Chapter 150

It’s hard to describe Pei Jian’s feelings at this moment in just one word. He sat silently on the side, listening to Nianxi gently comfort another woman, telling her not to be afraid, helping her weigh the pros and cons, and encouraging her to be braver.

Nianxi exuded a kind of gentle yet firm faith, one that brought reassurance to others. She was like a piece of polished jade, radiating a warm and delicate glow.

Most of the time, Pei Jian was extremely tired of this whole “rebirth” scenario. He longed to return to his previous life, where he had a wife, a home, and power. He no longer had to be constrained at every turn, enabling him to do more things and make up for the love that Nianxi had given him.

But sitting here at this moment, he suddenly realized that rebirth was the best compensation for Nianxi. She had found a better version of herself.

How would the Nianxi of the past have handled such matters? She would likely have wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes brimming with starlight, and asked with trust, “Pei Jian, shall we help her?”

The present Nianxi, however, possessed a gentle yet powerful core. She was still kind-hearted but would now actively make decisions on her own, offering help without relying on external forces.

For a man, especially one like Pei Jian, standing at the pinnacle of power, this was undoubtedly a regretful and bittersweet matter. The further she distanced herself from the past Nianxi, the less connection they would share. But strangely enough, beyond the bitterness, his heart was filled with more joy.

In the past, he was someone who only knew how to take, not understanding the ways of love or being loved.

Nianxi’s departure taught him to grow. Despite the pain and overwhelming regret it brought, he at least learned how to treat a loved one genuinely.

Her happiness came before his.

Her fulfillment, too, preceded his.

…

Cui Lian gradually found her resolve through Nianxi’s words. She hated the oppression of women in the village with a passion. If she could divorce her husband openly and with dignity, just as the young lady had suggested, it would show everyone that women are not merely meant to bear children—they have their own will!

Women are human, too!

Sister Qin or many other women won’t be driven to despair.

Nianxi patiently waited for Cui Lian. She understood how difficult this was. She had struggled before, too. When it became clear that Pei Jian’s heart belonged elsewhere, she had endured two long years of torment and hesitation. It wasn’t until Pei Jian brought Xu Wanxin’s child before her that she was finally forced to make up her mind.

The fact that Cui Lian had managed to escape already proved her bravery.

“Miss,” Cui Lian said, her heart still panicked and fearful, yet now feeling a sense of support. “I’m going back to demand a divorce!”

“Alright,” Nianxi said, looking at her encouragingly. “Stay at the Liuji Pavilion for the next few days. On the fifteenth, during the ‘Pai Xi’ celebration, I will escort you back to settle the divorce with your husband. Don’t be afraid; no one will trouble you.”

To Cui Lian, it felt as though a divine fortune had descended upon her. She had met an angelic young lady with a compassionate heart, rescuing her from despair. She didn’t doubt the young lady’s words in the slightest. If the young lady said it was possible, then it would surely come true!

Cui Lian wanted to imitate the elegant manners of Lan Zhi or Xing Yue as she bowed to express her gratitude to Nianxi. However, being from a rural background, she did not understand these aristocratic etiquettes and ended up doing an awkward imitation, unintentionally revealing a touch of youthful shyness.

“How old are you?” Nianxi asked.

“Seventeen.”

Nianxi sighed, realizing she was still just a young girl.

After settling Cui Lian in, the evening had grown late. Nianxi prepared to take a carriage back to the estate.

Pei Jian walked beside her and asked, “Are you planning to seek help from Wen Qingheng?”

Nianxi affirmed. Earlier, she had already inquired about Cui Lian’s residence and her husband’s name, intending to gather information over the next few days and handle the divorce on the fifteenth.

Cui Lian’s husband had been abusing her with the authority of male dominance, so she would rely on official power, proving that there is always a higher mountain. There was no need for reasoning to deal with such men.

“Actually, there’s no need for Brother Wen to get involved. His temperament is too mild and unsuitable for dealing with rogue scoundrels. I already understand the situation—it’s simplest to send someone to handle it.” Pei Jian worried that Nianxi might reject his goodwill, so he spoke cautiously.

Nianxi teased, “My brother is a good person, not suited to handle ruffians, so you’re not a good person?”

Pei Jian lowered his gaze and smiled nonchalantly. “I suppose not.”

When they had just married, he was often preoccupied with official duties and didn’t spend much time with her.

One night, when he returned home late, he found her still awake, anxiously waiting for him: “Lady An’s husband hadn’t come home for days, claiming to be busy with court affairs, but he was actually keeping a mistress outside. When Lady An discovered it and confronted him, her husband claimed he was a good person who couldn’t bear to see the weak and helpless mistress suffer and thus took her in to give her a home.”

“Pei Jian, are you a good person?” she asked.

Her playful questioning was so endearing that all his exhaustion melted away. In the quiet of the night, having a light left on just for him, someone waiting for his return—it was heartwarming. He kissed her forehead and replied, “I suppose I’m not.”

She protested, her almond-shaped eyes wide and round. “Either you are or you aren’t—what do you mean by ‘suppose’?”

He laughed, scooped her up, and carried her back to the bedroom, showing her the difference between ‘being’ and ‘not being.’

Now, however, Nianxi no longer recalled anything about their past together. She didn’t remember their playful exchange about being a “good person,” nor did she remember standing on the bed, arms akimbo, threatening him: “Pei Jian, if you act like a compassionate, good person, I’ll ignore you for the rest of my life!”

The fact that she had forgotten meant she truly didn’t remember.

Pei Jian felt an aching emptiness within him. Even though he had long known that she had let go, every time he faced it, it still brought unbearable pain to his heart.

Nianxi no longer refused. “Thank you for your trouble,” she said before boarding the carriage and leaving.

Pei Jian watched her departing figure, enveloped in a deep sense of powerlessness. She had indeed forgotten all their past moments. But he could not act like a madman, forcing her to relive their history.

All he could do was watch her leave.

---

King Jing Mansion.

Xun Shuling was half-reclined on the bed, her complexion sallow, her gaze somewhat vacant as she stared at the newly plucked plum blossom held by the maidservant.

The red plum stood proudly on its branch, exuding a faint, elegant fragrance. Unlike her, whose bloom had long faded.

It had been more than two months since her miscarriage, yet she still experienced incessant bleeding. Though the imperial physicians spoke ambiguously, she vaguely understood—she would likely have no connection with offspring in the future.

Xun Shuling knew that the Empress and King Jing both resented her. They blamed her weak constitution, blamed her for miscarrying at the Birthday Banquet, and blamed her for tarnishing King Jing’s reputation.

During the Lunar New Year festivities, the King Jing Mansion was as silent as a tomb. Everyone seemed lifeless, devoid of vitality.

Well, not entirely. The front courtyard was still lively. It was said that the two concubines and the maidservants took turns serving in bed. King Jing indulged in nightly revelry while she, the consort, was the one forgotten.

Being forgotten wasn’t so bad.

Xun Shuling blinked away the moisture in her eyes. This husband, King Jing, she didn’t want to see him either.

“Cousin, are you feeling any better today?” Someone lifted the curtain and entered. Before the person even came closer, their concerned words had already reached her.

Hearing the soft and gentle voice, a faint smile finally appeared on Xun Shuling’s face.