Chapter 32: Abduction

Feng Yongjia’s voice was guilty and somewhat ingratiating as he called out to her, “Bao Ning.”

Bao Ning shuddered inwardly. She remembered what Pei Yuan had told her the other day—this man surnamed Feng was highly suspicious and likely not a good person. She had harbored doubts before, but seeing him now, she was nearly certain—he was definitely not a good person. What kind of normal person loitered sneakily around her home, hiding and lurking like he was waiting for a chance to catch her alone?

Bao Ning grew alert. She stood up and didn’t even bother to say a single word to Feng Yongjia. She simply turned and ran.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Feng Yongjia panicked. Lifting the hem of his robe, he started to chase after her. Ahuang bared its teeth and growled in warning, then sank its teeth into his leg.

“You damned dog!” Feng Yongjia screamed in pain. Afraid Bao Ning would escape, he steeled himself and kicked Ahuang hard, sending it flying. Then he strode forward and grabbed Bao Ning’s arm. “Don’t go!”

The small courtyard was already in sight—she could see the silhouettes of the men Pei Xiao had brought. They weren’t good people either, but at least they wouldn’t do anything to endanger her life.

Feng Yongjia was different.

Bao Ning thought of calling for help.

“Help—!” she shouted while struggling to break free from Feng Yongjia’s grip. But just as the second word left her mouth, Feng Yongjia, panicked, covered her mouth with his hand.

“What are you yelling for?” he said anxiously. “I’m here to save you!”

Lowering his voice, he added, “Someone wants to kill your man.” When he said “your man,” Feng Yongjia felt a sting of discomfort in his heart and quickly corrected himself, “Kill that cripple!”

“Do you want to die with him?”

Bao Ning’s eyes widened as she stared at Feng Yongjia, trying to gauge his expression.

Afraid she’d scream again, he didn’t dare let go and kept his hand in place as he tried to persuade her further. “That’s a powerful man, a Lord from the Ministry of Works—he’s influential. Who could possibly escape from his clutches? You’re young and beautiful. I know you married that cripple because you had no choice. Why die with him? I have feelings for you—that’s why I took the risk to ask that Lord to spare you.”

“Do you understand?”

Bao Ning’s nails nearly dug into her palms. Her heart was pounding, but she nodded.

Feng Yongjia’s expression relaxed slightly. “If I let go, you mustn’t scream.”

He studied her face. Seeing that she still looked obedient, he slowly loosened his grip.

But the moment he did, Bao Ning raised her hand and slapped him across the face!

Her nails were long, and the slap left three bloody scratches across Feng Yongjia’s face. Dazed, he saw stars.

Bao Ning turned and ran.

Furious, Feng Yongjia gave chase. He no longer bothered pretending to be gentle. He tackled her to the ground, pulled out the packet of drugged powder Xu Guang had given him, sprinkled it onto a handkerchief, and clamped it tightly over Bao Ning’s mouth and nose.

“I didn’t want to be rough with you, but you’re too disobedient!” he growled.

Bao Ning smelled a pungent, perfumed scent. Her body quickly went limp, and she lost consciousness.

In the last moment before everything went dark, Bao Ning thought of Pei Yuan… She imagined him somehow knowing what was happening and rushing to save her.

Feng Yongjia noticed tears at the corner of her eye. His heart ached slightly. He removed the cloth and murmured softly, “Bao Ning, I’m sorry for what I have to do now, but someday, you’ll thank me.”

Ahuang stood a few paces away, eyes filled with hatred, growling low in its throat as it watched Feng Yongjia pick Bao Ning up. Then, limping, it turned and ran toward the small courtyard.

…

“You must’ve known I’d come find you.”

Pei Xiao sat calmly at the table, looking at Pei Yuan, who was seated in a wheelchair across from him. After scanning him up and down, Pei Xiao seemed a little saddened. “Fourth Brother, you don’t look like you’re doing very well.”

He paused. “But… better than I expected.”

Pei Yuan leaned his elbow on the armrest, fingers supporting his chin, his eyes full of mockery. “And in His Highness, the Crown Prince’s imagination, what exactly should I look like right now?”

Pei Xiao said calmly, “You should be dead.”

Pei Yuan narrowed his eyes. After a moment, he smirked, looked down at his fingers, and said blandly, “Thanks to your great blessings.”

Pei Xiao didn’t respond. Pei Yuan looked up at his supposed elder brother, his gaze calm and unreadable.

“You’ve matured a lot. You’re no longer the raving maniac who used to want to tear me apart on sight.”

Pei Xiao suddenly chuckled. “Was that your Princess Consort I just saw? A lovely young lady. Looks like she’s been taking good care of you. Your relationship seems much better than mine and my wife’s. That’s how marriage should be—intimate and close. I never liked the term ‘mutual respect but distant.’ But alas, being born into the royal family, everything is bound by power and profit—we’re all just pawns.”

He spoke gently, as if making small talk.

Pei Yuan’s back gradually straightened. He stared him down and said each word slowly and clearly, “Don’t touch her. Or I’ll kill you—even if I become a ghost.”

“I’m not that despicable,” Pei Xiao replied. “Besides, I’m about to marry her older sister. That makes her my sister-in-law. We’ll be even more closely connected by marriage.”

“You’re seriously twisted,” Pei Yuan sneered. He leaned back in his chair, his expression impatient. “Spare me the fake pleasantries. What are you really here for? If you’re going to kill me, just do it already. Let’s see who dies and who survives. I don’t have time to listen to your nonsense.”

“Alright then, let’s get to it.” Pei Xiao remained unbothered. “General Qiu returned last night. During court this morning, he requested permission from Father to reinvestigate your case. Said he found new evidence and wants to clear your name. Guess what Father said?”

Pei Yuan looked at him coldly.

Pei Xiao continued, “Father refused.”

He smiled faintly. “Understandable, I suppose. Two of his sons have disappointed him so deeply. Of course he doesn’t want to reopen those wounds. Pity for General Qiu’s heartfelt efforts. They’ve been wasted. But Fourth Brother, I really am curious—what is it about you that makes people so willing to die for you? Pei Che was like that. Qiu Mingshan too. Even when you raised a knife to him, he still treated you so well. Tell me, what’s your secret?”

“Such nonsense.” Pei Yuan pressed his lips together, lifted his chin, and glanced at him from the corner of his eye. “Speak the real business, then get lost.”

Pei Xiao said, “I want you to leave the capital and never see Qiu Mingshan again.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “You’d better take the initiative. Otherwise, I can only use my way to make you go. That way, we’ll both suffer losses, and it’s not worth it.”

Pei Yuan gave a short laugh, his fingers gripping the armrest tightly. “Why should I listen to you?”

“I’m only informing you.” Pei Xiao stood up, brushed away nonexistent dust from his robes, and smiled. “Fourth brother, you know my methods. That position is something I must have. Anyone who blocks my path has only one end—death. You and I are brothers, I don’t wish to cut off every retreat. I hope you become like Cao Zhi, not like Cao Chong ¹ Both are children of Cao Cao, a warlord during the state of Wei in the Three Kingdoms period. Cao Zhi was known for his talent but he was sidelined while his brother Cao Pi became emperor. He was allowed to live because he was not seen as a threat. Cao Chong was also their brother but he died early. Pei Xiao meant that he’ll let Pei Yuan live if he leaves quietly, otherwise, he’ll be killed early. .”

Pei Yuan gave a mocking smile, raising his chin in disdain. “Get lost.”

Pei Xiao gave him a deep look, pressed his fist to his lips, and coughed twice.

It was the after-effect of that accident, when he tested poisoned wine for the Emperor. His body had yet to recover fully—once he got emotional, he would cough.

Pei Xiao turned his head, just about to speak, when suddenly there was a commotion in the courtyard. A chorus of dog barks came closer and closer. The guards shouted and tried to block it, but failed. Ahuang burst through the doors, leapt straight onto Pei Yuan’s lap, and licked his face.

But it wasn’t like its usual playful affection—Ahuang was restless, panting heavily. It licked him twice, then jumped down, tugging at Pei Yuan’s trouser leg, whining nonstop.

“What happened?” Pei Yuan’s face darkened. He grabbed Ahuang’s forelegs. “Where’s Bao Ning?”

“Woof! Woof!” Ahuang barked twice more, turned its head toward the doorway, pulled free from Pei Yuan’s hand, and tugged at his trousers again, clearly wanting to drag him outside.

A bad premonition surfaced in Pei Yuan’s chest. He turned his wheelchair and followed Ahuang. Passing by Pei Xiao’s side, Pei Yuan’s heart jolted. He suddenly yanked Pei Xiao by the collar, growling, “Did you do something to her?”

Their faces were almost pressed together. Pei Xiao’s complexion was pale with weakness, his eyes narrowed slightly. “It wasn’t me.”

“You’d better not be lying to me.” Pei Yuan’s lower eyelid twitched. He flung away his collar and said through clenched teeth, “Don’t think I really can’t do anything to you.”

With that, Pei Yuan left the room.

Pei Xiao watched his back, raised a hand to straighten his collar that had been yanked askew, his gaze growing deep.

A guard at his side stepped forward, clasping his fists. “Your Highness, shall I send men to check?”

“Mm.” Pei Xiao coughed twice again, lowered his eyes, and walked out. “Keep a close watch.”

…

When Pei Yuan reached the small grove, all he saw was a patch of trampled, messy grass. His pupils contracted sharply, and he quickly moved forward to investigate.

Under the disheveled blades of grass, he picked up one of Bao Ning’s earrings.

Pei Yuan held the earring tightly in his palm, recalling the bandits on that rainy night. The sharp silver edge dug into his skin painfully. He fell silent for a moment, then a ferocious light burst into his eyes. With a punch, he slammed into the trunk of a nearby thick tree.

The apricot tree shook violently, leaves scattering down. Pei Yuan turned his wheelchair and went back to the courtyard, with Ahuang following behind.

He found the walking aid that Bao Ning had made for him, and put it on the way he had in the morning. He stood up and walked a few steps, testing his balance. Feeling adapted, he pressed two fingers to his lips and blew a sharp whistle.

Saifeng heard the sound and trotted over. Pei Yuan held a riding whip in his left hand, took the reins, and used his right hand to lift his left leg into the stirrup. Using the strength of his waist and abdomen, he swung onto the horse’s back.

Ahuang circled Saifeng anxiously, barking at Pei Yuan. He glanced at the dog. “Guard the house well.”

Ahuang seemed to understand. It stopped circling and plopped down onto the ground.

Pei Yuan turned the horse’s head, raised his hand, lashed the whip, and shouted, “Hyah!” Saifeng neighed loudly, then bolted like the wind, leaving only a cloud of dust in its wake.

The men Pei Xiao had stationed in the shadows were watching. Seeing this, one of them said in disbelief, “Didn’t the Fourth Prince’s legs stop working? When did he recover? He can even ride a horse?”

“You’re asking me? How the hell would I know?” The other tightened his grip on his sword hilt. “Keep following him. I’ll return and report to His Highness!”

“Got it!”

…

Pei Yuan rode into the city. The journey that normally took two hours, Saifeng covered in just over one, with Pei Yuan’s skilled horsemanship.

The streets were bustling and crowded. It was impossible to find someone with no clue of their direction. Pei Yuan hesitated briefly, then headed toward the residence of the General Protecting the Nation.

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