Chapter 125

“Duke Fu?” Nianxi was somewhat surprised.

Being highly sensitive, Pei Jian immediately sensed the peculiarity in her tone. It was clear that she knew people from Duke Fu’s household, perhaps even Lu Wensheng himself. Her reaction had been much less pronounced when he mentioned the other two individuals.

“The Duke Fu family is the maternal family of King Jing, and Lu Wensheng is King Jing’s maternal uncle,” he said with a facade of casual indifference as though asking inadvertently. “Do you know Duke Fu?”

Nianxi glanced at him. “I’ve met him.”

Pei Jian, ever astute, realized that Nianxi saying she had met Lu Wensheng likely didn’t mean she had just seen him from a distance. The two must have interacted, perhaps even in private.

A sudden wave of panic overcame him. He couldn’t recall Nianxi ever having any connection with this person in their past life.

Pei Jian slightly turned his body, his eyes fixed on her, carefully observing every expression on her face. His tone, however, remained casual, “How do you know him?”

“I’m just asking casually. If you don’t want to say, it’s fine. But based on past experiences, I think you should be a bit more cautious, especially with these individuals.”

“I’m just worried someone with ulterior motives might take advantage of you.”

When it came to matters of life and death, Pei Jian wouldn’t speak lightly.

Nianxi had nothing to hide. With a calm expression, she said, “I know Duke Fu’s son—a very clever boy.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Jian felt his heart tighten painfully.

A child. That was the most forbidden and painful topic between him and Nianxi.

They had a child once, and they lost that child. Often, when he reflected on the past, revisiting his regrets, he would wonder at what point Nianxi started losing faith in him. When did the distance between them grow so vast? Was it because of the birthday he missed? Or because of the child who never had the fortune to come into this world?

Nianxi never brought up anything about the child with him.

In their previous life, even when he was past thirty, he had no children. Even His Majesty and the Crown Prince had inquired about the matter. At the time, he always thought that once he got through the busy period and his position was further solidified, he would have a child with Nianxi.

During the festive seasons, when Qin Lang visited with his family, he would watch Qin Lang’s children grow taller year after year, and in his heart, he would think that the child he and Nianxi could have had would probably be as tall as a desk by now.

The year he was promoted to Prime Minister, he went to a temple to set up a longevity monument. It was drizzling that day, and he went alone without an attendant. He climbed the mountain, made the inscription, and knelt before the Buddha, reciting a sutra of rebirth for an entire afternoon.

That day, it was drizzling. He went alone, without any attendants, climbing the mountain to request a monument. He knelt before the Buddha and spent an entire afternoon chanting a sutra for rebirth.

The fortune slip stated that his strong “official star” hindered offspring. He had studied the teachings of sages since childhood and never believed in superstitions or fate.

Yet, he feared it might come true.

His childhood shaped his vision of happiness in his heart—his father teaching him martial arts under a tree in the courtyard and his mother sitting nearby, sipping tea and painting—a harmonious and joyful family.

He had dreamed of having a daughter, lively and endearing, just like Nianxi. If he was lucky, he wanted to offer her the world.

But he couldn’t say it out loud. Nianxi’s pain was a hundredfold greater than his.

The deepest pain was buried in the heart. He had heard her stifled sobs in the night. It felt like enduring a thousand cuts.

Pei Jian’s always stern expression was now filled with bitterness. At this moment, hearing her speak cheerfully about Lu Wensheng’s child, he truly wanted to ask Nianxi: “Do you still think about our child?”

He must have been so adorable.

“Nianxi, I…”

“What?” Nianxi asked with a smile.

Pei Jian struggled with his words, staring at Nianxi’s serene face. It felt as though something was squeezing his heart, and the pain resonated through his entire being, suffocating him. He should no longer say things that would bring her sadness.

The past was a prison of his own making, but it should not be used to trap her any longer. Even though, at this moment, remorse, guilt, and sorrow were threatening to drown him. His tightly clenched fists were covered in bulging veins, but he could only softly, solemnly promise: “In this life, I will never let anyone hurt you again, no matter who they are.”

Nianxi, this is what I owe you. This is the eternal debt of the arrogant and ignorant Pei Jian from their past life—a debt that can never be repaid.

Nianxi had been quietly admiring the flowers under the veranda. Hearing the slight tremor at the end of Pei Jian’s voice, she looked up and saw that his eyes were faintly red. She was momentarily startled, then softly replied, “Thank you.”

“In the past, I was too negative. Now, I won’t so easily let myself be lost to death again.”

Pei Jian was worried that she might feel burdened. “You don’t need to be anxious. Just focus on being happy every day. After all, that’s something years down the line. Don’t worry—in less than ten years, I’ll eliminate all threats.”

“Okay.”

Pei Jian rarely had the chance to talk with her so calmly and freely in what was once their shared home. There were words he nearly blurted out, “Nianxi, can you come back?”

But he restrained himself.

Pei Jian already knew Nianxi’s answer. Winning her heart back wasn’t something that could be done overnight. He didn’t want to trouble her or ruin the rare, relaxed atmosphere. But, alas, some people just didn’t know their place.

“Cousin—” Xu Wanxin’s soft and gentle voice came from behind the screen wall. Soon after, she walked gracefully into the courtyard, carrying a food box.

“Cousin, I brought plum blossom cakes from Banlou. They’re still warm—your favorite!”

“Oh, Sister Nianxi, you’re here too.” She made her way through the courtyard with familiarity. Only when she reached the veranda did she seem to notice Nianxi, her face showing a hint of embarrassment. “Had I known Sister Nianxi was here, I would’ve brought an extra serving.”

The meaning behind Xu Wanxin’s words was all too clear—She and her cousin were about to share the plum blossom cakes, and Nianxi, the uninvited guest, ought to take her leave.

“It’s fine,” Nianxi replied calmly.

Nianxi remained calm and turned to Pei Jian. “Didn’t you have some books for me? Hurry and get them so your plum blossom cakes don’t go cold.”

Pei Jian glanced at her expression, wanting to say something, but with Xu Wanxin present, he couldn’t speak openly. Instead, he went to the study and returned with a few books. “These books are quite heavy. I’ll see you home.”

Nianxi glanced at the thin stack of books in his hands and smiled faintly. “These few books? I’m not so fragile that I can’t carry them.” She took the books from Pei Jian’s hands and turned to leave.

Pei Jian watched her figure retreat, then quickly caught up with her. Standing by Nianxi’s carriage, he explained, “I didn’t know she was coming.”

Carefully, he asked, “Are you upset?”

Pei Jian was tall, and even with Nianxi seated on the high carriage, her gaze was only level with his.

“Why would I be upset?” she asked.

“You suddenly leaving—it means you’re upset.”

Nianxi smiled faintly. “Nowadays, at most, we’re a divorced couple. Your cousin came looking for you, yet you chase after me to ask if I’m upset? Pei Jian, I’ve long since let go. Whether you believe it or not, it’s the truth.”

The two locked eyes, their gazes meeting.

Pei Jian’s brows had initially furrowed deeply, but he slowly relaxed after staring at her for a moment. “I understand,” he said. “I just didn’t want you to misunderstand.”

“I thank you for your books as a token of courtesy,” Nianxi said. With that, she lowered the carriage curtain, and the carriage moved away. In truth, she had indeed been upset earlier. She despised Xu Wanxin’s repeated schemes.

Xu Wanxin was like a lurking predator in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity, constantly watching anyone who appeared around Pei Jian.

Even more, she loathed Xu Wanxin’s ambiguous, suggestive words, always laced with hidden meanings. But Nianxi was no longer the fragile, conflicted version of herself from the past. She no longer let provocations leave her silently hurt and heartbroken.

It wasn’t until the carriage disappeared at the end of the alley that Pei Jian turned and returned to the courtyard with his somber face.