Chapter 63

The sky had not yet brightened, and the stars above remained dazzling.

In the early autumn morning, a touch of coolness already lingered in the air. After the night had passed, dew hung heavily on the flowers and grasses, waiting to be illuminated by the rising sun.

Nianxi and Gu Ci sat side by side in the small pavilion of the garden, each holding a steaming bowl of almond congee. They gazed at the dark horizon while slowly sipping the congee, finding a sense of peaceful and delicate homely warmth.

Gu Ci turned to look at Nianxi and smiled, “Not sleepy anymore, right?”

Having woken up too early, Nianxi had yawned incessantly when she first arrived, tears pooling in her eyes to the point where she could hardly see the path. She had almost stumbled while climbing the steps. Luckily, Gu Ci’s quick reflexes saved her just in time.

Nianxi sipped the sweet almond congee, nodding and shaking her head at the same time, “My head’s still fuzzy—it’s not quite working yet.”

Seeing her adorable, confused look, Gu Ci couldn’t help but laugh. “And who was it yesterday, swearing that she absolutely had to wake up early to taste this sweet congee?”

Yesterday, the two of them had been at Fanlou enjoying a perch stew when they overheard someone praising Fan Ji’s almond congee. The glowing reviews described it as unparalleled, better than anything in the heavens or on earth. Nianxi had been tempted.

Having grown up in the capital, Gu Ci was well-acquainted with the city’s eateries. He remarked, “That almond congee is indeed exceptional. Having a bowl of it on a winter’s day can warm one’s heart. Even someone like me, who isn’t fond of sweets, often finds myself thinking about it.”

“But there’s one drawback to their shop—it sells out very early every day, usually within half a day.”

When Gu Ci and Pei Jian were younger, they often visited the shop during winter mornings under the vast expanse of starlit skies. The two handsome and upright young men would finish a bowl of almond congee and then walk side by side to their academy.

Gu Ci kept these old memories to himself and smiled at Nianxi, saying, “By the time you’re awake in the morning, it’ll probably be sold out.”

Nianxi was unwilling to accept that. “I can have someone wake up early to buy it.”

Gu Ci glanced at her sideways. “By then, it’ll have clumped up into a solid mass. Will it still taste as good?”

Nianxi was at a loss for words. She made her own fermented drink, so she naturally knew that hot beverages lost their charm once they cooled. As the days turned chillier, Fusheng Banzhan was about to introduce its autumn seasonal drinks. She truly wanted to taste what made Fan Ji’s almond congee so exceptional.

Just as she was mulling over the resolve to wake up early the next day, Gu Ci chuckled and said, “I haven’t had it in a long time either. How about this? I’ll bring it over early tomorrow morning, and we can enjoy it together. What do you think?”

Nianxi’s face lit up with joy, and she immediately raised her hand in a vow, “This time, I absolutely won’t make you wait for me!”

After finishing his bowl of almond congee, Gu Ci turned his head to look at Nianxi. She was sipping little by little like a pecking chick, her gaze still groggy and her eyes carrying the remnants of tears from earlier yawns. He couldn’t help but find it amusing and gently said, “If you can’t finish it, don’t force yourself. Just tasting the flavor is enough.”

Nianxi responded a beat late, “I can handle it.”

She rarely showed such a childish side. The young girl was always cautious and composed. Gu Ci had never even seen her truly angry. At any time, she always wore a gentle smile, able to perceive even the subtlest changes in his emotions and subtly comfort him without leaving a trace. This was undoubtedly a good thing. Even his three older sisters occasionally threw tantrums or acted willfully. Gu Ci felt that Nianxi seemed to carry a lot in her heart, or perhaps she had endured too much grievance, making it difficult for her to act freely and without restraint. When he thought about it carefully, she had never truly asked anything of him. Even though they were already close enough, she still restrained herself, striving for perfection in everything.

But this moment was different.

She was still not fully awake, sipping the sweet almond congee in a daze. Her legs stretched out under the table, and the tips of her toes peeked out from beneath her skirt, unconsciously tapping together.

Chilled slightly by the cold air, the almond congee left a milky white film on her beautifully shaped upper lip. Gu Ci couldn’t help but laugh. He leaned closer and wiped it away with his hand. “Why are you acting like a little kid?”

Nianxi glanced at the congee residue on his thumb. As her mind gradually cleared, her face slowly turned red. “When I’m with you, I really do feel like a little girl.”

Wiping his hands with a handkerchief, Gu Ci found her random remark even more amusing. He ruffled her hair and said, “You’re four years younger than me. How are you not a little girl?”

“Oh, right. Your birthday is coming up soon. What do you want?”

Nianxi, speaking faster than she could think, blurted out, “Your birthday is even earlier than mine!”

“I almost forgot about that.” Gu Ci’s smile deepened. “Next month, on the 28th, I’ll be holding my coming-of-age ceremony. I do hope Miss Wen will come to observe.”

Nianxi, annoyed, retorted, “Little Sixth Gu, you’re becoming more and more cunning.”

Gu Ci took her hand and humbly replied, “Not at all, not at all.”

By this time, the eastern sky had lightened slightly. The wind lantern hanging from the pavilion’s corner cast a warm, hazy glow. After playfully chatting and laughing with Gu Ci, Nianxi’s sleepiness had entirely dissipated. She sat in the morning light, refreshed, watching the sun slowly climb over the courtyard wall as the plants and trees in the yard woke up—it was another brand-new day. Both of them cherished these leisurely and carefree morning moments.

After sitting quietly for a while, Gu Ci had to leave.

Nianxi walked him to the side gate, and Gu Ci smiled warmly, saying gently, “You woke up so early today; poor thing, go back and nap a little more.”

Nianxi shook her head. “After you leave, I’m going to the kitchen to try making a bowl of almond congee to compare it with Fan Ji’s.”

Knowing it was for the autumn menu update at Fusheng Banzhan, Gu Ci smiled and agreed. “Then, after lunch, take a nap in the afternoon.”

“Got it.”

After those words, both fell silent for a moment, caught off guard.

Such an ordinary and natural conversation, yet it felt like a warm stream flowing through their hearts. Not just Gu Ci, but even Nianxi felt a long-forgotten flutter in her chest. The mundane busyness and gentle joys of the mortal world—what could be better than this?

“I’m off.” Gu Ci gave her one last deep look before softly saying goodbye.

After Gu Ci left, Nianxi unexpectedly felt a sense of loss.

There was a time when she used to send Pei Jian off to the government office in the same manner, watching him leave while happily preparing to celebrate his birthday.

That was really a long time ago.

…

In the Eastern Palace.

Crown Prince Xiao Heng patiently listened to Pei Jian’s progress over the past few days. When Pei Jian finally stopped, Xiao Heng couldn’t help but ask, “Shizhang, what happened to your face?”

From the moment Pei Jian entered the hall, Xiao Heng had immediately noticed his face.

Pei Jian, with his delicate features and restrained demeanor, was not someone Xiao Heng could imagine getting into a physical altercation, let alone being beaten like this. “This trip to Lan County must have been tough on you.”

Clearly, the Crown Prince misunderstood that Pei Jian’s injuries were related to investigating the case of Governor Liu Shao.

Pei Jian didn’t explain much and instead asked, “I heard that Duke Zhen is returning to the capital soon. Did the spies in Northern Liang uncover anything?”

“Thanks to your suggestion and reminder,” Xiao Heng said with a smile as he spoke about Hu Yan Tuo’s secret training of cavalry, “Duke Zhen is returning to the capital to meet with the Emperor, likely to revise the military strategy against Northern Liang.”

Pei Jian pondered for a moment and said, “Northern Liang relies on their strong soldiers and horses, repeatedly disturbing our border. Our Hexi region has been breeding warhorses for years. Why not use cavalry to counter Northern Liang?”

“Gu Chengye has already come up with this strategy,” Xiao Heng rejoiced, “Shizhang, you truly foresee things with remarkable precision.”

Pei Jian lowered his head modestly, saying, “It is His Highness who discerns all with precision.”

Xiao Heng waved his hand dismissively and, after some casual talk, brought up another matter, “Duke Zhen’s return to the capital will take some time. In a few days, it will be the annual royal hunting expedition.”

“This year, due to the instability of the northern battles, the hunting expedition will be cut short by half, lasting only half a month.” Xiao Heng looked at Pei Jian and spoke gently, “Father has entrusted me to oversee the kingdom, with the Left Minister assisting.”

The Left Minister, the father of the current Empress, and maternal grandfather of Prince Jing, Lu Xiuyuan.

Xiao Heng paused for a moment as he reached this point.

Pei Jian raised his head, his dark and clear pupils exuding a sense of calm seriousness when he looked at people, giving an impression of reassurance.

Xiao Heng met his gaze and continued, “This is the first time Father has entrusted me with governing the kingdom. I’m a little worried…”

Pei Jian could understand Xiao Heng’s concern.

As the Crown Prince matured, this act from the Emperor was both a training exercise and a test. Over these fifteen days of governance, everything would be fine if calm prevailed and he could follow established practices. However, if something arises and the Crown Prince fails to handle it properly, it would invite doubts and criticisms from the Emperor and court officials.

Led by the Left Minister, the court officials would not help the Crown Prince and, in fact, not setting traps for him would already be considered generous. More critically, Prince Jing was watching eagerly from the sidelines.

Pei Jian suggested, “Your Highness, why not accompany the Emperor to Qu Zuo for the autumn hunt?”

Xiao Heng’s eyes lit up but hesitated for a moment. “Father rarely shows such trust in me. If I decline, won’t that…”

The Crown Prince was relying on him more and more.

Pei Jian looked directly into Xiao Heng’s eyes and said, “Your Highness, if you trust your humble servant, just go for the autumn hunt. For past royal hunts, the court operations followed established norms, and being virtuous and competent, the Left Minister would not allow any errors.”

The Emperor was suspicious and still in his prime. At this time, making grand achievements as the Crown Prince might not be as advantageous as portraying oneself as a dutiful and filial son.

Xiao Heng, having been groomed as the heir to the throne from a young age, naturally understood this perspective, though his indecisive nature made it hard for him to decide.

Seeing that the Crown Prince had decided, Pei Jian added, “Princess Wen Shu has been confined in the palace all day. Why not bring the Princess along on this trip, Your Highness?”