grim as it could be. She moved her lips as if trying to explain herself, but the young ladies avoided her gaze, looking at one another without speaking. After enduring the awkwardness for a while, Xu Wanxin forced a smile, said her farewells, and left.

When the crowd had dispersed, Wang Muyi sighed to Nianxi, “I used to think Xu Wanxin was a good person, but her cousin, who always seemed sulky as if someone owed her money, has shown that her bitterness isn’t without reason.”

Nianxi chuckled, “Indeed. Perhaps they’ve simply grown tired of the drama.”

“Drama?” Wang Muyi repeated the word thoughtfully, finding it increasingly apt. “You do see clearly. I can’t imagine Xu Wanxin’s intentions with today’s grand performance.”

As for Xu Wanxin’s purpose, Nianxi thought that Xu Shanfang’s earlier remark was probably quite close to the mark.

Perhaps Xu Wanxin felt that Xing Yuan’s approach was no longer effective and decided to make her relationship with Pei Jian sound more ambiguous—emphasizing not only her deep feelings for Pei Jian but also how much her cousin cared for her. In the capital, any young lady who had feelings for Pei Jian would inevitably consider this supposed “cousinly affection.” If Nianxi hadn’t been new to the capital back then, she, with her pride, would never have agreed to marry a man who had such “entanglements with his cousin.”

One must admit that this was one of Xu Wanxin’s clever tactics.

As the two were talking, a messenger arrived from Marquis Pingyang’s residence.

Wang Muyi frowned slightly and said, “It must be my mother-in-law. Because of this shop, I haven’t been as diligent in paying my morning and evening respects, and I haven’t been sitting under her feet like a Buddha statue attending to her. She’s probably dissatisfied with me again.”

Thinking it was merely a domestic matter, Wang Muyi didn’t avoid Nianxi’s presence and called the servant in to inquire, “What’s the matter?”

But the messenger wasn’t sent by the Pingyang Marquis’s wife; instead, they were sent by the heir of the house with an urgent message: “News from the front line: Northern Liang’s cavalry launched a two-pronged attack on Suofang County, invading the border. The northern forces defended valiantly, but the General of the Guards led 50,000 cavalry to face the enemy. The army emerged at Jilugai but was attacked on both flanks by the enemy at Yao’erling Mountain. Our forces suffered a devastating defeat, and the General of the Guards’ fate is currently unknown.”