【Chen Zixi×you】What would you do if you went back to the past?
You immediately realized something was wrong the moment you opened your eyes. The reason was simple: before you fell asleep, you and Chen Zixi were on a pleasure boat in Jinling City, but when you woke up, all you could see was a deep, endless forest.
This seems a bit like Chen Zixi is teasing you. You think to yourself, slowly standing up, the bell hanging under the pouch at your waist making a crisp sound as you move.
"Who is it?!" Almost immediately, a sharp murderous aura appeared in front of you along with the rebuke.
You raised your eyes and saw the tip of the sword flashing with cold light stopped in front of your chest. The person holding the sword had a pair of dark but bright eyes, which were full of fierce fighting spirit and looked very sharp.
—Uncle Jiang?! You thought you were seeing things, so you rubbed your eyes hard and looked again, only to find that it was indeed Uncle Jiang, but he was obviously much younger than you knew him.
...Who could be with the young Uncle Jiang? The answer is almost self-evident. So, when you hear the slow, approaching footsteps and the jingling of bells, you immediately look over and, as you wished, see the figure in white behind Uncle Jiang—a figure a dozen years younger, your husband, Chen Zixi.
"...Who are you?" Jiang Yan stared at you and asked warily.
"Jiang Yan," Chen Zixi called from behind him. "...She poses no threat to us."
You noticed that he kept looking at the sachet on your waist. You guessed that he might have seen that you were also wearing a bell and thought that you were also a doctor.
So you just went along with it, smiled and nodded at them: "I don't mean to bother you. I'm just a traveling doctor passing by and happened to take a nap here."
Jiang Yan didn't say much and retracted his sword.
Chen Zixi smiled and took a few steps closer. It was obvious that he had been playing the role of Jiang Yan's spokesperson and had become very proficient. "Sorry, he didn't mean anything else. It's just that the world is dangerous and we must always be on guard."
You were about to say something polite when he added, "It's not good for a girl to be alone. Would you mind coming with me?"
You and Jiang Yan looked at him in surprise at the same time.
Although you don’t know why Chen Zixi invited you, you certainly want to follow these two acquaintances, so you agreed after a brief hesitation.
After all, he was your adoptive father. After retiring to the bamboo forest, you rarely saw Jiang Yan in action, so you weren't very familiar with his overall style. Suddenly seeing the young Jiang Yan, you were a little uncomfortable.
He'd told you many times to avoid unnecessary movements when using the sword, but you'd discovered he simply loved to flex his sword. He flexed it before drawing it, and again when sheathing it, and with his appearance and clothing, it was like a peacock spreading its feathers.
At the same time, you didn't forget to observe Chen Zixi. He looked pretty much the same as you remembered, except that his skills seemed much better—you figured this was because he hadn't suffered that injury yet.
Jiang Yan had been wary of you for the first few days. You knew him so well that even if he didn't express his wariness, you could sense it. So, you had always been very well-behaved.
Jiang Yan and Chen Zixi were known for their elegant attire, yet their daily lives were unpretentious. They acted spontaneously, dining at inns when they could, and hunting in the wild when they couldn't. Most of the time, they were constantly bullying the birds and deer in the wild.
Jiang Yan was in charge of the archery, while Chen Zixi and you were looking for dry branches to start a fire. You and he had been in love for several years. He had an old injury that prevented him from doing heavy work, so he was used to stepping up and took the initiative to carry the branches he had found: "Zixi, you pick them up, I'll take them."
Chen Zixi looked at you inexplicably for a moment, then smiled, not knowing what he was thinking. "Okay, I'll go pick it up. You better follow me closely."
After starting the fire, you were still debating whether or not to become a beggar's chicken when you heard Jiang Yan call your name: "I see you are also good at martial arts, why don't we have a competition."
—Chen Zixi had said that when they were young, they'd always been looking for someone to fight with. It turned out to be true! You twitched your lips, remembering that this was the young Jiang Yan. Even at twenty, you might not be able to defeat him. So, you nodded and agreed.
You had already returned Uncle Jiang's sword, Wuming, when he returned home. Now you were carrying Tang Hengdao and the sword Chen Zixi had given you. You were somewhat glad you'd returned Wuming, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to explain to Jiang Yan, who was now using Wuming.
After years of wandering the martial arts world on your own, stealing from masters everywhere, your learnings are quite diverse. Jiang Yan probably wanted to see your martial arts skills, but you were using the Snow-Cutting Blade technique one moment and the Nine Swords of Accumulation the next, with some moves even resembling the style of Qingshan's writing. He was suspicious and frowned.
Using your internal energy to deflect Jiang Yan's sword, you were faster than him, swinging your sword to the side and using the execution technique you usually use when using the folding fan to press the sword against his neck, but you deliberately didn't point the blade at him.
Jiang Yan looked at you with a mixture of confusion, surprise, and even a hint of admiration. He nodded in praise, "Your martial arts are excellent. I wonder who taught you this?"
——Of course, it was your husband and his best friend, your adoptive father, who taught them. You smiled and said, "I don't have any sect, but it was just passed down by the elders in my family."
Jiang Yan's head was full of questions but he didn't know how to ask them, so he went to deal with the hunted bird with a bit of confusion.
Chen Zixi stood there, looking at you, using his fan to cover half of his face and smiling at you, revealing only his crooked eyes. "Qingshan is good at holding a pen, but it might be more convenient if he used a fan."
But you don't have a fan. You usually use Chen Zixi's fan, which he taught you personally. Whenever you use his fan to deal with bandits who block your way, he will smile and say, "Then my safety is in my hands, my lady."
...You're starting to miss Chen Zixi. I don't know what sin you committed, leaving home at sixteen to wander the world. After finally getting married and settling down, you're back to wandering the world all over again.
Chen Zixi even brought some wine with him, a rich, fragrant rice wine. He gave each of you some, and the three of you gathered around the golden, fragrant roasted bird, feasting on it.
"I thought you were a young lady from a wealthy family in Jiangnan, but I didn't expect you to be so unspoiled." After drinking, Chen Zixi spoke more casually.
You snorted and laughed: "I left home at the age of sixteen. How could I be spoiled alone?" You knew that he asked this because he must have noticed that your clothes were all from the style of a wealthy family in Southern Tang, so it was not surprising.
Chen Zixi was stunned, and the look in his eyes when he looked at you was particularly gentle: "So that's how it is, but you don't seem to have a Jiangnan accent?"
...You just remembered that your cunning nature was probably learned from Chen Zixi. This man actually found out that you are now living in Jiangnan without making a sound.
You had already imagined what they would do if they discovered the suspicious points, so you didn't panic: "Yes, the abundance and sweetness of spring in Jiangnan, and the abundance of beauties in Jiangnan, are truly a pleasure."
"My tastes coincide with yours." Chen Zixi smiled and asked suddenly, "Have you been to Jinling?"
...For a moment you forgot that Fenghechun's main sales area is in Jinling area.
In just a few words, Chen Zixi asked you everything you wanted. You didn't dare to say more to him, and you just pretended to be stupid and fooled him no matter what he asked.
It might be the alcohol that made you fall asleep in a daze.
Half asleep and half awake, someone gently holds your shoulders and shakes you, whispering your name. You open your eyes and see Chen Zixi squatting in front of you.
"What's wrong, my dear..." You asked him drowsily, still half asleep.
He was caught off guard and his eyes widened. He wanted to say something but swallowed it back. He just reminded you: "Someone is coming, be careful." Then he held your arm and pulled you up, taking you back behind the bushes.
Jiang Yan was not far away. He quickly put out the fire with water and retreated to your side.
Not long after, a man and a horse came galloping over. The man was dressed in a tight black suit with a pattern you could never forget - it was Xiujinlou.
"There is only one person..." Chen Zixi murmured, and he took off the bow from his waist.
Having been with your husband for a long time, you have long been accustomed to him handing you weapons. You took the bow from his hand without hesitation, bent the bow and drew the arrow, and shot the arrow right into the man's neck, killing him instantly.
The horse ran quite far before it stopped because it had no owner to control it and was pulled back by Jiang Yan.
When you turned around, you saw Chen Zixi staring at you with wide eyes.
It's rare to see Yushanjun with such a surprised expression. You calmed down and finally woke up from the confusion of being woken up from your sleep. You remembered that this is not your husband at all.
“…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to,” you explained dryly, shoving the bow back into his hands.
Chen Zixi hesitated for a moment before giving a helpless smile: "...Nothing, since I've captured the horse, I'll give it to you to ride."
Even though Chen Zixi didn't say anything, you felt your actions were incredibly suspicious. This wasn't okay. You had to change your ways and stop subconsciously caring for him.
However, it's really hard to break the habit you've formed over the years. Even if you hold back physically, you can't help but follow his figure with your eyes. Once, when Chen Zixi was trying to kill a robber, you almost snatched the fan from his hand and took over yourself!
As time went by, even Jiang Yan, who you thought knew nothing about love, noticed it. While Chen Zixi was fetching water, he whispered to you, "Do you like Chen Zixi?"
You stared at him with wide eyes, and he commented sharply, "The way you're nervous about Chen Zixi means either you like him or you want to be his mother."
You felt that Jiang Yan was being a bit presumptuous. You silently glared at him: "...You're right." You couldn't say that you wanted to be his mother.
Jiang Yan nodded and said to you, "He's a good person. He comes from a prominent family, is a man of both civil and military talents, and is understanding and considerate. He will treat you well."
You’re used to Uncle Jiang getting upset when he sees Chen Zixi, but this is the first time you’ve heard him praise Chen Zixi like this. It’s truly astonishing: “…I know.”
Jiang Yan pursed his lips, with a smile in his eyes: "It's good that you know.
——Of course, you've experienced it yourself for several years, how could you not know how good it is? You secretly rolled your eyes.
Then that night you were woken up by Chen Zixi again. Perhaps because he was afraid of scaring you, he leaned close to your ear and whispered your name.
You asked him confusedly, "What's wrong?"
Chen Zixi smiled at you, "I knew you weren't asleep either. There are falling stars tonight, why not get up and take a look... just the two of us."
You: “…” No, I’m asleep.
You weren't very good at rejecting Chen Zixi. To be more precise, you'd never rejected him before. He eventually pulled you up and you followed him a short distance, sitting on the hillside to gaze at the stars. But you were so sleepy you didn't care and simply leaned on his shoulder.
Chen Zixi chuckled: "So sleepy?"
You couldn't help but mutter, "I was sleeping soundly, and you woke me up... Aren't you sleepy at all..."
"But you didn't reject me?" Chen Zixi tilted his head.
You sighed, your consciousness still floating in the clouds, and subconsciously said: "You know I won't refuse you."
After a brief silence, Chen Zixi said softly, "...Now I know that you have me in your heart."
He loves to say cheesy things and even writes you love poems from time to time. You are used to this and agree with him casually: "Yes, yes..."
Chen Zixi asked, "How about I be your husband?"
You spoke quickly and immediately replied: "Aren't you my husband——"
There was a soft "ding-ling" sound. The bell hanging on your purse started to shake, waking you up suddenly.
You instinctively took a step back and started to make excuses: "I was sleepy-"
"This bell," Chen Zixi said, leaning forward and holding the golden bell in his hand, looking at you with a half-smile. "I had it custom-made in Jinling City. It's made of pure red gold, and I drew the pattern myself. Besides the two I have, I've never seen a third one."
You were a little dazed, thinking to yourself, this is indeed the nobleman Chen Zixi, even a bell must be made unique. How could he come up with something ordinary as a token of love...
"So," Chen Zixi fiddled with the bell, his eyes gleaming as he stared at you. "When did you come here? Are we married already?"
...Cunning Chen Zixi, always setting traps for you. You covered your face, not daring to look at him, and nodded slowly.
"I see." Chen Zixi said, reaching out to hold you. "It seems that no matter when I am, the women I like are always the same." He smiled at you.
He had a scent that was very familiar to you, and you were distracted for a moment and rubbed your whole body against his arms.
The next day, Jiang Yan was shocked by the way you two were holding hands so intimately, but he quickly reacted and gave you an appreciative look.
You really think that Chen Zixi should cherish Jiang Yan now. After all, Jiang Yan used to act like a father-in-law and was never happy when he was with Chen Zixi.
Chen Zixi smiled and said to Jiang Yan in a reserved manner, "I'm going to marry her eventually, so it's okay for me to enjoy my husband's rights now."
You and Jiang Yan looked at each other, both of you quite sure that he was just showing off.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
