Chapter 32

 Feng Yongjia's voice betrayed his guilt, tinged with a hint of trying to please, as he called out, "Baoning."

Baoning shivered inwardly. She remembered what Pei Yuan had warned her about this Feng surname. It seemed increasingly likely he wasn't a good person. What normal person lurked around her neighborhood like this, acting suspiciously, as if waiting for a chance to catch her alone?

Baoning became cautious. She stood up abruptly, not wanting to exchange any pleasantries with Feng Yongjia. She turned around and started running back.

"Hey, where are you going?" Feng Yongjia panicked, lifting his robes and preparing to chase her. Ah Huang bared his teeth and snarled defensively, biting down on Feng Yongjia's leg.

"You damn dog!" Feng Yongjia yelled in pain. Fearful that Baoning would escape, he kicked Ah Huang away forcefully. Then he lunged forward and grabbed Baoning's arm. "Don't go!"

They were already close to the small courtyard, where she could see the shadows of the people brought by Pei Xiao. They weren't good people either, but at least for now, they wouldn't harm her to the extent of her life.

But Feng Yongjia was different.

Baoning thought of calling for help.

"Help—!" Baoning struggled to break free from Feng Yongjia's grip and shouted loudly. But before she could finish the second word, Feng Yongjia, in a panic, covered her mouth with his hand.

"What are you yelling for?" Feng Yongjia urged anxiously. "I'm here to save you!"

His voice lowered. "Someone wants to kill your man." He hesitated, correcting himself, "Kill that cripple!"

"Do you want to throw your life away with him?"

Baoning widened her eyes, staring intently at Feng Yongjia.

Afraid she would scream, he dared not let go, keeping her restrained while continuing to coax her. "He's a big shot, a high-ranking official. Who can escape his grasp? You're young and beautiful. I know you only married that cripple out of necessity. Why risk your life with him? I have feelings for you, that's why I took the risk to ask that big shot to save your life."

"Do you understand?"

Baoning's heart pounded, her fingernails digging into her palms. She nodded slowly.

Feng Yongjia's expression eased slightly. "If I let go, promise me you won't scream."

Observing Baoning's subdued demeanor, he slowly released his grip.

Unexpectedly, the moment he let go, Baoning slapped him across the face!

With her long nails, the slap left three bloody marks on Feng Yongjia's face, causing him to see stars. Baoning turned and ran, and Feng Yongjia, furious, chased after her. Now, he no longer cared about being gentle; he tackled her to the ground, pulled out a handkerchief with powdered opium given by Xu Guang, and forcefully covered Baoning's mouth and nose.

"I didn't want to resort to this with you, but you wouldn't listen!" he muttered angrily.

Baoning smelled a strong, sweet fragrance, and soon her body grew limp, losing consciousness.

In that last moment of consciousness, Baoning thought of Pei Yuan... she hoped he would know what was happening here and come to rescue her soon.

Feng Yongjia saw tears in Baoning's eyes and felt a pang of guilt. He moved the handkerchief aside and whispered softly, "Baoning, I'm sorry for this now, but you'll thank me later."

Ah Huang stared fiercely at him from a few steps away, growling low in his throat. Then Feng Yongjia picked up Baoning, and with a limp, he hobbled toward the small courtyard.

...

"You should know I had to come find you."

Pei Xiao sat at the table, calmly observing Pei Yuan sitting opposite him in his wheelchair. After scrutinizing him briefly, he sighed slightly, seeming troubled. "Fourth brother, you don't seem to be doing well."

He paused, then added, "Though much better than I imagined."

Pei Yuan rested his chin on his fingertips, leaning on the armrest of his wheelchair. He smirked, his eyes mocking. "What should I be like in the imagination of the Crown Prince?"

Pei Xiao replied, "You should already be dead."

Pei Yuan squinted. After a moment, he smiled wryly and looked down at his fingers. "Thanks for the blessing."

Pei Xiao remained silent. Pei Yuan raised his gaze to his nominal older brother, his expression calm and emotionless.

"You've grown up a lot. You no longer go crazy at the sight of me, wanting to tear me apart."

Pei Xiao suddenly chuckled. "Did I just meet your princess? She's a pretty girl. Looks like she's taking good care of you, and your relationship seems good. Better than mine with your sister-in-law. Couples should be intimate. I don't like the term 'respectful coexistence,' but unfortunately, born into the imperial family, everything is bound by power and interests. Always beyond one's control."

He spoke casually.

Pei Yuan gradually straightened his back, his gaze fixed on Pei Xiao. He spoke slowly and deliberately, one word at a time. "Don't touch her. Otherwise, even if I have to die, I will kill you. I mean what I say."

"I'm not that despicable," Pei Xiao replied. "Besides, I'm about to marry her sister. She's also my sister-in-law. We're getting closer by the day."

"You're sick in the head," Pei Yuan sneered, his lips twitching. Leaning back in his wheelchair, he looked disinterested and impatient. "I don't have time to chat with you about trivial matters. If you're going to kill me, do it quickly. Let's see if you die or if I live. I don't have time to waste arguing with you."

"Fine, let's talk about something else," Pei Xiao wasn't angry. "General Qiu returned last night. At the morning court today, he petitioned the emperor to re-examine your case, claiming to have found evidence to exonerate you. Guess what the emperor said?"

Pei Yuan's eyes narrowed. After a while, he smirked and lowered his head, his voice flat. "The emperor refused."

He smiled again. "It makes sense. With two sons causing him so much heartache, the emperor naturally wouldn't want to revisit past grievances. He would have wasted General Qiu's efforts."

"Fourth Brother, I'm really curious though. What kind of charm do you have? People are willing to sacrifice everything for you, whether it's Pei Che or Qiu Mingshan. Even if you were holding a knife to Qiu Mingshan's throat, he still treats you so well. Can you teach me your ways?"

"Enough nonsense," Pei Yuan pursed his lips, tilting his chin up. "Get out."

Pei Xiao stared at him deeply, clenched his fists against his lips, and coughed lightly twice.

It was a residual effect from that incident when he had tested poisoned wine for the emperor. His body wasn't fully recovered, and any exertion would trigger a cough.

Pei Xiao turned to leave but suddenly heard a commotion from the courtyard, dogs barking in the distance, guards shouting to stop them. They couldn't hold them back, and Ah Huang burst through the door, leaping to Pei Yuan's knee and licking his face.

Unlike his usual affectionate manner, Ah Huang seemed anxious, his panting noticeable. He licked Pei Yuan a couple of times, then jumped down to pull on his trousers, his throat growling.

"What's going on?" Pei Yuan's face darkened, grabbing Ah Huang's front leg. "Where's Baoning?"

"Woof! Woof!" Ah Huang barked twice, turning his head towards the door, then struggling to pull Pei Yuan's trousers, trying to drag him outside.

A sense of foreboding gripped Pei Yuan's heart. He wheeled his chair around, passing by Pei Xiao. Pei Yuan's heart skipped a beat as he grabbed Pei Xiao's collar fiercely. "Did you do something to her?"

Their faces were almost touching, and Pei Xiao's face was pale from his frail health. He squinted slightly. "It wasn't me."

"You better not lie to me," Pei Yuan's lower eyelid twitched, gritting his teeth. "Don't think I can't do anything to you."

With that, Pei Yuan stormed out.

Pei Xiao watched his retreating figure, straightened his disheveled clothes, and glanced around with a heavy gaze.

A guard stepped forward, bowing, "Your Highness, should I send someone to check?"

"Mm," Pei Xiao coughed twice, then walked outside, "Keep a close watch."

Pei Yuan arrived at the small grove and saw only a chaotic patch of grass, trampled down. His pupils contracted sharply, and he hurried forward to investigate.

Under the tangled grass and leaves, he found Bao Ning's earring.

Pei Yuan held the earring in his hand, involuntarily recalling the rainy night and the thief. The hard silver edges pricked his palm painfully. For a moment, Pei Yuan fell silent, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes as he struck a nearby sturdy tree trunk with his fist.

The apricot tree swayed, and leaves fluttered down. Pei Yuan turned his wheelchair around and returned to the courtyard, followed by Ah Huang.

Pei Yuan found the mobility aid made by Bao Ning and dressed himself with it using the morning's method. Standing up, he took two steps, feeling adjusted. He pursed his lips and whistled softly.

Upon hearing the sound, Saifeng trotted over. Pei Yuan took the reins in his left hand, holding the whip in his right. With a twist of his waist and abdominal strength, he swung his left leg onto the stirrup and flipped himself onto the horse.

Anxious, Ah Huang circled Saifeng, barking at Pei Yuan. Pei Yuan glanced at him. "Guard the house well," he said.

Understanding, Ah Huang stopped circling and sat down heavily on the ground.

Pei Yuan turned the horse's head, raised his hand, cracked the whip, and shouted, "Go!" Saifeng neighed, galloping away like a bolt of lightning, leaving only a trail of dust behind.

Pei Yuan's subordinates left by Pei Xiao were hiding in the shadows, observing. Seeing this, one of them couldn't believe it. "Wasn't Fourth Prince's leg disabled? When did it recover, and he can ride a horse?"

"How would I fucking know," the other tightened his grip on the knife handle. "You keep following. I'll go back and report to His Highness!"

"Okay!"

...

Pei Yuan controlled the horse into the city. What was originally a journey of two hours was shortened due to Saifeng's speed and Pei Yuan's improved riding skills, taking just over an hour.

The streets were bustling with people. Amidst the throngs, Pei Yuan hesitated for a moment before setting off towards the residence of the Huaguojun

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