Chapter 84

 “Lingjun? Why did she bring up Qiu Lingjun?” Baoning tilted her head and asked Pei Yuan, “What happened to Qiu Lingjun?”

Pei Yuan paused for a moment. “Seems like she’s about to die.” It was something he had arranged.

Pei Yuan was a bit worried that Baoning might soften her stance. If she started asking questions, it would be difficult to explain what he had done.

He said nothing more, nervously watching Baoning’s reaction.

Baoning simply responded with an “Oh.”

Pei Yuan waited for a moment, then asked, “That’s it?”

“What do you mean ‘that’s it’?” Baoning asked, confused.

Now it was Pei Yuan’s turn to be curious. “I just told you that Qiu Lingjun is about to die, and you don’t have any questions?”

“Was it you who did it?” Baoning pursed her lips. “I don’t really care. Whether it was your doing or if she’s sick, it doesn’t matter to me. Someone as wicked as her deserves to die early.”

Pei Yuan burst out laughing. His earlier worries vanished. He lowered his gaze to Baoning’s face, his eyes lingering on her lips, painted bright red. He felt an overwhelming desire to bite them.

He truly adored Baoning, down to her very nature. He loved her to the core.

Unfortunately, they weren't at home, so he couldn’t just kiss her whenever he wanted. Feeling a bit disappointed, Pei Yuan held back his thoughts.

“Your fourth sister—there’s definitely something wrong with her, isn’t there?” Pei Yuan recalled what had happened earlier. “The more I think about it, the more dissatisfied I feel. She said so much, and we barely retaliated. It feels pointless. Should we have just given her a beating right then?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Are you crazy?” Baoning looked at him in surprise. “I still care about my reputation. If there was a scene, it would disgrace my entire family.”

Pei Yuan suggested, “How about getting revenge on her secretly?”

“The revenge earlier was enough. Let’s not dwell on it,” Baoning replied. “If there’s a next time, we can push her into the lake. But make sure it’s discreet—no one should see it.”

Pei Yuan called out, “Chen Jia!”

A voice responded quickly from behind, “Chen Jia is here.”

Baoning turned around and saw that Chen Jia had been following them three steps behind. When they got off the carriage earlier, she hadn't noticed him, assuming he hadn't come inside. But it turned out he had been quietly trailing them all along.

Pei Yuan asked, “Did you hear what was just said?”

“I did!” Chen Jia replied, “Next time, we’ll push the Crown Prince’s consort into the lake!”

Pei Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

...

After walking through the corridor and turning a corner, they arrived at Yimei Garden, where Tao lived. The place was crowded with people, all there to offer congratulations.

Many recognized Pei Yuan. Although he didn’t have a good reputation, it was still enough to intimidate. When they saw him approaching, those who were about to enter the house stopped and waited from a distance.

Baoning whispered to Pei Yuan, “The way they’re looking at you, it’s like they’re staring at a wild animal.”

“They’re just a bunch of ignorant fools,” Pei Yuan said indifferently. “I see them as nothing more than ants.”

Baoning softly remarked, “Then I guess you’re even worse.”

Pei Yuan shot her a sidelong glance and stepped forward to support her by the waist. “The threshold is high, take a bigger step. With legs so short, when we get home, I’ll give you some milk with bone powder to see if it helps. Though, I’m not sure if it’s too late.”

Baoning swatted his hand away playfully, saying, “You’re so annoying, always poking at my sore spots.” As they entered the room, a maid came forward to guide them, and Baoning put on a more dignified expression, ready to greet the baby and Tao.

The baby was adorable, soft and chubby. Tao had named her A’Zhao, a name with clear significance.

Baoning glanced at Tao’s slightly worn-out face and felt a bit of sadness. She took out the longevity locket she had prepared and exchanged a few words with Tao before quickly taking her leave.

They stayed no longer than fifteen minutes, but by the time they left, Baoning’s mood had noticeably dropped compared to when they first entered.

Pei Yuan noticed her thoughts and leaned in to whisper, “I don’t need a son. You don’t need to worry about that.”

Baoning smiled. She led Pei Yuan toward her aunt Xu’s courtyard, saying, “I’m taking you to meet my aunt.”

This time, Pei Yuan behaved quite well, appearing humble and polite. Xu was delighted and laid out the best fruits and pastries for them to eat.

Baoning carefully observed Xu’s appearance. She seemed to be living comfortably, looking youthful and speaking with a lighthearted tone. Baoning felt reassured.

Thinking about the incident with the little drum, Xu took a piece of bear hide and handed it to Baoning. Baoning swiftly repaired the drum, which was small enough for her to tuck into her sleeve pocket.

After spending only a short time in the courtyard, a servant came from the front to announce that the banquet was about to begin, inviting them to come over.

At the banquet, the men and women sat separately. Pei Yuan wouldn’t be sitting with them, so after walking a short distance together, they had to part ways. Xu walked beside Baoning, and with Pei Yuan out of sight, it was hard to tell what Xu thought of him. Reflecting on the entire encounter, Pei Yuan hadn’t said much, and he felt a bit regretful.

“Ask her for me later,” Pei Yuan gently tugged at Baoning’s sleeve before they separated, his gaze drifting toward Xu. “If it doesn’t go well, I’ll have Wei Meng send a gift tomorrow.”

Baoning understood and found his little gesture both childish and endearing, so unlike his usual self. She smiled and quietly reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll say good things for you.”

After saying goodbye to Xu, Chen Jia stayed behind, and Pei Yuan turned toward the men’s banquet.

As Pei Yuan walked away, Xu joyfully remarked to Baoning, “The Fourth Prince seems like a completely different person. He looks so much gentler, still a bit cold, but those little flaws don’t matter—he’s really quite wonderful.”

Baoning thought, too bad Pei Yuan didn’t hear that. Otherwise, his ego would’ve soared sky-high.

“Baoning, how did you manage that?” Xu asked Baoning in a hushed voice. “Has the Fourth Prince been reading Buddhist scriptures? Those are great for calming a person’s aura.”

Baoning was taken aback, thinking once again how glad Pei Yuan hadn’t heard that. He probably wouldn’t like the suggestion.

...

In the banquet hall, several of Ji’s daughters and concubines were seated together at one table. The second daughter, Ji Tongchu, had brought her two children, and the third daughter, Ji Anlu, was pregnant, though not yet showing at four months. Along with Baoning, Xu, and Aunt Ming, they filled one table.

Ji Jiaying, however, sat with a different group, surrounded by numerous friends, engaged in animated conversation and receiving compliments.

The food was served quickly. A roasted goose arrived, and the legs were given to the little nephews. Baoning smiled politely on the outside but was secretly thinking about making the dish herself at home.

Ji Jiaying deliberately sat near them, and the flattering remarks from the noblewomen at her table floated over to Baoning.

As the meal was nearing its end, a young girl, around twelve or thirteen, came over to offer Ji Jiaying a toast. She spoke timidly, seemingly unsure of the relationships within the Guogong Manor, as her mother had pushed her forward to make an appearance.

At first, the girl praised Ji Jiaying for her beauty and grace. Ji Jiaying was pleased, but her mood shifted when the girl added, “And the Shizi is a true dragon among men. So young, yet already so distinguished. Madam, you have a wonderful younger brother.”

Ji Jiaying’s face darkened instantly. “What Shizi? There’s no Shizi in this family! And even if there were, it wouldn’t be a concubine’s son!”

Her outburst startled the girl, who teared up, on the verge of crying. Her nursemaid quickly came over to console her.

Xu gestured for them to leave. “Let’s go, Baoning. If we stay any longer, who knows what other drama will unfold.”

Baoning stood up, holding one of her little nephews' hands as they walked out. Their table soon emptied out. As they reached the doorway, they heard the sound of a cup being thrown to the ground behind them, coming from Ji Jiaying.

Her third sister, who was heavily pregnant, said her goodbyes and left to rest at home. Baoning, along with her second sister's family, went to the lotus pond to watch the fish.

The two little nephews, one two years old and the other three, were at the mischievous age where they could walk and run but were eager to jump into the lake if not held back. Baoning held the younger one, her thoughts preoccupied with matters concerning her eldest sister and Jia Ling. She hadn't seen her elder sister all day, initially assuming she was just late, but now that she hadn't shown up, it aroused suspicion. Moreover, Ji Xiangzhen had always been meticulous with etiquette and wouldn’t normally do something so improper.

Hesitating for a moment, Baoning asked Ji Tongchu, "Second sister, do you know where elder sister went today?"

"Probably had another fight with the heir," Ji Tongchu replied, smoothing down her eldest son's windblown hair. She turned to Baoning and said, "You don’t know? Elder sister and her husband argue every day, and just a few days ago, they had another huge row."

Baoning pretended to be surprised. "I didn’t know."

She asked, "Why do they argue?"

Ji Tongchu, taken aback, asked, "Don’t you and the Fourth Prince argue?"

Baoning thought for a moment. They had quarreled quite a few times, but aside from the incident with the hairpin that led her to storm off to Li Lake, most of their disputes were over trivial matters. Thinking back on the reasons, she found them somewhat embarrassing.

"It's always about two things: children and concubines," Ji Tongchu explained. "The heir is quite the womanizer, with over a dozen concubines in his household. They even had to tear down the walls of our courtyard and give him five extra zhang of land to build more rooms for them. Poor elder sister has cried her eyes out."

Baoning had never heard of such a bizarre situation and was stunned for a long while. Then she asked, "What kind of man is elder sister’s husband?"

Ji Tongchu thought for a moment before responding, "He’s charming, a smooth talker, and good at pleasing the family head. He’s talented, bold, and ambitious. A good minister, but not a good husband."

Baoning thought to herself, he might not even be a good minister anymore.

"Speaking of fortune, Jiaying is the luckiest. Marriage is all about luck," Ji Tongchu sighed. "Look at how the Crown Prince treats her, attending such a small full-moon banquet with her. It’s very prestigious."

Ming Yiniang couldn't help but interject, "It's all because of what the national teacher said about her destiny. The royal family believes in such things."

Xu Shi nodded, "The national teacher said the fourth lady’s fate is exceptional, not only beneficial to the nation but perfectly matched with the Crown Prince, like two lotuses growing from one stem."

Ji Tongchu was skeptical. "Did Tao Shi bribe the national teacher?"

Ming Yiniang hurriedly covered her mouth, "What nonsense are you spouting! Be careful what you say."

"Alright, alright, I won’t say any more," Ji Tongchu laughed. "But it's true that the royal family believes in fate. However, I don't buy it. Our current emperor doesn’t believe in such things. He’s a very loyal man. I heard from Jia Xian that when the ill-fated virtuous consort Qin Xiang entered the palace, the national teacher said her fate was disastrous for the nation. But the emperor didn’t believe it and treated her very well. It’s just unfortunate that she passed away early."

Baoning had been smiling as they chatted, but hearing this, she was suddenly taken aback, her eyes widening in shock. "Wasn’t the virtuous consort the mother of the Fourth Prince?"

"Yes, but that's a royal secret now. Not many people know about it anymore," Ji Tongchu grabbed Baoning's hand. "But you mustn't tell anyone!"

Baoning hurriedly nodded in agreement.

"Is Dabao tired?" Ji Tongchu rubbed her eldest son’s cheek. "Come, mommy will take you to bed."

She stood up with a smile, "Baoning, I’ll be leaving now. Do come visit me at my estate sometime. I’ll treat you well."

Ming Yiniang also stood up. After bidding them farewell, Baoning sat for a while longer. Xu Shi, feeling fatigued, was escorted away to rest by a maid. Soon, Baoning was left alone in the small pavilion by the lake, waiting for Peiyuan to return.

Leaning against the railing, she tossed a handful of fish food into the water, watching the fish scramble for it while thinking about what Ji Tongchu had said earlier.

Was Peiyuan’s mother really fated that way? Baoning recalled the timing of the virtuous consort’s death—around ten years ago, when she was five years old. At that time... Baoning’s heart suddenly leaped. She vividly remembered that year, there had been a great earthquake in the capital region that caused significant damage and loss of life.

Could there be a connection between the two events?

Peiyuan had never spoken to her about his mother’s death. Baoning wanted to know more but didn’t want to reopen old wounds. So, the question remained unresolved.

...

"Madam," came Chen Jia's voice from behind, interrupting Baoning's thoughts, "She’s here again!"

Baoning turned around to see Ji Jiaying’s awkward expression. She huffed, flinging her sleeves as she said, "You’ve trained your dog well. He barks when strangers approach."

Baoning felt irritated. She had no interest in dealing with Ji Jiaying.

Even the Crown Prince, Peixiao, was with her. Baoning thought to herself, how could the Crown Prince be so oblivious? Couldn’t he tell they were unwanted?

"You chat among yourselves," Baoning placed the small jar of fish food on the table, intending to leave, but Ji Jiaying blocked her way.

"Why are you leaving? Don’t you want to catch up, sister?"

Ji Jiaying wasn't afraid of annoying Peixiao. She believed he must be utterly smitten with her. After all, when she lost his only son, he had only been cold to her at first, but now he was even accompanying her on her return to her family. And hadn’t he tolerated her wild antics for so long? That must mean Peixiao enjoyed her headstrong behavior.

Part of her antagonism toward Baoning stemmed from her own discontent, but mostly she did it for Peixiao’s sake, to appear adorably fierce in his eyes.

Peixiao’s gaze lingered on Baoning, noticing how her face had flushed with anger, making her appear more vibrant than usual. He smiled slightly.

Ji Jiaying took this as encouragement and smugly pushed Baoning into a seat, "Stay a while. I’m not going to bite."

Peixiao frowned, displeased with Ji Jiaying’s actions.

Baoning suddenly stood up, calling out loudly, "Chen Jia!" She brushed past Ji Jiaying, attempting to leave.

"You’re pushing me?" Ji Jiaying grabbed Baoning’s sleeve indignantly.

"Let go," Peixiao’s voice was cold.

Ji Jiaying protested, "Your Highness, she pushed me!" She refused to release her grip, and in the scuffle, a small drum fell from Baoning’s sleeve with a thud.

Everyone's attention shifted. Baoning hurried to pick it up, but Ji Jiaying stretched out her foot to stomp on it. Peixiao’s expression froze in an instant.

He recognized the small drum as Yuanzi’s, and his eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Baoning. He didn’t notice Ji Jiaying’s actions.

Just as Ji Jiaying’s foot was about to step on Baoning’s hand, Peiyuan shouted, "Chen Jia, what the hell did I keep you around for? Get rid of her!"

In the blink of an eye, Chen Jia rushed forward, grabbed Ji Jiaying by both legs, and tossed her headfirst into the lake with a loud splash, accompanied by her shrieks.

Baoning picked up the small drum and ran to Peiyuan’s side.

Peixiao’s gaze was still fixed on the drum in Baoning’s hand, his fists clenched. He ignored Ji Jiaying’s cries for help behind him. In a soft voice, he asked, "Baoning, where did you get that drum?"

"It’s my grandson’s—none of your business," Peiyuan glared at him with disgust, narrowing his eyes, "And who do you think you are, calling her by name? Have some decency."

"Let’s go. If anyone comes and sees this, it won’t look good." Baoning tugged on his sleeve, "Let’s go home."

Staying here wouldn’t do them any good. It was better to leave now and settle things later. Peiyuan shot a contemptuous glance at Peixiao, grabbed Baoning’s wrist, and said, "Let’s go."

"Changxi!" Peixiao called after them as they walked away, "Keep an eye on them."

With that, he followed behind.

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

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