Chapter 55

Gu Ci came to the Wen residence with an exciting piece of good news. His father, Gu Chengye, protector of the state, was about to return to the capital. Previously, he had followed the suggestions of Nianxi and Pei Jian and wrote a letter to his father, asking him to monitor the situation in Northern Liang closely.

Initially, it was just a precaution.

Unexpectedly, this investigation indeed uncovered the ambitious intentions of Northern Liang.

Being a cautious man, Gu Chengye sent out multiple secret agents deep into Northern Liang. One of them returned, risking his life to report that the Crown Prince of Northern Liang, Hu Yantuo, commanded a cavalry force supported by the nation’s full resources. These warhorses were strong, the soldiers courageous, and their training relentless, continuing day and night.

Furthermore, the Crown Prince managed to gather even more precise intelligence. Hu Yantuo was far from small-minded—his ambitions were substantial, and he had long harbored intentions of marching south. Previously, he had annexed several large and small Western regions, taking prisoners of war and bolstering national strength. His forces did not show the weakness that would typically arise from years of natural disasters.

The cavalry under Hu Yantuo’s command was unparalleled in bravery and invincibility, though their existence remained hidden from Great Jing. While the Great Jing dynasty was busy gathering provisions for a major offensive, Hu Yantuo was always ready to launch a surprise attack southward.

Gu Chengye already had countermeasures in place for this.

Of course, Gu Ci refrained from discussing these matters of national military importance too much. He had initially expected his father to return to the capital no earlier than the start of the next year. However, the change in plans now meant that his and Nianxi’s happy occasion was approaching.

Gu Ci had already made up his mind. Nianxi was still young, so they would first arrange the engagement this time. Once his father and brothers achieved a glorious victory over Northern Liang and returned triumphally, they could not delay getting married any further. As long as the engagement was established and she had the formal title, no one could come between them.

Gu Ci shared the news of his father’s imminent return with Nianxi immediately.

Nianxi appeared very excited. “Then, there won’t be any unforeseen problems, right?”

Gu Ci nodded with a smile, “Of course. Knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory in every battle. Our General Gu will never let the enemy’s schemes succeed.”

Gu Ci’s tone was filled with pride when he mentioned his father and brother.

Nianxi clapped her hands happily, “That’s wonderful.”

That way, Gu Ci would no longer have to endure the pain of his father and brother’s sacrifice or carry the lonely and sorrowful destiny. He could remain as radiant and bright as he was now—like the blazing sun hanging in the sky.

Gu Ci’s starry, radiant eyes were right in front of her. He leaned down, smiled, and touched his forehead to hers, “Yes, it really is wonderful.”

It was getting late, and Gu Ci left the Wen residence. He usually took the main road on Yiqiao Street to return home. But today, in such a good mood, he decided to find Qin Lang for a couple of drinks, so he turned into a small alley.

Unexpectedly, this spur-of-the-moment decision led him to encounter Pei Jian exiting through the side gate of the Wen residence. While walking, Pei Jian turned back to talk to someone inside.

For a moment, Gu Ci felt as if his blood had been frozen; his whole body stiffened, unable to move at all.

Pei Jian collided with him face to face.

With just one glance, Pei Jian saw through Gu Ci’s thoughts. They had grown up together and knew each other well. Moreover, Gu Ci now seemed to wear his thoughts openly on his face.

“Curious about how I knew about the side gate?” Pei Jian glanced at him, speaking unhurriedly, “If Nianxi could bring you here, why couldn’t she tell me?”

The atmosphere instantly became tense, as if ready to explode.

Gu Ci stared at Pei Jian. Clenching his teeth in restraint, barely holding back the urge to attack and kill him, he replied coldly, “Nianxi’s name is not for you to call.”

Pei Jian smirked mockingly and said, “Not for me to call it, but I’ve done so many times already. How long have you known her? What could you possibly know?”

He had rushed nonstop from Lan County back to the capital, just for a single glimpse of her, but couldn’t. Meanwhile, Gu Ci could openly sit in the Wen residence’s reception hall drinking tea, whereas he, at the side gate, was reduced to sneaking around like a thief.

Now, he couldn’t even be a thief, as Gu Ci blocked his way and questioned him.

All the exhaustion, grievances, humiliation, and sharp discomfort made Pei Jian even more cutting: “Speaking of which, didn’t you already know my intentions? Why didn’t you expose me back then? Don’t talk to me about brotherhood. Why disregard it now, or are you simply afraid I’ll steal Nianxi away?”

Gu Ci had already regained his composure. He knew Pei Jian was trying to provoke him into anger. He refused to admit his inner secrets or the fleeting panic he felt upon seeing Pei Jian appear at the side gate. He wouldn’t let this shameless person in front of him get what he wanted.

Gu Ci tried to force a smile but found his face stiff. Not yet mature enough, he lacked self-control. Facing the person in front of him, he couldn’t even pretend.

“You don’t know yet, do you? My father is returning soon, and Nian’er and I are getting engaged.”

Pei Jian was momentarily stunned. He had just returned to the capital, hadn’t yet paid his respects to the Crown Prince, and was unaware of the situation. However, the fact that Duke Zhenguo was returning must mean that the spies sent to Northern Liang had discovered critical intelligence.

Engagement—

He couldn’t help but clench his fists, veins bulging on his hands, his face ashen. Yet he was better at hiding his emotions than Gu Ci. Despite the internal turmoil of a crumbling mountain, his tone remained light and indifferent:

“Engagement? Even if it’s marriage, so what? Even long-time couples can part ways. How can you guarantee she’ll only ever love you?” His casual words and nonchalant attitude were akin to adding fuel to the fire. It was a blatant display of his complete disregard for moral boundaries—I am waiting for the two of you to break up.

“Even if you get married, I won’t give up.”

Having his wife coveted by someone else was something no man could tolerate, let alone Gu Ci, a young man full of vigor. Pei Jian’s words stirred all of his insecurities and anger like a towering wave, making him want to tear the person in front of him to shreds. Why did such shameless and despicable people exist in this world? Gu Ci couldn’t understand.

“Must you compete with me?”

Pei Jian didn’t even bother to lift his eyes this time, mocking, “Do you even deserve it?”

Once his best brother, Pei Jian now brazenly fought him for the woman he loved. Gu Ci could no longer hold back. Letting go of the reins of his horse, he swung his fist directly toward him.

Pei Jian was equally fed up with Gu Ci’s attitude. Clearly, it was Gu Ci who stole someone else’s wife, Gu Ci who was the thief, yet he still put on a pitiful facade as though he’d been betrayed. How laughable. Pei Jian never stooped to robbing others. What he wanted was Nianxi—the Nianxi who belonged to him.

Just as the two were about to clash, a familiar laugh suddenly echoed through the alley.

“Shizhang?” Wen Yuanqiao was on his way back from meeting with a friend. Earlier at the gathering, he had been inspired and composed two on-the-spot poems, which earned him endless praise, making it hard for him not to drink a bit more than usual.

Worrying that entering through the main gate might lead to being caught by his wife, Wen Yuanqiao decided to return home through the side gate instead. To his surprise, right at his doorstep, he encountered Pei Jian.

Not only Pei Shizhang but also his daughter’s suitor, the frequently visiting Gu Ci.

“Qingye? You’re here too?” Having too much to drink, Wen Yuanqiao’s thoughts were sluggish. Combined with the dim evening light, he failed to notice the odd expressions and tense atmosphere between the two. Leaning on a servant for support as he dismounted from his horse, he grabbed each of them by the arm. Without giving them a chance to speak, he began pulling them toward the side gate, saying, “What are you two doing standing outside? Come on, let’s head inside and talk with your uncle.”