Chapter 95: Dog Teeth

The next day, after Pei Yuan had departed, Bao Ning sent Nanny Liu away so she could be alone in the room. She took out the casket and the keys.

She turned the key half a turn to the right. There was a sharp click from the lock cylinder, and the lid sprang open just a crack. Bao Ning had speculated about what this relic might be—likely jewelry or hairpins. Pei Yuan’s mother, Consort Xian (Qin Xiang), had been one of the four high-ranking consorts and the Emperor’s favorite; she surely possessed countless treasures. Upon opening it, it was indeed a hairpin.

But it wasn’t ornate at all. On the contrary, it felt a bit eerie. That was Bao Ning’s first impression upon seeing it.

It was a peachwood hairpin. Having existed for a long time, the wood had darkened to a blackish-brown, its grain still clear. It wasn’t carved in the usual patterns of flowers or auspicious clouds; the entire pin was shaped like a small sword. On the left end of the pin were three carvings in the shape of copper coins. When she touched them, they felt cool and smooth—not peachwood, but rather like the teeth of some animal. Bao Ning scrutinized them closely and confirmed her suspicion. Having raised many dogs, she was certain these were dog teeth.

But… how could a legendary favored consort use a hairpin like this? It had no gold or silver and was as plain as something a village woman would wear. Furthermore, why embed something as strange as dog teeth into it?

“Young Madam.” Nanny Liu knocked gently on the door from outside. “Madam Su has arrived.”

Again?

Bao Ning frowned. She quickly tucked the casket away, put it back on the cabinet, and turned to open the door.

Su Mingyou, supported by Zhao Qian, was standing by the courtyard gate looking at the fish in the vat. Standing against the light, Bao Ning squinted. She noticed that this “Qian’er” was remarkably tall—about an inch taller than Su Mingyou, with a slender waist and long legs. She was a striking beauty.

Bao Ning called out, “Sister-in-law, you’re only a month away from your due date. Why aren’t you resting in your room? You always seem to find the time to come to my place.”

Pei Yuan had said she could throw Su Mingyou out, but Bao Ning couldn’t bring herself to be that blunt. She used barbed words to mock Su Mingyou, hoping she would feel ashamed and slink away on her own. To her surprise, Su Mingyou simply gave a gentle smile and walked toward her. “I missed you so much, younger sister. My heart itches if I don’t see you for a day. Are you not welcoming me?”

Bao Ning smiled thinly. “I suppose so.”

She stepped aside. “If sister-in-law wants to come in, then come in.”

Su Mingyou and Zhao Qian entered together.

Bao Ning’s head throbbed. She never imagined Su Mingyou could be so thick-skinned. Wasn’t she the Crown Princess? Wasn’t she the pearl in the palm of the upright Minister Su? Why couldn’t she understand plain speech? Did she really need to be chased out with a broom before she’d leave? But Bao Ning wasn’t a shrew; she couldn’t bring herself to drive someone away so blatantly.

Nanny Liu, watering the flowers with a pot, watched Su Mingyou’s back and shook her head helplessly.

Bao Ning whispered, “Don’t serve tea later. Once she gets thirsty, she’ll know to leave.”

Nanny Liu nodded in agreement.

Inside, seeing that Bao Ning hadn’t followed them in, Su Mingyou raised her voice: “Bao Ning, what are you doing? Come quickly! I’ve brought you something nice. See if you like it!”

Bao Ning answered and lingered for a while longer before entering.

Su Mingyou studied her expression and asked softly, “Did you sleep well last night?”

“Quite well,” Bao Ning forced a smile. “Is sister-in-law sleepy? Do you want to go back and nap?”

“I’m not sleepy! It’s broad daylight; why would I be sleepy?” Su Mingyou waved her hand in denial. She glanced toward the cabinet and, seeing the casket sitting there undisturbed, her expression froze for a second. She asked Bao Ning, “Did you ask Fourth Brother about… that matter?”

Bao Ning replied, “Why are you asking about this, sister-in-law? Family matters between husband and wife shouldn’t be discussed with outsiders.”

Su Mingyou laughed awkwardly. “Just caring, just caring.”

Bao Ning gave a hollow “haha” in return, then wiped the expression from her face. She sat opposite her, silent and impassive.

Su Mingyou felt incredibly humiliated. She wasn’t a fool; she could clearly tell that she wasn’t wanted. At this thought, her heart gave a jolt. Have I been exposed? But then she reconsidered. How is that possible? Her contact with Pei Xiao was extremely secretive. Even if she had acted a bit too eagerly for results, surely she hadn’t been found out.

However, it seemed the things she had said yesterday hadn’t worked.

Su Mingyou was getting anxious; she didn’t have much time left. Once her child was born, Bao Ning certainly wouldn’t let her stay. What use would she and Zhao Qian be then? Not only would she lose Zhao Qian’s company, but it was also uncertain whether Pei Xiao would have her killed once she lost her utility.

After thinking it over all night, Su Mingyou finally regretted rashly accepting Pei Xiao’s “favors.” She was now caught between a rock and a hard place. If she confessed to Pei Yuan, he would kill Zhao Qian and certainly never forgive her. If she continued to help Pei Xiao, would she simply be discarded like a useless hound once the hunt was over?

But… she still wanted to keep Zhao Qian. She just wanted to feel the sensation of being cherished, even if only for a few months or days. She wouldn’t regret it. The world was full of infatuated women like her; those who eloped with men and left their homes behind weren’t much better off.

Bao Ning asked, “What is sister-in-law thinking about?”

Su Mingyou snapped back to reality. “Nothing, it’s nothing.”

Zhao Qian secretly poked her in the back. Remembering why she had come, Su Mingyou steadied herself. She pulled a small box from her sleeve and handed it to Bao Ning with a smile. “Bao Ning, I went out to the streets a couple of days ago and saw a very interesting little piece of jewelry. I want you to have it.”

A box. Another box. Bao Ning hated the sight of boxes now; they never seemed to bring anything good.

“Then I thank you, sister-in-law.” She took it and opened it. It was a delicate bracelet made of dog teeth.

Dog teeth… Bao Ning thought of the peachwood hairpin left by Pei Yuan’s mother; the “coins” on it were also made of dog teeth.

Su Mingyou explained, “This is a good thing. It’s for warding off evil. You should wear it often.”

Upon hearing the words “warding off evil,” many things flashed through Bao Ning’s mind. She remembered meeting her second sister at the Duke’s manor during a one-month-old banquet. They had discussed Consort Xian’s life, mentioning that when she entered the palace, the National Master had prophesied her fate as one that would bring ruin to the country. Coincidentally, in the year Consort Xian passed away, a great earthquake had struck the capital region.

Peachwood was also used to ward off evil. So, was that hairpin meant to suppress Consort Xian’s fate?

This realization made Bao Ning’s heart cold with fear. She couldn’t help but wonder: why exactly did Consort Xian die? Was she sick? Did she slip and fall into the water? Or was it a man-made disaster—did the Emperor kill her? That would be too terrifying.

Pei Yuan was so clever; he must know something. The things he said last night…

Something was slowly rising to the surface, but Bao Ning couldn’t quite grasp it.

“Is it pretty?” Su Mingyou asked, then added, “Wear it often. It’s good for young women. Women have a ‘Yin’ constitution and are prone to attracting evil things. It would be a lot of trouble otherwise.”

She had learned her lesson and was no longer being overtly provocative. Pei Yuan despised such things—perhaps because Consort Xian had liked them. Su Mingyou could never understand why such a peerless beauty would always wear things like that. Regardless of the reason, as long as Pei Yuan hated them now, it was enough. If Bao Ning paraded a bracelet made of animal teeth in front of him, Pei Yuan would surely be displeased. Given his strange temperament, he wouldn’t say it directly. They would argue, Bao Ning would feel wronged, and a rift would form.

Su Mingyou was no longer in a rush for immediate results; she would take it slowly.

Bao Ning tucked the gift away and thanked her politely. Su Mingyou continued to chat. With her mind elsewhere, Bao Ning responded half-heartedly. Su Mingyou refused to leave. Eventually, Bao Ning grew tired and tried to usher her out, but Su Mingyou acted as if she didn’t understand. She picked up a pear and began eagerly peeling it for Bao Ning.

Propping her head up, Bao Ning was nearly nodding off. Seeing this, she waved her hand and said it wasn’t necessary.

Su Mingyou said, “Oh, we’re family! Why the formality? I’ve caused you plenty of trouble staying here. Doing a little something like this to make you happy is the least I can do.”

Bao Ning felt odd; it was rare for Su Mingyou to say something so human, yet the change felt too sudden. She sat up straight and only then noticed that the tall maid was nowhere to be found. She asked in confusion, “Where is Qian’er?”

Su Mingyou’s expression became unnatural. “I don’t know. She should be back in a moment.”

She lowered her head to peel the pear. Bao Ning’s gaze fell on her fingers as they turned with the blade.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out outside. It sounded like Chen Jia speaking. Su Mingyou’s expression immediately became tense. Bao Ning looked out, and though Su Mingyou tried to distract her, Bao Ning ignored her and walked outside. She saw Chen Jia and Zhao Qian standing under a tree by the courtyard gate, arguing. Chen Jia’s face was as dark as ink. He took a few steps back and suddenly reached out, shoving “Qian’er” so hard she tumbled to the ground!

Su Mingyou rushed out with the knife still in hand and witnessed the scene, letting out an exclamation.

Bao Ning said in shock, “Chen Jia! Why did you push her?”

“Madam, this girl keeps trying to seduce me,” Chen Jia said, approaching with a grievance. He spoke bluntly, disregarding what anyone might think, and showed Bao Ning a pair of black, multi-layered cloth shoes in his hand. “She tried to give me these shoes. I didn’t want them, but she insisted on forcing them on me. Can shoes be accepted just like that? If I took them, wouldn’t she misunderstand that I want to marry her? I don’t want to marry her, but she kept trying to shove them into my arms. I got nervous and pushed her down.”

Bao Ning turned to look at “Qian’er,” who was standing there on the verge of tears, looking utterly devastated and indignant.

Bao Ning had a headache. She thought of Su Mingyou’s strange behavior just now—was she stalling for time for “Qian’er”? Did she no longer like “Qian’er”? How could she condone her giving shoes to Chen Jia? It was such a mess of a relationship.

Su Mingyou said sheepishly, “It’s a misunderstanding. It’s a servant matter; let them handle it themselves. Don’t trouble yourself.”

Anxious to change the subject, she held up the knife and the pear. “Do you still want to eat?”

Before Bao Ning could answer, Su Mingyou added, “I’ll peel it for you.”

Her nerves were shot and her hands were shaking violently. With one swipe, she missed the pear and instead sliced a large gash into her own hand. Bright red blood gushed out, dripping onto the ground. Bao Ning gasped, a chill running down her spine as she reflexively took a step back.

Ignoring her wound, Su Mingyou looked at Bao Ning with surprise. “Are you afraid of blood?”

“No,” Bao Ning shook her head. Dizzied by Su Mingyou’s antics, she said urgently, “Nanny Liu, get the medicine and gauze. Wrap Madam Su’s hand.”

Su Mingyou said with sudden realization, “I see. You aren’t afraid of blood; you’re afraid of blades and swords, aren’t you? You fear that moment when the blade cuts… the cold edge against the flesh…”

Frustrated and at her wits’ end, Bao Ning snapped, “Please, just leave!”

Su Mingyou was stunned by her rudeness. Before she could react, Bao Ning signaled to Chen Jia. Chen Jia understood, went to the woodshed, unlocked it, and released Jixiang. The large dog began barking madly and charging around the courtyard. Su Mingyou screamed and was dragged away by Zhao Qian as they fled.

As they left, Zhao Qian cast a look of pure hatred at Chen Jia, cursing him internally for being an unromantic, stinking block of wood.

Then he thought of Pei Yuan. Pei Yuan was married; he understood the beauty of women and certainly wouldn’t be like Chen Jia! Zhao Qian began to calculate. He wasn’t stupid enough to try and seduce Pei Yuan directly to win his favor; he only needed to do things that would make Bao Ning misunderstand. Men got jealous, but wouldn’t women as well? And when Bao Ning was lonely and dejected, his “solicitous care” would surely kill two birds with one stone.

When Pei Yuan returned, Bao Ning was sitting on the bed fiddling with the dog-tooth bracelet. Seeing him enter, she held it up and lodged a complaint: “Is your sister-in-law trying to harm me again?”

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