Chapter 22

Pei Jian achieved the top rank in the palace examination. He became the first scholar in the Great Jing Dynasty’s history to achieve the “Triple Crown” by topping all three levels of the imperial examination. This time, he outdid his past life, even receiving personal praise from the emperor, who called him a pillar of the empire.

During these days, he was met with applause and admiration wherever he went. Many matchmakers came to propose marriages for him, and just the day before, his second aunt, Madam Liao, directly brought her niece to meet him. Naturally, he coldly turned them all down.

Since his rebirth, Pei Jian had grown colder and more aloof, unwilling to waste even a shred of effort on people and matters unrelated to him. Yet, despite this, there were still invitations he couldn’t refuse. By the time he saw Gu Ci again, half a month had passed.

Today, Wen Qingheng hosted a banquet and invited three other scholars from the same institute.

In the recent palace examination, Wen Qingheng ranked seventeenth in the second tier, and Qin Lang barely passed into the lowest tier of the scholar class. After the court examination, they were awaiting appointments, so this period was relatively relaxed for everyone except for Gu Ci, who arrived notably late.

As soon as they met, Qin Lang loudly called for Gu Ci to punish himself with three cups of wine, saying, “Why are you busier than all of us? Come clean—have you been sneaking around doing something shady?”

“Nonsense!” Gu Ci retorted with a laugh. He was naturally cheerful and straightforward, not one to overthink or push back unnecessarily. He readily downed three cups as “punishment” before smiling and saying, “Don’t tarnish my reputation. I’ve just been busy preparing… a surprise for someone special.”

In Wen Qingheng’s presence, Gu Ci tactfully referred to Nianxi as “her.” After all, Nian’er had told him to avoid provoking her brother unnecessarily. Of course, Gu Ci gladly complied with his beloved’s request.

“I heard that the dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival are especially lively in Jinling. With painted boats, flutes, drums, dragon-headed prows, and banners waving as the oars beat rhythmically—she goes to watch it every year. Since she loves it, I thought I’d personally win first place to gift it to her.”

“Didn’t His Majesty have ten racing boats specially built in Yangzhou this year for the dragon boat race to be held on Luo River? These past few days, I’ve been practicing rowing and steering.”

Qin Lang was stunned, his disbelief evident. “You? Rowing a dragon boat?”

Gu Ci raised an eyebrow. “Why not? I’ve even booked a private room along the Luo River in advance so she’ll have a clear view of me commanding the boat.”

Wen Qingheng poured cold water on the idea. “And if you lose?”

Gu Ci waved off the concern. “It doesn’t matter if I lose. What’s important is the thought behind it.”

There was, however, a little ulterior motive Gu Ci kept to himself: dragon boat helmsmen traditionally let their hair loose and have markings on their bodies. Now that Nianxi was his, how could she possibly admire other bare-chested men?

Qin Lang slowly raised a thumb in admiration. “Gu Ci, you’re incredible! Truly. You’re so over-the-top that I’m impressed! If I were your beloved, I’d be moved to tears and beg to marry you immediately.”

“What nonsense are you saying?” Wen Qingheng wasn’t too pleased with that remark.

Pei Jian cast a glance at Qin Lang.

Gu Ci’s tone grew colder. “I don’t need her to feel moved; I just want her to be happy.”

This wasn’t about emotional coercion—doing grand, moving gestures to force a woman into compromise. He didn’t want to pressure Nianxi; he simply wanted to accompany her in doing the things she enjoyed.

Realizing his words had been out of line, Qin Lang felt a chill from Pei Jian’s glance and awkwardly muttered, “Fine, fine, you’re a romantic. But you really are willing to go all out.”

Considering Gu Ci’s prestigious background, second only to the imperial family, few in the capital could match his status. In the past, whether it was dragon boat racing, horse riding, or polo, people like them simply offered prize money to add to the festivities—they rarely participated themselves. To lower himself and compete alongside common boatmen was truly remarkable.

“It’s nothing,” Gu Ci said indifferently. This wasn’t a performance for others. He simply wanted to create beautiful memories for Nianxi, so he was determined to do his best.

Though still somewhat annoyed at Gu Ci for concealing things earlier, Wen Qingheng couldn’t help but be impressed by his sincerity. As Nianxi’s elder brother, he maintained a stoic demeanor but was secretly pleased.

Pei Jian, however, remained silent throughout the entire discussion about the dragon boat race.

Qin Lang grew increasingly uneasy, glancing at the others’ expressions but feeling too awkward to lighten the mood with more comments.

Gu Ci focused solely on making Nianxi happy and paid no mind to their reactions. Suddenly, he turned to Pei Jian and said, “I reserved an excellent viewing room. Why don’t you invite that ‘Earring Lady’ to join you?”

Gu Ci had always felt that Pei Jian pushed himself too hard. Cold and distant, Pei Jian seemed to lack warmth or interest in anything beyond his fixed goals. If not for growing up together and the misfortune Pei Jian suffered in his youth—losing his parents and being oppressed and humiliated by his second uncle’s family while being cared for by Gu Ci’s mother—Gu Ci thought their relationship would likely not extend beyond that of mere classmates. It would never have become what it is now.

Of course, none of this was Pei Jian’s fault.

Gu Ci, being softhearted, could sympathize with Pei Jian’s coldness and aloofness, understanding how such experiences had shaped him.

Nianxi, on the other hand, was gentle and easy to get along with. Gu Ci believed that women, through chatting, could connect more deeply and provide thoughtful advice. Perhaps, just perhaps, her insight could help his good friend achieve a more fulfilling life. That was why Gu Ci had suggested involving her.

However, Pei Jian rejected the idea without hesitation, saying simply, “No need.”

As for the Dragon Boat Festival races, Pei Jian had nearly forgotten about them. Only Gu Ci’s relentless chatter had reminded him of the small yet memorable event.

Nianxi loved the lively atmosphere of dragon boat races. Every year in Jinling, she never missed them. When she heard about His Majesty commissioning boats in Yangzhou to host a race in the capital, she had been thrilled beyond measure.

Pei Jian had found this puzzling. “Don’t you see this every year? Compared to the grandeur in the south, the capital’s races are just small-scale events. What’s so interesting about it?”

Having been exposed to grand spectacles, Pei Jian thought the capital’s dragon boat races wouldn’t be worth anticipating. But Nianxi had said, “Of course, it’s worth it! And it’s meaningful. This is something I enjoy, and I want you by my side to share in what I love.”

Pei Jian, having grown used to being solitary since childhood, didn’t quite grasp the concept of “companionship.”

But Nianxi did. Whether it was admiring a painting, savoring a dish, or reading a book—she wanted him to accompany her. Even if it was something she could do alone, she preferred to wait for when he had time so they could experience it together. On the topic of wasted time, she once said, “That’s also the meaning of companionship.”

Yet he ultimately failed to “accompany” her during that dragon boat race.

At the time, he had just started his official career as an editor at the Hanlin Academy. A mistake had been found in a celebration document drafted by several colleagues. Being the youngest among them, his superior had someone send a message instructing him to immediately return to the academy to make corrections.

He felt torn.

Nianxi had been looking forward to this dragon boat race for so long, and he feared she would be upset if he delayed things.

“Go ahead and take care of it,” she had said.

Pei Jian felt relieved, pretending not to notice the disappointment and forced smile in Nianxi’s eyes. In truth, the error wasn’t in the part he had drafted, so he didn’t necessarily have to go. But in his heart, work was more important than Nianxi. He wasn’t as thoughtful or attentive as Gu Ci. He didn’t take the time to plan ahead, like booking a private room for her to watch the event. Amidst the crowded scene, he simply abandoned her.

Pei Jian took a deep breath, suppressing the pang of regret rising within him. In this life, with Gu Ci by her side, Nianxi would never have to feel disappointed in the Dragon Boat Festival again. He thought to himself, she was sure to have an unforgettable experience this time. As for the regrets of the Nianxi from his past life, they could never be remedied.

Pei Jian furrowed his brow. That day in the garden by the side gate, he had said so much to Nianxi, yet it seemed she and Gu Ci had grown even closer. Had she already developed such deep feelings for Gu Ci?

Wen Qingheng, intrigued by the topic of Gu Ci’s “Earring Lady,” asked, “Who is she?”

Gu Ci glanced at Pei Jian and, seeing no objection, replied, “His beloved.”

Qin Lang froze in shock as though he had uncovered an earth-shattering secret. His gaze darted back and forth between Gu Ci and Pei Jian.

Wen Qingheng, however, remained oblivious.

Admiring Pei Jian’s talents as always, Wen Qingheng smiled and asked, “Which young lady is she? She must be truly fortunate.”

Pei Jian’s profile was cold and stern as he lowered his head to sip tea, his downcast gaze concealing his emotions. “There’s no need for you to know.”

Wen Qingheng was immediately embarrassed, his face flushing with awkwardness.

Meanwhile, Qin Lang was caught up in a storm of speculation and couldn’t focus on lightening the mood.

Gu Ci stepped in to smooth things over. “Shizhang has always been like this. Even I don’t know who the ‘Earring Lady’ is—he keeps it tightly under wraps.”

Wen Qingheng quickly stepped down, saying, “My apologies for overstepping.”

Qin Lang’s eyes darted around nervously. When he turned and locked eyes with Pei Jian, he was startled by Pei Jian’s cold, piercing gaze, which sent an involuntary shiver down his spine. He straightened up at once, sitting upright. Hearing Gu Ci and the others mention the “Earring Lady,” he first looked at Wen Qingheng.

Qingheng, I hope you learn the truth without breaking down.

Then he glanced at Gu Ci—

Gu Ci, I hope you can handle the truth without falling apart.

If either of them had seen Pei Jian’s ambiguous look that day, they would already know who the so-called “Earring Lady” was!

However, Qin Lang didn’t want to meddle. After all, the person Pei Jian had his eyes on wasn’t his beloved—or his sister.

Qin Lang, imagining himself as the wisest person at the table, fell into a deeper silence.