Chapter 21

 Bao Ning's heart leaped with joy as she hurriedly approached. "Ming Yi Niang, you're here."

Pei Yuan's gaze followed hers.

A neat and tidy woman stood at the door. She wore a long, blue dress, and her hair was meticulously arranged. Her phoenix eyes were slightly upturned, exuding an air of shrewdness, but her complexion and expression suggested a kind nature.

Ming Shi bowed to Pei Yuan. After offering her respects, she glanced briefly at his leg before moving on, smiling. "I've come at an inopportune moment, disturbing your reunion. But since Bao Ning rarely comes home, I missed her and wanted to see her. Now that I've seen her, I'm reassured. I won't stay long and beg the Fourth Prince's pardon for my lack of manners."

It seemed she truly intended to leave after a brief visit. She smiled at Pei Yuan, waiting for his response.Bao Ning was taken aback. "You've just arrived, why leave so soon?"

She stepped forward, attempting to detain her, her voice tinged with a pleading tone. "Stay a little longer, have some tea before you go. The Fourth Prince would also be delighted for you to stay."

Xu Shi, not quite understanding the situation, glanced carefully at Pei Yuan. Seeing no displeasure on his face, she relaxed and echoed, "Yes, stay a while longer, let's chat together."

Xu Shi was beautiful and gentle in nature, though of humble origin. She had lived in this grand mansion for over a decade, and the highest-ranking person she had ever met was her husband, Duke Rongguo. Pei Yuan, her daughter's husband, was someone she never imagined encountering.

Even though Pei Yuan no longer held his former high rank and was now her daughter's husband, he still seemed unreachable to Xu Shi, his mere presence making her feel constrained.Xu Shi's greatest fear was that Bao Ning would have a hard life.

Hence, she chose her words carefully in Pei Yuan's presence, afraid of saying anything that might displease him and cause trouble for Bao Ning.

Pei Yuan gestured with his hand. "Please sit."Bao Ning and Xu Shi both sighed in relief. Ming Yiniang thanked him and sat down. No one spoke, and the room fell into an awkward silence.

Xu Shi glanced around, noticing Bao Ning's hesitant expression and Ming Yiniang quietly drinking tea. She surmised they might have something to discuss and felt embarrassed to make her exit.

Knowing Bao Ning well, Xu Shi sensed her unusual behavior today. And knowing Ming Yiniang's intelligence, she would not have barged in so recklessly without reason.The more Xu Shi pondered, the more she felt there was something she didn't know.

Tentatively, she suggested, "I just remembered, the kitchen made some fresh pastries this morning. I'll go fetch them."Bao Ning seized the opportunity, eager to send Xu Shi away first. She quickly nodded. "Auntie, I'd love some of your sugar water too. Could you make some?"Xu Shi's suspicions were confirmed. She smiled and nodded, leaving the room and taking the two servant girls with her.

Bao Ning turned to Ming Shi, gripping her hand with a tone of concealed expectation. "Auntie, you've noticed something, haven't you?"Ming Shi nodded. "Bao Ning, I'm not one to beat around the bush. Since I'm here, I'll speak frankly. The Fourth Prince has been poisoned, hasn't he?"She hit the mark. Pei Yuan's eyes shifted towards her, his expression becoming more serious.

Bao Ning nodded. "Yes." Her palms were sweaty. "Auntie, in the books you gave me, I've seen this poison before. Is there an antidote?"Ming Shi replied, "The book also states that no one has survived it to this day."Bao Ning's heart sank."Fourth Prince, please extend your hand."

Ming Shi's palm faced upward. Pei Yuan hesitated before placing his right wrist in her hand. Ming Shi pushed up his sleeve, and Bao Ning gasped. A blood-red dot, about the size of a soybean, had appeared on Pei Yuan's wrist, with black threads interwoven like a spider web, making for a horrifying sight.Ming Shi's face grew stern. "This poison is called Chidan. Its effects are long-lasting, residing in the bodies of venomous snakes and rats. Typically, a person bitten by these creatures dies within twelve hours unless the flesh is cut away and the poison confined to a specific area of the body. This allows for a slim chance of survival. But if poisoned a second time, the poison can't be contained. If I'm not mistaken, the Fourth Prince was recently poisoned for a second time."

"The longevity of Chidan lies in the poison slowly spreading throughout the body, marked by the appearance of a red dot on the wrist, which gradually grows larger, extending up the arm, then to the torso, and eventually the entire body. The victim becomes increasingly weak and in pain, ultimately turning completely red, covered in black webs, and dying."

"I came to you because I saw that red dot on the Fourth Prince's wrist."Bao Ning's face turned pale. She stared at Ming Shi for a long time before finding her voice.

"Auntie, there is an antidote, isn't there?"Ming Shi sighed and slowly shook her head. "The antidote recipe has been destroyed. Unless the poison maker has it, there is no cure in the world."Bao Ning swallowed hard and turned to grab Pei Yuan's hand, her nails digging at the red dot on his wrist, which showed no sign of fading.Bao Ning couldn't understand how things had come to this.

She had happily, hoping to help Pei Yuan heal his leg, but now it felt like a death sentence had been pronounced.She felt dazed, her nose tingling with an urge to cry. She looked up at Pei Yuan's expression. He still had his stern face, his brows furrowed, as he wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with his thumb.

"Why are you crying? Don't cry."Touching her wet cheeks, Bao Ning realized she had been crying. The more she thought about it, the more distressed she felt. Sitting there holding Pei Yuan's hand, her tears fell in a steady stream."Alright," Pei Yuan said, his palm gently rubbing her face, his voice hoarse as he tried to console her.

"You're crying too early. I'm not dead yet. Save those tears for later. When I do die, you can cry your heart out. Everyone will think I married a loving and virtuous wife, and I can die with some dignity."

"What are you talking about..." Bao Ning pushed him in anger but then regretted it, thinking of his weakening body and how he might not have long to live. She quickly moved to help him.Pei Yuan had considered such an outcome, half expecting it.

Though it was hard to accept, he felt a small solace with Bao Ning there. He couldn't afford to break down or act out, as Bao Ning was already losing control of her emotions. There would be no one to comfort or support her if he did.In truth, seeing Bao Ning cry for him brought a rare joy to Pei Yuan.

In all these years, hardly anyone had cried for him. Knowing someone would remember him fondly after his death made him feel a sense of fulfillment.Ming Yiniang's face showed a difficult expression, as if deeply conflicted. After some hesitation, she spoke.

"Bao Ning, don't cry. It's not as hopeless as it seems. There is still a glimmer of hope."Bao Ning turned, her tear-filled eyes lighting up with hope. "What way?"Ming Shi hesitated. "There are two methods. The first one is something my father mentioned before.

Golden silk leeches can draw out the poison. They suck the poisoned blood and die once full, and their saliva itself is a good detoxifying agent. It should be effective."Bao Ning's eyes brightened, but before she could speak, Ming Shi continued. "But there's a catch. While the leech detoxifies, it carries another poison. Once in the bloodstream, it causes joint and bone pain during rainy days, making life unbearable."Bao Ning hesitated.

"...What's the other method?"Ming Shi pressed her lips together. "The only other way is a blood transfusion. Replace all the poisoned blood, and he will live."Though this was said, finding someone suitable for a blood transfusion was nearly impossible.

Only the first method seemed feasible.Bao Ning looked at Pei Yuan, feeling anxious. She didn't know what Pei Yuan thought, whether dying painfully or living painfully was better. If she had to endure such pain, how despairing it would be.

Fate seemed particularly cruel to Pei Yuan.Ming Shi sighed. "Bao Ning, I'm not skilled enough to help you more than this. Discuss it among yourselves. I'll take my leave."With that, she got up and left.Bao Ning thanked her and saw her off a few steps, her heart heavy as she turned back to Pei Yuan.

He had wheeled himself to the window, looking up at the clouds outside.Bao Ning stood beside him, accompanying him in silence for a while before softly asking, "Are they beautiful?"Pei Yuan murmured an affirmative, then looked at her and unexpectedly smiled. "After that incident, I always thought living as a cripple was no different from being dead.

But now, I don't think so anymore.""Why?" Bao Ning asked.Pei Yuan said, "As long as I'm alive, you have a husband. If I die, you'll be a young widow."Bao Ning didn't know how to react. She should have wanted to laugh, but she couldn't. Instead, she felt the weight of it all, her eyes stinging again.

She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, choking out, "Pei Yuan, I've never thought you were a burden or a disgrace. We're family. Stay well, and we'll be each other's company. If you're in pain, I'll massage you. When you're better, we can go to the night market and watch the lanterns."Pei Yuan looked at her for a long time before nodding and softly agreeing....Bao Ning spent half a day at the mansion. Tao Shi never came to find her, so she enjoyed her freedom, had a meal with Xu Shi and Ji Yun, and chatted for a while. By evening, it was time for her to leave.

With Xu Shi around, Ji Yun didn't dare act out, even though she was displeased with Pei Yuan. She had to restrain herself, rarely showing a smile except towards Bao Ning. The outskirts of the capital were too far. Despite the reluctance, they had to leave after half a day. Xu Shi and Ji Yun saw them off.

The carriage was parked at the door, and Xu Shi held Bao Ning's hand, her eyes red. She had guessed part of what had happened during the day, knowing Bao Ning and Pei Yuan were not in a good situation. But the two children didn't tell her directly, and there was nothing she could do.

Xu Shi said, "Bao Ning, your aunt has no great skills and can't help you much. I can only give you one piece of advice that has guided me through half my life."

Bao Ning looked up, and Xu Shi smiled lovingly, touching her cheek, her voice gentle. "In this world, blessings and misfortunes always come together. You gain some and lose some. When things seem unbearable, never give up. Hang on a little longer. Good-hearted people will be rewarded. Endure through the hardships, and good fortune will await you."Bao Ning's nose tingled.

Xu Shi urged, "You should go now. It'll be hard to travel after dark." She prompted them, and Bao Ning and Pei Yuan boarded the carriage. Bao Ning waved back, and the carriage moved on.

Bao Ning remained silent and gloomy throughout the journey, which Pei Yuan noticed but didn't comment on.As they neared the city gates, Pei Yuan suddenly asked, "Do you want to come back often?"Bao Ning nodded.Pei Yuan said, "I'll take you to a nice place."

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