Chapter 36: Jealousy

By the time they arrived home, stars had already begun to dot the sky.

Ah Huang had grown anxious waiting in the courtyard. Its ears were sharp — the carriage was still far off when it heard it coming and ran to the fence gate, barking wildly. It only quieted when Bao Ning lifted the curtain and called its name.

It was Third Sister’s husband, Zhang Heyi, who had brought them back. Behind them followed soldiers under Qiu Mingshan’s command. Perhaps instructed beforehand, they kept their distance — only there to ensure their safety.

“Whoa—” Zhang Heyi called out, and the carriage came to a steady halt.

Pei Yuan stirred, rubbing his forehead against the soft fabric of Bao Ning’s lower abdomen and murmured, “We’re here?”

He truly was weak now. His eyes had been closed the entire journey. At first, he could still manage to sit back against the seat, but eventually succumbed to lying on his side, head resting on Bao Ning’s lap, sleeping drowsily the whole way.

Bao Ning had held him carefully — one hand cradling the back of his head, the other around his shoulder. She responded softly, “Mm-hmm,” then gently asked, “Are you hungry?”

Pei Yuan frowned. “I don’t want any hibiscus cakes. They’re too dry.”

Earlier, Bao Ning had tried feeding him some water and half a snack. He barely managed to swallow it down and nearly vomited from the jostling.

Heart aching, Bao Ning rubbed his brows. “I’m here. I won’t give you that. You can have whatever you want — I’ll make it for you.”

“I want braised pork bones,” he replied.

She shook her head. “You’re ill. You can’t eat anything that greasy.”

Pei Yuan raised his upper body slightly to meet her eyes, visibly displeased. “You said I could have whatever I want.”

Bao Ning burst out laughing — she found this sulky side of Pei Yuan surprisingly adorable, like a petulant child.

She coaxed him gently, “Be good. Just eat something light tonight. Tomorrow, whatever you want, I’ll make it.”

Pei Yuan went quiet.

Bao Ning knew that meant he agreed. She scratched his chin. “Alright, we’re home. Sit up — let’s get out of the carriage.”

…

Outside the carriage, Zhang Heyi overheard everything and couldn’t help but feel stunned.

He still vividly remembered the Fourth Prince dragging a bloodstained sword, seething with killing intent. That man and this one seemed like two different people. He was surprised Bao Ning had such influence — with just a few words, she could melt all his fury and make him docile like a dog.

Bao Ning opened the door and supported Pei Yuan as he disembarked. Zhang Heyi reached out to help, but she shook her head gently — a silent refusal.

Pei Yuan didn’t like being touched by others.

She had only learned today that he had such a quirk.

Zhang Heyi withdrew his hand and pointed to another carriage following behind. Kindly, he said, “Bao Ning, your third sister sent over some things — clothes, food, and a few medicines. I’ll have them carried into the courtyard for you.”

Bao Ning turned back and thanked him.

Zhang Heyi smiled warmly. Compared to Pei Yuan, he was just an ordinary man — not particularly handsome, but not ugly either. He had a sturdy build and bright eyes. Bao Ning quite liked this third brother-in-law. He was calm, kind, and treated her sister well. To have such a marriage was a true blessing.

The two exchanged a few polite words in the courtyard. Barely a few lines in, Pei Yuan tugged at her sleeve.

His tone was impatient. “Are we not going inside?”

Bao Ning smiled apologetically at Zhang Heyi and gently patted Pei Yuan’s back. “We’re going in now. Are you cold? Let’s get inside. You lie down for a bit, and I’ll see off Third Brother-in-law.”

Pei Yuan replied coldly, “I’m dying and you’re busy chatting with some man.”

Bao Ning was shocked. “What nonsense are you saying?”

He was acting crazy again. The moments he was sweet were fleeting — soon after, he’d flip moods and speak however he pleased, not caring how she felt, so long as he was satisfied.

“No need to see me off,” Zhang Heyi quickly interjected, waving his hand. “Everything from the cart is unloaded. I won’t stay. You two go inside. I’ll take my leave. If you ever have time, come visit. Your third sister misses you.”

He paused, looking a little awkward. “You know… your father didn’t approve of my marriage with your third sister. Things have been strained all these years…”

Bao Ning nodded. “Alright…”

Pei Yuan interrupted with a scowl. “Are you two done talking yet?”

Seeing this, Zhang Heyi said no more. He gave a brief farewell and turned to leave.

Bao Ning looked at Pei Yuan’s expressionless face, so angry that her chest ached. She wanted to pinch his arm, but then remembered he had just coughed up blood and was still weak. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Wordlessly, she helped him through the door.

“There. Happy now?” Bao Ning sat him on the kang bed, turned to light the stove, and listened as the carriage wheels rumbled away. She glanced out the door before closing it.

Ah Huang squeezed in through the crack and jumped onto the bed next to Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan, with a dark expression, pushed it away. The dog whimpered sadly and slunk into a corner.

Bao Ning stuffed some dry straw into the stove to ignite the fire, then glanced back. “Why haven’t you undressed yet?”

She straightened and moved to fetch the washbasin. “Want to eat first or bathe first? Maybe eat — you haven’t had anything all day. You must be starving. Is there anything you’d like?”

Pei Yuan sat with his hands braced on the bed, eyelids drooping. He didn’t answer or move.

Bao Ning sighed, wiped her hands on a dry cloth, and sat beside him. She gently brushed his messy hair and asked softly, “Still sulking?”

Pei Yuan finally spoke, his voice raspy: “I searched for you all night, didn’t sleep, didn’t drink, didn’t eat, and even coughed blood — but you didn’t care. You were busy chatting with some random man. You don’t even…”

He wanted to say You don’t even care about me. But the words stuck. They sounded too pitiful — too soft.

Bao Ning was both angry and distressed. “What random man? What are you talking about? How have I not cared for you? It’s fine to be moody, but you can’t just say whatever you want.”

Pei Yuan stayed silent for a long time, then gave a cold snort.

Bao Ning thought: If he weren’t sick, she definitely wouldn’t forgive him for what he just said. But now, looking at his pale face, she couldn’t just walk away.

“Alright, alright. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have left you standing in the wind. I’m sorry, okay?” she coaxed gently. “I won’t do it again.”

Bao Ning told herself: He’s a patient. What’s the point of arguing with someone who’s sick? It’s not worth it.

She nodded. “Alright, no next time. From now on, no matter what happens, I’ll put you first.”

Pei Yuan’s expression finally eased.

Bao Ning said, “Let’s get undressed. Lie down and rest a bit, then eat, then bathe, then get a good sleep, alright?”

Pei Yuan said, “I feel terrible. I can’t take my clothes off.”

Bao Ning said helplessly, “Stretch out your arms.”

Pei Yuan obediently stretched out his arms, letting her undo his belt and strip off his outer and middle garments, leaving just the innermost layer.

“It’s sticky with sweat. Uncomfortable.”

Bao Ning pursed her lips and took that off too, revealing his tanned chest.

“Better now?”

Pei Yuan hummed in response. Then he looked at her and suddenly smiled.

He looked like a child finally getting his candy. Bao Ning had still been annoyed, but seeing him like this, much of her anger dissipated. She pinched his earlobe. “What’s with you? Can’t you act your age? If word got out, it’d be your reputation that suffers.”

Pei Yuan suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, sucking her fingertips into his mouth and licking them, all while watching her with upturned eyes.

The wet, tingling sensation made Bao Ning’s heart jolt. A shiver ran up her spine like an electric current.

With his mouth full, Pei Yuan mumbled, “If you don’t tell others, who would know?”

“You’re so annoying…” Bao Ning pulled her hand back and hid it behind her. Her face flushed.

She wiped her fingers on his arm and turned away. “I’m going to cook.”

Pei Yuan’s gaze followed her as she washed vegetables, rinsed rice, stirred the pot, then stepped out to feed the chickens with rice husks. When her skirt flicked out of sight, he finally closed his eyes.

Back in the courtyard, when he’d snapped at Zhang Heyi, Pei Yuan had felt Bao Ning’s anger. He had been regretful and anxious, but reason lost to emotion, and he kept saying hurtful things.

He felt that Bao Ning didn’t care enough about him. Maybe she already gave a lot—but it still wasn’t enough. If Bao Ning had a hundred pieces of candy and gave him ninety-nine, but offered the last one to someone else, it would feel like too little.

In other words, if Bao Ning had candy, every single piece should be his.

Pei Yuan knew he was possessive, but he couldn’t help it. He might seem composed, but once it came to Bao Ning, he wanted to occupy every corner of her heart.

He understood perfectly: this was emotional coercion.

He was like a wolf, always guarded, yet willing to bare his softest, most vulnerable side only to her. He entrusted her with everything—and wanted equal treatment in return. Sensitive and selfish, he couldn’t bear even a sliver of her affection going to someone else.

But he was too proud to admit it. He wouldn’t say it. He just hoped she would understand.

…

Dinner was braised lion’s head (meatballs) with winter melon and vermicelli soup. Bao Ning barely spoke. The atmosphere was heavy.

Pei Yuan stole glances at her but couldn’t bring himself to apologize first. He quickly finished two bowls of rice.

After dinner, with his strength returning and his complexion improving, Bao Ning prepared hot water, laid out clean clothes, gave him a few instructions, and left the room.

Pei Yuan looked at the steamy bathwater and pressed his brow with slight disappointment. He had thought she might bathe with him—or at least scrub his back.

But she had just… left.

Bao Ning sat outside, holding Ah Huang, looking up at the stars. She wanted to teach Pei Yuan a lesson. He had gone too far earlier.

She never asked for much. Maybe her deeply rooted inferiority complex was showing again. She had always been the weaker one in this relationship—perhaps because of her background. Her mother had been submissive to her father, and she had unconsciously become the same.

Even now, when Pei Yuan was clearly in the wrong, she had to suppress her feelings and tread carefully.

Pei Yuan once said he wanted to have a normal marriage with her. Bao Ning thought: When normal couples fight, the husband should be the one to comfort the wife, right?

But he didn’t. Not even a single soft word.

She just wanted one gentle sentence from him.

Inside, the water stopped splashing. Bao Ning collected herself, brushed off her skirt, and went back in. Pei Yuan was already in bed, facing away from her.

The blanket reached his elbows, exposing a shoulder blade with smooth, strong lines. Bao Ning stared at it for a long time. Maybe he sensed her gaze, but he didn’t move.

She quickly tidied up, washed up, and lay down beside him.

The night passed without a word.

The next morning, Bao Ning got up early and checked on the leeches. Before she left yesterday, she had put a lot of snails in the jar, so she hadn’t worried they’d go hungry. Before bed, she’d taken a glance and seen their bellies were so bloated it looked like they might burst. She’d been thinking about it all night, and checked as soon as she woke up.

When she lifted the lid, Bao Ning was delighted—it was the first good news she’d had in a long time.

~

Author’s note: Brother Pei’s mental illness is now officially diagnosed and undergoing treatment.

Support Sansukini on Ko-fi

Thanks for visiting. If you like this story, then I’m shamelessly asking you to visit NovelUpdates and give a 5⭐ review. (人❛ᴗ❛)♪тнайк　чоц♪(❛ᴗ❛*人)

You can also check out my other translations Here