Chapter 10 Pei Jian knows nothing about Gu Ci’s sweetheart

Gu Ci won the first place in the Wuju event.

At the same time, good news came from the border:

Duke Gu Chengye of Zhenguo led his army across the Yanshan Mountains and defeated the Northern Liang, killing tens of thousands of enemy troops, seizing hundreds of thousands of livestock, and capturing Gaoque.

Your Majesty bestowed titles upon them, and the Duke of Zhenguo’s family had two titles, and they were extremely powerful, like a raging fire boiling oil and blooming flowers.

The Gu family held a grand banquet and the Wen family also received invitations.

Nianxi's invitation was sent earlier, and it was the only one in the capital, personally sent by Gu Ci.

"Can you leave later the day after tomorrow?"

Gu Ci has already been appointed as the sixth-rank commander of the Northern City Military Department and will take up the post soon.

Nian Xi stood in the corridor, shaking her head, and said, "My father had a gathering of scholars that day, and my mother and I went to the Gu Mansion to celebrate. As for when to return home, it is up to my mother to decide."

Gu Ci was a little disappointed when he heard this.

But Nianxi's words made sense. He was about to say something and pass it on, but Nianxi winked at him:

"Is there any surprise?"

Her thoughts were guessed, but she didn't deny it. She smiled shyly, "I don't know if you will like it."

Nian Xi didn't ask what the surprise was, but smiled and said softly, "Of course I like it."

"That day I tried to stay with my mother for a while longer and leave later."

Gu Ci's face became even hotter. "The Imperial College will be closed the day after tomorrow. I want all my good classmates to come."

Under the gaze of those watery almond eyes, his heart beat faster. Under the shyness, he didn't talk much, "There is a brother who grew up with me. Oh, that horse Treading Snow is his horse. Let's go thank him together when the time comes."

Nianxi had no interest in Gu Ci's classmates and brothers, and just followed his words and asked, "I thought Taxue was your horse."

"I do have a few good horses, but they are all fierce and not suitable for beginners." Gu Ci was afraid that Nian Xi would misunderstand him as stingy. "They are docile and rare when walking on snow, and they are also my brother's favorite."

"Isn't it about winning people's love?"

"We are as close as brothers, and he won't care about it." Gu Ci explained, "My brother is the most sentimental and very talented... Forget it, let's not talk about him."

Gu Ci suddenly had an inexplicable sense of crisis.

When talking with Nian Xi on weekdays, she speaks well and elegantly. I think she has been greatly influenced by Wen Siye and Wen Qingheng.

Her father and brother were both men of letters, but he was a military commander.

If Nianxi had met Pei Jian first, would she...

Nianxi likes handsome men, and Pei Jian is equally outstanding in appearance and temperament!

Gu Ci has never been a person who belittles himself, but he has to admit that his current achievements and attention are inseparable from the halo of his father, brother and the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

But Pei Jian relied on his own efforts to achieve everything.

Even if one examines them with the most critical eyes, Pei Jian and he seem to be better together.

He suddenly didn't want Nian Xi to get to know Pei Jian.

Gu Ci didn't know that when you really like someone, you often feel possessive, plundering, and anxious about gains and losses. He didn't understand why he had such a ridiculous idea, fearing that Nian Xi would be interested in his good brother.

But Nianxi knew it all.

She has experienced the bitterness and shameless selfishness in relationships.

Nian Xi just thought such refusal was cute, "Then when my riding skills get better, I will ride your horse."

Her words soothed Gu Ci's mood very well.

He felt that Nian Xi was like a treasure given to him by God. She knew him and understood him, which made him obsessed with her.

Gu Ci nodded heavily, smiling brightly and cleanly, "You can choose any of my horses."

…

Looking back on my mood these days, I can see that I am visibly excited and impetuous.

Pei Jian found it offensive when he saw it.

When he was busy dealing with the Duke of Zhenguo's misfortune all day, Gu's resignation was simply heartless. "Come to my house tomorrow and get a set of head ornaments from the Treasure Pavilion for me."

“No time.”

Pei Jian refused without hesitation.

Gu Ci seemed to have not noticed his cold expression and said to herself, "Remember to check the hairpin and the hairpin carefully when you take them. I'll ask them to make new ones."

Gu Ci ordered a set of jewelry from Treasure House early in the morning.

A few days before the banquet, the shopkeeper of Zhenbao Pavilion personally delivered the dressing box to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, which shows how valuable it was.

Nianxi likes these exquisite little gadgets.

That day he personally put the gemstone bracelet on her, and he felt his heart almost jump out of his throat. A wrist as white and delicate as cream was naturally meant to be matched with gold, pearls and jade.

However, the cloud-shaped hairpin and the wind-bird and flower-patterned hairpin had flaws, so Gu Ci immediately asked the shopkeeper to take them back to have them repaired.

"I'm worried about telling others about this. This is my top priority right now." Gu Ci reached out and patted Pei Jian's shoulder, then whispered in his ear, "I plan to express my feelings to her tomorrow."

"You should examine it carefully."

Pei Jian: “…”

Gu Ci's eyes, as bright as stars, were right in front of him, still untainted by the pain, determination and cruelty that Gu had experienced during his misfortune.

Bright and dazzling.

never mind.

Let him be happy.

But the next day, when the treasure shopkeeper carefully took out a makeup box with gold-painted phoenix embroidery and inlaid with pearls and jade from the secret cabinet, Pei Jian's forehead jumped twice.

He reflected deeply on himself and asked himself why he didn't just turn around and leave when he knew that Gu Ci was seriously ill.

Instead of standing here and listening to the shopkeeper excitedly talking about the color matching and 108 uses of the hairpin.

Gu Ci, what kind of female glutton has this encountered?

This half-body-length dressing table is so big that it might empty out the treasure cabinet.

Thinking of the little cousin whom Gu Ci had just met, she asked him for the snow-covered ice.

Pei Jian became increasingly silent.

The treasurer of the Treasure Pavilion was named Yi. He was introducing the treasures with great enthusiasm, but he gradually fell silent under Pei Jian's increasingly cold and serious tone. He asked cautiously:

"Do you want to pick it up yourself or have it delivered to your house?"

Pei Jian looked at the makeup box that was half his height beside him, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "Give it to me."

Previously, he was devoted to his career and was busy with affairs. He only thought that relationships between men and women were troublesome and a waste of time.

Now that I think about it, I knew nothing about Gu Ci's sweetheart.

It's a good opportunity to see you today.

Pei Jian came on horseback, but the dressing box was too big to ride, so he had to ask the mansion's carriage to come. This back and forth took a long time.

Nianxi got up very early.

She dressed up early in the morning and changed into a light blue waisted cloud-patterned skirt with a flowing silver belt that made her waist look slender.

She wore the gemstone bracelet that Gu Ci had given her and attended the banquet with her mother.

Wen Yuanqiao is having a literary gathering today, and Wen Qingheng also went out early in the morning. It is said that he has an appointment with his classmates and will also go to Gu's house later.

Nian Xi didn't care.

Since her rebirth, she rarely talked to her brother about the Imperial College, and she avoided her brother's classmates and friends.

The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion is located in the west of the city.

The west is noble and the east is rich. Even though it is a place where royal relatives and high-ranking officials gather, the Gu family mansion still occupies an entire street.

But even so, the gate of Gu's mansion was still crowded with carriages and horses, blocking the water from flowing out.

Gu Ci personally welcomed the carriage to the Wen Mansion.

He really knows how to please the elders.

He was attentive and well-mannered when talking to Madam Wen, Li. He introduced the scenery of the mansion along the way, opened the curtains and introduced them. He was also very well-behaved and did not even glance at Nian Xi who was behind Li.

When they reached the main courtyard, Li was already very happy.

Lady Wang, wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, went out in person to greet them and walked inside holding Li's hand.

Who among those who come to congratulate is not a smart person?

Just by looking at the descriptions of Lady Wang and Gu Ci, one can guess eight out of ten of their intentions by treating Li as a guest of honor. They all flattered Li by doing what she liked.

Who doesn't like to be flattered?

Seeing all the women in the room surrounding A Niang and praising her, Nian Xi turned her head and looked at Gu Ci.

Gu Ci imitated Nian Xi's previous behavior, winked at her, made a gesture, and walked out of the main room first.

Nian Xi looked around. The noble ladies were all considerate and pretended to be in high spirits. No one was looking over here.

She chuckled, then quietly lifted her skirt and followed him out.