Chapter 8

Separated by lifetimes, Nianxi had already forgotten what the neighbor’s younger brother from the south looked like. In her memory, he seemed to be about her height, with delicate features, obedient and well-behaved, always playing with her in the past.

In her previous life, she might have genuinely been heartbroken about leaving for a while. However, once she arrived in the capital, she met Pei Jian and dedicated herself entirely to him.

Madam Li laughed, “You’ve always liked good-looking faces since you were young.” She thought Nianxi had forgotten the neighbor’s younger brother because of Gu Ci.

Nianxi opened her mouth to explain but realized she couldn’t clarify things, so she changed the subject: “I plan to prepare fermented drinks at home every day and take a set amount to the shop to sell. Mother, you just need to assign me a servant to handle the accounts.”

In her past life, she hadn’t managed to open a fragrant beverage shop, but Nianxi still wanted to try it. The fermented drinks stand in the silk shop was her first step in testing the waters.

Surprisingly, the response was quite good. Most women coming to buy fabric would also get a bowl to try. If they enjoyed it, they often bought some to take home. Gradually, this small fermented drinks stand gained some popularity.

After deducting costs, the monthly income turned out to be quite considerable. Combined with the twenty taels her mother added, Nianxi was finally able to give her cousin a reasonably satisfactory set of head ornaments and jewelry before her wedding. She also had her eye on a gold-embossed arm bracelet, which she planned to buy for herself. With the weather heating up day by day, it would be perfect for wearing under sheer clothing, subtly peeking out on her arm. However, by the time she went to buy it, the arm bracelet had already been sold.

The shopkeeper enthusiastically recommended other styles, but Nianxi didn’t like any of them. Instead, with the leftover money, she bought fabric to make new clothes for the whole family. With over ten years of added life experience, her sense of aesthetics was naturally far more refined than before.

For example, the current trendy makeup look is applying thick layers of lead powder to the face, with bright red rouge dabbing on the cheeks and lips. A stark white face and blood-red lips—it looked downright ghostly. It was, however, the most fashionable makeup style for unmarried young women: the more formal the occasion, the more prominent the stark white face and bright red cheeks.

Nianxi had once followed this trend herself, until once, while standing close to Pei Jian, she accidentally left a full red-and-white facial imprint on his robe’s chest. The scene had been extremely bizarre and awkward.

She still felt a shiver down her spine whenever she recalled it. Thus, on the day of her cousin’s grand wedding, she wore a layered beaded pink gauze gown, lightly dabbed on some lip rouge, and stood among the crowd. Her dark, lively eyes, graceful figure, and gentle, ethereal demeanor made her stand out effortlessly. The stark contrast between her and the other ladies with heavily powdered faces made her even more striking. It was no surprise that she caught Gu Ci’s astonished admiration.

This was their third encounter. Since their farewell at Marquis Xingwu’s residence, Nianxi and Gu Ci had not seen each other again.

With the military examination approaching, Gu Ci was focused on preparing and had recently stopped attending classes at the Imperial Academy, choosing instead to practice at home daily.

“What have you been busy with lately?” Facing Nianxi, Gu Ci was always nervous and couldn’t appear natural and at ease. He knew the question sounded silly, but looking at the girl under the flowering tree with her porcelain-like profile glowing softly, he couldn’t think of a better conversation starter.

Nianxi raised her eyes, which had gentle sparkles in them. “Oh, just some trivial matters in the women’s quarters. But you, how is your preparation for the military examination going?”

“No problem at all.” Gu Ci curved his lips into a smile and answered with utter sincerity. Born into a life of wealth and privilege, he had always been hardworking. With his father and brothers stationed at the northern frontier, he considered it his duty to take care of his mother and three sisters, who stayed in the capital. Not only had he been rigorously practicing martial arts since childhood, but he also lacked the arrogance and pampered demeanor typical of noble sons, displaying instead a rare attentiveness and thoughtfulness uncommon among ordinary men.

“If I win first place,” Gu Ci asked hesitantly, testing the waters, “may I send you an invitation to my residence?”

Nianxi understood his intent and smiled sweetly, “No.”

Gu Ci was momentarily stunned.

Nianxi was amused by his bewildered and flustered reaction. “Of course not. You’re my archery teacher. If my teacher wins first place, how could I, the student, be so rude as to expect the teacher to personally send an invitation?”

Gu Ci’s emotions swayed up and down with her words, leaving him with nothing but a silly grin.

“I’m just worried the teacher might find my congratulatory gift too humble,” Nianxi said, her bright almond-shaped eyes sparkling with clarity, reflecting only him.

Gu Ci hurriedly replied, “How could that be!”

Her acceptance of the idea was already the best outcome. The invitation he would send to her wasn’t just for her to visit his home like when he taught her horseback riding; this time, it was an invitation to the entire Wen family for a banquet.

The two of them had interacted for some time, and Gu Ci hoped that on the celebration day, he could publicly solidify his connection with Nianxi—because Nianxi was genuinely wonderful.

According to Wen Qingheng, there were already numerous self-important and oblivious young men in the capital, frequently appearing in front of her, and some had even gone to the Wen family to propose marriage!

Gu Ci certainly wasn’t arrogant enough to believe that Nianxi would inevitably marry him. However, when it came to forming a union between two families, it ultimately required the blessings of both sets of parents. He needed to take the first step, to ensure Nianxi’s parents and elder brother saw him, rather than continuing the current situation where even their correspondence had to be concealed from the Wen family patriarch and sons. But Gu Ci didn’t want to pressure her, so he asked for Nian Xi’s opinion.

Nianxi was always so straightforward, which made Gu Ci feel a little embarrassed.

“The agarwood drink you made was very delicious,” he said.

“Did my brother share it with you?” Nianxi blinked at him playfully. “It seems you’re getting along well with him.”

Previously, Nianxi had made various flavors of fragrant drinks at home for tasting, and Wen Qingheng had naturally enjoyed them to the fullest.

Wen Qingheng was not the type to boast—except when it came to Nianxi. He couldn’t help but show off the fact that he had such a kind and thoughtful younger sister.

Apart from discussing academic matters, the phrase Wen Qingheng most frequently uttered at the Imperial Academy was, “My sister…”

Gu Ci didn’t know what others thought, but every time he heard Wen Qingheng talk about his sister, he listened intently and felt a sense of pride. So, in a letter to Nianxi, he mentioned that he also wanted to try some of those delicious drinks.

Although the two couldn’t meet since they were parting at Marquis Xingwu’s residence, they corresponded regularly.

In truth, there were plenty of beverage shops on the streets. This was merely an excuse for Gu Ci to have a reason to connect with her; he didn’t genuinely want the drinks. To his surprise, the very next day, a servant from the Wen household delivered an entire cart of fragrant drinks.

How could Wen Qingheng possibly finish all of them on his own?

Thus, everyone in the courtyard, including Gu Ci and the other three, got to taste the fragrant drinks made by Nianxi. They truly left a lingering sweetness in one’s mouth. Even the usually reserved and quiet Pei Jian was momentarily stunned and lost in thought.

On the other hand, Gu Ci felt an overwhelming surge of excitement in his heart. He was deeply moved by Nianxi’s straightforward warmth and generosity. Especially when the Wen family servants carried food boxes into the courtyard one after another, filling the table with fragrant drinks. At that moment, he even felt a sense of being cherished. These were sent to him by Nianxi!

Wen Qingheng, Pei Jian, and Qin Lang were simply lucky beneficiaries of her gift to him!

A secret yet intense emotion surged in Gu Ci’s chest, ready to burst forth. In that instant, he fervently wished he could publicly and proudly declare to everyone that Nian Xi was the girl he admired.

As this thought crossed his mind, Gu Ci felt his ears heat up. He handed over a wooden box and said: “This is a return gift.”

It was his first time giving a gift to a young lady. His gaze flickered nervously, and his movements were slightly awkward. “I don’t know if you’ll like it,” he said.

Nianxi opened the box and found a gold-embossed arm bracelet and a gemstone-embedded golden bracelet. The arm bracelet was the very one she had been eyeing earlier.

The gemstone bracelet was made of two semi-circular gold pieces, with the outer surface set with thirteen different gems, including rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and aventurines. It was exquisitely crafted, luxurious, and dazzlingly beautiful. Together, they formed a matching set of wrist accessories.

If Nianxi were just a 15-year-old girl, she might have found the gift too extravagant and would have politely declined. But having been the wife of Pei Jian for ten years and having seen countless pieces of jewelry, this set of gold and jade only brought her joy—it wasn’t enough to astonish her.

What truly held value was Gu Ci’s thoughtfulness. How many years had it been since she last received such a heartfelt gift?

Nianxi extended her hand, revealing a delicate wrist as fair as snow. Her voice was soft and tender, carrying a gentle warmth: “Quickly, help me put it on.”