Chapter 101

 Zhao Qian was drinking in the same inn as them, leaning in a corner.

He had changed into clean, sharp clothing: a black robe embroidered with gold thread. Paired with his fair, handsome face, and the way he delicately held his cup with a half-smile as he surveyed the surroundings, he attracted several young ladies who kept glancing back at him.

Zhao Qian was in a relaxed mood, sipping his wine slowly. Thinking back on those stifling days now gone forever, he felt an increasing sense of optimism about the future. His spirits lifted, and before long he had finished off an entire pot of Fenjiu.

A little tipsy, light-headed.

Just then, Bao Ning lifted her skirts and slowly came down the stairs.

She was there to grab a little treat — hearing from the inn’s staff that complimentary snacks were being served downstairs: osmanthus cakes, pineapple pastries, all made by famous chefs from the capital. She had come to give them a try. Bao Ning asked for a dainty golden plate and focused on selecting desserts, unaware that Zhao Qian was also there.

Zhao Qian saw her immediately, breaking out in a cold sweat and sitting up straight.

Why was the Fourth Prince Consort here too? What if she recognized him?

But then he thought about it — not surprising, really. This inn, Fengxiangju, was the finest in the capital. Just the entrance fee cost fifty taels of silver, frequented by the elite. Naturally, the Fourth Prince wouldn’t settle for lesser accommodations. Besides, he had long since changed into a male disguise, looking entirely different from when he was at Lihu Manor. Bao Ning wouldn’t recognize him.

Zhao Qian relaxed, leaning back against the chair, continuing to drink. His gaze blurred slightly as he boldly stared at Bao Ning’s back.

And the wine gave him courage… stirring up some other thoughts.

They hadn’t met many times, but each encounter left a deep impression. Not so much because of her looks — though Bao Ning was beautiful, he’d seen many beauties before. Seeing her face was refreshing, sure, but it wasn’t enough to make him harbor inappropriate thoughts. What he liked most was her nature — pure, kind, witty, and clever. He’d never met a woman more interesting than her.

Pei Yuan was truly lucky.

Suddenly, Zhao Qian thought: when Pei Xiao eventually took the throne, Pei Yuan would have a hard time surviving — might not even make it out alive. When that happened, what would become of this delicate little beauty? Would she die tragically too, or fall into the hands of villains and be humiliated? What a pity that would be!

Thinking this, a sour bitterness rose in Zhao Qian’s chest. The wine made his face and heart burn — making him restless, itching to act.

Just as Bao Ning finished choosing her desserts and was about to head upstairs, Zhao Qian abruptly stood up. He first borrowed pen and paper from the inn’s account room, hastily wrote a few lines, stuffed the paper into his sleeve, then hurriedly went to intercept Bao Ning, softly calling out:
“Fourth Prince Consort?”

Bao Ning turned around in surprise, not recognizing him at first glance, frowning and instinctively stepping back, glancing toward where Wei Meng was stationed.

Pei Yuan was upstairs handling business and had told Wei Meng to watch over her from the shadows. Bao Ning saw Wei Meng nodding at her, signaling no danger, and she was reassured.

Zhao Qian said, “Fourth Prince Consort, I have a few words I wish to say to you. May I have a moment of your time?”

Bao Ning glanced at Wei Meng again. Seeing him nod once more, she took a deep breath and said to Zhao Qian, “Fine — to the back courtyard.”

They moved toward the rear door, while Wei Meng spat out a date pit and quietly followed.

They’d long known Zhao Qian was at this inn. Originally, they planned to arrest him on the spot, but Pei Yuan had ordered to wait and see what Zhao Qian intended first. That was why Wei Meng hadn’t stopped him earlier. Still, no one expected Zhao Qian to approach Bao Ning, and Wei Meng hesitated again — should he capture him now, or wait a little longer in case his true malicious intentions surfaced?

Bao Ning and Zhao Qian stood two steps apart, facing each other. Zhao Qian asked,
“Fourth Prince Consort, can you still recognize me? I’m Qian’er.”

Bao Ning repeated, “Qian’er?”

She stared at Zhao Qian’s current appearance in disbelief, feeling shocked, unable to fathom how that annoying maid had turned into a man. Then Zhao Qian continued,
“Please don’t blame me for deceiving you, Fourth Prince Consort — I had no choice!”

As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.

The sudden crying startled Bao Ning. Weren’t men supposed to hold back tears? This man’s tears seemed awfully cheap.

Zhao Qian went on,
“I was forced by Pei Xiao, the current Crown Prince! He threatened my elderly mother’s life, forcing me to become Madam Su’s maid, so I could infiltrate the manor as his spy… But rest assured, I’ve never done anything to betray you. I’ve repented. I realize now it was wrong to serve the Crown Prince, and today I came to tell you everything!”

Then he lowered his head and knelt,
“Please forgive me!”

Bao Ning was completely thrown by this story. Pei Yuan hadn’t yet had a chance to tell her the truth about Zhao Qian. Watching him kneel there and sob, she felt utterly confused.

Wei Meng too was stunned, staring at Zhao Qian in disbelief at the audacity of his lies.

Bao Ning mouthed to Wei Meng:
“Is this true?”

Wei Meng hurriedly waved his hands:
“Fake! Fake!”

Zhao Qian heard the faint whisper, warily glancing back:
“Who’s there?”

Wei Meng quickly ducked behind the door.

Bao Ning quickly masked her earlier expression and looked at Zhao Qian, playing along, showing a sympathetic, indignant look:
“Was it really Pei Xiao? Heavens, how despicable and shameless can he be!”

For a moment, Zhao Qian’s expression twisted. He had expected Bao Ning to react this way — but something about her response felt… odd.

Still, since the act had begun, there was no reason to stop. Zhao Qian clenched his fists on his knees, continuing,
“This morning, I secretly fled the manor. I couldn’t bear being a puppet any longer — I wanted to live for myself! I had intended to leave the matter buried, but I happened to run into you at the Fengxiangju gates and couldn’t suppress my guilt. I had to confess the truth. If you wish to punish me, so be it!”

He was so convincing that, if Wei Meng hadn’t already told her it was a lie, Bao Ning might’ve actually believed it.

Now, Bao Ning looked at Zhao Qian with pity and cooperated,
“Never. How could I blame someone as upright as you? Please, rise!”

Then, moved, she added,
“I truly admire your integrity, Zhao Qian. Don’t worry — I won’t let you suffer this injustice for nothing. Wait here. I’ll be right back. I have some silver with me, I’ll bring it to you, for your mother.”

Zhao Qian kowtowed,
“Your Grace’s kindness, Zhao Qian will remember for a lifetime!”

He felt a burst of joy, thinking Bao Ning had believed him — half the job was done.

He planned to leave the capital once he got money from Pei Xiao. If possible, he even wanted to take Bao Ning with him. If not, once Pei Yuan was dead, he could at least win Bao Ning’s trust now, later stir discord between her and Pei Yuan, and earn a bigger reward from Pei Xiao. Nothing to lose.

As Bao Ning prepared to leave with her dessert tray, Zhao Qian stopped her again, leaned in, and whispered,
“Fourth Prince Consort, I have something else to tell you.”

Bao Ning asked,
“What is it?”

Zhao Qian, lowering his voice so only the two could hear, said,
“There’s a brothel at the end of Anping Street in Lihu Town. You know the place, right? The Fourth Prince is often away from the manor during the day, claiming he’s out on business — but in truth, he spends his time there, indulging among the women. I couldn’t bear to let him keep deceiving you, so I’m telling you now.”

“Is that true?” Bao Ning stared at him.

“Every word,” Zhao Qian swore. “If there’s a lie, may heaven strike me with lightning!”

Bao Ning’s eyes filled with sorrow. She told Zhao Qian,
“Thank you. I’ll go question him myself right now.”

Zhao Qian replied,
“It’s my greatest honor to help you, Consort.”

Bao Ning wiped away her tears with her sleeve and hurried off. Before she left, she asked,
“Have you taken a room here? I’ll come thank you personally after this.”

Zhao Qian, overjoyed, replied without hesitation,
“Room number B3-4. I’ll be waiting!”

Bao Ning hurried away with her tray and, at the entrance, ran into Wei Meng.

Wei Meng, unsure what Zhao Qian had said to make Bao Ning cry, was about to ask when Bao Ning cut him off:
“Keep an eye on him. I’m going upstairs. Don’t let him leave.”

Seeing she was calm enough, Wei Meng felt a bit relieved and agreed.

Bao Ning rushed upstairs. Inside the room, Pei Yuan was lounging in a large rosewood chair, legs crossed on the table, reading. Hearing her enter and seeing her teary eyes, he immediately tensed up,
“What happened?”

Bao Ning set down her tray, patted her chest, and said,
“Ah Yuan, I just met a master conman — that Zhao Qian, what a piece of work!”

“His shamelessness,” Bao Ning gestured, “this thick!”

“Oh?” Pei Yuan put his feet down, narrowed his eyes, “You saw him?”

“We even talked a long while…” Bao Ning sat beside him and told him everything Zhao Qian had said.

At first, Pei Yuan’s face was dark, but gradually it lightened, and in the end he laughed,
“He said I was frequenting brothels — and you didn’t suspect me?”

“Suspect what?”

“You didn’t doubt me?”

“This petty trick couldn’t possibly come between us,” Bao Ning cupped his hand in both of hers, looking him in the eyes, “I trust what I see. I know your heart’s with me now — I can feel it. So no matter what others say, no matter how convincing, as long as you deny it, I’ll believe you. But Ah Yuan — I’m very sensitive. If the day comes when my place in your heart fades, I’ll sense it too.”

“That day will never come.” Pei Yuan pinched her chin and shook it playfully, “We’ll see.”

Bao Ning smiled, hugging his waist. Whatever happened in the future, she genuinely felt life was good now.

Pei Yuan’s hand rested on her back, gently patting. The lingering fear he’d felt since leaving Chongyuan Marquis’ estate slowly faded. He was happy — so this was what it felt like to be trusted.

Just then, he noticed the dessert tray and gently kissed Bao Ning’s cheek,
“I trust you too.”

Bao Ning looked up in confusion, following his gaze — and was stunned to see a folded note under one of the osmanthus pastries. She picked it up and opened it. The top read “To Bao Ning,” followed by a few lines of yearning, unrequited love.

It was from Zhao Qian, slipped in while she wasn’t looking.

…

Out in the cold wind for some time, Zhao Qian had sobered up. He paced anxiously inside the room, recalling what had happened.

Had he been too impatient?

Recalling Bao Ning’s expressions and words, he couldn’t be sure if she truly believed him. But, based on what he knew of her, she wouldn’t lie.

Zhao Qian sat down, drank some tea.

Finally unable to bear the suspense, he opened the door to check — and immediately got blocked.

He looked up in horror to find Pei Yuan, holding a silver-handled whip, smiling coldly as he lifted Zhao Qian’s chin and forced him back inside,
“Look at our little Qian’er — what a good-looking young man.”

“And such a slick tongue too,” Pei Yuan tapped his lips with the whip handle, “Didn’t you talk so nicely earlier? Go on, say a few more lines — let me hear.”

Zhao Qian trembled, terrified, his mind blank. He dropped to his knees,
“Fourth Prince, I was wrong — I was blinded by greed. Please spare me…”

Pei Yuan squatted,
“Didn’t you swear you’d be struck by lightning if you lied?”

Zhao Qian dared not speak.

“Don’t worry,” Pei Yuan sneered, “The heavens wouldn’t waste lightning on you.”

“With that delicate frame of yours, not sending you to a brothel as a boy courtesan would be a waste.”

“Well then — let’s send you.”

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