The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 29

Pei Jian was breathing rapidly. He was like a river dam filled with water, constantly on the verge of bursting.

Nian Xi’s words were the relentless, pouring rain.

He spoke with difficulty, “There is probably a misunderstanding between us.”

Pei Jian’s expression was grave. Unlike the imposing dignity he had when holding high office, his current demeanor was one of gloom and frustration.

Seeing him like this, Nian Xi softened her tone. “Do you know what it feels like to die from poisoning?”

“I was in excruciating pain for two whole hours before I died. My internal organs felt like they were being churned up. I was in so much pain that my mind became blurred. My two maids, Xing Yue and Lan Zhi, couldn’t even keep up with wiping away the black blood I was vomiting; my clothes were stained everywhere.”

“I hate pain the most. That kind of suffering still gives me palpitations.”

“I don’t know why I was reborn, but this life is hard-won, and I cherish it dearly. Before I was reborn, I had thought things through clearly and told you as much. Since I have returned to the past, let’s both live well.”

“You have your glorious path, and I have my own life.”

“Do not disturb me again.”

Pei Jian froze completely.

It was as if his heart had been struck by a heavy hammer. A buzzing filled his ears, and the sensation he had when he heard the news of Nian Xi’s death returned.

He had never known that Nian Xi, his wife, had died from poisoning.

Suffering inhuman pain and torment before her death.

At the time, the servants only reported that the Madam had died suddenly from a serious illness. He had not expected this. He had no idea…

Anger attacked his heart, and Pei Jian felt a sudden surge of sweetness in his throat.

He concealed it, knowing that even if he were to vomit blood on the spot, she would only see it as a performance of insincere remorse.

Ultimately, he had failed her; he had not protected her.

“I didn’t know,” Pei Jian said weakly.

It was as if a breach had opened in the river bank. The intense emotions he had arrived with dissipated in Nian Xi’s seemingly calm words.

All his anger and unwillingness turned to dust in that moment.

He felt numb and powerless. Even though he knew such words held no meaning for her, he still said, “I will investigate it thoroughly.”

Nian Xi neither confirmed nor denied.

Pei Jian pulled a small box from his chest, opened it, and offered it to Nian Xi. Inside was a pair of white jade earrings.

“You look beautiful wearing earrings.”

Nian Xi couldn’t understand why, after she had made herself so clear, he could calmly pull out a pair of earrings.

If she were the easily satisfied Nian Xi of the past, she would have happily accepted them and immediately put on the new earrings.

But she had already received gifts more thoughtful and precious than earrings. She was no longer the foolish Wen Nian Xi who had only eyes for him.

Nian Xi only glanced at them, not taking them. “What are you doing now? Trying to win my favor? For a man’s ridiculous self-esteem and possessiveness? Or do you think I shouldn’t betray you, and that even after being reborn, I must be bound to your side to replay the scenes of the past?”

Pei Jian opened his mouth, wanting to speak out and explain himself.

But the words caught in his throat, and he found himself speechless.

Since his rebirth, he had constantly sought out traces of the past. After discovering he could no longer find the old Nian Xi, he was lost for a long time.

He didn’t want to ruin things for Gu Ci and the current Nian Xi.

Gu Ci had his responsibilities and duties. When the time came, they would naturally part ways. Nian Xi wouldn’t appear in front of him frequently, and with time, everything would be fine.

He had told himself to let go of the past; he had already started a new life.

But in this life, he had much more free time. He was like an outsider, a witness. He watched Gu Ci’s efforts in this relationship and saw Nian Xi’s former disappointments and regrets being perfectly compensated and healed.

And those details he had overlooked and disregarded, every moment Nian Xi had felt dejected, were now being picked up one by one by him in this lifetime.

The relationship was truly unbalanced.

Just as she was discarding the past and starting a new life, he began to re-cherish the history they shared.

He was always one step behind her.

The cheers outside grew louder. The Dragon Boat Race was about to begin.

Nian Xi stood up, intending to open the window. “You should leave. Gu Ci is about to compete.”

Gu Ci had told her that his dragon boat’s flag would have black-gold and red embroidered auspicious clouds.

Pei Jian grabbed the hand she was raising to get up. A sense of frustration surged from the depths of his heart. He straightened up and pulled her toward him. Nian Xi’s back pressed against the table. She was trapped between his chest and the table.

Nian Xi glared at him. “Are you having a fit?”

Pei Jian’s face was equally cold. He looked down at her eyebrows and eyes, his voice icy. “Do you like him that much?”

Nian Xi couldn’t break free, so she stopped struggling, lifting her head to smile. “Yes, I like him very much.”

The distance between them was minimal. Their labored breaths mingled. Her breath still carried the sweet scent of grapes, and her red lips parted, a familiar yet unfamiliar scent to Pei Jian.

She was provoking him.

Pei Jian sneered. “What do you think Gu Ci would do if he came in right now and saw us like this? Would he believe that you and I are strangers?”

Nian Xi was furious, yet she deliberately lowered her voice. “Are you insane?”

Pei Jian’s eyes were dark and deep. The next moment, he suddenly leaned down.

Nian Xi had spent thirteen years with him and still possessed that much tacit understanding. Seeing him suddenly approach, she instinctively tried to butt him with her head.

With a muffled sound, Nian Xi’s head hit Pei Jian’s chin.

Pei Jian gave a grunt of pain. His tongue had been cut and was bleeding.

Nian Xi became completely impatient. “Haven’t I made myself clear enough? Are you sick?”

Pei Jian raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth. His other hand still held Nian Xi captive. He did not get angry but smiled instead, leaning closer. “Listen, someone is knocking on the door.”

He leaned in close to Nian Xi’s ear and whispered, “Could it be him?”

Nian Xi instantly froze.

Her breathing became rapid, and she trembled uncontrollably.

If the person outside was truly Gu Ci, she didn’t know how she would handle such a complicated and chaotic scene.

Nian Xi tried forcefully to push Pei Jian away. “Let go of me,” she hissed angrily in a whisper.

Pei Jian remained unmoving, looking at her with an air of composure. He gripped her other hand, his smile malicious. “Let go of you, so you can go open the door?”

His words were full of mockery, yet his gaze was pitch black and incredibly serious.

Nian Xi knew he meant what he said and would do it. He genuinely wanted Gu Ci to see them.

She glared at Pei Jian, forced down her wildly beating heart, and raised her voice to the door. “Who is it?”