Chapter Fourteen: Sharing a Carriage with the Cousin
Outside the courtyard, the sky darkened gradually, heavy clouds gathering overhead once more, signaling more rainy days ahead.
Inside the hall, the elderly Shen couple exchanged a glance, then hesitated as they looked at their daughter.
“Ying’er, are you truly determined? The capital is not like home...”
Seeing her mother about to say more, Shen Zhi Ning stepped forward gently and held her hand, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
“Don’t worry, Mother. Marriage is no trivial matter. I’m going to the capital partly to assess Mr. Xie’s character, and partly to plan for my own future... Besides, Cousin is there too. It’s not like I’ll suffer any grievances alone.”
She then turned to Pei Zhi and asked, “What do you think, Cousin?”
“Your words are wise, Cousin. Please rest assured, Uncle and Aunt. I, Pei Zhi, will take good care of Cousin in the capital,” he replied, his expression unreadable yet his dark eyes seeming to pierce her soul.
A mother knows her child best.
Seeing her daughter so resolute, Mrs. Shen found she could say no more.
Mr. Shen lowered his brows and rose from his seat.
“Since Ying’er has made up her mind, then let her go. But it’s getting late today; it would be better to set off tomorrow. Ying’er can pack her things tonight.”
With that, everyone dispersed to their respective quarters, except Shen Zhi Ning, who left the quickest. The thought of traveling to the capital with Pei Zhi tomorrow made her wish she could explode on the spot.
Yu Zhu sighed repeatedly, unsure how to comfort her mistress, and busied herself packing everything that might be needed later, so they wouldn’t lack money or clothes at the Pei residence.
The rain poured down relentlessly, saturating the air of Yun’an County with dampness.
In the end, Shen Zhi Ning spent the entire night sleepless.
The next morning, when she appeared at the Shen residence gate with heavy dark circles under her eyes, everyone was startled.
Even Manager Wang wondered silently: it’s just a trip to the capital; why is Miss so restless? Judging by those bruised eyes, she must have spent the night worrying.
Catching the look on Manager Wang’s face, Shen Zhi Ning could only give him a mournful glance.
It wasn’t excitement that kept her awake—it was worry that nearly crushed her on that embroidered couch.
Today, Lord Shen had taken leave specially, and early in the morning, Lady Shen stood at the gate with him, waiting to see off their youngest daughter.
In the misty drizzle and chilling wind, Lady Shen pressed a carved wooden box into Shen Zhi Ning’s hand.
“This is the jewelry I wore on my coming-of-age day, and there are plenty of silver notes inside... Don’t let yourself suffer any grievances in the capital. If you want anything, just write home. Your mother will make sure everything is arranged.”
Shen Zhi Ning replied obediently, feeling the considerable weight of the box as she took it.
Even the usually taciturn Lord Shen came over and patted her shoulder in comfort.
“If you suffer any injustice in the capital, don’t keep silent. The Shen family will always be your backing.”
At that moment, even Shen Zhi Ning, who had endured the coldness of two lifetimes, couldn’t help but tear up.
Fatherly love is as steadfast as a mountain; motherly love as gentle as water. No matter what happens, her parents would bear it all for her...
She tucked the box into her bag, bowed deeply, and said farewell to her parents.
“Please don’t worry, Father and Mother. I will take good care of myself. Please take care of your health at home.”
Tears streaming down, Mrs. Shen looked at her daughter, still so young, unable to say more before Manager Wang announced, “Madam, the carriage is ready.”
A sharp whinny drew everyone’s attention to two tall, fine Akhal-Teke horses. The carriage was crafted entirely from golden-threaded nanmu wood, with nails wrapped in gold.
A slender, elegant hand drew back the curtain, revealing a cold and aloof face.
“Cousin, it’s time to depart.”
Pei Zhi’s voice was icy and low, drifting into Shen Zhi Ning’s ears.
She looked up at him, wiped away tears, and climbed into the carriage, followed closely by Yu Zhu carrying bundles of luggage.
The endless rain seemed to engulf the entire city in a misty veil.
Inside the carriage, only Shen Zhi Ning and Yu Zhu sat in silence, broken only by the creaking of wheels over cobblestones.
Through the swaying curtains, Shen Zhi Ning looked back.
Her parents still stood beneath the eaves, watching the carriage disappear. Raindrops clung to the gray-blue eaves like a crystal curtain, separating her from them.
So close, yet so far...
Leaning back, she took a deep breath and resolved silently: she must annul her engagement to Mr. Xie soon and escape Pei Zhi’s clutches!
Yun’an County was surrounded on three sides by mountains, with only one official road built years ago leading to the capital. But recent relentless rains had washed down massive rocks onto the road.
Looking at the nearly blocked path ahead, Luo Xue knocked lightly on the carriage door.
“Young Master, the rain is too heavy. The carriage definitely can’t pass through ahead.”
Pei Zhi, lounging inside, barely lifted his head.
“Then take another route. We must reach the capital by tomorrow.”
At the master’s command, Luo Xue didn’t hesitate and swiftly got down to lead the coachmen in search of an alternate path.
The rain intensified; the forest thickened. Not far on, a white mist appeared. But the young master’s orders were like imperial edicts—if he demanded arrival by tomorrow, who dared delay until the day after?
The terrain grew more rugged. Luo Xue sighed, steadying himself on his sword.
The coachman behind seemed to sense his difficulty and hurried forward.
“Sir, I know a path. It can reach the capital by tomorrow, but...”
The man hesitated.
“What is it? Speak plainly and don’t waste time.”
Hearing there was a way, Luo Xue’s eyes brightened.
“That path is a mountain trail, not as wide as the official road, and bandits roam the mountains, so it will be difficult for two carriages to pass...”
After the coachman’s explanation, Luo Xue scoffed inwardly. He thought it was a major problem—nothing more than transferring those in the rear carriage to the young master’s carriage.
He would report this good news upon return.
As incense smoke curled nearby, Pei Zhi had just glanced at the "Book of Rites" when a soft knock came at the door.
“Young Master, I have found the route.”
“Since you have, then let’s go.”
Luo Xue’s voice softened.
“But it’s a mountain path, narrow and perilous. It might be safer if the people in the rear carriage ride with us.”
The man set down his book and, after a pause, said quietly, “Go and inform Miss Cousin, then.”
Luo Xue suddenly realized why the coachman had hesitated earlier—he had forgotten about Miss Cousin!
Anyone with eyes could see Miss Cousin and the Young Master were at odds. How had he landed right in the crossfire?
At that moment, Luo Xue wished he could go back and slap himself twice.
But the young master had given the order, so he braced himself and knocked on Shen Zhi Ning’s carriage door again.
“Miss Cousin, it’s me, Luo Xue.”
“What is it?”
Even before seeing him, her tone was sharp and unfriendly.
Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Luo Xue said, “The official road ahead is blocked by fallen rocks. The only way now is the mountain trail. For your safety, Miss Cousin, please ride with the young master in one carriage.”
Hearing this, Shen Zhi Ning stiffened.
She must have misheard. Pei Zhi was actually asking her to ride together?
The same man who hadn’t even wanted to share an umbrella with her the day before now invited her to sit side by side?
Without hesitation, she replied, “I’m sorry, I do not wish to.”
Trapped between a wolf in front and a tiger behind, Luo Xue found himself in a dilemma.
After a brief mental struggle, he made a decision.
“My apologies, Miss Cousin!”
The carriage door swung open, and the young master seized Shen Zhi Ning, pulling her out. Behind them, Yu Zhu hurried after them, clutching their luggage.