Chapter 151

“How is it that your complexion still looks this poor after recuperating for such a long time, Cousin?”

Sitting by the bed worriedly, Xu Wanxin clasped Xun Shuling’s hand tightly and said sincerely, “Could it be that the servants have not been attentive enough?”

Xun Shuling felt a warmth in her heart. At times like this, the people who come to visit and genuinely care for her are the ones who truly have her best interests at heart.

It is easy to embellish a success but difficult to provide help in a crisis.

Moreover, Wan’er was not being perfunctory. Even when her elder sister-in-law from her maternal family visited, she only offered empty words of comfort.

Xun Shuling also knew she was in poor health and could not help but smile bitterly. “I’ve been taking medicine every day. The imperial physician says I’ll see improvement only after spring arrives.”

Always gentle and kind, Xu Wanxin furrowed her brows upon hearing this. “Has King Jing come to check on you again, Sister?”

Xun Shuling shook her head, her sallow face full of disappointment. “He spends his days seeking pleasure in the front courtyard. How could he care whether I live or die?”

Xu Wanxin comforted her, “He was confined by His Majesty during the New Year festivities and was even forbidden from attending the New Year’s Eve banquet. He is simply in a bad mood and is not intentionally neglecting you.”

“You must focus on recovering your health—it is more important than anything else!”

Full of sorrow, Xun Shuling grasped her younger cousin’s hand and said mournfully, “I am so useless now. At this point, only you, Wan’er, still care about me.”

Xu Wanxin lowered her gaze, looking at her cousin’s emaciated hand. Though she hid her disgust, her words were as sweet and flowery as ever. “Once you recover, Cousin, you will still be the esteemed King Jing Consort. You must not belittle yourself.” She turned her head to look at the cold and deserted courtyard, letting out a faint sigh. “It’s always that Wen Nianxi, who doesn’t know her place and acts so ostentatiously. Otherwise, such a commotion wouldn’t have happened, and Cousin wouldn’t have suffered a miscarriage because of it.”

Previously, when Wan’er made such remarks, Xun Shuling would still defend Nianxi.

King Jing tried to use force, and the young lady was unwilling—if blame were to be assigned, it certainly wouldn’t fall on Nianxi. As for her miscarriage, it had even less to do with Wen Nianxi.

But over time, she started to waver.

Because Wan’er said: “One hand can’t clap by itself. Why would His Highness not accept others but insist on taking her? It must be because she was the one who first provoked him.”

“Back then, even Duke Fu spoke up for her. It’s evident how shameless this woman is—she wouldn’t spare either uncle or nephew. Truly appalling.”

“Cousin doesn’t know, does she? Previously, she and General Gu were closely acquainted. We all thought something good was about to happen between them. But then Duke Zhen lost the battle, and General Gu went off to the frontlines. She immediately changed her heart!”

Xun Shuling, who did not know Wen Nianxi and Gu Ci’s relationship, was astonished. “General Gu?”

“Yes, General Gu treated her so well back then. Now that he’s out on the battlefield, if she had even an ounce of conscience or had read a single lesson on feminine virtue, she should remain loyal—even if it means waiting until her death. That would be her proper duty. But instead, she flirts with one man after another, never staying decent.”

A look of disdain filled Xu Wanxin’s pure face. “Whenever we talk about this, we all feel sorry for General Gu!”

Xun Shuling remained silent, vaguely sensing that Wan’er’s words were not entirely correct, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong. However, after hearing it repeatedly, she gradually believed that Wen Nianxi was indeed despicable.

King Jing was confined; she had fallen out of the Empress and her husband’s favor, as well as her poor child—all of it was because of Wen Nianxi.

It was Wen Nianxi who had caused all their suffering!

For the first time, Xun Shuling responded, “I’m currently recuperating and cannot leave the residence, but if I could, I would certainly teach that woman a lesson she’d never forget.”

“I see all of my cousin’s suffering,” Xu Wanxin said, her gentle demeanor unwavering. “Don’t worry, Cousin—I’m always out and about.”

…

Gu Ci received a letter from the capital during the Lantern Festival, informing him that Nianxi had been humiliated by King Jing and was nearly forced into his household. To protect herself, she had no choice but to publicly declare that she would remain unmarried for life. He had never known that when anxiety reached a certain level, a person’s hands could truly tremble.

He couldn’t imagine the scene at that time—his Nianxi facing imperial power’s oppression and a king’s coercion. How terrified and helpless she must have felt.

Gu Ci held the letter, feeling lost for the first time in his life. What should he do? What should he do to bring happiness to that girl?

The rabbit lantern in a fairy-like dress lay quietly on the bedside, its big eyes staring unblinkingly at him. Gu Ci felt as if a knife was carving into his heart, leaving him bloody and raw, the pain swelling in his throat.

Fear, heartache, guilt, anger…

All these emotions collided and spread within his chest, making him feel like a trapped beast, unable to break through the cage of reality to provide her with steady reliance.

Before starting his campaign, he and Nianxi never discussed the future.

They didn’t make any promises to each other. Was it because their feelings weren’t strong? Of course not.

She was the only woman he had loved in his entire life, and that would never change. At that time, his only worry was that another man might appear by Nianxi’s side, caring for her, cherishing her, and replacing him.

Gu Ci didn’t dare let himself relax. Every moment, he felt like a tightly drawn bowstring, focusing only on driving out the Liang enemies, building accomplishments, and—returning to her as soon as possible.

He had almost lost himself.

On the battlefield, he began to seek greater thrills, finding primal satisfaction amidst the bloodshed and carnage. He grew reckless, throwing caution to the wind, and caused the death of Xie Qiu.

Then, he received her gift—A lovely rabbit-shaped lantern and a letter.

In delicate and graceful handwriting, the letter read: “May you stay safe and healthy; I eagerly await your return.”

Eagerly awaiting your return…

His Nianxi was waiting for him.

That night, he sat alone by the lantern until dawn, staring at those eight short words, his eyes brimming with tears.

After that night, Gu Ci no longer acted recklessly. The original plan to pursue the Liang enemies the next day was also canceled. With the blizzard raging, venturing out would be no different from seeking death. He locked himself away, continuously simulating possible battle tactics on the sand table. Then, he received a letter from the capital.

For a moment, he felt immense sorrow—not for himself, but for Nianxi.

Nianxi was a girl who was particularly afraid of loneliness. She opened a beverage shop, surrounding herself with people. Although she wasn’t naturally lively, she loved the bustling and vibrant atmosphere. So he organized dragon boat races for her, took her to watch performances, and dined with her at every tavern in the capital.

Gu Ci knew she cherished companionship. They both cherished having each other’s company.

“Eagerly awaiting your return…”

Gu Ci’s heart ached so much that his eyelashes quivered. The pain made him crouch down.

His Nianxi—was she still scared? Did King Jing still trouble her? Was there someone by her side, comforting her, protecting her?

It felt as though he was being tortured, driving him nearly to madness. But with a thousand miles between them, his letter would take a month to reach her. He had nothing to offer her. The only thing he could hope for was that his Nianxi would never feel sorrow because of him.