Chapter Twelve: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

The entire city of Daqing knew that Pei Zhi, the legitimate eldest son of the Pei family, was a man of the strictest principles and self-discipline. Even the old traditional scholars of the Hanlin Academy, upon seeing him, would marvel that such a righteous person truly existed in the world.

Like most literati, Pei Zhi had no bad habits; his greatest pleasures were reading, appreciating bamboo, and painting.

Pei Zhi’s love for bamboo was so profound that he filled his residence’s courtyard with jade bamboo, and even his clothes and shoes bore bamboo patterns. So the moment Shen Zhi Ning laid eyes on those shoes, she was certain they belonged to Pei Zhi.

Before she could voice her surprise, the music resumed, and Manager Wang approached from the side carrying a brocade box, which Luo Xue took and presented before Pei Zhi.

The man opened the box and gently lifted out a golden hairpin studded with gemstones. Everyone present gasped.

The hairpin’s base was a golden leaf, with white jade petals and golden threads as the stamens. At the top of the flower sat a butterfly with outstretched wings, creating an image of “Butterfly Loves Flower.” Even the hairpin alone was no common trinket, not to mention the ruby at its center, whose size and brilliance could rival tributes from foreign lands.

The knowledgeable guests in the hall clicked their tongues in admiration. The young master of the Pei family truly spared no expense—even for a cousin without blood ties, he was this generous at her coming-of-age ceremony. One could only imagine the luxurious lives the rest of the Pei family led.

Pei Zhi’s hands were slender and flawless as jade, with faint traces of pine fragrance lingering on his fingertips.

When he gently removed the jade hairpin Shen Zhi Ning had worn moments before and pinned the golden hairpin onto her hair, a shiver ran down her spine.

In her previous life, whenever she played or traveled with other young nobles, she inevitably crossed paths with this eldest son of the Pei family.

Sometimes she wondered if their fates were simply incompatible.

Back then, Shen Zhi Ning was terrified of this cousin. Every encounter left her flustered and desperate to disappear so he would never see her again.

Pei Zhi would always glance at her with a cold, indifferent gaze. Though silent, she could see the displeasure deep in his eyes.

But now... Pei Zhi had actually appeared at her coming-of-age ceremony? And personally pinned a hairpin on her?

No matter how Shen Zhi Ning thought about it, it was utterly incomprehensible.

She knelt there, her mind blank, until Yu Zhu softly reminded her that the ceremony was over. Only then did Shen Zhi Ning rise and bow to the audience. But scanning the crowd, she found no sign of Pei Zhi. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Thank heavens she didn’t have to face him...

She truly dreaded this cousin from the capital.

After the ceremony, Shen’s father wished to introduce her to the guests present, but just after introducing the governor of Yunzhong Commandery, Shen Zhi Ning lost all desire to stay. She exchanged polite greetings and found an excuse to return to Fangfei Garden with Yu Zhu.

---

Once inside her room, Shen Zhi Ning eagerly sat on the stool at her dressing table. Wearing such a heavy skirt and having knelt all morning, even a stone would be bowed down.

After changing into a soft silk robe, she sighed deeply, feeling much lighter.

Yu Zhu stood before the bronze mirror, carefully combing through her mistress’s glossy black hairpins and delicately removing the golden hairpin from her head.

She cautiously handed it to Shen Zhi Ning.

“Miss, the hairpin the young master gave you is truly beautiful on you! After today’s coming-of-age ceremony, those who see you will surely increase in admiration.”

Her mistress’s beauty needed no words, but the golden hairpin given by the young master was exceptionally fitting, both splendid and bewitching—no one else in Daqing could compare.

Yu Zhu had thought her mistress still held a grudge against the young master over recent matters, but since he not only brought a gift but also personally gave blessings today, Miss must have forgiven him.

She glanced sideways, but strangely, Shen Zhi Ning’s face showed no hint of joy.

“I heard the young master originally planned to return to the capital today, but for some reason, he came back for your coming-of-age ceremony. Perhaps he does care for you after all...”

Seeing Yu Zhu still speaking on Pei Zhi’s behalf, Shen Zhi Ning’s irritation flared. If Pei Zhi cared for her, then pigs could fly tomorrow.

She casually picked up an inconspicuous jade hairpin from the table. “I’ll wear this from now on. Just throw that golden hairpin away.”

Yu Zhu looked puzzled. “Miss, do you really want to get rid of the hairpin? I heard there’s only one golden butterfly hairpin like this in all of Daqing.”

At those words, Shen Zhi Ning paused.

She hadn’t expected Pei Zhi to spend so lavishly just to gain a reputation for kindness. If he ever wanted that hairpin back, and she had nothing to give...

After a brief three-second decision, she gritted her teeth and said, “In that case, I’ll keep it somewhere out of sight.”

Out of sight, out of mind—this was the best solution.

After freshening up, Shen Zhi Ning wanted to send Yu Zhu to check if Pei Zhi had already left the estate. But upon opening the door and hearing the bustling noise outside, she abandoned the plan.

Pei Zhi was known for his love of quiet. With such commotion in the household, his carriage must already be on the road.

---

She instructed Yu Zhu to close all doors and windows tightly to block out the noise, then climbed onto the bed and fell asleep at once.

A young lady’s day was leisurely and carefree. When she awoke, evening had already fallen. Yu Zhu had just poured a cup of water and placed it by her bedside when urgent knocking sounded at the door.

“It’s me, Manager Wang,” came the voice.

Yu Zhu opened the door to see Manager Wang’s unsettlingly smiling face.

“Miss just woke up. What’s the matter?”

Manager Wang rubbed his hands, clearly having waited outside for some time.

“Master and Madam have asked you to come to the front hall immediately. They have an important announcement.”

Yu Zhu nodded and closed the door again.

Their voices were low, but a freshly awakened person was especially sensitive, so Shen Zhi Ning caught every word. But at this hour, what pressing matter could her father have?

Yu Zhu entered the room to find her mistress already dressed neatly, wearing an air of determination.

The two exchanged a glance and set off toward the front courtyard together.

The front hall was brilliantly lit. As Shen Zhi Ning passed through the courtyard gate, she saw her father and mother seated in rosewood chairs, deep in discussion.

She hurried inside and bowed. “Father, Mother, what important matter calls me at this hour?”

Her father smiled warmly at his cherished daughter, raised and protected since childhood. “Do you still remember the governor of Yunzhong Commandery I introduced to you today?”

Shen Zhi Ning thought carefully and recalled the man her father mentioned—a man in his forties, upright and honorable, with a genial demeanor.

“I remember him. But why mention him now, Father?”