Husband, Be A Gentleman - Chapter 16-1

Chapter 16-1

Chapter Sixteen (Part 1)


Yan Jing invited his oldest daughter and son-in-law to stay at the Yan Manor for an evening meal .

Pei Jin felt that Yan Shi Ning didn’t want to stay in the Yan Manor longer than necessary and he politely declined Yan Jing’s invitation .

Yan Jing and Yan Shi Ting escorted Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning to the front door .

‘Where’s your mother?’ Yan Jing asked Yan Shi Ting .

Yan Jing didn’t see Princess Kang Hua since the banquet ended .

‘Mother is unwell,’ Yan Shi Ting said . ‘She’s resting in her chamber . ’

Yan Shi Ting was suspicious why her mother was suddenly unwell after seeing widow Li .

Yan Jing frowned and shook his head . He thought Princess Kang Hua was uncourteous by the day .

Yan Shi Ning saw the clear guilt on her father’s face . She didn’t want to waste energy being in his presence and politely bid him farewell . ‘Father, husband and I will leave first . Little sister, mother is unwell, you should take good care of her . ’

Yan Jing felt guiltier, his oldest daughter was indeed filial .

Pei Jin and Yan Shi Ning sat in the humid horse carriage . She parted the window curtains and waved her fan .

Outside the sky was still bright and imperial city streets were crowded with people .

‘Are we going home?’ Yan Shi Ning asked .

Pei Jin drank too many cups of wine at the banquet . He used the horse carriage ride as an opportunity to become sober . His eyes were closed but he heard the playfulness in Yan Shi Ning’s tone .

‘You’re right,’ Pei Jin said . ‘The day is still early . ’

Pei Jin pulled Yan Shi Ning’s arm closer to him as a subtle signal for her to cool his face with the fan .

‘What do you mean?’ Yan Shi Ning asked .

Yan Shi Ning was in a good mood . She obliged and waved the fan in front of Pei Jin’s face .

‘Nothing amusing has happened since marriage life,’ Pei Jin said cryptically . ‘Then we should go find a little amusement . Your husband has planned our carefree future . We’ll play in the imperial city for a while then we’ll play everywhere outside the imperial city . ’ He leaned his face close to Yan Shi Ning’s face . ‘Wife, what do you think?’

Yan Shi Ning’s eyes shone excitedly . ‘Truly?’

The heavens knew she hated living in the imperial city to death .

Pei Jin smiled and nodded his head . ‘Would I lie to you?’

‘Big brother, have you ever not lied to me?’ Yan Shi Ning asked .

Pei Jin hugged Yan Shi Ning . ‘Wife, remember to be gentle . ’

‘Big brother, aren’t you a prince?’ Yan Shi Ning asked . ‘How can you play outside the imperial city?’

Pei Jin laughed . ‘Don’t forget, I’m a carefree prince . ’

Yan Shi Ning fell into deep thought .

Pei Jin was known as ninth gentle prince and also carefree prince . His duties and position in the imperial court were insignificant . During peaceful periods he was privileged to live the life of a carefree prince . But during catastrophic periods his services were summoned . Like the flooding in Xuan Qing six years ago and the rebellion in South Jiang two years ago .

During those times seventh prince and crown prince didn’t want to risk their lives . But an imperial figure was needed to restore peace and Pei Jin became the best candidate . Pei Jin understood the situation and volunteered his services . Afterward civilians referred to Pei Jin as gentle ninth prince .

After Pei Jin dealt with threats to the kingdom he would return to his carefree life . He only wanted to perform his duties as a prince and didn’t want any power in the imperial court . He was seen as terracotta mixture, transported to places where needed then stored aside to be used in the future . In a less flattering light, he was used as a shield to protect his favored brothers .

Yan Shi Ning wondered if Pei Jin truly didn’t want to be acknowledged for his abilities . She remembered a night long ago she brought food to him, he was diligently writing strategies to reduce the damages of flooding under candlelight . But someone else took credit for his strategies .

Yan Shi Ning thought perhaps Pei Jin purposely wanted to appear as a useless and unloved prince to survive life in the cruel palace . Otherwise why else would he let go of control over an army after subduing the rebels in Southern Jiang, return to the imperial city and continued being a carefree prince?

Yan Shi Ning peered at Pei Jin . His head was resting on her thighs and she thought he was a complex person . She didn’t want to admit he was a brilliant strategist, his talents were invaluable but he hid his true potential under a gentle and kind mask to deceive the world . It was a pity someone like him didn’t want to be emperor… that thought startled her .

Yan Shi Ning sat still for a long time . Pei Jin opened his eyes and saw her startled face .

‘Wife, what are you thinking?’ Pei Jin asked .

Yan Shi Ning looked closely at Pei Jin’s eyes and she smiled . ‘I’m thinking about if you have a weakness . ’

Yan Shi Ning thought Pei Jin was a strong person and it was hard for her to see what his weakness was . If she discovered his weakness then in the future he couldn’t bully her anymore .

Pei Jin laughed . He held Yan Shi Ning’s neck, pulled her head down and kissed her until she forgot to breathe .

‘You,’ Pei Jin said .

Yan Shi Ning was curious what Pei Jin meant . But she pushed his chest away, he kissed her while she was distracted .

Yan Shi Ning looked out the window . The atmosphere in the streets were lively . She saw a stall that sold steamed buns . A woman bought the steamed buns and walked away from the stall . She frowned, the woman’s back looked familiar .

‘What are you looking at?’ Pei Jin asked .

‘Perhaps I saw someone familiar,’ Yan Shi Ning said .

‘Who?’ Pei Jin asked .

‘Big brother, do you remember widow Li in Xuan Qing?’ Yan Shi Ning asked .

Pei Jin vaguely remembered a gentle old woman who was a maid in aunty Dung and Yan Shi Ning’s home . ‘Um . I remember the cong you bings (Chinese scallion pancakes) she made were delicious . Why? Did you see her before?’

Yan Shi Ning shook her head . ‘I’m not certain . I only saw the woman’s back . I don’t think it’s her . I wanted to bring her with me to the imperial city . But she said she wants to go south to unite with relatives and couldn’t follow me north . She doesn’t have any relatives or acquaintances in the imperial city… perhaps she’s looking for me . ’

Yan Shi Ning looked out the window again, but the woman disappeared .

‘If she’s looking for you then she can easily find you,’ Pei Jin said . ‘She can ask anyone in the imperial city directions to the Yan Manor and our home to find you . ’

Yan Shi Ning nodded in agreement .

The horse carriage halted . Yan Shi Ning was happy to return to Pei Jin’s manor .

Pei Jin parted the door curtains and saw a familiar messenger . He turned around and smiled apologetically at Yan Shi Ning who was about to stand up . ‘It appears we need to stay in the horse carriage for a little longer . ’

‘Ninth prince, mistress, court official Huang Guo is hosting a banquet and requested both of you to attend,’ the messenger said .

‘Wife, it appears tonight we need to perform,’ Pei Jin said .

***

End of Chapter Sixteen (Part 1)