Chapter 123: Sweetness

Bao Ning silently cursed Pei Yuan for being shameless—to actually use the excuse of a “poison flare-up,” she had never seen someone curse themselves like that.

He had just bathed, and a refreshing, cool scent drifted from his body.

Pei Yuan had learned his lesson this time; he wasn’t as urgent as before. He simply held her and kissed her, lingering over her lower lip slowly until Bao Ning felt herself melting into his embrace. The sky outside was still bright, and Bao Ning didn’t know when Nanny Liu might walk in. Using her last shred of strength, she pushed him to go lock the door.

Pei Yuan went with visible reluctance and then meandered back.

It was broad daylight, and while the windows were covered with paper to block the view from outside, the sunlight still filtered through. Bao Ning’s face was flushed red as she looked at Pei Yuan. He wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing, yet he wasn’t embarrassed at all, leaving damp footprints on the floor as he walked barefoot. That… thing of his swayed back and forth, making Bao Ning feel like she was about to faint.

“Just stay lying down,” Pei Yuan said, kneeling on the couch and looking down at her tenderly.

This kind of stimulation was a first. In the middle of the day, with people coming and going in the courtyard, Bao Ning heard Nanny Liu stand at the door several times as if wanting to say something, only to decide against disturbing them. Wei Meng also came by a few times but was talked away.

Bao Ning was incredibly nervous, but Pei Yuan wasn’t disturbed in the slightest. He focused intently on his task, using one hand to touch the corner of her eye, refusing to let her close them.

In his pupils, Bao Ning saw her own reflection.

She indeed remained lying there comfortably, except for the final moment when Pei Yuan pulled her up, forcing her head down by the nape of her neck as he whispered, “We are connected, aren’t we?”

The sight before her made the blood rush to Bao Ning’s forehead. Her eyes widened, staring in shock as she watched that thing go in and out, unable to say a word.

Pei Yuan asked again and again, “We are joined together, right?”

Bao Ning could only answer him in a strained, out-of-tune voice, “Yes.”

Pei Yuan let out a long breath. He sat down, holding Bao Ning in his arms face-to-face. After aligning everything, he pressed down hard on her shoulders. The position was unfamiliar and uncomfortable; Bao Ning felt as though the very depths of her body had been struck. Tears instantly welled up—it was too deep, as if he were touching the very tip of her heart.

Pei Yuan whispered in her ear, “I like this. This way, I’m closest to you.”

Bao Ning let out a soft moan.

Pei Yuan pinched her earlobe, pressuring her: “Do you like it?”

Bao Ning had no choice but to answer, “I like it.”

Pei Yuan transitioned to cupping her face, kissing away her tears one by one. “Don’t cry.”

At the very end, Bao Ning still cried out loud because his fingers mischievously reached down to pinch a place they shouldn’t have. Pei Yuan fell back with her, sending everything deep inside her. The warm afternoon sun spilled over them. Pei Yuan rested his forehead against Bao Ning’s shoulder until the restlessness subsided, then propped himself up to look at her.

She was exhausted, lying there with her eyes closed and her mouth slightly parted. Her skin was like the succulent flesh of a lychee, and her black hair was spread across half the bed like supple water grass.

Only at this moment could Pei Yuan confirm in his heart that she belonged to him—to take as he pleased, and no one could steal her away.

About fifteen minutes passed before Bao Ning opened her eyes. She seemed to have slept briefly or perhaps fainted, but she felt much more spirited upon waking. A corner of the quilt covered her stomach, and she felt something hard beneath her neck; turning her head, she realized she was sleeping in Pei Yuan’s arms, her head pillowed on his arm.

Pei Yuan had fallen asleep with a serene and peaceful expression.

…Bao Ning thought with a mix of grief and indignation: He’s asleep, so why hasn’t he pulled out yet?

It was truly uncomfortable down there. As Bao Ning shifted to leave him, Pei Yuan woke instantly, grabbing her wrist. “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to bathe!” Bao Ning said.

Pei Yuan sat up groverily. “I’ll go with you.”

As he sat up, that thing slid out with a “pop.” Bao Ning let out a sigh of relief.

Realizing something was wrong, Pei Yuan moved to push it back in, but Bao Ning scolded him in a low voice, “What else do you want to do?”

Pei Yuan looked aggrieved and innocent. “I just want to be closer to you. I feel at peace when it’s inside.” He finished speaking and looked at the quilt, clicking his tongue regretfully. “Look at that. Without a plug, it’s all flowing out. What a waste.”

Bao Ning got angry and shoved him, sending him sprawling onto his back. “Go to sleep! If you won’t sleep, go do some work. Don’t talk nonsense and waste my time!”

Pei Yuan was indeed sleepy. His tensed nerves had suddenly relaxed, and exhaustion flooded his mind. Bao Ning moved his legs and arms into normal positions and spread the quilt over him, patting his face. “Go to sleep.”

Bao Ning suddenly remembered the nonsense she’d made up for Pei Yuan once—about how overindulgence harms the body, causing fatigue at best and a stroke at worst, leaving him paralyzed and unable to move while she had to wipe him down and bring him a bedpan. Looking at him now, it really fit the scene.

A breath caught in Bao Ning’s throat, and she tapped his face twice more as if to vent. “Sleep, sleep.”

“I’m going to find Nanny Liu to prepare water for a bath. The main house should be repaired by now, so I’m going back.” She threw on some clothes and headed for the door, but remembered something and turned to instruct him, “Remember to put on your pants when you wake up. Don’t run outside in a daze without a care in the world.”

Pei Yuan asked, “Aren’t you coming back to stay with me?”

Bao Ning was starting to find him a bit annoying—why was he so chatty and repetitive? She frowned. “50 taels an hour. If you can afford it, I’ll stay with you.”

Pei Yuan replied, “You’ve taken all my wealth. Where would I get the silver?”

“Then I’m not staying.” Bao Ning started to walk out, but as she pushed the door open, she remembered something. She stepped back and asked, “Are you hiding a private stash?”

Pei Yuan’s gaze flickered. “Of course not.”

“There better not be,” Bao Ning huffed. “Don’t let me find it, or I’ll punish you by making you sleep in the study!”

She left without looking back.

Hearing the door close, Pei Yuan’s expression remained somewhat dazed. He asked himself in disbelief: It’s just over like that? On his way back, he had been dying of regret, wanting to hack the talkative Chang Xi into a thousand pieces, and had thought of countless ways to please Bao Ning… and yet, it just passed by so lightly?

People say that couples’ quarrels are settled at the foot of the bed; there really was some truth to that.

Pei Yuan couldn’t help but think: How can Bao Ning be so good? He felt like he was living in a honey pot every day, so sweet he didn’t even want to be a human anymore. Being human had too many burdens. If he and Bao Ning could become two stray dogs in the countryside, carefree and unburdened, wouldn’t that be wonderful? But Bao Ning certainly wouldn’t be willing; if she knew he thought like that, she might even hit him.

Being a stray dog wasn’t good—without fine clothes and a beautiful house, how could he let Bao Ning live in a broken straw hut? He wished he could use gold and jade for bricks and set them with jewels and pearls to worship her on high.

…He seemed to be overthinking things today, and his thoughts were quite bizarre.

Pei Yuan forced himself to return to a normal expression, suppressing the erupting joy in his heart. He had to be serious and upright. He lay back down, clutching the pillow Bao Ning had used last night and breathing in her scent. He truly loved her to death.

It wasn’t their first time doing that , after all. Although her back and waist ached, it wasn’t enough to affect her daily life.

Bao Ning bathed, changed her clothes, and continued researching her fragrant pill recipe, pounding away with her small pestle.

Near dinner time, Nanny Liu came to deliver a message saying Wei Meng had arrived again. Bao Ning told her to let him in. Wei Meng looked very nervous, constantly scanning her expression. Bao Ning could tell at a glance that his thoughts were likely the same as Pei Yuan’s had been.

“Has General Wei eaten?” Bao Ning asked.

She was smiling brightly, and Wei Meng instantly relaxed, sitting across from her. “Not yet. Has the Princess eaten?”

Bao Ning said, “I’ve had lunch. Dinner isn’t ready yet, probably another fifteen minutes. Will you stay and eat, General?”

Wei Meng’s thoughts followed her words, and he asked instinctively, “What’s on the menu?”

Bao Ning laughed. Pei Yuan and Wei Meng had spent so much time together; though not brothers by blood, they were closer than brothers and shared many similarities. They both looked unapproachable and had unfriendly tempers, but they also had simple and straightforward sides.

Wei Meng rubbed his nose awkwardly. “The food doesn’t matter. I’ll eat anything; it’s all good.”

“The Prince is still sleeping,” Bao Ning said. “Let him sleep a bit longer. I’ll wake him when it’s time to eat.” She asked further, “How is things with Chang Xi? Any progress?”

Wei Meng frowned. “Chang Xi confessed a bunch of nonsensical things, not mentioning the Crown Prince at all. He only claims he had a grudge against the young General and wanted revenge.”

Bao Ning’s movements stopped. “What grudge?”

Wei Meng replied, “He said once when the Crown Prince sent things to the villa in Lihu, Chang Xi acted as the messenger. The young General got angry and stuffed him into a fish tank, sending him back to the capital.”

Bao Ning remembered that.

“That reason is plausible enough,” she said. “Is the Crown Prince trying to cut off his own tail to save himself? He’s not going to protect Chang Xi anymore, so what happens now?”

“Regardless, Chang Xi is Pei Xiao’s man. Even if he doesn’t confess, the connection is there, and Pei Xiao will have trouble,” Wei Meng said, looking at the mortar in her hand. “We’ll discuss it once the young General wakes. Perhaps we’ll send Chang Xi to the Ministry of Justice; at the very least, he can be charged with breaking and entering. Or perhaps we’ll petition the Emperor and let him decide.”

Only after the words left his mouth did Wei Meng realize he was naturally discussing “men’s affairs” with Bao Ning. He had originally just come to plead for mercy, fearing Bao Ning and Pei Yuan would have a falling out and a physical fight, and had planned to break them up.

Feeling he had spoken too much, he stopped and pointed at what Bao Ning was holding. “What is the young Madam making?”

The table in the main room was large, and since they were sitting opposite each other, Wei Meng couldn’t see clearly.

“They’re called Fragrant Pills,” Bao Ning said. “They’re almost finished.”

Wei Meng gave an “oh” and was about to ask something else when Pei Yuan, who had already woken up, stepped over the threshold. Seeing Wei Meng there, he said with great displeasure, “What are you sitting here for? Is this a place for you to be? You have no self-awareness; get out now!”

Wei Meng’s mouth was still half-open. He had come out of the goodness of his heart only to be treated like this. He was eager to explain, but Pei Yuan wouldn’t listen, pulling and dragging him outside.

Bao Ning watched in silence.

Her Fragrant Pills were finished—pounded into a large black disc, just needing to be rolled into balls. Looking at the dark mass, Bao Ning thought: Why is it so ugly? Can this thing really make a person fair and fragrant? But it followed the recipe, so it couldn’t be wrong!

Taking advantage of the time Pei Yuan was outside, Bao Ning rolled out six pills and placed them in a prepared box.

When Pei Yuan returned, he met Bao Ning’s bright eyes.

She seemed to have something on her mind, hesitating to speak with a furrowed brow. In Pei Yuan’s eyes, this looked like distress. In the midst of their passion, he couldn’t stand to see Bao Ning distressed. He immediately sat beside her, taking her hands in his. “Ningning, what’s wrong?”

Bao Ning spoke slowly, “I know what I’m about to say might be difficult for you. You might refuse me, but I still want to try.” She looked up into Pei Yuan’s eyes.

These few sentences made Pei Yuan’s heart turn cold. His face darkened, and his grip on Bao Ning’s wrist tightened.

“Will you promise me?” Bao Ning asked.

“Tell me first,” Pei Yuan answered in a quiet, steady tone.

Bao Ning’s hand touched the box on the table and pushed it toward him.

Pei Yuan didn’t know what was inside. He guessed—could it be that divorce letter? Was her previous tenderness and naturalness all a facade to make him drop his guard, while her ultimate goal was still to leave?

Thinking this, his breathing became heavy, and his gaze toward Bao Ning turned full of threat. He wondered if the time had truly come to forge a set of golden chains to lock her in the room. If it came to that, he would have no choice.

Bao Ning didn’t dare look at him; she felt embarrassed, as if she were doing something wrong to him, but she resolutely opened the box and placed a pill in his palm.

“Can you help me test this medicine? It’s a medicine to make one’s skin fair.”

Bao Ning said worriedly, “I’m afraid that if I eat it, my face will break out in sores. What should I do, A-Yuan? Will you take one to test it first?”

Sansukini: Some chapters, I feel like I’m reading a smu*t (●っゝω・)っThe author can be a little vivid.

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