The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 58

In the dim lantern light, Pei Jian’s expression was obscured in the semi-darkness, making it hard to see his mood.

Nianxi suddenly let out a soft, light laugh, gentle, like a wisp of wind passing over one’s heart: “Why?”

Since her rebirth, she had rarely been so pleasant towards him.

Pei Jian paused, then said gravely: “I’ve lost my mind.”

Nianxi couldn’t help but smile more freely: “But I don’t need that.”

Pei Jian’s expression abruptly changed: “Is Gu Ci really that good?”

Hearing his jealous, irritating remark, Nianxi stopped smiling and said earnestly: “Better than you.”

“On what basis does he compare with me?”

Pei Jian was furious. They had been together for thirteen years; how long had Gu Ci known her? They, too, had intensely affectionate times. In the beginning of any relationship, who doesn’t make solemn vows and stick together like glue?

“That’s not fair to me.”

Nianxi countered: “Then is proposing to be a ‘secret lover’ fair to me?”

She saw right through him.

He seemed to be swallowing his pride, pretending not to care about anything, only wanting to silently contribute. In reality, he had already calculated everything clearly. Love was not a transaction. How could someone as sensitive as Gu Ci fail to notice?

If she nodded today, she and Gu Ci would definitely separate due to alienation and misunderstanding.

Truly worthy of him.

But she was no longer the Wen Nianxi who indulged in self-pity, constantly depleting herself due to a man’s disregard, and living in pain.

Love was her nourishment.

But it didn’t have to be Pei Jian; it could come from anyone.

Including herself.

Rebirth was the most beautiful thing that had happened to her. Jumping out of the cycle of bad emotions, she now lived earnestly every day, feeling fulfilled and happy.

“There are many other young men in the capital. Even if I were to leave my husband for another, it would definitely not be you.”

Nianxi looked directly at him and said calmly: “Especially your current entanglement and resentment make me realize how painful the lonely Nianxi, who kept approaching you and being disappointed in the past, truly was.”

“You, too, can lose control, disregard your reputation for someone, and expend effort, self-respect, and patience. But you never did that for the Nianxi who waited for you in the inner residence.”

“You don’t know how pathetic she was in her vulnerability.”

Nianxi admitted that once she stepped out of the emotional trap, looking back, she found her former self—that deeply resentful married woman—to be quite annoying.

She constantly doubted herself, eventually not wanting to socialize or see anyone. She couldn’t sleep all night and was always on the verge of an emotional breakdown. She dared not let her parents know, afraid of worrying them. Her only reliance was her husband.

And Pei Jian simply disregarded it all.

Nianxi lowered her eyelashes, forcing back the tears in her eyes.

The past and the present overlapped. She could still feel the pain and helplessness of that time.

“Your current fixation only makes my past self seem even more ridiculous.”

“Stop bullying Gu Ci. It displeases me.”

Nianxi paused, then offered a smile of relief: “You will still be the esteemed Prime Minister who holds great power, and in this life, you have a broader future. As for us, there is no possibility.”

Pei Jian was silent.

A large hollow opened in his heart, as if even pain had abandoned him.

He was both clear-headed and numb.

He stood stiffly in place, given no chance to react. Nianxi raised her voice, called Ying Guo out, and left with the maid.

Granny Wang glanced at Pei Jian’s expression, finding him terribly sullen. His usually charming peach-blossom eyes were now pitch black, like an ancient beast in a deep pool ready to lash out at any moment, sending shivers down her spine. She looked at the young lady who had already walked away, swallowed, and cautiously said, “Young Master Pei, you should leave…”

Pei Jian took a deep breath. The diamond he had intended to give Nianxi felt like it was on fire in his pocket, scorching his internal organs. He took the box out and raised it, intending to smash it violently, but at the last moment, he stopped it mid-air.

This was a gift for Nianxi. He couldn’t bear to throw it away.

He couldn’t help but scoff at himself. People say that a bad beginning leads to a bad end—this was the feeling of utter helplessness.

Granny Wang followed behind Pei Jian, only then noticing that Young Master Pei was wearing light-colored clothes today with jade ornaments at his waist, clearly having dressed with care. However, after fighting with Young Master Gu, his clothes were stained, and there were bloodstains on the hem. There was no trace of his usual suave appearance.

Nianxi’s mood was also affected, and she had dreams of her previous life all night.

The next morning, she felt a bit lazy about getting ready.

“Didn’t Miss agree to go to the Nan Shi Polo Grounds to play jiju with Young Master Gu today?” Lan Zhi chuckled. “If you don’t get ready now, Young Master Gu will arrive, and you’ll be in a rush again.”

Lan Zhi was referring to the time Gu Ci came to deliver lychees.

Nianxi suffered during the summer heat. With the sun blazing, she felt impatient to wear proper clothes even in her own courtyard. One day, Gu Ci suddenly visited at noon, bringing two baskets of fresh lychees and other fruits.

“My Second Sister just sent some lychees. Nian’er always loves seasonal fruits like these,” Gu Ci told Lady Li. “She’s been struggling with the summer heat and hasn’t had much appetite. I thought I’d rush these over to give her a change of taste. I hope I haven’t disturbed your quiet afternoon, Aunt.”

Gu Ci’s second older sister was married into the powerful Southern clan, the Chen family of Yingchuan, and sent seasonal Southern fruits every year.

Lady Li, as a mother, was only delighted that someone constantly thought of her daughter. She repeatedly called for Nianxi.

Nianxi was relaxing in her room, hair down and wearing light clothes. Hearing the summons, she hurried to find clothes and style her hair.

She was also particular about her appearance and refused to be perfunctory. She had to ensure the right skirt matched the right hairstyle perfectly. After all that fuss, by the time she reached the reception hall, Gu Ci had already left for the yamen as his time was up.

Lady Li pointed to the plump, fresh lychees on the plate and tapped Nianxi’s forehead: “These aren’t easy to come by. He probably brought you his entire family’s share. Yet, you had to be called three or four times and still didn’t come, and he couldn’t wait and left first.”

Nianxi was always the child who never grew up in front of Lady Li. Ignoring the heat, she leaned close to Lady Li and squeezed in next to her: “He brought these to show filial piety to you. What does it have to do with me?”

“How can you say that? Aren’t you ashamed?”

Lady Li scolded her with a smile, then continued: “Gu Ci is a good-tempered child, but you shouldn’t be too demanding. For a relationship to last, there must be give and take.”

Nianxi laughed: “Who says I don’t treat him well? Look, Mother, I dressed up especially for him.”

Lady Li looked at her daughter’s smooth, pale face, with a healthy, lovely blush on her cheeks, and couldn’t help but feel proud: “It is a true blessing for whoever marries my daughter.”

Nianxi’s head felt a bit fuzzy this morning because she had been exposed to the wind at the side gate last night.

She told Lan Zhi now: “Just tie a simple bun. Gu Ci won’t be coming today.”

Lan Zhi was surprised: “Young Master Gu didn’t send word that he wasn’t coming. Does Miss possess supernatural powers?”

Since Pei Jian was beaten so badly last night, Gu Ci probably isn’t much better off.

Based on last time’s experience, he likely won’t show his face for the next few days.

Who knew, Gu Ci arrived as usual.

Lan Zhi laughed: “It seems Miss’s divination was inaccurate.”