Chapter 121: Don’t Be Afraid

“The manor guards change shifts at the hour of the Pig (11:00 PM). Fifteen minutes before the hour, the guards have been on duty for nearly four hours; they are exhausted, and in the dead of night, it is when their vigilance is at its lowest.”

Chang Xi kept Miao Xiaoguang’s words in mind. Timing it perfectly, he crawled in through the dog hole in the South Courtyard.

As Pei Xiao’s personal eunuch and close guard, he possessed martial arts skills that he usually kept hidden. After entering the South Courtyard, Chang Xi followed the defense map Miao Xiaoguang had drawn for him. With a few agile maneuvers, he successfully evaded the patrolling guards and slipped into the courtyard where Bao Ning resided.

The lights were out, and all was silent. Dressed in night-traveler attire, Chang Xi stood by the window for a moment, listening to the movements inside. Seeing no anomalies, he used a small knife he carried to pick the door lock and crept inside on tiptoe.

Bao Ning wasn’t sleeping soundly. In her half-asleep state, she heard the wind chimes hanging on the inner chamber door jingle. Her brows furrowed as she thought hazily that she should remember to close the window before bed next time. But then a thought occurred to her: she had watched Nanny Liu close the windows last night. Where was the wind coming from to move the chimes?

Her sleepiness faded further. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, only to suddenly see a dark shadow standing before her bed!

Her heart immediately began to thud violently. Bao Ning instinctively reached under her pillow for the short defensive blade she kept there, but Chang Xi was a step faster, pressing a blade against her neck. “Don’t be afraid. I mean no ill will.”

The intruder’s voice was low and raspy, intentionally muffled. Bao Ning’s emotions didn’t settle because of his words, but she stopped moving and demanded sternly, “Who are you? How dare you break into the Prince’s manor at night? Do you not know this is a capital offense?”

“Do not fear, Princess. This humble one has only come to say a few words. Once I am finished, I will leave immediately.” Chang Xi withdrew the blade and threatened coolly, “You would do best to listen quietly and not harbor any ideas of calling for help. Otherwise, we shall see who is faster: your guards or my blade.”

Bao Ning gripped the quilt tightly. She was still fraught with suspicion and alarm, but given the circumstances, it was best to do as he said. Preserving her life was the priority.

“Speak,” Bao Ning said.

“Time is short, so I shall speak plainly.” Chang Xi leaned closer to her. “The Princess is clever and beautiful; it is a pity you took a wrong turn and did not seek refuge with a wise master.”

“What do you mean by that?” Bao Ning looked up at him. “When have I ever ‘sought refuge’ with anyone?”

The moonlight tonight was bright, making the room fairly well-lit, but the intruder wore a black cloth over his face, obscuring his features. Bao Ning’s gaze lingered on the space between his eyebrows for a split second, and her eyes flickered. Realizing something, she pursed her lips. “I understand what you mean. But this isn’t ‘seeking refuge.’ We are husband and wife.”

“The Princess should learn from your elder sister. Miss Ji was clear-sighted; she abandoned Jia Ling at the critical moment to obtain the wealth and status she has today. Husband and wife are merely birds in the same forest—a title means nothing,” Chang Xi said slowly. “Moreover, marriage requires the Three Letters and Six Rites. Your wedding was hasty; it hardly counts as real.”

Bao Ning laughed. “What? Are you suggesting you want to elope with me?”

“The Princess jokes,” Chang Xi laughed as well. “It is just that I accidentally learned of some matters and could not bear to see the Princess deceived. I wished to inform you.”

“Go on,” Bao Ning said.

Her nervousness had mostly vanished. The opponent’s intent was too obvious; having sensed it and put up her guard, all that remained was to deal with him.

“Feng Yongjia and Xu Guang,” Chang Xi asked. “Does the Princess still remember those two names?”

Bao Ning said indifferently, “That was a long time ago. How do you know about them?”

“Xu Guang held a grudge against the Fourth Prince and coveted the Princess’s beauty, so he incited Feng Yongjia to kidnap you. Later you escaped, and the Fourth Prince found you.” Chang Xi looked into Bao Ning’s eyes and asked unhurriedly, “But do you know where those two went afterward?”

“Why should I know that?” Bao Ning smiled brightly. “Perhaps they were sent to the Ministry of Justice, thrown into the great prison, and are already dead.”

“You should know, because they both died because of you.” Chang Xi reached behind his waist to pull something out. “Xu Guang was burned to death. Before he died, an arrow pierced his left eye, and a blade cut through his waist, severing him in two. While he was still alive from being cut in half, a fire was lit. His screams were so wretched that those who heard them could not sleep at night.”

Chang Xi watched with satisfaction as the smile dropped from Bao Ning’s face. He handed her the item in his hand. “This is a piece of fabric from the clothes he wore the day he died. It’s still stained with blood. Would you like to touch it?”

As he spoke, Bao Ning could almost smell the nauseating scent of blood and charred flesh. She gasped and swatted his hand away. “What are you trying to say!”

“This is exactly what I want to say.” Chang Xi pressed on. “Do you know how Feng Yongjia died? A completely different way, even more cruel. His hands and feet were bound, and he was thrown into a mass grave while still alive. He was even fed a full meal before death just so he would last longer. You know what’s in a mass grave, don’t you? Lonely ghosts, wild dogs, and wolves. How do you think he died? Was he eaten by ghosts, devoured by beasts, or did he simply scare himself to death?”

Bao Ning bit her lip hard, her pupils dilated as she stared into his eyes.

Chang Xi’s voice was low and gravelly, sounding even more eerie in the silent night: “Can you guess who did all of this?”

“Some people look normal on the surface and can even joke and laugh, but inside, they are as cruel as a venomous snake. There is so much blood on his hands—are you not afraid? When he sleeps beside you, do you not feel cold? Do you not want to tremble? If your heart is flustered and afraid now, it is because those who died miserable deaths have come to claim your soul!”

He emphasized the last few words heavily. Bao Ning’s heart felt as though it had been struck, and she shivered.

Chang Xi asked again, “Oh, and there’s also Zhou Jiangcheng, General Zhou. He’s dead too. Apparently, after accidentally ingesting a ‘madness drug,’ he mistook you for someone else and lunged at you to embrace you. His death was slightly swifter; the Fourth Prince only cut off one of his hands. When he moved to inflict more torment, General Qiu couldn’t bear it and ended his life with a bowl of poisoned wine. But General Qiu didn’t meet a good end either. His daughter, Qiu Lingjun—you still have some impression of her, don’t you?”

Bao Ning took deep breaths, her eyes closed, as she listened to him continue:

“Qiu Lingjun was framed for adultery with a servant in her household, and her reputation was completely ruined. General Qiu ordered her to reflect in seclusion, but one night, her nose was sliced off. The punishment of yi (nose-cutting) is a severe penalty for any woman, let alone the beautiful Miss Qiu. She went mad afterward and was sent to a nunnery by her family. About last month, she committed suicide by jumping off a cliff.”

Chang Xi watched as Bao Ning’s fingers tightened on her knees, her fingertips turning white. He smiled triumphantly. He knew her heart must be in a state of upheaval; he would give her time.

Bao Ning stood up and walked with stiff steps to the table, pouring a cup of tea. Her breathing was unsteady, and her hands shook so violently that her teeth clinked against the rim of the cup. She set the cup back on the table and said, “I don’t believe you.”

“Whether what I say is true or not, you can ask the Fourth Prince when he returns. One question and you will know. I know you suspect my origins, but that doesn’t matter. As long as what I say is true, does it matter who sent me or what my purpose is?” Chang Xi said candidly. “But out of a bit of personal concern—the Princess is so young and beautiful and had a bright future ahead of her. This humble one cannot bear to see you spend the rest of your life with a wolf.”

He walked over to Bao Ning and looked down at her. Bao Ning’s lips parted, but she was too pale to speak.

Chang Xi’s tone was gentle as he continued, “The word ‘wolf’ does not wrong him. How could a normal person use such methods to kill? His heart is already decayed and rotten; he even treats it as a game. Everyone knows he is a madman. Only you are foolish enough to believe he is a good person.”

Bao Ning’s shoulders shook. She covered her face with her hands, sobbing for a moment before suddenly looking up. “Actually, I’ve had enough of it long ago!”

Chang Xi froze.

Bao Ning said, “I knew long ago he wasn’t a good person! He always hits me and scolds me. He won’t let me leave. This so-called ‘affection’ is just a show for outsiders! I fear his power, I fear his martial strength, and I can only submit… Why do you think I fled to Lihu? It was because he got drunk and flew into a rage, beating me for no reason and smashing half the room. That was when I resolved to escape… I didn’t expect to be caught and brought back!”

Chang Xi scrutinized her expression. These words truly stunned him; for a moment, he didn’t know whether to believe her.

But Bao Ning looked panicked, her eyes filled with sorrow, and tears already wetted her face! Seeing her fragile and delicate appearance, Chang Xi’s heart softened for an instant. He felt such a woman wouldn’t be able to act well enough to deceive him, but remembering the information he’d received previously, he hesitated.

Bao Ning shot him a secret glance, squeezed out a few more tears, and stood up abruptly, acting agitated. “I want to go! I want to leave this place and stop being under his control! As long as I leave, I will definitely find a way to kill him. I know all his secrets!”

At these words, Chang Xi’s heart jumped. He stared at her with even more scrutiny.

Bao Ning stood still, tears falling again. She covered her face and said, “But I can’t leave. Those personal guards are all used by him to watch me. I am imprisoned in this courtyard every day…” She looked at him as if he were her savior, grabbing Chang Xi’s sleeve and pleading, “Can you… can you take me away?”

“No.” Chang Xi’s mind was a mess, tangled like a ball of hemp, but he still refused. “Leaving now would be too conspicuous. We must plan slowly.”

“I understand. It’s because my sincerity isn’t enough, isn’t it?” Bao Ning looked even more anxious. She paced around a few times, then suddenly clapped her hands. “I have money! Wait for me here, I’ll find it for you! I’ll give you all my money, just please, you must take me away!”

Chang Xi looked at her with a complex expression. Such a reaction truly didn’t seem fake; he already believed most of it and even started to find Bao Ning pitiful. She was so delicate and pure—she must have suffered inhuman torment at the hands of Pei Yuan!

Muttering “I’ll find it for you,” Bao Ning rummaged around, grabbing her valuable jewelry and tossing it onto the table. Chang Xi’s eyes went straight.

Something occurred to Bao Ning, and her eyes lit up. “None of this is worth much. I have something most valuable hidden away. I’ll find it and give it to you!” With that, she headed toward the outer room.

By the moonlight, Chang Xi stared at the dazzling array of jewelry on the table, inwardly swallowing his spit. Following Pei Xiao, he had seen countless rare antiques, but jewelry for women was rare to him. Looking at them now, they all glowed brilliantly; no wonder women loved these things so much.

When Bao Ning hurriedly left the inner chamber, he was distracted for a moment. After two breaths, he suddenly snapped out of it, thinking to himself: Oh no!

He had likely been tricked!

Chang Xi gripped his short knife and hurried to follow her, but it was too late. The sound of a door opening and closing came from the outer room, followed by the sound of a lock clicking into place. Bao Ning had used that time to run out and lock the door. She shouted at the top of her lungs, “An intruder has broken in! Help! Help!”

Chang Xi cursed in fury. Like a headless fly, he searched for an exit, zeroing in on the window. He sprinted toward it to break through, but the guards were a step ahead. Just as he crashed through the window frame to fly out, a guard’s foot sent him flying back! Chang Xi crashed to the floor, a heat rising in his chest as he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

In an instant, dozens of soldiers with swords drawn burst in, tied his hands behind his back, and dragged him outside.

Nanny Liu woke up and ran out. Seeing the scene, she guessed what had happened and was so overwhelmed with self-blame that tears nearly fell. She took a cloak to cover Bao Ning’s shoulders and asked with concern, “Princess, are you alright?”

Bao Ning was still shaken. She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Wei Meng hurried over upon hearing the news, kneeling in shame to ask for punishment. Bao Ning told him to rise, her gaze falling on Chang Xi, who was being forced to kneel at her feet. A soldier beside him yanked the black cloth from his face, revealing an unfamiliar visage. Bao Ning looked at him for a moment and frowned. “No, this face is wrong.”

“What does the Princess mean?” Wei Meng asked.

“It shouldn’t be this face,” Bao Ning said. “He should be Pei Xiao’s personal eunuch, Chang Xi. What’s going on? Can a person have two faces?”

At those words, Chang Xi looked up sharply at Bao Ning. The soldiers holding him looked confused. Wei Meng knit his brows for a moment before figuring it out. He stepped forward to Chang Xi, digging at his chin. A moment later, he indeed peeled off a layer of skin—a disguise mask.

Chang Xi gritted his teeth in pain as his face was pulled red. Bao Ning’s eyes lit up. She pointed at him and said, “This time it’s right. It’s this filthy little person!”

Bao Ning pulled her cloak tighter. She had caught a bit of a chill, and her voice was raspy. She spat at him in a low voice, “Did you think covering your face would be enough? You have a red mole between your left eyebrow; I recognized you at a glance.”

Chang Xi looked at her and said, “You lied to me…”

Before he could finish, Wei Meng dislocated his jaw and ordered, “Bind him and watch him well. We will deal with him when the Prince returns tomorrow!”

Wei Meng looked at the sky and bowed to Bao Ning. “It is late. Please go and rest, Princess. First thing tomorrow, Wei Meng will come to apologize!”

The main house was a mess. Nanny Liu supported Bao Ning as they went to a side room to rest. She wanted to stay and look after her, but Bao Ning talked her out of it, saying she wanted to sleep alone. Nanny Liu lit some sleep-inducing incense, tucked her in, stayed for a while, and then excused herself.

Bao Ning closed her eyes, but her mind was in a turmoil, and she couldn’t sleep. She knew in her heart that what Chang Xi had said was likely true. She tried not to care, but those images kept pushing their way into her mind—bloody scenes, and the sound of wolves howling. Bao Ning pulled the quilt up over her nose, forcing herself to sleep quickly and stop thinking.

She had nightmares.

The dream was eerie and pitch black. There were no clear images, just occasional flashes of blood, like a blade or an axe coming straight at her. At the very end, the blade seemed to be right before her eyes. Bao Ning screamed in fright, her hands and feet cold, and in the next moment, she was pulled into a broad embrace.

Someone coaxed her in her ear, their voice low and gentle: “Baby, don’t be afraid. I’m back.”

Sansukini: Will you be afraid of your husband if you’re in her place? He did punish those people heinously for scheming against her. I think more than being scared, she might feel guilty

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