Chapter 59

Pei Jian had not been sick for a long time. His head felt like it was splitting, his body burned, and he was so dizzy and weak that he had no strength left.

It was said that he often fell ill when he was a child, so his father taught him martial arts early to help him develop a strong body. After the death of both parents, his health had always been good. Even Gu Ci occasionally suffered headaches and colds, but Pei Jian always remained healthy. He had witnessed how Madam Wang took care of Gu Ci—staying by his bedside day and night, wiping his body, feeding him medicine, and tending to him meticulously, never delegating the responsibility to others.

From then on, Pei Jian knew that he couldn’t afford to get sick. Perhaps, as a young boy, he had yearned for his mother’s gentle care. But as he grew older and more sensible, he became resilient and tough, unwilling to show any weakness. There was an invisible force within him that drove him to grow, to progress. He dared not stop moving forward, always pressing on tirelessly because he lacked a pair of gentle hands behind him to rely on and support him.

Over the years, he could recall only one instance of being seriously ill.

At that time, he and Nianxi were already married. He was eager for success at work and acted aggressively, unknowingly offending people. Coupled with his inexperience, he was framed and almost fell into ruin.

Thanks to his usual caution, he managed to turn the tables at a critical moment, narrowly escaping disaster. That night, when he returned home, he immediately collapsed.

When he woke up, the first thing he saw was Nianxi’s busy figure. She seemed to have just cried; her apricot-shaped eyes were slightly red and swollen. He held her hand and hoarsely comforted her, “I’m fine.”

But as soon as he spoke, Nianxi’s tears flowed even more fiercely. “How can you say you’re fine? You fainted.”

“Are you trying to scare me to death? The doctor said you were consumed by anger and worry, which led to the intrusion of harmful wind into your body.” Nianxi sat by the bed, her eyes filled with worry, and said earnestly, “Please don’t push yourself so hard in the future, all right?”

He didn’t respond but forced himself to gather his strength and smiled, “Don’t you want to be a titled lady?”

In this dynasty, the wives of officials ranked first to fifth grade were granted the title of “titled lady.”

Nianxi angrily shook off his hand but didn’t dare to use much force, “Who wants such nonsense as being a titled lady? I just want you to be well.”

Pei Jian didn’t even have the strength to raise his hand. He closed his eyes and said, “I’m fine, really.”

Nianxi couldn’t bear to see him suffer. She stayed by his bedside, never leaving his side, ensuring he drank his medicine and ate his meals. She tirelessly took care of him and, when exhausted, curled up next to him to nap.

It was the first time Pei Jian was cared for so tenderly and meticulously. He felt an indescribable sensation in his heart, as if he, too, had the right to show weakness because there was a small Nianxi by his side, gently supporting him.

When he regained some strength, he touched her soft, fair face and said, “When we move to a bigger house, we’ll prepare a greenhouse for the flowers under the veranda so Xue Qiu won’t be able to nip at your flowers anymore.”

She frustratedly bit him and said, “Who cares about a bigger house? I think this place is perfect. Your recovery is more important than anything else.”

“A rabbit will bite when cornered,” he pointed at her with a smile, “Our Nianxi is a cornered rabbit herself, and she especially loves eating roasted rabbit.”

Pei Jian, in a state of half-dream and half-wakefulness, felt dazed.

The daylight was bright. The surroundings were quiet, as if he was the only person left in the world. The despair of being abandoned, standing alone in the vast world, feeling like someone unconnected, insignificant, and dispensable, surged over him like a tidal wave, drowning him instantly. He had once possessed something, but the fact that everything could never return was the pain he could never let go of deep in his heart.

Pei Jian struggled to lift his right hand. The wound Nianxi had bitten on Qixi night had long scabbed over and healed. What was once tender new flesh had now left no trace. He lay stiffly on the bed, feeling utterly exhausted.

He was so tired, with no strength left in his body, and yet there were no longer soft hands to gently comfort him. He finally understood the loneliness Nianxi had endured in her previous life. The painful emotions and the reality of losing her tormented him endlessly.

Pei Jian pressed the spot she had bitten to his lips, his eyes suddenly stinging with tears. How had he and Nianxi ended up as strangers?

They used to be so good together.

So close.

……

Gu Ci stood under the veranda of the small flower hall.

When Nianxi saw him, the first thing she did was look at his face. It was still the same handsome and refined face, as always. She felt a bit strange in her heart.

Could it be that Pei Jian showed mercy? He wasn’t that kind of person.

She speculated that since Gu Ci was a martial general and Pei Jian was merely a civil official, what advantage could he gain in a fight?

As her thoughts were running wild, Gu Ci asked, “What’s with your attire today?”

Nianxi looked down at herself. She was wearing a casual, slightly worn-out rouge-colored Xiang skirt, her hair simply tied in a bun, and her face bare without even a hint of lipstick. Whenever she met Gu Ci, she always made an effort to dress up. It wasn’t just about women adorning themselves for those who appreciate them. Every day, Nianxi lived with intention, adorning herself beautifully and appropriately—not just to please others but to bring joy to herself.

“I rushed to see you,” Nianxi said with a bright smile, pretending to know nothing about last night’s events. “Why do you seem dissatisfied?”

In response to her turning the tables on him, Gu Ci chuckled and denied, “How would I dare?”

When they first met, Nianxi was always calm and distant, shrouded in mystery. He couldn’t see through her, feeling like mountains and seas separated them. Now, this was much better—she was sometimes quirky, but it was a warmth he could grasp.

“It’s just that I feel a bit overwhelmed.”

Sometimes, when the two planned to go out for fun, Nianxi would inevitably take time to dress up, and Gu Ci would have to wait. Initially, Madam Li would keep him company, chatting with him in the small flower hall. But as Gu Ci’s visits grew increasingly frequent and Nianxi’s delays became more common, Madam Li grew impatient with accompanying him.

In the entire Wen household, even the servants got used to Young Master Gu waiting in the flower hall for the young miss. They would serve him tea, snacks, and fruits and then go about their business.

Lately, the servants had figured out Gu Ci’s preferences, knowing he disliked fried snacks. They even stopped serving refreshments and only provided good tea before leaving.

Gu Ci himself became more at ease with this.

“Let it always be like this.”

Nianxi’s fresh and natural face was even more striking, with skin as flawless and radiant as jade. Compared to when she was fully dressed up, her natural look carried a charming innocence.

“I suspect you mean something by that,” Nianxi gave him a sidelong glance, then lowered her head with a faint sigh, “How could I keep Young Master Gu waiting all the time? That’s my inconsiderateness.”

“No,” Gu Ci lowered his gaze, his phoenix eyes serious and intense, “I’m saying you’re beautiful—always beautiful, no matter what.”

Nianxi’s cheeks suddenly flushed red.

Gu Ci had truly changed. In the past, even holding hands would make him blush, but now he could speak sweet words effortlessly.

“Be honest. Have you secretly been learning from a master?”

“What?” Gu Ci didn’t understand.

“You’re so smooth-talking, making girls so happy.”

Gu Ci chuckled softly, “Does it make you happy?”

Nianxi nodded, “Not only does it make me happy, but my heart is also racing.”

Gu Ci had always loved Nianxi’s straightforwardness and was utterly captivated by it. He couldn’t help but soften his tone, speaking gently, “When I’m by your side, my heart is always racing.”

He was always willing to offer her his sincere heart. “If you don’t believe me, listen.”

Gu Ci’s words came from the heart, but to Nianxi, they carried a teasing undertone.

Seeing that Gu Ci was about to take her hand and place it on his chest, Nianxi lightly hit him and scolded, “Show some respect.”

She hadn’t used much force, but Gu Ci’s expression changed.

Nianxi was puzzled, “Are you hurt?”

“No.” Gu Ci refused to admit it.

Nianxi pointed with her finger at the spot she had just hit and asked, “Here?”

Gu Ci turned his body slightly to avoid her touch. “It’s nothing.”

“Are there other injuries? Let me see.”

Unable to resist her insistence, Gu Ci finally rolled up his sleeve, revealing a patch of bruising.

Nianxi asked, “How did this happen?”

Gu Ci was silent for a moment before smiling and saying, “Yesterday, I sparred with a subordinate. He wasn’t holding back.”

“It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt.”

Pei Jian was devious—always aiming for places that couldn’t be seen.