Chapter 148

Nianxi had initially prepared herself for an awkward and uncomfortable situation, but Lu Wensheng’s warmth and maturity managed to dissolve the embarrassment. Although she couldn’t reciprocate his love, it didn’t stop her from appreciating him as a person. He was a gentleman worthy of admiration.

Having made things clear, Nianxi was ready to take her leave but noticed Lu Wensheng’s gaze fixed somewhere behind her. Following his line of sight, she saw Pei Jian quietly standing opposite them.

Nianxi was slightly taken aback.

In truth, after their unhappy parting that day, she had long ceased to think of him. They had once been husband and wife and had a child together, but misunderstandings and estrangement had led them down separate paths. Even without a second chance at life, they would have divorced and moved on to lead different lives.

Love and hate, joy and sorrow—all of Nianxi’s past self had already given these entirely to Pei Jian. In this new life, she didn’t want to repeat the old paths, nor did she need his regret or atonement.

Lu Wensheng noticed Nianxi’s expression. He wasn’t clear about the relationship between Nianxi and Pei Jian, but there was a subtle feeling that some inexplicable entanglement existed between the two, something others couldn’t possibly know. From her behavior, at least one thing was evident—they knew each other well.

Lu Wensheng, of course, understood Nianxi’s charm and endearing qualities. From Gu Ci in the past to Pei Jian now and even Zhou Yanli, he had received similar hostile gazes from them. However, his experience made him steady. He wouldn’t act like a brash young man vying for attention. Even though his heart harbored the instinctive possessiveness of a man, he was adept at concealing it. Lowering his gaze, he asked her calmly, “Do you know him?”

Nianxi responded affirmatively; there was no reason to hide it.

Pei Jian approached. He withdrew his hostility, and his usually cold face even bore a smile. “Nianxi.”

He didn’t look at Lu Wensheng but softly said, “What a coincidence.”

The Liuji Pavilion was located in a remote area—not an ideal place for a casual encounter.

Nianxi didn’t bother to expose the situation. She knew Pei Jian had misunderstood the relationship between her and Lu Wensheng, but his behavior remained composed and calm, without any of the annoying actions she detested.

To Nianxi, this was already rare. So she nodded slightly and echoed, “What a coincidence.”

Only then did Pei Jian look directly at Lu Wensheng.

As men, they both understood each other. Perhaps from the very beginning, neither had any intention of hiding anything.

Pursuit, rivalry.

This was the battlefield of men—confrontation sharp as blades, a fight to the death.

“Lord Pei.” Lu Wensheng spoke first, courteously, like a true gentleman. “What a coincidence to meet you here.”

Pei Jian’s expression remained indifferent as his dark eyes glanced at Lu Huai, who was sneakily lifting the curtain to peek. His tone was flat. “Not entirely unexpected.”

He then turned his gaze to Nianxi, who stood beside Lu Wensheng. Beneath his sleeves, his fists clenched tightly as his eyes lowered. Yet his words came out casually. “Uncle mentioned you were here.”

Lu Wensheng had already considered his vague and ambiguous attitude a provocation.

Men understand men best.

However, Lu Wensheng seemed completely unfazed. He remained gentle, composed, and courteous as he said to Lu Huai, who was peeking out from the carriage, “Xiaoqi, let’s get going. Come down and say goodbye to Nianxi.”

With considerate and calm understanding, he made sure not to make anyone feel awkward.

Lu Huai obediently got off the carriage, displaying a child’s transparent scheming. After glancing at Pei Jian, he said sweetly, “Nianxi, it’s settled then. Next time, you’ll go to Fengle Tower with Father and me, alright~”

Nianxi could only smile silently.

Lu Wensheng patted Xiaoqi’s head and looked down at Nianxi with warm concern. “It’s getting late; you should head back soon.”

Finally, he politely nodded towards Pei Jian. “Lord Pei, farewell.”

The unspoken rivalry between men was something only they could feel.

Pei Jian pressed his lips together and responded with a barely audible “hm.”

After Lu Wensheng and his son departed, Nianxi glanced at Pei Jian before walking towards her carriage.

Pei Jian didn’t move. He simply watched Nianxi’s retreating figure with a complicated expression.

He was not a saint. On the contrary, his heart was filled with bitter and selfish thoughts. He would never bless her being with another man. But Pei Jian does not want her to be unhappy. In this lifetime, he hopes Nianxi will always be joyful. He wishes for her happiness more than anyone else.

Pei Jian doesn’t know how fond Nianxi is of Lu Wensheng now.

Lu Wensheng is not a good man. But is it of any use to tell her?

At that time, he impulsively rushed in front of her, telling her about Gu Ci’s possible future, weighing the pros and cons. But what did Nianxi say?

She said, “I am with him because I like him. If one day we part ways, it would only be because I no longer like him—there would be no other reason.”

She said she didn’t care about the outcome. She has always been a sincere person. Or should he talk to her about politics and the current situation?

Tell her that Lu Wensheng is inseparably tied to King Jing and that in the future, Lu Wensheng will choose to marry the daughter of the Fang family from the Shaanxi Province for military power.

He had already made a mistake once with Gu Ci.

Nianxi does not like emotions being calculated like this, and besides, she would surely be unhappy.

Pei Jian hesitated.

Because between him and Lu Wensheng, putting aside the matter of Nianxi, they were opponents in the court, vying for the ultimate imperial power, destined to be enemies with no room for reconciliation.

One day in the future, he would deliver a fatal blow to Lu Wensheng. But he didn’t want to see Nianxi get hurt.

Moreover, there was the matter of Nianxi’s death.

Was Lu Wensheng involved?

Pei Jian parted his lips, ready to speak even if it meant Nianxi would despise and resent him. Some things still needed to be said, “Nianxi—”

“Miss!” At the same time, the voice of the maid, Xing Yue, called out in surprise and uncertainty, “There… there’s someone here!”

Pei Jian immediately rushed to Nianxi’s side, shielding her and looking in the direction Xing Yue had pointed. There stood a frail and disheveled woman, hiding on the sheltered side of the carriage, her hair unkempt and face dirty.

Upon being discovered, the woman hugged her head tightly, curled into a ball, and trembled with fear. She continuously pleaded in a low voice, “Please, spare me, please let me go.”

Nianxi exchanged a glance with Pei Jian. She stepped out from behind him, took two steps forward, and gently said to the woman, “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”

Her voice was soft, and she refrained from approaching the woman directly. She kept a safe distance and ensured the woman wouldn’t feel panicked or uneasy.

Indeed, the woman gradually lifted her head and looked at Nianxi. Her vacant eyes began to show a hint of light. Suddenly, she turned over and knelt before Nianxi, bowing her head repeatedly as she wept and pleaded: “Miss, please have mercy, save me. I beg you to save me.”

It was bitterly cold, and the woman was dressed only in a thin padded jacket, her face pale from the cold, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Behind her was the Liuji Pvilion.

Nianxi was not a person to show blind compassion, especially since the woman’s background was unclear. However, she could not bear to see another woman suffering. She then instructed Lan Zhi, “Go inside and see if there’s any warm cotton clothing.”

She asked the woman, “Where is your home? Do you need to be taken back?”

At first, the woman’s eyes brightened slightly upon hearing about the warm clothing. But when the family was mentioned, she became terrified, her face twisting with fear. “I won’t go back! I would rather die than go back!” she shouted.