Chapter 24: Hidden Masters Among the People-Prima delicada e fácil de intimidar, o poderoso e abstinente funcionário a mima todos os dias.(Madeira Sutil)

If Shen Zhiniong’s memory served her right, the game of pitch-pot had only recently become a trend among the noble ladies of the capital. Yet, having lived through a previous life, she was already intimately familiar with it.

She was so proficient that she could land the arrows with her eyes closed.

Shen Zhiniong curled her lips, fixing her gaze on the two sisters opposite her who harbored such ill intentions. "And what would you and cousin Li’er like to wager?"

Pei Nian’an had intended to use this opportunity to drive Shen Zhiniong away, but the mere thought of her elder brother’s icy expression made her heart falter. She scanned Shen Zhiniong from head to toe, her gaze finally settling on the hairpin tucked into the woman’s hair.

The gold hairpin was inlaid with pearls and jade, featuring a magnificent ruby at its center. It was clearly no ordinary piece.

*Hmph!* A mere county magistrate’s daughter, how could she deserve to wear such exquisite jewelry?

She pointed a finger at Shen Zhiniong’s hair. "If you lose, I want that hairpin."

Shen Zhiniong reached up and removed the gold hairpin; under the sunlight, the ruby glowed with a dazzling red. This hairpin was a gift from Pei Zhi on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony.

On the day she left Yun’an County, she had intended to leave the hairpin behind at the Shen estate, but she figured that once her business with Young Master Xie was settled, she might never step foot in the capital again. On a whim, she had let Yuzhu bring it along, intending to return it to Pei Zhi personally the day she left the capital, so that they would be quits. She had been reading too many storybooks lately and had become a bit muddled; she hadn’t even noticed when Yuzhu placed it in her hair today.

Shen Zhiniong frowned slightly.

*Oh well, it is just a hairpin.* To her, it was not of great importance, and since it was originally a gift from Pei Zhi, it rightfully belonged to the Pei estate. If Pei Nian’an wanted it, she could have it.

"If you win, Cousin, I shall certainly hand this hairpin over with both hands. However, if you lose... I, too, shall require a forfeit."

Pei Nian’an looked down at the soft, delicate-looking Shen Zhiniong and scoffed, turning her face away. Before she had even come of age, she had earned the title of "First Talented Lady" in the capital. She was proficient in all the refined arts, and this very game of pitch-pot had even started with her.

This cousin from a small county was likely a common girl who did not even know the rules. Her? Thinking she could win against her?

It was nothing but a pipe dream!

Fang Li, who had been standing behind Pei Nian’an, chuckled. "Cousin, you might not know this, but our elder cousin is the undisputed master of pitch-pot in the capital. If you lose later, don't try to go back on your word."

Hearing the word "master" from Fang Li, Shen Zhiniong’s eyelids flickered. She then remembered that she had yet to finish the thirty copies of the *Book of Conduct for Women* that Pei Zhi had punished her with a few days ago, so she spoke up: "If you lose, Cousin, you must write the *Book of Conduct for Women* thirty times and deliver it to Tingzhu Courtyard."

Pei Nian’an’s mouth twitched slightly. How had this cousin become just like her elder brother, obsessed with giving out writing punishments? Thirty times... wouldn’t that make her hand cramp?

But then, remembering Fang Li’s earlier words, she regained her confidence. *Right, she was the first talented lady of the capital; she certainly wouldn’t lose!*

"Fine. I hope you won't be crying later, Cousin."

As the spring breeze blew gently, the showdown between the cousin and the eldest daughter began. Upon hearing the news, the servants of the Pei estate who loved a spectacle hurried toward the back garden, and those with a bit of spare change even began placing bets on the two women.

Pei Shuchen had just stepped out of his courtyard with his servant, Yonggui, when he saw several maids hurrying toward the back garden. He sent someone to intercept them and only then learned that his sister and the cousin were engaged in a pitch-pot competition, with a wager between them. Intrigued, the man hurried off with his servant.

Inside the pavilion, Cuiyan placed the bronze pot in the northeast corner, filled it with smooth, small beans, and then respectfully handed the arrows to her mistress.

Pei Nian’an picked up an arrow and tossed it lightly; it landed precisely in the pot. Four times in a row, not one missed. The game was played with five arrows, and having already landed four, she would be the winner regardless of the final throw.

The surrounding maids and servants gazed into the pavilion with envy, and those who had bet on Pei Nian’an began to cheer: "The eldest miss is amazing!" "Beat that cousin!"

Pei Nian’an scoffed, looking at Shen Zhiniong with utter disdain. "Seeing as this is your first time playing, Cousin, and since I have already landed four, I shall take it easy on you this time and concede one shot." She didn't believe for a second that the woman could land five shots.

Fang Li smirked and echoed, "It’s not too late to admit defeat, Cousin. We’re all family, no one will think less of you." She then cast a look of pity at Shen Zhiniong. Even the surrounding servants were whispering for the new cousin to give up. After all, one was the capital’s greatest talent, and the other was a nobody from some backwater town. They knew who was who.

Shen Zhiniong did not respond. She merely stretched in the pavilion, loosening her limbs. Only then did she instruct her maid, "Who said I was going to admit defeat? Bring me the arrows!"

The maid quickly brought five arrows. Shen Zhiniong picked one up and, merely by weighing it, realized that these were not the same arrows Pei Nian’an had used. Standard pitch-pot arrows were made of briar wood and were not true arrows for safety reasons. But the five in her hand were real, heavy arrows tipped with iron points. These could pierce a wooden board!

She glanced sideways at Pei Nian’an and Fang Li, and sure enough, she caught a glimpse of a triumphant smile on their faces. The two sisters were truly calculating. Using iron-tipped arrows for pitch-pot—even for a man, the probability of landing three was low. It seemed they were determined to ensure she wouldn't win.

*Since that is how it is,* she thought, *I will show these two sisters what a true master looks like.*

Shen Zhiniong raised an arrow and closed one eye. After counting down three beats in her heart, she flicked it out with a sharp *whoosh*.

Suddenly, a sharp cry erupted from the pavilion, and drops of blood splattered onto the ground. The surrounding maids fell into a state of panic.

"Shen Zhiniong! You!" Pei Nian’an looked at the poised cousin before her in utter disbelief.

"Oh dear, it seems I have lost, Cousin," Shen Zhiniong said, removing the gold hairpin and placing it on the table. Her voice was sweet and melodic. "You were right, Cousin. This game is indeed not something a woman from a small place like me knows how to play. I accept my loss willingly."

Pei Nian’an gritted her teeth, so incensed she could not utter a single word.