The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 17

After Nian Xi and Gu Ci finished offering incense, they walked hand-in-hand to play in the back mountains. Pei Jian did not follow them further.

After they left, he walked into the main hall of Taiqing Palace alone, summoning the young Taoist priest who had been there earlier to question him.

“Does the devotee wish for a spiritual talisman?”

The young Taoist, looking respectful, led Pei Jian toward a side hall. “This talisman was personally drawn by the Living Immortal, and it has been consecrated before the Three Heavenly Venerables. The devotee must offer some incense money and return in forty-nine days to collect it.”

Pei Jian stopped walking. “Isn’t one available immediately? I can offer much more incense money.”

His expression was cold and gloomy, his jaw tense, and his entire body exuded an intimidating pressure as he frowned at the Taoist priest.

The young priest felt a chill run down his spine under the scrutiny. He stuttered an explanation, “No, it’s not possible. This talisman was personally drawn by the Abbot, the Living Immortal Zhang, and it still needs to be consecrated for forty-nine days to be effective. There is none available right now.”

So, in the past life, what he lost was not just a piece of paper, but a sincere intention he had been unaware of.

Pei Jian withdrew his gaze, gave a cold response, and turned to leave.

It wasn’t until he had gone far away, and the young priest was sure he wouldn’t return, that he dared to complain to his senior, “That was too scary! That man is so handsome, but when he stared at you, it was like he wanted to devour you.”

The senior saw that his junior was genuinely frightened and comforted him, “Perhaps that devotee encountered something unpleasant. Alright, don’t worry about it. There are many people today, hurry and get back to work.”

The young priest pouted.

He didn’t mention to his senior that the man had stood outside the hall, staring at a female devotee for a long time—he had seen it all.

That female devotee was particularly beautiful and gentle in nature. Even as a man who had renounced worldly life, he couldn’t help but look at her a few extra times.

But no matter what, that female devotee already had a male devotee by her side, who was also handsome and dignified. The two of them stood together and were an exceptionally good match.

The young priest secretly thought to himself: if he were that female devotee, he wouldn’t choose the fierce man from just now either!

…

Gu Ci drove Nian Xi home.

He drove very slowly the entire way. He hoped he could stay with Nian Xi a little longer, just a little longer.

But even the longest road has an end.

When they arrived at the gate of the Wen residence on Yiqiao Street, Gu Ci grasped for something to say. “Does your leg still hurt?”

Nian Xi did ride a horse today. But it wasn’t Ta Xue; it was Gu Ci’s horse. Seeing her conflicted, scared, yet longing, Gu Ci had held the reins and led her around the compound once.

Nian Xi shook her head. “It doesn’t hurt.”

“Then… what would you like to eat? I noticed you didn’t eat much at lunch. How about I bring you a small serving of aged duck soup from Ruyi Zhai?”

“No need, we have dinner at home.”

“Then what would you like to eat tomorrow? I can bring it to you after I get off work.”

Nian Xi smiled helplessly.

In truth, after a full day out, she was starting to feel a little tired. But Gu Ci was different; he had endless energy—fervent, restless, radiating a powerful, fresh, vibrant warmth.

It was a youthful, vigorous force that Nian Xi found irresistible.

So, she beckoned to Gu Ci with a hooked finger and whispered, “Come with me.”

Gu Ci followed her to a small side door of the Wen residence on the left. Mother Li, who guarded the door, saw her eldest young mistress and hurriedly opened the door.

Nian Xi pointed at Gu Ci and instructed Mother Wang, “If he comes in the future, just go to the back courtyard to find me.”

Gu Ci had been visiting frequently lately. Mother Wang, a rough-working maid, knew that this was the future son-in-law of the Wen family. It was natural for young people in the throes of passion to want to meet secretly.

So, Mother Wang promptly agreed.

Gu Ci was confused until Nian Xi led him inside. Seeing a small garden within the door, and beyond the garden the Moon Gate leading into the inner courtyard, he finally understood Nian Xi’s intention.

“My brother must have returned.”

Nian Xi teased, “If he sees you, he likely won’t even enjoy his dinner. Let’s spare him for now, so he can pass the Palace Exam tomorrow.”

“In the future, if you have something to say, wait for me here in the garden. Mother Wang’s daughter works in my room, so there will be no trouble.”

Gu Ci felt this day was as perfect as a dream.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Nian Xi quickly preempted him. “Not today!”

Gu Ci was stunned.

Nian Xi smiled and spoke again, her voice soft and sweet, carrying a girl’s delicate charm and tenderness. “My feet hurt from walking; I need to go back and rest.”

Nian Xi was clearly flirting with him.

At that moment, Gu Ci could do nothing but smile foolishly and nod.

He had always felt that his affection for Nian Xi far exceeded hers for him.

Nian Xi was generous, gentle, considerate, and beautiful. She navigated this relationship with ease. Many times, Gu Ci felt that even if the person by her side wasn’t him, it would be the same for Nian Xi.

She was always somewhat detached.

But there was nothing to complain about.

He was a man; it was only right for him to give more. Love was never a matter of fairness.

Every one of Nian Xi’s responses was a surprise, making him savor the moment and feel deeply touched.

Gu Ci stepped forward, picked up Nian Xi’s hand, and held it lightly in his palm, his phoenix eyes shining brightly. “You go in first, and I will leave after you.”

Nian Xi smiled and walked toward the inner courtyard with her two maidservants. When she reached the Moon Gate, she looked back. Gu Ci was indeed still standing there. Seeing her turn, he vigorously waved his hand a few times, revealing a row of white teeth. Nian Xi smiled in response. After looking at him a few more times, she finally entered the inner courtyard.

After washing up and changing into a slightly worn, casual dress, Nian Xi went to the main courtyard to pay her respects.

Madam Li looked at her daughter’s porcelain-white face and asked with a smile, “Did you have a good time today?”

Nian Xi nodded honestly. Being with Gu Ci made her feel free and comfortable, very relaxed and happy.

Madam Li’s smile deepened. “Then do you like Gentleman Gu Liulang?”

Nian Xi vaguely guessed her mother’s intention and nodded with hesitation.

Madam Li stopped beating around the bush and said with a laugh, “I have already communicated with Madam Wang! As soon as the Duke of Zhenguo sends his reply, their family will formally propose marriage!”

“I used to worry that his family belongs to the military and that he might have to go to the battlefield someday, but Madam Wang assured me that since three men in their family are already at the northern frontier, their youngest, Liulang, will absolutely not go to the front lines in this life.”

Madam Li sighed happily. “Your mother does not ask for great wealth for you; I only wish for you to marry into a good family. Although the Gu family is high-ranking, I have observed that Gu Ci is not one of those dissolute sons who spend their days in brothels. Moreover, it is clear that his affection for you is sincere…”

Madam Li was increasingly satisfied with Gu Ci and this prospective marriage, but Nian Xi’s heart slowly sank.

Marriage—

For the women of this world, it was security, a promise, a commitment to a shared life.

But for her, it was a yoke, a cage, something to be desperately avoided.

She only wanted to enjoy the present and had never considered the future.

These days had been so joyful; she had been completely immersed in the love Gu Ci gave her, so much so that she forgot the premise of this happiness was her parents’ tacit approval and the rules of society.

For Nian Xi, being reborn felt like a beautiful dream, allowing her to fantasize about another possibility in life.

So, she indulged, even became a little unrestrained.

In her subconscious, she didn’t truly believe life offered a second chance. She constantly reminded herself to enjoy the present precisely because she didn’t want to leave any regrets in this dream.

But her mother’s words sounded like an alarm bell, making her realize that everything before her was real and grounded, and that her actions carried responsibility.

Should she marry Gu Ci?

Nian Xi shook her head internally.

If she were just a girl who had just come of age, she would consider a lifelong commitment with Gu Ci, hoping for a beautiful happily-ever-after.

But she had already been through a marriage where they had nothing to say to each other. She had been more passionate and persistent back then, yet the outcome was utterly disappointing.

Nian Xi refused to believe that love could be maintained until the end of time. She dreaded walking into that square-shaped prison again, putting on the shackles named ‘wife.’

She liked Gu Ci, but she loved herself more.

She knew such thoughts were shocking, but at this stage, Nian Xi could not accept binding a matrimonial knot with anyone.

“Mother, actually, I…”

Nian Xi was about to invent an excuse to put them off when the maid, Yingguo, quietly lifted the curtain and signaled to her.

Yingguo’s mother was Mother Wang, who guarded the side gate.

Nian Xi couldn’t help but frown. Hadn’t she told Gu Ci not to come looking for her today?

“Mother, I suddenly remembered that I didn’t take the beryl bead I specially bought for you at Sanqing Palace today. Let me go back and get it.”

She said this and turned to leave.

Madam Li, suspecting nothing, smiled and scolded her from behind, “Do you think I’m foolish? You change the subject as soon as a serious matter is mentioned. Get the bead and come right back to me.”

Nian Xi hurried out of the main courtyard, her mind in chaos.

She regretted being so close to Gu Ci.

For a moment, she was in a state of indecision.

However, when she walked into the small garden, the person waiting there was not Gu Ci at all!