The Whole Family is Reborn, But I Transmigrated into a Book - Chapter 34

Jian Fan had absolutely no memory of the incident. As Gu Qingjia said, to him, it had been a matter of utter insignificance.

“I didn’t know…”

Jian Fan didn’t know how to explain himself, because back then, he truly had harbored malice toward Gu Qingjia. Among the many princes, unless they shared the same mother, it was nearly impossible to be true brothers.

Jian Fan had understood from childhood: he had too many brothers, and if he wanted something, he had to fight for it. Especially with the Second Prince, who was born in the same year—one was the eldest, the other was the legitimate son of the Empress. Their ages were nearly identical, forcing them to compete in every single matter.

Among all the siblings, only Gu Qingjia had no mother to protect him. Everyone bullied him, and back then, Jian Fan had looked upon him with nothing but disdain.

“Though an apology is late, I truly did you wrong. Old Five, it is only right that you hate me.”

Jian Fan didn’t expect forgiveness. They had no brotherly bond to speak of. If Gu Qingjia had also been reborn, he would likely only hate him more. But Gu Qingjia hadn’t been reborn, and Jian Fan had already given up the fight for the throne.

“I came to see you today to tell you that I no longer have the heart for power and profit. Whatever you intend to do, you need not worry about me. But I also hope you won’t disrupt my life. I told you, I am only ‘Jian Fan’ now. Qingge doesn’t know my identity, and I don’t plan to tell her. You don’t need to keep testing me.”

Jian Fan had been tormented by indecision lately. He couldn’t figure out Gu Qingjia’s motive and feared his peaceful life would be shattered. If Gu Qingjia hadn’t befriended his father-in-law to secure a wedding invitation, Jian Fan might have continued his internal struggle indefinitely. But since Gu Qingjia had made a move, Jian Fan could no longer sit idly by.

“I know you don’t believe me. You think it’s impossible for someone to give up power and wealth. But Old Five, that position… it is too cold and heartless.”

Jian Fan’s gaze grew distant, as if he were looking at the clouds on the horizon.

“When I imagine sitting in that seat, I realize I would have to abandon all personal desires. I’d have to be diligent and fearful, pouring my entire soul into being a ‘good emperor.’ I couldn’t show a hint of personal interest; I couldn’t even eat an extra bite of a dish I liked, let alone act on a whim. If I made a single mistake, the ministers would demand their own deaths in protest, and memorials would flutter down like snowflakes. I feel that such a life is simply too long.”

Jian Fan had lived that life in his past. Until the moment he died, he hadn’t had a single person he could truly trust.

Gu Qingjia stared at him. This version of his brother felt like a complete stranger.

“But before I got married, you were incredibly passionate about the power struggle. Are you telling me that me getting married somehow changed your entire nature?” Gu Qingjia sneered. He didn’t believe for a second that his brother was that kind of person.

“And of all times to run away, you chose my wedding night! I was hauled into the palace while drunk and questioned by Father about my ‘views’ on your escape. Are we that close? Why would I know why you ran away?”

Gu Qingjia’s temper flared at the memory. Every brother knew they were on bad terms, yet the Emperor had targeted him specifically for questioning.

Jian Fan rubbed his nose guiltily, looking embarrassed. “That was my fault. I didn’t consider everything. But I was afraid of more complications. Our brothers are all similar in age; you’ve already taken a wife, but the rest of us haven’t. If Father got a sudden whim to arrange a marriage for me, I wanted no part of it.”

Jian Fan had no appetite for his father’s arranged marriages. In his past life, to stabilize the throne, he had taken the daughters of ministers, but none were the woman he wanted. On countless lonely nights, he had thought of Li Qingge, his wife from his days of poverty.

“You were afraid of complications and didn’t want an arranged marriage, well, I didn’t want to be interrogated by Father!” Gu Qingjia snapped. “Big Brother, you’ll never change. We are the same—we only prioritize ourselves. The life or death of our brothers is never important.”

The blood of the imperial family flowed through them; they were not destined to be kind people.

“I don’t know your goal, but you should know yourself,” Gu Qingjia continued, a hint of drunkenness coloring his voice. “You’ve always chased power; you wouldn’t have spent years meticulously building your influence otherwise. Now you tell me you don’t want the seat, you don’t want to live in fear, and you don’t want to be responsible for the world? Why should I believe you?”

Jian Fan knew he was right. Before his rebirth, he never would have given up. But only someone who had actually sat in that chair knew how cold it was.

“Old Five, if I still had such ambitions, why would I say this to you? Is it because the whole world thinks you’re no match for me that I’m supposed to look down on you?”

Jian Fan smiled. He had felt that way once. A “waste” with no power or ability—what threat could he be? But it was precisely this “Waste Old Five” who was now the most troublesome. If he still wanted the throne, he wouldn’t have left the capital; he would have found a way to eliminate Old Five first.

“Who knows? You’ve never respected me anyway. I’m the public ‘waste.’ You can say it plainly; I can take it.” Gu Qingjia swirled the wine in his bowl, his eyes downcast. He had been called a waste to his face enough times to be used to it.

“I didn’t used to think much about it,” Gu Qingjia whispered. “But Big Brother… I don’t want to die anymore. I want to live.”

A shadow passed over his expression.

“Old Five… I apologize for my past mistakes. But I truly have no desire for the throne now. You can rest easy. I even left a letter for Father when I departed.” Jian Fan paused. “Father has likely seen it by now. That’s why he sent you to find me. Because of our relationship, he knows that no matter why I fled, I would never go back with you.”

It was just a guess; no one could truly grasp the Emperor’s mind.

Gu Qingjia wasn’t satisfied with the explanation. His brother’s whim had ruined his peaceful days. “Big Brother, I’m not lying to you—I don’t plan to force you back. It’s true I was sent to find you, but it’s also true I wanted to see the world. Since the day I was born, I had never left the capital.”

He enjoyed the scenery of the journey. This was likely the only time he would ever be this free.

“Since you have no intention of forcing me back, can you stop appearing in my life? You make it very hard for me to feel at ease,” Jian Fan said after a silence.

“What are you afraid of? I’m just joining the fun and having a meal. Who else do you have for family here besides me? Even if we don’t get along, it’s only right for me to make a symbolic appearance as your brother.”

Gu Qingjia blinked innocently, feigning ignorance. He was doing it on purpose—he wanted to make his brother lose sleep until he couldn’t help but seek him out.

“Have you ever loved anyone?” Jian Fan asked suddenly.

Gu Qingjia froze. A certain figure flashed through his mind, but he quickly suppressed it. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“I love this life,” Jian Fan said softly. “I love the people here, and I want to protect everything I have.”

“Big Brother, how long has it been? You’ve turned into a romantic.” Gu Qingjia’s voice was cynical. He didn’t believe in love. In the imperial family, interest and profit were the only eternal truths.

“It may sound absurd to you, but I mean it. Think about it—if I didn’t care about Qingge, you could cause a scene at my wedding and it wouldn’t shake me at all. It’s because I do care that I get anxious when you go to my father-in-law’s house.”

Jian Fan had admitted his weakness. He had handed Gu Qingjia a blade.

“I’ll tentatively believe you,” Gu Qingjia said. “But I’m still going to the feast.”

“Do you have to?” Jian Fan frowned. “Village feasts are nothing like what we are used to. Even if you weren’t pampered in the palace, you won’t be able to stomach the food. There’s no need to suffer just to see me get married.”

“I don’t mind,” Gu Qingjia laughed. “I’ve never seen one. I’ll take it as an experience.”

He just wanted to see Jian Fan suffer. Jian Fan realized that since his rebirth, he had become far more emotional. As an Emperor, he had practiced perfect restraint. Now, he was just a frustrated man.

“Fine. The wine is gone and it’s late. I’m going back.” He knew he couldn’t talk him out of it—it would only backfire.