Chapter 1432 – Continuing Construction (Six)
After the New Year’s feast, everyone had to return home to guard the year-end vigil.
According to past traditions, Jiang Pengji either went back to sleep alone or kept Old Commander Liu Zhao company for the vigil. This year, however, there was a slight difference. Liu Zhi and Gu Zhen were both present, and as their daughter, she should accompany the elders. But Jiang Pengji and Liu Zhi made it clear; she didn’t want to face Liu Zhi and continue the pretense of filial piety for the sake of outsiders, so she simply claimed to be unwell to escape.
Gu Zhen furrowed her brows upon hearing this and asked, “What’s wrong with Lan Ting? Did you call the Young Doctor to take a look?”
The servant had no idea and could only respond vaguely.
Sitting at the head of the table, Liu Zhi raised an eyebrow and calmly replied, “Lan Ting’s circumstances are different now; if she’s unwell, let her rest.”
The year-end vigil was merely a formality; it wouldn’t do to disturb Jiang Pengji’s recuperation over this matter.
Seeing Liu Zhi speak up, Gu Zhen could only swallow her words awkwardly.
“Thank goodness Eldest Sister isn’t here; if she were, this scene would be even more awkward.”
Liu Zhao, dressed in exquisite attire, looked much more mature since marrying, although he still bore the demeanor of a pampered gentleman.
Anyone seeing him would inevitably remark, “So gentle, so harmless.”
“What’s with saying that? If someone hears you, it’ll make things awkward for no reason.”
Liu Zhao’s wife, still somewhat youthful in her manners, moved with grace and etiquette. Upon hearing her husband mumble, she lightly reminded him. The couple had been married for a while, and thanks to Liu Zhao’s accommodating nature, they had blended quite well.
“I’m simply sympathizing with my two cousins; this was supposed to be a joyous occasion, yet the whole family feels off.”
Liu Zhao cast a sidelong glance at his two practically blood-related cousins, sighing inwardly.
Meng Heng and Nie Xun, the pair of unfortunate brothers, should’ve been home with their wives and children during the vigil.
Unexpectedly, Gu Zhen whimsically wanted them to bring their families along to enjoy the so-called family happiness.
Was there any room to refuse?
No way to refuse!
Despite Liu Zhao being a thoroughbred gentleman of leisure, he wasn’t foolish; he saw things clearly behind the scenes.
From his perspective, both sons were distancing themselves from Gu Zhen. Her assertive nature only drove them further away.
Was this his mother’s desperate attempt to mend things with her two sons?
Liu Zhao secretly chuckled; his nominal stepmother, in reality, his aunt, was not this sentimental.
Having been raised by Liu Xi for twelve years, she had simply abandoned him for Jiang Pengji. So, how much value could their nearly estranged eldest son and long-lost youngest son hold in Gu Zhen’s heart? Her urgency to rebuild relationships felt more like a poorly veiled desire! She used her naturally domineering position to force her sons into submission, trying to soothe her own insecurities and guilt.
Liu Zhao seemed gentle and harmless, but he had no qualms about entertaining the darkest thoughts about others.
A happy family together for the vigil was pure joy.
A group of people exchanging awkward glances and silence was a mutual wound.
On this New Year’s Eve, the families of Meng Heng and Nie Xun spent it without a taste of food and ultimately used their children as an excuse to leave early.
Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji’s situation was a completely different scene.
“Speaking of which, this is the first time I’ll be keeping vigil with Zixiao alone.”
The “unwell” Jiang Pengji was now lounging comfortably at Wei Ci’s house, looking bright and lively—clearly no signs of illness! Wei Ci said nothing, pushing her favorite dried fruits closer, a gentle smile lingering on his lips.
“By the way, did you open the gift I sent Zixiao?”
Wei Ci replied, “Not yet.”
Jiang Pengji rested her chin in thought, “Then open it now and take a look.”
Wei Ci chuckled, “How can I open a gift in front of the host? That’s impolite!”
Jiang Pengji winked at him, her eyes deep and bright in the candlelight, “Given the nature of our relationship, that little impoliteness feels more like fun.”
Unable to resist, Wei Ci could only pull out a square, bright red box from his sleeve. The box was wrapped in an unknown material; the exterior felt soft and smooth, and even with his wide knowledge, Wei Ci couldn’t identify what animal hide it was made from.
Under Jiang Pengji’s eager gaze, he gently opened it.
In the candlelight, two dazzling white lights reflected back, truly stunning.
“This is a ring?”
Wei Ci focused and discovered that the gleam was from the gems set into the ring’s surface.
To his knowledge, this sparkling item was a “diamond” from a distant western land, brought into Central Plains.
“I’ve heard diamonds are rarely matched in hardness; iron or bronze cannot mar them at all… But this thing’s surface is smooth, the facets arranged in a regular pattern—it’s not a naturally formed item. Does the Lord know who made this? They must be exceptionally skilled to create something like this!”
Jiang Pengji said, “It’s a pair of wedding rings, just like you and me.”
She couldn’t publicly declare Wei Ci as hers, which was a regret for someone deeply rooted in ancient, traditional values like him.
Reflecting inwardly, one would guess Wei Ci from the previous life never had considered this aspect either.
Now that he was aware, it was naturally time to act on it.
“A wedding ring?”
Wei Ci curiously pulled out the two rings, noticing they were different sizes.
“I secretly measured your finger’s size to customize them,” Jiang Pengji said, “Shall I put it on for you?”
Thanks to the Old Commander for procuring them; otherwise, Jiang Pengji would have had to find a local goldsmith for a pair.
Wei Ci maintained his composure, “Thank you, my Lord.”
Jiang Pengji placed it on him, then eagerly extended her own hand, signaling him to put on the lady’s ring.
The soft, pure gold could bend easily with time, but there were no such worries with diamonds.
This had even drawn ridicule from the Old Commander before.
In Jiang Pengji’s era, diamonds were considered very cheap decoration materials; their hardness didn’t matter much.
However, Jiang Pengji wasn’t aiming for the diamond’s value; she cherished the meaning people ascribed to them.
In that idle world, weddings required diamond rings, so naturally, Jiang Pengji followed suit.
“This material is solid and won’t warp over time—永不变心 (will never change one’s heart).”
Wei Ci finally sensed that something was off, feeling flustered and his cheeks burning.
Jiang Pengji reminded him, “Zixiao, look, there’s something else in the box.”
Embarrassed, Wei Ci took out what was inside.
“What is this?”
It was a square object, soft but cold.
As he pressed it, he noticed it had a two-layer structure with a circular item in between.
Just as he was puzzled, he hadn’t noticed when Jiang Pengji had slipped behind him, her breath soft like orchids at his ear, her pale, delicate hands gliding to his neck and collarbone. The sudden shift startled Wei Ci, and he froze, unable to move.
“In this long, endless night, do you realize how much we’re wasting in gold right now?”
