Chapter 41: Wood carving

The sun peeked over the roof ridge, casting a layer of golden light across the ground.

Bao Ning and Pei Yuan were sitting indoors, eating breakfast.

Granny Liu had prepared the meal. She must have been given special instructions—she’d put in extra effort. Knowing Bao Ning liked river delicacies and Pei Yuan preferred meat, she laid out an entire table full of dishes, even though it was only breakfast. It was quite the spread.

Bao Ning watched Pei Yuan eat, his head lowered as he scooped meat broth over his rice, stirred it with his chopsticks, and shoveled the mixture—chunks of meat and all—into his mouth.

“Is it good?” Bao Ning asked softly.

Pei Yuan paused for a moment. “Just so-so. It’s nowhere near as good as yours.”

Hearing that made Bao Ning quite happy. “There’s no small kitchen in the courtyard, and the main kitchen is too far away. I can’t go there easily. But once there’s a chance, I’ll cook for you again.”

For the past seven or eight days, Pei Yuan had been leaving at the crack of dawn and returning deep into the night. They barely exchanged a few words the whole day. Since arriving at the Qiu residence, this was the first time they could sit down together and eat a leisurely breakfast.

Yet Bao Ning found herself at a loss for words.

She had never been good at conversation. Before, when Pei Yuan was the one initiating, she could follow his lead. But now that he was busier, some distance had grown between them. Things weren’t as close as they used to be.

“I’ve had a lot going on lately, and I’ve been neglecting you,” Pei Yuan seemed to read the doubt in her eyes. He set down his chopsticks and reached for her hand. “Once this period is over, I’ll take you home to visit your aunt. How about that?”

Bao Ning smiled a little.

“I’ll try to come back early tonight,” Pei Yuan said as he peeled shrimp for her. He was skilled—each tail came out whole. He dipped one in sauce and fed it to her.

Watching Bao Ning swallow, Pei Yuan stood up. “I’m off.”

“So soon?” Bao Ning sounded disappointed. She got up to see him off and saw someone already waiting for him outside the courtyard. Suddenly remembering something, she called out, “Pei Yuan…”

Pei Yuan just waved a hand behind him and disappeared around the corner with the man.

Granny Liu stepped up and asked softly, “Young Madam, should I still bring the medicinal soup the kitchen prepared?”

Bao Ning shook her head. “No need.” She stood at the doorway, glanced once more in the direction Pei Yuan had left, and returned inside.

She had expected this situation long ago.

Pei Yuan couldn’t possibly stay by her side forever, following her around to indulge in trivial hobbies that only girls enjoyed. He was a man, with ambitions and a career. Some of his goals naturally led him on a different path from hers.

She just hadn’t expected the change to come so soon. Just days ago, they’d been inseparable, chatting idly. Now, even meals were rushed.

Bao Ning knew this was something she had to learn to balance—though it was difficult.

What concerned her more now was Pei Yuan’s health. He didn’t seem aware of his condition. When the poison wasn’t flaring up, he showed no symptoms—no pain or discomfort, as if nothing were wrong. But in his current state, who could predict when it might suddenly strike again? Besides, his legs weren’t suited for extended walking either.

Then there was a deeper feeling buried inside her—something she wanted to ignore.

Pei Yuan didn’t seem to need her as much anymore. They were no longer as intimately dependent on each other as before. Bao Ning understood the flaws of men—her father, the Duke of Rong, had been a prime example. She couldn’t be sure Pei Yuan wouldn’t become like him someday. If he really wanted to take in a concubine, how would she refuse? Could she?

If that day truly came… Bao Ning thought, she wouldn’t stay by his side.

Ah Huang’s low bark interrupted her thoughts. Bao Ning looked down and met the dog’s moist eyes.

“Did you eat well?” Bao Ning smiled, bending down to scoop him into her arms, her nose brushing against his forehead.

Granny Liu said, “He ate well! Had minced meat porridge this morning—with cooked chicken liver and a whole egg. Finished a big bowl!”

“That good, huh?” Bao Ning rubbed Ah Huang’s head. “Happy now?”

Ah Huang barked twice.

Bao Ning said nothing more.

Since arriving here, her mood had been low. Maybe, as Pei Yuan had said, she’d eaten too many sunflower seeds before leaving and was now overheated. Or maybe it was that she’d left her beloved courtyard behind. Nothing here could spark her enthusiasm.

Besides, there was nothing she needed to do. Qiu Mingshan was afraid of offending them and had someone cleaning and delivering meals every day. All Bao Ning did was eat and sleep.

Granny Liu stood nearby, wanting to make small talk—Pei Yuan had asked her to keep Bao Ning company—but seeing that Bao Ning clearly didn’t want to speak, she gave up.

Bao Ning carried Ah Huang around the little courtyard, admired the pomegranate blossoms for a while, but still felt listless.

It wasn’t until she passed by the woodshed and saw a pile of neatly stacked firewood that she finally found something to do. She sent Granny Liu away and stayed alone in the room carving wood.

Bao Ning had some skill in this area. Back at the Duke’s estate, the husband of the kitchen’s Granny Zhang was a carpenter with remarkable skills. Bao Ning had secretly studied under him for several years behind her aunt’s back.

She had always been handy, able to paint beautifully and fond of tinkering. She picked it up quickly and became proficient in no time.

Granny Zhang used to say, “Too bad you’re a girl. If you were a boy born in the countryside, you could’ve made a fortune with this craft—married three or four wives! You’re blessed by the gods with this gift.”

Bao Ning focused on her carving. She didn’t have anything specific in mind, so she simply followed her instincts, making each cut by feel.

After about half an hour, the wood took shape: the back of a man, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, dressed in a dark robe, holding a sword. At first, Bao Ning didn’t recognize who it was. But as she looked more closely, the figure’s silhouette gradually overlapped with the image of Pei Yuan leaving that morning. She froze, a flush of heat rising to her face. Why was she thinking of him again?

She must be too idle!

Bao Ning threw the carving out the window, then picked a new piece of wood. This time she knew what she wanted to carve—Ah Huang.

Ah Huang was sleeping lazily on the windowsill, perfectly cooperative. Bao Ning paired his image with the pomegranate tree in the courtyard, and after about half an hour, it was done.

The scene was beautiful: a dog sleeping peacefully under a pomegranate tree.

Bao Ning smiled in satisfaction. Holding the finished piece in her palm, she was admiring it when a delighted little girl’s voice suddenly piped up behind her: “Sister, you’re amazing!”

Startled, Bao Ning quickly turned around and saw Granny Liu covering the little girl’s mouth.

“Seventh Young Miss! I told you not to speak. Just sit quietly and watch. Look—you’ve disturbed the madam now!”

Seventh Miss looked timid. “Nanny, I didn’t mean to…”

Granny Liu quickly turned to Bao Ning to apologize. “Madam, I used to be Seventh Miss’s nursemaid. She often comes to play with me. Today, when she saw you working, she got curious. I made the decision to let her watch for a bit. Please forgive us—we’ll leave right away.”

Bao Ning smiled and said it was fine. Granny Liu let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly escorted the little girl out.

Bao Ning didn’t keep the guest. She still harbored a bit of wariness toward the people in the general’s manor.

Though perhaps not quite wariness—more a reluctance to get involved. She was a cautious person, always afraid of stirring up unnecessary trouble. Getting too close to the daughters of the general’s household didn’t seem to be of much benefit.

Seventh Miss looked rather upset but didn’t say much. She quietly bid farewell to Bao Ning and followed Granny Liu out.

As the girl turned her head, Bao Ning caught a glimpse of her face. Granny Liu had been using her wide sleeve to shield the girl’s face, but when she lowered her arm just now, Bao Ning saw it—a large, bright red birthmark on her right cheek.

She was a very pretty girl, no more than eight or nine years old, but the birthmark completely ruined her face.

And ruined her confidence.

“Wait a moment,” Bao Ning called out impulsively.

She really was soft-hearted. The moment she saw the girl’s pitiful side, compassion stirred within her, and all her earlier reservations went out the window.

The little girl turned back, her eyes lighting up. “Sister?”

Bao Ning beckoned her over. “Do you like this little thing? If you do, you can have it.”

Seventh Miss and Granny Liu exchanged a joyful glance and ran back toward her.

With Seventh Miss around, Bao Ning had a surprisingly pleasant afternoon. The girl’s name was Qiu Lingyan, the youngest daughter of the general’s official wife. She had a gentle disposition—soft-spoken, shy when she smiled—but because of the birthmark, she carried a subtle inferiority complex deep within her.

When sitting beside Bao Ning, she always chose the right side, angling her face so only the unblemished left side showed. Even her neck tilted slightly to the right.

Bao Ning had told her many times that she didn’t mind it, but she never changed. It was a habit, deeply ingrained.

Perhaps due to her appearance, though she was a legitimate daughter, she wasn’t very favored in the household.

Bao Ning felt that the two of them, in some small way, shared a bit of similarity.

“Sister, my little bracelet is broken. Can you help me fix it?”

After dinner, Qiu Lingyan still didn’t want to leave. Watching Bao Ning clean up wood shavings from the table, she hesitated for a long while before cautiously making the request.

“What kind of bracelet is it?” Bao Ning was very patient with the little girl. “If it’s jade, I’m afraid I can’t help.”

“It’s gold. Is that okay?” Qiu Lingyan widened her eyes. “It was a gift from my father when I was just a month old. But recently, my sister broke it… scratched it up.”

Bao Ning was surprised. “Something so important—why would your sister do that?”

“I accidentally broke one of her things first…” Qiu Lingyan sniffled, aggrieved. “When His Majesty granted her marriage recently, Sixth Sister wasn’t very happy about it, but there was nothing she could do. She’s been in a bad mood. When I went to play with her, I accidentally broke a vase in her room. She got angry and scratched my bracelet.”

Bao Ning sighed. But this was Qiu Mingshan’s family matter—she couldn’t comment. She just patted Qiu Lingyan’s head and said, “Bring it here, let me take a look.”

The bracelet was indeed badly scratched—almost as if it had been ground against stone. The engraved pattern was damaged beyond recognition, but Bao Ning could still make out what it had been: a flock of wild geese. The design was rare and hard to find in the market.

Bao Ning examined it for a while, frowning. “We’ll have to melt it down and remake it.”

Qiu Lingyan looked worried. “If we do that, can it still be restored to how it was…? My father’s back already. If he asks about it, I’m afraid he’ll scold me.”

“We can trace the pattern on paper first and then engrave it again. I’m about 80% confident I can do it,” Bao Ning said. “Do you want to give it a try?”

In Qiu Mingshan’s study, Pei Yuan was fiddling with the tiger tally that Zhou Jiangcheng had spent half a month having someone forge. Pei Yuan let out a cold laugh and threw it to the ground.

“Do you take me for a fool? Or the Emperor? Even a blind man could tell this piece of trash is fake! I suggest you confess your failure to His Majesty yourself. Losing the tiger tally is negligence. But forging one? That’s treason. Not even wiping out your entire clan would be enough punishment.”

The tiger tally had gone missing, and the southern tribes were plotting an invasion—the situation was urgent. While they were still searching for the real tally, they also had to plan for the worst. If they couldn’t find it, the best course of action would be to forge one. If it could fool everyone, great. If not, at least it would buy some time.

But the matter was far too sensitive. Though there were many skilled artisans in the capital, they couldn’t just hire anyone. If word got out, it would become an even bigger problem.

After hearing Pei Yuan’s words, Zhou Jiangcheng stiffened his neck. “Then let me die. A true man doesn’t fear death. I only regret for the Bashu army. The former Crown Prince spent seven years building it up. If they change commanders now, it’ll be like handing them over to the enemy!”

Qiu Mingshan interjected, “At this point, what’s the use of angry words? We need a solution, and fast.”

Zhou Jiangcheng frowned deeply, his fingers tangled in his hair. “The question is—where can we find a craftsman skilled enough to make a convincing tiger tally, and trustworthy enough to keep it secret?”

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