Chapter Six: Breaking the Vow for the Young Lady

Since the day Luo Xue told Pei Zhi that his cousin had thrown away the book he sent, Pei Zhi had intended to find time to visit her in person. Yet one letter after another arrived from the capital, leaving him utterly no free moment. Pei Zhi thought to himself, "It’s probably just a little girl sulking after being scolded. In a few days, I’ll have someone bring some novelty toys from the capital to cheer her up." So he didn’t take Luo Xue’s words to heart. Little did he know, his cousin already harbored a deep resentment toward him.

The weather in Yun’an County was as changeable as young Master Pei’s expression—just days ago the sun had shone brightly, but today the sky abruptly shifted from clear to cloudy. Ever since Shen Zhi’ning was caught sneaking out of the mansion late at night, her father had imposed a strict house arrest, and the guards in the residence had increased. Now, not even the big yellow dog under the locust tree in the east courtyard was free to roam.

Yu Zhu knew her lady’s temperament best. Previously, she had to sneak out after only an hour at the academy to catch her breath; now, after being confined inside the mansion for five whole days, Yu Zhu peered up secretly at Shen Zhi’ning by the window, tugging at the leaves and flowers, a nervous feeling rising in her heart. From Yu Zhu’s perspective, Shen Zhi’ning’s eyes were lifeless, her movements mechanical, like a marionette repeating the same motions. It seemed her lady’s mental state was not quite right.

Yu Zhu approached the window and tentatively said, “Miss, the moonlight is beautiful tonight. A few days ago, the koi in the little garden pond had babies. Shall we go see them?”

Shen Zhi’ning had always loved the koi in the small pond—the birthday gift her father had given her when she was eight. Hearing Yu Zhu’s words, she snapped out of her reverie, and when she looked down at the begonia she had stripped of every leaf, an embarrassed expression suddenly crossed her face. She cleared her throat lightly, masking the awkwardness in her eyes.

“If the moonlight is clear, then let’s go see them.”

She draped the cloak Yu Zhu handed her and was about to step out when she added, “Fetch my guqin as well. Let’s bring it along.”

Yu Zhu cheerfully agreed and hurried off to retrieve the instrument. Since the arrival of the young master, she hadn’t seen her lady play the guqin even once.

The moonlight flowed like silk, casting shimmering reflections on the garden’s small pond. Shen Zhi’ning accepted the fish food from Yu Zhu, pinched a small handful, and scattered it into the water. Soon, several silver-white baby koi swam over with the others, poking their heads above the water, looking rather endearing.

Watching the silver-glinting fish glide beneath the moonlight, Shen Zhi’ning’s mood softened somewhat.

Yu Zhu carefully wiped the guqin and asked, “Miss, did you bring the Bamboo Melody intending to play a piece here in the pavilion?”

Shen Zhi’ning looked back. The guqin named Bamboo Melody rested on the stone table inside the pavilion, faintly glowing, each string gleaming with a dignified radiance. She walked quietly to the table and sat down, her fingers lightly brushing the strings. The familiar touch seemed to fill every cell of her being.

This guqin had been given to her by a reclusive master under whom she had studied in her youth, a parting gift upon completion of her lessons.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Zhi’ning plucked a string gently. The strings vibrated, releasing trembling notes that spread softly through the cold night air. A thread of melody drifted over the walls, faint and indistinct from afar, yet clear and pure—a sound that evoked the image of orchids blooming in a secluded valley.

Inside the study, a faint fragrance lingered from the incense recently burned. Pei Zhi, who disliked strong scents indoors, had instructed Luo Xue to open the window for fresh air—and just then, he caught the sound of Shen Zhi’ning’s guqin.

The townspeople said Shen Zhi’ning was a frivolous beauty, a useless vase who only bore the face of a femme fatale. Pei Zhi himself had once thought so, but hearing the music now, he felt his cousin’s skill was no less than a master’s.

He set down his book and looked out. Through the white mist, the guqin’s sound was like a shower of pear blossoms dancing and scattering in the wind.

“This piece is lovely but too simple. Luo Xue, bring me my jade flute.”

Pei Zhi wasn’t sure why he suddenly had this impulse. He had always disliked ensemble playing and only ever played the flute alone and in secret. But in that moment, everything changed with a single thought.

He even felt a hint of regret.

Before he could say "No need," Luo Xue entered holding a silver box. Resolute, Pei Zhi decided to break his own rule this once.

The guqin’s melody was soon joined by the flute’s notes. Their tunes were alike yet distinct, competing and complementing each other in turn. The dense fog transformed entirely into a realm of guqin and flute.

Shen Zhi’ning also heard the flute but couldn’t recall anyone in the mansion who played it. The sound ebbed and flowed, perfectly harmonizing with her guqin.

She meant to send Yu Zhu to inquire but then recalled the surrounding mountains and thought perhaps the player was somewhere atop them—or maybe it was simply a coincidence of similar styles.

Calming her mind, she prepared to savor the flute’s sound—only for it to stop abruptly as she played the last note.

She smiled wryly. It seemed her kindred spirit wouldn’t grant her a chance to fully appreciate the music.

Deep into the night, the dew heavy and the mist thickening, Shen Zhi’ning tightened her sleeves.

“Pack up. Let’s return.”

Yu Zhu was puzzled. “Miss?”

Shen Zhi’ning’s expression was pale and calm. “It’s grown cold.”

Even Yu Zhu, not the brightest, could sense that her lady was not happy at that moment.

Back in her room, Shen Zhi’ning had Yu Zhu extinguish the candles early, and she didn’t touch the evening meal at all. Only sighs remained in the heavy darkness.

Wrapped in silk bedding, Shen Zhi’ning thought of the last life she had struggled so hard to infiltrate the capital, all for that coveted position envied by many. Behind the scenes, she had endured countless hardships and disdainful looks.

Her beauty was like a prize on display, waiting to be claimed by the victor in a ruthless game of power.

In that game, she had believed herself the player—but only upon death did she realize she had been no more than a trivial pawn.

Shen Zhi’ning resolved that, since she could not defeat Pei Zhi, this lifetime she would keep far from him.

Best that one be at the horizon’s edge and the other at the world’s corner.

Since all nightmares in her previous life began in the capital, this time she would stay clear of that troublesome place and guard her small patch of land in Yun’an County.

She took a deep breath to steady herself.

In her past life, the formidable Chief Minister Pei had despised her mingling with men and idleness, thinking she lacked the demeanor of a proper lady. This time, she would prove to Pei Zhi just how useless his constraints on her were.

Let this arrogant minister taste a little helplessness for once.