Chapter 21

Lost in her thoughts, Nianxi suddenly saw Wen Qingheng enter with a food container. Noticing her pale face, he quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”

Thinking of a possibility, his expression darkened. “Did Gu Ci bully you?”

“Nothing of the sort,” Nianxi said, pushing away her scattered thoughts. “Brother, will Gu Ci go to the northern frontier in the future?”

Wen Qingheng assumed this was the source of her concern.

“No,” he replied. “Duke Zhen’s family has defended the northern frontier for generations. The heir, Gu Jun, and the second son, Gu Bai, are both brave and skilled warriors. After the great victory at Gaoque, His Majesty personally conferred the second-grade General of Agile Cavalry rank on Gu Bai. Unless no male heirs are left in the Duke’s household, the responsibility would never fall to Gu Ci.”

Nianxi then asked, “Could the Northern Liang forces move south?”

Wen Qingheng chuckled. “Right now, it’s the season of abundant water and grass, but they’re suffering a drought. Add to that the locust swarms and hailstorms they faced earlier—Northern Liang is struggling to survive on its own. I heard the court is preparing to dispatch supplies. By winter, when everything withers, a major offensive will secure at least twenty years of peace in the northern frontier.”

In other words, no one foresaw that Northern Liang would move south, leading to the deaths of Duke Zhen and the two generals. The Duke’s title was likely revoked during that time.

Nianxi rubbed her forehead. Such an event must have shocked the entire court back then, yet she had no memory of it. What was she doing during that time?

Still, until her death, the Great Jing Dynasty remained peaceful and prosperous, with its neighbors subdued. It was evident that Gu Ci had excelled in his duties at the northern frontier!

Suddenly, Nianxi recalled a piece of advice from her cousin: “How many women in the capital envy you? The Empire’s Twin Stars, the two most outstanding men—one is the Champion Marquis, stationed far in the northern frontier, admired from afar by countless maidens. And the other is your husband, Pei Jian…”

The Empire’s Twin Stars!

Nianxi remembered a widely circulated saying from her previous life: Minister Pei secures internal stability, while the Champion Marquis defends against external threats. Together, they were the Twin Pillars of Jing’s dynasty.

Her heart raced at the thought. In other words, even though the Gu family was stripped of its noble title, Gu Ci still achieved great success, becoming both a marquis and a minister, with accomplishments that overshadowed the entire army!

So, she had heard of his name in her previous life after all.

Nianxi finally pieced together the connection between her past and present lives.

One couldn’t help but marvel at the intricacies of fate. All the deviations she thought existed fit together perfectly. Her rebirth felt like a stroke of divine artistry.

For a fleeting moment, Nianxi’s emotions settled into a strange calm. If both she and Pei Jian could be reborn, who was to say that the future held no hope for change?

“Brother, I quite like Gu Ci. You shouldn’t always be so prejudiced against him,” she said.

Wen Qingheng: …

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Meanwhile, Gu Ci was racking his brain to save his friend from what he saw as “misguided love.” As he spoke, his speculations became more outrageous. Noticing the absurdity, Pei Jian frowned and said, “What nonsense are you spouting?”

Caught off guard, Gu Ci blurted out, “You’re not in love with a married woman, are you?”

Visibly, Pei Jian’s expression darkened several degrees. His silent, intense gaze bore down on Gu Ci with such weight that even he felt slightly unnerved.

“What are you here for?” Pei Jian finally asked.

“Almost forgot the main reason.” Gu Ci handed over a beaded bracelet. “I got this for you at Sanqing Temple. It’s been blessed before the deity to bring you luck in achieving the top ranking in the imperial exams.”

Pei Jian glanced at the bracelet but didn’t take it, instead responding coolly, “I heard the talismans from Sanqing Temple are very effective?”

“You believe in this?” Gu Ci asked in surprise. “But it’s too late now—amulets must be requested over a month in advance.” As he spoke, he placed the beaded bracelet on the desk.

Gu Ci didn’t actually believe in spirits or deities. When he saw Nianxi purchasing a tourmaline bracelet for Madam Li at Sanqing Temple, he thought of his good friend Pei Jian, who was about to take the imperial examination and bought one for him, too.

Pei Jian barely glanced at the bracelet on the desk and casually said, “You seem quite knowledgeable about this.”

“I only found out about it today,” Gu Ci replied.

Gu Ci pulled a pouch from his pocket and carefully retrieved a dark yellow talisman. With a smug air, he waved it in front of Pei Jian. “This is a talisman she specially requested for me.”

“Though I don’t fully believe in these things, it’s a rare and thoughtful gesture from a young lady. I’ll cherish it for a long time.” After saying this, he carefully tucked it back into the pouch.

Pei Jian couldn’t understand how even the smallest matters became so sentimental when it came to Gu Ci. For the first time in his life, Pei Jian felt a twinge of defeat. When it came to relationships, he had to admit that Gu Ci was more attentive and adept at nurturing them.

“One day, if you go to the northern frontier,” Pei Jian suddenly said, “what will she… do?”

Gu Ci was momentarily stunned, his face expressing disbelief. “How could I possibly go to the northern frontier?”

“What if?” Pei Jian’s expression was serious, without the slightest hint of jest. “Would you take Wen Nianxi with you to the northern frontier? Would she go with you?”

Gu Ci opened his mouth, wanting to say, “Of course,” but the words felt scorching and refused to come out. He was certain that Nianxi had feelings for him. Yet, asking her to give up everything and follow him to the northern frontier? Gu Ci couldn’t bear to ask, nor did he feel confident.

Frowning, his heart weighed down by a shadowy unease, Gu Ci said, “Why are we even talking about this? I’m not going to the northern frontier.”

“Then make sure to remind your father and brothers to pay close attention to Northern Liang’s situation,” Pei Jian replied, his tone steady and grave. “Everyone wants to survive—especially when they’re cornered with no way out.”