Chapter 30

 Night fell, and a cold wind picked up.

Bao Ning herded the chickens and ducks back into their enclosure, locked the fence gate securely, and added some food to Sai Feng's hay bag before heading inside. Ah Huang was already sitting at the door, waiting for her.

Inside the house, a lamp was lit. Through the thin paper window, she could see a tall figure sitting inside with their back to the window, engrossed in something.

Standing at the door for a while, Bao Ning collected her thoughts and stepped into the room.

A lamp was lit on the kang table, and Pei Yuan sat there writing and drawing. Upon hearing her, he didn't lift his head and simply said, "You're back."

His voice was calm, inexplicably reassuring. Such a simple phrase, hearing it, gave her a sense of belonging, like returning home on a snowy night.

Bao Ning smiled softly in response and turned to lock the door.

Pei Yuan was staying with her tonight.

Firstly, because the other house wasn't cleaned up yet and the windows were broken, making it inconvenient to stay there. Secondly, because there were enemies lurking in the shadows, and Pei Yuan didn't trust her to sleep alone.

He insisted on moving in. Bao Ning couldn't bring herself to refuse him, nor did she have a reason to.

During lunch, she had promised Pei Yuan that they would live well together. It would be too melodramatic to drive him away now.

Even though they were alone in the room at night, she still felt a bit shy.

Bao Ning didn't want to go straight to the kang now. She paced around the room, wiped the already spotless furniture again, and found herself with nothing to do. She sat on a stool, watching a mother leech eat snails.

They had caught them together in the afternoon, large and plump. Bao Ning picked out the best ones to feed the leech and planned to stir-fry the rest with chili tomorrow.

Just thinking about that taste made Bao Ning couldn't help but salivate.

The leech really could eat. Its plump body encircled the snail, and with the suction cups on its head, it forcefully pushed open the thin shell. Swiftly, it darted into the snail shell, and immediately, Bao Ning saw faint red blood flowing into its transparent body.

Bao Ning shivered, unable to help but wonder how painful it would be if this thing crawled into Pei Yuan's body.

Pei Yuan raised his head from the desk and looked at her.

In the warm yellow light, Bao Ning rested her chin in her hand, staring blankly at the small jar in front of her, lost in thought. He couldn't help but call her, "Aren't you coming up?"

Bao Ning snapped out of her thoughts. "Oh," she said, put away the leech, tiptoed to the cabinet and gently placed it there, then climbed to Pei Yuan's side.

The room was small, and the kang was small too. Pei Yuan was tall with long legs, occupying most of the space. To avoid touching him, Bao Ning could only curl her legs and huddle in the corner.

As she climbed up, Ah Huang also jumped onto the kang and snuggled into Pei Yuan's arms. It was affectionate and coquettish, tilting its head to lick Pei Yuan's neck. Pei Yuan disliked this wet sensation and pinched its neck skin to throw it away.

Ah Huang shook its head and wagged its tail, then rushed over and rubbed against him again.

"Doesn't it disgust you?" Pei Yuan put down his pen, intending to scold it. Seeing this, Bao Ning quickly hugged Ah Huang into her arms and said to Pei Yuan, "It's still young, don't scold it all the time."

"You're always protecting it." Pei Yuan furrowed his brows. "Sooner or later, I'll find a chance to give it a good beating!"

After saying that, he glanced at Bao Ning's legs. "Is it uncomfortable to sit like that?"

Before Bao Ning could answer, Pei Yuan grabbed her ankle and straightened her knee, lifted his shirt, naturally placing her foot against his abdomen, pressing it with his left hand while reaching for a pen with his right.

"Next time, come up earlier. Wiping here and there all day long, not knowing what cleanliness obsession you have, freezing cold."

The touch of their skin made Bao Ning curl her toes in this ambiguous sensation, feeling awkward. "No need... I'll just curl up under the blanket to keep warm."

Pei Yuan dipped his pen into the ink without looking at her. "I have a wound on my hand. If you move and make it split, deal with it yourself."

Bao Ning rubbed Ah Huang's fur, her eyelids drooping. She didn't pull her leg away. Slowly, warmth spread from her foot. She stole a glance at Pei Yuan, a hint of joy in her eyes.

Stretching her arms, Bao Ning picked up the walking aid she had started during the day and continued to work on it.

In the quiet room, with Ah Huang sleeping and Pei Yuan writing, she wrapped cloth strips around the wooden board, the rustling sound accentuating the tranquility. It was rare warmth.

As she worked, Bao Ning became immersed and lost track of time. Suddenly, she heard Pei Yuan say, "Let's get a maid to help you."

He finished writing the letter, blew on it, and continued, "It would be good to have someone take care of you, so you don't have to be so busy. Isn't that nice?"

Bao Ning raised her head abruptly, wide-eyed. "I don't want one!" She didn't know why Pei Yuan suddenly brought this up, but just the thought of having someone else at home made her uncomfortable. Especially if it was a maid, and a woman at that.

She knew she was being too sensitive. Straightening her back, she frowned. "I don't want anyone in my room, touching my things. I don't like it."

Pei Yuan was surprised by her reaction, patting her leg soothingly. "Then forget it. Just casually mentioned it, teasing you. If you don't like it, that's it."

Bao Ning leaned back against the wall slowly. She had overreacted, but this topic touched a chord deep within her, and she couldn't help it. Clasping her hands together, she scratched her palms with her nails.

With lowered eyelids, Pei Yuan didn't notice anything unusual in her expression.

The silence was broken, and Pei Yuan became more talkative. With his work done, he had time to tease her, "After dinner tomorrow, if the weather's good, I'll take you horseback riding."

"I dare not," Bao Ning's emotions calmed down. "Sai Feng is too spirited, I'm afraid. What if I fall?"

"I'm here. It won't dare to spook you."

Bao Ning said, "I have something more important tomorrow."

"What are you doing? Taking me with you?"

Pei Yuan pushed the table aside, chatting aimlessly with her. Bao Ning held the thing in her arms tightly, thinking about giving him a surprise without specifying, just saying, "I'll take you, and you'll find out tomorrow."

"Playing mysterious," Pei Yuan glanced at her, folded the letter neatly and placed it under the inkstone, "Should I blow out the lamp?"

"Wait a moment, let me make the bed." Bao Ning stood up, spread the blanket in three or two moves, smoothed the pillow, and said, "You can extinguish it."

Pei Yuan blew out the lamp in one breath, and the room darkened.

It wasn't the first time they shared a bed, but it was the first time both were fully awake. Bao Ning felt a bit at a loss. She touched her nose, lay down against the wall, a little further away from Pei Yuan. In the dark, her eyes secretly watched his movements.

"I have no intention of touching you." Pei Yuan closed his eyes, lay down, reached over and grabbed her earlobe gently, "Go to sleep."

Bao Ning couldn't sleep. She thought about the letter he had written all night, something she had wanted to ask about earlier but hesitated, unable to voice it

Bao Ning felt that she had the right to inquire. Pei Yuan said they were husband and wife, sharing honor and disgrace together. Every decision he made had an impact on her, and she should know whom Pei Yuan was writing to.

In the darkness, Bao Ning's courage grew. She nudged Pei Yuan's arm and quietly called out to him.

"What's wrong?" Pei Yuan lifted his hand to his forehead and grabbed her hand with the other, giving it a squeeze.

"Who are you writing to tonight?"

Pei Yuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Qiu Mingshan." Bao Ning was surprised.

She had grown up sheltered, never leaving home, but she still knew the name of the General who defended the country. She also knew that Pei Yuan had spent nearly eight years under Qiu Mingshan's command after initially joining the military and heading to the northern frontier. The two were as close as father and son.

But later, she heard that their relationship had soured, leading to a violent altercation where they almost drew blades against each other.

Pei Yuan continued, "Judging by the timing, he usually returns to the capital around this time each year to pay respects. I plan to arrange a meeting with him in a couple of days."

He stopped there, not wanting to elaborate further, and Bao Ning didn't press him. But she knew it wouldn't be as simple as just meeting face to face.

There were things she didn't know, and perhaps it was better that way.

Bao Ning stared at the ceiling wide-eyed for a while until her eyes grew tired and she closed them.

Huang Ah slept soundly in her arms. Bao Ning hugged it closer to her chest, resting her forehead against its back, and gradually fell asleep following its rhythmic breathing.

Unbeknownst to Bao Ning, Pei Yuan lay awake beside her, watching her for a long time.

...

The next day, Bao Ning woke up early. She was used to rising early; it allowed her to prepare several dishes. She enjoyed the process of cooking and the sense of accomplishment when seeing the finished products.

This busyness wasn't a burden to her; instead, it brought her refined happiness.

Pei Yuan was still asleep. Bao Ning kept the lamp dim, and the crackling of firewood filled the room with a fragrant aroma of steamed buns.

Pei Yuan woke up briefly once and exchanged a few words with her, trying to help, but Bao Ning persuaded him to rest.

She wished Pei Yuan would rest more. Taking care of his health was important. There was plenty of time for him to help her with chores in the future. If only Pei Yuan could remain true to his original intentions.

Maybe the atmosphere in the room was too conducive to sleep. Huang Ah lay next to Pei Yuan, and both the dog and the man slept soundly.

In the dim light, Bao Ning continued working on what she had in her hands. By the time the buns were cooked and daylight had come, she had finished sewing the final stitch, biting off the thread with her teeth.

Satisfied with her work, she hid it away in a cabinet and served the buns, waking Pei Yuan for breakfast.

The buns were filled with a juicy mixture of three fresh ingredients, the soft skin bursting with sweet meat juice. Pei Yuan ate four in quick succession, and Huang Ah finished one and a half.

During breakfast, Pei Yuan observed Bao Ning's expressions. He saw her fluctuate between happiness, worry, and eagerness to try something new.

He didn't ask; he waited for Bao Ning to speak. After they finished eating, Bao Ning brought two bowls of red date and wolfberry soup. She said it was good for replenishing qi and blood, insisting that he join her in drinking it.

Pei Yuan frowned but swallowed it down. Bao Ning then went to wash the dishes.

Clearly, there was something on her mind that she wasn't saying. Pei Yuan thought to himself that this little fool really could keep a secret.

Half an hour later, Bao Ning finished feeding the chickens, ducks, horses, and water leeches. She took a stroll in the backyard vegetable garden before finally returning to the house.

Pei Yuan was starting to get impatient.

Bao Ning smiled sheepishly at him and brought out the mobility aid she had made, standing in front of him and demonstrating how to put it on herself.

"I made this myself, thinking it might be useful... I thought, since you walk slowly mainly because your left leg can't exert force, if we fix your left leg in place, would you be able to exert force and find walking much easier?"

Bao Ning said, "You tie this strap around your waist, and these small wooden boards wrap around your leg. The boards are very hard, like crutches, providing support. I made another design around the knee... you can even squat with it."

Bao Ning demonstrated excitedly, "Isn't it amazing?" Pei Yuan had been silent all this time. Bao Ning looked up at him, her voice gradually lowering.

She was afraid Pei Yuan might misunderstand. He was sensitive, with a strong sense of pride, and Bao Ning worried that he might think she was criticizing him or that her actions might hurt him. She hesitated, only bringing it up now.

Would this make him uncomfortable too?

Bao Ning noticed a hint of redness in Pei Yuan's eyes

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