After Marrying the Disabled Prince (BG) - Chapter 6: Bathing

The steamed buns were stuffed with minced pork and green onions, plump, soft, and fragrant.

After receiving Pei Yuan’s permission, Bao Ning brought over the buns, a dish of garlic dipping sauce, and freshly made cold pickled radish strips from the kitchen, placing them one by one on the small table. Finally, she set down a pot of hot tea.

This breakfast left Pei Yuan utterly stunned.

Last night’s soup he could understand as its preparation was simple and straightforward, something one could learn easily. But today’s assortment of dishes…

Pei Yuan still found it hard to believe. With a hint of suspicion, he asked, “You made these?”

Bao Ning nodded. She could hear the implicit compliment in his tone, and her smile widened. Suddenly remembering something, she exclaimed, “Ah! Fourth Prince, wait a moment, there’s one more thing.”

Pei Yuan watched her lift the hem of her skirt and run out the door.

She was wearing a different dress from the day before, a shimmering pink one that cinched tightly at her waist, emphasizing her slender figure. Her hair was adorned with a swaying peach blossom hairpin, and on closer inspection, she wore a pair of silver earrings. She was dressed delicately and beautifully, radiating an air of joy.

Pei Yuan was surprised that she still had the spirit to dress herself up with such care.

As he pondered this, Bao Ning returned, holding an egg in her hands. It must have been too hot, as she kept switching it between her hands until she finally placed it on the table, letting out a sigh of relief.

Whether it was because the door had been left open or because the long-lost sunlight spilled in, illuminating the room, Pei Yuan suddenly felt that this dark, dilapidated house had become much brighter.

He even felt that his heart, long shrouded in gloom, had lightened slightly.

Bao Ning beamed at him. “Fourth Prince, I boiled an egg for you. I’ll make one for you every morning from now on, it’ll be good for your health.”

Pei Yuan had long forgotten when he last had such a meal or when anyone had spoken to him in such a warm and caring tone. But today, thanks to this new little wife of his, he had it all. This little wife had a good temperament and held no grudges. Initially, he had imagined her to be like a ferocious beast, but now, it seemed she might really have no ill intentions.

Was she deeply cunning and skilled at pretense? Or was she just a simple, naive girl?

Pei Yuan chose not to think about it anymore. He picked up his chopsticks, took a bun, dipped it lightly in the garlic sauce, and brought it to his mouth.

The bun’s skin was soft and fluffy, and with a gentle bite, the juices from the meat filling burst forth, filling his mouth with rich flavor. It was savory but not greasy, light, and perfectly seasoned.

It was genuinely excellent craftsmanship. Pei Yuan’s eyes brightened.

Bao Ning asked, “Is it good?

Pei Yuan nodded.

Bao Ning smiled with her eyes curved like crescents. “Then I’ll make it for you every day from now on.”

Her words left Pei Yuan’s chopsticks paused mid-air. His breath caught for a moment, unsure how to respond. To mask his unease, he reached for the radish strips instead.

Bao Ning quietly observed him for a while before suddenly speaking. “Um, Fourth Prince…”

She stopped mid-sentence and didn’t continue. Pei Yuan glanced at her, telling her to go on.

Her cheeks flushed a little, and her bright eyes shimmered as if she was struggling to say something.

“Fourth Prince, I’m really good at cooking, I can make anything. Can we make a deal? I’ll cook whatever you want, but can you stop being so harsh to me?”

…

Even after Bao Ning left and closed the door, Pei Yuan hadn’t recovered from his emotions.

He couldn’t recall what he had said in response. He thought he might have given a casual nod. Bao Ning seemed pleased with the answer, saying she would bring him hot water later, and then she left.

Was she really so easily satisfied?

Pei Yuan felt a tangle of emotions. He didn’t understand what Bao Ning was thinking, or why she treated him so kindly. Nor did he understand himself, why he was so flustered and unsettled.

By his original plan, he should have sent Bao Ning away. Whether her intentions were good or bad, he didn’t want her around as it was the safest way to avoid trouble.

But how had things come to this?

The aroma of the buns wafted up again and again. Pei Yuan told himself to stop overthinking. Today or tomorrow, he would still have to send her away.

His future was already ruined. No one would willingly stay by his side forever. Bao Ning’s kindness was temporary. She was only fifteen, what did she know? In a few years, or perhaps even just a few months, she would realize how miserable it was to be married to a cripple. She would regret it and leave. Didn’t women long for wealth and prosperity? Who would willingly spend their life in such a desolate place?

She would understand eventually.

Pei Yuan quickly finished the buns. He thought to himself that after his bath, he would talk to her again and ask her to leave.

…

There was no bathtub here, and even if there were, Pei Yuan’s current physical state wouldn’t allow him to use it. He could only manage to wipe himself down with a damp cloth.

The kitchen had just one water bucket. Worried there wouldn’t be enough water, and too embarrassed to enter while Pei Yuan bathed, Bao Ning decided to let him wash in the west wing. There, a large pot of hot water was already prepared, and the stove kept the room warm and cozy.

She handed him her own jasmine-scented soap, along with clean clothes and two towels. After setting everything up, her face flushed red, and she hurriedly left the room.

Bao Ning didn’t want to blush, but this was undeniably a private matter. Moreover, she wasn’t very familiar with Pei Yuan, which only made her feel more self-conscious.

The sun shone brightly overhead on the rare, beautiful day. Standing at the doorway, Bao Ning basked in the sunlight for a while, listening to the splashing of water from inside.

While Pei Yuan bathed, she took the opportunity to tidy up the east wing. She aired out the room, wiped down the floor, and, most importantly, replaced the old bedding. She planned to wash the old quilt, hang it, and dry it.

To recover well, Pei Yuan not only needed nourishing meals but also a comfortable and clean environment. The luxurious decor didn’t matter; cleanliness and freshness did. Bao Ning resolved to air out and clean  Pei Yuan’s bedding every five or six days. Otherwise, damp, chilly quilts would surely worsen his injuries.

Standing in the doorway of the east wing, Bao Ning glanced back at the sunny courtyard. Determined, she made a mental note to plant a grapevine trellis someday and set up a reclining chair beneath it for summer afternoons.

…..

When Pei Yuan heard the click of the door closing behind her, he began undressing piece by piece.

It felt as if he hadn’t bathed in nearly a month. Ever since the incident, he hadn’t had the chance to clean himself. He had been wearing the same set of clothes all along, now stained with dirt and blood, their original color almost unrecognizable.

His legs were injured, and so were his arms and back. Some wounds had fused with the fabric, making it impossible to remove without tearing them free.

Gritting his teeth, Pei Yuan yanked the cloth away, reopening the wounds. The pain left him panting heavily, but he didn’t hesitate. He balled up the filthy clothing and tossed it to the floor.

Beneath the torn fabric, his sinewy muscles were revealed, crisscrossed with scars. Some were shallow, having healed into faint red lines, while others were deeper and had started bleeding again from his rough handling.

A sharp gleam flickered in Pei Yuan’s eyes.

The water Bao Ning had prepared was just right—warm and soothing. Scooping up a ladleful, he poured it over his head and let out a sigh of relief.

Reaching for the jasmine soap, he worked it into a lather and was about to apply it to his hair when he paused. Something felt…off.

Holding the soap close to his nose, Pei Yuan gave it a sniff. His expression turned strange.

It smelled like jasmine.

A big man like him, smelling like jasmine after a bath? What kind of impression would that leave?

Frowning, Pei Yuan tossed the soap back onto the dish without a second thought.

Pei Yuan hesitated for a moment but picked up the soap again, thinking to himself, Forget it, just this once

…..

When Pei Yuan returned to the room after his bath, Bao Ning was kneeling and making the bed.

Among her dowry, there were two sets of new bedding. She kept one set for herself and had saved the other for Pei Yuan. Because it was part of her dowry, the quilt cover was bright red and festive, embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks playing in water.

Concubine Xu used the finest cotton and fabric, making it incredibly soft to the touch. Bao Ning lay down for a moment, pressing her cheek against the quilt, almost wishing she could fall asleep right then and there.

The room looked completely renewed, as if transformed. The tables and chairs gleamed with cleanliness, and even the window frames had been wiped spotless.

A small incense burner sat on the table, releasing a light fragrance that spiraled upward, gentle and soothing.

Pei Yuan stood at the doorway, stunned.

He suddenly realized that ever since Bao Ning arrived, he had been caught off guard more times than he cared to count.

Pei Yuan was tall, and when he stood there, he blocked most of the light from the doorway. Bao Ning, hugging a pillow, turned to see the astonishment in his eyes.

Now that his face was clean, Bao Ning could finally see what he truly looked like a straight nose, narrow eyes, and a faint flush at the corners of his eyes that gave him the appearance of being slightly tipsy. His aura was naturally rebellious, sharp, and untamed.

If only he didn’t have that scruffy beard, Bao Ning thought. He’d look even better.

She had the urge to help him shave but then reconsidered. She didn’t know how to do it, and Pei Yuan likely wouldn’t appreciate the gesture anyway.

He was wearing white undergarments, his damp hair dripping water down his neck.

Bao Ning snapped back to her senses, suddenly remembering that Pei Yuan was still recovering and couldn’t afford to catch a chill. She quickly waved him in. “Your Highness, come inside quickly, or you’ll catch a cold.”

She rushed towards him, intending to support him, but remembering that he didn’t like being touched, she stopped midway and awkwardly lowered her hand.

A faint scent wafted from him, and Bao Ning immediately recognized it, it was the fragrance of her soap. She blinked in surprise.

Pei Yuan’s thoughts were in turmoil, more chaotic than they had been earlier in the day.

He had planned everything out: find Bao Ning and tell her to leave. But now, as she stood right before him, he opened his mouth, yet not a single word came out.

He wasn’t supposed to be someone who softened so easily.

Pei Yuan tightened his grip on the stick, bypassed Bao Ning, and went straight into the room, sitting down on the bed with a gloomy expression, staring at her silently.

Bao Ning’s heart tightened. She understood Pei Yuan was telling her to leave.

Just this morning, he had eaten the meal she made, and his attitude was still fine. Why had he changed so suddenly?

Bao Ning tentatively asked, “Fourth Prince, should I leave then?”

Pei Yuan said nothing.

Bao Ning sighed softly, picked up the dirty quilt she had changed, and walked out, closing the door behind her.

Pei Yuan lay back on the bed, feeling restless, but couldn’t help listening intently to the sounds outside.

It sounded like she was washing clothes.

Pei Yuan closed his eyes. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was truly touched. He wanted to get closer, but he was afraid it was all a trick. He wasn’t the kind of person prone to romantic entanglements, yet he found himself inexplicably drawn to this fleeting warmth and kindness.

Better to wait and see. Even if he didn’t say anything, she might regret it and leave in a few days on her own.

…

Their relationship fell into a strange, awkward state.

For the next three days, Pei Yuan refused to engage with her. While he ate the meals she brought, he ignored her completely outside of mealtimes.

Under the faint candlelight, Bao Ning forced herself to continue sewing for a while, but her eyes soon began to hurt. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Pei Yuan, and her stitching became sloppy. Frustrated, she gave up, stuck the needle back onto the sewing board, and set it aside.

Suddenly, Bao Ning remembered that tomorrow was supposed to be her “return to her maiden home” day. Thinking of her younger brother and stepmother, her heart began to race.

But… how would she return?

The capital was so far away, and she didn’t know the way. The Department of Public Works probably wouldn’t send anyone to fetch her. She had no way to go back.

Bao Ning’s eyes dimmed.

Leaning on the table, she let her mind wander aimlessly, wondering what her mother and Ji Yun might be doing now. If she couldn’t return tomorrow, would her mother be sad?

… As she was lost in thought, a rustling sound suddenly reached her ears. Bao Ning turned to look and was met with the shiny black eyes of a fat rat. Her breath caught, and she froze, feeling paralyzed, before letting out a sharp scream.

Her scream in the west wing startled Pei Yuan in the east wing, making him shudder.

He didn’t want to intervene at first, but after a moment of hesitation, he frowned and called out, “What’s wrong?”

Tears welling up in her eyes, Bao Ning dared not stay in her room any longer. She slipped on her shoes and ran to Pei Yuan’s door, crying, “There’s a big gray rat in my room!”

“…” Pei Yuan was speechless. “Come inside.”