Chapter 145

Gu Ci remembered this lantern. During the Qixi Festival, he and Nianxi solved the riddle together. The shopkeeper invited him inside to choose, and he immediately picked this rabbit lantern among all the lanterns. He thought the rabbit’s big eyes resembled Nianxi’s in some way. Incredibly adorable—so he chose it specifically to make her happy. It was also dressed in a flowing, wide-sleeved immortal skirt. The difference was that the one he picked had the skirt painted on, while the one delivered had the skirt actually worn on the outside.

Silly and charming.

He stared at the rabbit almost greedily.

Gu Ci, of course, knew who had sent it to him.

Nianxi.

Nianxi—Her name, it turned out, was so melodious and lingering when spoken aloud.

He carefully lifted the rabbit, holding the lantern handle. The rabbit spun and danced in front of him as if she were right there beside him.

The previously tense nerves relaxed, and the once indestructible heart began to soften in one place.

Heavy snow fell from the sky on New Year’s Eve, and fierce winds howled, battering against the gates and walls. In this solitary northern border town, one’s heart felt as if it were wandering alone in a desolate wilderness. However, a gift from afar effortlessly melted the ice accumulated in the heart.

He suddenly felt a sense of grievance, as if he wanted to tell Nianxi that he missed her, that he had been missing her, especially these days.

Xie Qiu was dead. He was both a guard and a companion, and it was his fault that he died.

He felt deeply guilty. The overwhelming sadness drove him to seek vengeance, to demand a blood debt from his enemies. He wanted the iron cavalry of Great Jing to trample every inch of Liang’s land, to sever the heads of every enemy, and to honor the souls of all the fallen soldiers.

But he was also exhausted. It had been a long time since he had a peaceful night’s sleep. Whenever he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with bloody and cruel images. He had said before that he would return to her side, step by step. But he didn’t know that every step was so difficult.

Nianxi, do you know how much I miss you?

The sun rises, and the moon sets, never stopping. Yet such a gentle and kind girl would surely capture the hearts of many men. Gu Ci looked at the letter in the box, hesitant and too timid to open it, as if it were the fear of approaching one’s hometown after a long absence.

In the vast ocean of life, there will always be someone who is the anchor for your soul.

He had never hidden his passionate love for Nianxi. This deep affection, he once feared, would become a burden to her.

But now, he regretted it.

He should not have suppressed the overwhelming love in his heart that he dared not express. He didn’t know when he would see her again, or if he ever would in this lifetime, to let her know—

In this world, someone loves her so deeply, with unyielding devotion, until death.

When Gu Chengye entered, he saw Gu Ci holding a flower-patterned lantern. Under the shadow of the candlelight, he looked solitary, with his head lowered, lost in thought.

“Little Sixth.” Gu Chengye called out to him.

The recent death of Xie Qiu had been a significant blow to him. Gu Chengye didn’t want to bring it up again during this festive time. Instead, he pointed at the rabbit lantern in his hand and chuckled, “This must have been sent by that Wen family girl, right?”

Gu Ci’s gaze softened as it landed on the lantern. He nodded and asked, “Father, why are you here at this hour? I didn’t attend because I have no appetite today.”

“Marching in battle, New Year’s Eve for us is no different from usual days,” Gu Chengye waved dismissively. “This family banquet doesn’t even have wine. Frankly, I don’t feel like eating either.”

Drinking was strictly forbidden in the military during wartime.

Gu Ci curled his lips into a faint smile but didn’t speak.

Gu Chengye sighed inwardly. Gi Ci was usually a cheerful person, and it was rare to see him so despondent. So, he said, “Shizhang, that lad, also likes the Wen family girl.”

He spoke with certainty, and Gu Ci immediately lifted his head, his gaze darkening. “How do you know, Father?”

Gu Chengye seated himself and reminisced in his tone, “Back when I fancied your mother, her cousin hated me fiercely. Your father has been through it all.”

“A family with a daughter attracts many suitors. That Wen family girl, her name is Nianxi, right? She’s truly remarkable. Shizhang, that lad, certainly has a keen eye.”

Gu Ci, who could no longer remain composed, retorted, “He’s just shameless!”

Gu Chengye chuckled, “When it comes to winning a wife, why bother with pride? Let me ask you, if Nianxi marries someone else, marries Pei Jian, what would you do?”

Gu Ci’s greatest fear was that Nianxi would fall in love with someone else and marry someone else. In the past, he might have hesitated and wavered. But the military camp had forged his manly resolve. At this moment, he would not hesitate, “I would take her back.”

As long as she still had the slightest affection for him, as long as she would turn back and look at him once, he would return to her side. He would ensure that those clear, moist eyes once again reflected his shadow.

“Then take care of yourself,” Gu Chengye stepped forward and patted his shoulder.

Standing before him, his son had grown much taller than him, and he was a successor to the Gu family and the new generation’s god of war on the northern frontier. “Don’t make us worry anymore.”

“In the capital, there are still people who remember you.”

After Gu Chengye left, Gu Ci stood alone for a long time.

It wasn’t until the snow stopped and the wind died down that he finally put down the lantern he had been holding and picked up the letter Nianxi had sent him.

…

Pei Jian erected a blank stele.

On the festive New Year’s Eve, a time for family reunions, he stood alone on the mountain for a long time. He brought a rattle drum, a slingshot, a hobbyhorse, and several other toys, placing them all in front of the stone tablet.

In his heart, he silently said, “Father doesn’t know whether you’re a boy or a girl, nor what you might like, so I’ve bought a bit of everything.”

“If there’s anything else you like, just send me a dream, and I’ll buy it all for you.”

“Your mother?” he asked.

“Actually, Dad misses her too, but Mom doesn’t want Dad anymore. Dad made a mistake, and she got angry, refusing to pay attention to Dad ever again.”

Pei Jian stared at the tombstone in front of him, his eyes suddenly turning deeply red.

Pei Jian of the past was so fortunate—he had a wife and child. He should have just waited for ten months of pregnancy, the baby’s first cry, and he would have had a perfect family. Like his father and mother, they would have lived happily together.

But it was all gone.

Nianxi had completely parted ways with him.

The bridge returned to the bridge, and the road to the road.

From then on, they would rarely even have the chance to meet.

How is she doing? Is she happy? It seems she’s doing well.

And what about him? He’ll probably be fine, too.

He has power and status; many women want to bear his children. Perhaps he’ll even meet a foolish girl like Nianxi, who will bring him happiness.

Pei Jian touched his own face; it was icy cold.

A fortune-teller once said he had little destiny for descendants.

He didn’t believe it. He clearly wanted a family more than anything. Yet, he had lost the most important person.

The cold in his chest was severe, and the pain spread. Loving someone for a long time and caring for them day after day is a matter that requires patience. But back then, he forgot to look back.

“So, my child, that’s why your mother left your father.”

“Your father has already realized his mistake.”

Pei Jian covered his face, and tears seeped through his fingers. He sobbed uncontrollably, nearly choking on his words.

“Your father has already realized his mistake.”

His Nianxi, can she forgive him and return to his side?