Chapter 75

“Is Jiang Yuan really going to become Heir Han’s concubine?” After hearing this news from Gu Ci, Nianxi was stunned for half a day. She had heard of Han Gaojie in her previous life—an uncouth and unattractive man, yet notorious for his debauchery. He spent his days indulging in pleasure, filling his house with courtesans and showing no respect for his wife.

Han Gaojie’s wife had passed away not long after marrying into his household, and from then on, he became even more unrestrained, mingling with his concubines daily. He was infamous in the capital as a libertine.

Nianxi knew of this because her cousin had specifically used it as an example to advise her.

At that time, she had just lost her child and was in despair. Her cousin had urged her to let go of her sorrows, saying, “Men have three wives and four concubines, surrounded by tenderness and comfort. But for women, if they dwell on their misery and ruin their health, apart from their parents, no one will truly care.”

But back then, Nianxi was stubborn and couldn’t see past her grief. It wasn’t until she had experienced death that she realized the importance of cherishing herself above all else.

Gu Ci held Nianxi’s hand to warm it. The weather was turning colder, and her hands were often icy, feeling like smooth, cold jade in his grasp. His hands were large, not as pampered as those of other noblemen, with calluses in his palms that could completely envelop her hands.

“Probably not. The status of Marquis Xindu’s household is too prominent. If Jiang Yuan were to become a concubine, what would happen to the reputation of the other girls in the Marquis’s family? How would they marry in the future?”

“Then wasn’t what you said then an unnecessary offense to Marquis Xindu?”

Not to mention, the Marchioness was his aunt.

By now, the sun had set, painting the sky with a stunning crimson glow. A golden stillness enveloped everything as the two walked side by side under the twilight.

Nianxi slightly tilted her face up and saw him gazing at her. She bit her lip gently and said softly, “I know you’re doing this for me.”

Gu Ci’s brows relaxed, his face illuminated by the glowing sunset, appearing even more profound and chiseled, embodying the calm maturity of a man.

“Jiang Yuan will not become a concubine, but the Han father and son are no fools. They’ll latch onto this issue, and the two families will undoubtedly have disputes. Even if Jiang Yuan becomes the main wife, even with her noble background, her entry into their household will not truly carry prestige under such circumstances.”

Nianxi couldn’t help but think of Han Gaojie’s wife from her previous life—the girl who had been tormented to death by Han Gaojie’s concubines. Now with Jiang Yuan in that position, two villains tormenting each other could be seen as a fitting retribution.

Nianxi sighed with emotion, “Sixth Brother, why are you so tall and handsome today?”

“Don’t be naughty,” Gu Ci replied with a smile. The depth of his earlier demeanor vanished, and he returned to his vibrant and youthful self.

“I’m serious.” Nianxi’s bright, watery almond eyes sparkled. “I never realized before—Little Sixth Gu is so wise and resourceful, a master of strategy, graceful and elegant, as beautiful as jade…”

Gu Ci knew she was teasing him and just listened with a smile, though his thoughts began to drift. After all, he was not as strategic as Pei Jian.

At the time, he had only been focused on standing up for Nianxi, considering only Jiang Yuan’s situation and giving no thought to the role of Princess Xinchang behind the scenes. But he hadn’t anticipated that Pei Jian had accounted for everything, meticulously orchestrating each detail. Even Jiang Yuan’s accusation of Princess Xinchang was likely Pei Jian’s deliberate maneuver, all within his grasp.

Even if Gu Ci hadn’t appeared in the hall today, he believed Pei Jian would still have avenged Nianxi’s indignation. In fact, without his presence, Pei Jian might have acted even more ruthlessly and decisively.

Because ever since Gu Ci appeared, Pei Jian had remained silent.

“What are you thinking about?” Nianxi noticed his absentmindedness and playfully feigned anger, saying, “Little Sixth Gu, snap out of it!”

Gu Ci returned to his senses, gazing at her radiant face and gentle demeanor. He naturally wouldn’t share his thoughts about Pei Jian with her. When it came to emotions, his selfishness wouldn’t allow him to share her with anyone.

“My elder brother sent a shipment of furs from the Northern Frontier. I was thinking—you’re so sensitive to the cold, you should have a few more cloaks made for the winter.”

“Any news from the Northern Frontier? How are things with the Liang forces?”

“My brother wrote that all is well. Having uncovered Northern Liang’s weaknesses in advance, this battle will surely deal them a severe blow, weakening them for decades. Then, my father and brothers won’t have to remain stationed there year-round and can return to the capital to reunite with us.”

Gu Ci’s tone was brimming with confidence, and when he spoke of his family, his joy was evident in the corners of his eyes and his expression.

Nianxi could deeply empathize. Family ties are always the most tender and unbreakable bond in a person’s heart. While Gu Ci never spoke of it openly, Nianxi could sense his guilt toward his two elder brothers.

The Northern Frontier was the responsibility and mission of the entire Gu family. His brothers’ unwavering commitment to this duty secured Gu Ci’s prosperous and flourishing life in the capital.

Nianxi ignored the faint unease rising in her heart. As Gu Ci had said, his elder brothers had been fighting against the Liang people for years. No one understood the enemy better than they did.

All storms would eventually pass.

They just needed a great victory to welcome the arrival of spring.

…

Xiao Nanxi returned once again with nothing to show for her efforts, her small face drooping as she listlessly returned to the Western Garden.

Nianxi had caught a slight chill during the day and coughed a few times. The nights at the hunting grounds were even colder, so Gu Ci had made sure to send her back before sunset.

“Then where will you stay tonight?”

Gu Ci pointed to the scattered tents outside the palace, “Everything is prepared in the main tent. Xie Qiu has already taken care of it. Rest early, and tomorrow I’ll take you hunting.”

Thus, Nianxi had returned to her quarters early. After a warm bath, her pores opened, and her skin took on a faint pink hue. Seeing the princess return, she quickly asked where she had been.

Xiao Nanxi, seeing the freshly bathed beauty with her radiant appearance, compared herself and felt even more dejected. “You have Gu Ci, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

Now familiar with the princess’s temperament, Nianxi understood her well.

Xiao Nanxi had been raised in the deep palace, doted on excessively by Consort Shu, which left the princess feeling very lonely and isolated. In a way, she was somewhat similar to Nianxi in her past life.

The princess’s whimsical ideas about finding men for amusement were things she had read in books, thinking they could alleviate her loneliness. However, the complex environment of the royal family, coupled with Consort Shu’s enduring favor, made it increasingly difficult for the princess to find freedom.

Nianxi, with her greater psychological maturity, saw the princess more as a younger sister. She gently pulled her to sit down and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The princess pouted, unhappy, “It’s just that no one loves me.”

Nianxi laughed softly, “Who says so? His Majesty, Consort Shu, Fu Ling, Yan Qing, and I, we all love you very much.”

Every day, Xiao Nanxi would diligently search the hunting grounds for a suitable man, even adding an extra round today, but to no avail. The thought of returning to the lifeless palace made her anxious.

“How is that the same? My father, my mother, and Fu Ling, Yan Qing…”

“Yan Qing?”

Nianxi feigned ignorance and pressed, “What about Yanqing?”

For some reason, a strange feeling flickered in Xiao Nanxi’s heart, but it quickly disappeared. She shook her head, “It’s nothing.”

Nianxi didn’t press further. Over these days, she had noticed Yan Qing’s feelings for the princess. But with their vastly different statuses, any budding affection would be fraught with difficulties.

However, the princess was naive and curious about experiencing love. Nianxi feared that someone with ulterior motives might take advantage. After all, a young girl’s heart could be captured in a fleeting moment.

Matters of the heart were hard for outsiders to intervene in. Today, she had subtly hinted at the possibility, just to give the princess an option.

She had seen how Yan Qing had risked his life to save the princess. Regardless of anything else, at least Yan Qing was absolutely loyal to the princess and would never betray her.