Chapter 210.2

Seeing Qing Wang in such a state, Master Xiao sighed, “Alright, whatever you need to talk about, you can discuss it yourselves. An old man like me won’t interfere.”

Qing Wang felt relieved by Master Xiao’s reaction and was then led to where Xiao Jiarou lived.

“What are you doing here?”

“Jirou, I…” Qing Wang hesitated and glanced at Second Young Master Xiao beside him. Second Young Master Xiao had no intention of moving and was just standing by, watching.

Qing Wang gritted his teeth and was about to say something when Xiao Jirou suddenly spoke.

“Second brother, I heard the servants say that Mother seems to be looking for you.”

It was clear that she wanted to send Second Young Master Xiao away. Second Young Master Xiao cast a frustrated glance at his sister, then shot a fierce look at Qing Wang. He turned around and flung his sleeves behind him then left.

“I’ll go see Mother, and I’ll come back to talk to you later.”

Once Second Young Master Xiao left, Xiao Jirou turned her gaze towards Qing Wang and said, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Qing Wang felt a mixture of sadness and joy. He was glad that she still cared enough to avoid embarrassing him, as Jirou had always been considerate in this way. But he was also sad, fearing that she might have completely given up on him. Otherwise, why would someone like Jiang Chao be mixed into the situation?

“I heard that Second brother-in-law found a man for you…”

“What does this have to do with you?”

“You are my consort, I…”

“We are already divorced!”

“Jirou…”

“I thought I didn’t need to explain things too clearly to you. Since I’ve left, I have no intention of going back. You’d better leave and stop bothering me.”

“Jirou…”

“Servants, escort His Highness Qing Wang out!”

Qing Wang had never been one to take advantage of his position, especially not in the Xiao Family. Seeing Jirou’s determination, he had no choice but to follow the servants and leave.

As he walked away, she watched him, her lips tightly pressed together.

Second Young Master Xiao appeared from somewhere: “You really drove him away?”

Xiao Jirou glanced at her brother irritably and said, “Wasn’t it you who told me to move forward and kept nagging about how I shouldn’t hesitate after making a decision? You also keep urging me to meet people every few days, just hoping I’ll get married quickly!”

Second Young Master Xiao awkwardly rubbed his nose. “I’m just concerned about you.”

Seeing Xiao Jirou’s silence, he continued nonchalantly, “Since you’re so determined, why not meet Jiang Chao? You don’t care about him anymore anyway. If you dislike his constant pestering, why not get married and resolve it once and for all?”

After a pause, he added, “Don’t worry about whether the other party will be implicated by you due to offending the prince. Jiang Chao is from Duke Ningguo’s household. While I don’t really like him, I doubt he would stoop to any revenge.”

Xiao Jirou instinctively wanted to refuse, but seeing her brother’s earnest gaze, she clenched her teeth and agreed.

Qing Wang left the Xiao Family’s gate and rode his horse aimlessly.

After a while, he spotted a tavern by the roadside and dismounted to enter.

Without asking for a private room, he sat in the main hall and started drinking.

It was the afternoon, and the tavern had few customers. The waiters noticed his distinctive attire and refrained from asking too many questions. They provided him with drinks, then discreetly withdrew.

Qing Wang drank from afternoon till nightfall, and the tavern gradually grew busier. By now, he was thoroughly drunk, yet he continued pouring alcohol into his mouth.

Suddenly, a wine cup flew through the air, hit Qing Wang, and fell onto the table, but he didn’t even glance at it.

“Look at the state that you’re in. You refused to beg your brother, and now you’re moping around like a child, seeking solace in alcohol,” Lu Wang jeered.

“Go away, leave me alone.”

“Why would I want to bother with you? Encountering you even while having a drink, our paths are truly ill-fated!” Lu Wang sneered.

“Get lost, just get lost…”

“Fine, I’ll leave then. You didn’t want to beg me when you had the chance. This is your last opportunity. Miss it, and you’ll regret it forever. Think it over.”

“Can… can you help me?”

In reality, after Xiao Jirou had agreed that day, she regretted it, but Second Young Master Xiao didn’t give her a chance to back out.

Before she agreed, she would see Second Young Master Xiao every day, but after agreeing, she couldn’t find him anywhere.

When the time came, she had no choice but to proceed and handle it as best as she could.

Even though she was a divorced woman, she couldn’t casually meet an unrelated man. Second Young Master Xiao arranged for them to catch a glimpse of each other under the pretense of offering incense, to see if they would have any initial attraction before considering anything further.

On this day, he had taken a day off and personally escorted his sister to offer incense.

Puyuan Temple was located on the outskirts of the capital, and it was known for its flourishing incense. It was a place often visited by the women of the Xiao Family. Second Young Master Xiao rode a horse, while Xiao Jirou sat in a carriage. They were accompanied by several attendants as they headed out of the city.

Upon arriving at Puyuan Temple, they first offered some money for the incense oil in the main hall, then lit several sticks of incense. They were then led by the monks to a guest room to rest. Puyuan Temple frequently received officials and nobles who came to offer incense, so the guest rooms were both clean and secluded.

After arranging for Xiao Jirou in the guest room, Second Young Master Xiao went outside to see if the other party had arrived.

Sitting in the room, Xiao Jirou realized there was no tea prepared by the monks. She asked her maid to go outside and fetch some.

Left alone in the room, she suddenly saw a window by her side being pushed open from the outside, and an unexpected person climbed in.