After Marrying the Disabled Fourth Prince

Chapter 21

Bao Ning's heart leaped with joy as she hurriedly approached. "Ming Yi Niang, you're here."

Pei Yuan's gaze followed hers.

A neat and tidy woman stood at the door. She wore a long, blue dress, and her hair was meticulously arranged. Her phoenix eyes were slightly upturned, exuding an air of shrewdness, but her complexion and expression suggested a kind nature.

Ming Shi bowed to Pei Yuan. After offering her respects, she glanced briefly at his leg before moving on, smiling. "I've come at an inopportune moment, disturbing your reunion. But since Bao Ning rarely comes home, I missed her and wanted to see her. Now that I've seen her, I'm reassured. I won't stay long and beg the Fourth Prince's pardon for my lack of manners."

It seemed she truly intended to leave after a brief visit. She smiled at Pei Yuan, waiting for his response.Bao Ning was taken aback. "You've just arrived, why leave so soon?"

She stepped forward, attempting to detain her, her voice tinged with a pleading tone. "Stay a little longer, have some tea before you go. The Fourth Prince would also be delighted for you to stay."

Xu Shi, not quite understanding the situation, glanced carefully at Pei Yuan. Seeing no displeasure on his face, she relaxed and echoed, "Yes, stay a while longer, let's chat together."

Xu Shi was beautiful and gentle in nature, though of humble origin. She had lived in this grand mansion for over a decade, and the highest-ranking person she had ever met was her husband, Duke Rongguo. Pei Yuan, her daughter's husband, was someone she never imagined encountering.

Even though Pei Yuan no longer held his former high rank and was now her daughter's husband, he still seemed unreachable to Xu Shi, his mere presence making her feel constrained.Xu Shi's greatest fear was that Bao Ning would have a hard life.

Hence, she chose her words carefully in Pei Yuan's presence, afraid of saying anything that might displease him and cause trouble for Bao Ning.

Pei Yuan gestured with his hand. "Please sit."Bao Ning and Xu Shi both sighed in relief. Ming Yiniang thanked him and sat down. No one spoke, and the room fell into an awkward silence.

Xu Shi glanced around, noticing Bao Ning's hesitant expression and Ming Yiniang quietly drinking tea. She surmised they might have something to discuss and felt embarrassed to make her exit.

Knowing Bao Ning well, Xu Shi sensed her unusual behavior today. And knowing Ming Yiniang's intelligence, she would not have barged in so recklessly without reason.The more Xu Shi pondered, the more she felt there was something she didn't know.

Tentatively, she suggested, "I just remembered, the kitchen made some fresh pastries this morning. I'll go fetch them."Bao Ning seized the opportunity, eager to send Xu Shi away first. She quickly nodded. "Auntie, I'd love some of your sugar water too. Could you make some?"Xu Shi's suspicions were confirmed. She smiled and nodded, leaving the room and taking the two servant girls with her.

Bao Ning turned to Ming Shi, gripping her hand with a tone of concealed expectation. "Auntie, you've noticed something, haven't you?"Ming Shi nodded. "Bao Ning, I'm not one to beat around the bush. Since I'm here, I'll speak frankly. The Fourth Prince has been poisoned, hasn't he?"She hit the mark. Pei Yuan's eyes shifted towards her, his expression becoming more serious.

Bao Ning nodded. "Yes." Her palms were sweaty. "Auntie, in the books you gave me, I've seen this poison before. Is there an antidote?"Ming Shi replied, "The book also states that no one has survived it to this day."Bao Ning's heart sank."Fourth Prince, please extend your hand."

Ming Shi's palm faced upward. Pei Yuan hesitated before placing his right wrist in her hand. Ming Shi pushed up his sleeve, and Bao Ning gasped. A blood-red dot, about the size of a soybean, had appeared on Pei Yuan's wrist, with black threads interwoven like a spider web, making for a horrifying sight.Ming Shi's face grew stern. "This poison is called Chidan. Its effects are long-lasting, residing in the bodies of venomous snakes and rats. Typically, a person bitten by these creatures dies within twelve hours unless the flesh is cut away and the poison confined to a specific area of the body. This allows for a slim chance of survival. But if poisoned a second time, the poison can't be contained. If I'm not mistaken, the Fourth Prince was recently poisoned for a second time."