Chapter 101: Trust

Zhao Qian was staying in the very same inn, leaning in a corner and drinking.

He had changed into a clean, sharp outfit—a black robe embroidered with gold thread. Paired with his fair and handsome face, he sat with a cup between his fingers, scanning his surroundings with a faint, knowing smile. His presence caused several young ladies to steal frequent glances at him. Zhao Qian was feeling relaxed, sipping his wine slowly. He reflected on how his days of grievance were gone for good; the more he thought about his bright future, the better his mood became. Before long, he had finished an entire jar of Fen liquor.

He felt a bit lightheaded—the intoxication was setting in.

At that moment, Bao Ning slowly descended the stairs, holding up the hem of her skirt.

She had come to take advantage of a small perk; she’d heard from the waiter that the lobby provided free snacks—osmanthus cakes and pineapple crisps—made by a famous chef in the capital. Bao Ning asked the waiter for a delicate golden plate, unaware that Zhao Qian was there, and focused intently on picking out her treats.

Zhao Qian spotted her instantly. A cold sweat broke out over him, and he sat up straight.

Why is the Fourth Prince’s Consort here? What if she recognizes me?!

But on second thought, it wasn’t surprising to run into them here. This inn was called Fengxiang Pavilion, the finest in the capital. The entry fee alone was fifty taels of silver, attracting the elite. Naturally, the Fourth Prince wouldn’t settle for a lesser place just to save a bit of money. Moreover, he was currently dressed as a man, looking worlds apart from the maidservant persona he’d worn at the Lihu manor. Surely, Bao Ning wouldn’t recognize him.

Zhao Qian relaxed his body and leaned back against his chair, continuing to drink. His vision was slightly blurred as he stared unscrupulously at Bao Ning’s back.

As he watched, the alcohol gave him a boost of courage, and some stray thoughts began to sprout.

Technically, he hadn’t seen Bao Ning many times, but she had left a deep impression. It wasn’t just her looks; Bao Ning was beautiful, but he had seen plenty of beauties. Looking at her face was refreshing, but it only made him want to look a few more times—not enough to trigger obsessive thoughts. What he loved most was her personality: kind-hearted, interesting, and clever. He had never met a woman more fascinating than her.

Pei Yuan certainly had good luck.

Zhao Qian suddenly thought: In the future, when Pei Xiao ascends the throne, Pei Yuan definitely won’t have a good life. It’s not even certain if he’ll survive. When that time comes and Pei Yuan is dead, what will happen to this delicate little beauty? Will she wither away like fallen blossoms, or fall into the hands of thugs and be humiliated? Wouldn’t that be a tragic waste!

Thinking this, a faint bitterness rose in his heart. The wine made his face hot and his heart restless; he felt an urgent need to do something.

Seeing Bao Ning finish picking out her snacks and prepare to head back upstairs, Zhao Qian suddenly stood up. He first went to the bookkeeper’s desk to borrow a pen and paper, quickly scribbled a few lines and tucked them into his sleeve, then hurried over to intercept Bao Ning. He called out in a low voice, “Fourth Prince’s Consort?”

Bao Ning turned back in surprise. She didn’t recognize him at first glance, frowning and taking a step back as she instinctively looked toward where Wei Meng was.

Pei Yuan was upstairs in the guest room handling official business and had instructed Wei Meng to accompany her in the shadows. Seeing Wei Meng give her a nod, signaling there was no danger, she felt at ease.

Zhao Qian said, “Fourth Prince’s Consort, I have a few words I’d like to say to you. I wonder if you are free?”

Bao Ning glanced at Wei Meng again. Seeing him still nodding, she knew everything was within expectation. She took a deep breath and said to Zhao Qian, “Alright, let’s go to the backyard.”

They walked toward the back door, and Wei Meng spat out a jujube pit, quietly following them.

They had known for a while that Zhao Qian was in this inn. Wei Meng had wanted to seize him immediately, but Pei Yuan had ordered them to wait and see what else Zhao Qian intended to do. Seeing Zhao Qian approach Bao Ning, Wei Meng hesitated again—should he subdue him now, or wait? If the man showed any ill intent, it wouldn’t be too late to kill him then.

Bao Ning and Zhao Qian stood two steps apart, facing each other. Zhao Qian spoke: “Fourth Prince’s Consort, do you recognize me? I am Qian-er.”

Bao Ning repeated: “Qian-er?”

She looked at Zhao Qian’s current appearance with disbelief, her heart shaken. She couldn’t understand how that annoying maid had transformed into a man. She then heard Zhao Qian continue: “Fourth Prince’s Consort, please do not blame me for deceiving you. I was truly… forced by circumstances!”

As he spoke, tears suddenly welled up in Zhao Qian’s eyes.

Seeing him cry on command, Bao Ning was startled. They say a man’s tears are precious, but this man’s tears seemed quite cheap.

Zhao Qian added: “I was coerced by Pei Xiao, the current Crown Prince! He threatened my elderly mother’s life to force me to act as Lady Su’s maid, using that to infiltrate the manor and act as his secret eyes and ears… But please rest assured, Consort, I haven’t done anything to hurt you. I have repented. I know it was wrong to yield to the Crown Prince. I will tell you everything today!”

Zhao Qian bowed his head and knelt: “I beg for your forgiveness!”

Bao Ning was stunned by this story. Pei Yuan hadn’t had the chance to tell her the truth about Zhao Qian yet. Seeing him kneeling and wiping tears, she felt utterly confused.

Wei Meng was also confused. He stared at Zhao Qian in shock, wondering how his mouth could produce such a pack of lies.

Bao Ning mouthed to Wei Meng: Is it true?

Wei Meng shook his head vigorously: False, all false!

Zhao Qian heard a faint sound and looked back alertly. “Who’s talking back there?”

Wei Meng jumped and quickly retreated behind the door.

Bao Ning had already gathered her emotions. She looked at Zhao Qian and cooperatively put on an expression of sympathy and indignation: “Did Pei Xiao really do this? Heavens, how can he be so shameless and vile!”

Zhao Qian’s expression turned odd for a split second. Bao Ning’s reaction was what he expected, but it also felt… a little strange.

But the play had begun, and there was no reason to stop. Zhao Qian clenched his fists on his knees and continued: “This morning, I secretly fled the manor. I couldn’t bear to live as a puppet anymore; I wanted my own life! I intended to let this matter be buried forever, but I didn’t expect to run into you at the entrance of Fengxiang Pavilion. I couldn’t suppress the guilt in my heart and came to tell you the truth. I, Zhao Qian, have done wrong. Do with me as you wish!”

He acted so convincingly that had Wei Meng not warned her, Bao Ning might have believed him.

But now… Bao Ning looked at Zhao Qian with “pity,” working hard to play along: “No, an upright person like you… how could I blame you? Please, get up!”

Bao Ning said with emotion, “I truly admire your noble character, Zhao Qian. Don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer such injustice in vain. Wait for me here. I’ll be right back; I have some silver on me that I’ll give to your mother as a token of my appreciation.”

Zhao Qian bowed in thanks: “Your Grace’s great kindness is something Zhao Qian will never forget!”

Zhao Qian was delighted, thinking half the battle was won now that Bao Ning believed him.

His plan was this: after getting money from Pei Xiao, he would leave the capital. If possible, he hoped to take Bao Ning with him. If not, after Pei Yuan’s death, he could convince her to go. Even if she refused, he could use her trust at this critical juncture to drive a wedge between her and Pei Yuan, earning more reward money from Pei Xiao. There was everything to gain and nothing to lose.

As Bao Ning made to leave with her plate of snacks, Zhao Qian called out to her again. He stood up and whispered in her ear: “Consort, there is one more thing Zhao Qian must tell you.”

“What?” she asked.

In a voice so soft only the two of them could hear, he said: “In Lihu Town, there is a brothel at the end of Anping Street. Your Grace surely knows of it? During the day, the Fourth Prince is often absent from the manor, claiming to be out on business. In truth, he is lingering among the flowers in that ‘land of tenderness.’ I cannot bear to see him continue deceiving you, so I am telling you now.”

“Is that true?” Bao Ning looked at him blankly.

Zhao Qian replied: “It is absolutely true. If there is a single lie, let Zhao Qian be struck by lightning!”

A look of deep sorrow appeared in Bao Ning’s eyes. She said to him, “Thank you. I’m going back right now to ask him for the truth!”

“Being able to help Your Grace even a little is my supreme honor,” Zhao Qian said.

Bao Ning wiped her eyes with her sleeve and turned to leave in a hurry. Remembering something, she asked, “Do you have a room in this inn? I will come thank you in person later!”

Zhao Qian was overjoyed and answered without hesitation: “Room C-34. Zhao Qian will await you!”

Bao Ning walked quickly away with her plate. She ran into Wei Meng at the door.

Wei Meng didn’t know what Zhao Qian had said to make her cry. Just as he was about to ask urgently, she interrupted: “Keep an eye on him. I’m going upstairs. Don’t let him escape.”

Seeing her expression was relatively steady, Wei Meng felt a bit relieved and agreed.

Bao Ning jogged upstairs and pushed open the door. Pei Yuan was leaning back in a large rosewood chair, his legs crossed on the table, reading a book. Hearing the noise, he looked up and saw her red-rimmed eyes. His heart tightened, and he asked sharply, “What’s wrong? What happened?”

Bao Ning set the snack plate on the table and patted her chest. “A-Yuan, I met a master. That Zhao Qian is truly a master!”

“His skin,” she gestured with her hands, “is this thick!”

“Oh?” Pei Yuan lowered his legs and narrowed his eyes. “You ran into him?”

“We spoke quite a bit…” Bao Ning sat down beside him and recounted everything Zhao Qian had said.

Pei Yuan’s face was dark at first, but it cleared up as the story went on. Finally, he asked with a smile, “He said I went to a brothel, and you didn’t even doubt me?”

“Doubt what?”

“Doubt me?”

“How could such a petty trick drive a wedge between us?” Bao Ning cupped one of Pei Yuan’s hands in both of hers and looked into his eyes. “I trust my own eyes. I know I’m the only one in your heart right now; I can feel it. So no matter what others say, no matter how real it sounds, as long as you deny it, I will believe you. But A-Yuan, I’m very sensitive. If one day my place in your heart gets smaller, I’ll be able to tell.”

“That day will never come.” Pei Yuan pinched her chin and shook it gently. “We shall see.”

Bao Ning laughed and hugged his waist. Regardless of what the future held, she truly felt life was beautiful right now.

Pei Yuan rested his hand on her back, patting her rhythmically. The faint panic that had lingered in his heart since leaving the Marquis’s estate dissipated quite a bit. He felt a surge of happiness; so this was what it felt like to be trusted—it was incredibly fulfilling.

When he’d heard Bao Ning say with such trepidation that she was concubine-born and had married above her station, his heart had truly skipped a beat. He was afraid that one day she would misunderstand him due to gossip or simply find the pressure unbearable and leave him. But he didn’t think that way anymore. His Bao Ning was growing up, becoming stronger and more confident. Besides, she was the flesh of his heart; how could his own flesh leave him?

Pei Yuan’s gaze fell on the plate of cakes on the table. He gave her a tender kiss on the cheek and said, “I believe you too.”

Bao Ning looked up, confused. Following his gaze, she was shocked to see a folded piece of paper pressed under an osmanthus crisp. She picked it up and opened it. At the top were the words “To Bao Ning,” followed by several lines of poetic, lingering prose, clearly expressing an unrequited love and deep yearning.

Zhao Qian had slipped it in when she wasn’t paying attention.

After blowing in the cold wind for a while, Zhao Qian had sobered up quite a bit. He paced the room anxiously, reflecting on what had just happened.

Was I too hasty?

Recalling Bao Ning’s words and demeanor, he became less and less certain if she truly believed him. But she had said she would come, and based on his understanding of her, she didn’t lie.

Zhao Qian sat down at the table and had a cup of tea.

Finally unable to endure the unease, he pushed open the door, wanting to investigate. But as soon as his foot stepped out, he was blocked back into the room. Zhao Qian looked in horror at Pei Yuan, who was holding a silver-handled long whip. With a faint, mocking smile, Pei Yuan lifted Zhao Qian’s chin with the whip handle, forcing him back into the room step by step.

Pei Yuan arched an eyebrow. “Look at our Qian-er’s looks. What a handsome young man.”

“And damn, you’ve got a good mouth on you too. Chatting away, very persuasive.” Pei Yuan poked Zhao Qian’s lips with the handle. “Weren’t you talking quite well just now? Come on, say a few more lines. Let Master hear them.”

Zhao Qian trembled. He was terrified, his mind a total blank. With a thud , he knelt again. “Fourth Prince, I was wrong. I was blinded by greed… please, Your Highness, be magnanimous…”

Pei Yuan crouched down and asked, “Didn’t you say just now that if you uttered a single lie, you’d be struck by lightning?”

Zhao Qian dared not speak.

“Don’t worry, the Heavens couldn’t bear to strike you.” Pei Yuan chuckled coldly. “With a graceful little body like yours, it would be a waste of God’s gifts not to send you to a brothel to be a boy-toy.”

“Let’s send him then.”

Sansukini:I just saw the date this date is going to be published and thought the days seem to pass by so fast.

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