Chapter Twenty-Three: Born a Rogue

At that moment, Pei Zhi set down his teacup and rose from the nanmu chair. The blue brocade robe on his body slipped lightly over the armrest, revealing the silk’s delicate softness.

As the man stepped closer, the strong scent of pine and cypress nearly overwhelmed Shen Zhi Ning. The parrot in the cage flapped its wings desperately, strangely uttering a human voice.

“Young Master, Young Master…”

This was a phrase taught by Yin Xiang during feeding time; it used to be amusing, but now to Shen Zhi Ning, the parrot’s mimicry sounded grating.

A shadow suddenly fell overhead. Without her noticing, the man who had been seated had moved to stand beside her.

Though only three years her senior, Pei Zhi towered over Shen Zhi Ning by a full head.

Her gaze slowly rose.

Pei Zhi’s face was expressionless, cold as an avenger descended from hell; the vermilion mole at the corner of his eye glowed vividly in the sunlight streaming through the window.

If one ignored everything else, this face was the work of heaven’s own hand—an exquisite masterpiece, flawless in every detail.

Pei Zhi stared intently at the young lady before him, his eyes darkening.

Shen Zhi Ning bit back her frustration, but after a moment, she stepped back.

Taking a deep breath, she finally felt the air around her come alive.

“My cousin, you’ve become more sharp-tongued than ever,” he said.

Shen Zhi Ning was momentarily at a loss for words.

Was Pei Zhi blaming her for talking back?

She swallowed hard. “I would never be reckless before you, cousin. Every word I spoke was sincere. As the young master of the Pei household, I know I’m not worthy. But living under your roof, you should understand that one must humble themselves beneath their own eaves.”

Wisdom lies in knowing when to yield.

Given the circumstances, Shen Zhi Ning could only reason with him.

But Pei Zhi ignored her protest and stepped around her toward the parrot.

He pinched some birdseed between his fingers and gently scattered it into the cage, his voice cold and distant.

“Since you live in the Pei residence, you must abide by its rules. If all noble ladies were as frivolous as you, what would become of a woman’s virtue?”

Shen Zhi Ning looked at his cold back and rolled her eyes helplessly.

She nearly forgot that this cousin of hers was the most rigid and old-fashioned man in all of Da Qing; not only did he adhere strictly to tradition himself, but he also expected everyone in the household to maintain the same purity.

Bowing slightly, Shen Zhi Ning said, “You are right, cousin. Since your lesson is finished, I will take my leave.”

The faint fragrance of the white jade incense burner standing in the hall was giving her a headache, making it unbearable to stay any longer.

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Pei Zhi said nothing in reply. From his sleeve, he drew out a clean handkerchief and meticulously wiped his fingers until each one gleamed like polished jade. Only then did he look at Shen Zhi Ning.

“Since you acknowledge your mistake, go back and write the thirty rules for women thirty times. Bring them to me in a few days.”

Shen Zhi Ning shot him a glare but didn’t want to argue anymore. She turned and left the Bamboo Pavilion, giving the flowerpot by the door a sharp kick as she went.

Hmph! Since she couldn’t take revenge on Pei Zhi, she might as well exact some interest on her own suffering from the flowers he cared for.

For the next several days, Shen Zhi Ning locked herself away in Ting Zhu Garden, refusing to leave.

Everyone assumed she was diligently copying the thirty rules, but only Yu Zhu knew the truth: her mistress had recently acquired many new storybooks from the market and was busy studying literature.

Similarly, Pei Shuchen, the second young master who lived in the Jin Yu Chamber, hadn’t left his room for days either. The eldest brother had, for reasons unknown, assigned him a mountain of assignments before departing for the Hanlin Academy, instructing him to complete them thoroughly for inspection upon his return.

He was buried in his studies and hadn’t even found time to visit Shen Zhi Ning’s Ting Zhu Garden.

If he didn’t get out soon, he would truly go stir-crazy.

Early spring brought a rare sunny day.

After Yu Zhu finished sweeping the courtyard early in the morning, Shen Zhi Ning finally awoke leisurely from the redwood embroidered couch.

She had stayed up all night finishing those storybooks she had secretly purchased from the market.

It had to be said—the writers in the capital far surpassed those in Yun’an County. Each tale painted such vivid scenes that she felt transported.

After lunch, Yu Zhu glanced at her mistress, who was drooping over the table, and couldn’t help but speak.

“Miss, you should rest those books for a while… The sun is just right today. How about we go to the garden and fly a kite?”

“Oh, Miss, you really should get up and take a walk. If you don’t leave this courtyard soon, you’ll start growing mushrooms!”

Shen Zhi Ning had intended to refuse but couldn’t withstand Yu Zhu’s gentle coaxing.

Yu Zhu was about the same age as her, the perfect age for playfulness.

As a woman who felt like she was over thirty inside, how could she bear to steal the youth from a young girl?

After a brief hesitation, Shen Zhi Ning nodded and agreed to Yu Zhu’s suggestion.

They walked along the stone path to the far end of the backyard, where the sounds of girls playing and laughing reached their ears.

Looking up, Shen Zhi Ning saw Pei Nian’an, dressed in a vivid pomegranate-red gown, and Fang Li standing proudly in the pavilion by the lake.

She turned to leave, but as she lifted her foot, a crisp female voice stopped her.

“Well, well, if it isn’t our cousin. What a coincidence to run into you here.”

Soon, the scent of rouge and powder came from beside her.

Pei Nian’an, beaming with pride, approached with the pure and innocent Fang Li trailing behind.

“Why did you leave so quickly just now, cousin? Afraid to see your elder cousin?”

Fang Li looked delicate but was quite adept at stirring trouble.

Shen Zhi Ning frowned, her gaze sharpening. “What nonsense is this, Fang Li? I simply saw my sister playing touhu and didn’t want to disturb your fun.”

Pei Nian’an, holding an arrow, sized Shen Zhi Ning up and down before flashing a sinister smile.

“I was just thinking it was boring with so few people. Since cousin’s here, why don’t the three of us play together? Wouldn’t that be fun?”

Fang Li stood behind Pei Nian’an and chimed in, “I think that’s a great idea. How about we up the stakes a bit?”

Listening to their back-and-forth, Shen Zhi Ning felt a headache coming on.

She had no desire to play touhu with these naturally wicked girls.

“Sorry, I don’t want to play.”

No sooner had she spoken than Pei Nian’an’s head maid, Cui Yan, stepped forward with two handmaidens, blocking her path.

“Cousin! I advise you not to be shameless!”

Cui Yan, accustomed to the privileges of serving the second lady of the Pei household, treated this new cousin with no courtesy.

Pei Nian’an gave a subtle signal.

Cui Yan then grabbed Yu Zhu.

The surrounding maids and elder women dared not intervene, pretending not to see.

After all, Pei Nian’an was the legitimate daughter of the second branch. Her mother, Liu Qingqing, now ruled the Pei residence. Who would dare offend such a young lady?

Shen Zhi Ning’s expression darkened. It was clear they intended to use Yu Zhu to coerce her compliance.

“If cousin doesn’t want to play with us, then your little maid must stay.”

Cui Yan kicked Yu Zhu viciously, causing her to collapse in pain.

Yu Zhu sat sideways on the ground, tears welling in her eyes. “Miss, please leave quickly. I’m fine.”

Shen Zhi Ning had lived through much. She despised nothing more than bullies like Pei Nian’an who abused their power. Since she had crossed swords with her, she would play along properly.

Pressing her lips tightly, a storm began to brew in her eyes.

“If cousin wants to play, then how could I refuse?”