Chapter 6: Bathing

The buns were filled with pork and scallions, white and plump, soft and fragrant.

With Pei Yuan’s permission, Bao Ning carried over the buns, a dish of garlic, and freshly prepared cold shredded radish from the kitchen, placing them one by one on the small kang table. She finished by setting down a pot of hot tea.

The hearty breakfast left Pei Yuan utterly stunned. He could still understand last night’s lumpy soup—that was simple enough to make after learning once—but this variety of dishes today…

Pei Yuan still found it hard to believe and asked in disbelief, “You made these?”

Bao Ning nodded. She could hear the hidden praise in his words, and her smile grew wider. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she exclaimed, “Ah!” and said to Pei Yuan, “Your Highness, wait a moment—there’s still one more thing!”

Pei Yuan watched her lift her skirt slightly and jog out the door.

She wore a different dress from yesterday—a shimmering pink one, cinched tightly at the waist, making her figure look slender and graceful. A dangling peach blossom hairpin swayed in her hair, and if one looked closely, she also wore silver earrings. She was delicately and festively dressed.

Pei Yuan was surprised that she still had the mood to dress up so beautifully.

The following parts of the text will be scrambled to prevent theft from aggregators and unauthorized epub making. Please support our translators by reading on secondlifetranslations (dot) com. If you are currently on the site and and you are seeing this, please clear your cache.

Kwpv yp bl oyp vbkdjkdt vbkp, Jys Lkdt alvwadle qasx swvpkel, bszekdt yd ltt kd bla bydep. Rv xwpv byhl clld vss bsv clnywpl pbl jlrv vsppkdt kv clvolld bla bydep wdvkz pbl qkdyzzu rzynle kv sd vbl vyczl yde zlv swv y pktb sq alzklq.

Yyucl kv oyp clnywpl vbl essa byed’v clld pbwv yde vbl zsdt-ycpldv pwdzktbv rswale kd, cwv Vlk Zwyd pweeldzu qlzv zkjl vbl zsdt eyaj yde casjld-esod bswpl oyp qkzzle okvb zktbv. Rv qlzv zkjl bkp blyav bye caktbvldle y zkvvzl vss.

Jys Lkdt pxkzle yv bkx. “Zswa Tktbdlpp, R cskzle usw yd ltt. R’zz cskz sdl qsa usw lhlau xsadkdt qasx dso sd—kv’p tsse qsa uswa blyzvb.”

Vlk Zwyd nswzed’v lhld alxlxcla vbl zypv vkxl bl bye lyvld pwnb y xlyz, sa obld psxlsdl bye zypv prsjld vs bkx ps tldvzu. Jwv vseyu, vbydjp vs vbkp dlo zkvvzl okql, bl pweeldzu bye lhlauvbkdt. Mbkp zkvvzl okql bye y jkde dyvwal yde eked’v bsze tawetlp. Tl bye vbswtbv pbl’e cl zkjl y okze clypv, cwv dso kv pllxle xyucl pbl vawzu xlydv ds byax.

Tl oypd’v pwal kq pbl oyp ellrzu nwddkdt yde tsse yv ralvldekdt, sa fwpv y pkxrzl, dykhl tkaz.

Vlk Zwyd pvsrrle vbkdjkdt ycswv kv yde rknjle wr bkp nbsrpvknjp. Tl vssj y cwd, ekrrle kv kd vbl tyazkn ekpb, yde rwv kv kd bkp xswvb.

Mbl cwd’p pjkd oyp psqv yde qzwqqu. Ekvb y zktbv ckvl, vbl xlyv fwknlp prkzzle swv, qkzzkdt bkp xswvb okvb y aknb ulv elzknyvl qzyhsa—pyhsau cwv dsv talypu, qalpb yde elzknkswp.

Rv oyp vawzu y qkdl rklnl sq nayqvpxydpbkr. Vlk Zwyd’p lulp zkv wr.

Bao Ning asked, “Is it good?”

Pei Yuan nodded.

Bao Ning smiled with her eyes curved. “Then I’ll make it for you every day.”

Those words… Pei Yuan froze, his chopsticks halting midair. He held his breath for a moment, unsure how to respond, and awkwardly reached for the shredded radish instead.

Bao Ning quietly watched him for a moment before suddenly saying, “Um, Your Highness…”

She only said half a sentence before falling silent. Pei Yuan glanced at her, signaling her to go on.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes sparkled. She seemed embarrassed to say what she wanted to.
“Your Highness, I’m really good at cooking. I can make anything. How about we make a deal? I’ll cook whatever you want to eat, just… could you stop being so fierce with me?”

…

Even after Bao Ning had left and shut the door behind her, Pei Yuan was still lost in the emotions from earlier.
He had forgotten how he had replied—maybe just nodded casually. Bao Ning seemed pleased with the response and said she would bring him hot water later before leaving.

Was it really that easy to please her?

Pei Yuan felt unsettled. He didn’t understand what Bao Ning was thinking—why she was so good to him. Nor did he know what he himself was thinking—why his mind was in such a mess.

According to his original plan, he should have driven Bao Ning away long ago. Whether her intentions were good or bad, he didn’t want her around, to avoid future trouble.

But how had things ended up like this?

The buns on the table were still emitting waves of fragrance. Pei Yuan told himself to stop overthinking—after today, he would still have to send her away. He was already ruined. No one would willingly stay with him. Bao Ning’s kindness was only temporary. She was only fifteen—what could she really understand? After a few years, or maybe just a few months, she would realize how miserable it was to marry a cripple. She would regret it and leave. What woman didn’t love wealth and luxury? Who would be willing to spend a lifetime in a remote, desolate place like this? She would come to her senses eventually.

Pei Yuan soon finished the buns. He thought, after he bathed, he would talk to her again and ask her to leave.

…

There was no bathtub here, and even if there were, Pei Yuan’s body couldn’t use it. He could only wash with a cloth.

There was only one bucket in the kitchen. Afraid there wouldn’t be enough water, and feeling it would be improper to be around while he bathed, Bao Ning had Pei Yuan go wash in the west wing, where a pot of hot water was ready on the stove, and it was nice and warm.

She gave him her jasmine-scented soap, clean clothes, and two cloth towels. After settling everything, she left with a flushed face.

Bao Ning didn’t want to blush, but the situation was just too private. She and Pei Yuan really weren’t familiar yet, and she felt embarrassed.

The sun was bright—a rare good day. Bao Ning stood at the doorway soaking in the sun, and from inside the house came the sound of water splashing.

While Pei Yuan bathed, she figured it was a good time to clean up the east wing—air out the room, sweep the floor, and most importantly, change the bedding. She’d take apart the old bedding, wash it, and hang it out to dry.

If she wanted him to recover well, good food was one part—but his living space had to be clean and comfortable too. Luxury didn’t matter—what mattered was freshness and tidiness. Bao Ning thought, from now on she’d air out his quilt every five or six days. Otherwise, it would stay damp and cold, which wasn’t good for his wounds.

As she walked into the east wing, Bao Ning glanced back at the sunlit courtyard and made a quiet resolution in her heart. She would plant a grape trellis and add a lounge chair, so they could sit under it and cool off in the summer.

…

Hearing the door click shut, Pei Yuan sat down and began undressing piece by piece.

It had probably been nearly a month since he last bathed. Ever since the accident, he hadn’t washed or changed clothes. The clothes were stained with dirt and blood, so grimy their original color was unrecognizable.

He had injuries on his legs, arms, and back. Some wounds were stuck to the fabric, making it impossible to undress without tearing.

Pei Yuan gritted his teeth and yanked it off, tearing skin and flesh. He gasped heavily and threw the dirty clothes into a pile on the ground.

His muscular body was revealed, covered with scars—some faint and healed into light red lines, others deep and still bleeding from the rough removal.

A harsh glint flickered in Pei Yuan’s eyes.

Bao Ning had already mixed the water—it was warm, just right. Pei Yuan scooped a ladleful and poured it over his head, sighing in relief.

He turned to get the soap, rubbed it between his hands, and was about to lather his hair when he suddenly paused. Bringing the soap to his nose, he sniffed—it had a strange look on his face.

It was jasmine-scented.

How could a grown man use jasmine-scented soap to bathe? He’d end up smelling all strange—what kind of image was that?

Pei Yuan threw the soap back down.

But without it, he couldn’t wash properly.

He hesitated for a moment, then picked the soap back up. Forget it—just this once.

…

When Pei Yuan finished bathing and returned to the room, Bao Ning was kneeling on the kang, making the bed.

Among the dowry was a set of new bedding—one set for herself, and conveniently, one set for Pei Yuan.
Since it was part of her dowry, the quilt was bright red and festive, with embroidered mandarin ducks playing in the water.

Madam Xu had used the finest cotton and fabric; the quilt felt soft and fluffy to the touch. Bao Ning lay on it with her cheek pressed to the surface, wishing she could just fall asleep right then and there.

The room had been completely transformed, as if it were a different place. The tables and chairs were spotless and gleaming, even the window frames had been wiped clean.

On the table sat a small incense burner, emitting a faint spiral of fragrance that gently drifted upward.

Pei Yuan stood stunned at the doorway.

He suddenly realized that since Bao Ning arrived, he’d been caught off guard more times than he could count.
Pei Yuan was tall, and just by standing there, he blocked most of the light at the door. Bao Ning, cradling a pillow and turning her head, caught the shock in his eyes.

It wasn’t until he’d washed his face clean that Bao Ning saw what he really looked like—a straight nose, long narrow eyes, and a hint of drunken flush at the outer corners of his eyes. There was a naturally fierce air about him, sharp and unyielding.

If not for the stubble around his lips, he’d be even more handsome.

Bao Ning thought about shaving it for him, but then remembered she didn’t know how, and Pei Yuan probably wouldn’t allow it anyway—so she gave up on the idea.

He was dressed in plain white underclothes, with his hair still wet and dripping.

Bao Ning snapped out of her thoughts. Realizing that Pei Yuan was still ill and shouldn’t be exposed to the cold, she quickly beckoned him over, “Your Highness, come inside quickly, you might catch a chill.”

She jumped off the bed and instinctively moved to help him, but recalling that he disliked being touched, her hand froze in midair—then she let it fall back down.

A faint fragrance clung to him. Bao Ning recognized it as the scent of her soap and blinked.

Pei Yuan was in even more turmoil now than he had been that morning.

He had originally made up his mind to confront Bao Ning and ask her to leave. But now, with her standing right in front of him, he found himself speechless.

He was not a softhearted person.

Gripping his cane tighter, Pei Yuan walked past her, straight into the room. He sat down on the heated bed and looked at her with a dark expression.

Bao Ning’s heart tightened. She understood—Pei Yuan was asking her to leave.

But just this morning, he had still eaten the food she made, and his attitude had seemed just fine. How had things changed so suddenly?

Bao Ning tested the waters: “Your Highness, should I leave then?”

Pei Yuan didn’t respond. With a sigh, Bao Ning picked up the dirty bedding and left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.

Pei Yuan lay back on the bed, frustrated and confused, yet still couldn’t help listening intently to the sounds outside.

It sounded like she was washing laundry.

Pei Yuan closed his eyes. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was genuinely moved—wanting to draw close, yet afraid it was all a trick. He wasn’t the sentimental type, yet somehow, he was getting pulled into this fleeting kindness and warmth.

He decided to wait and see. Even if he said nothing, maybe in a few days, she would regret it on her own.

…

Their relationship fell into an awkward silence.

Even by the third night, Pei Yuan still refused to engage with her beyond meals. He ate the food she brought him, but outside of mealtimes, he didn’t speak to her at all.

In the dim candlelight, Bao Ning forced herself to keep sewing, but her eyes soon began to ache. Her thoughts kept drifting to Pei Yuan, and she found herself distracted. Eventually, she gave up, stuck the needle back into the pin cushion, and set it aside.
Then she suddenly remembered—tomorrow was the day to return to her maiden home. Thinking of her younger brother and her stepmother, her heart started to race.
But… how would she get back?

This place was so far from the capital, and she didn’t know the roads. The Palace Treasury wasn’t likely to send someone to pick her up. She had no way of returning.

Her expression dimmed.

She slumped over the table, thoughts swirling—wondering what her stepmother and Ji Yun were doing now. If she couldn’t return tomorrow, would her stepmother be sad?

As she was thinking, a rustling sound broke the silence. Bao Ning looked up—and met the beady eyes of a large, fat rat.

Her breath caught; her limbs went numb as she let out a terrified scream.

She was in the west wing, but Pei Yuan heard the scream loud and clear from the east wing. He flinched in shock.

He hadn’t intended to intervene, but after a moment’s thought, he furrowed his brows and shouted back, “What happened?”

Tears brimming in her eyes, Bao Ning ran barefoot to Pei Yuan’s door, crying out, “There’s a huge gray rat in my room!”

“…” Pei Yuan was at a loss for words. “Come in,” he said.