The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 30

“Miss, it’s your servants.”

Xing Yue’s voice came from outside the door.

Nian Xi breathed a sigh of relief. As her expression relaxed slightly, she realized her back was drenched in cold sweat.

Lan Zhi was also there. “The door is closed, Miss, are you… alright?”

Neither maid knew what was happening inside the room and assumed Nian Xi had some private business, which was why the door was bolted.

Nian Xi said, “Wait outside for a moment.”

Xing Yue was confused. “Young Master Gu was worried you might feel hot. He specially bought Rutang Zhenxue downstairs and asked your servant to bring it up. This dessert melts easily, and Young Master Gu cautioned that if the crushed ice melts, the Miss won’t enjoy eating it.”

Nian Xi tried to keep her voice even so that the people outside wouldn’t notice anything amiss. “I’m afraid my monthly cycle has come early.”

With her cycle starting, the iced drink was unsuitable to consume.

“There are spare clothes in the carriage; your servant will fetch them immediately.”

“Your servant will go get a basin of water.”

After the two maids left, the noise outside stopped. Nian Xi composed her face, glared at Pei Jian, and said in disgust, “Aren’t you leaving yet?”

Pei Jian had instinctively squeezed her hand when he heard Gu Ci’s name just now. Seeing Nian Xi’s wrist turn red, he retreated a few steps without a word.

Pei Jian was also utterly fed up with the current situation. He spoke coldly, “I told you everything that day at the corner gate. He will go to the Northern Frontier soon. Are you going to follow him?”

Nian Xi answered with a question instead. “Is Gu Ci the future Marquis of Champion?”

Pei Jian pursed his lips, nodding in affirmation.

Nian Xi’s gaze was cool. “That is my business. No need for you to worry.”

“Don’t be rash.”

From the moment he entered, Pei Jian had been provoked by Nian Xi’s rosy cheeks and lips, leading him to do many irrational things. Now that he had calmed down, he attempted to reason with Nian Xi. “You still have family. I know your character; you won’t abandon everything here and follow Gu Ci without a second thought.”

“Since you already know the outcome, why repeat the mistake?”

“End things with him early, so you don’t get hurt later.”

Nian Xi couldn’t understand why she had been so infatuated with the man standing before her in the past.

He spoke frankly about what was best for her, yet fundamentally, he couldn’t escape the underlying flaw of men—

A woman is a man’s possession. Even if he doesn’t want her or like her, she must not be contaminated by others.

Nian Xi looked up, her tone full of irony. “He considers you his best brother. Aren’t you going to save him?”

Pei Jian’s expression shifted slightly. Even though he knew she was doing it on purpose, the words stung him. “In your heart, am I that despicable?”

He tried to grab her hand as he had just done, but Nian Xi refused to let him succeed again. She kicked over the rosewood chair in front of the table and stepped backward.

“Then isn’t that enough? Who says he will definitely leave?”

Her indifferent attitude left Pei Jian helpless.

He rubbed his forehead, speaking with a hint of weariness. “Nian Xi, I am not the Prime Minister now; I don’t have that much power and influence, and I cannot guarantee what will happen in the future. Given the current situation, everyone in court believes the Great Liang will surely win. It will be difficult to reverse the tide.”

Then, he changed his tone. “If he is destined to leave, why waste time on him?”

“You can have a better choice.”

Nian Xi had been listening seriously until this point, when she couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. “A better choice? Are you talking about yourself?”

Pei Jian’s thin lips were tightly pursed, answering with silence.

Nian Xi’s eyes curved in a smile, her tone light and cheerful. “Pei Jian, you truly don’t understand women. I could waste thirteen years with you; why can’t I spare a little time for Gu Ci? He is so good, and he has such a legendary and tragic future. I will only cherish him more.”

The gongs and drums outside thundered. The room, with the windows closed, was covered by a sound-muffling layer. The sound that reached them was dull, making the room feel even more quiet and oppressive. Nian Xi truly didn’t want to waste any more time. “I’ve said all I need to say. I like him and I want to be with him.”

“I survived a divorce; what is there to fear about separation?”

“No matter what the future holds, at least at this moment, I am happy. You go pursue your fame and fortune, and I will live my happy life. We will go our separate ways.”

“I will say it one last time: stop bothering me.”

Pei Jian stared intensely at Nian Xi.

He had originally come today to have a serious talk with her.

As her former husband, he felt he had the responsibility and obligation to warn her that Gu Ci was not a good destination.

But he had misunderstood Nian Xi’s true needs, or rather, he had never understood her at all.

What she desired was not even a visible future. It was Gu Ci’s kind of childish and grand, ethereal enthusiasm, a love that would scatter with the wind.

She only wanted the present.

She saw things more clearly than anyone, and he fundamentally could not persuade her.

Pei Jian said no more. He didn’t want to hear any more nonsense about her loving Gu Ci. After a moment of silence, he turned and left.

After Pei Jian left, Nian Xi hastily opened the window, but the Dragon Boat Race had already ended.

Gu Ci had specially learned to steer the boat for her, yet she hadn’t even seen a glimpse of it. In both her past and present lives, her mood for the Dragon Boat Festival was once again ruined by Pei Jian.

Nian Xi caught sight of the jewelry box on the table out of the corner of her eye. Without thinking, she violently threw the box against the wall.

When Gu Ci returned, the greasepaint on his face had been washed off, and he had changed his clothes, reverting to his usual noble and refined appearance.

Nian Xi composed her emotions. After clearly seeing what he was wearing, she asked, “Why did you change clothes so quickly?”

“I sweated a lot. I was afraid of offending you with the smell.” Gu Ci walked over, skillfully took her hand, and asked with a smile, “Did you watch my race?”

Nian Xi’s expression remained calm, and she answered indirectly. “Are you satisfied with the result?”

Gu Ci played with her hand, his eyes lowered. “I didn’t take first place. I’m a little disappointed.”

Only then did Nian Xi notice the disappointment in Gu Ci’s emotions.

She looked at him.

Gu Ci was also gazing at her without blinking.

His eyes were burning and sincere, filled entirely with her.

What Nian Xi had just said to Pei Jian was not out of spite. Regardless of whether Gu Ci would eventually face the outcome of her past life, at least in the present, they had each other.

As for the future, who could truly know?

Nian Xi stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. Leaning gently against his young chest, listening to the vigorous, powerful beat of his heart, she said softly, “In my heart, you are number one.”

“You are a hero.”

Gu Ci lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers, and chuckled softly. “A hero who can’t even steer a dragon boat properly?”

Nian Xi shook her head, saying very seriously, “You are a towering, world-shaking hero, the hero who saved me.”

Gu Ci paused slightly. He wrapped his arms around her tightly.

“I only want to be your hero.”

“Good.”

Gu Ci pressed a devout kiss on the top of her head.

In a place Nian Xi couldn’t see, his eyes were fixed on the open jewelry box in the corner of the room, where a pair of familiar white jade earrings lay…

He pretended not to know anything.

Just as he pretended not to know why the window was never opened even after the Dragon Boat Race ended.

After lunch, Gu Ci took Nian Xi rowing.

Tuo Mountain was beautiful, with purple mist rising. The peaks were dark and distant, and the vegetation was lush. The Condensing Jade Lake at the foot of the mountain was clear and pure, fed by mountain springs. The breeze was cooling, the atmosphere tranquil and lovely.

The small boat gently swayed on the lake. Nian Xi was embraced by Gu Ci, leaning against his chest, her nose taking in his unique, sunny scent.

The world was vast. Surrounded by the chirping of insects and birds, she felt so comfortable and relaxed that she gradually drifted off to sleep.

Gu Ci let her lean against him, his arm gently circling her waist to prevent her from falling suddenly. However, the veins throbbing on his arm faintly revealed his inner turmoil.

The sound of her even breathing reached him from beside her. He only lowered his head to look at her after she was asleep. His gaze meticulously traced her delicate features. He watched her for as long as she slept, not moving even when his body began to feel numb.

Finally, he softly pressed a kiss on her forehead.

Nothing in the world could be as beautiful and comforting as having his sweetheart in his arms at this moment.