The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 35

Nian Xi was somewhat silent on the carriage ride home. Gu Ci’s heart was entirely focused on her, and he naturally noticed her preoccupation. He couldn’t help but ask:

“Why are you unhappy? Did I do something to anger you?”

Nian Xi shook her head and vaguely replied, “Just a little tired.”

She didn’t know the details of the battle in the Northern Frontier in her past life.

At that time, she was entirely absorbed in her romantic fantasies as a young girl and had paid no attention.

Other than a general warning to be careful, she couldn’t offer any useful advice.

Gu Ci was the first person she had liked since her rebirth. Although she still resisted marriage, she wholeheartedly wished for Gu Ci to have a smooth life.

Just like his bright, gentle eyes at this very moment.

“The Qiqiao Festival (Double Seventh Festival) is approaching. What gift do you want?” Gu Ci asked with a smile.

Nian Xi couldn’t think of anything. Gu Ci had already given her so much. “Nothing. I can’t think of anything I want.”

Gu Ci said, “Since you don’t have anything in mind, then I won’t be modest.”

Nian Xi knew he was trying to cheer her up, so she played along. “Tell me about it.”

Gu Ci shot her a look. “That depends on Miss Wen’s sincerity. I’ll take anything—a purse or a handkerchief. A lock of your hair would be wonderful too.”

Gu Ci had sent her many trinkets, some valuable, some interesting. Upon reflection, it was she who had never truly given Gu Ci anything.

So Nian Xi earnestly agreed. “My embroidery isn’t outstanding, so it might take a little time.”

“I’m just teasing you.” Gu Ci stroked the top of her head and laughed. “Having you here is the greatest gift and blessing for me.”

“Alright, didn’t you say you were tired? Go inside and rest. I’m on duty tomorrow. The day after, I’ll bring you some crispy duck from Liao Ji.”

“…Understood.”

The perfumed beverage shop in the West Market officially began construction.

Wang Muyi sent over the account books every couple of days to update the progress. Nian Xi calculated the drink menu and the seasonal supplies, keeping herself very busy and fulfilled every day.

It wasn’t until Princess Wenshuo’s invitation arrived as expected that she vaguely realized that more than half a month had passed since the Dragon Boat Festival.

After that day, Nian Xi had used the pretense of a dream to remind Gu Ci to be mindful of Northern Liang. Gu Ci, however, just laughed at her for thinking wildly all the time. But later, Gu Ci promised her he would remind his father, the Duke of Town, to be cautious, which slightly eased Nian Xi’s worries.

Princess Wenshuo invited her to watch a Jiju (Polo) match.

The Emperor enjoyed the sport, and everyone below followed suit. There were many skilled players in the capital. Nian Xi had watched Gu Ci play Jiju once. The Nan Shi Polo Field was packed with people, shoulder-to-shoulder, with thunderous cheering.

Everyone, from royalty and nobility down to common folk, loved this sport.

As the Emperor’s birthday (Wanshoujie) was approaching, the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince, Prince Jing, organized this Jiju match to express their filial piety and celebrate the Emperor’s birthday.

It was such a grand event, and the Emperor himself would be present. If it hadn’t been for Princess Wenshuo’s invitation, Nian Xi, the daughter of a fourth-rank civil official, would never have been able to attend. Under the circumstances, she had no choice but to go, only hoping that the Princess would not ask her for fortune-telling when the time came.

Gu Ci was a little worried when he heard it was Princess Wenshuo’s invitation. “That princess is a bit strange.”

He had originally planned to take Nian Xi horse-riding on Tuo Mountain that day, which was his day off, but now he had to change his plans. Fortunately, his status was distinguished, so it wasn’t difficult to gain entry to the Royal Arena to watch the match.

The Crown Prince was the son of the former Empress, and Prince Jing was the legitimate son of the current Empress.

On the polo field, young men were divided into two teams, wearing tight-sleeved riding attire and long riding boots, with headbands of different colors tied across their foreheads to prevent sweat from getting in their eyes. The two Princes led the respective teams. They rode their horses, swung their mallets, galloped back and forth, looking vibrant and heroic, making the spectators’ blood boil with excitement.

In the end, the Crown Prince won by a single goal against Prince Jing’s team.

Princess Wenshuo, seated nearby, had shouted herself hoarse with excitement. “Crown Prince Brother is amazing!”

“I wish every day could be this good. Stuck in the palace every day, I’m practically growing mushrooms,” she lamented.

Nian Xi, sitting next to the Princess, asked, “Why doesn’t Your Highness leave the palace to relax?”

Princesses of this dynasty could move out to their own residences upon reaching sixteen. Princess Wenshuo was eighteen. Even if the Emperor and Consort Shu were reluctant for her to live separately, she should still be able to go out to relax.

“You think I don’t want to?”

Xiao Nanxi sighed. “Mother always says the outside is too dangerous. If my father hadn’t left the palace today, I wouldn’t have been able to come out. Why do you think I chose that day to drug Pei Jian? It’s because I’m usually strictly controlled and have no opportunity!”

Nian Xi felt that if anyone else had said this, it would have sounded vulgar and cheap. But somehow, coming from the Princess so candidly, it was almost endearing.

“I just saw Pei Shizhang also came. He’s accompanying Father. Quickly, tell me, how is my luck today?”

“…” Nian Xi maintained a smile. “Extremely good.”

She knew nothing about Zhou Yi or divination. Her fortune-telling that day was just a temporary measure. Since she was making it up anyway, why not say something that would please her?

Xiao Nanxi’s face genuinely lit up with joy upon hearing this.

Nian Xi carefully phrased her question. “Does Your Highness like Lord Pei…?”

“I do, very much~” Xiao Nanxi didn’t hesitate. “Don’t you think Pei Shizhang has a very ascetic face?”

Before Nian Xi could answer, she continued excitedly, “I’ve been studying novels recently, and based on experience, dignified and reserved people like Lord Pei are mostly cold on the outside but passionate on the inside. I simply want to verify this for myself.”

Nian Xi: …

This was hard to judge.

As Xiao Nanxi spoke, she kept fanning herself with a fan. Sweat dripped from her forehead, and her complexion wasn’t great.

Nian Xi asked, “Is Your Highness suffering from the summer heat?”

Xiao Nanxi leaned in with a distressed expression. “It’s all because I wanted to look tall and straight. I deliberately wore a chest-binding undergarment today. But it’s too tight, and the weather is hot. I can barely breathe.”

Hearing this, Nian Xi’s gaze involuntarily dropped to the Princess’s curvaceous chest. She was at a loss for words. This Princess was truly innocent and flighty, yet terrifyingly sincere, often leaving Nian Xi flustered.

But she, Xiao Nanxi, was experienced. “I need to take off this bothersome undergarment. Come with me.”

Nian Xi was somewhat amused. She followed the Princess to the rest area behind the arena as instructed.

But after the Princess changed her clothes, she immediately changed her mind again. “Do you know how to ride a horse?”

“…Not very well.”

Xiao Nanxi clapped her hands. “Perfect! Let’s go pick out horses.”

Nian Xi had already figured out that Princess Wenshuo had a childish temperament, acting on every whim. Nian Xi, unable to refuse, simply followed her lead.

Xiao Nanxi picked a large red horse, then agilely swung herself onto its back. Seeing Nian Xi standing still, she asked suspiciously, “Why aren’t you picking one?”

Nian Xi didn’t want to draw attention to herself.

Princess Wenshuo was the apple of the Emperor’s and Consort Shu’s eyes. Accompanying the Princess today had already attracted considerable attention. If she were to gallop on horseback in the suburban arena with the Princess, it would be too ostentatious.

So, she gestured to her clothes. “Your Highness, this subject has not worn riding attire. It’s truly inconvenient.”

“Well, alright then.”

Though Xiao Nanxi was flighty, she wasn’t the type to force others. Hearing Nian Xi’s reply, she tugged the reins, cracked her whip in the air, and galloped away.

This arena covered an immense area, used for Jiju, horse racing, archery… The Imperial family held several grand events here every year.

Xiao Nanxi, dressed in red, was as swift as a meteor, immediately capturing the attention of everyone on the field.

Emperor Jing sat in a high position, watching his youngest daughter’s spirited posture on the horse. He couldn’t help but laugh. “Your sister is the most mischievous.”

He said this to the Crown Prince, Xiao Heng.

The former Empress had died young, and Xiao Heng was personally raised by Emperor Jing. Compared to the other Princes, his manner of speaking was more casual and intimate. “Sister is mischievous because you, Father, have spoiled her.”

Emperor Jing stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

Pei Jian was attending to the Emperor.

As a Hanlin Academician, he was a close minister to the Emperor. Recommended by the Crown Prince, the Emperor held him in high regard. At this moment, he, too, followed the others and looked out onto the field.

The difference was that his gaze was fixed on the slender, graceful back in the deep green shadows of the corner.

It had been half a month since he had last seen her.