Chapter 110: Little Sweetness

Jia Ling’s face turned white instantly, his peripheral vision stiffly sweeping over toward Pei Xiao.

Emperor Zhou captured this subtle movement. He frowned but said nothing else.

Jia Ling felt as if his heart were dead ashes. He knew that even if he refused to confess to the death, this matter would not end well. If the investigation continued and implicated Pei Xiao, and the Crown Prince fell, the Marquis of Chongyuan’s estate would certainly face a grim fate. Jia Ling only regretted his own recklessness and greed; for the sake of private gain, he had jeopardized his entire clan.

He now had only two paths: either expose Pei Xiao and beg for the Emperor’s leniency, or shoulder the entire blame himself.

Since Pei Xiao acted with extreme secrecy, even if Jia Ling chose the former, it would be difficult to find corroborating testimony—it would only result in losing Pei Xiao’s support entirely.

Jia Ling closed his eyes. His best option now was to take the full weight of the crime, deny everything else to the end, and protect Pei Xiao, hoping that the Prince would in turn protect the Marquis’s estate. At the very least, he hoped to prevent the total destruction of his family.

“I admit my guilt!” Jia Ling prostrated himself on the ground. He removed his official cap and set it aside, weeping loudly. “This sinful subject was momentarily muddled. I accepted silver from the bandits of Matou Mountain and leaked Your Majesty’s itinerary. The bandits are remnants of the previous dynasty; I believed they were merely a group of stubborn fools who lacked the courage or ability to attack the Imperial procession. I was possessed by a ghost, betrayed Your Majesty’s trust, and placed you in grave danger!”

The sound of Jia Ling’s forehead hitting the stone floor echoed through the room. Between sobs, he cried, “This matter was known only to me! I alone bear all responsibility. It has nothing to do with my parents, brothers, or the women of my house. I beg Your Majesty, for the sake of the Jia family’s generations of service, to show them mercy!”

Ji Xiangzhen’s heart tightened. She turned her head away, unable to look at him.

Emperor Zhou asked, “It has nothing to do with your family… but does it have nothing to do with others ?”

Jia Ling replied, “It was done solely by me. May Your Majesty discern clearly!”

Emperor Zhou let out a long, drawn-out “Oh.”

Baoning nervously gripped the fabric of her skirt. She felt that the Emperor already understood something; he was simply choosing not to say it. She peeked at Pei Yuan; he was staring straight ahead, his expression rippleless as if he had anticipated this long ago.

The room fell silent for a moment, followed by the sound of Pei Xiao striking the floor and wailing loudly, “General Tao died so needlessly!”

His face was deathly pale. After that single cry, he tilted backward and fainted. His wounds burst open, and blood began to pool on the floor. Baoning flinched at the “thud” of his body hitting the bricks. Pei Yuan patted her back soothingly. “Don’t look.”

With the Crown Prince unconscious, the Head Eunuch Jiang Yan shrieked, “Call the imperial physicians! Quickly, call the physicians!”

Emperor Zhou remained seated, unmoving. He watched the servants frantically carry Pei Xiao out and said flatly, “Minister Lin of the Ministry of Justice should be arriving soon. Arrest Jia Ling and hand him over to the Ministry for interrogation. That will be all for today. I am tired. Everyone is dismissed.”

The crowd withdrew one after another.

As Baoning stepped out the door, she saw several soldiers pin Jia Ling’s arms behind his back, wind thick rope around him, and rudely push him outward. Jia Ling looked ghost-white, without a shred of the high spirits he’d had the last time she saw him. Baoning felt a sense of melancholy. She asked Ji Xiangzhen, “Eldest Sister, what do you plan to do with that Xue Fu?”

“I am no longer a member of the Jia family. When I return today, I am moving back to the Duke’s estate,” Ji Xiangzhen said. “As for Xue Fu, let Old Madam Jia deal with her however she wishes. It has nothing to do with me.”

She finished speaking and gave Baoning a faint smile. “Baoning, I truly must thank you. If not for you, my end would likely have been miserable.”

Ji Xiangzhen was in a very poor mood; Baoning could tell. She took her sister’s hand, wanting to offer comfort but not knowing how to start. She looked to Pei Yuan for help.

Pei Yuan didn’t know what to say either. He pondered for a moment and asked, “Would Eldest Sister like to rest here for a while, or return now? I will prepare a carriage for you.”

Baoning glared at him secretly. Pei Yuan was truly useless; instead of saying something nice, he was practically chasing the guest away.

Ji Xiangzhen didn’t mind. “Thank you, Fourth Prince, but I brought a carriage. I can go on my own.”

Saying this, she gave another curtsy. “I must also congratulate the Fourth Prince. You have achieved your wish and can finally turn things around. A new world awaits you.”

Pei Yuan replied, “I will find an opportunity to speak to His Majesty to select a good second marriage for Eldest Sister.”

Ji Xiangzhen suddenly recalled what Baoning had told her at Ruyi Tower and laughed. “Baoning told me that ‘a second marriage should be even higher than the first.’ I shall have to trouble the Fourth Prince to exert some effort then.”

Pei Yuan froze. He repeated the phrase: “A second marriage should be even higher than the first.” He turned his head to Baoning. “What does that mean?”

Baoning was incredibly embarrassed. Her brows knitted as she dodged the topic, saying to Ji Xiangzhen, “Sister, let me see you off!”

“What are you hiding for?” Pei Yuan grabbed her arm, his expression darkening. “Those definitely weren’t good words. Explain it to me.”

Seeing the situation, Ji Xiangzhen realized she had said the wrong thing. She quickly bid her farewells and hurried away.

Baoning defended herself: “How were they not good words? I didn’t curse anyone.”

“I don’t need you to tell me; I’ve guessed it. I am an educated man, after all.” Pei Yuan gripped Baoning’s wrist and stared at her. “Does it mean that after a divorce, you marry someone even better than the last one? Where did you hear that? Who taught you? Or did you dream that up yourself?”

Baoning was frazzled. “I was comforting Eldest Sister! I told her Jia Ling was nothing special, and that once she left this one, the next would be better. That phrase just popped into my head, so I said it.”

“What is said offhandedly is what’s truly in the heart,” Pei Yuan pressed. “Have you been planning this for a long time? To find a ‘next one’? Who is it? Who have you set your sights on? Don’t tell me it was just a ‘flash of inspiration’—if you don’t think about it normally, how would it just come out? I don’t believe you. By the way, you’re still keeping that divorce letter! Last time you ran away, you even used it to threaten me. Why are you keeping that thing? Do you have a ghost in your heart? No, where did you hide it? Bring it out now; I’m going to burn it!”

Baoning stepped on his foot, too lazy to deal with him. She turned to leave. “If you talk that fast, aren’t you afraid of biting your tongue? I’m not listening to your nagging. You’re so annoying.”

“You’re feeling guilty!” Pei Yuan tugged at her sash. “Why are you running? You’re guilty!”

Baoning said, “I’m just tired of looking at you!”

“We’ve only been married for half a year, and you’re already tired of looking at me?” Pei Yuan hissed. “Where are you going?”

Baoning replied, “I’m going to the kitchen to find Uncle Zhang.”

Pei Yuan asked, “You’re not tired of looking at him? He’s over fifty, and his face is as wrinkled as dried tangerine peel. What are you looking for him for? When you look at his face, doesn’t your mouth feel bitter?”

Baoning shook him off and hurried toward the courtyard. “Why would it be bitter?”

Pei Yuan followed close behind. “Because he smells like dried tangerine peel!”

“I’m looking for a clay pot. I need to brew medicine; the pot from this morning fell and shattered.” Baoning turned to look at him. “Didn’t you just cough up blood? You looked so haggard in that room just now, but now you have energy again, like a jumping monkey!”

“Exactly, I’m still sick, yet you’re upsetting me.” Pei Yuan suddenly looked pained. He stopped and clutched his chest, saying to Baoning, “My heart is beating much faster.”

Baoning touched her own face and mimicked his expression, widening her eyes. “Oh heavens, why is my face so red and hot? I feel the blood surging in my chest—I’m going to be angered to death!”

Pei Yuan inspected her complexion. “It’s not red. It’s still white. Is it because you applied too much powder and I can’t see it?”

Baoning glared at him fiercely. “I am naturally white.”

Pei Yuan gave her a meaningful look, his gaze drifting downward for a split second. “True. Like big white steamed buns.”

Realizing the implication, Baoning quickly covered her chest. “Lecher!”

Pei Yuan replied, “Hey!”

As they walked along the main road, people passed by occasionally. Seeing them bickering, the passersby steered clear, stealing secret glances.

Baoning was thin-skinned. She hadn’t noticed in the heat of the moment, but now she felt humiliated. She dragged Pei Yuan toward their courtyard. “Stop talking! Everyone is laughing at us!”

Pei Yuan asked, “Who dares laugh at me?”

Baoning said, “You must be drunk! You’ve been talking nonsense all the way. Get inside the house!”

Pei Yuan said, “If you beg me, I’ll go in.”

“…” Baoning walked straight into the kitchen. “If you don’t want to come in, sit outside.”

He saw her roll up her sleeves, wash her hands, and scoop flour from the bin, clearly finished with talking to him. Pei Yuan rubbed his nose and stepped over the threshold himself. His body was actually still a bit weak; after all the commotion, he was exhausted. But bickering with Baoning—seeing her so angry her face turned red as she tried to scold him but felt too embarrassed to do so—made him feel she was too cute. He wanted to tease her more. It was very refreshing.

Pei Yuan asked, “What are we eating?”

Baoning said, “Plain noodles in clear broth. You’ll be able to stomach it.”

“Add a soft-boiled egg.”

Baoning pointed to the corner. “The basket is over there. Take however many you want to eat.”

Pei Yuan crouched down to pick through them and asked disdainfully, “Why is there poop and straw all over them?”

Baoning was kneading and rolling the dough. She didn’t want to deal with him, but feared he would be relentless. She sighed helplessly. “Because these are fresh eggs that came out of a chicken’s butt.”

Pei Yuan laughed. Baoning glared at him, and he fell silent, sitting on a small stool with his elbows on his knees, watching her work.

The fire in the stove was lit, and the smell of burning firewood filled the room.

Baoning worked quickly. Within fifteen minutes, the noodles were rolled out, and the water was boiling. As she stared at the bubbling surface, she turned back to ask Pei Yuan, “Do you think Pei Xiao will be punished?”

“He will,” Pei Yuan nodded. “But trying to bring him down with just this will be very difficult.”

Baoning let out an “Oh.” She didn’t ask why; she just dropped the noodles into the pot and stirred them gently.

Pei Yuan said, “We’ll probably have to move again soon.”

Baoning’s movements paused. She went silent for a long time, forgetting to stir the noodles, just standing there in a daze.

“What are you doing?” Pei Yuan reminded her. “They’re going to stick together. Move them.”

Baoning snapped out of it. Just as she was about to move, she heard footsteps outside. Both of them looked up; it was actually Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan stood at the door, looking at them with surprise. He hadn’t expected the Fourth Prince and his Consort to be so down-to-earth, actually cooking for themselves. And those two dogs running wildly in the courtyard… it was hard to describe. They didn’t act like royalty at all, yet it felt unexpectedly warm and approachable.

He quickly masked his expression, bowed, and said to Pei Yuan, “This old servant is here to deliver His Majesty’s words.”

Pei Yuan stood up. Jiang Yan said, “It’s just a few words; no need for formalities.”

He cleared his throat. “His Majesty has said that the Fourth Prince has performed a great service in protecting the Emperor. His title as Prince of Jibei is restored, and he is to move back to the Prince’s Estate on a chosen date, with all benefits restored as before. This is an oral decree; the formal edict will be issued after returning to the palace. As for when you wish to return, that is up to the Fourth Prince’s own mood. His Majesty also said he hasn’t seen the Fourth Prince in a long time and hopes you will visit the palace often in the future.”

Jiang Yan glanced at Baoning and added, “His Majesty also mentioned that the Fourth Prince Consort’s name hasn’t been written into the Imperial Genealogy yet. Since the records are about to be updated, it must be included. Also, the Consort’s formal robes must be prepared immediately; someone will be sent to the estate in a few days to take measurements. Furthermore, you should pay a visit to the Empress, though Her Majesty has been unwell lately and needs some time to recover.”

At the mention of the Empress, Pei Yuan’s brow furrowed slightly before relaxing.

Jiang Yan said, “Lastly, His Majesty invites the two of you to his room to join him for dinner. He has other things to discuss.”

Having finished, he bowed to Pei Yuan and then to Baoning. “This old servant shall take his leave. Your Highness and your Consort should come quickly; do not keep His Majesty waiting.”

Pei Yuan nodded and watched him leave.

Baoning’s tense shoulders relaxed. She rubbed her shoulder and complained, “He said it was just a few words, but he ended up saying so much.”

Pei Yuan said, “He’s an old eunuch. When they get old, they talk a lot.”

Baoning caught a strange scent. She wrinkled her nose and asked, “Is there a weird smell?”

“Yeah, there is. What is it?” As Pei Yuan spoke, he suddenly realized. “The noodles! The noodles are burning!”

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