Chapter 170: Extra 6

The wedding took place when Ji’an was three years old, marking exactly the seventh year of Bao Ning and Pei Yuan’s marriage.

Having weathered so many stormy days together, with both children now grown up, Bao Ning was hesitant when Pei Yuan first suggested returning to the capital to hold a proper wedding ceremony to make up for the past.

Back then, they had married in a hurry without performing the traditional bowings during the ceremony. It would be a lie to say she had no regrets or longings, but going through such immense trouble seemed somewhat unnecessary.

She had many misgivings.

She worried that others would look at them with strange eyes, worried about gossip and idle rumors, worried about how to explain this matter to the two children, and also worried that Pei Che’s side would not permit it.

After all, they were not a common household; this concerned the dignity and face of the imperial family. Holding another grand and bustling wedding for a Prince’s consort who had already entered the family seven years ago was truly unheard of, nor would it look glamorous in the history books for future generations. As the emperor, it was only natural and reasonable for Pei Che to refuse.

Bao Ning didn’t want Pei Yuan to hit this wall, so she told him: “There’s no need for this.”

Unexpectedly, Pei Yuan wasn’t indifferent as she had imagined, nor was he angry at her lack of concern.

Upon hearing her answer, he gave a helpless sigh, then distressedly stepped forward to wrap his arms around her, comforting her: “Ning’ning, you don’t need to consider so many things. Even if there are difficulties and obstacles, the person who should face them is me. You should be a little bit self-willed. So, think about it again and make a decision that follows your truest heart’s desire, okay?”

…

When Bao Ning recounted this passage in Pei Yuan’s manner—feeling happy, shy, and a bit boastful—the room erupted in a unanimous gasp of “Woah—!”

Miss Jin nudged A’chou with her elbow and said sourly, “See that? Both are men, but how can the difference be so huge?”

“God knows,” A’chou looked gloomily at the leaf cards in her hand, complaining, “If it were Chen Jia, he would definitely say—”

A’chou imitated Chen Jia’s posture, crossing her hands inside her sleeves, laughing slyly: “It’s really great if we don’t hold it—saves money! You women just love to fuss over fancy, empty stuff. Is performing the ceremonial bows really that important? The spare money used to entertain guests is enough to buy two mu ¹ 1 mu=0.0667 ha or 666.67 sqm of land!”

All the women in the room burst out laughing, and Tuanzi also giggled while holding her little brother.

On the night before the wedding, according to custom, the bride and groom could not meet. Bao Ning stayed in the Duke’s Manor with her group of close sisters. Having nothing to do, they played leaf cards. Everyone was very happy today, and thinking that they wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, they figured they might as well play all night, waiting directly for the rooster to crow the next morning to do her hair and makeup—sparing her the agony of getting up early in the winter cold.

Perhaps this was the difference between her and unmarried young maidens: she still looked forward to it, but lacked the coy bashfulness.

Miss Jin pressed further: “Then how did the Prince bring up this matter with His Majesty? How did His Majesty end up agreeing?”

“That man—how could he ever talk properly?” Bao Ning smiled. “At first, he wrote a letter over, but His Majesty refused. He wrote two more letters, and His Majesty still refused. Anxious, he headed straight south to enter the Palace…”

A’chou gasped: “Did the Prince start a quarrel with His Majesty in front of the hall?”

“Where would he get the guts for that?” Bao Ning shook her head. “He went to fake an illness! Every day he sat in a wheelchair rolling around the palace, spreading word that as long as His Majesty didn’t agree for one day, he wouldn’t stand up for one day. His Majesty didn’t believe it at first, but later saw that he truly refused to stand up or leave. After half a month, left with no alternative, His Majesty finally relented. Also, according to the Chief Eunuch before the imperial presence, the Prince was extremely picky with his food in the palace—when drinking bean curd soup, the tofu had to be carved with flowers; when eating shredded cucumber, there couldn’t be any seeds inside the cucumber. The cooks in the Imperial Kitchen couldn’t serve him well and wept in front of the Chief Eunuch every few days… This was probably a reason too.”

Miss Jin and A’chou looked at each other, both feeling very disappointed: “Originally I thought the Prince was very imposing and grand; who would have thought he would actually do such things?”

“But the Prince really has changed a lot,” Miss Jin said earnestly. “I heard Wei Meng say that the Prince used to have a very fierce temper, flying into a rage whenever he pleased, just like a firecracker. Now it’s completely different—so gentle and amiable, he doesn’t even scold people loudly anymore.”

“It’s not because the Prince became gentle and amiable that his voice became soft,” A’chou knew a bit more and explained to Miss Jin, “It’s because the Little Heir was disobedient when he was little and peed in the Prince’s teacup. The Prince got furious and roared so loudly that the whole street could hear. Later, his throat became hoarse, so he couldn’t speak too loudly anymore.”

Miss Jin grew even more disappointed: “This is not the story I wanted to hear.”

Bao Ning asked with a smile: “What did you want to hear?”

“I wanted to hear stories of the Prince charging into battle to slay enemies back in the day—killing a man every ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles.” Miss Jin picked at her fingers and whispered, “The rumors in the streets have long been spreading. I originally thought the Prince would be the kind of figure with a dark face, long beard, broad shoulders, and a round waist, holding a long broadsword, where a single roar would make the earth tremble three times.”

“If the Prince really grew up to look like that…” Bao Ning blinked, “the disappointed one would be me.”

Everyone burst into laughter again.

“Ning’ning, actually I’ve always wanted to ask,” the Eldest Sister had been married to the Martial Scholar for six years now; the once-poor scholar had just been promoted to a third-rank senior official, and the two were as deeply in love as ever. Eldest Sister was over thirty years old, yet still very well-maintained, her eyes flashing with curious light, “Back when the Prince was so destitute and down on his luck, yet you stayed by his side—what did you like about him?”

Second Sister and Third Sister straightened their backs upon hearing this question: “Yes, yes, I want to ask too!”

Bao Ning fell into deep thought. Supporting her cheek on her hand, she recalled the days of the past. How did she make up her mind back then to spend her whole life with him? That was truly hard to say.

Thinking carefully, the Pei Yuan of that time really didn’t seem to have any merits. He knew how to be gentle and considerate now, but he certainly didn’t back then; he was fierce and harsh all day long. He had no money, no power, leaving only a handsome face. But she wasn’t the type of person to be blinded by lust just from looking at a face!

Everyone waited eagerly for her answer.

“The first time I felt my heart beating thump-thump…” Bao Ning spoke slowly, “It should be watching him sit in the courtyard chopping firewood.”

Everyone jeered: “What is there to feel heart-struck about that?”

Bao Ning smiled with great embarrassment and continued: “I leaned against the kitchen doorway watching him, sweat dripping down his bare torso, his bulging muscles reflecting the afternoon sunlight. As a practitioner of martial arts, his upper body was very fine to look at! I thought at the time: a person as high and mighty as the Fourth Prince, who even when destitute refused to be beneath others, was actually obediently helping me chop firewood—a scene I wouldn’t have even dared to imagine before!”

Imagining that picture, everyone unconsciously nodded their heads—indeed, it was something one wouldn’t even dare to imagine.

“At that time, I felt like this seemed very much like a home. For some reason, that bundle of firewood seemed to pull us closer, even making me feel that he cared about our marriage that existed in name only. So, he should protect me, and also have the ability to protect me, right?”

Even though a long time had passed, recalling her mindset at that time, she could still feel traces of sweetness. Bao Ning’s face slowly turned red: “I was still young back then. Although I was open-minded and felt relying on myself was fine too, if there was someone whose heart connected with mine, willing to guard me and accompany me, then of course that was even better! Who would have thought that walking step by step, we would actually reach where we are today.”

They had become an inseparable part of each other, unable to ever be apart again.

After Bao Ning finished speaking, the room remained quiet for a long time. Everyone fell into memories of the past—some happy, some poignant, but all unforgettable.

Miss Jin was the first to snap back to her senses and asked curiously: “Then at the very beginning, the Prince must have been starkly different from how he is now, right? Did he ever make you angry?”

A’chou also raised her head and asked: “If you had one chance to go back to the past, at the time of your first meeting, Your Highness, what would you want to say to the Prince of that time?”

What would she say? Bao Ning looked confusedly at the small candlelight on the table, falling into deep thought.

…

The next day before dawn, Lady Xu entered with the makeup artist and matchmaker—opening the hair line, combing hair, changing into the bridal gown… going through the process from seven years ago all over again.

Putting on that wedding gown once more, Bao Ning stood in front of the mirror looking left and right, feeling both familiar and strange, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

This bridal gown seemed like a rope knot, connecting the present with seven years ago. She was about to see Pei Yuan wearing this outfit soon—what kind of mood would he be in?

Bao Ning recalled the question Miss Jin and A’chou asked last night; she hadn’t been able to figure out an answer.

To tell the truth, she no longer remembered those details from back then. The only thing she felt deeply was the look in Pei Yuan’s eyes when he first saw her—guarded and disgusted. Recalling it now didn’t feel like much, even somewhat amusing, but for her back then, it must have been very sad, right?

The sound of firecrackers rang outside, and Tuanzi and Ji’an ran in happily, calling out to her: “Mother, Father is here to pick up the bride!”

The room fell into a flurry of activity. Lady Xu came over to place the red bridal veil over Bao Ning, the matchmaker babbled auspicious words incessantly, and Ji Yun was already waiting at the door. According to the customs here in the capital, when a bride married, she had to be carried out the door on her younger brother’s back, her feet not touching the ground.

This was the first time Bao Ning enjoyed such treatment; seven years ago, Ji Yun was still a young boy with frail shoulders who couldn’t carry her.

Pei Yuan raised his head at the main gate, looking inward. Wei Meng and the rest of the group waited outside the door; Pei Che had come as well, dressed incognito and mixed in the crowd, looking over with smiling eyes.

Picking up the bride, the sedan chair moved off toward the Jibei Prince’s Manor.

Pei Yuan leaped onto his horse. Recalling the glimpse of Bao Ning’s figure he had caught just now, the corners of his mouth couldn’t stop curving upward.

Because of his body’s condition, he hadn’t ridden a horse for many years. This time Bao Ning originally disagreed as well; it was he who disobeyed Bao Ning’s wishes behind her back. At the thought of the scene when Bao Ning would ask about this matter after returning, Pei Yuan felt a headache coming on.

But right now, he had no time to worry about headaches; he felt expectant and excited.

After experiencing so many storms, he rarely had such feelings anymore—it felt as if he had returned to his long-gone youth, about to meet the beloved who consumed his dreams.

Crossing the fire brazier, scattering beans, bowing in the hall, entering the bridal chamber… Pei Yuan didn’t stay outside to entertain the guests; he found the Minister of Rites to fill his vacancy and eagerly returned to the bedroom.

Weddings were truly cumbersome. After entering the bridal chamber, there was still a whole series of tasks; the matchmaker’s mouth chattered away, making them do this one moment and that the next. Pei Yuan’s mind was not on her words at all; his eyes were fixed on Bao Ning’s hands clasped together on her knees—tender and soft, he hadn’t held them for three days.

The red of the wedding dress made her snow-white skin stand out even more. Pei Yuan couldn’t help thinking how stunning she would be when the veil was lifted later.

Finally, they reached the very last thing: drinking the nuptial wine.

Looking at the clear wine handed over by the matchmaker, Pei Yuan felt nervous for a moment, leaning close to Bao Ning’s ear to whisper: “Can I drink once today?”

Bao Ning managed him strictly; normally he didn’t touch a drop of alcohol, almost forgetting the taste of wine.

Bao Ning said helplessly: “Drink then.”

Pei Yuan finished a cup with great satisfaction. The matchmaker on the side stared blankly: “Your Highness, no, it’s the crossed-arm drink!” She gestured, “Husband and wife cross arms… it’s not gulping it down by yourself.”

Pei Yuan felt slightly embarrassed: “Forgot.”

The matchmaker hurriedly urged the maid to pour another cup over. This time it was drunk correctly.

The sky had turned completely dark. After a whole day of fussing, the matchmaker finally led the people away contentedly. Pei Yuan also stepped out for a moment, instructing Yuanzi: “Keep a good eye out. No younger brothers or sisters are allowed to come over, especially guard against Ji’an and little Black Tudou, as well as your father—got it?”

Yuanzi agreed, and only then did Pei Yuan return with peace of mind, bolting the door tight.

Holding the ceremonial scale, he tremblingly lifted Bao Ning’s veil, meeting Bao Ning’s bright eyes, momentarily dazed.

Bao Ning laughed: “What’s wrong? Dazed after just two cups of wine?”

“Why is Baobao so beautiful today?” Pei Yuan sighed as he stepped forward, lowering his head to kiss Bao Ning’s lips, then cupping her face reluctantly, “My soul is almost hooked away by you.”

An old married couple for so many years, she had rarely heard him speak such lingering and passionate words later on. Hearing it suddenly, Bao Ning’s heart felt both sweet and awkward, humming a response: “I was beautiful before too, but you just couldn’t see it.”

“I could see it.” Pei Yuan wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin in the crook of her shoulder. “Don’t talk, let me hold you for a bit. I missed you so terribly.”

Bao Ning lowered her eyes, the corners of her lips curling up delightfully, the satisfaction in her heart nearly overflowing.

Up to this point, her love truly held no more regrets.

Pei Yuan pressed tightly against her back, clingy like a newborn pup. Bao Ning initially felt this posture was sweet and happy, but after a short while grew annoyed by it. He was very heavy, pressing down until her shoulders ached, and hot too. Bao Ning attempted to push him away, but Pei Yuan refused. After a few tugs, he simply embraced her and fell onto the bed, kicking off his shoes in a few strokes, the two of them crumpling together on the quilt.

Bao Ning pressed her knee against his belly: “Don’t bite my ear… it hurts!”

“I like it, your ears are soft.” Pei Yuan lightly pinched her face, “Not biting is fine too. Little bride, call me husband.”

Bao Ning tilted her head, refusing. Pei Yuan squinted at her, reaching down to tickle her: “Calling or not?”

After so many years, Pei Yuan knew her body even better than she did. The moment his hand rested on the side of her waist, Bao Ning couldn’t help laughing: “Don’t touch me…”

“A bride just married in—how can I not touch her?” Pei Yuan pretended, “Otherwise wouldn’t the betrothal gifts be spent in vain?”

“Where are there betrothal gifts… do you have money in your hands?” Bao Ning muttered, pushing Pei Yuan’s face away with quite some disdain. In order to look younger, he had shaved his beard; the new stubble had just grown out, light blue-grey and a bit prickly.

Pei Yuan teased her, deliberately using his chin to rub against her nose. While dodging, Bao Ning thought to herself: How did this person change so drastically?

She still remembered the first time she saw him—that gaze, cold as a wolf’s. Now he was completely like a dog that loved to lick people…

Bao Ning suddenly remembered the question A’chou asked last night that she hadn’t answered.

Her heartstrings were plucked. Stopping Pei Yuan’s hand that was about to undress her, she asked solemnly: “If you had one chance to go back to the past, at the time of our first meeting, A-Yuan, what would you want to say to the me of that time?”

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