Chapter 17: Pei Yang

Pei Yuan suddenly opened his eyes. He couldn’t tell who was in front of him—just that someone had entered the room. His gaze sharpened, and he formed a knife-hand, ready to strike.

“Ahhh!” Pei Yang crouched down and hugged his head, begging for mercy on the spot. “Fourth Brother, don’t hit me!”

Ah Huang had been in his arms, but when Pei Yang squatted down, it got squeezed and poked its head out, howling at the top of its lungs.

Pei Yuan came to his senses and recognized the jade pendant on Pei Yang’s waist. He pulled his hand back.

Only then did he notice Pei Yang’s outfit. For some reason, his hair was dyed bright red. He wore a purple robe embroidered with silver thread and black boots adorned with shiny gold tassels.

As ugly as could be.

A buzzing rang in Pei Yuan’s ears. He grabbed Pei Yang by the collar and hauled him up, hissing by his ear,

“Get out—take that stupid dog with you!”

“Oh, oh, okay, okay.” Pei Yang quickly stood up, didn’t dare say another word, and dragged Ah Huang away.

Their murmuring and rustling noises woke Bao Ning.

She felt dizzy, not fully rested. Her cheek rubbed against the pillow as she slowly opened her eyes.

The sun was already high in the sky, beaming brightly. Just a foot away, Pei Yuan was bending down, fastening his belt.

Bao Ning thought she was seeing things. She rubbed her eyes—but he was still there.

She sat up in shock, her long hair stuck to her face in a messy, slightly ridiculous way.

Pei Yuan turned around and looked at her.

Her complexion looked much better—just slightly dry lips. After eyeing her for a bit, Pei Yuan gave a satisfied pinch to her cheek. “Strong constitution. All better after just one night. You’re making me proud.”

He bent over to put on his shoes, then stretched out an arm to grab the teapot and poured her a cup of water. “Drink some to wake up. Then wash your face—you look like a dirty cat.”

Bao Ning held the cup, and the coolness helped clear her head. Her thoughts slowly returned.

She only remembered being sick the night before. Pei Yuan insisted she drink some medicinal wine. She got drunk, babbled nonsense, and he yelled at her.

…And now they had spent the night together? Even if nothing had happened, it still felt awkward.

Bao Ning sat there blankly, her mind still foggy. Her eyes followed Pei Yuan as he adjusted his belt, rolled down his sleeves, and reached for the cane in the corner.

“Why are you staring at me?” Pei Yuan noticed her gaze, turned back, and tapped her wrist with his finger. His tone was low. “Hurry and drink, then wash up—we have guests today.”

Bao Ning, still dazed: “What guests?”

Before Pei Yuan could reply, a loud wail came from the yard: “Bro! Bro, why is there a goose in your fence?! It’s chasing me! I’m gonna die! Come save me!”

Pei Yuan cursed under his breath and headed outside. After a few steps, he looked back at Bao Ning. “Put your clothes on properly before you come out,” he said, then closed the door behind him.

…

The courtyard was in chaos.

To raise the chickens, ducks, and geese, Bao Ning had built a fence around the yard and set up some small wooden coops inside.

Pei Yang, who knew what he had been doing, had left the gate open. A nosy goose wandered out and was now biting at his backside while honking furiously.

Pei Yuan scolded him harshly: “Why did you provoke it? You’ve got no guts and still cause trouble! Stop running—it’ll chase you more. Stand still and grab it by the neck!”

Pei Yang was running around like mad. “I don’t dare, Bro! I don’t dare! Look how fierce it is!”

Pei Yuan shouted, “It’s not even a month old! Its feet aren’t even as big as yours! Can’t you calm down? Pei Yang, are you useless?!”

Seeing Pei Yang getting more and more frantic, trying to grab a wooden basin under the eaves as a weapon, Pei Yuan’s forehead throbbed. “That basin’s full of corn husks for the chickens. Spill it, and they’ll all come after you! Don’t touch it!”

Too late. Pei Yang had already grabbed the basin and dumped it—covering both the goose and himself in feed.

Bao Ning usually fed the animals early, but since she woke up late, they were still hungry. Now, drawn by the smell, they all came swarming out—chickens, ducks, and geese, fluttering around Pei Yang. Dust filled the air from all the flapping.

Pei Yang jumped and howled, “Bro! You’ve got chickens! And ducks! My god—TWO GEESE?!”

“Bro, since when did you become such an animal lover?! Oh my goodness, ahhh!”

Ah Huang, watching from the side, got excited, eyes gleaming, and jumped into the fray. In an instant, the small courtyard became a mess—chickens flying, dogs barking, and Pei Yang wailing like a banshee for all to hear.

Pei Yuan leaned against the wall with a cold face, too annoyed to intervene.

When Bao Ning came out, Pei Yang’s clothes had several tears, and he looked like a filthy beggar, on the verge of tears.

Hearing the door, he looked over, pleading.

Bao Ning clapped her hands. “Enough, all of you.”

Amazingly, the chickens and ducks calmed down at her voice, stopping and looking at her.

She pointed toward the fence gate and said, in a firm but even tone, “Back inside, all of you. You’ll get extra feed later. Anyone who disobeys won’t get dinner.”

Pei Yang watched in shock as those animals that had just been attacking him like demons suddenly became docile, lined up neatly, and waddled back inside.

Bao Ning went over and shut the gate.

Ah Huang shook the dirt off its body and silently followed her.

Pei Yang was dumbfounded. “My god…”

Bao Ning rested a hand on the fence and looked back at him awkwardly.

She had gotten up in a hurry, only washed her face, no makeup, and her hair was pinned up with a plain hairpin.

She realized Pei Yang must’ve barged into the house earlier and seen her and Pei Yuan sleeping together. Technically they were married, but it was still embarrassing to be caught like that.

Pei Yang didn’t notice her embarrassment at all. He only thought she looked gentle and beautiful standing there—far prettier than any palace concubine.

Pei Yang praised her, “You’re glowing… like a fairy.”

Pei Yuan had silently walked up behind him and kicked him in the backside. “You look like an idiot.”

His expression darkened. “Get inside.”

Pei Yang muttered “Oh…” and waved at Bao Ning before following Pei Yuan inside.

Just before stepping in, he leaned on the doorframe and peeked out again. “I brought good food. Let’s eat together later!” Then Pei Yuan yanked him inside by the collar.

Bao Ning stood frozen on the spot. She recognized him—that was Pei Yang, the Fifth Prince of the current Emperor.

This Fifth Prince really was… quite extraordinary.

She glanced around at the chaos in the courtyard and sighed, resigning herself to clean up.

…

Inside the room, Pei Yuan sat on a stool while Pei Yang stood a step away, head lowered.

Pei Yuan asked, “Why did you barge in without knocking?”

“I did knock,” Pei Yang said with some grievance. “You didn’t answer, so I came in. I didn’t expect sister-in-law to be there too. I just said one sentence, and you woke up ready to hit me.”

He said “sister-in-law,” and hearing it made Pei Yuan feel much better. He grunted in acknowledgment, “Knock next time. Don’t come in unless you’re allowed.”

“I got it,” Pei Yang replied.

He had always been obedient around Pei Yuan. Pei Yuan, six years his senior, had always been a respectable elder brother. It was Pei Yuan who taught Pei Yang martial arts, and once during a hunting trip, Pei Yuan had saved him from a wild wolf. Pei Yang had grown used to relying on and trusting him since childhood.

“Forget it,” Pei Yuan said, not pursuing the matter further. He reached out and ruffled Pei Yang’s hair with a frown. “What did you do to your hair? This reddish-black mess looks awful.”

Pei Yang actually looked proud. “It’s not ugly! I dyed it with balsam flowers—you know, the stuff used for dyeing fingernails?”

“Nope,” Pei Yuan replied curtly, then gestured. “Come sit down.”

Pei Yuan always maintained a strict demeanor with Pei Yang. When he spoke, Pei Yang didn’t dare disobey.

Seeing the look on Pei Yuan’s face, Pei Yang knew he wasn’t in the mood for jokes—it was time to talk business.

“These past days, why haven’t you come by?” Pei Yuan asked, staring at him. “Did something happen in the palace?”

Pei Yang pressed his lips together. “Father appointed Third Brother as the Crown Prince.”

Pei Xiao. Not unexpected.

Pei Yuan’s gaze dimmed, but he didn’t comment. “How’s the Empress’s health?”

“Not very good,” Pei Yang shook his head. “Ever since Eldest Brother disappeared, she’s been bedridden, and the times she talks nonsense have only increased. The imperial physicians can’t figure out what’s wrong.” He paused, then added, “Now the phoenix seal is with Noble Consort Gao. She controls the entire harem.”

Noble Consort Gao was Pei Xiao’s mother.

Pei Yuan rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, eyes growing darker. “And your mother?”

Pei Yang looked a little confused. “She’s doing fine.”

“Mhm.” Pei Yuan nodded. “Be careful in the palace—watch everything you say and do.” He stopped there, saying no more.

Pei Yang was thirteen this year. In another two years, when he turned fifteen, if the Emperor could still hold on, Pei Yang would be granted a princedom and could leave the palace with his mother, Consort Zhao, to live a peaceful life in his own domain.

Pei Yuan didn’t want Pei Yang to be too involved in the filthy politics of the court. The boy was still young, raised in luxury and affection—rarely naïve and pure.

Pei Yuan hoped he could always stay that way.

Power can devour the heart. Even kind people can fall into torment because of it. He didn’t want to see Pei Yang fall into that.

Then, Pei Yuan suddenly thought of Bao Ning. She and Pei Yang were alike—born in mud but still possessing hearts unsullied by dust. Pure and clear. It made people want to protect them.

A girl like Bao Ning must not be dragged into the dirt.

She should always remain as she was now—loved and cherished.

Pei Yang watched Pei Yuan go into a daze.

After a while, Pei Yuan waved him off. “You can go now.”

Pei Yang was only too happy to comply, slipping out the door—only to find Bao Ning waiting right outside.

“Your Highness,” Bao Ning called to him softly, afraid Pei Yuan would hear. “Later, could I borrow your carriage?”

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