Chapter 172 Grinding an Iron Rod into a Needle

Most of the time, people are actually pretty mean.

For example, now, Pei Jian saw Nian Xi frowning slightly, and he couldn't help but comfort her, "This little thing is nothing."

I was afraid that she wasn't worried, but I was also afraid that she was too worried.

But it was obviously his fault.

In Nianxi's mind, Pei Jian was able to become prime minister in his previous life, and his abilities and means were no bad. If he were to start over again, he would only be more proficient at it. It didn't make sense for him to be framed so soon after entering the officialdom.

So she just responded calmly.

Pei Jian: …

“It’s not entirely without danger.”

It was very strange. After her rebirth, they had met very few times and had even fewer calm conversations. However, she understood Pei Jian better than before.

Just like now, she knew Pei Jian was waiting for her to ask him.

So, Nian Xi followed suit and asked, "Who do you suspect?"

Pei Jian stopped talking. He glanced at Nian Xi, then turned his head to look at the osmanthus tree in the yard.

"Lu Wensheng?"

She didn't quite believe it. "Why would he frame you?"

Pei Jian's face was calm, his voice was as cold as jade. Without turning around, he whispered, "He is jealous of me."

Nian Xi never expected that Pei Yan's reason would be this. She was stunned for a moment, and then couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Pei Jian remained calm and was not annoyed by Nian Xi's ridicule.

He turned around, his peach blossom eyes sparkling in the spring light, as if they were full of affection, "Didn't you notice?"

"In fact, we are the ones who have the best tacit understanding. I know what you want to say, and you can guess what I want to say. Lu Wensheng is not a fool. He can see the difference between us--"

Pei Jian considered his words carefully, and after a moment he said, "Bondage, the bond between us."

Nianxi's pure and bright face still had a smile on Furong's face. She leaned forward slightly and asked calmly, "Is it a tacit understanding of mutual respect, or a bond that cannot be undone?"

Pei Jian was silent, then smiled helplessly, "Nian Xi."

Nian Xi asked, "I don't understand officialdom, but the Duke of Fuguo is not the kind of person who would shoot without a purpose. If someone really wants to frame you, you should be careful and don't fall into the trap."

Nian Xi doesn't think there is anything about herself that is worth other people's fuss.

Lu Wensheng is a calm and even indifferent person. He is undoubtedly mature and elegant, with extraordinary charm, but there is always something between him and Nianxi.

Undoubtedly, it is not a wise decision to be an enemy of Pei Jian. Political games involve family interests, and Lu Wensheng will not easily become an enemy.

"You know him well."

Pei Jian felt a little sour. Almost from the moment He Yuan sent his visiting card, he knew that someone was setting up a trap before he even met the person, and who was the one behind it.

Men understand men best.

"I just understand human nature." Nian Xi smiled and spoke softly, "Pei Jian, I am not a delicate sixteen-year-old girl anymore."

But you are always energetic and full of charm.

Pei Jian glanced at her and joked, "Don't remind me of my age. I've only just reached the age of 18."

Nian Xi's smile deepened, "No wonder big brother always says that you have no bottom line."

"That's the world's prejudice against me."

Pei Jian lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "Nian Xi, don't underestimate a man's jealousy."

No one understands this better than Pei Jian.

How jealousy can destroy a person's rationality and undermine his or her emotional stability.

He asked softly, "You don't like him?"

Nian Xi was slightly stunned.

Years ago, Pei Jian ran up to her, misunderstood her relationship with Lu Wensheng, and said a lot of irrational nonsense. Nian Xi never explained it, but now he knows.

Pei Jian immediately caught her hesitation and continued, "You don't like him, and he is jealous of me..."

Without waiting for Nian Xi to sneer, he continued, "Yes, I know I don't mean that much to you, but Lu Wensheng doesn't know that."

Pei Jian felt a little embarrassed when he was looked at by those bright and teasing eyes. "He is a powerful duke with deep roots. It is very convenient for him to set a trap for me."

Pei Jian is too smart. If he is sincere, he will definitely confuse people.

Just hearing these words makes people feel that he is an innocent little white flower.

Fortunately, Nianxi understands him, and there is one basic point that remains unchanged.

"Because I don't like Lu Wensheng, he wants to frame you?"

Nian Xi understood his logic and asked calmly, "But I don't like you either. What's the point of the Duke of Fuguo doing this?"

Pei Jian was stumped for a moment.

Before I could say anything, I heard her calmly say, "You said jealousy. I don't believe a mature man would do something that hurts others and himself just because of a sense of jealousy. Unless there is something else going on that I don't know about."

"What do you think, Pei Langjun?"

"Excuse me, but you weren't always safe during your time as an official."

Pei Jian, who was feeling aggrieved just now, was stunned.

He stared at her blankly, feeling a bit caught in a dilemma.

He tried to get away with it, "You mean I'm not a good person, and besides Lu Wensheng, there are many people around me who want to harm me?"

Nian Xi was not moved at all. "Master Pei, what is the grudge between you and the Duke of Fu? Is it worth it for others to go to so much trouble to set a trap for you?"

"Did you forget to tell us the cause and only tell us the result?"

Pei Jian, who had been speaking confidently just now, was now speechless.

"I said we have a tacit understanding..."

Under Nian Xi's half-smiley gaze, Pei Jian felt like he was shooting himself in the foot.

"Lu Wensheng and I were political enemies, but we were calm because the Crown Prince and Prince Jing were not at loggerheads yet. We always disliked each other. As for holidays, there was a banquet where he and I were both present, and someone mentioned you... I was not very happy after hearing that, so we left on bad terms."

Nian Xi asked, "And then?"

"…After the banquet, he probably felt that I had humiliated him, so he beat me up."

Nian Xi almost laughed out of anger.

Pei Jian would never accept being wronged, so how could he allow Lu Wensheng to beat him? Moreover, Lu Wensheng's personality did not seem like the type who would start a fight first.

"You didn't fight back?"

"Not really. I drank too much and inevitably lost control and reason. It was just a couple of times."

very good.

At that time he was fighting with Gu Ci, and now he is fighting with Lu Wensheng.

Pei Jian, ah Pei Jian, you are really great.

"Didn't you say you don't want to drink anymore?"

"…After that, I decided not to drink anymore. I don't drink well, and neither does he."

"Are you a few years older than Lu Wensheng?"

Pei Jian's tone became much weaker for some reason. "It is the impulse of a young body, not controlled by reason."

Nian Xi smiled and stared at him with her clear eyes, wanting to see what else he could come up with.

Pei Jian looked at her and smiled, but he felt a little scared in his heart.

He still remembered how protective Nian Xi was when he had a fight with Gu Ci.

Of course, Lu Wensheng cannot be compared with Gu Ci.

What about him?

Knowing that Lu Wensheng hit her, would Nian Xi vent her anger?

Pei Jian wanted to ask a question, but he swallowed it back when it came to his lips.

With an almost inaudible sigh, "Nianxi, I screwed up again."

"But Lu Wensheng is not as gentle as he appears. Don't be fooled by his appearance. Even if this incident didn't happen today, he and I would still be stuck in our positions and would never be compatible."

Nian Xi slowly put away the smile on her face, and after a few breaths of silence, she said slowly, "I understand. I don't understand officialdom, so you better be careful."

"……good."

Pei Jian watched Nian Xi's figure disappear behind the Moon Gate before turning around.

Unexpectedly, his eyes met with those of Mrs. Wang.

Mrs. Wang smiled awkwardly, "Mr. Pei, are you leaving?"

She didn't mean to spy on the master's family, but the eldest lady smiled so beautifully just now that she felt a little curious.

Speaking of which, this Mr. Pei is quite capable. Whenever the eldest lady saw him, she always had a cold face and looked hateful as hell, but now she was talking and laughing with him.

This is what is called grinding an iron rod into a needle.

I wonder if Mr. Gu will come back? What will happen when he comes back?

Mrs. Wang was confused and sent Pei Jian out.