Chapter 4

Pei Jian also had exceptionally handsome looks. When Nianxi was with him in the past, she was always nervous and shy. She dared not lift her head, fearing that her smile might not appear proper. She also dared not to speak, worried that her knowledge was too shallow. Even when drinking tea in front of him, she would deliberate over it repeatedly, afraid that her manners were not elegant enough. She was always scared that he would notice her flaws and worry that he might not like her.

Her elder brother said that Pei Jian liked drinks. Despite being pampered all her life, she spent scorching summer days in the kitchen, trying to make various soups and fermented beverages to suit his taste.

She would carefully analyze every word that Pei Jian said. She would ponder deeply, then transform herself into someone he liked.

Chasing after someone is truly exhausting.

The 15-year-old Nianxi gritted her teeth and persisted, but the 28-year-old Nianxi was no longer willing to wrong herself.

“This kite must be faulty,” Nianxi said calmly and matter-of-factly.

If the kite wouldn’t fly, it surely had to be the kite’s problem.

Her remark amused Gu Ci. He noticed the rosy blush on the girl’s frosty, snow-white face from her recent run. Her small, pointed chin and sparkling, charming eyes, combined with her dimples and gentle smile, made her seem like rippling spring water. She was utterly endearing.

Gu Ci averted his gaze somewhat awkwardly. “The kite is too big; it needs a horse to pull it up into the air.”

“I don’t know how to ride a horse. Can you help me?” She tilted her head slightly to look at him, her voice soft and gentle, her almond-shaped eyes innocent.

Who could refuse such a request? At least Gu Ci couldn’t. From the moment Nianxi stepped off the carriage, he had noticed her.

It was impossible not to—she seemed to embody the spring of Qu Shui, a radiant streak of brightness in a vivid world. So, Gu Ci personally mounted a horse to help Nianxi fly her kite the highest and farthest.

Wang Muyi looked at the kite in the sky in astonishment. “How did you manage that? The proud and aloof Young General Gu actually helped you fly a kite.”

The midday sun was a bit scorching. Nianxi pulled her cousin under the shade of a tree and, without looking back, said, “I don’t know how to ride a horse.”

“…Is that really the issue here?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Nianxi turned her head, her bright face smiling freely. “We couldn’t fly it by ourselves, could we?”

“Did you notice the other ladies over there? Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads.”

Nianxi was amused by her cousin’s remark and laughed out loud. The sky was as clear as a wash of blue, illuminating her delicate features and radiant charm.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said softly. When she was younger, restrained by decorum and pride, she only dared to show a fraction of her happiness. Often, her words didn’t match her feelings, wrapped in hesitation and retreat. Now, she was mature enough to express her likes and dislikes openly and no longer cared about others’ opinions.

With his refined demeanor and clean temperament, Gu Ci made Nianxi feel at ease. And that was enough.

Having lived life again, she only sought to please herself. “As long as I’m happy.”

Wang Muyi opened her mouth, unsure what to say. Turning her head, she saw her cousin’s vibrant and lively expression, like blazing flames full of boundless vitality. Yet, her eyes seemed to hold a desolate melancholy, indifferent and lonely—a combination of richness and sorrow. She suddenly felt that Gu Ci being captivated by Nianxi was the most natural thing in the world.

Lost in her thoughts, Nianxi had already stepped forward, taking the kite string Gu Ci handed her, and softly thanked him.

Gu Ci blushed at the girl’s straightforward compliment, his palms slightly sweaty. Watching Nianxi carefully holding the kite string, he casually remarked, “Riding a horse isn’t that hard. Choose a gentle horse; the most important thing is finding a reliable teacher.”

Nianxi responded casually, “Is that so?”

As if speaking offhandedly, Gu Ci said, “I’ve been practicing riding and archery since I was five. My horseback skills are quite good.”

Nianxi handed the string to Xing Yue beside her and turned to stare at him.

Gu Ci felt his throat tighten under her gaze, and there was a sense of awkwardness as if his thoughts had been exposed. As he was about to say something, Nianxi suddenly leaned closer and brushed a fallen flower off his shoulder.

Gu Ci, not yet of age, had his long hair tied high at the back of his head. He was very tall, and as he bent slightly to speak with her, his hair’s ends fell. The spring breeze blew, and his hair lightly landed on Nianxi’s chest. It was then he realized how close they were. Her sweet scent filled his breath.

Gu Ci couldn’t identify the fragrance, but it made his heart race faster and faster.

“It’s a fallen flower,” Nianxi quickly stepped back, smiling as she asked, “I’d like to learn horseback riding, but I wonder if it’s difficult?”

Although Gu Ci had never shown such attentiveness to any girl before, it seemed like an instinctive reaction, preceding his thoughts: “It’s not hard. I’ll teach you.”

Nianxi smiled and agreed, then pointed to Wang Muyi under the tree, saying, “I’ve been so engrossed in talking to you that I’ve neglected my cousin.”

“I’m leaving now. Thank you for helping me fly the kite today.” She wasn’t pretending to be reserved; her departure was straightforward and carefree. She left without waiting for him to say anything more, taking the hazy springtime atmosphere.

Gu Ci had never felt this way before. It was as if his heart was being tightly gripped. Around her, he couldn’t even think, only drawn by her every smile and gesture. He wasn’t a reserved person, having many friends and knowing many noblewomen from prominent families. But no one, like Nianxi, made him unable to resist.

Looking at the graceful figure ahead, Gu Ci couldn’t help but raise his voice, drawing many glances: “Next time, on your day off, I’ll teach you horseback riding.”

“Sure~”