Chapter 7

“Who?”

“What true love?”

Before Pei Jian could answer, two other young men in the dormitory courtyard overheard and asked. They were all eighteen or nineteen-year-olds. If not studying at the Imperial Academy, they were already of the age to discuss marriage. Naturally, they were interested in such topics.

Qin Lang, glancing at Gu Ci, raised his eyebrows and teased, “Which young lady has managed to capture the heart of our usually unattainable Young Master Gu?”

Wen Qingheng had just returned from home. With his sister away, he returned to the Imperial Academy early today. However, as he had only recently moved into this dormitory, he was not yet well-acquainted with the other three classmates, so he simply listened on with a mild smile.

But it was precisely because of Wen Qingheng that Gu Ci’s overflowing desire to share his feelings couldn’t find an outlet. As for his future brother-in-law, it was hard for him to treat him as just an ordinary roommate.

And so, in a rare moment, Gu Ci became bashful, his face even showing two suspicious blushes. He cleared his throat, faced Wen Qingheng, and solemnly said, “I will treat her well.”

Wen Qingheng was utterly baffled by Gu Ci’s seriousness, while Qin Lang let out a loud exclamation, his gaze darting back and forth between Wen Qingheng and Gu Ci: “Seriously, Qingye (Gu Ci’s courtesy name), even rabbits don’t eat the grass near their burrows. We can’t go after people close to us either!”

Qin Lang’s voice was loud, prompting Pei Jian to step aside in annoyance, putting some distance between them. Only then did he turn to Gu Ci: “Which family’s young lady is it?”

On the day of the Shangsi Festival, Gu Ci mentioned that he met a very special young lady at Qu Shui. At first, Pei Jian didn’t think much of it and didn’t ask for her name or background. Later, Gu Ci asked him for a horse, saying he wanted to teach the lady to ride.

Both Gu Ci and Pei Jian were horse enthusiasts. However, Gu Ci preferred strong and spirited horses, while Pei Jian enjoyed collecting a variety of fine steeds. Ta Xue (Treading Snow) was one of Pei Jian’s prized horses.

With their close friendship, lending a horse was naturally no issue.

Since his rebirth, Pei Jian had a lot to prepare for and didn’t have much energy to focus on his good friend’s activities. But Gu Ci’s actions had been rather conspicuous lately, and even without trying, Pei Jian had heard and seen quite a bit.

Reflecting on the misfortune that occurred at Duke Zhen’s residence at the end of the previous year, Pei Jian thought that if the lady had good character and a respectable background, then even if Gu Ci would eventually be stationed at the border, having a beloved companion by his side might help ease his loneliness. That was why he asked.

Gu Ci had nothing to hide from his good friend Pei Jian. However, with his future brother-in-law Wen Qingheng standing nearby and his future father-in-law, the academy’s supervisor, also present in the Imperial Academy, he dared not let anything slip. Though his heart was resolute, when it came to Nian Xi’s feelings for him—Gu Ci had no confidence at all. She was like a mystery. At first, he thought she was simply beautiful and gentle in character. But after actually spending time with her, he realized she was intelligent, considerate, and witty, with a sparkling sense of humor.

In her presence, he felt like a clueless young boy. Under such circumstances, he absolutely couldn’t let Wen Qingheng know that he had his sights set on Wen’s sister!

So he could only reply vaguely, “She’s from a newly arrived family from the south. You wouldn’t know her.”

Feeling guilty and fearing Wen Qingheng might notice something, he hastily added, “She’s…my distant cousin.”

When Pei Jian heard “from the south,” he paused slightly. But after Gu Ci added “distant cousin,” he quickly composed himself.

“Why does everyone have cousins?” Qin Lang exclaimed dramatically, thumping his chest. “Why don’t I have a single cousin?”

“Shizhang has Cousin Xu, Qingye (Gu Ci’s courtesy name) has a distant cousin. Jinghe (Wen Qingheng’s courtesy name), do you have a cousin?”

Wen Qingheng, true to his name as a refined and courteous gentleman, calmly replied, “I don’t have a cousin, but I do have a younger sister.”

The moment he finished speaking, Pei Jian and Gu Ci’s eyelids twitched simultaneously. Before Qin Lang could spit out anything else, they spoke in unison, “It’s late, Jinghe, go back to your room and rest.”

Wen Qingheng: “…Oh, okay.”

Qin Lang: ???

…

At that moment, Nianxi was frowning in front of her dressing table. Her Mu cousin was getting married next month, but she couldn’t even afford a proper dowry gift. Her father was an honest official, so their family’s daily expenses were not exactly ample.

In her previous life, her Mu cousin had taken great care of her. Nianxi wanted to express her gratitude by giving a generous gift on her cousin’s wedding day. However, her current savings weren’t even enough to buy a decent piece of jewelry from the Treasure Pavilion.

Speaking of which, Pei Jian was useless as a husband, but he was first-rate when it came to amassing wealth as an official. Every detail of his daily life was luxurious—beaded curtains, jewel-encrusted beds, jade plates, and golden goblets. Nianxi had never worried about material things in the past. As she was at a loss, her maid, Lan Zhi, entered with a cup of fermented drink: “Miss, I made osmanthus and rose fermented drinks following the recipe you taught me the other day. Would you like to taste them and see if the flavor is right?”

People at the time loved beverages. Not only were there tea brewing and tea whisking, but there were also various fermented drinks, refreshing beverages, and infusions, all of which were highly popular in the capital.

During the Great Xia Dynasty, from nobles and aristocrats to merchants and laborers, everyone enjoyed a bowl of these drinks during their leisure time. The difference lay only in the quality and cost of the ingredients. In both the eastern and western markets, fragrant beverage shops were everywhere.

Nianxi couldn’t come up with money on the spot, so she had to set her worries aside. After finishing a bowl of sweet and sour rose-fermented drink, her mood improved significantly.

Lan Zhi, standing nearby, admired her greatly and exclaimed, “Miss, you’re truly ingenious to come up with such a delicious drink!”

Nianxi dismissed the praise, saying, “Did it taste that good?” In her previous life, she was accustomed to drinking these beverages.

“Of course!” Lan Zhi was almost ready to swear by it. “This servant has never tasted such fermented drinks before. The aroma of rice mingles with honey and the fragrance of flowers and fruits. The taste is sweet, sour, and refreshing. This servant can’t even fully describe it—it just makes the heart feel especially satisfied.”

Only then did Nianxi recall that in her past life, because Pei Jian enjoyed beverages and often struggled with the summer heat, she had devoted much effort to these concoctions. It wasn’t just fermented drinks—she had experimented with ice confections, creamy mountains, chilled brews, and even hot drinks, innovating numerous flavors after delving into ancient recipes. Yet, no matter what she painstakingly created, Pei Jian always seemed indifferent.

Nianxi thought it was because the flavors didn’t suit his palate. Until one day, she accidentally overheard Cousin Xu telling her nanny, “My cousin says only drinks I made have the taste of home. He can’t get used to drinks made by others.”

It was then she realized it wasn’t about the taste—it was about his feelings toward her.

She once thought about opening a beverage shop exclusively for women, a place where ladies could pass the time. At that time, Pei Jian had just been promoted to Minister of Revenue. Before she could finish speaking about her idea, Pei Jian had already cut her off with a cold expression: “There’s no need for you to show yourself in public to supplement the household income.”

But now…

“Lan Zhi, make two more servings and send them to the main house.” Nianxi’s eyes lit up—she had figured out how to get the money for her cousin’s dowry gift!

In the main house:

“…You want to sell fermented drinks in our silk shop?” Madam Li patiently listened to her daughter’s idea and responded casually, “Of course, why not?”

It would be easy to set aside a small space to sell fermented drinks in their own cloth store. What’s the big deal?

Nianxi, having prepared a whole argument, hesitated upon hearing this. “…That simple?”

“What else?” Madam Li chuckled. “What’s the fuss about? Just set up an umbrella, push a cart, and you can sell fermented drinks. Does it really need to be more complicated?”

But—

“Why are you suddenly interested in selling fermented drinks?” Madam Li tapped her daughter’s forehead. “Not long ago, you seemed so dispirited and uninterested in anything. Are you feeling better recently?”

Nianxi was momentarily stunned.

To those who genuinely care about you, even the slightest changes in your emotions do not escape their notice.

A few days ago, when she had just returned to life, she was full of gloom and dejection—it turns out her mother had noticed it all. Nianxi suppressed the tears and buried herself in her mother’s embrace.

“It’s just that… I feel like things are pretty good now,” she mumbled softly.

To live again, to do the things that the 28-year-old Wen Nianxi had never done before.

Madam Li laughed, saying, “I’ve always said there are plenty of good young men in the capital!”

Nianxi was puzzled and lifted her head from her mother’s embrace. “What do you mean?”

Madam Li looked equally surprised. “Didn’t you upset because we moved to the capital, and you could no longer see that boy from our old neighborhood?”