Chapter Eleven: The Gift from Young Master Biao

“Reporting to Young Master, the items have been returned intact. However, I do not understand why you sent such an extravagant gift to Miss Biao?”

This question had been on Luo Xue’s mind even before setting out. Such a precious ruby headpiece was unparalleled, even in the capital. Yet, why did the young master choose to give it to Miss Biao as a coming-of-age gift? Previously, the gifts for the young ladies of the Pei household were merely whatever the young master instructed the servants to pick randomly from the storage.

Upon hearing Luo Xue’s question, Pei Zhi fell silent for a long moment before quietly uttering, “Mind your tongue. When we return to the capital, report to the Bamboo Study for your punishment.”

“Yes, I acknowledge my mistake,” Luo Xue replied.

The young master’s thoughts were indeed more inscrutable than any woman’s.

Had he known he would be punished upon returning, he would have preferred to keep that question bottled up inside.

Carefully, Luo Xue took out a rosewood box inlaid with gold from the package and respectfully handed it to the man before taking her leave with a sullen expression.

Pei Zhi closed the door behind him and opened the wooden box just handed to him.

Inside lay a golden hairpin adorned with jeweled flowers and butterflies, with a brilliantly clear ruby set in the heart of the flower, dazzling beyond compare.

For some reason, a vision appeared before his eyes—the red marks on the pale back of the woman in the ancestral hall, her moist eyes, and the soft sound of her breathing...

Slowly, he withdrew his gaze from the hairpin.

Such a lavish and unrestrained hairpin perfectly suited the character of his cousin.

Winter was drawing to a close; as the snow melted, the midday sun warmed the air.

Shen Zhi Ning was awakened early by Yu Zhu. The previous night, Lady Shen had spent a long time instructing her in the main hall, urging her to rise early and prepare carefully, so as not to miss the auspicious hour for her coming-of-age ceremony.

Yu Zhu eagerly presented two sets of dresses she had previously made, trying them on Shen Zhi Ning, but after much deliberation, they still could not decide which to wear today.

Seeing Yu Zhu’s indecision, Shen Zhi Ning pointed to one, deciding it was better to end her agony quickly.

At the Fragrant Blossom Garden, the preparations were leisurely. Yet, in every corner of the Shen residence, no one was idle. Even the water carriers, usually sluggish, were bustling about without rest for the young lady’s ceremony.

Since the beginning of the month, invitations from the Shen household had spread like paper blossoms, reaching from the prefecture to local gentry. Everyone had responded.

First, they wanted to see if the Shen young lady truly possessed the rumored breathtaking beauty.

Second, naturally, many were there for Young Master Pei. If they could forge a strong relationship with the Pei family of the capital, their futures would be secure.

After Shen Zhi Ning finished dressing and donning the crimson embroidered butterfly robe, she and Yu Zhu went to pay respects in the main hall.

Lady Shen appeared radiant today, though a lingering melancholy shaded her eyes. Her cherished daughter of fifteen years was now a young woman. The thought of her eventual marriage weighed heavily on her heart.

Lost in such thoughts, Shen Zhi Ning moved gracefully into the hall. “Mother, may you be well. Did you sleep soundly last night?”

Lady Shen smiled and drew her daughter close. “Zhi Ning, in the blink of an eye, you’ve reached this age. It still feels as though you were a child just yesterday.”

She recalled how fragile Zhi Ning’s health had been in childhood, how she endured bitter medicines and painful injections with such maturity. The memories swelled, and tears welled in her eyes.

Shen Zhi Ning nestled into her mother’s embrace, coaxing gently, “I’m still your little girl... I plan never to marry, so you’ll have me to trouble forever.”

Lady Shen laughed, tapping her forehead. “You and your sharp tongue.”

As they were about to continue, a maid approached quietly to inform them that almost all guests had arrived.

Under Lady Shen’s supervision, Shen Zhi Ning reapplied her makeup and straightened her gown before hurrying to the main hall.

Outside the Shen residence, a crowd had gathered to witness the festivities. Lord Shen hurriedly instructed Steward Wang to welcome and seat the guests as the ceremonial music swelled.

Lady Shen and Lord Shen sat atop their seats in the hall. Yu Zhu went first to wash her hands and present a comb to Lady Shen, then stood waiting on the western steps.

Shen Zhi Ning lowered her gaze and turned to sit facing east, while Lady Shen knelt before her, combing her hair and reciting blessings:

“On this auspicious day, you begin your maidenhood.

Cast away childish thoughts; embrace mature virtues.

May you enjoy longevity and prosperity,

And be blessed with great fortune.”

She then bowed to place a simple jade hairpin in Shen Zhi Ning’s hair before returning to her seat.

The coming-of-age ceremony involved many rites. In her previous life, Shen Zhi Ning had passed through it half-awake. Just as she was about to wonder what came next, a faint scent of pine and cypress wafted to her nose. Then Steward Wang announced, “Please, the one offering the blessing, continue the ceremony.”

Confused, Shen Zhi Ning knew the role of the one offering blessings was usually filled by a close female friend from the girl’s inner circle. But in Yun’an County, she had no friends, let alone confidantes. Moreover, this step had not appeared in her previous life’s ritual—why had things changed now?

“Miss, you should now kneel facing west, awaiting the blessing to place a new hairpin,” Yu Zhu reminded her.

Still bewildered, Shen Zhi Ning complied before the assembled guests.

The courtyard bloomed in vibrant colors; petals danced in the breeze like a sea of crabapple blossoms. Kneeling amidst the petals, the embroidered butterflies on her crimson robe seemed to come alive, fluttering vividly. The guests below watched spellbound.

Such a scene seemed fit only for the heavens.

Amid the pale pink petals, a flash of snow-white robe caught Shen Zhi Ning’s eye.

As the wearer’s bamboo-patterned shoes stepped forward, she felt as though she sat upon clouds, all sound fading away except the rapid beating of her own heart and the pulse throbbing through her wrist—so clear, so chilling.

Because those specially marked shoes were ones she had seen a thousand times—known even if turned to ashes.

They were Pei Zhi’s shoes.