Chapter 70

After being caught and separated, Jiang Yuan and Han Gaojie regained some composure. She looked down and saw herself disheveled, her clothes in disarray, her hair messy, and the ribbons of her skirt still hanging on the coarse and unattractive Han Gaojie’s head. Overcome with shame and anger, she lunged at him, scratching and clawing: “You despicable thing! How dare you take liberties with me? I’ll fight you to the end!”

Han Gaojie dodged while retorting, “You crazy woman! When we met, you didn’t even let me speak before pouncing on me like a starving ghost. Now that we’ve been caught, you blame me? Look at yourself—your waist is almost as thick as mine. I wouldn’t even fancy you.”

“You madwoman, hit me again, and I’ll hit back.” Han Gaojie still felt he was the victim.

Earlier that morning, someone had sent him a secret letter, saying that Wen Nianxi would come to the ginkgo grove in the afternoon to meet him and asking him to wait there.

From the moment Han Gaojie first saw Nianxi, he was deeply captivated by her. He had always been fond of beauties, and she was exceptionally enchanting, radiant like a lotus, and as luminous as the morning glow.

But the beauty was aloof, ignoring his attentions and always staying close to the peculiar Princess Wen Shu, making it hard for him to succeed.

This letter was like a pillow to a sleepy man—how could he refuse? So, he skipped the hunt today and waited early under the ginkgo tree for his beloved.

Who would have thought that just as the beauty had barely made an appearance, a lustful woman would suddenly appear out of nowhere, eager to kiss and undress him upon meeting?

What could he do?

With her being so forward, he naturally went along with it. It wasn’t until the woman’s maid exposed them, drawing a crowd, that Han Gaojie finally realized, “You shameless woman, you set me up!”

“Let me tell you, many people admire me. Not only did I not sleep with you, but even if I did today, you wouldn’t even be able to step into my family’s door, you filthy whore!”

“A lewd woman like you, don’t even think about climbing onto my bed!” Han Gaojie shouted, further attracting a crowd. At this point, he had recognized Jiang Yuan’s identity and raised his voice even more, solidifying that she had seduced him first. This way, he wouldn’t be held responsible when Xindu Marquis’s Mansion caused a scene later. He didn’t want a promiscuous woman like her!

Still unaware of their surroundings, Jiang Yuan was repeatedly provoked by Han Gaojie, and, disregarding the situation, she lunged at him.

The palace attendants were all shouting, “Stop fighting,” but none of them actually stepped forward to intervene. Instead, the scandal spread, and many attendants from other areas came running to watch the commotion.

Only Pei Jian stepped forward, kicked Han Gaojie to the ground, and ended the farce. He used his full strength in that kick, and for the heir, who had long been indulging in wine and debauchery, it was impossible to withstand. He couldn’t get up from the ground for half a day. Even his cries grew faint.

Jiang Yuan, who had been grappling with him, was startled and gradually regained a bit of clarity. “Lord Pei…” She looked at Pei Jian as if she had seen a savior.

However, Pei Jian did not look at her. He stared intently in one direction. Jiang Yuan followed his gaze, but there was nothing there except a few scattered palace attendants.

…

Xing Yue supported Nianxi, avoiding the two princesses. On the way back, she was both excited and frightened. “Miss, that was truly satisfying earlier. She deserved it for causing harm!”

Nianxi also felt a sense of relief.

“Thanks to Fu Ling and Yan Qing.”

Otherwise, such karmic retribution would indeed be difficult to achieve.

Xing Yue responded, “Should we prepare a thank-you gift?”

A thank-you gift was, of course, necessary. Regardless of whether Fu Ling and Yan Qing cared about it or not, it was the proper gesture to express her gratitude and intentions.

“Once we return to the capital, we must prepare two generous gifts carefully.”

Xing Yue took note of this and then curiously remarked, “Just now, Lord Pei stood up for Jiang Yuan like that, even though he is friends with the eldest young master. Truly detestable! I wonder what the relationship is between Lord Pei and Jiang Yuan?”

Nianxi recalled the look in Pei Jian’s eyes when he glanced at her earlier—guilt, gratitude, relief, sorrow. It was complicated and hard to articulate.

She shook her head and softly said, “Who knows? Let’s head back quickly. This smell of alcohol is truly unpleasant.”

Xing Yue smiled and agreed. The mistress and servant walked to the end of the long street and were about to turn onto another path when a deep male voice suddenly called out behind them: “Nianxi!”

“Wen Nianxi!”

Nianxi turned around to see Pei Jian striding quickly toward her.

“Miss…” Xing Yue grew a little nervous, thinking Pei Jian had come to retaliate for what had happened under the ginkgo tree earlier, and she hurriedly positioned herself in front of Nianxi.

“It’s fine,” Nianxi softly reassured Xing Yue. “Wait for me over there.”

Xing Yue hesitated in her heart but dared not go against the young lady’s words. She could only leave reluctantly, turning back to look every few steps. She saw Lord Pei with a stern expression, striding up to the young lady with an imposing presence. Unexpectedly, when he opened his mouth, it was full of cautious gentleness: “Are you… alright?”

Nianxi looked at him calmly and replied, “Why would anything be wrong with me?”

Pei Jian took two light breaths, as if returning to life, and laughed softly. “It’s good that you’re fine, as long as you’re fine.”

Nianxi watched him silently for a moment and then asked, “Did you think Jiang Yuan was me?”

“No, I was just worried…” He, usually so composed and strategic, now seemed as if he was afraid of something, hesitant and unsure. After a pause, he finally said, “I was just afraid that I might have harmed you again.”

Nianxi was unaware that Pei Jian had arranged her trip to the Qu Zuo hunting grounds. Seeing him like this now, she couldn’t help but sigh softly. “This has nothing to do with you.”

It seemed as if she was inherently incompatible with ‘cousins,’ destined never to find peace in either past or present lives.

“No,” Pei Jian gently shook his head, his gaze lingering on her radiant face, filled with longing. Her bright eyes sparkled like stars, her beauty unparalleled. “No, Nianxi. I caused the events of today.”

“I invited the Crown Prince to the hunting ground and suggested that he bring along Princess Wen Shu. I predicted the princess would invite you as well. I wanted to separate the two of you to create an opportunity for myself.”

“I bought the pastries and preserved fruits that you love. Before coming here, I carefully thought about what to say to you and how to make you happy. I planned everything meticulously.”

“But just now, when I heard the attendants mistakenly saying that the woman under the ginkgo tree was you, at that moment, it was as if the heavens had collapsed. I cannot even begin to describe my state of mind.”

“I never thought there would come a day when I would tremble with fear uncontrollably.”

Pei Jian, who had always despised those who wallowed in regret, considering it a mark of weakness, now felt an agonizing sense of remorse, deeply empathizing with those very emotions.

Nianxi lowered her gaze, her long and thick eyelashes hiding the emotions in her eyes. She listened quietly as he spoke.

Pei Jian let out a light laugh, but it was filled with indescribable bitterness. “Back then, I thought I was the only one reborn, and I had resolved never to fall for anyone again. It’s still the same now. Unless it’s you, otherwise, being alone is just fine.”

“I won’t force it anymore, whether you love me or not. You were right; feelings cannot be schemed; it has always been my mistake.”

The Pei Jian of the past would have scoffed if someone asked whether he could selflessly love someone without expecting anything in return. He was domineering, wanting all of his beloved and hoping for their unconditional love in return. But now, Pei Jian deeply appreciated the tranquility of the ginkgo leaves gently falling beside her.

“Nianxi, I still love you, but I will learn to love you in the way you like.”

With that, he took out a gift he had been guarding close to his heart along the way. He unwrapped it and held it out to Nianxi. The pastries inside had crumbled somewhat, but the candied fruits remained plump and glistening.

Nianxi was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected the proud Pei Jian to say such things to her. She couldn’t help but glance at him. His figure was upright, like bamboo, like pine, his robe swaying gently in the autumn breeze. He stood there, dignified and composed, like a jade mountain exuding quiet elegance. She parted her lips, about to speak, when suddenly, a voice called out from above, “Nian’er!”

Nianxi looked up and saw Princess Wen Shu waving at her from a high platform. Beside the princess stood a strikingly familiar, tall figure.

No one knew when he had arrived. Or how long he had been standing there.