The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 37

Pei Jian suddenly let out a small laugh.

In the past, people called him the “Saintly Prime Minister.” They revered and lauded him, believing him to be self-disciplined, dedicated to his duties, and morally upright, with only his legal wife at home.

But Pei Jian himself knew he had never been a good person.

A gentleman?

In the official world, he had committed many sordid acts. His political rivals, those he had brought down, whose homes he had raided and clans he had exterminated, wished they could devour his flesh and blood.

But so what?

He only sought results; success was the only goal.

It was the same with Nian Xi.

Gu Ci was clearly the thief, having stolen the past that belonged to him and Nian Xi. Why should he endure it?

Why should he wait?

While he suffered in isolation, why did Gu Ci get to be by her side, enjoying her tenderness?

As for their relationship, he and Gu Ci were rivals first, then brothers.

He was not a gentleman to begin with, so where was the code of ethics?

Initially, his laughter was short and faint. He immediately lowered his head, as if trying desperately to conceal it. But soon, his shoulders slightly shook with the force of his laughter, as if he could no longer hold it in. The sound grew louder. Later, he simply lifted his head and laughed continuously.

Liao Ranran watched the suddenly laughing Pei Jian, feeling confused and a little frightened.

Yet, deep inside, she was intensely drawn to this unrestrained, dashing man who had shed all decorum.

The Pei Jian in her memory was mostly cold and restrained. She had never seen such an open display of emotion. His loud laughter filled her ears. Slowly, and she wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, she thought she could hear a hint of bleakness and misery in his laughter.

This only sparked more tenderness in her heart. Liao Ranran softly called out to him, “Young Master Pei… are you drunk?”

On a whim, she stepped forward, tentatively moving closer. “Shall I help you up?”

Pei Jian’s laughter finally subsided. He turned his face.

Liao Ranran was stared at by his pitch-black eyes and couldn’t move a muscle.

Their distance was close. Liao Ranran could almost smell the faint aroma of wine in his breath.

Perhaps due to the intoxication, his eyes were moist at the corners and slightly red at the bottom, adding a layer of seduction. Liao Ranran’s heart pounded furiously. Shyly, she said softly, “I’ll help you go inside and rest.”

Liao Ranran poured almost all the affection and pity she had into the slightly vulnerable, drunken man before her.

Reaching out, she tried to help him back to his room to rest, but just as her hand was about to brush his robe, she was thrown to the ground by a great force.

Liao Ranran lay on the ground, completely stunned. She didn’t understand what had happened. She only saw the man who had been so dejected moments ago already standing up, sweeping past her, and walking out through the courtyard.

During this time, he did not spare her a single glance.

Yi Bridge Street

Pei Jian walked to the familiar corner gate. Nian Xi had been shocked today, and he wanted to come and see her.

“My young mistress is already asleep. Young Master, please go back.” Seeing that it was him, Old Woman Wang politely refused without even asking for instructions.

Pei Jian was psychologically prepared. He didn’t press the matter but handed Old Woman Wang a few silver taels. “Tell your young mistress that I came to see her today.”

Old Woman Wang accepted the silver coins and stammered, “Rest assured, Young Master, this old servant will inform the young mistress.”

Watching Pei Jian’s retreating back, Old Woman Wang shook her head regretfully. In her opinion, this young master was no worse than Young Master Gu in any respect, and he was deeply devoted to her young mistress. It could only be blamed on fate.

Ultimately, her young mistress was the truly formidable one, having only been in the capital for a little over a month, yet she had captivated the admiration of these young men.

Old Woman Wang secretly thought it wasn’t a wasted effort to arrange for her youngest daughter, Ying Guo, to be by the young mistress’s side. She only hoped Ying Guo could pick up one or two parts of the young mistress’s character; then she wouldn’t have to worry about her future marriage.

The next day, Old Woman Wang seized an opportunity to quietly tell Nian Xi about Pei Jian’s visit to the corner gate.

Nian Xi showed no surprise or emotion on her face. She merely instructed her, “If he comes again in the future, just send him away yourself. You don’t need to report back to me.”

“…Yes.”

As for Pei Jian, after leaving the Wen Residence, he went directly to Qin Lang’s residence.

As luck would have it, Wen Qingheng was also there.

The two were fresh in their official careers and in high spirits, currently drinking under the moonlight and having a good time.

Wen Qingheng was already half-drunk. Seeing Pei Jian, he was extremely enthusiastic, guiding him to a seat as if he were at home.

“Shizhang is here! Quick, sit! Someone, add another set of bowls and chopsticks, and bring two more pots of good wine.”

Qin Lang was also surprised by Pei Jian’s visit at this hour.

He didn’t know what had happened at the arena today, but his keen male intuition told him this abnormality was definitely related to “little cousin.”

Wen Qingheng was unaware of the truth and kept urging Pei Jian to sit and drink. Qin Lang tried to cover up the situation by drinking along with them, not mentioning Pei Jian’s purpose for coming.

Pei Jian got straight to the point. “I want to see her. Help me find out when she will leave her residence.”

The moonlight was hazy, and Pei Jian’s face seemed to be covered by a layer of tranquil light, profound and distant.

At this moment, Qin Lang regretted not drinking less. His head was clear, and his ears were sharp.

What kind of immoral request was this!

He asked with difficulty, “Are you really going to do this?”

Pei Jian looked at him in silence, the answer self-evident.

Qin Lang glanced at the slow-witted Wen Qingheng beside him and sighed. “How can you see her? They… are always together.”

Pei Jian said faintly, “It doesn’t matter.”

Since the Dragon Boat Race, Pei Jian knew that if Nian Xi wanted to avoid him, it would be extremely difficult for him, an outsider, to see her. But there were some things he needed to make clear to her face-to-face.

Qin Lang was exasperated. “Then why don’t you just go ask him?”

Pei Jian looked at him. “Will he tell me?”

Qin Lang clicked his tongue. “You actually thought about it!”

Asking Gu Ci directly about Wen Nian Xi—how was that any different from a provocation?

A cursed relationship! A cursed relationship!

Qin Lang tried to appeal to his friend’s conscience. “Little Cousin and Gu… are doing well. Why do you need to interfere?”

Pei Jian: “That’s my business.”

Wen Qingheng held up his wine cup and asked with a smile, “What good news are you talking about? Let me hear it too.”

Qin Lang closed his eyes, his heart exhausted.

He didn’t want to talk to one madman and one fool.

Pei Jian turned to face Wen Qingheng, his voice low and his expression calm. “We’re talking about my earring girl.”

Although Wen Qingheng was drunk, he still remembered that the “earring girl” was Pei Jian’s sweetheart. He was very interested. “How’s it going? Are you and the earring girl also getting close to having good news?”

Pei Jian ignored the implication of the word “also” in his speech, lowered his eyes, and said slowly, “Waiting for her to accept me.”

Wen Qingheng clapped Pei Jian’s shoulder with great force, declaring with magnificent spirit, “With your looks and character, as long as you put your heart into a girl, there’s nothing that can’t be achieved! Hiccup—”

He hiccupped and continued to impart his wisdom. “Look at Gu Ci. My sister is such a picky person, yet he’s managed to keep her happy. You must be sincere with girls!”

“Be sin-cere!”

Pei Jian lowered his gaze and whispered, “I know.”

Seeing Wen Qingheng about to say more, Qin Lang quickly stepped forward and pulled him away, snapping irritably, “Just shut up!”

Was Pei Shizhang not sincere enough?

He was about to dig up the foundation of Gu Ci’s family!

He was even more exasperated with Pei Jian. All the respect and admiration he had for Pei Jian back at the Imperial Academy had shattered into pieces in just a few days.

The Pei Shizhang in his eyes before: talented, reserved, composed, a genius destined for greatness!

The Pei Shizhang in his eyes now: a love-crazed lunatic trapped in a sea of suffering!

And one with no moral compass!

“I heard Qingye mention that he and Little Cousin will go to see the lanterns on the night of the Qixi Festival.”

Qin Lang finished quickly, silently praying in his heart.

There is a primary culprit for every wrongdoing. May Buddha above have mercy. If someone’s lifespan must be cut short for this sin, please let it be Pei Jian’s!