Chapter 71: Jiaojiao

Pei Yuan stood there without moving. Bao Ning smiled. “What are you afraid of? I’m not actually going to prick you.”

Pei Yuan sat down slowly. Bao Ning went to the small kitchen, brought back some hot water, and placed it at Pei Yuan’s feet. “Take off your boots and give them a good wash.”

She sat back on the edge of the bed and continued sewing the garment from last night, her head lowered. The candlelight cast long shadows of her eyelashes against her skin.

Pei Yuan stole a glance at her. On one hand, he thought she looked truly beautiful like this; on the other, he felt the atmosphere in the room was a bit strange.

“Are you hungry?” Bao Ning looked up at him. “What do you want for dinner? We’re near the lake, so the fish is very fresh. Do you want fish?”

Pei Yuan placed his feet into the hot water. The temperature was just right—a bit hot, with a slight sting where the water hit his wounds. He let out a sigh of comfort. “I do.”

Bao Ning asked, “Do you want it steamed, sweet and sour, or pan-fried?”

Pei Yuan rolled up his trouser legs, submerging his entire calves. He squinted and took a breath. “I want soup. Carp stewed with tofu. Make the broth milky white, and we’ll have it with steamed buns.”

“Oh.” Bao Ning bit off the thread, tied a knot, and looked down to find a different colored thread to needle. “I don’t want to eat that. If that’s what you like, go make it yourself.”

Pei Yuan felt choked by her words. He thought to himself that women were truly not to be trifled with; she had circled all the way around just to wait for him here.

Pei Yuan was no longer in the mood for a relaxing soak. He grabbed the soap, gave his feet a quick scrub and rinse, dried them with a cloth, and hurried over to Bao Ning’s side. He whispered, “Are you angry?”

Bao Ning stuck the needle back into the thread board and tilted her head to give his ear a light tug. “How old are you? Why are you being so serious with a child? And getting into a fight—is it glorious to win? If you’re going to fight, at least do it outside. Why smash things up in the room? You broke so many of my vases, and you still won’t ‘allow’ me to be angry?”

“I allow it, I allow it.” Pei Yuan rubbed his head against her, coaxing her in a soft voice. “It was my fault. He’s my own brother-in-law; there’s nothing I shouldn’t be able to tolerate. Next time, I’ll definitely let him have his way.”

Bao Ning asked, “Let him have his way in what?”

“If he wants to scold me, let him scold. I’ll listen, applaud him, and even hire someone to write a poem in his honor. I’ll praise him, say his words are like lotus flowers, and that even his insults are as charming as his sister’s, making one want to give him a couple of kisses.” As Pei Yuan spoke, he strayed further off-track. He took Bao Ning’s face in his hands and gave her cheek a forceful kiss. “You smell so good, it’s killing me.”

Bao Ning hadn’t truly been furious. Having had major arguments with him before, she knew his irritating temper; this little spat wasn’t enough to actually make her blow up. However, seeing his clingy behavior, she still felt he was slick-tongued. She thought she must have been blind before—how did she ever think he was lofty and unapproachable? He was purely a rogue and a bandit.

Seeing the corner of her lips curl, Pei Yuan smiled along and kissed her dimple. “One more sweet one, let’s have a real kiss.”

Bao Ning hummed twice and raised her needle to threaten him. “If you keep acting up, I really will prick you.”

Pei Yuan stopped. He sat cross-legged, and Bao Ning beckoned with her finger. “Foot.”

Pei Yuan extended one. Bao Ning placed a clean cloth over her lap before resting his foot on her leg.

Seeing this, Pei Yuan let out a “hiss” of mock offense. “Are you implying I’m dirty?”

Bao Ning shot him a look. “Whether you’re dirty or not, don’t you know it in your own heart? The fact that I’m willing to help you pick out the splinters is already quite good. I’m already showing I don’t find you repulsive.”

“How can you look down on me so much!” Completely indignant, Pei Yuan pulled her calf into his arms, grabbed her ankle, and bit down right on her ankle bone, followed immediately by…

He tilted his head and muttered, “It really does smell.”

“What is wrong with you!” Bao Ning retracted her leg and hit him with a nearby pillow, flushed with embarrassment and annoyance. “Do it yourself then, I’m not helping you anymore!”

“Alright, alright, I was wrong.” Seeing her cheeks redden with anger, Pei Yuan quickly apologized. He grabbed her foot and tucked it into his robe against his chest. “It smells wonderful. I’m just warming it for you so my little darling doesn’t catch a cold.”

Bao Ning’s eyes widened. “Are you ever going to stop!”

Pei Yuan replied instantly, “Yes, yes, I am.” He released her ankle, gently placed her foot back in its original position, and even tidied her trouser leg for her. “See? Is that better, Your Ladyship?”

Bao Ning was speechless. She realized that Pei Yuan’s slick-tongued antics had only intensified; he was behaving like a total rogue.

She was still worried about packing the things Ji Yun needed to take home, so wanting to finish with Pei Yuan quickly, she stopped bickering. She efficiently sterilized the needle over the flame again, pulled his foot toward her, lanced the blisters, applied medicine, wrapped them in white cloth, and shoved his foot back to him.

“Does your leg hurt?” Bao Ning pressed near his knee and glanced at the sky outside. “We’re lucky it hasn’t rained these past two days.”

“It’s fine.” Pei Yuan lay back. “I’m not that delicate; I can bear it.”

“This can’t go on forever. In the future, if you’re out leading an army or handling something critical and it happens to be a rainy day, you’ll be in trouble.” Bao Ning tidied the medicine bottles and put them in the cabinet. “You can’t keep dragging this out. You’re going to get older eventually.”

At the mention of this, the smile on Pei Yuan’s face faded slightly. He turned his head to watch her expression.

Bao Ning asked, “Gongsun Zhu is dead, and he didn’t have the antidote on him. But didn’t he have a grandson? What was his name?”

Pei Yuan replied, “No one knows. We only know he’s about sixteen or seventeen now. Pei Xiao has hidden him very well.”

Bao Ning paused for a moment, then suddenly suggested, “How about we use the wheelchair again? Your leg is better, but it still needs rest. Don’t go running around everywhere; it’s no good for you. Consistent rest is better.”

In Bao Ning’s heart, Pei Yuan’s leg was like rice in a jar—every bit used was a bit gone. Unless it was absolutely necessary for him to move, she truly wished he would just stay in the room all day to recover properly.

Bao Ning spoke lightly, but Pei Yuan’s reaction was intense: “I won’t sit in that thing! I’d look like a cripple!”

He bolted upright and pointed toward the window. “Ningning, if you really want to be good to me, send that dog outside away immediately. What kind of creature is that? It looks like a ghost; it’ll be hideous when it grows up. In all my years, this is the first time I’ve been injured by a dog.”

“I can’t send it away.” Bao Ning stood up. She had much work left to do and hurried about the room, talking to him as she moved. “My brother gave it to me, so I have to raise it well. I’ll find Nanny Liu later and ask her to buy a few more pounds of beef from town. I want Jixiang to eat beef so he grows up strong.”

“Eating beef…” Pei Yuan snorted. “You haven’t even thought about giving me that to eat.”

Bao Ning stood by the table folding clothes. “I still have to build a kennel for him. Once he’s bigger, he certainly can’t stay indoors.” She looked up and asked, “Are you free tomorrow to give me a hand? I can’t do the nailing and heavy work by myself.”

“I’m not free,” Pei Yuan said exasperatedly. “Go ahead and build it—I’ll tear it down sooner or later anyway!”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Bao Ning placed the clothes on a wrapping cloth and slowly tied the knot. “Don’t forget, this is my manor now. Every blade of grass, every tree, every flower and fruit was bought by my brother and given to me. If you forcibly demolish it, you’re breaking the law. Fourth Prince, you are currently living under someone else’s roof; you should learn to be a bit smarter.”

Bao Ning hugged the bulging bundle and smiled at him. “Otherwise, be careful, or I might kick you out.”

Pei Yuan had originally intended to get along with Ji Yun, but hearing Bao Ning’s words made him feel sour. Since meeting Ji Yun, she hadn’t stopped talking about “her brother.” Even the clothes she spent half the day packing belonged to her brother. He, her legitimate husband, had now become someone “living under another’s roof.”

Pei Yuan stood up, his face dark. “We’re moving out tomorrow.”

Bao Ning pursed her lips. “Why? I like living here just fine. I’m not going anywhere.”

Pei Yuan tried to prove himself: “I am far wealthier than your brother.”

Bao Ning looked down and patted her skirt, shaking her head disbelievingly. “All I hear is you bragging. You’ve been saying this for ages. You said when Wei Meng returned, you’d give me the deeds to the house and land and let me be the mistress of the household. Wei Meng has been back for so long now, and where are the deeds? Where is the money? There’s nothing.”

Speaking of which, Bao Ning remembered something and looked up. “I forgot to tell you, I took out some of my private savings. I want to buy a shop in town…”

Provoked by her words, Pei Yuan’s face turned ashen. He waved his hand to interrupt her. “Just you wait. In a few days, I’ll show you that your man is much richer than your brother.”

Having said that, he threw a cloak over his shoulders and strode out the door.

Bao Ning didn’t know why he had suddenly become so angry. She leaned out the window and called after him, “Where are you going? Aren’t you eating dinner?”

Pei Yuan replied, “We’ll talk when I get back!”

…

Wei Meng had just finished eating and was lying on his bed picking his teeth when Pei Yuan kicked the door open. He jumped in fright.

Pei Yuan asked immediately, “I gave orders yesterday for you to return to the capital today. Why haven’t you gone?”

Wei Meng tossed the toothpick on the ground and explained, “The road is blocked. The men are clearing it. It should be ready by tomorrow afternoon. I’ll head back overnight.”

“Go as soon as possible!” Pei Yuan commanded. “Also, organize all the lands, residences, and shops under my name as quickly as possible. Bring the deeds to me. It’s urgent.”

Wei Meng said, “That’s easy; they’re in my locked chest. But why the sudden interest?”

Pei Yuan frowned. “Don’t ask.”

His business concluded, he thought about Bao Ning. Just as he turned to leave, he remembered the secret letter found in Pei Xiao’s study. “Is someone watching the Crown Prince’s estate?”

“They are,” Wei Meng sneered. “That little thief is clever enough; he didn’t dare write the recipient’s name on the letter. There’s definitely something wrong.”

Pei Yuan gave a grunt of affirmation. “Tell me as soon as you find anything.”

Wei Meng nodded. He hesitated, then added, “Zhang Yun came by earlier.”

Zhang Yun was a vice-lieutenant under Pei Yuan, usually stationed at the General’s Mansion. Since the roads were blocked, why had he made the trip?

Wei Meng said, “He came to deliver a message. General Qiu wants to see you. Qiu Lingjun was just released, and apparently, she’s barely recognizable. I suspect he’s afraid you have more moves planned and is coming to beg for mercy.”

“I don’t see people for private matters!” Pei Yuan turned and left. “Tell Zhang Yun to lead his troops well and stay out of other business.”

Watching Pei Yuan’s departing back, Wei Meng clicked his tongue, thinking that Pei Yuan was truly heartless. Truly, birds of a feather flock together—he was just like him.

…

The next day, after seeing Ji Yun off, Bao Ning planned to build the kennel for Jixiang. However, wood was hard to come by, so she asked Nanny Liu to find someone to buy some while she drew up the sketches.

The wood was expected to arrive in three days. Having finished making the spare clothes for Pei Yuan, Bao Ning sat under the grape trellis with nothing to do, making candied haws.

Hawthorns weren’t in season, and she didn’t like sour things anyway, so she was making candied red dates. The filling was rich: she sliced the dates in half, tucked in two raisins and a walnut kernel. They were delicious even without the sugar coating—sweet, tart, and mellow.

The sugar pot was set up under the vines. Two dogs and a sheep lay nearby soaking up the sun. Bao Ning had never made this before, so she and Nanny Liu were figuring out the best way to boil the syrup.

Pei Yuan sauntered over clutching a stack of papers. He waved Nanny Liu away and sat down. Holding the corner of the papers between two fingers, he raised an eyebrow and tossed them in front of Bao Ning.

“Take a look.”

Bao Ning smiled. “What is this?”

Pei Yuan popped a red date into his mouth. “The things that will give you the status to stand tall as the mistress of this house.”

Bao Ning nodded and looked through the papers one by one, feeling secretly delighted. She wasn’t greedy, but who doesn’t love wealth? Seeing Pei Yuan’s substantial assets made her happy.

Pei Yuan was a prince, after all, and had never been short of money. He loved to explore and take risks, and had dabbled in many industries. Although most weren’t wildly successful, they had accumulated into a significant fortune.

Bao Ning did a rough calculation in her head. If these houses and shops were converted into silver, it would be enough for them to live comfortably for three generations.

Pei Yuan teased the dog with a walnut kernel, glancing at Bao Ning’s expression with secret pride.

Suddenly, Bao Ning spotted something. She slowly pulled a sheet from the stack and read the name on it: “Qingluo Pavilion.”

Pei Yuan’s face changed instantly.

Bao Ning asked, “Qingluo Pavilion… what kind of shop is this?”

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