After Marrying the Disabled Prince (BG) - Chapter 8: Reap What You Sow

The sun was shining brightly. Ji Yun stood at the doorway in a dark blue silk robe. With his sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, he exuded the vigor of youth, eagerly craning his neck to look around.

Seeing Bao Ning come out, his face lit up with joy. He quickly ran over, picked her up, and spun her around.

“Sister, are you doing well?”

Ji Yun was twelve years old, but he was already tall, nearly the same height as Bao Ning. He scrutinized her face, noticing her red-rimmed eyes. His expression darkened as he asked, “Did he bully you?”

Bao Ning wrinkled her nose and replied, “No.”

She wasn’t good at lying, and those two words were spoken without much conviction as her gaze darted around.

Ji Yun’s eyes were filled with anger. Bao Ning, afraid he might truly lose his temper, hurriedly changed the topic. “Why are you here? Did Mother send you? What goodies did you bring me…”

“Enough of that!”

Ji Yun had grown up with her and knew her personality inside out. His sister was the kindest person in the world. She hadn’t shed a tear even after enduring such humiliation during her marriage, yet here she was, crying now. That Fourth Prince was undoubtedly to blame.

He felt both heartache and fury, but his mother had sternly warned him before he left not to cause trouble for his sister. So, Ji Yun could only suppress his anger.

Bao Ning had rushed out in a hurry and was dressed lightly. Worried she might catch a chill, Ji Yun took off his outer robe and draped it over her shoulders. Holding back his frustration, he said, “Don’t worry, I won’t hit him.”

Bao Ning let out a sigh of relief.

Ji Yun asked, “Where is that person?”

He disliked Pei Yuan and refused to call him “brother-in-law,” instead referring to him as “that person”.

Bao Ning was momentarily confused before realizing who he was talking about. She glanced in the direction of the eastern wing and said, “He’s probably sleeping.”

Ji Yun gritted his teeth. “I hope he sleeps forever and never wakes up.”

Bao Ning hurriedly covered his mouth. “What nonsense are you saying…”

Ji Yun protested, “I’ll say what I want. What can he do to me? Get up and hit me? My sister is so wonderful; marrying him is a blessing he earned over several lifetimes. And yet, he doesn’t cherish it and dares to make you suffer. I don’t know if he’s blind or if pig fat has clouded his brain. Sister, just give me a few more years. I’ll take you away, and it’ll serve him right to regret it until his intestines turn green!”

Bao Ning knew he was speaking up for her and felt both touched and helpless. She laughed through her tears. “Alright, alright, stop talking. Come inside, and I’ll cook something delicious for you.”

“I’ll keep my voice down. He won’t hear me, and I won’t cause you trouble.”

Ji Yun frowned, suddenly remembering the puppy he had brought with him. He had been holding it earlier, but it had squirmed free, so he’d set it down. Now it was nowhere to be seen.

Ji Yun clicked his tongue, bent down, and started looking around. “Sister, where’s the puppy? It was just here. Did you see it?”

Bao Ning shook her head. “I didn’t see it.”

Ji Yun grew anxious. “Let’s find it quickly. The puppy is only a month old. If it catches a chill and gets sick, we’ll be in trouble.”

Bao Ning hurriedly followed and searched. They were standing by the courtyard gate, with just a step outside leading to the woods. Ji Yun was about to go outside to check if the puppy had run away when Bao Ning suddenly tugged at his sleeve.

“What’s wrong?” He straightened up and followed Bao Ning’s gaze, locking eyes with Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan was leaning against the doorframe, staring at him without any expression. His clothes fluttered in the wind, and it was unclear how long he had been standing there or how much of their conversation he had overheard.

Meanwhile, the little puppy was rolling and crawling at Pei Yuan’s feet, tugging at his pants and licking him in a flattering, obsequious manner.

Ji Yun was momentarily stunned. When he saw the puppy’s actions, his anger flared. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed the puppy, and stuffed it into his arms. He shot Pei Yuan a disdainful look, snorted coldly, and walked into the western wing.

Pei Yuan looked at Bao Ning, his voice rough as he asked, “Your brother?”

This was the first time he initiated a conversation. Bao Ning remembered what happened last night, and she still felt upset about it. She didn’t know how to face him. She casually responded with an “mm” and hurriedly ran into the house, lifting her skirt.

Pei Yuan watched her figure until she slammed the door shut with a loud “bang.” Only then did he shift his gaze.

She had never been this cold toward him. Somehow, he suddenly thought of the phrase “I deserve it.”

Pei Yuan raised his hand and lightly touched his brow, letting out a mocking laugh before turning and closing the door behind him.

He didn’t even know why he had come out in the first place. It was almost as if he were sick for attention.

….

The little puppy was the one Bao Ning saved before her marriage. It seemed to still remember her scent and affectionately tried to lick her face.

Bao Ning was tickled by the puppy and held it away from her face with both hands.

The little puppy refused to let go, whining a few times in its cute voice. Bao Ning mimicked its sound, her heart melting. She quickly pulled it back, kissed its forehead twice, and then lay on the bed, playfully nibbling on its ears.

The two of them were happily playing, but Ji Yun couldn’t share in their joy. He walked around the small house, frowning deeply, and said to Bao Ning, “Sister, let me take you home. We don’t have to 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 saw this courtyard, I was upset. What kind of place is this? It’s worse than our stables. I thought maybe the inside would be better, so I held back. But now I see it, the inside is even worse than the outside, with no decent furnishings. How can anyone live here?”

“Physical hardships are better than emotional ones,” Bao Ning said with a smile. “You don’t know how comfortable I’ve been these past few days. I can do whatever I want, with no restrictions. Besides, I’m not lacking in money. What hardship could I possibly face? If I lack something, I can just buy it. Since you’re here today, let’s go back to the city and buy some things. That way, I can live the life I’ve always dreamed of.”

Ji Yun reached out to pull her. “Let’s go buy things now.”

Bao Ning said, “No rush. Let’s eat first, and I’ll make a shopping list.”

“It doesn’t matter where we eat. It doesn’t have to be here…” Ji Yun started to speak, but then suddenly realized. “You’re trying to find a reason to make food for him, aren’t you?”

Bao Ning said, “I can’t just let him go hungry.”

Ji Yun huffed angrily, “Let him starve to death, that would be the best!”

“You’re talking nonsense again.” Bao Ning tapped his forehead, urging him to sit quietly on the bed, and went to knead the dough and cook the meal.

The food would cool down quickly, and since Pei Yuan’s leg was injured, starting a fire and cooking would be troublesome. Bao Ning made meatballs, vegetable balls, and vermicelli balls instead.

She did think about not making food for Pei Yuan to get back at him but then reconsidered. There was no need. His mistakes were his own business. She just needed to focus on doing things right and not feel guilty. She wouldn’t go out of her way to please him, and there was no need to make things so awkward.

Bao Ning worked efficiently and soon 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. When Bao Ning knocked on the door, he immediately looked over.

Bao Ning didn’t look at him. She placed the bowl on the small table beside him, said nothing, and was about to leave.

Pei Yuan felt a wave of discomfort in his heart. Just moments ago, he had heard Bao Ning laughing and chatting with Ji Yun, and she seemed so happy. But now, when she saw him, there wasn’t even a hint of a smile.

Pei Yuan propped himself up with his arm and watched as Bao Ning was about to leave. Unable to stop himself, he called out, “You…”

Bao Ning turned back.

Pei Yuan’s throat moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just 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 soundproofing, and Pei Yuan could vaguely hear some of the conversation in the western wing. He knew Ji Yun didn’t like him and was very hostile toward him.

He heard Ji Yun say he was going to take Bao Ning away.

This was the outcome he had always hoped for, but now that it was actually happening, Pei Yuan felt as if his chest was blocked with cotton, making it hard to breathe.

Pei Yuan closed his eyes, his mind swirling. He thought of Bao Ning smiling at him from the door earlier, and then of her red eyes from last night when she was upset. The mix of emotions made his head throb.

The bowl Bao Ning had brought smelled so good, and Pei Yuan suddenly thought that perhaps this was the last meal she would make for him.

She was about to leave, wasn’t she?

Who would keep enduring his temper? If it were anyone else, they probably would have left after he first lost his temper.

She was the daughter of a Duke’s family and had a brother who cared for her. She shouldn’t be enduring hardships with him here. Just staying with him these three days was already a rare kindness. Why should he ask for more?

Just as he was thinking this, the sound of a horse’s whinny came from outside the courtyard.

Pei Yuan suddenly looked up.

….

Ji Yun was sitting on the horse, extending his hand towards Bao Ning with a smile, asking, “Sister, aren’t you afraid? This horse is very gentle, come on, hop on.”

Bao Ning turned around to glance in the direction of Pei Yuan’s room. She was considering whether she should say something to him. But then she thought that even if she did, he wouldn’t care, so there was no point in making a scene and embarrassing herself.

Ji Yun saw through her thoughts. He flicked the horsewhip in his hand and snorted, “He should taste this bitterness. Let him think you’re leaving and see if he regrets it later!”

Bao Ning shook her head. She didn’t believe Pei Yuan would regret it. He was solitary and proud, and nothing seemed to matter to him.

“Let’s go.” Bao Ning grabbed Ji Yun’s hand and sat behind him on the horse. Ji Yun raised the whip and commanded, “Go,” as the horse neighed and lifted its hooves, galloping off.

….

They indeed left.

Let them leave.

Pei Yuan sat expressionlessly for a long time, then suddenly stood up, went to a corner, took two jars of wine, opened the corks, and drank deeply from one.

….

By the time Bao Ning returned, it was already night. Ji Yun had brought her back, and they had bought too many things, so they hired a driver who would deliver them in the morning.

She was exhausted, but her mind was still on the puppy that had just arrived. After bidding farewell to Ji Yun, she hurried back to the western wing.

When entering the door, Bao Ning glanced at Pei Yuan’s window and saw the light was off, assuming he had gone to sleep.

The faint scent of alcohol lingered in Pei Yuan’s room. Bao Ning frowned at the smell, thinking that he was probably disinfecting his wound, and didn’t give it much thought.

She heated water, cleaned herself, fed the puppy, and then undressed to go to bed.

In a half-dazed state, she suddenly heard a sharp sound from the western wing, as if something had broken. Bao Ning was startled and quickly sat up.

She was worried that Pei Yuan had gotten into some trouble, so after some consideration, she decided to check on him.

She knocked on the door, but there was no response. The alcohol smell was even stronger, so Bao Ning bit her lip and pushed the door open. When she saw the scene inside, she gasped in shock.

Pei Yuan was drunk, lying on the edge of the bed with his right leg hanging off the ground, seemingly asleep.