Chapter 11

Pei Jian felt utterly foolish.

Gu Ci’s jewelry box, adorned with pearls and jade, painted with gold, and embroidered with phoenixes, was extravagantly ornate and eye-catching. From the moment he stepped off the carriage to arrive at the Gu residence, in just a short distance, he had managed to attract everyone’s attention. It made him constantly want to order his attendant to throw away the jewelry box in his hands.

If it had been the old Pei Jian, he would never have agreed to help Gu Ci visit the Treasure Pavilion to please a young lady. Such a frivolous task, in his view, was nothing but a waste of time and utterly meaningless. Now, however, he was willing to show more patience for his friend.

The servant mentioned that Gu Ci was accompanied by a young lady in the small flower hall.

Pei Jian immediately understood. He planned to hand the jewelry box directly to Gu Ci’s little cousin and observe the young lady’s demeanor.

How long had she known Gu Ci? To have charmed Gu Ci to this extent, it was evident she was frivolous and lacked taste.

Pei Jian was familiar with the layout of the Gu residence. He had to pass through the large eastern garden to reach the small flower hall. Not wanting to draw attention, he chose a side path. As he passed by a flower wall, he overheard women gossiping inside. He had no intention of paying attention until—

“Who exactly is that woman? Making Young General Gu value her so highly?”

“More than that! Didn’t you see the Duchess and several married aunts all fawning over her?”

“Just look at her seductive demeanor; clearly, she’s no good. They say her family recently transferred back to the capital. Her father’s position isn’t very high—probably surnamed Wen, something like Nianxi or Niandong?”

Wen Nianxi?

Pei Jian froze on the spot, his breathing suddenly becoming unnaturally loud. He suspected he was hallucinating. These days, he had been racking his brain to resolve the calamity at the Gu residence, which must have caused this illusion. Otherwise, how could Nianxi have any connection with Gu Ci?

Behind him, his attendant holding the jewelry box looked in confusion at the seemingly petrified Pei Jian.

The conversation beyond the flower wall continued.

“I saw with my own eyes that Mr. Gu took her to the small flower hall. That vixen is truly restless—daring to seduce a gentleman even after entering the residence. If the Duchess finds out, she won’t let her off easily.”

“Why don’t we go catch them in the act?”

A group of women chattered away, but it all sounded absurd to Pei Jian.

Catch an affair? Whose affair? Wen Nianxi and Gu Ci?

“Shizhang, what are you doing here?” Qin Lang suddenly appeared out of nowhere, his face brimming with excitement. “Aunt said Qingye is in the garden. Let’s go! I’m dying to meet his little cousin.”

Hearing voices outside, the young ladies behind the flower wall dared not gossip further and quickly dispersed.

Outside, Wen Qingheng also stepped forward. “Shizhang, let’s go.”

Flashing a bright grin, Qin Lang turned back to Wen Qingheng and said, “After meeting the little cousin, let’s go visit your sister.”

Qin Lang, though not frivolous by nature, had a playful tongue. Wen Qingheng, unwilling to let others easily see his precious sister, smiled without responding.

Pei Jian closed his eyes briefly.

Qin Lang was already hurrying ahead.

Wen Qingheng was about to follow when Pei Jian suddenly asked, “Jinghe, did your sister come to the Duke’s residence today?”

“She did. I just met my mother, but she’s not with her now.”

Pei Jian, always composed and upright, aroused no suspicion in Wen Qingheng, who added, “She’s probably in the garden chasing butterflies with her friends. My sister has always been adored, always surrounded by people.”

Pei Jian had been testing the waters, and upon hearing Wen Qingheng’s unknowing response, he chose not to press further.

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In the flower hall, the table was filled with various fruits, pastries, and, most notably, drinks, fermented beverages, and even some curds.

Nianxi looked toward Gu Ci.

Gu Ci gave a light cough, his ears slightly red. “I’ve bought every drink I could find in the market to try them, but none taste as good as the ones you make.”

“These are just barely drinkable. I figured if you make them, you must love them. There’s both hot and cold here, though the curds are quite cooling—just taste a bit.”

Gu Ci was incredibly considerate, thinking of every detail.

Nianxi smiled with her eyes and thanked him, “You’re so kind.”

Gu Ci’s ears reddened further. He busied himself, pouring her water and handing her fruit. “This drink is sweet and sour—since today’s hot, I chilled it in the well ahead of time.”

Nianxi accepted the kumquat snow bubble he offered, smiling. “This is delicious.”

Qin Lang, annoyed at the two lingering behind, quickened his pace to approach. As he neared the flower hall from a distance, he saw Gu Ci sitting very close to a woman. He had no idea what Gu Ci had just said, but the woman broke into a radiant smile, her sparkling eyes and pearly teeth lighting up the scene.

This was Qin Lang’s first thought upon seeing Nianxi—no wonder she had bewitched Gu Ci to such a degree. Her beautiful eyes shifted like flowing water, with a glimmer in her dark pupils. When she smiled gently, dimples graced her cheeks, seamlessly blending charm with innocence. She resembled a rose holding morning dew.

Gu Ci gave a heavy cough, which was a clear warning. He then turned to Nianxi and said, “This is Qin Lang, my classmate from the Imperial Academy. We lived in the same courtyard.”

Qin Lang, by now, had composed himself. As a fellow man, he naturally understood the terrifying possessiveness men could have, especially toward such a stunning woman. Thus, he straightened his expression, merely nodded politely at Nianxi, and did not spare her another glance.

Turning to Gu Ci, he said, “I’ve placed everything where you wanted. Why are we moving it again?”

“Naturally, because it’s necessary,” Gu Ci replied.

As the two spoke aside, it gave Nianxi a moment to collect herself. In truth, upon seeing Qin Lang for the first time, Nianxi was even more startled than he was. Of course, she knew who Qin Lang was!

In the future, when Pei Jian became the Left Prime Minister, Qin Lang became the Vice Minister of Revenue, effectively serving as Pei Jian’s right-hand man. Qin Lang’s wife was an exceptionally chatty woman. It was from her that Nianxi learned that Pei Jian and Qin Lang had once shared a courtyard at the Imperial Academy.

If Gu Ci and Qin Lang had lived in the same courtyard, then Pei Jian…

“Where’s Pei Jian? Why hasn’t he arrived yet?” The next moment, Gu Ci spoke up.

“They’re at the back with Jinghe, lingering and talking about who knows what.”

When Wen Qingheng’s name was mentioned, Gu Ci immediately looked a bit uncomfortable. He first introduced Pei Jian to Nianxi. “He’s a brother I grew up with—I’ve mentioned him to you before. There’s one more thing: Jinghe—I mean, your brother—also lived in the same courtyard as me. But he doesn’t know that we… know each other.”

“Really?” Nianxi felt her voice float, almost detached. Her mind was like a storm in motion.

Upon learning that Pei Jian and Gu Ci had lived in the same courtyard and had grown up as close brothers, her concerns about her brother seemed trivial. She had known Pei Jian for thirteen years and had never known he had such a close friend—Gu Ci!

Even though Pei Jian quickly entered officialdom, and she wasn’t familiar with the details of the Imperial Academy, the circle of elites in the capital was small. Whether at palace banquets or private gatherings, she had never heard Gu Ci’s name. Not even the Duke’s residence left a single impression. Could her memories from being reborn have gaps?

Had the Duke’s residence and Gu Ci always existed, but she had forgotten?