After the eldest sister-in-law of a fishing family became a widow, her disabled younger brother-in-l

Chapter 72 I Have Feelings for You

"Okay, stop pretending."

Watching Jiang Huanxi and Pei Jingchuan walk away, Jiang Yuyue turned her gaze to Xie Jinglan, who was standing to the side.

"Let's release the lanterns quickly while they're gone."

Xie Jinglan did not deny that he was faking illness, and picked up the lantern to go to the shore with her.

Watching Jiang Yuyue skillfully light the lanterns and prepare to make a wish, his eyes suddenly darkened.

For some reason, it reminded her of the times she and Pei Jingchuan released lanterns together.

"It seems that Pei Jingchuan has feelings for you."

His soft voice sounded beside her, with a hint of something else in his tone.

Such direct words interrupted Jiang Yuyue's wish. She rarely saw Xie Jinglan so concerned about her private affairs, so she simply admitted it readily, since it was a fact that anyone with eyes could see.

"So what if he's interested in me?"

Jiang Yuyue's tone was so indifferent that it didn't seem like she was talking about her own affairs. "Do you expect me to shamelessly cling to him now? I can't do something so shameless."

"When two people are in love, how can they be shameless?"

Xie Jinglan's cold gaze remained fixed on her face, trying to find any other expression on her face.

"Since he is willing to marry you, why did you bother me in the first place? Wouldn't it have been more convenient to just go to him? Besides, you shouldn't have married into the Xie family in the first place. If you had waited a few more years for him, you would be happily married now and wouldn't be stuck in this quagmire."

That's easy to say.

Although she had this relationship with Pei Jingchuan, Jiang Yuyue knew at that time that she and Pei Jingchuan were not destined to be together, and she could not bear to see the filial Pei Jingchuan rebel against his parents for her sake, so she gave up this idea early on.

Jiang Yuyue's marriage into the Xie family was not a casual decision made without careful consideration. Xie Yunqi was certainly not as good as Pei Jingchuan, but at that time, they did not know his true nature. He was quite handsome and refined. At that time, the Xie family brought up the marriage again, and Jiang's parents, seeing that their daughter had reached marriageable age, agreed.

This was, of course, a well-thought-out plan by Jiang's parents. Although the two families were still of different social standing, the Jiang family was so wealthy that the Xie family had to dote on their daughter, even for the sake of money. But Pei Jingchuan was different.

Pei Jingchuan's family lives far away in the capital, and they are not short of money either. If Jiang Yuyue insists on marrying into the family because of her childhood friendship with Pei Jingchuan, she will probably suffer endless torment from her mother-in-law. Moreover, the capital is far away, and if she suffers any grievances, her family will be unable to help her.

Therefore, after careful consideration, marrying Xie Yunqi was indeed Jiang Yuyue's best choice at the time.

But man proposes, God disposes; who could have imagined that these unpleasant things would happen later?

"That's all in the past."

Jiang Yuyue didn't want to explain too much. After closing her eyes and making a wish, she lit another lantern and handed it to Xie Jinglan, saying, "It's your turn."

The moonlit night was pale and bleak, and the bright lanterns seemed to bloom in her porcelain-white palms.

He reached out, his long, well-defined fingers touching her palm, the warmth melting away the chill from his fingertips.

“You…” Jiang Yuyue subconsciously pulled her hand back, but he held it firmly in his palm.

He curled his lips into a smile, his usually cool, dark eyes now filled with a hint of amusement.

"Since it's all in the past, I wish you to let go of the past and no longer be entangled with it."

His words were low and soft, like a gentle breeze, yet each one struck Jiang Yuyue's heart, causing her to freeze slightly.

No longer entangled with the past.

She lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, concealing her many emotions.

But wasn't she reborn to make up for the regrets of the past?

Jiang Yuyue raised her eyes again, gazing at the lanterns that had illuminated the dark moonlit night as they disappeared into the distance.

After a long while, she chuckled softly, "Wishes won't come true if you make them out loud."

Xie Jinglan remained noncommittal, glancing at their still intertwined hands.

"If you say it, you must do it."

Jiang Yuyue turned to look at him, meeting his unfathomable eyes. Her heart trembled slightly, as if he had sensed her thoughts.

However, she felt more relaxed, and her previously tense nerves finally loosened up.

"I hope it's as you say."

……

Inside the Xie residence.

The Xie family's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was not as good as in previous years. Neither the dishes nor the liveliness could compare. Last year, the First Madam even invited a troupe to perform at the mansion, but this year there was nothing at all. In addition, many people were absent, and the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet ended hastily.

Xie Yuan has always loved excitement, and she was unwilling to let such a good day be so boring, so she immediately had the idea of ​​sneaking out to play.

However, after what happened a few days ago, Xie Yuan had learned her lesson and realized that she was no longer favored by her grandmother. This time, she would definitely have to bring a scapegoat with her when she went out.

"Sister Yuan'er, this isn't right for us..."

Xie Yuan abruptly pulled Xie Zhi, the youngest daughter of the second wife, away from home. Upon hearing her voice, Xie Yuan quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

"Shh! Are you afraid others won't hear you?! I only came to ask you to go out and play with me because I saw you were bored by yourself. Others might not have the chance!"

Xie Zhi still hesitated upon hearing this, "But without the permission of the First Madam and Grandmother, we cannot go out so late. If we are discovered, we will probably be punished..."

Seeing Xie Zhi's timidity, Xie Yuan rolled her eyes in annoyance. "You're not even half as brave as your second brother. You're just going out to the lantern festival, that's all. What can Grandmother do if she finds out? Besides, this is a secret between you, me, and everyone else. As long as you don't say anything, who will know?!"

Xie Zhi wanted to refuse, but Xie Yuan got tired of talking to her and, seeing that it was getting late, simply dragged her out through the side gate of the backyard.

Looking at the bustling street scene outside, Xie Yuan's mood immediately improved. She looked at Xie Zhi beside her and said smugly, "How about it? This lantern festival is so lively. I made the right decision to bring you out to play, didn't I?"

Xie Zhi, still looking like a frightened bird, timidly said, "Sister Yuan'er, I don't like watching lantern festivals, maybe I should go back..."

After saying this, Xie Zhi made a move to turn back.

Xie Yuan quickly grabbed her and said fiercely.

“Now that you’ve run away with me, we’re in the same boat. If you dare go back now, I’ll immediately tell Grandmother that you insisted on dragging me out! But if you obediently accompany me to the lantern festival for a while before going back, then I’ll pretend this never happened. You have two paths to choose from.”

A barely perceptible hint of gloom flashed in Xie Zhi's eyes; this Xie Yuan was truly threatening.

As the daughter of the second wife, she was arguably the least noticeable child besides Xie Jinglan, who was later recognized. Although her older brother Xie Jinbo was always a disappointment, her mother, the second wife, devoted all her energy to this son and didn't care much about her daughter.

If things really turn out as Xie Yuan said, and she makes a scene in front of the old lady, Xie Zhi won't be as good as Xie Yuan, who has a doting mother who will speak up for her. In that case, she probably won't get any favors from her grandmother and mother.

"Let's take a walk around and then head back. We can't linger outside too long..."

Xie Zhi finally gave in, and Xie Yuan's eyebrows lit up with joy. She took Xie Zhi's hand and headed towards the most bustling area.

Looking at the various exquisite items sold by the roadside vendors, Xie Yuan was really envious. She touched her purse, ready to buy something, but found that her pockets were emptier than her face.

She forgot that since she stole her grandmother's two hundred taels of silver last time, she had been fined a year's worth of monthly wages, and now Xie Yuan was probably not as well-off as her maid Cuihong.

Thinking of this, Xie Yuan's hatred for Jiang Yuyue intensified. If it weren't for that bitch, how could she be in such a predicament now?!

Do you have any money?

Xie Yuan immediately turned her gaze to Xie Zhi, who was standing to the side, and said, "Lend me some, I'll pay you back when we get back."