The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 38

Nian Xi was startled at the arena.

At the time, her legs were weak and her heart was trembling, but afterward, even before Gu Ci could send her home, she had already recovered from the initial panic and fear.

It was Gu Ci, on the other hand, who, for several days, regardless of how tired he was from duty, detoured to come and check on Nian Xi.

Nian Xi laughed at him. “I think you’re the one who was truly frightened, aren’t you?”

Gu Ci didn’t deny it, holding Nian Xi’s hand in his palm. “I went to the Sanqing Temple to ask for a peace talisman. After the Taoist priest blesses it, we’ll go retrieve it in a few days.”

Nian Xi was touched. “You went to the Sanqing Temple right after the incident at the stable that day?”

Gu Ci nodded and smiled gently. “My heart couldn’t find peace.”

What he didn’t mention was that, in addition to the Sanqing Temple, he also went to Xiangguo Temple that day and lit an eternal lamp for Nian Xi before the Buddha, praying for her safety and well-being.

He never used to believe in such things, viewing them as illusory. Now, he only regretted not being more devout, so the Buddha might bless his beloved a little more.

Nian Xi had also been thinking about Princess Wenshuo’s incident these past two days.

Truth be told, had she not reminded the Princess to avoid the boating trip, Xiao Nanxi would have died on the Dragon Boat Festival. There would not have been the runaway horse incident at the arena.

Could this be the so-called fate, completely unchangeable?

Even if she saved the Princess once, would fate compensate for it elsewhere?

Was Princess Wenshuo destined to die?

She felt somewhat depressed and, thinking of Gu Ci’s future, couldn’t help but voice the doubts in her heart.

“Why are you thinking about fate?” Gu Ci turned to look at her. Nian Xi’s almond eyes, with her dark, clear pupils, looked very much like a startled deer, revealing a trace of fear.

His heart filled with tender love. He offered reassurance. “I think this is more like human intervention. If one plot fails, another is deployed. Given Princess Wenshuo’s temperament, and at a place like an arena, it wouldn’t be difficult to scheme against her.”

Nian Xi was startled.

These past few days, she had been trapped in the strange notion of “predestined fate,” feeling utterly miserable, and had never considered that the death of Princess Wenshuo in her previous life might not have been an accident.

“Then who could it be?” she asked somewhat anxiously.

“I’m not sure.”

No matter how meticulous and insightful Gu Ci was, he was still a young man who had not yet reached adulthood. He could tell that the consecutive near-fatal incidents involving Princess Wenshuo were not simple accidents.

But he couldn’t see through the true objective of the person behind the scenes.

Moreover, since it involved the Royal Family, he couldn’t make reckless judgments.

Nian Xi wasn’t disappointed, though.

If the matter were truly that simple, the culprit would be too amateurish. After all, the death of Princess Wenshuo in her previous life caused such a commotion, yet it was ultimately ruled an accident.

In truth, there was an even simpler method: directly ask Pei Jian. He must know something about the inside story.

But she didn’t want to do that.

What was the necessity?

That day at Qing Shui Pavilion, she had tried to probe Pei Jian about her own death. Observing his expression, he seemed to be genuinely unaware.

If it wasn’t him, then it must have been his political rivals.

After Pei Jian was promoted to Prime Minister, his daily outings were always accompanied by a massive entourage of guards and attendants. She had once thought it was merely the Prime Minister’s show of power. It wasn’t until he was assassinated on the street, with an arrow grazing his forearm, that she realized how precarious that glorious position was.

Honestly, she was relieved to know that Pei Jian was not the one who had harmed her.

Not for any other reason, but at least the person she had once loved was not a beast.

Besides, hating was too exhausting.

She was more willing to save such intense emotions for people in her life who were worthy of her love.

As for who her killer was, she certainly wanted to know. But investigating a killer from over a decade in the future was too difficult for her.

In contrast, living in the present was the most important thing.

Gu Ci saw her deep in thought and waved his hand in front of her eyes. “What are you thinking about?”

Nian Xi tossed her worries aside, cupped her cheeks, and lamented dispiritedly, “I’m thinking, how many days has it been since I last had the Rutang Zhenxue (Milk Sugar True Snow)?”

Gu Ci was amused by her adorable expression. He speared a piece of cut watermelon and brought it to her mouth. Out of the corner of his eye, he checked on the two maidservants, then quietly asked, “You haven’t been able to eat anything cold these past few days, have you?”

The Rutang Zhenxue was shaved ice drizzled with yogurt and syrup, piled into a mountain shape, garnished with fresh fruit, and eaten with a small spoon. The sweet topping mixed with the shaved ice would melt on the tongue, making it an irresistible treat in the summer.

Nian Xi was sensitive to heat, and the summer days were always a struggle. She loved to have some cold food, ice cream, or various iced drinks every day.

Madam Li often scolded her, saying it was inappropriate to drink too much iced water in the summer. When Nian Xi wouldn’t listen, she restricted her intake at home.

Gu Ci naturally sided with Madam Li.

But how could he resist Nian Xi’s pitiful little glances? So, he would secretly bring her cold treats from outside, but he wouldn’t let her eat much. She could have a few bites to satisfy her craving, and he would finish the rest.

Nian Xi was having her period these past few days. Gu Ci had three older sisters, so he understood the matter somewhat, knowing that women should avoid cold foods during this time. Therefore, he absolutely refused to let her have any ice.

Even her tea had to be warm.

Nian Xi teased him, “Why are you acting like a thief?”

Gu Ci looked at her with doting affection. “This is a woman’s private matter. I remember it so well. If your brother knew, he’d be giving me the cold shoulder again.”

Couples in love are always prone to seeking intimacy, and Gu Ci was particularly affectionate.

Initially, he was reserved and dared not overstep, constantly watching Nian Xi’s expression. Later, seeing that she didn’t object, he grew bolder.

That day at the Nan Shi Polo Field, Gu Ci hit the winning shot, earning a treasured green jade flute from the opposing leader as a trophy. The entire stadium erupted in applause and cheers. He presented the prize to Nian Xi in front of everyone.

The setting sun shone on Nian Xi’s blushing face and her infinitely charming eyes.

Pushing through the cheering crowd, he led her to a secluded alley. He lightly kissed her crimson lips, suppressing the vast, unspeakable love in his heart, his touch gentle yet his kiss profound…

Until Nian Xi cried out “Ouch!” and pushed him away forcefully. Before Gu Ci could react, she bit her lower lip and said awkwardly, her face red, “I’m a little inconvenienced.”

At first, he didn’t know what she meant by “inconvenienced.” When he understood, his face turned redder than hers. He quickly rushed the carriage over and sent her home.

That night, Gu Ci habitually took a cold bath. But no matter how many buckets of cold water he poured, he couldn’t quench the fiery heat in his heart.

Nian Xi spat at him and threw the handkerchief in her hand over. “Only you have such a good memory.”

He even remembered the exact date of her period.

The handkerchief floated gently down, landing near Gu Ci’s cheek. He smiled as he took it off and coaxed her softly, “Don’t be annoyed. I’ll buy you a couple of bowls to try at the Qixi Festival lantern fair. It will be soon.”

Nian Xi was most susceptible to the lure of cold food. She immediately said, “Then make sure it has lots and lots of rutang (milk sugar) drizzled on it.”