Chapter 114: Roast Chicken

Everyone looked over in disbelief, Bao Ning included.

She scrutinized Pei Yuan. He had drunk quite a bit, leaning back against the chair with his legs spread in a casual posture. No matter how she looked at him, he didn’t seem like the type of person who played an elegant instrument like the pipa.

Jia Xian’s eldest son was two years old and could already speak; he was very clever. Showing two little milk teeth, he clapped his hands and laughed, “Bragging! Bragging!”

Jia Xian hastily covered the boy’s mouth. Just as he was about to apologize, Pei Yuan waved a hand. “It’s fine.”

The restaurant kept singing girls on staff. Zhang Heyu went to borrow a pipa and returned quickly, bringing a long flute along with it.

The eldest sister saw this and said with a smile, “Give it to Bao Ning. Back when we were still in our maiden home, Father hired a musician to teach us. Bao Ning’s flute playing was the best and was constantly praised.”

Ji Tongchu chimed in, “Now that you mention it, I remember those times. Maidenhood was the most unforgettable. I recall Eldest Sister played the zither well.”

The third sister, Ji Anlu, covered her lips and giggled. “That’s right. Eldest Sister played the zither, Second Sister played the guqin, Fourth Sister was skilled at the konghou, and Fifth Sister’s flute playing was unparalleled. I was the clumsiest—I couldn’t learn this or that. I only loved to eat, which is why I ended up marrying a chef.”

Being mentioned by name, Zhang Heyu rubbed his hands in embarrassment and gave a shy, honest laugh. Everyone joined in the laughter.

At the mention of Ji Jiaying, Ji Xiangzhen’s smile faded slightly. “Jiaying… she was spoiled. Her temper is prickly, and she’s always making mistakes.”

“It’s a good day, let’s not speak of such depressing things,” Pei Yuan interrupted. He took the pipa into his arms, maintaining his lazy posture with drooping eyelids. He flicked a string with his finger, producing a long, resonant qiang sound.

“Any songs you want to hear?”

Bao Ning still didn’t quite believe him. She whispered in his ear, “A-Yuan, if you can’t play it, just say so. Don’t force yourself to save face.”

“You really take me for a brute?” Pei Yuan huffed. “I truly ought to let you see for yourself. Otherwise, who knows how much longer you’ll misunderstand me.”

Bao Ning laughed. “Alright. Then, ‘Sunny Spring and White Snow’—do you know it?”

Pei Yuan replied, “No.”

“…” All the anticipation Bao Ning had just gathered vanished; she felt speechless.

Jia Xian tried to smooth things over. “There are many famous pieces. How about ‘Flute and Drum at Sunset’?”

Pei Yuan said, “Too refined and delicate. I don’t like it.”

Ji Anlu suggested, “Then ‘Autumn Moon over the Han Palace.’ It tells a love story; girls love to hear it.”

Pei Yuan said, “Too much resentment and sorrow. The feminine air is too thick.”

Bao Ning really wanted to throw him and the pipa right off the balcony. This man was truly…

With so many people present, she had to give him face and a way out. Bao Ning suppressed her impatience. “Then pick a piece yourself.”

Pei Yuan took another sip of wine and pondered for a moment. “Then let it be ‘Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute’.”

Jia Xian immediately clapped in support. “Good! This one is excellent! Legend says it was composed by Cai Wenji. After she was captured by the Xiongnu, though she bore two sons and was greatly favored, her longing for her homeland never ceased for a moment. Thus, she wrote ‘Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute’ to express her total desire to return to the Han! This is good—it has meaning, it has yearning. Excellent!”

Ji Yun, feeling woozy, rested half his body on the table looking at him, thinking to himself: Is this also the nature of a merchant? Even in a latrine, he could make flattery smell like the aroma of braised pork.

Pei Yuan placed his hand on the strings and half-closed his eyes. He tested a few notes first, then gave Bao Ning a slight nod to signal the start. A smooth, pleasant melody began to flow out.

Bao Ning accompanied him with the flute. Ji Yun lined up several wine bowls and tapped them with chopsticks to add to the rhythm, while Jia Xian sang along.

For a moment, the music in the room became vivid, transforming a gathering of wine and meat into a feast filled with scholarly elegance.

Gradually, the look in Bao Ning’s eyes as she watched Pei Yuan turned into one of astonishment. When he said he could play the pipa, he really meant it—and he was exceptionally skilled. The music rose and fell with power and precision, enough to surpass eighty percent of professional singing girls. Bao Ning couldn’t describe her current mood, but she was simply very happy. She felt she had discovered another new facet of Pei Yuan—something delicate and tender that stood in stark contrast to his outward appearance.

When the song ended, both the second and third sisters couldn’t help but applaud.

Jia Xian’s eyes were full of surprise. This time, it wasn’t flattery, but sincere praise. “The Prince was truly hiding his light under a bushel! You are the most heroic pipa player I have ever seen!”

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but become hyperbolic again. “I used to read stories, and in Investiture of the Gods , there is a figure named Mo Lihai whose weapon is a jade pipa. Its four strings can summon earth, water, fire, and wind. When the four strings are plucked, wind and fire arrive together! I could never imagine what kind of majestic god that would be, but seeing the Prince today, I finally believe such a Pipa God actually exists in this world!”

Pei Yuan pointed at Ji Yun. “Everything your second brother-in-law said today, write it down and memorize it well when you get back. In the future, talk sense to people and nonsense to ghosts. When it’s time to suck up, do it with all your might. It will be a great help to your career.”

Jia Xian laughed awkwardly.

Bao Ning looked at Pei Yuan with smiling eyes and asked, “Who did you learn this from?”

Pei Yuan said, “Wei Meng.”

Bao Ning was even more shocked. She recalled Wei Meng’s hulking figure and tried to connect him with the graceful pipa… she couldn’t picture it at all.

“Perhaps those surnamed Wei are born musicians,” Ji Xiangzhen remembered something and smiled. “The best pipa player I know of was a palace maid named Wei Wu thirty years ago. She was peerlessly beautiful with a moving voice. Later, when the Zhou Dynasty and the Xiongnu were on the brink of war, the late Emperor did not want to fight. Upon someone’s suggestion, he titled Wei Wu a princess and sent her north for a political marriage.”

Bao Ning asked, “Did the war really stop then?”

“It was peaceful for about ten-odd years,” Ji Xiangzhen shook her head. “Later, they faced each other with blades again. We lost the first battle. In my memory, it was at Changpo—a hundred thousand captives died. They were captives who had already surrendered, yet they were killed. It was horrific. Afterward, to seek revenge, a second and third campaign were launched. Many people died before we gained the rare stability we have today.”

Bao Ning murmured, “Then Wei Wu… how sad she must have been.”

Jia Xian said, “I heard she committed suicide by hanging.”

Bao Ning sighed. But it was only a sigh; after all, it was something that happened many years ago to someone else.

Bao Ning poked Pei Yuan’s shoulder. “A-Yuan, did you know about this? The story of Princess Wei Wu is from General Wei’s own clan!”

Pei Yuan didn’t react. Bao Ning looked at him strangely, only to find he was already completely wasted. He was dazed and on the verge of falling asleep, yet he still gripped a wine cup between two fingers.

Bao Ning sighed and tried to take the cup away. He wouldn’t let go. As Bao Ning tried to pry his fingers open, Pei Yuan opened his eyes irritably. “What are you making a fuss for!”

Bao Ning’s first instinct was to look nervously at Ji Yun. She was used to Pei Yuan’s occasional temper, but Ji Yun wasn’t. If Ji Yun had heard that just now, two stubborn drunks might have started a fight on the spot, and that would be hard to settle.

Fortunately, Ji Yun was slumped in his chair, already snoring.

Fearing Pei Yuan’s drunken brain would cause more trouble, Bao Ning hurried to say her goodbyes. It was already very late; after a few more words, everyone left one by one.

Chen Jia was waiting at the door with the carriage. Bao Ning struggled to help Pei Yuan up, her forehead already dripping with sweat from the effort. A drunk person is dead weight, and Pei Yuan wouldn’t let anyone else touch him. Once in the carriage, Bao Ning sat frowning and rubbing her sore arms. Pei Yuan, however, seemed to wake up a bit. He lifted a leg and hooked it over Bao Ning’s lap. “Massage mine too.”

Bao Ning shoved him off. “How did you speak to me at the table just now? I haven’t settled that account with you yet!”

“Settle what?” Pei Yuan half-opened an eyelid and ordered, “Go buy a roast chicken first.”

“…” Bao Ning knew he was acting out his drunkenness again. She hated his drunk side most; he was like a difficult child who wouldn’t listen to reason and didn’t feel pain when hit.

Bao Ning said, “Look how late it is. Where would we find a roast chicken? Let’s just go home. Go home and sleep.”

“I said,” Pei Yuan opened his eyes wide and enunciated each word to her, “I want to eat roast chicken.”

Bao Ning said, “There isn’t any.”

“None?” Pei Yuan’s upper body swayed unsteadily for a few moments, and then he suddenly stood up. The carriage was small, and his head hit the roof with a loud thud .

Bao Ning couldn’t help but clutch her own head in sympathy. “Does it hurt? Sit down quickly, stop making a scene.”

“None?” Pei Yuan stepped onto the carriage window frame and squinted at her. “Do you believe me? I’ll jump out right now.”

Bao Ning said, “I don’t believe you.”

Pei Yuan gave a heh and waved two fingers in front of Bao Ning. “Do you know what number this is?”

Bao Ning said, “I don’t know.”

“So stupid!” Pei Yuan cursed, then taught her, “This is two! I’ll count to two. If you don’t turn the carriage around to buy roast chicken, I’ll jump out of this window!”

“Roast, roast, roast—roast what chicken!” Bao Ning lost her temper too. She pointed at the seat. “Get back here and sit down, or I’ll throw you out!”

“You don’t believe me?” Pei Yuan glared at her. “You count to two. If I don’t jump, I’ll take your surname!”

Bao Ning pulled his sleeve, trying to tug him back. “How old are you? Throwing a drunken fit, aren’t you ashamed!”

“I want to eat roast chicken.”

“There isn’t any!” Bao Ning let go of his sleeve. With a cold face, ignoring his madness, she also held up two fingers. “I’ll count to two. Either you sit down properly, or you jump. Otherwise, I’ll kick you out!”

“One.”

“Two—”

Pei Yuan pulled away from the window. He sat on the floor instead and looked askance at Bao Ning. “This lord won’t sink to your level. I’m giving you face!”

“You’re out of your mind!” Bao Ning cursed through gritted teeth. “Didn’t you say you’d take my surname if you didn’t jump?”

Pei Yuan said naturally, “Then from now on, you can call me Ji Yuan.”

“Ji Yuan…” Bao Ning repeated it. It sounded exactly like the word for “brothel” ( Jiyuan ). “What kind of filthy name is that!”

Pei Yuan sat cross-legged on the floor. Suddenly, he stretched his neck and leaned in close to Bao Ning’s face. Bao Ning thought he had something to say and was about to listen intently when Pei Yuan let out a loud, wine-scented belch right at her. Bao Ning couldn’t dodge in time and nearly fainted from the smell.

She was truly angry now. She raised her hand to hit him, but Pei Yuan leaned his face in. “Hit me then. Hit me all you want. I want roast chicken.”

“Eat, eat, eat!” Bao Ning yelled at him. “If I ever let you drink again, I’m a pig!”

Pei Yuan said, “I want roast chicken.”

Bao Ning closed her eyes and took a deep breath to suppress the irritation in her heart. She tried to calm herself, tapped on the front door of the carriage, and instructed Chen Jia, “Find a roast chicken shop.”

Chen Jia was stunned and looked up at the moon. “Madam, it’s almost midnight. Where would there be a shop open?”

Pei Yuan kept his eyes closed. “I want roast chicken.”

Bao Ning’s anger flared. “Go buy it! Let him eat!”

…Chen Jia helplessly turned the carriage around and circled half the city, eventually waking up a shop owner to roast one on the spot.

While waiting for the chicken to cook, Bao Ning asked Chen Jia, “How long have you been with the Prince?”

Chen Jia replied, “About three or four years.”

Bao Ning asked indignantly, “Did he always love drinking? Was he always this difficult after drinking?”

Chen Jia said, “No. In the past, the Prince would just go to sleep when he got drunk. He’d wake up as if nothing happened. He never showed this kind of drunken behavior.”

Bao Ning looked at Pei Yuan, who was leaning against the carriage door casually picking at his fingernails, and asked in confusion, “How did he become like this now…”

Chen Jia answered bluntly, “Maybe it’s because he sees that you’re an easy target, Madam. Back in the military camp, playing the fool was useless. Now it works—you’re buying him roast chicken.”

Bao Ning was aghast. “Really?”

…

All the way back, Bao Ning pondered this question. Did she really look that easy to bully?

Even a drunkard dared to bully her.

Pei Yuan had fallen asleep again, leaning on her shoulder and snoring softly. Bao Ning held the roast chicken—the weapon used to threaten Pei Yuan. She had warned him that if he stayed well-behaved the whole way, he could eat it at home; otherwise, it would go to the dogs.

The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the manor gates. Bao Ning woke Pei Yuan up and was about to get out when Chen Jia pulled the carriage door open and said in a low voice, “Madam, there are strangers at the gate. Two carriages.”

Bao Ning asked in surprise, “It’s so late. Who is it?”

Chen Jia went to ask and returned quickly, followed by a middle-aged eunuch with greying hair and five young girls in palace attire.

“One is Manager Miao, sent by His Majesty. He said since you’ve just moved, there must be many chores, so he’s here to help manage things. The others were sent by the Crown Prince. He said he noticed there are no serving maids in the manor, and the Prince has no concubines either… well…” Chen Jia said, “That’s what he meant.”

Bao Ning’s face darkened instantly.

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