Chapter 8

 The sun was shining brightly, and Ji Yun stood at the door wearing a hidden blue brocade robe, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, exuding youthful vigor as he looked around eagerly.

Seeing Bao Ning coming out, his face lit up with joy, and he hurried over, lifting her up and spinning her around.

"Sis, how have you been?" Ji Yun was twelve years old, but he was tall, almost as tall as Bao Ning. He looked at her face, noticing her red eyes, and his expression darkened as he asked, "Did he bully you?"

Bao Ning wrinkled her nose. "No."

She couldn't lie, and those two words sounded uncertain, her gaze wandering around.

Anger filled Ji Yun's eyes. Afraid that Ji Yun would really get angry, Bao Ning quickly changed the subject and asked, "Why are you here? Did Auntie ask you to come? Did you bring anything delicious for me..."

"Stop!" Ji Yun accompanied her as she grew up, how could he not know her temperament? His sister was the kindest person in the world. Even when she was greatly wronged at her wedding, she didn't cry. But now she was crying. The Fourth Prince must be to blame.

He felt both distressed and angry, but Auntie had repeatedly instructed him before leaving not to cause trouble for his sister, so Ji Yun had to bear with it.

Bao Ning came out in a hurry, dressed lightly. Ji Yun was afraid she would catch a cold, so he took off his outer robe and draped it over her shoulders, saying quietly, "Don't worry, I won't beat him."

Bao Ning breathed a sigh of relief.

Ji Yun asked, "What about that person?"

He didn't like Pei Yuan, so he refused to call him brother-in-law, just referring to him as "that person."

Bao Ning hesitated for a moment before understanding who he was referring to, then looked in the direction of the eastern wing. "He's probably still sleeping."

Ji Yun gritted his teeth. "It would be good if he slept to death and never woke up again."

Bao Ning hurriedly covered his mouth. "What nonsense..."

"I'm just saying. What can he do to me? Hit me? My sister is so good, marrying him is his blessing for several lifetimes. Yet, he not only fails to cherish her but also dares to make you suffer. Does he lack eyes or has his heart been blinded by pig grease? Sister, wait a few more years, and I'll take you away. Let him regret it to the core!" Ji Yun's words were full of anger and resentment.

Bao Ning knew he was speaking up for her. Feeling both sweet and sour in her heart, she couldn't help but laugh and scold him, "Alright, stop talking. Hurry inside, and Sister will make you something delicious to eat."

"I'll speak softly to let off steam. Besides, he can't hear me anyway, so I won't cause you trouble," Ji Yun said, frowning. Then he remembered that he had brought a dog with him. He had been carrying it in his arms, but it wriggled too much, so he put it down. Now it was nowhere to be seen.

Ji Yun exclaimed and bent down to look around. "Sis, where's the dog? It was just here. Did you see it?"

Bao Ning shook her head. "I didn't see it."

Ji Yun became anxious. "Hurry, let's find it. The puppy is only a month old. If it catches a cold, it'll be troublesome."

Bao Ning quickly joined the search. They were talking at the gate of the courtyard, and beyond it was the forest. Ji Yun was afraid the puppy would run out, so he was about to go outside to look when Bao Ning pulled on his sleeve.

"What's wrong?" He straightened up and followed Bao Ning's gaze, meeting Pei Yuan's eyes.

Pei Yuan leaned against the door frame, looking at him expressionlessly. The hem of his clothes fluttered in the wind, and Ji Yun wondered how long he had been standing there, how much he had heard.

Meanwhile, the little puppy was crawling around Pei Yuan's feet, wagging its tail and licking him, acting very flattering.

Ji Yun was stunned for a moment. When he saw the puppy's actions, he became furious. He stepped forward, picked up the puppy, and stuffed it into his arms. Then, he glared at Pei Yuan and snorted before coldly entering the western wing.

Pei Yuan looked at Bao Ning, hoarse voice asking, "Is he your brother?"

This was the first time he had spoken voluntarily. Bao Ning remembered the events of last night, still feeling uncomfortable. Not knowing how to face him, she casually replied with a "Mm" and hurried into the house, holding her skirt.

Pei Yuan stared at her figure until she slammed the door shut with a "bang", then turned his gaze away.

She had never been so indifferent before. Somehow, he suddenly remembered the phrase "reaping what one sows."

Pei Yuan raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrow bone, chuckled mockingly, then turned and closed the door.

He didn't even know why he had come out this time. It was simply absurd.

...

The little dog was the one Bao Ning had rescued before she got married. It seemed to remember Bao Ning's scent and was affectionately trying to lick her face.

Bao Ning felt ticklish and moved her hands away from its slobbery mouth.

The puppy didn't give up, let out a couple of whimpers, and Bao Ning imitated its sounds. Feeling soft-hearted, she quickly pulled it back and kissed its forehead a few times. Then, she picked it up and lay it on the bed, gently nibbling its ear to play with it.

While Bao Ning and the puppy were having fun, Ji Yun couldn't feel any joy. He paced around the small room, his brows tightly furrowed. He turned to Bao Ning and said, "Sister, I'll take you home. Let's not stay here anymore."

Bao Ning frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Ji Yun said, "I can't bear to see you suffer like this. When I first arrived and saw this courtyard, I was unhappy. What kind of place is this? It's not even as good as our family's stable. I thought maybe the house would be better, so I endured it. But now, looking at it, the inside is not even better than the outside. There's not even a decent piece of furniture. How can anyone live here?"

"The hardships of life are always better than the hardships of the heart," Bao Ning said with a smile. "You don't know how comfortable I've been these days. I can do whatever I want without any constraints. Besides, I'm not short of money. Whatever I lack, I can just buy it. It's perfect timing that you're here today. Let's go back to the city and buy some more food and necessities. Then sister can live the good life she's always dreamed of."

Ji Yun reached out to pull her. "Then let's go buy them now."

Bao Ning said, "No rush. Let's eat first, and then I'll make a list."

"What's the difference in where we eat? We don't have to cook at home..." Ji Yun's words trailed off as he suddenly realized something. "Are you planning to save him a meal?"

Bao Ning said, "I can't just watch him go hungry."

Ji Yun grumbled, "He deserves to starve!"

"That's nonsense." Bao Ning tapped his forehead, making him sit obediently on the kang while she went to knead dough and cook.

Food cools quickly, and Pei Yuan's leg was not in good condition, so cooking hot dishes was troublesome. Bao Ning decided to fry some meatballs instead - pork meatballs, vegetable meatballs, and vermicelli meatballs.

She had indeed considered not cooking for Pei Yuan to spite him, but then thought better of it. Pei Yuan's excessive behavior was his own issue. As long as she did her part well, she could have a clear conscience. She didn't need to actively engage in the cold war with him or make things more awkward.

Bao Ning worked efficiently and quickly finished cooking. She let Ji Yun eat first and then went to deliver a portion to Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan had been waiting for her the whole time. As soon as Bao Ning knocked on the door, he immediately looked over.

Bao Ning didn't look at him. She simply placed the bowl on the nearby small table without saying a word, ready to leave.

Pei Yuan felt uneasy. Just a moment ago, he had heard Bao Ning and Ji Yun laughing and talking. She had been happy then, but now, upon seeing him, all traces of her smile vanished.

Pei Yuan propped himself up on his arm and sat up. Watching Bao Ning about to leave, he couldn't help but call out, "You..."

Bao Ning turned around.

Pei Yuan's throat moved, but in the end, he didn't say anything. He waved his hand and said, "It's nothing."

Bao Ning nodded and left the room.

... Pei Yuan leaned back against the wall.

The house had poor sound insulation, so he could vaguely hear what was being said in the western wing. Ji Yun clearly didn't like him, and Pei Yuan knew of his hostility towards him.

He heard Ji Yun say that he wanted to take Bao Ning away.

This was the outcome he had been hoping for all along, but now that it was really happening, Pei Yuan felt like his heart was being suffocated by cotton, a stifling discomfort.

Pei Yuan closed his eyes, his mind filled with chaotic thoughts. Sometimes he imagined Bao Ning leaning against the door and smiling at him, and other times he saw her eyes red with tears from yesterday. A mix of emotions overwhelmed Pei Yuan, causing him a splitting headache.

The scent of the bowl Bao Ning had brought him earlier suddenly filled the room, and Pei Yuan suddenly realized that this might be the last meal Bao Ning cooked for him.

Was she leaving him right away?

Who would tolerate his temper time and time again? If it were someone else, they probably would have left him at the first sign of his temper.

She was a young lady from the Duke's Mansion, with a caring brother. She shouldn't have been suffering here with him in the first place. It was already rare enough for her to accompany him for these three days. What right did he have to ask for more?

As he was pondering, he heard the sound of horses neighing outside.

Pei Yuan suddenly raised his head 

..................

Ji Yun sat on the horse, reaching out to Bao Ning with a smile, "Sis, aren't you afraid? My horse is very gentle. Come on up quickly."

Bao Ning glanced back in the direction of Pei Yuan's house, wondering if she should say something to him. But then she thought that even if she did, he wouldn't care. Why bother with such unnecessary gestures and face him?

Ji Yun understood her thoughts. Twirling the horse whip in his hand, he snorted coldly, "He deserves to taste this feeling, thinking that you've left, let's see if he regrets it!"

Bao Ning shook her head. She didn't believe Pei Yuan would regret it. He was a proud and lonely person, with nothing in his eyes.

"Let's go." Bao Ning pulled Ji Yun's hand, climbed onto the horse behind him, and Ji Yun whipped the reins, shouting "Go!" The horse neighed and galloped away.

...

Indeed, she had left.

Well, she had left.

Pei Yuan sat expressionlessly for a long time. Suddenly, he got up and went to the corner to fetch two jars of wine, uncorked them, and took a big gulp.

...

When Bao Ning returned, it was already night. Ji Yun had escorted her back, and they had bought too many things, so they found a coachman and arranged for the goods to be delivered the next day.

She was exhausted and tired. She bid farewell to Ji Yun, still worried about the puppy they had just acquired, and hurried back to the western wing.

As she entered, Bao Ning glanced at Pei Yuan's window and saw that the light was out, assuming that he was asleep.

Pei Yuan's room faintly smelled of alcohol. Bao Ning wrinkled her brows, thinking he was probably disinfecting his wounds, without giving it much thought.

After washing up with hot water and feeding the puppy, Bao Ning undressed and went to bed.

In a daze, she suddenly heard a crisp sound coming from the western wing, as if something had broken. Bao Ning was startled and quickly sat up.

She was worried that Pei Yuan might have had an accident. After thinking for a moment, she decided to go and check.

No one answered when she knocked on the door. The smell of alcohol grew stronger. Bao Ning bit her lip and pushed the door open directly. What she saw inside made her gasp in shock.

Pei Yuan was drunk, lying on the edge of the kang, his right leg on the ground, seemingly asleep.

.....................................................................................................

Previous                                                                                 Next