Chapter 81: Deep Affection

“Hey, are you awake?” Bao Ning turned back and saw Yuanzi’s figure, greeting him with a smile. “Are you hungry?”

Yuanzi shook his head. He rubbed his hands on his pants, his expression calm as if nothing had happened.

“Auntie has some things to do right now and can’t play with you,” Bao Ning walked over to lead him out, saying gently, “Why don’t you go find Nanny Liu to play?”

Yuanzi gave a small response and skipped away cheerfully.

Bao Ning watched his lively back, leaping like a little rabbit, in surprise. She tilted her head to look at Pei Yuan; he had opened his eyes and was staring in the same direction.

After a pause, Bao Ning said to Pei Yuan, “I’m starting to think Yuanzi isn’t slow at all—he just doesn’t like to talk. Look at how high he was jumping just now.”

Pei Yuan nodded. “That kid is interesting.”

“I think so too, he seems a bit unusual,” Bao Ning sat by his feet to apply hemostatic medicine. “But then again, how different can a small child really be?”

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“Tell me, when you’re seventy or eighty, will this leg even be usable?” Bao Ning tied the knot and rolled down his trouser leg, forcing a small smile. “Fortunately, I’m younger than you. When you can’t walk anymore, I’ll be able to push your wheelchair and take you for strolls. You’d better start sucking up to me now—your life will be in my hands. If you’re ever mean to me again, just wait and see how I get my revenge.”

Pei Yuan pulled Bao Ning into his arms, fiddling with her earlobe. “Hmm? And how will you get your revenge?”

Bao Ning fantasized, “I’ll push you to the top of a high hill and then ‘accidentally’ let go, letting you slide all the way down until you’re upside down.”

“Tsk, quite wicked of you.” Pei Yuan chuckled low. He regained his playful, improper air, pulling Bao Ning’s wrist downward and saying intentionally, “Then you’d better protect this part of me. If it gets even a tiny bit damaged, the one suffering will be you.”

“You’re approaching your twilight years, yet all you think about is carnal matters.” Bao Ning yanked her hand back and gave him a mock-angry glare.

She had felt a bit down just now—thinking about the future always made her sad—but even though Pei Yuan’s teasing was annoying, it effectively chased away her melancholy.

Feeling mischievous, Bao Ning tickled his waist and laughed, “You old fox, you never change.”

“When a man sees the woman he likes, age doesn’t matter; he’s going to think about it.” Pei Yuan looked at her suggestively, hooking his pinky with hers. “Guess if I’m thinking about it right now?”

“Don’t even think about it!” Bao Ning’s eyes widened. “Your body is very weak right now. Don’t think about such messy things. Just lie there and recover!”

Pei Yuan’s eyebrows shot up. “If you call me ‘weak’ one more time, I won’t care how young you are—I’ll handle you right here on the spot!”

Intimidated by his sudden serious look, Bao Ning wilted slightly. She turned her head away and whispered, “It’s your fault for saying things I don’t want to hear.”

“You’ll learn to like hearing them.” Pei Yuan wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. He had intended to tease her into a good mood, but having broached the subject, he couldn’t stop.

Suddenly remembering something, he said, “Ningning, I bought that picture book we talked about last time. I was too busy yesterday and forgot, but tonight, let’s study it thoroughly.”

Bao Ning’s face turned beet red. She broke free and headed for the door. “The sun is still high in the sky! If you must talk about this, can it wait until dark? In broad daylight… you’re so thick-skinned and shameless.”

“Learning has no limits. How is studying a craft you haven’t mastered before shameful?” Pei Yuan said. “Wait here, I’m going to find that book. I can’t remember where I tossed it yesterday.”

He started to get out of bed. His leg still hurt, so he hopped on one foot quite quickly. Bao Ning couldn’t stop him and scolded from behind, “You look like a bullfrog.”

Pei Yuan rummaged through a drawer. “I don’t care what kind of frog I am, as long as I get to eat the meat, I’m a good frog.”

“Can’t you just wait until tonight?!” Bao Ning cried.

“What law dictates that one cannot have carnal thoughts during the day?” Pei Yuan quickly pulled a thin, yellowish book from his messy belongings and waved it at Bao Ning. “Found it.”

The book looked old and yellowed, its corners frayed. Bao Ning felt her eyes sting just looking at it; she covered her face and backed away. “Why couldn’t you at least buy a new one!”

“A book like this is like wine—the older, the more valuable.” Pei Yuan tossed it toward her. “Quick, catch!”

Bao Ning frantically caught it.

Pei Yuan let out a whistle.

Bao Ning looked up and saw his expression. He was leaning back against the cabinet, tall and long-legged—truly handsome, but with a predatory smile. He tugged at his collar with one hand, tilting his head. “Hey girl, come over here and help your man undress.”

Bao Ning wanted to rush over and bite him to death.

“Not coming?” Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow. “Then I’m coming to you.”

As he spoke, he began moving toward her. Bao Ning’s face was so red it looked like it might bleed. Pei Yuan pulled at his collar as he walked, revealing a large portion of his sturdy chest. Bao Ning couldn’t help but look away, only to lock eyes with Chen Jia, who was standing at the doorway with a look of shock and disbelief.

Her heart leaped. Not knowing how long Chen Jia had been standing there, she gasped and shoved away Pei Yuan’s face as he tried to lean in.

“What’s this? The kitten is turning into a leopard?” Unaware that they were being watched, Pei Yuan chuckled and hooked Bao Ning’s chin. “Roleplaying?”

“Chen Jia!” Bao Ning shouted. Pei Yuan froze.

Bao Ning quickly shoved the little book into her sleeve, put on a perfectly composed smile, and walked toward the door. “When did you get here?”

Chen Jia, face flushed, said, “I arrived… just as the Prince started taking off his clothes.”

Pei Yuan’s face turned an ashen shade of green. His “good business” interrupted and his dignity wounded, his heart pounded with rage. He grabbed a stool and hurled it, roaring, “Then why the hell didn’t you make a sound earlier? Were you waiting to watch me make a fool of myself?”

Chen Jia stammered for a while. “Your Highness… I didn’t know what to say.”

“Get out!” The veins on Pei Yuan’s forehead throbbed as he pointed at the door. “Get the hell out!”

Chen Jia, oblivious to the atmosphere, added, “General Wei Meng has business with you; he’s waiting.”

“Let him wait!” Pei Yuan gritted his teeth. “You, get out! From now on, you are not allowed within thirty feet of this room. Otherwise, I’ll personally use the military staff to strip a layer of skin off you!”

Chen Jia had never seen Pei Yuan so furious. Terrified, he scrambled away as fast as he could.

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The romantic mood had completely evaporated.

Bao Ning laughed secretly, hiding her face with her sleeve. Glancing at Pei Yuan’s miserable expression, she couldn’t hold it back anymore and burst into wanton laughter.

“Silence!” Pei Yuan swept a cold gaze over her and walked toward the inner chamber with his hands behind his back. Feeling humiliated and angry, he put on his princely airs and spread his arms. “Come, change my clothes.”

Bao Ning walked slowly toward him.

Pei Yuan glanced at her, his tone unfriendly: “Hurry up!”

Bao Ning reached him, her hand resting on his loose belt. She pursed her lips to suppress a laugh. “Your Highness, why bother changing? Wouldn’t the effort of taking them off earlier be wasted?”

Pei Yuan looked at her in total shock, unable to believe Bao Ning would say such a thing. His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. Finally, he flicked his sleeve and stomped off in embarrassed indignation.

…

Wei Meng didn’t know how he had offended this “God of Slaughter” again.

He was sitting under a tree root teasing a sheep, holding a handful of salt. The tall, fierce man was all smiles, saying gently, “Eat up, A-Mian, eat up.”

Pei Yuan walked over, the corner of his mouth twitching. “The tone of your voice makes me feel sick.”

“…” Wei Meng was used to Pei Yuan’s sudden mood swings and habitually ignored them. He stood up and said, “The matter regarding Madam Su has been investigated.”

Pei Yuan asked, “So soon?”

“It was simple to check. Madam Su and the beggars around her at the time fled from the south together. Their stories match, and their demeanors are natural; it should be true,” Wei Meng said. “As for the details prior to that, they are still being looked into.”

Pei Yuan nodded and asked, “Is Jia Ling being watched?”

“He is.” Wei Meng clicked his tongue. “Our spies were planted in the Marquis of Chongyuan’s estate long ago. This morning, a contact reported that Jia Ling and his wife had another massive fight. Antique vases were smashed to pieces, and he’s threatening divorce.”

“Is it about not having children again?” Pei Yuan frowned. “Or does Jia Ling think he’s climbed high enough with Pei Xiao that he wants a younger wife with better family connections?”

Wei Meng replied, “Neither. Jia Ling’s mistress is pregnant! The one from Qingluo Lane, named Xue Fu. He wants to bring her into the Jia household as a high-ranking concubine. The Consort (Bao Ning’s eldest sister) refused, and they got into a fight. The spy said Jia Ling’s insults were incredibly foul—vulgarities from the countryside—and the Consort was left sobbing.”

“Has he lost his mind?” Pei Yuan couldn’t believe it. “A woman from a brothel… even if there’s a child, how can Jia Ling be sure it’s his?”

“Maybe it doesn’t even matter if it’s his or not.” Wei Meng smiled bitterly. “He just needs a child to prove himself and to stabilize his position as the heir.”

“Utterly ridiculous,” Pei Yuan sneered. “But this might be an opportunity we can use. Xue Fu, was it?”

Wei Meng said, “I’ve inquired at Qingluo Lane. Jia Ling is trying to buy her freedom, but the money is in the Consort’s hands, so he can’t produce it immediately.”

Pei Yuan instructed, “Drive the price up so he can’t afford it this month. Then, get Xue Fu under control—don’t let her run away.”

Wei Meng patted his chest. “Consider it done!”

Pei Yuan gave a non-committal “mm,” looking down in thought. Wei Meng studied his expression and hesitated. “Young General, I have something to say, though I don’t know if I should.”

Pei Yuan said, “If you have something to say, say it. Don’t dawdle.”

“The Consort is the Young Madam’s eldest sister. Now that she’s troubled by this, she surely needs someone to comfort her. The Young Madam is naturally the best choice,” Wei Meng clapped his hands. “If the Young Madam could step in, wouldn’t this be much easier? If she whispers in the Consort’s ear, the Consort must have many of Jia Ling’s secrets.”

Pei Yuan looked up. “You want her to provoke her eldest sister and plot against her brother-in-law?”

“Don’t… don’t put it so harshly,” Wei Meng stammered. “Who achieves great things without a bit of underhandedness? The path to the top is a contest of who is more ruthless. Why not use such a good connection?”

“There is no discussion on this.” Pei Yuan turned to leave. “Anything else? If not, I’m going.”

Wei Meng blocked his path. “Young General, think about it again. You’re a married couple; is there anything you can’t talk through? Besides, if this succeeds, wouldn’t the Young Madam share in the glory?”

Pei Yuan took a deep breath and pushed his hand away. “Never mention this again.”

Wei Meng sighed, watching Pei Yuan walk away.

On the way back, Pei Yuan kept ruminating on the issue. From a cold, objective standpoint, he certainly wished Bao Ning would help. But he couldn’t bear to put her in a difficult position. Bao Ning was his heart and soul; he didn’t say it aloud, but he knew she was his life. If she were to cry and beg him not to involve himself in court politics anymore, he would surely give in. He could give it all up and take her away to live the life she loved.

But he knew Bao Ning would never make such a willful demand. One reason he loved and cherished her so much was her sensible nature.

This thought made Pei Yuan feel even more guilty. She endured many grievances for him that she shouldn’t have to bear. He remembered the incident at Pei Xiao’s wedding—how Bao Ning was forced into a dilemma because of him. And Qiu Lingjun’s hostility toward her was also, ultimately, because of him.

As he walked into the house, he pictured the tears she had shed then, saying she didn’t like this kind of life and asking him not to trouble her with such things again. He hadn’t forgotten a single word.

That was why he had heartlessly rejected Wei Meng’s repeated requests for Bao Ning’s involvement. He couldn’t give her the life she wanted right now, so he could only try his best to make her current days more pleasant. He would be the one to shield her from the wind and rain outside.

The moment he stepped over the threshold, Pei Yuan had made up his mind.

Bao Ning was playing with the dogs inside; A-Huang and Jixiang were circling her feet as she fed them soft beans. Seeing Pei Yuan enter, she patted her skirt and stood up to greet him with a smile. Looking at that smile, Pei Yuan thought that if she could always smile like that, anything he did would be worth it.

Pei Yuan lazily spread his arms and joked, “Hey girl, come undress your man.”

Bao Ning swatted his hand. “You’ve finally learned one phrase and you’ve said it eight hundred times. Aren’t you tired of it?”

Pei Yuan laughed loudly and pulled her into a hug, heading toward the bed. Concerned about the wound on his leg, Bao Ning supported him. She knew him well enough by now to know that although he was laughing, he had something on his mind. She didn’t know what it was, but she thought that if she could clear up the “knot” in her own heart, he might at least be happier.

Ever since her conversation with Nanny Liu, Bao Ning had wanted to talk to Pei Yuan. She felt she should move closer to his world. She could try to engage with those conflicts; even if she couldn’t help, listening to him might lighten his burden. She had been delayed by various things and felt too awkward to bring it up out of the blue, but now was the chance.

They sat down on the edge of the bed.

“A-Yuan, what did General Wei want with you just now?” Bao Ning fiddled with his sleeve, looking up at him with a smile. “Are you willing to tell me about it?”

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Sansukini: Pei Yuan has such a positive character development.

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