Chapter 16

Gu Ci frequently visited the Wen residence to bring small gifts to Nianxi.

Madam Wen treated him with the utmost kindness.

Over time, the maids and servants of the Wen family, while respectful, began to show him additional warmth and friendliness.

With the imperial exam approaching, Wen Qingheng had no time to intervene, and Lord Wen often held literary gatherings at home, which allowed Gu Ci to visit even more frequently. Every day, he wanted to spend time with Nianxi—even if they didn’t speak, he was content simply to watch her play the zither or paint.

Because of his frequent visits, Gu Ci encountered several young men lingering around the Wen residence, trying their luck. Driving off these would-be suitors not only gave him satisfaction but also heightened his sense of possessiveness and urgency regarding Nianxi.

The day before the imperial exam, Gu Ci had the day off. Early in the morning, he drove a carriage to the Wen residence to take Nianxi to offer incense.

Nianxi wore a light green ruqun, with her hair adorned by gemstone flowers shaped like grasshoppers. Her snow-like complexion and rosy cheeks complemented her youthful beauty. Without needing any excessive embellishments, she was already breathtakingly stunning.

Madam Li led Nianxi out of the house.

Outside the main gate, a carriage was already waiting. Beside it stood a tall and elegant figure—it was Gu Ci. When he saw them step out, he quickly bowed to Madam Li.

Madam Li had no complaints about Gu Ci. In terms of family background, talent, and appearance, he was exceptional in every way. Furthermore, Madam Wang was known for her sensibility, and Madam Li believed that if her daughter married into their family, she would not suffer any hardships.

The two families had already communicated and were in agreement.

The Duke of Zheng was currently stationed in the northern borderlands. Madam Wang had already written to him, awaiting his approval to arrange the engagement between the two children officially.

These matters were kept from Nianxi, but Madam Li ignored Gu Ci’s persistent and diligent visits.

As Madam Li exchanged polite words with Gu Ci, he stood upright and respectfully said, “Madam, rest assured, I’ll bring Nian’er back home safely after we finish offering incense.”

Madam Li nodded in satisfaction, watching as Nianxi stepped onto the carriage with the help of a footstool. The sound of the wheels echoed as the carriage headed east, only then did Madam Li turn and return indoors.

The carriage passed beyond the city gates, and the roads grew quieter. Nianxi lifted the curtain and was greeted by the sight of lush, verdant woods. Further ahead, wildflowers bloomed in vibrant clusters, painting the landscape with splashes of color. The air was rich with a fresh and fragrant aroma.

Gu Ci tapped the carriage window lightly with his riding crop and offered, “Would you like to ride a horse? I brought Ta Xue along.”

The beautiful scenery had initially tempted Nianxi to ride, but then she recalled Gu Ci mentioning that Ta Xue belonged to Pei Jian. This thought alone made her abandon the idea. It wasn’t because she still had lingering feelings for Pei Jian but because she wished to sever any possible connections with him.

She shook her head and replied, “I’m not very good at riding and feel a bit nervous. It’s better not to.”

“And if that’s the case…” Gu Ci began to suggest something but hesitated, catching himself mid-sentence.

Gu Ci blurted out something but quickly stopped himself.

Nianxi glanced at him sideways, smiling as she asked, “What do you mean by ‘or else’?”

Both of them knew exactly what Gu Ci had been about to suggest.

In the two months they had known each other, apart from when Nianxi almost fell off a horse, Gu Ci had always been respectful. Whether in public or private, he had never crossed any boundaries. Riding together on the same horse would have been far too intimate.

Gu Ci respected and cherished Nianxi deeply. Even though their relationship was progressing smoothly, he was always cautious, afraid that any action might upset her. But when you truly like someone, it’s impossible to suppress the desire to be close to them.

The carriage stopped halfway up the mountain, and the rest of the journey required walking up the stone steps.

Looking at the ancient temple atop the hill, Gu Ci said to Nianxi, “If you get tired later, I’ll hold your hand and help you up.”

Nianxi glanced at the tall, slender figure beside her, noticing his reddened ears and how his gaze avoided hers. She found him endearing. Feeling playful, she stood on tiptoe, reached out, and lightly touched his earlobe, teasing, “Is it very hot?”

Gu Ci felt a rush of heat coursing through him in that instant. The spot where Nianxi had touched tingled and burned, and his heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest.

“Stop teasing!” he exclaimed. His ears turned completely red, but he mustered his courage and tentatively reached for Nianxi’s hand.

Nianxi, of course, didn’t refuse.

Gu Ci dared not meet her gaze.

Her hand felt like a bundle of soft silk or a piece of fine jade but smoother than silk and warmer than jade. Unable to help himself, he tightened his grip, holding her delicate, boneless hand firmly in his palm.

Nianxi winced slightly and laughed, struggling playfully. “Are you trying to crush my hand?”

Startled, Gu Ci quickly loosened his grip. He felt a bit embarrassed, wanting to explain or comfort her, but at that moment, he was tongue-tied and couldn’t say a word. He had never held a girl’s hand before, and now he felt he had messed it up.

When you care deeply about someone, your thoughts become scattered in a thousand directions.

Gu Ci even felt a tinge of frustration with himself. He looked at Nianxi.

Her almond-shaped eyes were as clear as a mountain stream, alluring and innocent, with a gentle smile. She said, “Would this be better?” Her voice was soft and sweet, and as she lowered her head, the curve of her delicate neck was revealed.

While Gu Ci was still flustered, she lifted his hand, her slender, nimble fingers threading through his, intertwining their fingers. Her smile was warm and tender.

“Look,” she said.

Gu Ci felt as though all strength had left his body, his senses fading away until all that remained was the feeling of their hands clasped together. Like a kettle boiling over a fire, his blood surged and burned, dissolving all reason.

The only thing left was his heart, pounding fiercely for Nianxi.

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Pei Jian felt as though he had lost his mind.

Tomorrow was the imperial examination, yet he had been so consumed by an inexplicable impulse that he had followed them all the way here. He stared intently at their intertwined hands, torturing himself by repeatedly confirming the reality that Nianxi was now a stranger to him.

What had he done wrong? Where had he fallen short?

He had given his all, providing his wife with the best life he could. Yet here he was, grappling with the bitter truth.

Gu Ci’s smile stung Pei Jian like a sharp blade.

Never before had he so deeply resented his rebirth. He longed to return to the past, rather than be trapped in the secrets of both past and future, unable to move forward or retreat.

He loathed everything before him.

Despite the sunny weather outside, he felt like a chilling winter storm, out of place among the pilgrims on the incense path.

Pei Jian’s naturally striking appearance attracted even more attention and speculation with his brooding and tense demeanor. The only ones oblivious to him were Nianxi and Gu Ci; not once did they look back.

Keeping a moderate distance, Pei Jian cast a cold gaze at the majestic statue of the Sanqing Tianzun within the grand hall, filled with nothing but mockery. He watched as Nianxi knelt devoutly, lit incense, and added it to the offering. Gu Ci mimicked her movements but couldn’t help glancing at her from the corner of his eye.

Inside, a temple boy handed Nianxi two talismans.

Once, one of these had been meant for him.

Pei Jian recalled how, before the imperial exam in the past, Nianxi had specifically visited the Taiqing Temple to pray and obtain talismans for him. At the time, he had been arrogant and dismissive, scoffing at beliefs in deities and spirits.

Nianxi had been so angry that her eyes turned red, yet she still placed the talisman in his palm, teary-eyed and pleading, “I knelt for half an hour before the Sanqing Tianzun. It’s very effective—you must wear it.”

Pei Jian had agreed half-heartedly, leaving it on a table and forgetting about it. By the time he remembered, the exam had long passed, and the small talisman was nowhere to be found.

Now, Nianxi gave the talisman to Gu Ci.

Pei Jian watched as Gu Ci accepted it with reverence, carefully tucking it into his pouch to keep it close.

The two exchanged smiles.

Suddenly, Pei Jian clenched his fist tightly, unable to suppress the turmoil within.