Chapter 76: Attendance

Wei Meng wanted to say more, but Pei Yuan cut him off: “If you have that much time, go do something useful. Don’t worry about the affairs between my wife and me.”

“How is this not useful?” Wei Meng said anxiously. “Little General, you really must consider this path…”

Pei Yuan asked, “I recall you have a junior lieutenant under you named Chen Jia?”

Wei Meng blinked, successfully diverted. “Ah, yes, just promoted. The lad is as black as a coal ball, dull-witted and doesn’t talk much, but he’s sharp and has a gift for leading troops. I was planning to observe him a while longer before promoting him further.”

“Lend him to me for a few days.” Pei Yuan set down his brush. “I’m going out the day after tomorrow. No one is watching over Bao Ning, and I’m not at ease. I’ve made too many enemies; many eyes are on me, just waiting for a lapse. Transfer that Chen Jia to me to serve as her bodyguard.”

Wei Meng hesitated. “Can’t we pick someone else? Chen Jia is a good kid; he might climb high in the future. Making him a guard for the inner chambers—isn’t that a waste of talent? I have plenty of capable soldiers who are good-looking and well-spoken. Let’s switch to someone else…”

Pei Yuan’s expression turned cold. “Choosing him is his good fortune!”

Wei Meng shut his mouth sheepishly.

“Have him come over as soon as possible,” Pei Yuan ordered.

Wei Meng reluctantly accepted the order and walked out.

Pei Yuan watched his retreating back and gave a cold snort, tapping the papers in his hand.

That old bachelor doesn’t understand a damn thing. Why did he insist on Chen Jia? Was it truly for his wit? Wrong. It was specifically because he was ugly and didn’t talk much. Having a man spend every day near Bao Ning was a necessity, so he certainly couldn’t pick a charming one. He had to ensure Bao Ning wouldn’t even want to spare him a glance.

The uglier, the better.

When Pei Yuan returned that evening, Bao Ning was in the courtyard fiddling with a new toy—something resembling a catapult.

It had a square wooden base with a large spoon on top. When the spoon was pressed down hard and released, it immediately snapped back, sending whatever was inside “whooshing” through the air.

Nanny Liu and the two dogs were playing along with her. Pieces of cooked beef were placed in the spoon and launched, while A-Huang and Jixiang raced to snatch them.

Bao Ning gestured wildly as she directed: “A bit more to the east! More to the east! Not for Jixiang—he’s eaten nine out of ten pieces, he’s too bossy!”

“Run, A-Huang! You’re a six-month-old big dog, you can’t be weaker than your two-month-old little brother!”

“Right, eat it up, A-Huang!”

“Hey! Jixiang! Jixiang, don’t bite him! You’re so unreasonable, let go of A-Huang’s tail right now!”

Pei Yuan could hear Bao Ning’s frantic shouts from a distance. Nanny Liu was also shouting: “Jixiang, let go! No biting tails!”

He stepped into the courtyard and immediately saw the two dogs entangled in a scuffle near the roses.

A-Huang and Jixiang were spinning like little tops. A-Huang was yelping while simultaneously gulping down the meat in his mouth. Jixiang growled low, biting the base of A-Huang’s tail and shoving his big black nose hard against A-Huang’s rear. After a moment of chaos, both dogs lost their balance, tripped over each other’s legs, and tumbled together into the flower bushes.

Bao Ning cried out in distress: “Ah! My flowers! My flowers!!”

Pei Yuan walked over expressionlessly to break up the fight.

“I told you, you shouldn’t have kept two dogs. Give one away,” Pei Yuan said as he strode to the window. He grabbed each dog by the scruff of the neck, hauled them out, and tossed them aside. He turned and scolded her, “What goes on in your head? Baiting two dogs to fight over one piece of meat—aren’t you just looking for a fight?”

A patch of flowers had been flattened. Heartbroken, Bao Ning clutched her sleeves. Too rushed to fix the flowers, she hurried to check A-Huang’s injuries.

Fortunately, there was no blood, just a missing tuft of fur. Looking back at Jixiang, the fur was still in his mouth.

However, Jixiang hadn’t fared much better. His fur had just been trimmed that morning, leaving his skin exposed; A-Huang’s claws had left several unsightly scratches on his rear.

Nanny Liu quickly called two servants to take them to a side room to recover.

A-Mian, the lamb, lay nearby chewing grass with a crooked mouth, looking like a spectator enjoying the drama.

Pei Yuan turned and took Bao Ning’s hand to lead her inside. Her hands were covered in grease from the meat. Disdainfully, he pulled her to the washstand and scrubbed her hands with soap.

“How old are you, yet you still do things children do? Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Bao Ning leaned back into Pei Yuan’s chest, her hands held in his. The lather was thick and smelled of jasmine. “Gentler, you’re hurting me.”

Pei Yuan snorted and pinched her fingertip. “Good that it hurts. It’ll give you a memory so you don’t do something so stupid next time.”

“I won’t do it again,” Bao Ning apologized softly. Pei Yuan used a cloth to dry her hands. After a thought, she added, “But I’m not stupid. I made that catapult myself, following a sketch from a military manual. I studied it for a long time. Once Ruyi Pavilion opens, I’ll sell them for one tael of silver each.”

Pei Yuan asked, “Have you had dinner?”

“I have. I didn’t expect you back so early, so I didn’t wait.” Bao Ning shook her half-dry hands and stepped forward to hook her arm around Pei Yuan’s, rubbing her face against his upper arm. “I saved something delicious for you—beef stew with radish. It’s in the pot. Want to eat now?”

Pei Yuan smiled and rubbed her head. Before they were close, Bao Ning was like a timid little rabbit. Now that they were intimate, she was very clingy and liked to act spoiled.

His “fire” was sparked again.

Pei Yuan went to close the door and windows, then strode back to Bao Ning and scooped her up. “Hold on tight.”

Bao Ning let out a startled cry. In that position, her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist and her arms hooked around his neck. She asked in terror, “What are you doing?”

“What am I doing? You, of course.”

Pei Yuan smiled mischievously as he slid his hand upward, grasping her fully.

He gave an intentional squeeze and whispered, “You don’t show much on the surface, and I thought there wasn’t much meat there, but one touch and I find out—you’re quite substantial.”

Bao Ning’s entire body went rigid. Memories of last night flooded back. Feeling both ashamed and afraid, she tried to jump down, but Pei Yuan wrapped one hand around her lower back and blew into her ear: “Where do you think you’re running?”

Bao Ning pushed weakly. “Don’t touch me…”

“I’m the one attending to you. You just have to lie there. Isn’t that comfortable?” Pei Yuan carried her toward the bed, coaxing her: “Bao Ningning, I’ve been holding back for so many years. I finally tasted a few crumbs of meat and now I crave it. You must let me kiss you, otherwise, aren’t you driving me mad?”

Bao Ning fell into the soft bedding. Pei Yuan leaned over her, their noses touching. With a half-smile, he said, “Or, perhaps you would like to attend to me?”

He grabbed her hand, attempting to guide it downward again. “With your little hand, or your little mouth?”

How could this man speak such filth! Bao Ning was breathless. She didn’t have a thick skin like Pei Yuan, and her chest truly did still hurt. She didn’t want to be bitten and gnawed on again.

Knowing he responded to softness rather than force, Bao Ning softened her voice: “A-Yuan, I feel unwell. My ‘monthly visitor’ is about to arrive. Don’t mess with me…”

Pei Yuan actually stopped. He knitted his brows. “Is it already here?”

Bao Ning shook her head. “Soon, in a day or two.”

“Fine. Rest well. Listen to Nanny Liu—don’t do anything she tells you not to.” Pei Yuan closed his eyes and gave her pink lips a firm suck. He pulled his face away with restraint and asked, “I shouldn’t let you touch cold water, right?”

Bao Ning had her first period two months ago. It was a new experience for her and for Pei Yuan; they were both still figuring it out.

Bao Ning nodded.

Pei Yuan straightened up and sat beside her, pulling her up as well. He placed his palm on her stomach and asked softly, “Does it hurt?”

Bao Ning felt carefully and cursed inwardly. Was she being punished for lying? A moment ago she felt nothing, but as soon as she lied to Pei Yuan about being unwell, the discomfort actually arrived. A sharp pang like a needle prick hit her lower abdomen, and her face turned pale.

“It seems… it really is here.”

Pei Yuan cursed under his breath. He took off her shoes and tucked her into the quilt. “Lie down. Wait for me to get back, I’ll get you some hot water.”

His desire hadn’t faded; his forehead was sweaty and his robes were still strained, but he hurriedly pushed the door open and left.

Bao Ning buried half her face in the pillow, watching his retreating back with a bit of guilt, but her heart felt sweet. This was the life she had always looked forward to—a husband who cared for her, where she loved him and he loved her. Facing life together, supporting each other—then no difficulty would be frightening.

She suddenly remembered she still hadn’t asked what Pei Yuan was doing the day after tomorrow.

The pain in her stomach grew worse. Dazedly, she got up to change her menstrual pad and fell back to sleep. The thought only lingered for a second before being discarded.

Pei Yuan had a miserable night.

He didn’t know why Bao Ning had suddenly started hurting so much. He got the recipe for ginger and brown sugar water from Nanny Liu and brewed a large pot. By the time he returned, she was moaning so much she couldn’t even speak. He forced her up to drink the sugar water and filled a hot water bottle for her stomach.

Pei Yuan barely slept. The first half of the night was spent listening to her whimpers and changing the hot water. The second half was spent with her complaining that she felt “sticky” and uncomfortable and needed to change her undergarments. At that point, Bao Ning wasn’t shy; cleanliness was more important than anything. Pei Yuan, in his undershorts, groggily got out of bed to find her new trousers and had to wait behind the screen until she was done before being allowed back.

After tossing and turning all night, Bao Ning woke up the next morning full of energy, while Pei Yuan was the picture of exhaustion.

Nanny Liu thought to herself: Why is it the complete opposite of yesterday morning? Yesterday the Madam couldn’t get out of bed; today it’s the Fourth Prince.

Pei Yuan set off for the capital that evening. Before leaving, he checked on Bao Ning. Seeing she was fine, his mind was at ease.

He brought over the guard named Chen Jia, introduced him briefly, and instructed her: “Don’t run off on your own. Even with Nanny Liu following it’s not enough; take Chen Jia wherever you go.”

Bao Ning looked at the thin, dark little guard and gave a very gentle smile.

Chen Jia gave her a military salute, his face turning beet red. After a long pause, he squeezed out four words: “G-g-greetings, Madam.”

Bao Ning looked at him in surprise. Is he a little stutterer?

Pei Yuan was satisfied with Chen Jia’s looks and dullness. He pulled Bao Ning into the room and gave her many detailed instructions. Bao Ning found him too naggy and responded with “Mhm, okay,” until she couldn’t take it anymore and pushed him out. “It’s late. General Wei is waiting for you at the gate. Stop dawdling.”

Pei Yuan looked a bit hurt. “I’ll be away from you for almost a whole day. Don’t you feel like you’ll miss me?”

Bao Ning wished he would leave sooner. Things were fine before, but since last night, he had become too touchy-feely and annoying.

Bao Ning said, “I will miss you, but you should really get going!”

Carrying his sword, Pei Yuan looked back three times with every step out of the room. Bao Ning waved to him cheerfully. Pei Yuan’s face darkened; he cursed her inwardly for being heartless and ungrateful.

Passing Chen Jia, Pei Yuan barked: “Talk less, do more. Do you understand?”

Chen Jia complied. Pei Yuan strode out. At the courtyard gate, he couldn’t help but look back once more—Bao Ning was already gone. She really was eager for him to leave.

Pei Yuan whistled for his horse, Saifeng, flipped into the saddle, and rode toward the manor entrance with a cold face.

Bao Ning had a wonderful night.

The entire large bed was hers. She could roll around as she pleased without anyone’s restless sleeping habits or heavy legs pinning her down. The next morning, she made a bowl of wontons. Once full and dressed, she took Nanny Liu and Chen Jia to the street to check on the shop.

Ruyi Pavilion had many craftsmen hired, and it was expected to be finished in half a month. Currently, they were tearing down walls.

Bao Ning stood aside, watching the workers smash walls with hammers. It sounded boring, but it was actually quite interesting to watch. Nanny Liu chatted with her, noting which craftsman was the strongest or most skilled—some could break through a wall in three swings while others took seven or eight.

Chen Jia stood behind them like a block of wood, his eyes scanning the surroundings defensively.

The moment a filthy child appeared at the street corner, Chen Jia noticed.

The child wore very expensive clothes but was only three or four years old. Based on the fabric, he looked like a young master from a wealthy family, holding an exquisite rattle-drum in his hand.

But his face was filthy, his clothes were tattered, and he didn’t look very bright.

Someone tried to tease him, but the child didn’t know how to hide; he just stood there foolishly. A person pulled at his sleeve, seemingly trying to lead him away. The child grew frantic, bared his teeth, and gave the man a hard bite before running like crazy toward Bao Ning. He ran blindly on short legs, and seeing Chen Jia blocking the path, he ducked his head, trying to crawl through Chen Jia’s legs.

Chen Jia grabbed him by the collar.

Hearing the commotion, Bao Ning turned around and saw this child covered in snot and tears. Her mind went blank. “Whose child is this?”

Pei Yuan and Wei Meng had ordered two pots of tea and were listening to the conversation in the next room with their eyes closed.

The walls were thick, making it hard to hear, but fortunately, they had arrived early and used a small trick—drilling a hole in the wall—so the voices from the other side drifted through faintly.

The heir of the Marquis of Chongyuan, Jia Ling, was a Confucian scholar well-versed in classics, as was Pei Xiao. The two spent a long time exchanging pleasantries and formalities, making Wei Meng so drowsy he whispered about how “sour and rotten” they were. After about fifteen minutes, they got down to business. Just as they suspected, Pei Xiao wanted to learn from Jia Ling the position of the decoy carriage used during the Emperor’s upcoming excursion.

Jia Ling had an obvious weakness: he had no children. Although he was the eldest son, his position was unstable. Pei Xiao promised that once the deed was done, he would eliminate Jia Ling’s younger brother, Jia Xian, to secure his position as the heir. Additionally, he rewarded him with a thousand taels of gold and four Persian beauties.

Jia Ling hesitated only for a moment before agreeing. His only request was for more money.

Pei Xiao naturally agreed.

The two had reached an agreement and seemed very happy, raising their cups in celebration.

Wei Meng’s eyes widened in shock. He whispered to Pei Yuan, “That… that’s it? I thought they’d have to deliberate for a day or half a day. A major matter like this, decided on a whim?”

Pei Yuan said, “What reason does Jia Ling have to refuse? If he doesn’t seize this chance, he’ll be pushed out by his brother sooner or later. From the moment he received his appointment as the Commandant of the Imperial Carriages and Pei Xiao sent him a letter to ‘reminisce,’ Jia Ling knew what Pei Xiao wanted to say. They are smart men; he had already made up his mind.”

Wei Meng asked, “Are we still listening?”

“Since we’re here, let’s listen.” Pei Yuan tapped his finger on the table and said to Wei Meng, “Do you know what lesson this teaches you?”

“What?” Wei Meng asked.

“A thief shouldn’t be too paranoid,” Pei Yuan said. “Pei Xiao was over-cautious. He didn’t dare invite Jia Ling to his estate for fear of being seen; he chose this teahouse to avoid suspicion. Who would have thought his cleverness would backfire on him, and we’d be one step ahead? The skill of drilling a hole to eavesdrop isn’t something just anyone would think of.”

Wei Meng laughed. He took a sip of tea and listened to the two in the next room talk about trivial matters. Even allies need to build rapport. First, Jia Ling flattered Pei Xiao, saying: “Your Highness is truly blessed. Your primary consort is a beauty, you recently welcomed a side consort, and you have many ladies and concubines in your manor. It is truly enviable.”

Pei Xiao smiled faintly. “The Heir is not doing badly either. Your consort is dignified and graceful, a peerless lady. Truly a virtuous wife.”

Jia Ling shook his head and sighed. “Sadly, fate has not been kind. We have no children, which makes the inner chambers restless.”

Pei Xiao said, “I have the same concern. We must simply wait for the right opportunity.”

Jia Ling was confused. “Doesn’t Your Highness have a young son who is four years old? Your situation is quite different from mine.”

Pei Xiao lowered his eyes and smiled without speaking.

Seeing his expression, Jia Ling suddenly remembered: Pei Xiao’s child was born to a maidservant. The birth had been fraught with difficulties, and the child was reportedly not very healthy.

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