Chapter 62

 Bao Ning came out of the bath behind the screen, drying her hair with a cloth towel.

She had changed into a light blue silk nightgown and walked out barefoot. The floor was covered with smooth tiles, leaving wet footprints where she walked. Ah Huang followed her, wagging its tail and running over.

“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?” Peiyuan walked over to her, his expression as usual, smiling as he picked her up and placed her on the bed.

Bao Ning said, “They're wet and uncomfortable.”

“Don’t do that next time; the cold from the floor isn’t good for your body.” Peiyuan had also stripped down, wearing only a pair of white loose underwear that hung at his waist, revealing his lean waistline.

Bao Ning watched the dip in his spine, the line extending downward, disappearing under the waistband. Peiyuan was lean but strong, with tight muscles and smooth lines, quite handsome.

As she continued to stare, she suddenly recalled seeing Gongsun Zhu and Lüyun before. They were doing that thing, making those noises. Bao Ning shivered, feeling uncomfortable in her eyes and ears.

But when she looked at Peiyuan again, her face slowly turned red.

“Is your hair dry?” Peiyuan glanced at Bao Ning, took the cloth towel from her hands, wiped his feet twice, and then tucked her legs under the blanket.

Peiyuan's lips curled up, and he flicked her forehead with his finger. “What are you thinking about, so lost in thought?”

“Nothing.” Naturally, Bao Ning couldn’t tell him what she was thinking. She pointed towards the bath. “There's still hot water. You should wash up too. You're covered in sweat and dust.”

Peiyuan said, “No rush.”

Bao Ning then noticed something was off about Peiyuan. She had only taken a bath, but he seemed like a different person. He was still smiling, but Bao Ning could sense that his mood was heavy, without any real joy. He seemed brooding, like a piece of coal about to go out. It looked cold, but with a bit of wind, it could ignite again.

“Did something happen?” Bao Ning’s first thought was about their mission tonight, so she probed.

Peiyuan shook his head. Bao Ning said “Oh,” and then remembered something. “Did Gongsun Zhu get caught? Do you need to check on him?”

Peiyuan replied, “Wei Meng is interrogating him. I’m not needed.”

He answered her questions one by one, but the usual smooth talker was gone.

Bao Ning’s heart sank as well. She felt that Peiyuan was hiding something from her, but he was like a stubborn mule. If he didn’t want to talk, no amount of questioning would work.

Bao Ning sighed, put on her shoes, and got out of bed. “You should take a bath. I’ll find you some clothes.”

Peiyuan's voice came from behind, sounding casual, “Did you meet anyone else tonight?”

“I saw a lot of people.” Bao Ning turned to look at him, holding a brand new nightgown. As she unfolded it, she muttered, “I saw my aunt, the mistress, and Miss Qiu Liu…”

Bao Ning suddenly remembered what Qiu Lingjun had done to her. Peiyuan probably already knew and was dealing with it. Bao Ning wasn’t worried that Peiyuan would go easy on Qiu Lingjun, but Qiu Lingjun was, after all, General Qiu’s daughter and the future consort of the Second Prince. Making too much of a fuss didn’t seem appropriate either.

After thinking for a while, Bao Ning decided to leave it alone. She was naturally carefree and didn’t like to worry. Peiyuan could handle things as he saw fit; Bao Ning trusted that he would manage well.

Bao Ning carried the clothes over and hung them piece by piece on the clothes rack behind the screen. “Why did you suddenly ask about all that?”

“Just a casual question.” Peiyuan walked over to Bao Ning in slippers, hugged her from behind, and rested his chin on the top of her head, speaking in a low voice, “Ning Ning, I’m a petty person, so don’t hide anything from me.”

“You’re really acting strange today.” Bao Ning looked at him puzzled, then smiled and stood on tiptoe to pinch his face. “Go take a bath. I bought you new soap a few days ago; it’s pine-scented, you’ll like it.”

Peiyuan gently kissed the corner of her lips and nodded.

Bao Ning left the bathroom.

She didn’t take Peiyuan’s unusual behavior to heart. He was a thoughtful person; who knew what came to his mind that made him happy one moment and unhappy the next.

Peiyuan needed to adjust his own emotions. Bao Ning gave him time and space as long as he didn't do anything to hurt her. Bao Ning trusted Peiyuan; he wouldn’t harm her.

Ah Huang and Ah Mian were ready for bed. They liked to snuggle on the bed or couch, always kept clean. Bao Ning wiped their faces, paws, and little bottoms, brushed their fur with a damp cloth, and let them sleep. She washed her hands, lay on the bed, and tinkered with the bamboo dragonfly she had been making.

...

Peiyuan stood naked behind the screen, scooping water and pouring it over his head with his eyes closed.

Outside, Bao Ning was playing with Ah Huang, her laughter melodious. Peiyuan’s mind kept replaying the image of the hairpin and the note inside.

Meng Fan. Peiyuan silently chewed on the name.

Half a month ago, a man named Meng Fan sent a box containing a set of headwear, saying it was an apology gift for Bao Ning. Peiyuan recalled Bao Ning’s expression and words at the time; she didn’t seem particularly surprised or happy, just like receiving an ordinary gift. He had hidden the box later, and Bao Ning never mentioned it again, as if nothing had happened.

But, could they have been secretly in contact all along?

Peiyuan’s fingers turned white as he gripped the scoop, struggling to suppress the surge of jealousy and anger from within.

Peiyuan told himself that Bao Ning would never do such a thing, absolutely not.

But that hairpin was so exquisite. Meng Fan had been immersed in the art of carving since childhood; he could make it. And the note mentioned the box, something Peiyuan had never told anyone about, nor had Bao Ning. She liked quiet, stayed in the courtyard every day, and didn’t talk to outsiders. The only ones who knew about the box were him, Bao Ning, and Meng Fan.

Even if someone intended to sow discord, how could they point out such details so clearly?

Had Bao Ning really betrayed him? Had she been secretly involved with another man? Had she been deceiving him all along?

Peiyuan’s breathing grew heavier, tormented by these thoughts.

He wanted to choose to believe, but when it came to Bao Ning, he couldn’t remain rational.

He knew he was sensitive, suspicious, and paranoid. Bao Ning was too important to him. He wished he could lock her up and hide her away, feeling insanely jealous at the thought of anyone else looking at her.

The warm water on his skin only fueled the fire in his heart.

Bao Ning’s smiling face, the hairpin, and the note kept appearing in his mind. Peiyuan clenched his lips, unable to contain his inner turmoil, and threw the scoop down.

The hard wood hit the ground with a loud bang!

Bao Ning, engrossed in her work on the bed, was startled by the sudden noise from behind the screen.

Thinking Peiyuan might have fallen due to his leg ailment, she anxiously called out, “What happened? Are you okay?”

“Just dropped something. Don’t worry.” There was a moment of silence, then Peiyuan’s steady voice came from inside.

Bao Ning paused, then turned back. But the unease in her heart grew. He was too abnormal.

From behind came the sound of rustling. Bao Ning turned around to see Peiyuan emerging, water droplets still clinging to him, running down his arms. He was wearing only white underpants, the fabric sticking to his legs.

He walked directly to the table and blew out the lamp, then returned to pull Bao Ning towards the bed. “Stop playing and go to sleep.”

“You didn’t even dry off; you’ll get the bed all wet.” Bao Ning walked with him, forcing a smile. “You were full of energy before the bath, now you’re suddenly so sleepy. You blew out the lamp just like that. I still have a lot of small items on the bed that I haven’t tidied up...”

Bao Ning kept rambling, trying to diffuse the sudden awkwardness in the room. Peiyuan listened for a while, then abruptly stopped and pulled her into his arms.

They stared at each other for a moment before Peiyuan suddenly bent down and captured her lips.

Bao Ning's eyes widened in shock.

Peiyuan had kissed her before, but it had always been light pecks. This time, it was almost like he was biting her. He clamped down on her lower lip with his teeth, sucking hard, and then tilted her head to swallow her tongue. His strength was terrifying, and Bao Ning's tongue felt sore. He wasn't satisfied, moving down to suck on her collarbone.

Bao Ning was frightened and in pain, struggling to break free. Peiyuan wouldn’t let go, pushing her onto the bed, pinning her shoulders down, his hot breath on her ear.

He aimed for the pink mole on her collarbone and bit down hard. Bao Ning screamed, and he regretted it, gently pecking, licking, and comforting her.

“Peiyuan, what do you want...” Bao Ning was scared by his sudden madness, in pain and panic, tears welling up in her eyes.

“To love you.” Peiyuan's voice was low.

He restrained himself, stopping his actions, just holding her tightly, burying his head in her neck.

Bao Ning was still in shock.

She sensed Peiyuan’s vulnerability at this moment. Not knowing why, she hesitated but then hugged his shoulders, softly comforting him. “Peiyuan, what’s wrong? What happened? Can you tell me?”

Peiyuan almost sighed as he called her name, “Bao’er...”

Bao Ning's heartstrings were tugged, and she responded softly.

Peiyuan said, “I give you everything. Please, don’t ever deceive me.”

Bao Ning was stunned.

...

The next morning, everything was as usual.

Peiyuan’s strange behavior from the previous night had completely vanished. He was still joking around with her, playing with the dog with a meat bun, just as unserious as ever.

Bao Ning asked him what he meant by his words last night about deception. Peiyuan remained silent, so Bao Ning had to drop it.

Around noon, Wei Meng visited. Peiyuan went out, and they talked at the gate for quite a while. Bao Ning heard them discussing Gongsun Zhu. That stubborn old man refused to speak even after being tortured by Wei Meng, who had almost beaten him to death with a few whips. Gongsun Zhu finally confessed.

His confession was that he would rather die than say anything because his only grandson was in Pei Xiao's hands. If he said anything wrong, his grandson would suffer.

As for the antidote to Peiyuan’s red lead poison, he truly didn’t have it and couldn’t produce it even if he were beaten to death.

This wasn’t good news.

Peiyuan seemed to have expected it and didn’t say much, asking a few questions about Bao Ning’s family.

Wei Meng said that Aunt Xu was fine and unaffected by yesterday’s turmoil. Ji Jiaying had burned her leg, suffering some pain but would recover well with proper care. Tao Shi had given birth at the Crown Prince’s mansion yesterday. It was a healthy baby girl, lively and strong, but contrary to her long-held expectations. Tao Shi had an emotional breakdown and threw a fit, after which Pei Xiao sent her back to the Guogong Mansion.

Wei Meng finally asked how to deal with Qiu Lingjun.

Peiyuan calmly replied, “Lock her up, starve her for three days, no water, no sleep. Ignore any pleas from General Qiu. Interrogate her thoroughly about what she did. Make her spill every filthy thought in her mind. I want to see what game she’s playing.”

Wei Meng received his orders and left.

Bao Ning continued her routine life. She played with her little toys, took care of the two little ones at home, watered the newly planted flowers by the window, and when bored, sought out Peiyuan for conversation.

Everything seemed normal.

The hairpin was placed conspicuously on the bedside table. Peiyuan occasionally glanced at it, seeing Bao Ning didn’t pay any attention to it, gradually easing the anxiety in his heart.

The note said to meet at the south corner gate of the general’s mansion the next day. Would she go? Peiyuan thought Bao Ning wouldn’t.

She seemed completely unaware, showing no signs of nervousness. Besides, how could his Bao Ning do such a thing behind his back?

Peiyuan was glad he hadn’t lost his temper with Bao Ning. He was too suspicious and needed to trust her more. She was so good and obedient.

So when Wei Meng came to see him again at noon the next day, saying there was an urgent matter to discuss, Peiyuan went out with him.

Bao Ning was sitting at the door grooming Ah Mian when Liu Mama came to report that the Seventh Miss had arrived.

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