Chapter 119 Extra 16 – Wen Qiyan’s Rebirth Arc

Chapter 119 Extra 16: Wen Qiyan's Rebirth (Side Story)

Ji Wanyuan's lips were swollen from his kissing, and her face was flushed a deep red that showed no signs of fading. If she went over now, anyone with eyes would know what the two of them had been doing. How could she possibly show her face? So, she decided not to go with Wen Qiyan, only sending Feicui to relay the message on her behalf.

Just before parting, Wen Qiyan gave her the hairpins and jewelry he had bought recently.

"You've already given me so many," she said, lowering her head to stroke the brocade box. She had to admit, every piece Wen Qiyan picked out was something she liked.

How had he suddenly become so understanding of her tastes?

This had long been a question on her mind, but she never found an answer. Unable to trace it to its source, she could only let it be. She had asked Wen Qiyan before, but he simply refused to say.

"I like giving you things," he said, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear and taking the chance to pinch her earlobe. Ji Wanyuan said it tickled and told him to stop.

He gave it another firm pinch before letting go. Ji Wanyuan let out a "Hey!" and glared at him, raising her hand as if to hit him. Instead of dodging, he even smiled, lips curving up as if waiting for her slap to land.

This only made her face flush even redder. She snorted, lifted her skirt, and stomped away in a huff.

Wen Qiyan watched the swaying hairpins and strands of her hair from behind.

Upon learning Ji Wanyuan wasn't coming, Wen Qiyan's parents didn't comment. Previously, they couldn't accept the idea of Wen Qiyan marrying into the Ji family, but now they were anxious for it to be settled sooner. The longer it dragged on, the more likely Wen Yunqin would remain unwilling to relinquish his feelings.

Even though he had left the capital, years of affection couldn't be abandoned overnight. If things were delayed further, who knew what might happen?

Once the date was set, the Ji family went to the Wen residence to formally conduct the proposal rites.

That day, the capital was in an uproar.

No one had expected the Wen and Ji families to form a marriage alliance. The alliance itself was shocking enough, but even more unbelievable was that it wasn't just a marriage—Wen Qiyan was marrying into the Ji family!!!

Heavens, what on earth was going on?!

Rumors swirled throughout the capital. Some speculated that the Wen family had some fatal weakness that had fallen into the Ji family's hands? To protect the Wen family, they had to offer up their son as recompense?

Others said Chancellor Ji was using his power to pressure the Wen family's eldest son into marrying in, since Ji Wanyuan had always liked Wen Qiyan and would stop at nothing to win his favor.

There were even claims that the two had already been intimate, had a child, and were marrying because of the pregnancy! However, few believed this last rumor.

Amidst the endless gossip, another rumor emerged: that Eldest Young Master Wen had requested to marry into the Ji family of his own volition. He had long been fond of Eldest Miss Ji; all his previous resistance was merely a tactic of playing hard to get.

They even presented evidence, saying Wen Qiyan frequently bought hairpins, jewelry, fine silks, pastries, and fruits for Eldest Miss Ji.

People said it was impossible, absolutely impossible!

But no sooner had they spoken than they saw the Wen family's eldest master actually entering a hairpin shop, picking out things Miss Ji liked. Not only did he buy new hairpins, but he also consulted the shop's master craftsman, asking how to make hairpins?

He intended to make them himself! If he was handcrafting hairpins and jewelry for someone, he must truly like her.

Indeed, if he didn't like her, why would he agree to marry into her family?

The Wen family's foundation wasn't inferior to the Ji family's. With such a background, Wen Qiyan still chose to marry in—probably because he worried Ji Wanyuan wouldn't feel at ease marrying into the Wen family. So, he was willing to marry into hers, to live under someone else's roof himself!

How deep must his affection be to consider things to this extent for her? In the blink of an eye, the day of their wedding arrived.

Ji Wanyuan woke up early to fetch the groom. She had barely slept the night before, but she was full of energy today.

Mrs. Ji had specially prepared tea to soothe her nerves, but she declined.

"Cousin Yuan'er is too excited right now to need calming tea," Lou Qingru, who had returned to the capital, teased her.

Ji Wanyuan's face flushed slightly, but she didn't reply, only shooting Lou Qingru a glare.

Many guests had come today. Ji Wanyuan had been fine initially, but once she left her courtyard and saw the hall filled with guests, an inexplicable nervousness overwhelmed her. Fortunately, everything had been prepared long ago; she only needed to follow the procedures.

Since Wen Qiyan was marrying in, she had to go fetch him.

The Ji family's procession was, needless to say, magnificent. Onlookers crowded the streets, packed shoulder to shoulder. When Ji Wanyuan emerged and looked out, her legs went a bit weak, but she quickly composed herself.

She had once said she would make the entire capital watch as Wen Qiyan eventually submitted to her charms!

That day had finally arrived.

Even though there were many jealous, resentful gazes around her, and even some unpleasant remarks, Ji Wanyuan paid them no mind—mere envy and sour grapes.

After the news spread, Mrs. Wen and Wen Qiyan's father initially found it hard to face others, but the Ji family truly showed great respect. The wedding banquet was exceptionally grand, leaving little room for complaint.

Mrs. Wen found it novel—it didn't feel like sending a son to marry into another family, but more like marrying off a daughter.

Soon, the Ji family's procession to fetch the groom arrived. They first paid respects to the elders here before proceeding to the Ji family for the rest of the ceremonies.

Ji Wanyuan was the bride; the Ji relatives didn't dare to make her drink much. After a few small cups, they let her return.

When Ji Wanyuan reached the courtyard, that nervousness surfaced again.

She pushed open the door to the bridal chamber and, upon entering, saw the man sitting at the edge of the bed.

Dressed in vibrant red, he was handsome and dignified, his gaze fixed intently on her. Even bold as she was, Ji Wanyuan felt incredibly nervous under his stare—his eyes were not only direct but also blazing with heat.

Ji Wanyuan pretended to be relaxed. She cleared her throat and walked in. "What are you looking at?"

Wen Qiyan didn't speak, his eyes following her.

Ji Wanyuan went to pour the wedding wine, handed him a cup, and they linked arms to drink.

After drinking, Ji Wanyuan's nervousness intensified. She was about to put the wine cup back when, just as she stood up, the man grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. She tumbled into his embrace, and the wine cup in her hand fell.

Before Ji Wanyuan could utter a word, the man gripped her waist and kissed her.

She could only make muffled, whimpering sounds.

Soon, the red wedding robes fell to the floor. The two tumbled together onto the bed. The bed curtains dropped, and through the faint candlelight, only two entangled shadows could be seen, accompanied by the sounds of ambiguous panting...

That night, Ji Wanyuan truly learned what it meant to be sore all over. The next day, she genuinely couldn't get up. When she finally opened her eyes, Feicui told her that Wen Qiyan had already gone on his own to pay respects to her parents and had then been summoned by her father to the study for a talk.

"Why didn't he wake me? He just went by himself?" Ji Wanyuan hadn't fully regained her senses even as she sat before the dressing table, yawning.

Inadvertently catching sight of the marks on her wrist, she recalled Wen Qiyan's excessive actions from the previous night. Her face flushed even redder, and she somewhat clumsily pulled her sleeve down to cover the marks.

Feicui noticed her little action and secretly smiled behind her back.

"The young master said you were tired yesterday and should rest well today, so he didn't wake you."

Ji Wanyuan was surprised by Wen Qiyan's thoughtfulness but couldn't help saying, "Doesn't he feel wronged, going alone to serve tea?"

"This servant observed that the young master seemed perfectly composed and at ease," Feicui said, adding that Wen Qiyan was truly considerate—before leaving, he had specifically instructed them not to disturb her.

Hearing the phrase "tired yesterday" again, Ji Wanyuan's face flushed an even deeper red. She merely pursed her lips and let out a soft "mm," saying nothing more.

"..."

Wen Yunqin had received the wedding invitation and wedding sweets from Wen Qiyan early on.

Seeing the two names side by side on the invitation, he felt nothing but bitter irony. Not to mention the invitation was bright red, so glaring it made him want to tear it up.

But when he thought of what Ji Wanyuan had said to him that day, the pain in his heart intensified.

She did not like him; she felt no romantic affection for him whatsoever, only the regard of a friend. If he personally ruined her wedding with his elder brother, she would surely no longer regard him as a friend.

This friendship was the only bond of affection left between them, and he must cherish it. Otherwise, he would never even get the chance to speak to her again.

He kept both the invitation and the sweets, and prepared the congratulatory gifts to send early. Although he had firmly decided not to go to the capital and had found an excuse—which his father and mother had agreed to—he still secretly went, hiding among the crowd to watch her and his elder brother bow to heaven and earth.

Seeing her joyful smile as she achieved her wish, he also felt a sense of relief.

A month after Wen Qiyan and Ji Wanyuan got married, there was good news.

Upon learning that she was pregnant, Mrs. Wen often visited the Ji family, bringing this and that, asking if she felt uncomfortable anywhere. Her care was so attentive that Ji Wanyuan felt a bit overwhelmed.

Originally, Mrs. Ji and Mrs. Wen did not think much of each other, but now, for the sake of their grandchild, the two gradually became familiar and even discussed making swaddling clothes for the baby together.

Hearing this, Ji Wanyuan couldn’t help but sigh, putting a hand to her forehead. “Mother… the baby’s not even born yet. Why are you in such a hurry?”

Starting to make clothes already? It’s too early.

“Children grow fast. Ten months will be over before you know it. Besides, I have nothing to do at home now, so why not sew some little clothes?”

Mrs. Wen nodded in agreement, saying she had fine fabrics in her storeroom and had already sent someone to fetch them.

Mrs. Ji said she would find the silk threads, and then the two could work together.

Ji Wanyuan shook her head while eating pastries beside them.

That night, she mentioned this to Wen Qiyan, who said it was a good thing. “Mother has nothing to do at home, so just let her keep busy.”

He kissed Ji Wanyuan’s cheek and then continued reading his notes.

Ji Wanyuan couldn’t help but cover her face. “This is your study—a place for work. Can’t you show some restraint?”

She found that Wen Qiyan was simply incorrigible. Whenever she was seriously discussing matters with him, he would always kiss her from time to time—either on the cheek or on the lips—often catching her off guard, yet she could do nothing about it.

“I want to kiss you,” he said, adding that this was their own home, so what of it?

She poked his chest. “What do you mean, what of it? If it weren’t for you fooling around in the study, how would I have…”

Before she could finish, the man kissed her again, sealing her remaining words in a long, deep kiss.

The candlelight flickered, casting the shadow of this devoted couple embracing each other.