Chapter 12

What kind of twisted fate was this?

Nianxi had clearly been trying her best to avoid Pei Jian, even going so far as to tune out whenever her brother spoke about matters related to the Imperial Academy at home. She had started a completely new life and met a new man, only to discover that her past love and her current interest were close brothers.

Outside, the sun blazed, the heat drawing sweat from everyone, yet Nianxi felt a chill run down her spine. If she had known about their relationship earlier, she would never have allowed herself to become involved with Gu Ci.

But here they were, and Pei Jian would soon arrive.

Should she flee in panic? Break off all contact with Gu Ci?

Not worth it!

Nianxi let out a slow breath, picked up the kumquat snow bubble that Gu Ci had prepared, and took a big sip. The cold, sweet-and-sour taste brought her a sense of calm.

Pei Jian was now nothing more than a stranger she had never met. There was no need to lose her composure.

“What a coincidence,” Nianxi said, regaining her composure and raising her head, her mind steady. “You actually lived so close to my brother.”

This time, it was Qin Lang’s turn to gape. “W-what do you mean?!”

“Gu Ci’s little cousin and Wen Qingheng’s sister are the same person! Gu Ci, you’ve hidden this well!”

Qin Lang was still in shock when, suddenly, a figure darted past him into the flower hall—so fast it seemed like a blur.

Who would have thought that Wen Qingheng, usually calm and composed, could run at such speed?

Qin Lang sighed with amazement while stepping forward to mediate. “Jinghe, Jinghe, what are you doing? Today’s supposed to be Qingye’s big day—don’t scare our little sister!”

As Wen Qingheng and Pei Jian walked slowly behind, Wen Qingheng said, “My little sister has always been adorable since she was a child. Not only does everyone dote on her, but even the stray cats and dogs on the street like to gather around her…”

Before he could finish, he caught sight of his beloved little sister sitting in the flower hall, tilting her head with a smile as she spoke to Gu Ci. Not only were the two sitting quite close, but that rascal Gu Ci even reached out to remove a fallen flower from her hair!

Even a saint couldn’t remain calm!

“Gu Ci, where’s your little cousin?” Wen Qingheng, though slightly shorter than Gu Ci, grabbed him by the collar with a commanding presence that completely overwhelmed him.

“And now you’re coming after my sister? What kind of man are you?!” Wen Qingheng, usually mild-mannered, rarely showed such an explosive temper unless pushed to his limit.

Gu Ci, feeling guilty, had avoided being honest with Wen Qingheng until now. But being challenged about his integrity as a man suddenly fired him up.

“My family is distantly related to Marquis Pingyang. Nian’er’s cousin, the eldest daughter of Marquis Guangping, is married to Marquis Pingyang’s heir. So, isn’t Nian’er technically my distant cousin? When have I ever lied to you?”

When it came to arguments, Gu Ci was far more eloquent than Wen Qingheng.

Wen Qingheng spluttered, “You, you…!” He was so furious he seemed ready to burst with anger. Finally, he shouted, “Nian’er is not someone you can casually address like that!” He stepped forward, ready to throw a punch.

Gu Ci, however, stood upright, bracing himself without flinching. None of the attendants dared to intervene, leaving Qin Lang utterly exasperated as if his head were about to split in two. He blocked Wen Qingheng and shouted toward the flower hall, “Shizhang, what are you standing there for? Come here and help!”

Nianxi, who had been calmly seated, turned her head upon hearing Qin Lang’s words. Her gaze met Pei Jian’s directly.

Their eyes locked.

Nianxi serenely averted her gaze as if she were looking at a stranger.

Pei Jian felt a sharp pang in his chest under that unfamiliar look. From the moment he chose to let go of Nianxi, he had prepared himself for the possibility that she would have a completely new life.

He had not planned to avoid her. The capital was not large, and they were bound to cross paths eventually. After all, he was merely her brother’s classmate. There would be no further connection between them.

He had planned everything long ago. But when he overheard Nianxi and Gu Ci’s names while standing behind the flower wall, he felt fate was playing a ridiculous joke on him.

Pei Jian could never have imagined that Gu Ci’s beloved would be his former wife, Nianxi.

And that they would meet again in such a way.

While chaos erupted on one side, Pei Jian’s mind went completely blank. At this moment, he felt like an outsider, guarding his secret, completely out of place in the lively world around him.

“Shizhang, Shizhang!”

“Pei Jian!”

Qin Lang called out loudly, but Pei Jian seemed frozen in place, unable to move. His gaze remained fixed, staring straight at Nianxi, who was standing beside Gu Ci.

Qin Lang could only feel his heart sink. Calm and composed as Pei Jian usually was, he had never seen him lose his composure like this.

Wen Qingheng’s sister was undoubtedly beautiful, like a celestial being. But staring at someone’s sister for so long was downright rude!

If Gu Ci, famously possessive, saw this, he’d surely lose his mind.

Qin Lang glanced over. Wen Qingheng was still entangled in an argument with Gu Ci, completely unaware of Pei Jian. Meanwhile, Nianxi lowered her head, her long lashes casting shadows, lost in thought.

Good, good.

Qin Lang turned back, only to find Pei Jian still staring at the young lady. He was utterly shocked!

Relying on his instinct as a man, Qin Lang sharply noticed that something was off with Pei Jian today. Having lived in the same courtyard for so long, he could tell that the way Pei Jian looked at Nianxi was very different—entirely unlike his usual gaze.

With this realization, Qin Lang decisively retreated from the flower hall commotion. Walking up to Pei Jian, he patted him on the shoulder and said, “You probably don’t know this yet, but Gu Ci’s little cousin and Wen Qingheng’s sister are the same person!”

Pei Jian seemed to snap out of his trance and turned his head toward the other two in the flower hall.

Qin Lang sighed with relief but couldn’t help muttering to himself, “Wen Qingheng’s sister is indeed a beauty. No wonder Gu Ci was quick to act and sharp-eyed.”

Pei Shizhang, you’ve already missed your chance. No matter how much you look, it’s impossible now.

Who would have thought that while Qin Lang was still talking, Pei Jian’s gaze returned to Nianxi? Qin Lang was exasperated—he had already said so much, yet Pei Jian seemed completely unaffected.

“But no matter how beautiful your sister is, she’s still not as stunning as Cousin Xu… hey, hey, I’m not done talking yet!”

Pei Jian thought Qin Lang was being ridiculous—why would he compare Nianxi to anyone else out of the blue?

His earlier daze was merely due to the unexpected shock of seeing Nianxi in such an unforeseen situation, catching him completely off guard.

After regaining his composure, Pei Jian stopped listening to Qin Lang’s chatter and stepped onto the stone stairs.

Inside the flower hall, Wen Qingheng had already calmed down. Despite his fiery anger, his inherently mild nature limited him to a few rebukes: “Your deceit is utterly disgraceful.”

“A gentleman ought to keep his word. Your underhanded behavior is contemptible.”

Gu Ci, however, took it all in stride, allowing Wen Qingheng to scold him as much as he pleased. After every comment, he added softly, “But I’m sincere.”

In fact, Gu Ci had even more sentimental words to say but held back, feeling too embarrassed in Nianxi’s presence.

Wen Qingheng: …

By the time Pei Jian entered the flower hall, Wen Qingheng had already begun to realize Gu Ci’s cunning. Seeing how Gu Ci gazed at his sister—deeply fixated and full of tender affection—fueled Wen Qingheng’s anger even more. He immediately said, “Nian’er, go back to Mother. I will come find you shortly.”

Nianxi immediately stood up obediently.

Gu Ci quickly followed, saying, “I’ll escort you.”

Wen Qingheng, with a cold expression, replied, “That won’t be necessary.”

The atmosphere grew momentarily tense.

Nianxi turned back and gave Gu Ci a reassuring smile. Just as she was about to speak, Pei Jian spoke up at just the right moment: “I have yet to pay my respects to Madam Wang. Would Miss Wen accompany me?”