After Marrying the Disabled Fourth Prince

Chapter 3

No one helped her down from the carriage, so Bao Ning had to disembark by herself.

Despite being mentally prepared, she was still taken aback by the scene before her.

In the midst of a desolate grove stood a small courtyard with a rickety fence gate that seemed like it would collapse with just a gust of wind. The two low-thatched cottages looked like they leaked from all sides, especially evident in the dead of winter. Snow from a recent snowfall still covered half of the courtyard, mixing with mud to create a slushy mess.

This didn't resemble a prince's residence at all; it looked more like an abandoned, dilapidated compound.

Bao Ning looked around; there were no neighboring households, not even a village in sight. All she could see were trees shedding their leaves, and the only path was the winding dirt road the carriage had arrived on, disappearing into the distance.

This place was barely livable for an ordinary person, let alone someone like the Fourth Prince, who already had mobility issues.

They say those in the Ministry of Personnel are the most influential, and it seemed true now. When Pei Yuan was in his prime, everyone clamored to flatter him, sending him the best gifts. But now, they wouldn't even provide him with a decent house.

As Bao Ning was lost in thought, the gate suddenly creaked open, and a maid-like woman emerged, eyeing Bao Ning and asking the coachman, "Is this the Fourth Prince's consort?"

The coachman nodded and chuckled, "Cuifu, you must be thrilled now, right? No need to stay in this ghostly place anymore; someone else is here to take your place."

Cuifu rubbed her hands together, pursing her lips. "Indeed, staying here for two more days, and I'd have gone mad. Not to mention the fact that it's impossible to get enough to eat or stay warm here, not to mention the Fourth Prince's unbearable temperament..."

She stopped mid-sentence, realizing she was speaking in front of the Fourth Prince's consort and needed to show respect.

Withdrawing her previous statement, she bowed respectfully and glanced at Bao Ning, shaking her head. "Such a beautiful lady, but it's a pity she's married to such a cripple."

The coachman yawned, climbed back into the carriage, and waved. "Enough chatter, get in quickly. We need to get back to the capital before dark."

Cuifu sighed and didn't even bid farewell to Bao Ning. She simply climbed into the carriage.

With a crack of the whip, the horse neighed, and the carriage, along with the coachman and Cuifu, rumbled out of the courtyard.

Bao Ning stood there, watching the receding shadow of the carriage, pursing her lips, unsure of what to say.

Those two didn't even regard her, let alone treat her as the Fourth Prince's consort. In their eyes, she might not even be considered a mistress; she was merely an unfortunate bride, sent here to suffer, hoping they'd keep their distance.

Forget it. When the mountain collapses, everyone runs; when people flee, who should she rely on but herself?

Baoning sighed, held the shawl in her hand, and pulled up her pant legs, cautiously stepping into the yard.

The yard wasn't large, merely a dozen steps, and she soon reached the front of the thatched hut.

The two houses were nearly identical, except for one with a broken window, through which the wind howled, threatening to shatter the glass at any moment. The other seemed slightly better, at least with intact windows.

Which one was Pei Yuan's?

Baoning pondered, took a step forward, intending to peek through the small hole in the window paper.