Chapter 68

They had been walking the rugged mountain path for most of the day. Even the strongest and most energetic among them now felt their legs weary and sore.

Pei Yuan’s body was exhausted to the limit, yet his eyes shone brightly.

Wei Meng observed Pei Yuan’s complexion. From his understanding of Pei Yuan, his anger had reached its peak. Worried that Pei Yuan might act impulsively and do something extreme, he nervously tried to calm him down, "Young General, when you meet them later, please speak carefully..."

Pei Yuan interrupted him indifferently, "Stand back."

Wei Meng stopped talking and reluctantly stepped back.

It seemed like it was about to rain. The wind howled angrily, and the trees in the village rustled eerily. Pei Yuan’s heart pounded in his chest. He raised his hand and knocked heavily on the door, quickly realizing the noise was too loud, and then lightly tapped it twice.

Dozens of soldiers surrounded the perimeter, all eyes on him.

Pei Yuan felt a mix of emotions returning to his hometown. He had prepared a heartfelt speech on his way here but now found himself at a loss for words.

As he hesitated, he suddenly remembered his disheveled appearance. Afraid that Bao Ning would despise him for it, he quickly took a step back, tore off his sleeve to wipe his face, scraped the mud off his boots by the wall, and dusted off his clothes.

Wei Meng was dumbfounded. He had thought Pei Yuan would break down the door but now saw him tidying up like a bashful maiden.

He elbowed the soldier next to him, "What’s your leader doing?"

The soldier stammered, "I, I don’t know."

Everyone exchanged puzzled looks. Finally, Pei Yuan, feeling ready and regaining his confidence, took a step forward and knocked on the door again.

He leaned half of his body against the door, and with his lips close to the crack, he called out softly, "Ning Ning, open the door, I’m home!"

Once he started speaking, the next words flowed more easily. Pei Yuan raised his voice a little, "Ning Ning, I’ve come to see you. Open the door, I’m home!"

Inside, Ah Huang barked loudly.

Pei Yuan’s face lit up with joy. He hadn’t come to the wrong place. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat, "Ning Ning, wake up, can you hear me?"

Bao Ning, woken by the noise, sat up holding her blanket, still a bit dazed, and looked incredulously toward the door.

Pei Yuan’s voice was terribly hoarse. Ah Huang didn’t recognize who it was and kept barking by the door.

Pei Yuan’s voice turned cold, "Bark one more time, and I’ll throw you out!"

Bao Ning was now convinced that it was Pei Yuan outside. No one else would speak to her in that tone.

Had he really come all this way to find her? Bao Ning was surprised.

To say she wasn’t happy at all would be a lie. Bao Ning pursed her lips, suppressing the joy in her heart. Determined to teach Pei Yuan a lesson, she reminded herself that she was still angry. She had to be firm. If she forgave him lightly after what he did, with his dog-like forgetful nature, it would spell endless trouble in the future.

She needed to show him that distrust was a serious issue and that she wasn’t so easy to appease!

Bao Ning arranged her blanket and lay back down. Let him spend the night outside.

There was no sound from inside. Bao Ning remained silent, neither the sheep nor the dog made a noise. Pei Yuan listened for a while, feeling anxious.

He feared something might have happened to Bao Ning inside. Eager to check, he grabbed the door frame, shaking the wooden door noisily, "Ning Ning, say something, don’t scare me!"

Bao Ning, annoyed by the noise, covered her ears and sat up, going to drink some water.

Hearing the sounds inside, Pei Yuan was relieved that Bao Ning was fine. He thought about why Bao Ning wouldn’t open the door for him and recalled his harsh words. He had said that if he came back to find her, he would be a dog. Pei Yuan’s forehead began to sweat coldly. Was Bao Ning really going to make him bark like a dog in public?

That would be too humiliating!

Bao Ning sipped her water, glanced at the door, and saw there was no more movement. She frowned, thinking Pei Yuan had given up, and felt a bit uncomfortable. Placing the cup down, she tidied her clothes and decided to let him stew for a couple more days. She started walking back to her bed.

Suddenly, faint dog barks came from the door. Awkward and shy, not like Ah Huang’s wild barking.

Bao Ning looked over in surprise, Ah Huang was also bewildered, staring at the door crack. After a quiet moment, the sound came again, "Awoo, awoo."

Pei Yuan paced helplessly at the door. He had already lost face, why wasn’t Bao Ning saying anything?

The wind carried the sound outside. Wei Meng and the soldiers all heard it, holding back their laughter. Pei Yuan didn’t care about what they thought; he was worried Bao Ning might fall asleep without hearing him. He slapped the door hard to wake her up, then pressed his mouth to the door crack and barked twice again before holding his breath.

After a while, Bao Ning’s laughter came from inside. She sounded delighted, and Pei Yuan’s lips curved up, quickly forgetting the earlier embarrassment.

Good, she was happy.

Suppressing his inner joy, Pei Yuan leaned against the door, negotiating, "Ning Ning, I know you’re awake. Let me in, please!"

Bao Ning approached the door, deliberately lowering her voice, "In the middle of the night, what are you here for? Go find your concubines, bring a few more, fill up the courtyard. Go to this room today, that room tomorrow, immerse yourself in the gentle embraces, don’t bother me."

"That’s not true." Pei Yuan smiled bitterly, "Those were just words of anger, drunken talk, they don’t count. I only have you, I won’t take concubines even if I’m beaten to death."

Bao Ning said, "You only have me, but I don’t want just you. Didn’t you trust your eyes so much? It’s not like you didn’t see, I have a lover. You should leave."

Hearing this, Pei Yuan felt somewhat reassured, knowing Bao Ning was still angry and looking for a reason to argue. It was better than being cold and indifferent.

"I was wrong, I’ve come to apologize!" Pei Yuan softened his voice to coax her, "I was blind and foolish, I wasn’t human, I’m a dog. I shouldn’t have doubted you. Please open the door and let me in, I’ll bow and apologize to you!"

Bao Ning replied, "There’s no need. It’s too late to see guests. If you have something to say, come early tomorrow."

"Guest? What guest?" Pei Yuan panicked, "I’m your husband, your man. We’ve shared a bed, what’s inconvenient about that?"

Bao Ning’s eyes widened, "Have you no shame, speaking such words!"

"The words are crude but true, which word is wrong?" Pei Yuan instinctively replied, then realized he was in the wrong and needed to be soft, not confront Bao Ning.

He scraped at the door crack with his fingers, trying to make his voice clearer, and said pleadingly, "Ning Ning, it’s my fault, you’re right about everything. Let me in."

"Don’t even think about it." Bao Ning turned her face away. She felt Pei Yuan’s tone showed no remorse, and her anger flared. After a pause, she said, "Pei Gongzi, you seem to have forgotten, I have no husband. The man I married didn’t want me, he gave me a divorce letter on the first day of our marriage, signed his name, only missing the official stamp. Legally, we have no relationship."

"Divorce letter?" Pei Yuan was dumbfounded.

He tried hard to remember and finally recalled that he did indeed write it. Back then, in a fit of anger, he insisted on driving Bao Ning away and wrote such a letter of disownment. But that was a long time ago, how could she still remember!

Bao Ning, on the other side, refused to relent, saying, "Young Master, please leave," and was about to go back to sleep.

Pei Yuan was frantic. "Young Master, young master," he was thoroughly sick of this title. He immediately wanted to kick the door in but didn't dare to, so he turned to look at Wei Meng.

Wei Meng, with his sharp hearing, caught the gist of it. He didn't know what to do and dared not meet Pei Yuan's eyes, pretending to look away.

Pei Yuan's heart was on fire. He had to get in tonight. The longer he waited, the more complicated things would become. He had to quickly explain things to Bao Ning. She could hit or scold him all she wanted, but he couldn't stand this awkward tension any longer!

The wind grew stronger, making Pei Yuan's robe flap noisily. He looked down and then up again, coming up with an idea.

"Ning Ning, it's raining outside."

Pei Yuan's voice was not as high-pitched as before; it was low, and he groaned with a frown.

Bao Ning's footsteps indeed stopped.

Knowing it was effective, Pei Yuan intensified his act, staggering and pretending to fall against the door with a loud bang, calling out to her, "Ning Ning, my leg hurts."

His voice was filled with pain, and Bao Ning's heart tightened, thinking it was really raining outside and that his poison injury had flared up.

Pei Yuan sat down on the ground, weakly knocking on the door, his voice strained: "Ning Ning, do you really not want me anymore?"

"It hurts so much I could die..."

Pei Yuan simply lay on the ground.

The soldiers outside stared in disbelief, and even Wei Meng was stunned. Pei Yuan noticed them and, feeling embarrassed, quickly glared and mouthed, "Get lost! All of you, get lost!"

It was dark, so no one could clearly see what he was saying, and they remained frozen in place.

Bao Ning, unable to bear leaving Pei Yuan out there, opened the door to help him inside.

But when she lifted her eyes, she saw the courtyard surrounded by soldiers, armed with all sorts of weapons, like they were there to catch a thief.

Bao Ning looked down at Pei Yuan, who was making exaggerated faces and didn't look sick at all.

Realizing she had been deceived, Bao Ning's face darkened, and she stepped back to close the door. Pei Yuan quickly reacted, sticking his foot in to block it: "Don't close it, don't close it."

He sprang up like a carp, forced the door open, and slipped inside, shutting the door behind him and leaning against it in one fluid motion.

Pei Yuan sighed in relief, "Finally got in..."

"You!" Bao Ning was so angry her heart hurt. She wanted to stomp on him but realized it wouldn't hurt him and wasn't worth the effort, so she shoved his shoulder to push him out.

Pei Yuan stood firm as a mountain, only looking down at her with a smile in his eyes. Bao Ning felt a chill from his gaze and raised her face, saying, "Who asked you to come in..."

Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness. Although there wasn't much moonlight outside, Bao Ning could still see Pei Yuan's face, and her actions paused.

How did he become so disheveled?

Covered in dust, with scratches on his face, he looked pitiful and wretched.

Bao Ning glanced at his shoes, which she had made using the best materials. They had always been clean and tidy. Now they were covered in yellow mud, and the soles were about to fall off.

What had he been doing? Wasn't he riding a horse? How did he end up like this? Bao Ning's anger softened when she saw his pitiful state.

"Bao'er, don't drive me away." Pei Yuan reached out to hug her, rubbing his face against hers, his voice hoarse. "Look at what you said earlier, talking about separating and calling me 'young master.' You know I can't be without you, yet you insist on angering me. It's like stabbing my heart with a knife."

"You've said all the nice and harsh things." Bao Ning blocked his chin with her hand, his stubble rough and pricking her face.

She didn't want to forgive him so quickly, so she looked down, avoiding his gaze, still resisting: "Didn't you say you didn't need me? Let me ask around; you're not short of women."

"I lack only you, just you." Pei Yuan grabbed her hand, licking her fingertips, pleading softly, "Stop saying such hurtful things. You know it’s like killing me. My life is yours. You can take it if you want, but can you do it quickly instead of torturing me like this?"

He bit her fingertip, then held her wrist, pressing it against the hilt of his sword: "Draw the sword."

"Are you crazy!" Bao Ning struggled to pull her hand away, but Pei Yuan held on tight. After a few tugs, he fell to the ground, hugging her waist. Bao Ning's fleeting sympathy vanished, and she wished she could bite him to death.

Pei Yuan rubbed his lips against her face, his arm beneath her waist, rolling on the ground with her.

Bao Ning regretted opening the door for him, knowing he had no proper conduct. Pei Yuan's head moved down, rubbing against her chest, covering her in dust. After he had enough of rubbing and hugging, he kissed her collarbone, calling her, "Bao'er, Bao'er."

"Who's your Bao'er!"

Bao Ning shook off his hand, but Pei Yuan shamelessly rubbed against her again, touching her hair, pressing her face into his chest.

"Bao'er, I missed you so much, I thought I was going crazy."

Bao Ning always knew Pei Yuan could be shameless, but she didn't expect him to be like this. He didn’t act like a prince, not even as good as a ruffian, speaking nothing but crude words.

Pei Yuan, with his rough hands, expressed his love and longing by getting close to her. Only when their skin was close did he feel relaxed and satisfied. He pinched her waist, nearly breaking it, and when she kicked him, he didn't dodge, burying his face in her neck and inhaling deeply, laughing softly.

"Ning Ning, let's reconcile."

Bao Ning angrily said, "Are you here to reconcile or to threaten me?"

"Both." Pei Yuan kissed her eyelids, "If you don't forgive me, it's like you want me dead. Can you bear that?"

Bao Ning felt she would be driven mad by him.

Pei Yuan brought his mouth to her ear, shamelessly imitating a dog's bark. Bao Ning got goosebumps, and Ah Huang came over to join the barking.

The room suddenly became lively. Bao Ning, fed up, pushed Pei Yuan away: "Shut up, all of you!"

Suddenly, it was quiet.

Bao Ning sat up from the floor, exhausted from Pei Yuan's antics, too tired to stand. She sat there, talking to him: "We need to talk properly."

Pei Yuan took off his clothes, placing them under her to sit on, and said, "Alright, you talk."

Bao Ning pursed her lips: "Do you know why I'm angry?"

"I know." Pei Yuan said, "I didn't trust you. I said things that hurt you. I guessed without asking you. I'll change, Ning Ning. Give me a chance."

Bao Ning looked at him in surprise, not expecting him to really understand.

Pei Yuan's gaze was sincere: "Ning Ning, I want to live a good life with you. I'm not a prince or a general; I'm just your husband. If you're unhappy, hit me or scold me, but let's talk things out. Just, please, don't leave without a word again. I can't take it. If I really couldn't find you, what would I do? I can't live without you. My leg is yours, my life is yours, and you wouldn't leave me, right?"

It was rare for him to say such a long speech. Bao Ning suddenly felt her eyes sting: "Who doesn't want a good life? It's you who's always annoying. It was clearly your fault, but by your words, it's mine."

"I'm not good with words, and I can't learn sweet talk to make you happy. Promises are too fake. Even if I make one, you won't believe it." Pei Yuan pulled out a short blade from his sleeve, taking Bao Ning's hand and putting it in hers, "Here, I'll give you a knife. Keep it under your pillow. If I do something wrong again or make you unhappy, just stab me."

Bao Ning was amused, wiping her nose: "Why are you so annoying?"

"I'm learning, learning to please you." Pei Yuan held her face, his thumb rubbing under her eyes, his voice soft, "I'm a good learner."

Bao Ning bit her lip, silent. Her eyes were slightly curved, indicating she was smiling inside, and Pei Yuan could tell.

"Tired?" Pei Yuan pulled her leg onto his, taking off her shoes, "Let me massage you."

"Stop messing around." Bao Ning pulled her foot back, standing up and pulling Pei Yuan up as well, "Find a place to sit. I'll get some water to clean you up; you're filthy."

Bao Ning went to find some firestones, and soon, a candle was lit, illuminating the room.

In the courtyard, there was a small kitchen. Bao Ning went to boil some water, and when she returned, Pei Yuan had already stripped down and was sitting obediently on a small stool. He didn’t dare get on the bed, sitting with his back hunched, legs stretched out, and Ah Huang squatting between them. He had gotten into the habit of imitating dog barks, playing with Ah Huang's chin and making it wag its head and tail.

After playing enough, Pei Yuan hugged Ah Huang's belly and held it in his arms, using two fingers to pry open the dog's mouth to look at its white teeth.

In a daze, Bao Ning felt as if their days had returned to when they lived in their own small courtyard, peaceful and serene.

Pei Yuan looked up and saw her, quickly pulling his fingers out of Ah Huang's mouth and wiping them on his waistband.

Bao Ning said, "Don't just stand there, go to the kitchen and fetch the water. I boiled a lot, I can't carry it. You need to wash your hair properly."

Pei Yuan responded and stood up, heading out without putting on any clothes. Bao Ning called him back and handed him a coat, "It's quite cold outside, don't catch a chill."

Pei Yuan took it, his eyes glued to her, unable to look away.

Bao Ning turned back to tidy up the bed. As she was fluffing the pillow, she noticed his shadow on the ground and turned to ask, "Why haven't you gone yet?"

Pei Yuan snapped out of it and beckoned to Ah Huang, "Come on, let's go get the water."

Bao Ning raised her voice, "There are some steamed sugar cakes and leftover soup in the pot. Keep an eye on the fire when you go, don't let it burn."

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