Chapter 25

In her past life, Princess Wen Shu drowned.

Nianxi remembered this vividly because the Emperor and Consort Shu were devastated by the loss of their beloved daughter. The grief was so overwhelming that the Dragon Boat Festival races were almost canceled.

That festival was one Nianxi had eagerly awaited—it was her first Dragon Boat Festival with Pei Jian.

In the end, the Emperor decided to proceed with the celebrations as planned, hoping they would help alleviate his sorrow. The dragon boat races continued, but Nianxi’s lover was not beside her.

Consort Shu, who had only Princess Wen Shu under her care, fell gravely ill after her daughter’s death. Within less than a year, she passed away, and the once-glorious Cheng’en Estate began its decline.

If possible, Nianxi wanted to save the princess.

Xiao Nanxi hesitated. “You know something about this?”

Nianxi didn’t know the exact date of the incident, only that it happened shortly before the Dragon Boat Festival, likely within the next few days. So she boldly improvised, saying, “The earthly branches align with three waters, and the year pillar Yin corresponds to yang wood. Out of five elements, water is to be avoided. Before the Dragon Boat Festival, Your Highness must stay away from water.”

“After the Dragon Boat Festival, is it safe to go near water?”

“Once the festival has passed and summer days grow hotter, with yang fire on the rise, this ill fortune will dissipate.”

Most people would find this explanation absurd. But Xiao Nanxi was not like most people—she believed it wholeheartedly.

“I trust you,” Xiao Nanxi said after some thought. “I’ll return to the palace directly. Youth is fleeting, and I can go boating any other day. But my life is the priority.”

“This princess will invite you to the lake again after the Dragon Boat Festival.”

“…Alright.”

The next day, Gu Ci, on his day off, came early to the Wen residence. Although he regretted not being able to formalize his engagement to Nianxi sooner, he understood. His father’s letter had already arrived, indicating that there would be a significant battle at the northern frontier this winter. If all went as planned, the war would be won by spring next year, and his father would return to the capital. He just needed to wait patiently for another six months.

Fortunately, the two families had already reached an understanding and were simply waiting for his father to return to finalize the arrangement.

These days, Gu Ci visited the Wen residence more frequently than ever. With the weather growing warmer and seasonal fruits in abundance, he would bring baskets of peaches, plums, apricots, or chilled melons each time. While not extravagant gifts, he never arrived empty-handed. Even the residence servants benefited from his visits, often receiving a share of the fruits he brought.

Handsome and good-natured, Gu Ci was well-liked by everyone—not just by Madam Li but also by the maids and older servants, who all regarded him as the future son-in-law. The only exception was the Wen father and son, who maintained a reserved attitude toward him.

Gu Ci had already planned the day’s itinerary. After chatting with Madam Li in the morning and making her laugh, he had arranged to take Nianxi to Guangde Tower for lunch to try their famous raw fish slices. Guangde Tower had recently hired a new chef with extraordinary knife skills, slicing fish into delicate pieces that fell like snow and layered like silk. Gu Ci had tried it before with his colleagues and wanted to bring Nianxi to experience it as well.

After lunch, Gu Ci planned to accompany Nianxi to the Western Market to inspect potential storefronts, helping her better design and plan for her business.

Gu Ci was very supportive of Nianxi’s idea to open a tea shop. He eagerly offered to invest his own savings, saying, “It’s all money I’ve earned myself, unrelated to the Gu Estate. You don’t need to feel burdened.”

However, Nianxi refused. “You’ve only been working briefly—how could you have saved so much? Most of this must have been gifts from elders. How could I accept it?”

Understanding her stubborn nature, which was soft on the outside but resolute within, Gu Ci had no choice but to retract his offer. “Then, if you need anything, just ask me to do it.”

Nianxi gave him an appraising look from head to toe and shook her head, joking, “With such a handsome helper, I can’t afford to hire you.”

Though Gu Ci was not a reserved person, Nianxi often managed to make him blush. “I wouldn’t ask for much—just a cup of tea or a drink each day as my salary,” he replied.

Feigning seriousness, Nianxi said, “Let’s see how you perform first.”

Gu Ci played along, bowing and saluting. “As you command!”

By the time he straightened up, they were laughing together.

The carriage was already waiting at the door. Gu Ci personally helped Nianxi get into the vehicle.

When Pei Jian arrived, the first thing he saw was their hands intertwined. His expression darkened visibly, as though he wanted to march over and slap Gu Ci’s hand away.

The day before, a servant from Marchioness Pingyang’s household had warned him to be cautious about the banquet’s wine. Pei Jian, knowing the connection between Wang Muyi and Nianxi, naturally attributed this warning to Nianxi herself.

Nianxi was concerned about him.

The possibility stirred Pei Jian’s spirits. Early that morning, he had gone to Su Ji in the city’s eastern part to buy her favorite abalone pastries.

These pastries were sweet and rich. Nianxi usually avoided eating too much, saying she feared gaining weight. But Pei Jian knew she remained slender, even if she ate an entire tray. Leftovers often ended up in his mouth, fed to him by Nianxi herself, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling as she smiled sweetly. “You have to eat with me,” she would say.

Pei Jian didn’t fully understand the subtleties of a young woman’s thoughts, but he remembered how eating those pastries always lifted Nianxi’s spirits.

Their last encounter at the garden side gate hadn’t gone well. Pei Jian wanted to mend their relationship, thank her for her concern the day before, and apologize for offending her. Or perhaps, deep down, he was merely looking for an excuse to see her. But when he arrived at the Wen residence gates, he saw their intertwined hands.

Gu Ci noticed Pei Jian immediately. Even from a distance, the intense, layered emotions in Pei Jian’s gaze were directed toward Nianxi.

Instinctively, Gu Ci frowned, his face displaying obvious displeasure. Some boundaries should never be crossed, even among the closest of friends. Almost unconsciously, he tightened his grip on Nianxi’s hand.

Gu Ci, who once took subtle pride in others admiring Nianxi, now felt his possessiveness deepen as his feelings for her grew. He became increasingly agitated by any external attention, especially when it came from Pei Jian.

The tension hung thick in the air. Wen Qingheng, who had been walking a few steps behind, caught up and called out, “Shizhang, why are you standing here?”

“Ah, Nian’er!” Following Pei Jian’s gaze, Wen Qingheng also noticed Nianxi and Gu Ci. His expression softened instantly as he addressed his sister, “Where are you going?”

Even Nianxi, though usually indifferent, couldn’t ignore Pei Jian’s piercing stare fixed on her. She disliked this kind of aggressive, overbearing attention. Refusing to look his way, she instead tightened her grip on Gu Ci’s hand, meeting Wen Qingheng’s question with a composed response. “We’re going to Guangde Tower for raw fish slices.”

Feeling Nianxi’s hand return his grip, Gu Ci was touched by her silent gesture of support. His earlier annoyance melted away, replaced by a warm smile as he glanced at her.

Wen Qingheng quickly stepped forward, ready to confront his sister, but Pei Jian moved even faster. Before Wen Qingheng could start his lengthy lecture, Pei Jian presented a box of pastries to Nianxi. “These are to thank you for yesterday,” he said.

But Nianxi didn’t reach for them. She couldn’t believe her cousin Muyi had directly told Pei Jian that it was her who had warned him. Although Muyi loved teasing her, she was cautious and wouldn’t leave room for such gossip. Should she call Pei Jian perceptive or arrogant?

He didn’t even know she had been reborn, yet it didn’t stop him from interpreting things his own way. This misplaced confidence of his was almost laughable.

Meeting Pei Jian’s gaze with a neutral expression, Nianxi feigned ignorance and replied evenly, “What are you talking about?”