Chapter 25 He Just Wanted to Find a Reason to See Her
In her previous life, Princess Wenshu drowned.
Nianxi was deeply impressed by this incident because His Majesty and Concubine Shu were deeply saddened by the loss of their beloved daughter. The originally scheduled Dragon Boat Festival Dragon Boat Race was almost cancelled.
It was the event she had been looking forward to for a long time, and it was her and Pei Jian's first Dragon Boat Festival.
Fortunately, in order to relieve her grief, her majesty held all the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations as usual, and the dragon boat race was held as scheduled. But her lover was not with her at that time.
Empress Shufei had only one child, Princess Wenshu. After the princess died, Empress Shufei fell ill and passed away within a year. The huge Cheng'en Mansion also went from prosperity to decline.
If possible, Nian Xi hopes to save the princess.
Xiao Nanxi hesitated, "You also know this?"
Nian Xi didn’t know what day the incident happened, but it was probably on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, or within the past few days.
So I bit the bullet and made up a story, "Three Earthly Branches represent water, and the Year Pillar is Yin, which represents Yang Wood. Water is taboo in the Five Elements. Before the Dragon Boat Festival, please don't go near water."
"Can we go near water after the Dragon Boat Festival?"
"After the Dragon Boat Festival, the heat will rise, the yang will become stronger, and this disaster will be eliminated."
If ordinary people heard this, they would probably think it was absurd. But Xiao Nanxi was not an ordinary person, she believed it without a doubt.
"I believe you and will go back to the palace in a moment." Xiao Nanxi said after careful consideration. She was still young and could go boating on the lake any day, so of course her life was more important.
"After the Dragon Boat Festival, I will invite you to go boating on the lake again."
"……good."
On the second day, Gu declined the day off and came to Wen's house early in the morning.
Although he was helpless about not being able to get engaged to Nianxi early, he also understood. His father's reply letter had arrived, saying that there would be a big battle in the north this winter, and if nothing unexpected happened, he would be able to return to Beijing with a victory in the early spring of next year.
Wait patiently for another half a year.
Fortunately, the two families had already reached an understanding and were just waiting for the father to come back to make things happen.
These days, Gu Ci has been going more frequently than before. Today, the weather is getting warmer, and there are plenty of seasonal fruits. He might buy a few baskets of peaches and plums today, and apricots and melons tomorrow. These are not valuable things, so he will never go empty-handed.
When he arrived, even the servants in the mansion could get more fruits and vegetables.
Gu Ci was handsome and had a good temper. Not only Li, but also the maids and old women were very close to him and treated him as their future aunt.
Except for Wen and his son, they have always been indifferent.
Gu Ci has arranged today's schedule. He spent a long while chatting with Li in the morning, making her smile. For lunch, he plans to take Nianxi to Guangdelou to eat fish slices. The newly hired chef at Guangdelou cuts fish slices like snow and gauze, and his knife skills are superb. After eating there with his colleagues last time, he wanted to take Nianxi to try it.
After lunch, I accompanied Nianxi to Xishi to take a look at the shop in person to facilitate her design and planning.
Gu Ci was very supportive of Nian Xi's plan to open a scented beverage shop. He was also very willing to participate, and directly took out his belongings, "These are all my own savings, and have nothing to do with the government, you don't have to worry about it."
Nian Xi refused to accept it. "How long have you been on duty? How could you have saved so much? Most of these treasures were gifts from the elders. How can I take them?"
Gu Ci knew her personality, gentle on the outside but stubborn on the inside, so he had to take back the money and said, "Then if you have anything to do, just tell me to do it."
Nian Xi looked him up and down, shook her head and said, "I can't afford to hire such a handsome guy."
Gu Ci was not a reserved person, but he was often amused by Nian Xi and blushed. "I don't ask for a monthly salary as a shopkeeper, just a cup of tea or soup every day."
Nian Xi pretended to be serious and said, "Let's see how you perform."
Gu Ci pretended to say so, bowed and said, "Yes, sir!"
When they stood up, they were both laughing.
The carriage was ready and parked at the door, and Gu Ci personally helped Nian Xi get in the carriage.
When Pei Jian arrived, the first thing he saw was the two people's hands clasped together. His face visibly darkened, and he wished he could step forward and slap Gu Ci's hand away.
Yesterday, the maid of the wife of the prince of Pingyang Marquis's mansion told him to be careful with the wine during the banquet. Pei Jian knew the relationship between Wang Muyi and Nianxi, so he naturally attributed the incident to Nianxi.
Nianxi cares about him.
Pei Jian was very excited when he thought of this possibility. He got up early and went to Su Ji in the east of the city to buy her favorite snail crisps.
This thing is sweet and greasy, Nianxi never dares to eat too much, saying that she is afraid of gaining weight. But she is obviously slim and graceful, so even if she eats a whole shelf, it will not have any effect.
She fed all the remaining conch crisps into his mouth. Her clear and charming almond eyes curved into a crescent and she smiled sweetly, "Eat with me."
Pei Jian didn't understand the girl's subtle thoughts, but he remembered that Nianxi would be in a good mood every time she ate it.
The last time they met at the corner gate of the garden, they were not happy. Pei Jian wanted to ease the relationship, thank her for her concern yesterday, and apologize for offending her...
Or maybe, deep down, he just wanted to find a reason to see her.
But outside the Wen Mansion, they were seen holding hands.
Gu Ci noticed Pei Jian at the first moment.
At a distance that was neither too close nor too far, with a strong and heavy emotion, his eyes were fixed on... Nian Xi who was beside him.
Gu Ci frowned instinctively, with an offended look on his face. There are some things and some people that cannot be touched, even if they are as close as brothers.
Almost subconsciously, he held Nianxi's hand tightly.
Although he initially had a subtle sense of vanity towards those who coveted Nianxi, as his feelings for her deepened, his possessiveness made him feel irritated by all the gazes from the outside world.
Especially this gaze, coming from Pei Jian.
The atmosphere was tense. Wen Qingheng, who was two steps behind, came up and asked, "Shi Zhang, why are you standing here?"
"Nian'er!"
Following Pei Jian's gaze, he also saw Nian Xi and Gu Ci, and his expression immediately turned cold, "Where are you going?"
No matter how slow Nian Xi was, she could still feel Pei Jian's gaze on her.
She didn't like this kind of aggressive strength.
She didn't look at him, but held Gu Ci's hand again and said to Wen Qingheng, "Let's go to Guangde Building to eat fish sashimi."
Gu Ci was shaken back by her. He felt that his beloved was protecting him. His heart was at peace and he forgot his previous unhappiness for a moment. He looked at Nian Xi with a smile.
Wen Qingheng took two quick steps to argue with his sister, but Pei Jian beside him moved faster than him. Before Wen Qingheng began his long speech, he handed the food in his hand to Nian Xi:
"I came here today to thank you."
Nianxi didn't answer.
She didn't believe that Cousin Mu would directly tell Pei Jian that it was her who was reminded. Although Cousin Mu always teased her, she was a cautious person and would not give rise to such gossip.
Nian Xi didn't know whether to say he was sharp or arrogant?
He didn't even know she was reborn, but it didn't affect his self-expression at all. In the final analysis, it was the ridiculous self-confidence of the man in front of him.
Facing Pei Jian's gaze, she pretended to be unaware and said calmly, "What's the matter?"