The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 44

Gu Ci chose a rabbit-shaped lantern.

The plump rabbit was dressed in a flowing, wide-sleeved dress, with a charmingly naive expression and large eyes that somewhat resembled Nianxi’s. It was especially adorable, and Gu Ci thought she would definitely like it.

However, when he came out, he couldn’t find her anywhere.

Qin Lang and Wen Qingheng were watching a juggling act not far away. Gu Ci walked over and asked, “Have you seen Nian’er?”

Wen Qingheng had been engrossed in the juggling and was unaware. But Qin Lang had been keeping a watchful eye, his heart anxious. He had seen Pei Jian pull the sister into the dark alley behind them.

He didn’t dare speak loudly and waited, inwardly terrified.

He kept silently reassuring himself that although Pei Jian had no moral bottom line, he had, at least, studied the works of the Sages; surely he wouldn’t be an animal.

But he waited and waited, and no one came out.

He grew increasingly anxious, afraid that Pei Jian, after being rejected, might lose control and hurt his sister.

He was inwardly tormented by guilt.

What a disaster.

Actually, he had been preparing to go look for them before Gu Ci arrived.

Now that Gu Ci asked him, Qin Lang pointed toward the dark alley without hesitation. “I faintly saw the sister head in that direction…”

Gu Ci looked deeply at him, said nothing, and turned to walk away.

Wen Qingheng scolded Qin Lang. “You saw my sister going into a dark alley alone and didn’t stop her? What wicked thoughts do you harbor!”

After the entire evening, Qin Lang was already exhausted. He glared at Wen Qingheng and said weakly, “You’re supposed to be her elder brother.”

Wen Qingheng ignored him and also quickly walked forward, but before he took two steps, Nianxi was already walking over in a rush.

Seeing the anxiety on Gu Ci’s face, she quickly composed herself and stepped forward. “Were you worried? I saw something fun just now and was distracted for a while, which caused the delay.”

As she spoke, she lifted the Mohelo doll in her hand and said glumly, “I accidentally broke the arm of ‘Gu Xiaoliu.’ Please don’t be angry with me.”

Gu Ci raised his hand to stroke her head in a comforting gesture. Although the usual smile was absent from his face, he was still gentle with Nianxi. “Nian’er, I will never be angry with you.”

He didn’t ask anything further. He took the Mohelo doll from Nianxi’s hand, examined it, and reassured her in a low voice, “It doesn’t matter.”

After that, Gu Ci held Nianxi’s hand tightly the entire way, never leaving her side for a single step.

The two of them then went to the river to buy lotus lanterns.

This was also a custom of the Qiqiao Festival.

A small lamp is placed at the base of the lotus lantern, which is then set afloat on the water to drift along the river as a prayer for blessings.

Nianxi silently prayed in her heart, wishing for peace and safety for Gu Ci’s entire family.

When she turned around, she saw Gu Ci still gazing at the drifting lotus lantern and couldn’t help but ask with a smile, “What wish did you make? You meditated for so long.”

She tilted her head up to look at him, a slight smile on her lips. “You mustn’t be too greedy.”

Gu Ci didn’t argue with her. He lowered his head, his handsome face holding a smile, his eyes like an autumn moon, full of sincere tenderness.

He said slowly, “I only wish for my Nianxi to have everything go her way.”

The moonlight was hazy. Something welled up from the depths of her heart, slowly dissolving into the intoxicating warmth of the Qixi breeze, leaving an indelible mark.

It was getting late, but the West Market was still bustling. There was no curfew tonight, and many young men and women were still strolling together in the streets.

Gu Ci prepared to escort Nianxi home.

Before leaving, he said to Qin Lang, “Didn’t you want to drink earlier? On such a good festival, after I’ve seen Nian’er back, let’s have a good drink.”

“Remember to invite Shizhang along.”

Qin Lang’s heart involuntarily sank.

A bad premonition arose.

“…Alright.”

Wen Qingheng only just remembered Pei Jian. “Right, where is Shizhang? Why haven’t I seen him all this time? He’s been acting strange all evening. Is he unlucky in love?”

Qin Lang asked, “You noticed?”

“I’m not an idiot. He had a cold face; who wouldn’t notice?” Wen Qingheng was speechless. “I wonder who this earring girl is, making a fine young man like Shizhang moody all the time.”

Qin Lang closed his eyes briefly. “It’s truly a wonder you passed the imperial exam and became a Jinshi.”

Pei Jian walked out of the dark alley alone.

He had heard Nianxi’s excuse and knew that Gu Ci had not believed her.

Because while Gu Ci gently stroked Nianxi’s shoulder and spoke softly, his eyes were fixed on Pei Jian in the shadows.

Pei Jian stared back emotionlessly.

He watched Gu Ci take Nianxi’s hand, saw the identical pouches hanging from their waists, and saw her leaning against Gu Ci’s side, never looking back even once.

Pei Jian felt like laughing, but when he tried to move the corner of his mouth, he found he couldn’t smile at all.

There was a deep wound on his index finger.

When he had leaned down to kiss her, she had dodged his lips and turned her head away. He had completely lost control, and only the urge to take remained in his mind.

He had simply kissed the side of her neck.

They had shared many moments of passion, and their knowledge of each other’s scent was indelible.

He knew her neck was vulnerable and very sensitive.

So she had bitten down hard on his finger.

She must have been extremely angry at the time.

Pei Jian lowered his head, rubbing his index finger. The bloodstain had dried, leaving a thin mark, like a strand of red thread wrapped around his fingertip.

He knew she was in a bad mood again, all because of him.