Chapter 22

 Pei Yang had already returned to the palace, leaving behind the carriage and the coachman for them. Pei Yuan leaned out and said a few words to the coachman, who responded with a nod, turned the horse around, and after another half-hour's journey, they arrived at a farm.

It was getting dark, twilight enveloped the sky. Bao Ning lifted the curtain and looked outside. It was a large pasture, the early spring grass had not yet fully grown, presenting a velvety light green. Through the fence, she could see a few tall, sturdy horses grazing with their heads down.

In the innermost part, there was a row of tile-roofed houses. It was dinner time, and smoke was drifting upwards from the chimneys. There was no wind tonight, so the smoke rose straight up.

A huge setting sun behind the houses bathed the smoke in a golden hue.

The sound of galloping hooves came closer, and Bao Ning tilted her head. She saw a group of young people in elegant clothes riding horses, cheering and racing, creating a lively and noisy scene. Bao Ning rarely went out, and had never been to a horse farm before. It was the first time she saw such a scene, and she couldn’t take her eyes off them, following their movements until they disappeared from sight, only then did she snap back to reality.

She was somewhat excited by their enthusiasm, but also confused. She turned to Pei Yuan and asked, "What are we here for?"

Pei Yuan extended his hand to her. "Help me down first."

Bao Ning responded, got off the carriage first, and together with the coachman, they brought down the wheelchair, then helped Pei Yuan out.

Pei Yuan leaned on her arm, squinting as he looked into the distance, his face showing an emotion Bao Ning couldn’t understand. He stood there for a while before sitting down and spoke slowly, "Let's go in."

Bao Ning didn’t know what Pei Yuan was thinking. She guessed that he was uncomfortable after hearing Aunt Ming's words during the day and wanted to take a stroll, perhaps feeling a bit nostalgic.

Pei Yuan must have been an excellent rider before, but now his legs were not in good condition, and it was uncertain whether he could ride again in the future.

Bao Ning understood him but was a bit hesitant. "Will they let us in…?"

She reached into her sleeve to take out some money, counted it in her hand, and said, "We don’t have much left, it might not be enough."

Pei Yuan quietly watched her. Bao Ning counted the money again and asked, "Fourth Prince, how much money do you have left?" She started regretting spending too much during the day and not bringing enough with her.

"Do we need to ask for credit? I feel a bit embarrassed." Bao Ning frowned, trying to persuade him, "How about we come back in a couple of days?"

Pei Yuan pressed his tongue against his left cheek and took a moment before speaking, "Do you see me as a pauper?"

Bao Ning rubbed her hands nervously, not knowing how to answer him.

First impressions do matter. On the first day of their marriage, Pei Yuan lived in a shabby house with a tattered quilt, looking disheveled. So in her heart, Pei Yuan was someone who had fallen from grace and had nothing left.

But during the day, he had generously given her a gold ingot.

Pei Yuan waited for a while, and when she didn’t respond, he pointed to the gate. "Let's go in."

Bao Ning pushed him in, relieved that no one stopped them along the way.

The young men who had been riding and playing seemed to be tired. They got off their horses and walked out in groups, laughing and joking. Seeing them approaching, Bao Ning recalled the gossip she heard in Qingzhu Lane, frowned, and turned the wheelchair to hide Pei Yuan from view.

A simple protective gesture that Pei Yuan noticed clearly in the shadows. He silently smiled, then put it away, and pointed his chin towards the back of the row of tile-roofed houses. "Go there."

Bao Ning responded and pushed him in that direction. Pei Yuan seemed familiar with the place, which made her feel much more at ease. She thought, perhaps Pei Yuan knew the owner and they wouldn’t be driven out.

She still cared about saving face and didn’t want to be embarrassed.

Rounding the houses, the scene in front of her stunned Bao Ning. A vast grassland stretched out, seemingly connecting with the distant mountains. Stables lined the sides, housing at least a hundred horses. People were feeding them with baskets of fodder. There were so many horses that the wind carried the strong, grassy smell of horse manure.

Bao Ning wrinkled her nose and couldn’t help but gag.

Pei Yuan chuckled, looking up at her and mouthing, "No guts."

Bao Ning lightly pinched the back of his clothes in mock annoyance. She stood on tiptoe to look out further, feeling it was new and beautiful. After a while, she lowered her head and asked, "Are we here to enjoy the scenery?"

Pei Yuan said, "I’m giving you a horse."

Bao Ning was surprised. "I don’t know how to ride."

Pei Yuan said, "It's very gentle and smart, it will obey you."

It sounded mysterious. Bao Ning didn’t believe him. "Do you know the horse?"

Pei Yuan didn’t answer. He raised his hand to his lips and whistled. The sound was loud, and Bao Ning covered her ears. Pei Yuan whistled again, and the people feeding the horses looked over.

Someone noticed the strangers and, with an unfriendly expression, put down the basket and walked towards them.

Bao Ning became nervous, gripping the armrest of Pei Yuan’s wheelchair. She thought if they were driven away, she would apologize and leave quickly with Pei Yuan.

Suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats came from afar, light and quick, getting closer. Bao Ning looked in that direction and saw a tall, black horse galloping towards them at high speed, the sunset casting a glow around it.

The man who had been approaching to drive them away hurriedly stepped aside but was still knocked over, staggering and falling to the ground.

In just a few breaths, the horse was in front of Pei Yuan. Bao Ning was astonished, looking up at its eyes.

They were large and black like bronze bells. The horse snorted, blowing air that lifted Bao Ning’s bangs and had a bit of a smell.

Bao Ning finally realized she should be scared and screamed, hiding on the other side of Pei Yuan. But the horse ignored her, lowered its head, and nudged Pei Yuan’s face, seeking his touch.

Pei Yuan gently brushed the horse’s nose. The black horse snorted loudly, then lowered its head and nuzzled his hand. This tall, imposing horse was acting as docile and affectionate as a child next to Pei Yuan. Bao Ning felt a strange mix of incongruity and warmth. She was easily moved, and this scene made her eyes well up. She held back her tears and softly asked Pei Yuan, “Is this your horse?”

Pei Yuan replied, “It’s called Saifeng.”

He reached for Bao Ning’s wrist, covering her hand with his, guiding her to pet the horse. “Don’t be afraid. It’s fierce to strangers but very gentle with its own.”

Bao Ning wanted to pull back but was also curious. Pei Yuan’s hand was dry and warm, providing a sense of security. Giving in to her curiosity, she relaxed and petted the horse.

The horse’s coarse, short hair felt a bit prickly. The black horse stared at her without any sign of aggression.

Bao Ning smiled, no longer afraid, and sweetly called its name, “Saifeng?”

Pei Yuan said, “It used to be my life. I treated it better than my own child.”

“How can you say that? A horse isn’t the same as a child.” Bao Ning’s eyes curved into a smile, and she asked, “If you love it so much, why didn’t you take it with you?”

Pei Yuan replied, “I thought I didn’t deserve it anymore.”

Bao Ning realized she had said something wrong and felt regretful. She opened her mouth to say something, but Pei Yuan spoke again.

“Now it’s yours.”

His voice carried on the breeze, reaching her ears. Bao Ning felt a fleeting touch of emotion that she couldn’t quite grasp.

Bao Ning blinked. “Is that alright…”

Before she could finish, an elderly man’s tentative voice called from behind, “Fourth Prince?”

Bao Ning turned Pei Yuan around. An old man in brown work clothes, looking about fifty or sixty years old, with a weathered face, had been calling out. When he saw Pei Yuan clearly, tears immediately streamed down his face.

His sudden crying startled Bao Ning. The old man knelt and saluted, sobbing, “Fourth Prince, you’re finally here. I thought you…”

“Uncle Xiang, please rise.” Pei Yuan reached out to help him, but being in a wheelchair, he couldn’t reach. Bao Ning stepped in to help the old man up. The old man asked, “And this lady is?”

Pei Yuan glanced at Bao Ning and said calmly, “She is my wife.”

Bao Ning felt shy when he called her “wife” and smiled bashfully.

Feng Xiang praised, “The Fourth Princess is truly beautiful, with such good features.”

Pei Yuan said, “I’m here to take Saifeng home. Thank you for taking care of it all this time. Now that I’ve got it, we’ll be leaving.”

“Won’t you stay for a bit? We’ve just made dinner.” Feng Xiang looked flustered and continued, “Fourth Prince, this horse farm was entrusted to me by you. Now that you’re back safe and sound, it’s time to return it to its rightful owner…”

Pei Yuan interrupted him, “No need.” He patted Bao Ning’s hand, signaling that he wanted to leave. Saifeng pawed the ground with its hooves and followed behind.

Bao Ning didn’t understand much of their cryptic conversation, but since Pei Yuan wanted to leave, she began to push him.

Feng Xiang hurried after them, “Fourth Prince, wait a moment. I’ll have my son take you home.”

Pei Yuan frowned and was about to refuse, but Feng Xiang waved his hand dismissively, “It’s no trouble. It’s dark and the road is long. My son is free and can take you.”

He ran towards the row of tile-roofed houses, calling out, “Yong Jia, Yong Jia, we have distinguished guests. Come and take them home.”

Inside the innermost house, Liu Yong Jia was rolling up his sleeves, looking nervously at the man with the bushy beard in front of him. Hearing his father’s call, he craned his neck to respond but shrank back, intimidated by the man before him, and didn’t dare make a sound.

“What’s your useless old man calling you for now?” the bearded man, Xu Guang, muttered, taking a swig of wine with his foot on a stool. He spat and threatened in a harsh voice, “I’ll give you three more days. Either sell the horse farm and repay the money, or I’ll kill your whole family.”

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