Chapter 31: River Snails

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Pei Yuan hooked his finger against his brow, his voice low and husky. “Yesterday you spent so long fiddling with that—was it to make this?”

Bao Ning couldn’t tell what emotion his tone held. She stood there, a little at a loss.

“Should we… just forget it then?” she asked tentatively, a trace of disappointment in her voice. “It’s okay if you don’t want to try. It might not work anyway…”

Before she could finish, Pei Yuan interrupted: “Let me see it.”

Bao Ning broke into a smile.

“I’ll help you with it.” She stepped forward, placing what she held on the kang, and reached out to help Pei Yuan up. Just as her hand touched his arm, he grabbed her tightly.

He yanked her toward him. Bao Ning gave a startled cry. The world spun—and the next thing she knew, she was sitting on Pei Yuan’s lap. His left hand held her firmly by the waist, her chin resting against the hollow of his neck—the two of them pressed closely together.

The masculine scent of him filled her nose, making her breath catch.

Pei Yuan, gritting his teeth, murmured into her ear, word by word:

“You always have this way of making me feel like I’d give you my whole damn life.”

…

Bao Ning helped Pei Yuan walk around the courtyard. He wasn’t using his crutch, and although he was unsteady at first, after a couple of laps, he didn’t need her support anymore.

“This is great,” Bao Ning said happily, watching him and gesturing. “The belt around the waist is just a little tight. I used your old measurements. Maybe you’ve gained a bit—I’ll adjust it later.”

“It’s not fat,” Pei Yuan shot her a glance. “I just got a little stronger.”

Bao Ning didn’t argue and just agreed, “Yes, yes—stronger. Much stronger.”

This device worked far better than a crutch, and with his pants covering it, it was nearly unnoticeable. Once Pei Yuan got the hang of it, he could walk only slightly slower than usual—he only looked a little lame.

Bao Ning quietly watched as he paced back and forth in the courtyard. Apparently not satisfied, Pei Yuan brought over Saifeng, preparing to ride.

Bao Ning panicked and quickly stepped in his way: “What are you doing?”

“Going for a ride,” Pei Yuan replied.

“You can’t!” she said. “You should get used to it for a few more days. What if you lose balance and fall? Besides, Aunt Ming specifically warned me that you shouldn’t do strenuous activity—you need rest.”

She paused and added, “Why don’t you sit here and bask in the sun? I’ll make stir-fried river snails for you.”

As she turned to leave, she asked, “Do you want it spicy or mild?”

Still holding the reins, Pei Yuan asked incredulously, “Are you giving me orders now?”

Bao Ning stopped. Only then did she realize she had just been rambling at Pei Yuan like a nagging housewife. He probably didn’t like that.

She lowered her gaze and changed her tone, giving him a small smile:

“Let’s not ride today, alright? Maybe another day, okay?”

Her voice was soft and cautious, not as relaxed as before—more reserved now.

Pei Yuan looked at her, suddenly feeling unsettled.

He hadn’t meant anything when he asked earlier—just a casual remark. But now he realized Bao Ning had changed. Today, she was stopping him, unlike how she used to be.

Now he understood what was different. The Bao Ning he remembered usually spoke to him with a tentative tone, always testing the waters, never so decisive as to say, I want you to do this.

She had always been gentle, never clearly expressing what she liked or disliked. Even if she liked something, the moment he showed disapproval, she’d quickly back down.

Except for last night—when she said she didn’t like having maids in the room.

To Pei Yuan, she was like a rabbit—careful, cautious, always testing.

And that version of Bao Ning made his heart ache.

“I’ll listen to you,” he said, letting go of the reins and walking toward her, casually slipping an arm around her shoulders.

He lowered his head and brushed her curled eyelashes with his finger.

“After we eat, let’s go for a walk. Where do you want to go?”

Bao Ning looked at him in surprise. It felt unfamiliar.

After thinking a moment, she said, “Can we go to the riverbank? The azaleas are blooming on the mountain across. I want to see them.”

“Mhm. I want to see them too.”

Pei Yuan wrapped his arm around her and led her toward the kitchen. After a moment of silence, he said, sounding offhand,

“If you want something, just tell me directly. Don’t always keep it to yourself. I’m not a tiger—I won’t bite.”

Bao Ning glanced at him again but said nothing.

In her heart, she thought—he might not be a tiger, but he’s pretty close. Who knows when he’ll suddenly explode?

When she didn’t answer for a while, Pei Yuan pinched her earlobe, his tone a little impatient:

“I’m talking to you—did you hear me?”

“I heard you, I heard you! Ouch!” Bao Ning cried out, reaching up to rescue her ear. See? And he says he’s not a tiger.

As they reached the doorway, Bao Ning ducked out of his arms and went in first.

“Silly girl,” Pei Yuan said, ruffling her hair from behind.

…

The river snails were stir-fried with small red chilies—fresh, fragrant, and coated in red oil. Bao Ning tried one first. It was so spicy her eyes squinted shut—but it was absolutely delicious.

It wasn’t mealtime yet, so this was just a snack. Bao Ning wrapped the river snails in oiled paper, then washed two pears to take with them.

Pei Yuan was still using the wheelchair. Bao Ning worried he’d be uncomfortable walking for too long, and she was firm in her insistence, so he yielded to her. He wasn’t a gentle or easygoing man—it would take time to change—but he was trying.

At the riverside, Bao Ning laid out a cloth. The two of them sat down together and admired the scenery.

The river wasn’t far from the courtyard. It was fairly long and wide, though the water wasn’t very clear. Spring had arrived, and waterfowl could be seen. They had long pointed beaks and sharp talons, skimming over the water like the wind. Their heads would dip beneath the surface, and when they rose again, they held a large fish in their beaks. Bao Ning munched on river snails, fully absorbed in the sight.

Pei Yuan broke the silence: “Let’s go out tomorrow.”

Bao Ning came back to her senses. He must be talking about Qiu Mingshan, so she answered, “Okay.”

Pei Yuan asked, “You’re not going to ask anything else?”

“Ask what?” Bao Ning turned her head to look at him, eyes full of confusion.

“I mean,” Pei Yuan searched for the right words, “if you have any opinions or disagreements, say them. Talk to me.”

Bao Ning shook her head. “I don’t have any.”

“Don’t be distant with me,” Pei Yuan said. “Look at other couples—they argue and quarrel all the time. You don’t have to worry that saying something will make me mad. Just exchanging words isn’t a big deal. The longer people are together, the more friction there will be. Even your teeth and lips can draw blood—let alone a married couple.”

Bao Ning replied, “I’ve never seen what other couples are like.”

That shut Pei Yuan up. He had nothing to say.

The truth was, he hadn’t really seen what other couples were like either. He’d just made all that up on the spot.

He plucked a foxtail grass stalk from nearby and held it between his lips, eyes drooping as he fell quiet.

Bao Ning kept watching the birds in the sky. After spending so long in the deep inner residence, even ordinary natural scenery felt like a luxury—she couldn’t get enough of it.

After about half an hour, they had finished the food they brought. Bao Ning helped Pei Yuan up so they could head back. The two of them chatted casually along the way—nothing meaningful, but enough to keep the silence away.

Halfway back, they suddenly heard the sound of galloping hooves behind them.

This was such a remote place—who could be passing through? Bao Ning was startled and quickly pushed Pei Yuan to the side of the path to let the rider pass.

But unexpectedly, the group of horses stopped right behind them.

Bao Ning turned to look. There were seven or eight men, all dressed in black with swords at their waists. Their eyes were sharp and unfriendly.

At the head, atop a tall horse, sat a refined-looking man with jade-like features. He wore a purple robe, his skin fair and his smile warm.

He spoke, his voice smooth and pleasant:

“Fourth Brother, it’s been a long time. Have you forgotten that you still have an older brother like me?”

At the sound of that voice, Pei Yuan’s pupils shrank sharply.

…

Pei Yuan and Pei Xiao were speaking in the west wing. Bao Ning sat outside holding Ah Huang, unsure what to do with herself.

The courtyard was packed with people—Pei Xiao’s men—standing crookedly in all directions, whispering amongst themselves. The way they looked at her carried ill intent. Their gazes made her feel unsafe.

Unable to stay there, Bao Ning hugged Ah Huang and left.

She didn’t go far, just into a grove of apricot trees out of view from the courtyard. Being away from those brazen stares made her feel much more at ease.

Ah Huang lay at her feet. The yellow dog had grown a lot—well-fed and strong, with powerful limbs. He lazily pawed at a grasshopper in the weeds.

Bao Ning lifted her skirt and sat at the base of a tree, gazing in the direction of the courtyard, mind filled with thoughts:

Why had Pei Xiao come? How would Pei Yuan handle it?

She was full of worry and completely unaware of what was happening behind her.

“Woof!”

It was Ah Huang who first noticed something. His ears twitched, and suddenly he stood up, barking furiously behind her. His tail tucked, body arched—ready to attack.

Bao Ning turned around sharply.

Standing five steps away, half-hidden behind a tree, was Feng Yongjia. Half his body was concealed as he peeked in her direction. Caught red-handed, his face flushed red with embarrassment, and he slowly walked out.

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