Chapter Twenty: The Boundaries Between Men and Women

The next day, spring was in full bloom.

Zhi Ning lay across the table, watching Yu Zhu busily flitting about like a little bee. She couldn’t help but speak, “Yu Zhu, you’ve already cleaned the courtyard three times. Aren’t you tired?”

The young maid, busy wiping the table, wrung out the water from her cloth and looked up. “As long as the lady lives in a clean and comfortable place, this servant doesn’t feel tired at all.”

Zhi Ning massaged her forehead. Yu Zhu was good in every way except for being far too earnest.

Well, if she loved tidying up, let her be.

The Tingzhu Courtyard wasn’t large, but the interior was arranged with neat simplicity and an air of scholarly elegance, perfectly fitting Pei Zhi’s style.

In the courtyard stood a lush, jade-green crabapple tree. Even in the March or April weather, it exuded a refreshing coolness. The main hall’s lattice windows were inlaid with rare white mother-of-pearl, translucent as glass, making the room brightly lit when sunlight streamed through.

The spring breeze was gentle and cool, scattering a carpet of crabapple petals across the ground.

Yu Zhu looked somewhat annoyed at the sea of petals covering the floor. She had just finished cleaning, and now the ground was yet again blanketed.

Just as she picked up her tools to resume cleaning, Zhi Ning, still resting on the table, said, “No need to sweep it up. Let the petals lie there; they add a touch of color to the courtyard.”

Though Yu Zhu didn’t understand the beauty of petals strewn on the ground, she obeyed and didn’t sweep again.

Zhi Ning gazed at the crimson carpet of petals, her thoughts drifting back to the day of her coming-of-age ceremony.

That day, it had also been a crabapple blossom rain. Pei Zhi appeared before her, stepping lightly in bamboo-patterned brocade shoes, personally pinning a golden hairpin in her hair.

She still remembered the slightly cool touch of his hands.

In her previous life, there had been a similar moment—on the day she married in a red bridal gown, Pei Zhi, as her elder brother, had also pinned a golden hairpin for her. But back then, her heart was filled only with joy at marrying Prince Yuwen Yuan, and she couldn’t recall the appearance of that hairpin.

Perhaps it was just a random pin he had taken from the storage…

Lost in these memories, Zhi Ning slowly drifted into a deep sleep.

Hearing the steady breathing from inside, Yu Zhu gently set down her work and quietly retrieved a blanket to cover her.

Since the coming-of-age ceremony, her lady had been sleeping more than usual, likely due to growing pains.

Without a second thought, Yu Zhu turned and left the room, planning to prepare a bowl of lotus seed and lily bulb congee—her lady’s favorite—in the small kitchen.

Since the day Pei Shuchen had escorted Zhi Ning back to Tingzhu Courtyard, he had not visited the East Courtyard. Today, having some questions for his elder brother, he happened to find himself at the courtyard gate by some twist of fate.

After hesitating, he decided to step inside and see his cousin.

The gate to Tingzhu Courtyard was unlatched, and with Pei Shuchen’s careful, quiet footsteps, Yu Zhu, busy in the kitchen, did not notice the second young master entering.

He walked only a few steps before spotting the ground carpeted with crabapple petals. As he thought to suggest adding more maids to clean the courtyard tomorrow, he looked up and saw his cousin peacefully sleeping on the table.

Her eyes closed, head resting on her arm, covered by a thin blanket, her brows relaxed and breathing light.

Her long lashes spread like ink across her face, and her once moist, full lips seemed somewhat dry.

Pei Shuchen’s heart stirred.

But why did she furrow her brows lightly even in sleep, making one want to reach out and smooth them?

The spring sunlight was just right, and Zhi Ning slept for an entire hour.

When she awoke, her throat felt dry, and she hoarsely called out, “Yu Zhu… I want some water.”

A pair of slender, well-defined hands extended a cup of water.

Zhi Ning reached for it, surprised by the jade-like smoothness of the touch, each delicate curve of the bones exquisitely refined.

Startled, she opened her eyes wide.

The man beside her had a high nose and thin lips, hair as black as lacquer. Amid the bright spring scenery, he shone like a radiant pearl.

His features were long and clear, his eyes gleaming with a soft yet unyielding luster, like a faint glow on jade.

His face bore a threefold resemblance to Pei Zhi’s but with a pair of teasing, smiling peach-blossom eyes.

Noticing her gaze, the man gently brought the teacup closer.

Zhi Ning glanced at him with a trace of grievance in her voice. “Second cousin, why did you come without a word of notice?”

Pei Shuchen saw she didn’t take the cup and was not offended, only gently withdrawing his hand.

“I was originally going to the Xiuzhu Pavilion to discuss something with my elder brother. Passing by Tingzhu Courtyard, I thought I’d come in to see if my cousin was settling in comfortably.”

Faced with his warm concern, Zhi Ning felt a headache coming on.

She suddenly recalled when she had visited the Protectorate Temple in her previous life; an old monk had told her she was destined to be troubled by romantic entanglements and would ultimately perish because of them.

At the time, she had scoffed, but in hindsight, her past success and failure both stemmed from men.

It seemed the old monk’s words had come true.

She looked at the gentle and refined gentleman before her, alarm bells ringing in her heart.

Could it be that second cousin was also part of her fateful romantic troubles?

Unlike Pei Zhi’s austere and severe demeanor in the mansion, Pei Shuchen, the legitimate son of the second branch, was much gentler and more approachable. To the servants, the eldest son was like a noble snow lotus on a mountain, untouchable and revered, while the second son was like a little sun, warming everyone’s heart.

Even some noble ladies in the capital often found themselves utterly bewitched by the second young master.

But she and Pei Shuchen were absolutely impossible!

Not to mention his mother, Liu Qingqing, a woman of very high standards, even his sister Pei Nian’an was enough to give Zhi Ning quite a headache when she threw tantrums.

Zhi Ning took a deep breath and sighed, “Second cousin, I appreciate your kindness, but since we are of opposite sexes, I hope you’ll keep a respectful distance in the future.”

Thinking of all the measures Pei Zhi had taken to prevent her from seeing other men in her past life, her heart ached.

If he found out she had any unclear relations with his cousin, he’d surely strip her bare and hang her at the city gate for three days under the sun…

Pei Shuchen smiled faintly, a charming dimple appearing on his cheek.

“Cousin, perhaps you’ve misunderstood. I only saw you had no one attending you and was merely serving tea out of courtesy. If that displeased you, I’ll refrain from doing so in the future.”

Though he spoke thus, Zhi Ning felt no intention from him to let go.

In the midst of this ambiguous moment, Yu Zhu entered carrying a bowl of congee.

Zhi Ning feigned annoyance, “How could you not watch the gate while I was asleep? If one day some thief drugged and took you away, you wouldn’t even know!”

Yu Zhu’s face turned pale. It was the first time her lady had ever scolded her.

She immediately set down the bowl and sobbed, “Mistress, it’s my fault. I promise I’ll watch the gate better next time! Yu Zhu begs you not to be angry.”

Pei Shuchen knew these words were meant for his ears.

“Cousin worries too much. Right now, no one in the entire capital could abduct you from the Pei residence.”

His voice was clear and pure, calm and gentle to the utmost.