Chapter 54: Lovesickness
Pei Jian has been in Lan County for almost two months.
Finally, evidence was obtained that Liu Shao, the prefect of Lan County, had abused his power for personal gain and abused the law to plunder the people's wealth.
Liu Shao was a treacherous and cunning person, and he was very careful and cautious in his actions. If he had not dealt with him for two years in his previous life and then personally dealt with him, he would not have been able to find the key so quickly. The reason why Liu Shao was the first to be dealt with was because in a short time, he would be promoted and valued by Prince Jing's family, becoming Prince Jing's confidant.
It will be even more difficult to deal with it then.
Pei Jian had been supporting the crown prince since his last life, and he had no intention of changing his ways in this life.
The prince was kind and benevolent, and he and his subjects got along well. He was unlike Prince Jing, who was suspicious and violent. All subjects would naturally prefer to serve a benevolent king.
This is orthodoxy and also his selfish desire.
"Sir," Shen Xi came closer and opened the lid of the box to show him, "It's made of the finest diamonds, each one is translucent and has been polished. Look at this treasure."
Pei Jian picked up one and examined it in the sunlight. The teardrop-shaped diamond reflected different brilliances. If it were made into earrings and given to her...
I wonder if she will be happy?
He stood up and walked to the door, taking a long breath towards the blue sky. He said to himself, "I've been out for so long, it's time to go home."
Although no one cares about him at home now.
The sun was shining brightly outside the window, but when I woke up in the morning, I felt the coolness of early autumn. After a long journey, Pei Jian used to find it unbearable, but now he felt like he was eager to return home.
Want to see her.
Or just take a look at her from a distance and listen to her voice.
Pei Jian knew that she was tired of him now.
That day at the corner gate, Pei Jian was suddenly enlightened by Wang Po's reminder.
He had always been wrong and had been pushing Nian Xi into Gu Ci's arms again and again.
Now is not the time to talk about past favors.
And for Nianxi, her previous feelings had long been worn away by the arrogant and ignorant Pei Jian.
Now that we have started over, let Nianxi get to know a brand new self.
He can do what a clerk can do, and he does it better and with more care and consideration.
Pei Jian had a predatory nature in his bones. Otherwise, he would not have eliminated dissidents along the way and achieved the position of prime minister.
Yet he also knew himself clearly.
If he stayed in the capital and watched Nian Xi being intimate with others, he would definitely lose control.
He needs time to calm down and recover.
Liu Shao is a very good target. He can not only weed out dissidents, but also relieve depression.
Now he has calmed down.
He and Nianxi had been together for thirteen years, but they still ended up as strangers. How could Gu Ci expect everything to go smoothly?
All he had to do was to stare at them eagerly and wait for the right opportunity to act.
Gu Ci is not a born romantic, so he doesn't believe that Gu Ci will not make mistakes.
Pei Jian returned to the capital.
In the late afternoon, the courtyard was enveloped in the afterglow of the setting sun, reflecting a red hue. A small black cat nested in the corner of the wall, competing with a pot of blooming tuberose. Pei Jian watched quietly, standing silently for a long while.
After washing up, he changed into a sky-blue robe.
Nian Xi once told him to wear more bright colors, "My husband has fair skin, why don't you wear some bright clothes? Wearing black, gray or blue all day long makes you look several years older. It's such a pity that you are so beautiful."
Pei Jian didn't feel sorry at all.
Men are naturally steady and practical, so why should they need to look good?
Nian Xi prepared bright clothes for him, but he refused to wear any of them.
But now his ideas have changed.
Nian Xi likes handsome men, so he dressed up to meet her.
Pei Jian thought about it carefully. The colors of Gu Ci's clothes were mostly light colors, such as moonlit night, blue, and light blue.
Gu Ci is much darker than his skin color.
Pei Jian went to the corner gate again.
When Mrs. Wang saw him, she was obviously much more enthusiastic than last time. "My dear, you are here. Weren't you in the capital a few days ago?"
Pei Jian sighed inwardly, thinking that he, a prime minister, could have his itinerary figured out and his mind controlled by an old gatekeeper.
"How is she doing lately?"
"The eldest lady is very good. She opened a drink shop called Fushishenzhan with the wife of the Prince of Pingyang. The business is very prosperous. I heard that many noble ladies in the capital like to gather there. The other day, I heard from the lady that our eldest lady is capable."
When Mrs. Wang talked about this, she had a proud and honorable expression on her face.
Pei Jian fell silent.
In her previous life, Nian Xi also wanted to open a tea shop to kill time.
How did he answer then?
Pei Jian doesn't remember clearly.
He was probably very impatient and interrupted Nianxi before she even finished speaking.
He felt that Nianxi was causing trouble for him. He was already busy enough, with a lot of things waiting for him to deal with outside. Nianxi wasted her time talking to him about such trivial matters.
Wouldn't it be nice to just stay at home and enjoy yourself?
At that time, Pei Jian was the only one that the whole world could see.
Selfish and indifferent.
Her family, even the servants, were all so supportive and proud when they mentioned that Nian Xi opened a shop.
I guess the same is true for Gu Ci, right?
"Will she see me?"
Although he knew the hope was slim, Pei Jian still wanted to ask.
"I'm afraid not."
Mrs. Wang looked embarrassed, but she also had some sympathy in her heart. "Mr. Gu is here too. I went to the front yard just now and saw Mr. Gu with a very happy face. He was talking to the eldest young master about some happy event."
There was one more thing that Mrs. Wang didn't say, which was that she vaguely heard the young master teasing Mr. Gu and saying that something good was about to happen.
"Mr. Pei, there are many ladies in the capital, why don't you find another one..."
Pei Jian didn't expect that Gu Ci was also in Wen's house.
However, he was a guest of honor, while I was in the narrow corner door, humbly begging for mercy.
The flame that seemed to be burning in Pei Yan's eyes stopped jumping and his gaze fixed.
When he was in Lan County, he was busy day and night, but once he had nothing to do, his heart would become empty.
He misses her very much.
Lovesickness is unbearable, and he finally knew today how it feels.
He couldn't wait to come back and put on new clothes, even though he knew she probably wouldn't want to see him. But as long as he was closer to her, he was happy.
Reality is always cruel.
The sweet-scented osmanthus tree was faintly fragrant, and the wind blew, making the tree's shadows dance. He stood under the tree for a long time before slowly walking away.
The crescent moon is like a hook, hanging quietly on the treetops, without any sadness or joy, stretching the human figure very long.
Pei Jian walked out slowly, and the high spirits he had when he came in turned into an extremely depressed mood. When he reached the door, he suddenly turned around and said to Mrs. Wang, "If there is a chance, tell her that I'm back."
The person who has returned from a long journey comes to tell her that he is safe.
Mrs. Wang felt a little sympathetic towards him at this moment, but she could only tell the truth, "The young lady forbad me to mention you."
Pei Jian nodded expressionlessly, "Got it."
He stepped out of the door, but when he turned around, he ran into Gu Ci who was riding a horse.