After Marrying the Disabled Fourth Prince

Chapter 18

Pei Yang was about the same height as Ji Yun, and with his boots on, he stood a finger taller than Bao Ning.

Mimicking Bao Ning's low voice, he asked, "Where are you going?"

Only then did Bao Ning notice his hair, glowing red and radiant in the sunlight. She was stunned.

Following her gaze, Pei Yang brushed his bangs aside and raised an eyebrow. "Does it look good?"

Bao Ning sincerely praised him, "It looks good."

Pei Yang was satisfied. Adjusting his clothes, he recalled their earlier conversation. "What do you need the carriage for?"

Bao Ning frowned and pulled Pei Yang aside, a bit further from the door, and repeated the story about Aunt Ming and Gongsun Zhu.

"I don't know if it will work, but I want to try. Your brother's leg..."

Before she could finish, her hand suddenly felt scorching hot. Surprised, Bao Ning looked up and saw Pei Yang crying.Bao Ning panicked.

She hadn't done anything to upset him, so why was he crying suddenly?

Pei Yang, choking back his tears, grabbed her hand. "Sister-in-law, I never expected you to be so considerate and kind to my brother. His temper is bad, and his health isn't good, but he's a good person. Sister-in-law, I'm really touched, and I don't know how to repay you. Let me sing you a song."

Bao Ning was extremely frightened. She thought Pei Yang must be out of his mind or had eaten something bad because he seemed so abnormal.

"Fifth Prince, could you let go of me, please?" Bao Ning anxiously tried to pull her hand away. "I don't really want to hear a song right now. I'm hungry and want to eat. Are you hungry? Let's stop this and get something to eat. I'll make you something delicious."

Bao Ning babbled to calm him down. Pei Yang, still tearful, made Bao Ning feel utterly helpless.What's with this brother, crying so much?She had never seen a boy cry like this. Ji Yun never cried. He liked to brag, and when his lies were exposed, he would get angry and fight, but never cry.

Pei Yuan wouldn't cry either; he was proud and stubborn, even if he was in pain.

Pei Yang had completely exceeded Bao Ning's understanding of boys.She didn't know how to comfort him.After thinking for a moment, Bao Ning hurried back into the house, fetched a box of candied jujubes, and handed it to Pei Yang.

"Have some candy. Stop crying."Pei Yang took one and put it in his mouth, savoring it. "It's really sweet.""If you like them, you can have them all. I made them myself. There's plenty more."

Bao Ning seized the opportunity. "About the carriage..."Pei Yang said, "That's no big deal, just a carriage. Even if you need eight hundred of them, I can get them."

He waved his hand. "Consider it yours."This brother was really generous. Generously cute...

At noon, Pei Yang stayed for lunch. He had brought many ingredients, and Bao Ning quickly cooked them, making a table full of dishes.

Originally, Bao Ning and Pei Yuan ate at separate tables, and she thought this time would be the same. She set aside her portion, intending to eat in the west wing, but Pei Yuan called her over.

Pei Yuan said, "There's a guest here. It's not proper for the host not to be at the table."

Bao Ning hadn't thought about it. She wasn't one to fuss over such matters and didn't see any significance in where she ate.

Only when Pei Yuan mentioned it did she realize he was trying to uphold her dignity in front of Pei Yang.It also made her think that Pei Yuan considered her part of the family.This realization made Bao Ning happy all day.The brothers hadn't seen each other for a long time, and Pei Yuan and Pei Yang drank some wine and chatted casually.

Bao Ning, not understanding their conversation, felt sleepy and went back to her room to nap.When she woke up, Pei Yuan was sitting beside her, tapping her cheek. It was already dark.In the morning, Bao Ning had felt dizzy. After sleeping all afternoon, she felt much better.There was no light in the room, and Pei Yuan's tall figure loomed in the darkness like a wall.

He flicked her forehead and, with a hoarse voice, said, "Wake up. You slept so much during the day. How will you sleep at night?"

Bao Ning hugged the blanket, wriggled a bit, and rubbed her eyes as she sat up. "What time is it?""I don't know." Pei Yuan paused, then reached out to wipe her cheek, frowning in disgust. "You drooled all over your face. Isn't it gross?"

Bao Ning quickly dodged him and wiped her face with the back of her hand, finding it dry.She whispered, "Liar."

Pei Yuan chuckled softly but said nothing.Bao Ning sidestepped Pei Yuan to feel for a candle. "Why didn't you light the lamp when you came in? It's so dark."Pei Yuan's voice was slow. "I came to sleep. Why light the lamp?"Bao Ning's hand shook, and she looked up in surprise. "What are you here for?"Pei Yuan, having trained in martial arts from a young age, had sharp ears and keen eyes. He could clearly see her expression even in the dark.

Bao Ning couldn't see Pei Yuan's face, only a dark shadow. Feeling uneasy, she scooted back and covered herself with the blanket, asking again, "What are you here for?""You've changed."

Pei Yuan scratched her chin. "You used to speak respectfully and called me 'you.'"Bao Ning bit her lip and followed his lead. "Fourth Prince, what are you here for?"Her mind was in a fog, just wanting him to leave quickly.

The night offered no sense of security, with Pei Yuan's presence like a mountain before her, his scent—cool but strong, mixed with a faint aroma of wine—filling her nose.

Bao Ning held her breath, refusing to inhale.Pei Yuan said, "Aren't you going back to your parents' house?"Bao Ning nodded."Pei Yang said he would take you." Pei Yuan chuckled.

"You're quite capable, winning that boy over so quickly. It took me a lot of effort to win him over. You should have seen how wild he was."Bao Ning silently thought that the two brothers were very similar, both like dogs and both wild.

How could Pei Yuan criticize others when he had been so harsh to her?"Why are you pouting? Think I can't see you?" Pei Yuan interrupted himself, noticing Bao Ning's expression. Dissatisfied, he pressed her lips, feeling the small dimple. With mischief in mind, he rubbed it hard.Bao Ning yelped, almost biting Pei Yuan's finger."Like a dog?" Pei Yuan hissed, pulling back.

"Keep it down. Pei Yang is sleeping in the next room. You'll make people think the wrong thing."Bao Ning was startled, quickly covering her mouth and whispering, "Why hasn't the Fifth Prince left? Won't people from the palace come looking for him?"
"He left. Can you drive a carriage? He snuck out; no one knows, so it's fine." Pei Yuan answered her questions in two sentences, then stood up to get his cane.He seemed tired, rubbing his forehead.

"Enough. I won't tease you. Just came to let you know I'll accompany you back tomorrow. Get up early and dress nicely so people don't think I'm mistreating you."

Bao Ning was pleasantly surprised. Yesterday, he was unwilling, so why the sudden change?"When you were supposed to return to your parents' house, I didn't go with you, and you didn't go either. I owe you that."

Pei Yuan leaned over and ruffled her hair. "We'll make up for it tomorrow."