Chapter 19: Inferiority

Because of what Pei Yuan said, Bao Ning was so happy that she couldn’t sleep the entire night. She kept thinking about what to bring for her aunt, what to wear the next day—and, of course, about Pei Yuan.

Bao Ning thought, she should get a wheelchair for him. His leg wasn’t as painful as before, but he still walked slowly. If she could push him around, it would make things much more convenient.

Ah Huang didn’t know why she was so excited, but followed along jumping around on the kang. Bao Ning hugged it and kissed it twice, her eyes curving like crescent moons from smiling.

Besides wanting to help heal Pei Yuan’s leg, Bao Ning had a bit of selfishness, too.

She missed her aunt dearly. Since she was a child, she had never been away from her for this long. And then there was Ji Yun—she wondered if he had grown taller, if he had improved in his studies.

Actually, the moment she saw Pei Yang today, Bao Ning was reminded of her own younger brother. The thought that she would see him tomorrow made her heart even softer.

She tossed and turned, thinking of all these things, until dawn. Only then did she fall asleep for a short while. Just a few moments later, the rooster in the courtyard started crowing. She turned over and quickly got up to wash up.

Once she had tidied herself, Bao Ning hesitated for a moment before taking out a man’s robe from the cabinet and went to Pei Yuan’s door to knock.

Pei Yang had gotten up early and went out riding. Inside, only Pei Yuan remained. The door was half open. Pei Yuan was in the corner, bent over washing his face.

Because he couldn’t put weight on his left leg, he had to use one hand to support himself and the other to wash, which was not very convenient. Water dripped from his neck into his collar, soaking a large patch of his front.

Seeing this, Bao Ning quickly set down the robe, picked up a handkerchief, and stepped forward to support his arm.

“Fourth Prince, let me help you.”

“Why do you walk without making a sound?” Pei Yuan straightened up with her help, his gaze landing on her hair.

Perhaps for the occasion of returning home, she had styled her hair in a married woman’s bun, pinned high with a pearl hairpin—very different from usual. Normally, Bao Ning didn’t bother with such complicated styles, often leaving most of her long hair down or braiding it simply, lively and youthful like an unmarried girl.

Now, she looked more refined and gentle—but also more mature.

Her eyes still carried the clear, shy look of a young maiden, which didn’t quite match the elegant pearl hairpin.

Pei Yuan thought to himself: Bao Ning was better suited to bright, lively, pretty accessories. She was still young—she shouldn’t be bound by status.

Bao Ning had no idea what he was thinking. She tiptoed and gently wiped his face clean, rinsed the cloth, and wiped his neck as well.

Then she went to fetch the new robe she had made for him.

Pei Yuan looked at her standing in front of him, a head shorter. At first, she looked a bit shy and hesitant, but after some mental preparation, she suddenly raised her head with a slightly proud and expectant expression.

“Fourth Prince, I made this robe for you. It’s very nice. Will you try it on?”

Bao Ning feared he might think she was trying to curry favor just because they were going back to her family today, so she quickly added, “I actually made it a while ago—I just remembered to give it to you today.”

She had indeed made it earlier, but back then Pei Yuan had been cold and indifferent to her, and she hadn’t dared give it to him.

She had put real care into making it and didn’t want to hear his sarcasm and mockery—it would hurt too much.

Lately, his attitude had softened, and since today they were going out, she brought it out. It was a rare chance to go out—he should look well-dressed and presentable. It would make both of them feel good.

Pei Yuan was slightly stunned. He took the robe, rubbed the fabric between his fingers—it was of fine quality, and the stitches were tight. She had put her heart into it.

A slight warmth rose in his heart, but his face showed none of it. He only gave a nonchalant “Mm.”

He didn’t even say thank you—no kind words at all. Bao Ning felt a twinge of disappointment.

Just yesterday he had been laughing and chatting with her, and after one night, he was acting like she owed him money again.

Bao Ning took a quiet breath and adjusted her mood. She smiled again and said, “Fourth Prince, shall I help you put it on?”

Pei Yuan said nothing, his face expressionless as he held out his arms to her.

Bao Ning pressed her lips together and sighed inwardly, accepting her fate as she helped him dress.

When she was washing clothes, she had measured Pei Yuan’s size by hand. She was skilled, and the fit was just right—neither loose nor tight. Even the belt length was perfect.

Pei Yuan was tall and lean—a natural clothes model. He looked good in anything. Bao Ning stepped back to take a look, her eyes lighting up. Pei Yuan looked like a different person.

Lately, he had stayed cooped up in his room, barely going out, usually wearing plain underclothes that made him look pale and unhealthy.

Now, the right clothes made the man. He had always been handsome, and in this moment, he looked again like the proud and spirited Fourth Prince of old. Bao Ning watched him, the scene in front of her gradually overlapping with her memories of the Lantern Festival. Back then, she had seen him from a balcony, dressed in black, wielding a bright silver whip as he rode past on horseback, back straight and proud.

If there was any difference between then and now, it was his eyes. They had changed—darker, deeper, sharper, harder to approach. He had lost the youthful glow of past years.

Pei Yuan adjusted his collar in the mirror. As he raised his chin slightly, he caught sight of Bao Ning’s expression in the reflection.

His fingers paused. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

Bao Ning replied, “Half a year from now, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, let’s go see the lanterns together on the street, okay?”

Pei Yuan’s throat moved slightly. He meant to refuse, but looking into her eyes, he swallowed the words and merely said, “We’ll see.”

After that, all the way until they left and boarded the carriage, Pei Yuan didn’t say another word to her.

Bao Ning didn’t know how she had offended him. He sat with a dark face, eyes closed, leaning back in the soft chair, clearly not wanting to talk.

Bao Ning lifted the curtain and looked out. The path was quiet, and the poplar trees along the road had already sprouted green buds. The fields of rapeseed flowers were blooming in gold, and a few farmers in straw hats were carrying water to irrigate the fields.

Only then did Bao Ning realize that the area wasn’t uninhabited—it was just that the homes were farther apart.

The spring scenery was bright and lush, lifting her mood. When she turned to look at Pei Yuan, she was surprised to see that at some point he had opened his eyes and was gazing blankly out the window.

His expression looked dazed.

Bao Ning suddenly remembered—he hadn’t left that little courtyard for a long time, nor had he seen the outside world. Including his time in prison, he had been isolated from society for quite a while.

Thinking of that, she felt his strange moods and erratic temperament might be more understandable after all.

The fragrance of flowers wafted into the carriage.

Pei Yuan turned his head to look at her and slowly said, “In a few days, pick some willow branches. I’ll make you a flower crown.”

Bao Ning was surprised and delighted. “Really?”

Pei Yuan reached up and touched her pearl hairpin, frowning. “This one is ugly.”

Bao Ning blushed. “My aunt gave it to me.”

Pei Yuan said, “No wonder it looks so old-fashioned.”

“I…” Bao Ning started to protest but swallowed it down, telling herself not to argue with him.

She gazed out the window for a while, then turned back to him. “Your Highness, were you serious just now?”

Pei Yuan seemed impatient. “Serious about what?”

Bao Ning pointed to her hair. “The flower crown…”

His tone turned cold again. “I was joking.”

Bao Ning thought he was truly unreasonable—his mood flipped at a moment’s notice. She shut her mouth and said nothing more.

Once they reached the capital, Bao Ning followed the plan. First, she went with Pei Yang to buy a wheelchair, then picked up some supplements and jewelry as gifts for the visit home.

She had intended to pay herself, but Pei Yuan stopped her. With a blank face, he took out a gold ingot from his sleeve and handed it to her.

Bao Ning was born into nobility and never lacked for food or clothes, but the Duke of Rong’s household was declining. Though she wasn’t poor, she had rarely seen such a large piece of gold.

She clasped her hands behind her, momentarily stunned. Pei Yuan said harshly, “I’m giving it to you. Take it.”

Only then did she dare accept it. She wasn’t greedy, but who wouldn’t be happy to see money? She no longer minded his behavior in the carriage, and her smile toward him grew more affectionate.

They were on a wealthy street called Bamboo Lane, known for expensive goods and frequented by the elite. It was also close to the Duke of Rong’s residence.

The street was narrow—unsuitable for carriages—so Pei Yang stayed to watch the horse while Bao Ning pushed Pei Yuan in the wheelchair. In less than ten minutes, they reached the bright red gates guarded by two stone lions.

A young man in a wheelchair, pushed by a pretty young woman, naturally drew stares. Wheelchairs were rare to begin with.

Bao Ning couldn’t hear as well as Pei Yuan, but she still caught snatches of gossip.

Someone seemed to recognize Pei Yuan, and murmurs grew louder. Two people near the roadside pointed at them. As they passed, one whispered, “Who is that? Looks familiar.”

“The Fourth Prince, I think? Looks like him. But no way—how’d he end up like that? He used to be something else…”

“Don’t know. I heard he had a bad reputation, did a lot of awful things. Maybe it’s karma. Deserved it.”

Another asked, “Who’s the girl? She’s dressed well—could she be the Fourth Prince’s consort?”

“…No way. Who would marry him? Must be crazy.”

Bao Ning’s grip on the wheelchair handles turned white. In the end, she couldn’t hold back and glared at them. She knew she shouldn’t let petty people get to her—but still, a bitter anger welled up inside.

She hadn’t expected this at all.

Pei Yuan spoke calmly, “Ignore them. You can’t shut people’s mouths.”

Bao Ning came back to herself. She looked at his face—he seemed unsurprised, like he’d long been prepared for this, his expression still and focused ahead.

Her heart sank. In that instant, she understood why Pei Yuan rarely left home. He was so proud—how could he endure such a physical flaw? The more someone values dignity, the more sensitive they are to such things. But not wanting others to see that sensitivity, he masked it.

Agreeing to accompany her today must have been a very difficult decision for him.

She had always thought about treating him well—feeding him, clothing him, healing his leg—but she had forgotten that these weren’t the only things he lacked.

Bao Ning opened her mouth but suddenly wondered—had all her efforts been misguided?

She didn’t know how much time passed. When she came to, they were already in front of the Duke’s gates. She stood frozen, unmoving.

“Bao Ning.” Pei Yuan suddenly called her, his voice hoarse.

She lowered her head, leaned close, and whispered, “What’s wrong?”

Pei Yuan frowned. “Did I embarrass you?”

Bao Ning’s heart suddenly ached.

“Of course not!” She took a deep breath and straightened her back. “You’re Pei Yuan. Even sitting there, you’re far above everyone else. How could you be embarrassing?”

She looked serious. “Don’t look down on yourself.”

Pei Yuan watched her roll up her sleeves and walk steadily to the door. She lifted her hand and knocked three times.

In that moment, she no longer looked shy or timid—she stood tall like an adult.

And the one who opened the door… was Ji Jiaying.

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