Chapter 61

 After Peiyuan left, the room immediately fell silent.

The candle on the table was dimmed. The lamb lay quietly under the bed, and Ah Huang nestled by Bao Ning's neck, breathing lightly. The earlier thrilling events felt like a dream.

Bao Ning reached out to open the curtain. The cherry blossom pink gauze let in a soft light that fell gently on her eyelids.

Bao Ning sighed softly, finally calming down. She stopped thinking about what had happened in the plum grove at the Crown Prince's residence, closed her eyes, and fell into a drowsy sleep.

...

As soon as Peiyuan stepped out, he was stopped by Wei Meng. The door hadn't fully closed yet when Wei Meng peeked inside and quietly asked, "Has the young lady fallen asleep?"

"She's resting." Peiyuan rolled up his sleeves, still dressed in his black outfit. His belt was slightly loosened, and his clothes were a bit wrinkled from his earlier movements.

Wei Meng smelled a faint feminine fragrance on him and noticed his disheveled appearance. He grinned ambiguously.

"I'm in a hurry to cook. What do you need?" Peiyuan frowned at him. "Speak quickly."

Wei Meng straightened up and said, "I owe you and the young lady an apology. I shouldn't have looked down on her and said that women cause trouble."

He paused, "If it weren't for the young lady, Gongsun Zhu would have escaped, and my mission would have failed. I am fair in my dealings, and I must meet her to apologize and thank her." Saying this, Wei Meng stepped towards the house, but Peiyuan hissed and grabbed his collar, throwing him aside.

"Have you lost your mind after spending too long in the military camp?" Peiyuan cursed, "Do you think you can enter the inner chambers as you please? Look at yourself, you're not fit to step inside. I'm telling you, from now on, don't set foot in this courtyard without my permission. Your stench disrupts the peace!"

Wei Meng was left speechless by his scolding.

Peiyuan remembered that Bao Ning was still asleep inside and lowered his voice, "She was frightened. Don't mention this incident in front of her again."

Wei Meng muttered an acknowledgment. Peiyuan started walking away, and Wei Meng followed. He had many things to report, but Peiyuan's interruption made him forget them.

He casually said, "Next time, let's have a meal together with the young lady."

"Are you crazy?" Peiyuan glared at him, feeling he had nothing to say to this uneducated bandit leader, so he shut his mouth and quickened his pace towards the kitchen.

Wei Meng finally remembered what he needed to report and stopped Peiyuan, "I need to tell you about Peixiao."

Peiyuan paused but didn't stop walking. Wei Meng continued, "I sneaked into Peixiao's study and saw a topographic map and a secret letter on his desk. It's almost mid-summer, and as usual, the emperor will go to the summer palace next month. The map shows a route through Lihu, a place surrounded by mountains and hard to defend. I suspect he's planning something there."

Wei Meng walked backward, facing Peiyuan, "I didn't dare steal the map for fear of arousing Peixiao's suspicion, but I've memorized it. I'll copy it for you tonight, and we can discuss it."

"I don't have time tonight," Peiyuan said. "I won't be available for the next few days. I need to spend time with her."

"General, are you caught up in romance again?" Wei Meng grabbed his sleeve, "How can you achieve great things like this?"

"I don't know how to achieve great things. I only know that without her tonight, you'd be nothing." Peiyuan narrowed his eyes, "I've warned you repeatedly to ensure her safety, and you let her end up in the plum grove. If she hadn't been alert and unharmed, I would have skinned you alive!"

Wei Meng was speechless, "How was I to know that Gongsun Zhu was hiding there, and the young lady would go there too..."

Peiyuan pushed him aside and strode forward, "In any case, don't bother me these next few days!"

In the kitchen, the dumplings were ready, sitting on the cupboard. Peiyuan had recently learned to cook. Though not skilled, he could steam dumplings.

Late at night, the kitchen was empty. Peiyuan worked by himself, lighting the fire and boiling water. He placed the dumplings in the steamer, made a cucumber salad, steamed an egg, and prepared garlic sauce.

Wei Meng watched from the doorway, stunned. He kept saying that Peiyuan had changed, turning from a warrior into a diligent homemaker in half a year.

Peiyuan, busy with his tasks, ignored him. Once the dumplings were ready, he gave Wei Meng two and told him to leave. He hurried back to the courtyard with the food box.

...

Bao Ning was sound asleep. Ah Huang was curled up in her arms, eyes wide open, not daring to move.

When Peiyuan came over, Ah Huang let out a low growl, feeling uncomfortable after being restrained for a long time.

Peiyuan made a hushing gesture, and Ah Huang quieted down.

Peiyuan placed the food box on the nearby table, sat next to Bao Ning, and gently stroked her eyebrow, speaking softly, "Wake up, you little lazy pig. Get up and eat something."

Bao Ning murmured, and Peiyuan patted her cheek twice, giving her time to wake up. He then lifted the quilt, pulled her out, and placed her on his lap.

"Did you eat anything at the banquet hall tonight?"

Still groggy, Bao Ning replied with her eyes closed, "No, the dishes weren't served when I left."

"I've steamed dumplings for you." Peiyuan kissed her eyelid gently, "Shall I feed you?"

Today's events didn't really concern Bao Ning. Witnessing such cruel scenes left her physically unharmed but undoubtedly scarred her mentally. Peiyuan felt guilty and remorseful for not protecting her well.

Perhaps out of this sense of guilt, coupled with love and pride for her bravery, Peiyuan was especially gentle and indulgent today. Bao Ning had never seen him so considerate, treating her with the care and patience one might show a child.

Ah Huang climbed onto the little lamb's back. The lamb had grown quite big, and the two of them stacked together, poking their heads to sniff at the dumplings in the food box.

Peiyuan waved them away.

Bao Ning said, "Your clothes have a smell, it's unpleasant."

Peiyuan lowered his head and sniffed but didn't notice anything. But seeing Bao Ning's expression, he immediately understood she was referring to the scent of blood.

Though he hadn't directly gotten blood on his hands today, the faint smell was almost undetectable to him, accustomed as he was to such scenes. However, Bao Ning was particularly sensitive and felt uncomfortable.

Peiyuan removed his clothes with one hand and tossed them aside, revealing his strong, bare chest.

"Is this better now?"

Bao Ning burrowed into his arms, whispering, "It's better."

It was the first time she had taken the initiative to seek his embrace. Peiyuan smiled, pinching her nose, "You've learned well, making progress."

Bao Ning giggled. Her eyes remained closed, and her arms hung around Peiyuan's neck. Usually, such closeness would make her feel shy and awkward, but today was different. Peiyuan's presence made her feel particularly safe.

Peiyuan held her waist with one hand to prevent her from falling and took the food box with the other, lifting the lid. The aroma wafted out.

Bao Ning opened her eyes and was surprised to see that Peiyuan had also made steamed egg custard, golden yellow with green scallions sprinkled on top.

Peiyuan took out a small bowl, scooped a spoonful of the custard for her, and proudly lifted his chin, "Is it good?"

Bao Ning nodded, "It's good."

"See," Peiyuan smirked, "I do have some talent, despite your constant discouragement. Now, look, my talent is showing, isn't it? Give me half a year or so, and I'll surely be better than the royal chefs, letting you dine out every day."

Bao Ning agreed with him, sitting on Peiyuan's lap, swinging her legs. Ah Huang jumped off the lamb's back and chased her toes, nibbling gently. It didn't hurt, just tickled. Bao Ning played with him for a while before placing her foot on Ah Huang's back, enjoying the feel of his soft fur.

"Don't play while eating," Peiyuan said, scooping a dumpling and cutting it in half with a spoon, revealing the delicious filling. He dipped it in some vinegar and minced garlic and brought it to Bao Ning's lips.

Bao Ning turned her head away, refusing, "It's too big, I don't want it."

"Bigger pieces have more meat, and the more meat, the tastier it is," Peiyuan coaxed her. He acted like a storyteller, holding the spoon at arm's length, chanting, "Look, my spoon is like a carriage, coming from over there, carrying provisions, about to enter the gate."

Peiyuan brought the spoon to Bao Ning's lips again, "General, please open the city gates!"

Bao Ning burst into laughter. Peiyuan, seeing her eyes twinkle like crescent moons, finally felt at ease. "Well, it sure was hard to cheer you up. I've been trying to make you laugh for a while, and now you're finally happy."

Bao Ning hummed and slid off him to sit on the edge of the bed. "I'll eat by myself."

Peiyuan watched her with a smile. There were twelve dumplings in the bowl. Bao Ning ate six, gave two to Ah Huang, and fed the remaining ones to Peiyuan.

After eating her fill, Bao Ning felt more energized and went to take a bath.

Peiyuan had already prepared the water and clothes. He followed Bao Ning behind the screen, playfully insisting on bathing with her. Bao Ning blushed deeply, and Peiyuan eventually gave up and left.

Behind the screen, the sound of splashing water could be heard. Ah Huang, being clingy, followed Bao Ning everywhere, even sitting nearby while she bathed. Ah Mian was more composed, lounging at the foot of the bed, either eating or sleeping. When it needed to go out, it used its backside to push the door open. It was smart enough to lift the latch and open the door by itself.

Peiyuan removed his boots, sprawled out on the bed with his legs spread, and placed his hands behind his head.

He was in a good mood. Today had been a successful day, both in terms of the mission and his relationship with Bao Ning. Especially when he recalled Bao Ning's instinctive closeness to him, Peiyuan's smile widened.

Ah Mian, having just eaten some grass, got up to relieve itself and bumped into the cabinet at the head of the bed. Something fell with a clatter.

Peiyuan sat up to check. It was the hairpin. He didn’t think much of it, bent down to pick it up, and was about to place it on the table when he felt a crack in the middle of the hairpin. Frowning, Peiyuan brought it closer to inspect and discovered it was hollow. Grabbing both ends, he pulled hard, and the hairpin came apart, revealing a piece of paper inside.

Peiyuan's heart sank. He glanced toward the screen where Bao Ning was still obliviously bathing.

Holding the short note between his fingers, Peiyuan hesitated but ultimately decided to read it.

Seeing the words inside, the last trace of his smile vanished.

"Did you like the box I sent you? I miss you dearly. Let’s meet at the southern corner gate of the General's Mansion in two days."

The note was signed by Meng Fan.

Peiyuan’s eyes grew cold, staring at the hairpin with clenched fists, tempted to smash it on the spot.

The sound of water ceased, and Bao Ning started drying herself and dressing. Peiyuan exhaled deeply, suppressing his anger, and carefully reassembled the hairpin with the note inside.

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