Chapter 87

Xu Residence.

Xu Wanxin sat before the mirror, applying her makeup. She had deepened and thickened her usual thin eyebrows, making them curve upward sharply. Paired with her phoenix-like eyes, this gave her a softer, alluring charm, unlike her usual appearance.

In truth, this style didn’t suit her. She had a delicate and melancholic nature, and the soft elegance of curved brows and a slightly bowed head better reflected her charm. But Xing Yuan had expressed his preference for passionate beauties. She couldn’t bear to part from him, so she naturally fulfilled his every wish.

“Have you found out yet?” Xu Wanxin asked softly.

“Over the past two days, Lord Pei has been going to Duke Zhen’s residence after leaving court.”

“Duke Zhen’s residence?” She traced a gentle smile in the mirror, but her brows furrowed unconsciously, giving her an eerie appearance. “Isn’t Cousin estranged from the Gu family? Why would he go there?”

The maid lowered her head. “This servant does not know.”

Xu Wanxin inserted a gold hairpin into her hair, glaring at the garish jewels and ornaments now covering her head. Her mood worsened, and she muttered disdainfully, “Is he still mingling with the courtesan from Deyue Pavilion?”

“Yesterday, Lord Xing had a brawl with the Young Master of the Yongning Marquisate at Deyue Pavilion, causing such a commotion that even the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Five City Garrison Command were alerted. It was because of the courtesan, Yueniang.”

Xu Wanxin’s heart leaped with joy. She spun around abruptly, the jewels in her hair clinking and producing a crisp sound. “Does that mean it has spread all over the capital?”

The maid was about to reply when an announcement came from outside the courtyard: Madam Xun and Second Young Master Xu Ziqian had arrived. The maid scrambled to her feet, taking the wooden comb from Xu Wanxin’s hand to help tidy her long, ink-black hair.

“Mother, Second Brother, what brings you here?” Xu Wanxin turned and asked softly.

Madam Xun glanced at her makeup, her brows furrowing as though wanting to comment, but she swallowed her words.

It was Xu Ziqian who spoke earnestly, “Elder Sister, dressed like this, you do look strikingly beautiful.”

“Is that so?” Xu Wanxin smiled indifferently. “Second Brother, you didn’t come here just to praise me, did you?”

Xu Ziqian, a gentle and kind-hearted man, glanced at their mother when he heard this. Madam Xun nodded at him, prompting him to speak in a serious tone: “Yesterday, Lord Xing got into a fight at Deyue Pavilion over a woman, two men competing for one lady. The incident has become the talk of the town. Even my classmates have been asking me about it.”

The smile on Xu Wanxin’s face faded. “Second Brother, are you saying I’ve embarrassed you?”

“Of course not!” Xu Ziqian, flustered, rose from his seat. “I’ve never thought that way. But Xing Yuan is not a good match. Eldest Sister, you never believed me, so I had to tell you about this. Please reconsider your choices.”

“Reconsider my choices?” Xu Wanxin repeated his words. “Why do the men I fancy always turn out to be the wrong ones? What do you know about it?”

Xu Ziqian, not one for eloquent arguments, sat back down under Madam Xun’s silent instruction. She spoke earnestly, “When we called off your engagement to Pei Jian, it was a miscalculation by your father and me. But what’s done is done. Why must you degrade yourself like this?”

“At that time, Second Brother was born, and Mother poured all her attention into her son, neglecting me entirely. If it hadn’t been for Mother Pei, I would have drowned by the age of five and wouldn’t even be in this world.” Xu Wanxin’s eyes slowly filled with a trace of sorrow. “It was hard enough to have a satisfactory engagement, but good people don’t live long lives.”

“Second Brother, do you know why our parents canceled my engagement? Unlike the hereditary nobility of the Duke’s household, our family serves as civil officials. They thought that with Pei Jian no longer holding the title of the Duke’s heir, he would be of little help to you in the future. So, they decided to sell me off again to find you a brother-in-law who would be more beneficial!”

“Wan’er! Is that truly how you see me and your father?” Madam Xun was almost speechless. She could hardly believe that her once gentle and obedient daughter could harbor such bitter thoughts regarding her marriage.

That Lord Pei had lost his parents at a young age and lacked proper guidance. Moreover, the current Duke Zheng was a man of limited influence. They feared this boy might grow wayward and Wan’er would suffer hardships in his household. Thus, they called off the engagement early. Who could have foreseen that their daughter would resent them so deeply for this?

Madam Xun felt an icy chill gripping her heart.

Xu Wanxin’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly rose and approached Madam Xun. “Mother, it was wrong of me to say that. Please don’t be angry with me.”

She lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. “Second Brother’s earlier words broke my heart. I misspoke in the heat of the moment… Mother, I know you only want the best for me.”

Her expression gradually hardened with determination. “I want to confront him in person and get clarity. If Xing Yuan truly is such a heartless and faithless man, your daughter will never make the same mistake again.”

Madam Xun’s original intent was to sever any ties between her daughter and Xing Yuan, even if it meant confining her. She would not allow the two to interact further. However, since she and her husband decided to cancel Wan’er’s engagement, the relationship with their daughter had grown distant.

If they were to cut ties decisively, the mother-daughter bond might be completely lost. Hearing this, she nodded and said, “Very well, you should see his true nature as soon as possible. Mother will find you a better match.”

Xu Wanxin wiped the tears from her face and gave a grateful smile. Though her complexion was pale from crying, her eyes shone brightly. “Thank you, Mother, and thank you, Second Brother.”

---

Under a sparse, starry sky, Pei Jian took his leave from the Gu residence.

Duke Zhen would depart from the capital for the northern territories in two days. In recent days, Pei Jian had been carefully revisiting past events, recounting the positions and strategies of the Northern Liang surprise attacks to Duke Zhen. He also detailed the countermeasures employed later by Gu Ci when leading the troops in retaliation.

Gu Chengye was deeply gratified and gave Pei Jian a hearty pat on the shoulder. “Shizhang, you are truly gifted. Some of your strategies hadn’t even occurred to me. Uncle Gu owes you his gratitude.”

Pei Jian lowered his gaze to the sand table and did not take credit. “These weren’t my ideas.”

He simply had a good memory and was skilled at summarizing.

Gu Chengye couldn’t possibly imagine that such an extraordinary experience as reincarnation existed in this world. He merely thought Pei Jian was being modest and laughed, saying, “If this battle is won, you will be a great hero. Uncle Gu will petition for your commendation!”

Pei Jian remained calm and composed, showing no outward joy. There was always a maturity and steadiness about him that surpassed others his age. In contrast, Gu Ci appeared much more impulsive and inexperienced.

“Is there some disagreement between you and Qingye?”

Gu Chengye, being a straightforward military man, didn’t bother with subtlety. He sat boldly and directly addressed them with his deep and probing eyes. “No matter how well you pretend in front of me, it’s not convincing enough.”

Pei Jian had no intention of pretending.

Just yesterday, the Emperor’s decree had come, permitting Duke Zhen to return to the northern territories. Today, Gu Ci was nowhere to be found, and it was obvious whom he had gone to see.

With frustration weighing on his mind, Pei Jian replied plainly, “We both fell for the same girl.”

This time, it was Gu Chengye’s turn to be surprised. In spring, he received a letter from his wife mentioning that Gu Ci had found someone he liked. Every letter Gu Ci subsequently sent to the northern territories made sure to mention that girl from the Wen family.

Initially, he had planned to visit the Wen family to propose during this return to the capital. However, due to the uncertain situation in the northern territories and being entangled in numerous affairs, he now had to leave hastily.

Gu Chengye, having spent his life in the military and not one for romantic sentiments, asked, “Did you yield?”

Pei Jian glanced at Gu Chengye and replied gloomily, “No.”

“Did you fight for her?”

“Didn’t win.”

“Have you let go?”

“Can’t let go.”

“Had a fight? Who won?”

“Fought. It was a tie.”

Gu Chengye burst into hearty laughter. “Our Gu Ci has always been better with women than you.”

Pei Jian remained silent.

Gu Ci’s cheerful personality indeed made him popular among young ladies.

After holding it in for half a day, Pei Jian finally said in a muffled voice, “I won’t give up.”

“That’s the spirit!” Gu Chengye patted Pei Jian on the back encouragingly. “Uncle Gu supports you—go steal Gu Ci’s beloved away!”

Gu Chengye had watched Pei Jian grow up and understood his character deeply. While he didn’t say much else, he knew that in this critical moment, Pei Jian was doing everything he could to help the Gu family. The bond between Pei Jian and Gu Ci would last a lifetime. As for that girl from the Wen family, it would depend on who fate favored more. After all, for someone to capture the hearts of both Gu Ci and Pei Jian, she must be an extraordinary girl.

Pei Jian left the Gu residence in high spirits, mainly because Uncle Gu had said with a laugh, “If you manage to win Gu Ci’s beloved, I’ll personally officiate your wedding!”

The safety of the Gu household and Nianxi’s change of heart—these two matters brought him great joy. Just thinking about them filled him with happiness. However, the moment he encountered Xu Wanxin waiting under the lantern outside, the subtle, indescribable joy in his heart vanished instantly.