The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 9

Pei Jian’s Frustration

Pei Jian was always relentless in pursuing his goals.

Regardless of the obstacles, the rugged paths, or the means required, he always achieved his purpose.

Lately, however, he kept hitting dead ends with Gu Ci.

He tried to hint, “Since last year, the Northern Liang region has suffered continuous drought, coupled with locusts and hailstones, resulting in a significant reduction in livestock. By this winter, half their population will starve to death.”

This was the fundamental reason the Liang army would march south to plunder.

Gu Ci replied, “Doesn’t that work out perfectly? We can seize the opportunity to wipe them out while they’re weak. Then my father and brothers won’t have to guard the border year-round.”

“The Liang ruler is old, and I hear the Northern Liang Crown Prince has always been a warmonger, commanding cavalry that is exceptionally brave and powerful.”

In the past life, the Northern Liang iron cavalry broke through the pass and entered the country, trampling over the corpses of the three commanders—Gu Chengye and his two sons—shocking the entire court.

“Huyan Tuo?”

Gu Ci was quite knowledgeable about the northern border. “I heard the Liang ruler prefers his younger son, so the Crown Prince’s position isn’t necessarily secure. Besides, that cavalry hasn’t met my father and brothers yet; otherwise, their banners would have been eliminated long ago.”

Pei Jian patiently tried to persuade him further, “Since there’s a hidden danger, why not plan early? You could ask Uncle Gu to petition the Emperor to move the Western Circuit’s administrative center northward, offering more support from both sides…”

Gu Ci waved his hand, “My father has his own decisions regarding these matters. Enough of this, I need to go to the training ground. The martial arts exam is in two days, and I promised her that I would win first place.”

Pei Jian: …

Gu Ci had been completely “mad” lately.

With his ability, the martial arts exam was no problem.

But for the sake of “her,” he spent day and night at the training ground. When idle, he would smile foolishly and act lovesick, occasionally sighing, and even blushing when alone.

Completely and utterly infatuated.

He couldn’t discuss serious matters at all.

Qin Lang often teased him about his “little cousin,” and Gu Ci never failed to look refreshed and delighted.

Even Wen Qingheng uncharacteristically commented behind his back, “He’s fallen head over heels. It’ll be hard to stop without getting married.”

Pei Jian offered no comment on this.

Did Gu Ci act this crazy in the previous life?

Pei Jian didn’t remember.

Gu Ci was born a favored son of heaven. His family background, looks, and talent were all top-notch; he was the dream man of many young women in the capital. His future was originally one of visible smooth sailing and happiness.

At that time, Pei Jian was busy preparing for the Palace Exam and striving for his future. He didn’t have the spare time to focus for long on a friend whose life was already perfect.

Moreover, back then he had Wen Nianxi, who occupied most of his thoughts.

Nianxi…

Since his rebirth, Pei Jian had continuously avoided meeting Nianxi.

Director Wen admired him, and Wen Qingheng had invited him to visit the Wen Manor several times, but he politely declined using other excuses.

He didn’t want, nor was he willing, to cause any unnecessary trouble—

He was afraid Nianxi would fall for him at first sight again.

Pei Jian had already decided that when Nianxi married her husband on a certain day, he would send a respectable congratulatory gift in the name of her brother’s classmate.

He would protect her from afar, or provide convenience in her husband’s official career, ensuring her life was worry-free.

This was the proper conduct for a mature, steady man.

Not like Gu Ci, expressing his affection in such a frivolous, naive way.

Pei Jian was deeply annoyed by his friend’s immaturity and superficiality. From then on, he focused entirely on his grand ambition, paying even less attention to Gu Ci. As for “her” identity, he paid no heed at all.

Nianxi’s Calmness and Business Idea

This day was the third part of the martial arts exam: the policy essay.

Nianxi met with her cousin, Wang Muyi, at a teahouse. Even sitting in a corner, they could hear the surrounding discussions about the martial exam.

“Gu Ci took first place in the first two martial tests, especially the archery,” Wang Muyi told Nianxi. “Now everyone is calling him the reincarnation of the Martial Star (Wu Qu Xing).”

Nianxi was unaware of this. “Really?”

Wang Muyi was astonished. “Don’t you care at all?”

When her husband, the Heir, took the martial exam, Wang Muyi had run all over the capital’s temples early on and could neither eat nor sleep well for days before the exam, her mind elsewhere. Nianxi actually had the leisure to invite her for tea.

Nianxi slowly sipped her fragrant drink. “My caring won’t affect the result anyway.”

Pei Jian had earned the highest honors in all three exams (San Yuan Ji Di), but that didn’t prevent him from being dull and cold.

Besides, she was past the age of worrying about others.

Wang Muyi couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t you like Gu Ci?”

“Of course I do!” Nianxi turned to her Cousin Mu. “Gu Ci is very good.”

She certainly liked Gu Ci.

Gu Ci was like the scorching sun: vigorous, passionate, lively, and dazzling, carrying a sincere heart that never concealed his likes or concerns.

He also had a pleasing face.

Being with him, she could constantly feel cherished.

Compared to the immature, ignorant young men around them, Gu Ci was a brilliant existence.

“But I somehow feel…” Wang Muyi didn’t know how to describe it and finally said, “You don’t seem that invested in him.”

Not that much in love.

Nianxi was looking down, studying the fragrant drink menu of the teahouse, her head still bowed. “We’ve only known each other for a little over a month. How can that compare to the deep affection between you and the Heir?”

Wang Muyi, who was in the honeymoon phase of her marriage, blushed at the teasing and spat, “Stop talking about me. I heard that Little General Gu has a girl in his heart whom he truly likes. For her, he’s been living at the training ground day and night, just to take first place and fulfill a promise!”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know who this girl is?”

Nianxi was never one to be coy. She had been straightforward with Pei Jian in the past, and she wasn’t hiding anything from Gu Ci now. She smiled brightly. “Then I need to carefully choose a congratulatory gift for him.”

Nianxi had invited Cousin Mu out today to survey the fragrant drink shops in the West Market. Since her rebirth, she had been short on money, unable to even afford a new linen undergarment.

But the cost of opening a shop was too high, and Nianxi didn’t have enough capital, so she wanted to invite Cousin Mu to partner with her.

As soon as she started to speak, Wang Muyi suddenly let out a surprised “Oh.” Nianxi looked up and saw Pei Jian and Xu Wanxin slowly walking through the alley downstairs.

The West Market was bustling with traffic and people. Sitting by the window on the second floor, they had a vantage point but couldn’t see the pair clearly.

Yet, even through the noisy crowd, the man’s demeanor was calm and cold, while the woman was gentle and demure. Walking together, they formed a unique sight.

They entered an eatery facing the street.

“Truly a match made in heaven,” Wang Muyi sighed leisurely. “Since Pei Jian’s parents passed away and the engagement between the two families was broken, how many years has it been? Who would have thought these two would end up together again? It must be fate.”

Fate?

Nianxi’s smile remained unchanged. If so, was her unwarranted death in the previous life divine retribution for ruthlessly splitting up two destined lovers?