The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 10

Gu Ci’s Triumph and the Grand Banquet

Gu Ci won first place (Kui Shou) in the martial arts examination.

Simultaneously, good news arrived from the border—

The State Duke Zhen, Gu Chengye, led his army across the Yanshan Mountains, soundly defeating the Northern Liang, annihilating tens of thousands of enemy troops, capturing hundreds of thousands of livestock, and conquering Gaofei.

The Emperor bestowed honors and titles. The Gu family now held dual dukedoms, their power and prestige soaring to their peak, like “oil set alight in the midst of fire, embroidered silk adorned with fresh flowers.”

The Gu family hosted a grand banquet, and the Wen family also received an invitation.

However, Nianxi’s invitation arrived even earlier. It was a unique one in the capital, personally delivered by Gu Ci.

“Will you be able to leave a little later the day after tomorrow?”

Gu Ci had already been conferred an official title: Commander of the North City Cavalry, a Grade Six position. He was due to take office soon.

Nianxi stood on the veranda and shook her head. “My father has a literary gathering that day, so my mother and I will attend the Gu Manor celebration together. But my mother will decide when we go home.”

Gu Ci looked somewhat disappointed.

Nianxi’s words were reasonable, and just as he was about to cover his disappointment, Nianxi winked at him:

“Could it be that there’s a surprise?”

Gu Ci’s secret was guessed, and he didn’t deny it, smiling shyly. “I don’t know if you’ll like it.”

Nianxi didn’t ask what the surprise was. Instead, her eyes curved into a smile, and she said softly, “I’m sure I’ll like it.”

“I’ll try my best to stay with Mother a little longer that day so we can leave later.”

Gu Ci’s face grew hotter. “The Imperial College is closed the day after tomorrow. All my good classmates will be here.”

Under the gaze of those moist, almond-shaped eyes, his heart beat even faster. In his shyness, he couldn’t help but talk more. “One of them is a brother I grew up with. Right, that horse, Stepping on Snow, is his. We can go thank him together then.”

Nianxi wasn’t particularly interested in Gu Ci’s classmates or brothers but followed his lead. “I thought Stepping on Snow was your horse.”

“I have a few good horses, but they are all fierce stallions, not suitable for a beginner,” Gu Ci quickly explained, fearing Nianxi would misunderstand him as being stingy. “Stepping on Snow is rare for its gentleness, and it’s my brother’s favorite.”

“Wouldn’t that be taking something he loves?”

“We’re like brothers; he won’t mind,” Gu Ci explained. “My brother values affection highly and is extremely talented… Forget it, I won’t talk about him.”

Gu Ci suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of crisis.

When talking to Nianxi, her conversation was refined and articulate, suggesting she was significantly influenced by Director Wen and Wen Qingheng.

Her father and brother were both scholars, while he was a military officer.

If Nianxi had met Pei Jian first, would she have…

Nianxi liked handsome gentlemen, and Pei Jian’s appearance and demeanor were equally outstanding!

Gu Ci was never an inherently self-deprecating person, but he had to admit that his current achievements and prominence couldn’t be separated from the aura of his father, brothers, and the State Duke Zhen Manor.

Pei Jian, however, built everything step by step on his own.

Even under the most rigorous scrutiny, Pei Jian seemed to be superior to him.

He suddenly didn’t want Nianxi to meet Pei Jian.

Gu Ci didn’t know that truly liking someone often came with possessiveness, the desire to monopolize, and a sense of constant anxiety. He didn’t understand how he could have such an absurd thought, worrying that Nianxi might be interested in his good brother.

But Nianxi understood everything.

She had tasted the bitterness of affection and the unspeakable private selfishness that came with it.

Nianxi found this side of Gu Ci very endearing. “Then, once my riding skills improve, I’ll ride your fierce stallion.”

Her words greatly soothed Gu Ci’s anxiety.

He felt that Nianxi was a treasure bestowed upon him by heaven, someone who understood him, making him utterly captivated.

Gu Ci nodded heavily, his smile bright and pure. “You can choose any of my horses.”

Pei Jian’s Task and Realization

Gu Ci’s mood these days was visibly excited and restless.

Pei Jian found it annoying.

While he spent his days rushing to prevent the State Duke Manor’s impending disaster, Gu Ci seemed completely carefree. “Before you come to my manor tomorrow, go pick up a set of head ornaments for me from the Treasure Pavilion.”

“I don’t have time.”

Pei Jian refused without hesitation.

Gu Ci seemed to ignore his cold face and continued on his own, “When you pick it up, remember to specifically check the hairpin and the temple ornament (yanbin); I had them redo them.”

Gu Ci had ordered a set of jewelry from the Treasure Pavilion early on.

A few days before the banquet, the manager of the Treasure Pavilion personally delivered the large makeup box to the State Duke Zhen Manor, testifying to its value.

Nianxi loved these delicate little things.

The day he personally helped her put on the gemstone bracelet, he felt his heart was about to leap out of his throat. Such a delicate, fair wrist was naturally meant to be adorned with gold, pearls, and jade.

However, the cloud-shaped temple ornament and the phoenix-and-flower hairpin had flaws, so Gu Ci immediately had the manager take them back for repair.

“I don’t trust anyone else. This is my top priority right now,” Gu Ci reached out, patted Pei Jian’s shoulder, and leaned in close to his ear. “I plan to express my feelings to her tomorrow.”

“You must check them carefully.”

Pei Jian: “…”

Gu Ci’s eyes, shining like stars, were right before him, untouched by the future pain, despair, and ruthlessness from the Gu family’s tragedy.

They were bright and dazzling.

Fine.

Let him have his fun.

But the next day, when the manager of the Treasure Pavilion carefully retrieved a lavish makeup box, intricately inlaid with pearls and jade, from a hidden cabinet, Pei Jian’s eyebrow twitched fiercely.

He severely questioned himself: knowing Gu Ci was seriously ill with lovesickness, why didn’t he turn and leave then?

Instead of standing there, listening to the manager excitedly talk about the color coordination of the temple ornament and the 108 ways to use it.

What kind of femme fatale had Gu Ci encountered?

This large makeup box, nearly half a person tall, looked as if it had practically emptied the Treasure Pavilion.

He thought back to how Gu Ci had only met his “little cousin” once and immediately asked him for Stepping on Snow.

Pei Jian grew increasingly silent.

The manager of the Treasure Pavilion, named Yi, was originally effusively introducing the treasures, but under Pei Jian’s increasingly cold and serious demeanor, he gradually quieted down. He cautiously asked:

“Will you pick it up yourself, or should we deliver it to your manor?”

Pei Jian looked at the large makeup box next to him, which came up to his waist, and after a moment of contemplation, said, “Give it to me.”

Previously, he was solely focused on his grand ambitions, busy with affairs, and considered relationships a nuisance and a waste of time.

Looking back now, he realized he knew absolutely nothing about Gu Ci’s heart’s desire.

Today would be a good time to finally meet her.

Pei Jian had arrived on horseback, but the box was too big to carry while riding, so he had to call for his family’s carriage. This back-and-forth caused a delay.

The Encounter

Nianxi, meanwhile, rose early.

She dressed and styled her hair early, putting on a light sky-blue cinched satin skirt with a flowing silver gauze belt, highlighting her slender waist.

On her wrist, she wore the gemstone bracelet Gu Ci had given her, and she set off with her mother to the banquet.

Wen Yuanqiao (Nianxi’s father) had a literary gathering today, and Wen Qingheng also left early, supposedly to meet with classmates, though he would also be going to the Gu Manor later.

Nianxi didn’t pay much attention to this.

Since her rebirth, she rarely discussed matters of the Imperial College with her brother. She avoided his classmates and friends.

The State Duke Zhen Manor was located in the wealthy west side of the city.

Even among the imperial relatives and high-ranking officials gathered there, the Gu residence occupied an entire street.

Yet, despite its size, the area in front of the Gu Manor was still completely jammed with carriages and horses.

The Wen family’s carriage was personally escorted in by Gu Ci.

He truly knew how to charm his elders.

He was attentive yet polite to Madam Li (Mrs. Wen), introducing the manor’s scenery all the way, lifting the curtain and making introductions. He was very disciplined, not once glancing at Nianxi walking behind Madam Li.

By the time they reached the main courtyard, he had completely delighted Madam Li.

Madam Wang (the State Duke Zhen’s wife) personally came out to greet them, holding Madam Li’s hand as they walked inside.

Everyone who came to offer congratulations was shrewd.

Just by watching Madam Wang and Gu Ci’s behavior—treating Madam Li as the guest of honor—they could guess the intention behind it. They all followed suit, turning to flatter Madam Li.

Who doesn’t enjoy being flattered?

Seeing the room full of women surrounding her mother with compliments, Nianxi turned her head to look at Gu Ci.

Gu Ci mimicked Nianxi’s previous wink, made a gesture, and was the first to slip out of the main hall.

Nianxi glanced around. The noblewomen were all discreetly feigning intense conversation, and no one was looking their way.

She chuckled softly, discreetly lifted her skirt, and followed him out.