Chapter 16.1 (1/2)

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.