Chapter 57

 Pei Yuan didn't quite agree with her preferences, and Bao Ning had anticipated this.

It wasn't exactly disagreement. When she was just doing these things at home for fun, Pei Yuan supported her. But if she wanted to make a living out of it, he would oppose.

For some reason, when Pei Yuan heard that Bao Ning had such thoughts, his heart felt uneasy.

"Why suddenly think of doing this? Is it because money is tight?" Pei Yuan frowned deeply, "Don't worry about money. I have plenty. Spend as you like. Buy whatever you want without having to consult me."

"It's not about money," Bao Ning said, "I just feel that sitting idle at home every day is boring."

"I can allocate more time to come back and accompany you, like today," Pei Yuan reached for her hand, attempting to shake off the wooden horse she held, "Whatever you want to do, wherever you want to go, I'll accompany you. You don't need to bother with those thankless and public tasks."

Bao Ning didn't know how to explain it to him.

"It's not your fault."

"Then where exactly is the problem?" Pei Yuan grew anxious. He pulled Bao Ning into his arms, holding her waist. He hoped that Bao Ning's world would revolve around him, that she would think of him all the time. Now, something else seemed to be distracting her attention. Even if it was just about wooden sticks, Pei Yuan couldn't stand it. He felt threatened.

Bao Ning couldn't explain to him, and Pei Yuan couldn't express his thoughts either. They remained at an impasse for a while before Bao Ning finally said, "Forget it."

Pei Yuan thought she was giving up, sighed in relief, and leaned in to kiss Bao Ning's face.

"Don't lick me," Bao Ning pushed him away with a grunt, "It's wet and uncomfortable."

"Be good, Ning Ning." Pei Yuan sat on the ground, his right leg bent, placing Bao Ning between his thighs and chest, hugging her tightly.

He went to bite Bao Ning's nose tip, murmuring, "Be good and stay with me. I'll give you all my good things. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you."

...

As Bao Ning hoped, Pei Yuan stayed with her for half a month.

At home, he fed dogs and sheep every day, set up a small tent in the corner of the courtyard, put a pot inside, and after several days of diligent practice, he actually learned to make egg fried rice.

However, he could never get the salt right; it was either too salty or too bland, and there were always eggshells in it that even the dogs wouldn't eat. Bao Ning was frugal and wouldn't let him throw it away, so Pei Yuan had to force himself to swallow it.

After half a month of recuperation and another round of detoxification, Pei Yuan seemed to be getting better and even showed signs of gaining weight.

The wedding invitation for Ji Jiaying and Pei Xiaoxiao finally arrived, with a grand banquet and many guests. It wasn't just Bao Ning who received it; Pei Yuan did too.

Ji Yun sent word from outside the mansion that the female relatives of the Duke's mansion would all attend, and Aunt Xu would also go.

Finally having the chance to see her own aunt, Bao Ning was so happy that she spun around in the courtyard, taking out the clothes she had already made for her. The Duke's mansion never lacked food or clothing, but what they lacked was personal sentiments. The things she embroidered needle by needle might not be valuable, but Aunt Xu would definitely be very pleased to wear them.

Pei Yuan lay back on the cool chair under the pomegranate tree, holding a map he had studied over and over. He made markings with charcoal pencil on it and occasionally glanced at Bao Ning.

When they were together, he had never felt so frustrated. With his left arm around a sheep and his right hand holding a dog, he kissed one here and another there.

Pei Yuan felt sour inside. Turning the charcoal pencil in his hand, he pondered. Sooner or later, he would throw both of these nuisances out of the house.

What was the point of raising them to compete for affection?

Suddenly, Pei Yuan remembered Meng Fan and the box he had sent. A few days ago, when Bao Ning wasn't paying attention, he had hidden away the locked box. Bao Ning searched for it for a while but didn't say anything. He had also hidden away Bao Ning's little wooden horse.

All hidden away.

"Ah Yuan, how do I look in this outfit?" Bao Ning called out to him, interrupting his thoughts.

Pei Yuan looked up. Bao Ning was wearing a sapphire blue gauze skirt, twirling the hem. With her naturally fair complexion, the color accentuated her snow-white skin. Pei Yuan squinted and felt like she was glowing.

"Beautiful," Pei Yuan sincerely praised.

Bao Ning was satisfied. She lowered her head to look at the pattern on her skirt again, feeling it was just right and didn't need any more adjustments. Suddenly, she remembered something and said to Pei Yuan, "I made something for you too."

She hurried back to her room to fetch it and returned quickly, holding a dark blue brocade robe, waving it to him, "Come try it on?"

Only then did Pei Yuan remember. He had forgotten to tell Bao Ning that he couldn't accompany her.

Seeing Bao Ning smiling, Pei Yuan frowned. He finally said, "Ning Ning, at the upcoming banquet in a few days, I'm afraid you'll have to go alone."

Bao Ning was momentarily confused but quickly understood what he meant. Over these days, she had deliberately avoided thinking about that conversation with Pei Yuan. Now, bringing it up suddenly made her feel heavy-hearted.

She gathered up the clothes in her hands, holding them to her chest, and lowered her head, "Okay... then I won't go either."

"It doesn't matter to you," Pei Yuan stood up and walked over to her, comforting her softly, "I'll be with you in secret. Just meet your aunt, you don't need to worry about anything else. There will be people protecting you."

"But you..." Bao Ning glanced at Pei Yuan and didn't finish her sentence in the courtyard. She walked back into the house with her belongings.

Pei Yuan followed her into the house. Bao Ning sat at the table, lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up and asked, "If chaos really breaks out in the Crown Prince's mansion, will Gongsun Zhu appear?"

"He loves drinking. He wouldn't miss such an opportunity. The Emperor attaches great importance to Pei Xiaoxiao's marriage, and many Imperial Guards have been dispatched. They are under the command of General Tao Mao, who is Pei Xiaoxiao's confidant. For Gongsun Zhu, it's very safe. He will definitely appear."

"If he is captured alive, will there be an antidote?" There was a hint of hope in Bao Ning's eyes.

"Perhaps," Pei Yuan said, "If there is one, that would be best. If not, he must be killed to prevent future troubles."

Bao Ning didn't say anything more.

The wedding was scheduled for three days later, in the evening. Madam Qiu invited Bao Ning to ride in the carriage together, but Bao Ning declined.

Her emotions were low all day, and Pei Yuan personally cooked some snacks for her—a sweet osmanthus cake that turned out a bit off in color and texture with guidance from Liu Mama. Regardless, it was edible and packed in oil paper for Bao Ning to carry with her.

Pei Yuan got into the carriage and instructed her, "If you're hungry, eat a couple of pieces. If you really can't finish it, just seeing it will remind you of me. In places you can't see, I'm always with you."

Bao Ning smiled. Pei Yuan hugged her and lowered his voice, "Ning Ning, I promise you, once this is over, I'll take you away from here."

"You've been so talkative these days, and everything you do and say is so affectionate," Bao Ning nestled in his arms and laughed, "You're not like yourself."

"You're asking for a beating," Pei Yuan chuckled, biting her neck, "You look so pitiful, and I'm lowering myself to coddle you, yet you still find fault. I don't know why you have so many issues—this isn't right, that isn't right. In a few days, I'll have to straighten you out."

Bao Ning pursed her lips, but she couldn't deny that this argument had lightened her mood considerably.

She said, "If we really move out, we'll live like we used to. I'll cook for you, and we won't need any other servants."

Pei Yuan nodded and smiled. Bao Ning thought about their future days, her lips curling up. She hugged Pei Yuan's waist and whispered softly, "I've been treating you poorly these days. Once I feel better, I'll make it up to you."

"How will you make it up?" Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow mischievously, reverting to his usual playful self, his hand caressing her waist, teasingly rubbing a few times, and suddenly pinching her under the chest, "Like this?"

Bao Ning exclaimed in surprise, her ears turning red instantly. She looked at him incredulously, "What are you doing?"

Pei Yuan whispered in her ear, "Didn't I tell you? I've been enduring you for a long time. Now that I'm back, I need to satisfy myself."

Bao Ning squirmed away, but Pei Yuan held her shoulders and kissed her lower lip gently, "As a wife, don't be too stingy. I'm learning to be a good husband, and you should learn to..."

Pei Yuan stared into her eyes, smiling provocatively, "Stoke my fire."

Bao Ning curled up in the corner, feeling cornered, her clothes wrinkled. Pei Yuan had teased her enough, and he resumed his usual cold and stern demeanor, straightening up and saying, "I'm leaving."

With that, he didn't wait for Bao Ning's response, turning and jumping off the carriage.

Pei Yuan waved his hand, Liu Mama followed him, and he signaled the coachman. With a crack of the whip, the carriage swiftly headed west.

Pei Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, watching that figure for a long time, lost in thought.

"Young General," someone called him from behind, teasingly.

"Do you remember three years ago, when we drank together and you said something to me? You said you would only focus on galloping on the battlefield and living freely, not bothered by such mundane affairs. Now, just half a year since we last met, you've turned yourself into the most detested version of yourself, as if you were a stone devoted to your wife."

Wei Meng shook his head, "You've grown soft."

Pei Yuan turned around, meeting Wei Meng's blue eyes.

Having been apart from his brothers for so long, meeting again naturally brought some emotions. Pei Yuan rubbed the silver whip handle with his fingers, and after a long while, he said in a hoarse voice, "I invited you back to assist me, not to mock me."

"I'm just curious about how much charm your sister-in-law really has to make the Young General so infatuated," Wei Meng laughed heartily.

"Do you remember half a year ago, when the incident happened, and I came looking for you? You threw me out like a stray dog. At that time, you were as pitiful as a mourning dog. Now, you're like an eagle on the grassland, about to hatch eggs."

Wei Meng pointed to Pei Yuan's lips.

Pei Yuan wiped them, a hint of rouge from Bao Ning's lips still there.

He looked at Wei Meng, chuckled, then suddenly turned and punched him in the stomach, "What do you understand!"

"Two hours later at the Crown Prince's mansion. If things go well, I'll treat you to a drink," Pei Yuan finished, whistled for Saifeng, and rode off after the westbound carriage.

---

The Ji family had many women, and the banquet hall of the Crown Prince's mansion was just the right size for one table.

Madam Xu eagerly awaited Bao Ning. Madam Tao was about to give birth, her belly swollen like a drum, and Sixth Miss Ji Liuxiang served by her side.

As Madam Tao sipped her tea, she kept an eye on the entrance, and when she finally saw Bao Ning, she snorted, set down her teacup, and revealed a smug look.

She turned to Madam Xu, her voice neither loud nor soft, with a hint of sarcasm, "It's been half a year since she married into our family. Why is Bao Ning's belly still silent?"

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