Chapter 16 The smile on Gu Ci's face hurt him

Gu Ci would come to the Wen Mansion from time to time to give Nianxi small gifts.

Mrs. Windermere was most kind to him.

As time went by, the maids and servants in the Wen residence treated him with a touch of respect and friendliness.

The palace examination was approaching, and Wen Qingheng had no time to disturb them. Wen Siye often had gatherings with scholars, and his visits became more and more frequent.

He wanted to stick with Nianxi every day, even if they didn't talk, just watching her play the piano and paint beside her.

Precisely because of his frequent visits, he encountered many young men lurking at the gate of the Wen Mansion. While trying to persuade these ignorant idiots to leave, he also aroused his possessiveness and sense of crisis towards Nian Xi.

The day before the imperial examination, Gu declined the day off and drove to the gate of Wen's mansion early in the morning to pick up Nianxi to burn incense.

Nian Xi was wearing a water green skirt and a grass-headed insect-shaped jeweled pearl hairpin. She had fair skin and rosy cheeks. She was at the prime of her youth and looked gorgeous without any extra adornment.

Li led Nianxi out.

A carriage had already been parked outside the gate, and next to the carriage stood a tall figure, it was Gu Ci.

Seeing someone coming out, he hurriedly saluted Li.

Li had no complaints about Gu Ci. His family background, talent, and appearance were all outstanding, and Mrs. Wang was also a sensible person. Her daughter would not suffer if she married him in the future.

The two parties have reached an agreement.

The Duke of Zhenguo is now in the northern border. Madam Wang has already sent a letter and is only waiting for the Duke of Zhenguo's approval so that she can arrange a marriage for the two children.

She didn't tell Nianxi about these things, but she also turned a blind eye to Gu Ci's visits every few days.

Li and Gu Ci exchanged polite words. Gu Ci stood up straight and said respectfully, "Madam, don't worry. I will send Nian'er back home after I finish offering incense."

Li nodded with satisfaction and watched Nian Xi step on the stool to get on the carriage. The carriage rumbled and drove away in the direction of the east of the city. Then she turned and entered the mansion.

The carriage left the city and there were fewer people on the road. Nian Xi lifted the curtain and gradually saw the lush and green forest. Further ahead, the mountain flowers were in full bloom, and the crowds caught people's eyes.

The air is filled with a rich and fresh scent.

Gu Ci tapped the window lightly with his whip, "Do you want to ride a horse? I'll bring Taxue here."

Seeing such a beautiful scenery, Nianxi originally wanted to ride a horse, but when she remembered that Gu Ci said Taxue was Pei Jian's horse, she gave up the idea.

It's not that she can't let go of Pei Jian, but she doesn't want to have anything to do with this person anymore.

So he shook his head and said, "I'm not very experienced in riding a horse, and I'm a little scared, so forget it."

"Then why not..."

The remark came out of his mouth, but he stopped in time.

Nianxi glanced at him and asked with a smile, "Why not?"

Both of them knew what Gu Ci wanted to say.

They had known each other for more than two months, and except for the time when Nian Xi nearly fell off the horse, Gu Ci had always been very polite and had never overstepped the boundaries in front of others or in private.

Riding together is too intimate.

Gu Ci respects and cherishes Nian Xi. Even though their relationship is going well, he is afraid that any of his actions will make Nian Xi unhappy.

But if you really like someone, you can't control the desire to get close to her.

The carriage stopped halfway up the mountain, and we had to walk up the stairs the rest of the way.

Gu Ci looked at the ancient temple on the mountain and said to Nian Xi, "If you get tired later, I'll hold your hand and walk with you."

Nian Xi looked at the tall and slender man with red ears and dodging eyes, and thought he was very cute. She became playful, stood on tiptoe, raised her hand and touched his earlobe, and deliberately asked, "Is it hot?"

In an instant, Gu Ci felt a surge of blood rushing up, and the places where Nian Xi touched felt numb and hot, and his heart was about to jump out of his chest.

"Stop it!"

His ears turned red, but he mustered up his courage and tentatively pulled Nianxi's hand.

Of course Nian Xi did not refuse.

Gu Ci didn't dare to look into Nianxi's eyes.

It was as if she was holding a ball of soft cotton in her hands, or touching a piece of beautiful jade, but her hands were smoother than cotton, and softer and warmer than jade.

He couldn't help but tighten his grip, firmly holding the soft, boneless hand.

Nian Xi felt pain from his pinching, and she struggled with a smile, "Do you want to crush my hand?"

Gu Ci was stunned for a moment, and quickly let go of his hand.

He was a little embarrassed, and wanted to explain or comfort her, but he was tongue-tied and couldn't say a word. He had never held a girl's hand before, and he seemed to have messed up.

If you care too much about someone, you will always devote a lot of thoughts to that person, and you may even feel resigned or a little depressed.

He looked at Nianxi.

Her almond-shaped eyes were as clear as a mountain stream, charming and innocent. With a gentle smile, she said, "Will this be better?"

The voice was soft and when she lowered her head, her delicate pink neck was revealed.

When he was at a loss for words, she lifted his hand, passed her slender and nimble fingers through the gaps between their fingers, clasped theirs tightly, and smiled gently.

"Look."

Gu Ci lost all his strength, along with all his senses, leaving only his hands holding each other.

Like a kettle of boiling water on the stove, his blood continued to boil and burn, and his rationality was also dissolved.

Only my heart is beating for you.

…

Pei Jian felt like he was going crazy.

Tomorrow is the palace examination, but he has followed here all the way like a ghost.

He stared at the two people's clasped hands, masochistically confirming again and again the fact that Nian Xi was a stranger to him.

What did he do wrong?

What did he do wrong?

He did his best and he provided the best life for his wife.

The smile on Gu Ci's face hurt him.

There was no moment when he hated rebirth so much that he wanted to go back to the past. He was no longer trapped in the secrets of the past and the future, unable to move forward or backward.

He hated everything he saw.

The sun was shining brightly outside, but he was like a gust of snow in winter, following the two people all the way, and was out of place with the passers-by who came to worship.

Pei Jian was already handsome, and now he looked gloomy and tense, attracting more attention and speculation.

Except for Nian Xi and Gu Ci, they never looked back once.

From a distance that was neither far nor near, Pei Jian looked coldly at the solemn and dignified Three Pure Ones in the main hall, his heart full of sarcasm.

He saw Nianxi kneeling devoutly, offering incense, and adding more incense. Gu Ci followed suit, but his eyes kept glancing to the side.

The Taoist boy in the hall gave Nian Xi two talismans.

Once upon a time, there was one dish here that was given to him.

Pei Jian remembered that before the palace examination, Nian Xi went to Taiqing Palace to pray for him. However, he was arrogant at that time and didn't believe in ghosts and gods at all, and he even disdained these things.

Nian Xi's eyes turned red with anger, but she still placed the talisman in his palm and said aggrievedly, "I knelt in front of the Three Pure Ones for half an hour. It's very effective. You must wear it."

Pei Jian responded perfunctorily, and then he put the talisman on the table and forgot about it. When he remembered to look for it again, the palace examination was over, and the small talisman paper was nowhere to be found...

Nian Xi gave the talisman to Gu Ci.

He saw Gu Ci accept it with great care, put it in his pocket and carry it close to his body.

They smiled at each other.

Pei Jian suddenly clenched his fists.