Chapter Twenty-Two: The Young Master Is Angry

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Pei Zhi turned around and looked down the steps at Shen Zhi Ning. Since the family banquet a few days ago, this was the first time he had met the young lady cousin again. The man’s gaze lingered on the loosely pinned hairpin in her hair, suddenly recalling the ruby gold hairpin he had gifted her on her coming-of-age day. Since the ceremony, he had never seen her wear it again. Didn’t the books say young ladies always loved such bright and exquisite jewelry? Why wasn’t she wearing it?

Pei Zhi furrowed his brow slightly. “A young lady should pay attention to her appearance. Cousin, next time you go out, be more mindful.”

Shen Zhi Ning immediately realized he was chiding her for going out without arranging her hair properly. Their family home wasn’t on the main street either—why was he so strict? Well, under someone’s roof, one must bow.

She quickly adjusted the hairpin and obediently replied, “Cousin, your advice is well received.”

Seeing this, the man said no more and stepped inside.

“Young master, shall I prepare your usual Longjing tea today?” asked Yin Xiang, Pei Zhi’s maid.

Shen Zhi Ning sat on the camphor wood chair, staring thoughtfully at the somewhat scholarly woman. She was not unfamiliar with Yin Xiang; in her previous life, she alone in the Pei household had never looked down on her. Yet after Pei Zhi married, Yin Xiang, an elder attendant by his side, disappeared from the household in the second year after the wedding. Shen Zhi Ning had sent people to inquire, but all returned saying that Miss Yin claimed ill health and had retired to the countryside. Though she doubted this, Yin Xiang was after all a member of the Pei household, so she had no way to intervene. The matter was eventually left unresolved.

Yin Xiang, preparing the tea, noticed Shen Zhi Ning’s gaze and respectfully asked, “Young lady, what tea would you like today?”

Shen Zhi Ning replied vaguely, “I’ll have the same as cousin.”

Yin Xiang lowered her eyes, took two green jade bamboo-patterned cups from the shelf, poured tea into them, and handed one to Shen Zhi Ning and the other to the second young master.

In an instant, the room filled with a fragrant aroma.

Shen Zhi Ning disliked Longjing tea the most, so she merely sipped lightly before setting the cup down.

This scene was clearly observed by Pei Shu Chen, sitting opposite.

He took a sip of tea and looked at Shen Zhi Ning with bright, shimmering eyes, a smile barely restrained.

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“Eldest brother may not know, but the young lady cousin has her own opinions about tea,” Pei Shu Chen remarked.

“Why do you say that, younger cousin?” the man in the main seat set down his cup slowly.

“I had the pleasure of tasting a fine tea at the Bamboo Garden today from my cousin. It was sweet and mellow, not inferior to the Longjing you favor,” Pei Shu Chen said.

Shen Zhi Ning frowned and clicked her tongue, inwardly grumbling about this second cousin’s habit of airing everything out.

But the man opposite did not notice her displeasure and continued, “Eldest brother has stayed in Yun’an County with cousin for so long — have you not tried Qimen black tea?”

Pei Zhi was somewhat surprised. He recalled that when he first arrived in Yun’an County, he disliked the place. Being a privileged noble in the Pei household, he never thought such a small place could produce good tea, so he had been drinking the Longjing he brought from home. Yet he suddenly wondered how Shu Chen could know so much about cousin’s tastes after just a few days.

Pei Zhi casually adjusted his sleeve, indifferent. “I have always drunk only Longjing.”

“That is truly a pity. Eldest brother should try cousin’s black tea sometime. I’d like to get some more from her too.”

“Younger cousin should focus on how to pass the upcoming Hanlin Academy selection first,” Pei Zhi said in a low voice, tinged with displeasure.

Pei Shu Chen, who had been joking moments before, seemed to notice the change in tone, realizing eldest brother was reminding him to prioritize his studies. He lowered his eyes and said softly, “Understood.”

The room fell into silence.

When Pei Zhi was angry, he was notably silent.

As the atmosphere grew heavier, Pei Shu Chen stood hastily. “I just remembered I haven’t finished the assignment the master gave yesterday. I’ll take my leave now. Wishing cousin good luck at the Hanlin Academy tomorrow.”

The man at the head of the room nodded in acknowledgment.

Shen Zhi Ning looked at the figure in the crescent-white robe as he left, feeling helpless.

“Cousin, then I shall also—”

Before she could finish, Pei Zhi spoke softly, “What business brings you to me, cousin?”

Shen Zhi Ning sank back into the camphor chair.

Right, she hadn’t yet spoken of her serious matter. She had come all this way, and if she left now, it would be hard to ask next time.

At least Yin Xiang was still here, so she wouldn’t be alone with Pei Zhi.

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Shen Zhi Ning lowered her eyes and after a moment of silence said, “Cousin, I do have a request, but...”

She suddenly felt embarrassed.

What if Pei Zhi refused to investigate Master Xie? Would he, with his aloof and independent nature, even do such a thing?

She remained silent for a long while. Yin Xiang, who had been standing nearby, seemed to understand the young lady’s meaning. She used the excuse that the tea was cold to go prepare fresh tea and quietly left, giving Shen Zhi Ning a knowing look before departing.

Now, Shen Zhi Ning was truly at a loss, calling out to heaven and earth with no answer.

In the vast main hall, only the disheartened Shen Zhi Ning and the composed Pei Zhi remained.

After a long pause, Shen Zhi Ning raised her head.

“Cousin, when you go to the Hanlin Academy tomorrow, could you observe Master Xie’s character for me?”

She added softly, “Although my engagement to Master Xie has not been formally sealed in writing, one must observe the other well before marriage.”

Only the sound of Pei Zhi’s pet parrot fluttering inside its cage filled the room.

Shen Zhi Ning stood and took a few steps forward.

“If you do not wish to help, that is fine. But this engagement must not be decided so lightly.”

Her voice retained the soft sweetness of a young lady, yet her words were resolute.

Pei Zhi glanced at the seated woman; his dark eyes seemed to peer deeply into her heart, stirring vast waves.

“I will keep an eye on Master Xie for you. But cousin, you should also be more mindful here in the household. The second young master’s Hanlin Academy selection is soon. It would be best if you didn’t lead him into frivolous distractions.”

Without needing to say it, Shen Zhi Ning knew well.

If Pei Shu Chen failed the Hanlin Academy because of her, Liu Qingqing would probably skin her alive.

She turned and bowed, “Cousin, understood. But second cousin’s legs are his own; where he wishes to go is not for me to control.”

Ha, in her previous life, she had sparred with Pei Zhi for so long. Then, he was a fearsome prime minister; now, he was merely the eldest young master of the Pei household.

Would she be afraid of him?

“If cousin truly cares for second cousin, you should warn him to stay away from my Bamboo Garden.”

Shen Zhi Ning lifted her head with dignity, straightening her neck to meet the man’s gaze from the main seat.