The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 25

In the previous life, Princess Wenshuo died by drowning.

The reason Nian Xi remembered this event so clearly was that the Emperor and Imperial Concubine Shu were heartbroken over the loss of their beloved daughter. The originally scheduled Dragon Boat Race for the Dragon Boat Festival was nearly canceled.

It was a long-anticipated celebration for her, and their first Dragon Boat Festival together with Pei Jian.

Fortunately, in order to relieve his sorrow and mourn, the Emperor decreed that all the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations would proceed as usual, and the race was held as scheduled. It was only that her beloved had ultimately not been by her side at that time.

Imperial Concubine Shu had only Princess Wenshuo. With the Princess gone, Imperial Concubine Shu fell ill and passed away in less than a year. The great Cheng’en Duke’s Residence rapidly declined from prosperity to decay.

If possible, Nian Xi hoped to save the Princess.

Xiao Nanxi hesitated. “You know about this too?”

Nian Xi did not know which day the incident occurred, but it was generally before the Dragon Boat Festival, within these few days.

So she brazenly made up a story. “The three earthly branches of the day are all water. The Year Pillar of Yin (Yin – Tiger) is Yang Wood, and the Five Element Water is unfavorable. Before the Dragon Boat Festival, Your Highness should not go near the water.”

“Can I go near the water after the Dragon Boat Festival?”

“After the Dragon Boat Festival, the summer heat rises, and the Yang fire gradually strengthens. This misfortune can be dispelled.”

If an ordinary person heard this, they would likely find it utterly absurd. But Xiao Nanxi was not ordinary; she believed it completely.

“This Princess believes you. I will return directly to the palace in a moment,” Xiao Nanxi said after careful consideration. She was still young and could go boating on any day. Her life was clearly more important.

“After the Dragon Boat Festival, this Princess will invite you to boat on the lake again.”

“…Good.”

The next day, Gu Ci was on break and arrived at the Wen Residence early in the morning.

While he was frustrated at not being able to finalize the engagement with Nian Xi immediately, he understood. His father’s reply had arrived. There would be a major battle in the Northern Frontier this winter, and barring any accidents, they would return victorious to the capital in the spring of next year.

He just had to wait patiently for another six months.

Fortunately, the two families already had an understanding, and they only needed his father’s return to facilitate the marriage.

These days, Gu Ci visited more frequently than usual. As the weather grew warmer, there were many seasonal fruits. Today, it might be baskets of peaches and plums; tomorrow, apricots and cool melons. They weren’t expensive items, but he never came empty-handed.

When he arrived, even the servants in the residence would receive a share of the fruits.

Gu Ci was handsome and had a pleasant personality. Not only Madam Li but also the maids and matrons were very fond of him, treating him as their future son-in-law.

Only the Wen father and son remained cool and reserved.

Gu Ci had already planned today’s itinerary. In the morning, he chatted with Madam Li for a long time, making her smile broadly. For lunch, he planned to take Nian Xi to Guangde Tower to eat sliced raw fish (Yukuai). The new chef Guangde Tower hired was exceptional; his fish slices fell like snow and stacked like gauze, a true mastery of knife skills. After trying it with his colleagues last time, he wanted to take Nian Xi to taste it.

After lunch, he would accompany Nian Xi to the West Market to check out the storefront in person, making it easier for her to design and plan.

Gu Ci was extremely supportive of Nian Xi opening a perfumed beverage shop and was eager to participate, immediately offering his personal funds. “This is all silver I saved myself; it has nothing to do with the Duke’s Residence. You don’t need to worry.”

Nian Xi refused to accept it. “How long have you been on duty that you’ve saved so much? Most of this wealth must have been gifts from elders. How can I take it?”

Gu Ci knew her personality—gentle on the surface but stubborn inside—so he reluctantly withdrew the money. “Then, just tell me anything you need me to do.”

Nian Xi looked him up and down and shook her head. “I can’t afford to hire such a handsome clerk.”

Gu Ci wasn’t the type to be reserved, but Nian Xi often made him blush. “I don’t ask for a salary as a shopkeeper, just reward me with a cup of tea or a drink every day.”

Nian Xi pretended to be serious. “We’ll see how you perform.”

Gu Ci feigned formality, bowing and cupping his hands in salute. “As you command!”

As he stood up, the two were laughing together.

The carriage was ready and waiting at the entrance. Gu Ci personally helped Nian Xi into the carriage.

When Pei Jian arrived, the first thing he saw was their hands clasped together. His expression visibly darkened. He wished he could rush forward and slap Gu Ci’s hand away immediately.

Yesterday, a maid from the Marchioness of Pingyang’s Residence’s Heir’s wife delivered a message, telling him to be cautious of the wine at the banquet. Pei Jian, of course, knew the relationship between Wang Muyi and Nian Xi. Naturally, he attributed this warning to Nian Xi.

Nian Xi was worried about him.

The moment he thought of this possibility, Pei Jian felt utterly invigorated. He had woken up extra early and gone to Su Ji in the East City to buy her favorite Abalone Droplets with Butter.

This treat was overly sweet, and Nian Xi never dared to eat much, saying she was afraid of gaining weight. But her figure was clearly graceful and slender; eating an entire tray wouldn’t make any difference.

The leftover Abalone Droplets with Butter were all fed into his mouth by her. Those clear and enchanting almond eyes would curve into a crescent moon as she smiled sweetly, “You eat it with me.”

Pei Jian didn’t understand the subtle intentions of young ladies, but he remembered that Nian Xi’s mood always brightened whenever she ate this treat.

Their last encounter at the corner garden wasn’t pleasant. Pei Jian wanted to mend their relationship, thank her for her concern yesterday, and apologize for offending her…

Or perhaps, deep down, he just wanted an excuse to see her.

Yet, outside the Wen Residence, he saw their hands clasped together.

Gu Ci noticed Pei Jian instantly.

At a distance that was neither too near nor too far, with intense, heavy emotion, the focus of his gaze was… Nian Xi beside him.

Gu Ci instinctively frowned, his face showing the displeasure of being trespassed against. Some things, some people, were a landmine that couldn’t be touched, even by a brother as close as Pei Jian.

Almost subconsciously, he tightened his grip on Nian Xi’s hand.

Regarding those who coveted Nian Xi, while he initially felt a subtle sense of vanity, as his feelings for Nian Xi deepened, his possessiveness made him feel irritated by every external gaze.

Especially when that gaze came from Pei Jian.

Just as the atmosphere was tense, Wen Qingheng, who was two steps behind, caught up. “Shizhang, why are you standing here?”

“Nian-er!”

Following Pei Jian’s gaze, he also saw Nian Xi and Gu Ci, and his expression immediately turned cold. “Where are you going?”

Even Nian Xi, no matter how slow, could feel the aggressive gaze Pei Jian directed at her.

She disliked that intrusive dominance.

She did not look at him. Instead, she took the initiative to clasp Gu Ci’s hand, which he had momentarily loosened, and replied to Wen Qingheng, “We’re going to Guangde Tower to eat sliced raw fish.”

Gu Ci, feeling her reciprocal grasp and the sense of protection from his sweetheart, felt his heart soar. He momentarily forgot his earlier unhappiness and looked at Nian Xi with a smile.

Wen Qingheng hurried forward, intending to lecture his sister. Pei Jian was quicker than him. Before Wen Qingheng could launch into a lengthy speech, he handed the treat he held out to Nian Xi:

“This is specifically to thank you today.”

Nian Xi did not take it.

She didn’t believe Cousin Mu would directly tell Pei Jian that she was the one who warned him. Although Cousin Mu always teased her, she was a cautious person and wouldn’t leave herself open to such gossip.

Nian Xi didn’t know whether to call him perceptive or arrogant.

He didn’t even know she had been reborn, yet it didn’t stop him from making assumptions. Ultimately, it was this man’s ridiculous self-confidence.

Meeting Pei Jian’s gaze, she feigned ignorance and asked calmly, “For what?”