Chapter 3

Shen Zhiyi felt as though she had awakened from a long, long dream.

In the dream, she had returned to the embrace of her mother in days gone by. Back then, the spring days were always filled with brilliant sunshine; in the capital, there were her parents and siblings who doted on her, and there was also that young man who had stirred her heart.

"My Lady! My Lady, you have finally awakened!"

Chundai’s voice pulled Shen Zhiyi back to reality. Subconsciously, she glanced at the window at the foot of the bed. Through the thin silk gauze, the sunlight spilled in softly. The warmth made Shen Zhiyi feel dazed once more, as memories and reality blurred and overlapped.

"My Lady, you terrified me last night! You... you... if you hadn't woken up, I would have gone to beg the Young Master to come!"

Shen Zhiyi regained her composure. Looking at Chundai, who was huddled by the bedside with tear-reddened eyes, she couldn't help but tug at the corner of her lips. "I merely took a nap; why are you crying? Anyone who didn't know better would think I had already passed away!"

"Bite your tongue! Bite your tongue!" Chundai rushed over to cover Shen Zhiyi’s mouth. "My Lady, don't say such things! Our Lady will surely live a long and healthy life!"

Shen Zhiyi’s complexion had improved significantly today, and coupled with her naturally vivid lips, she looked as if she were perfectly fine. Perhaps the Heavens still held some pity for her; her illness caused agony only when it flared up, but on ordinary days, she felt no discomfort and showed no signs of being sick. Even the average physician could not diagnose it.

Waking up today, she was finally able to slowly accept the fact that her days were numbered, and she could also accept... that Pei Huaijin had brought another woman back.

Shen Zhiyi glanced at herself in the bronze mirror. She tugged at Chundai’s sleeve to signal her to lean closer, then leaned in and whispered, "Last night... the Young Master did not know of my illness, did he?"

Upon hearing this, Chundai’s heart sank. "My Lady, do you intend not to tell the Young Master about this?"

Shen Zhiyi twisted Chundai’s sleeve between her fingers. "The Young Master has just returned, and his official duties must be very demanding. Do not trouble him. I will find a suitable time to tell him myself."

Chundai did not approve of this decision, but having been instructed by Xiahe the previous night, she agreed despite her reservations. "How does your body feel, My Lady? There was such a heavy blizzard last night, yet it cleared up by dawn. Once I serve you your meal, shall we go into the courtyard to collect some snow to brew tea?"

Not wanting to worry Chundai, Shen Zhiyi smiled and agreed.

Her gaze shifted to a delicate sandalwood box with gold-painted patterns on the table, and she couldn't help but ask, "What is this?"

Knowing that her mistress was intentionally changing the subject, Chundai slapped her own forehead dramatically and laughed, "Look at me, I completely forgot! This was sent over by Su’an just a moment ago. He said the Young Master brought it back for you from Pingjiang. My Lady, quickly, open it and see!"

Shen Zhiyi paused, hummed softly, and slowly opened the box. Inside lay a pair of Nanhong agate earrings inlaid with gold-threaded peonies, along with a matching hair ornament.

"Oh! How beautiful!" Chundai took the hair ornament and tucked it into Shen Zhiyi’s hair. Looking into the mirror, she couldn't help but exclaim, "My Lady has such a delicate and beautiful complexion; you truly suit such vibrant colors. Moreover, Nanhong agate and peonies are your favorites. The Young Master must have chosen this gift with great care."

The Nanhong agate and red gold brought life to her features. Although Shen Zhiyi had not worn such vibrant jewelry in a long time, she had been a beauty since childhood and loved lovely things. Seeing herself in the mirror, she couldn't help but curve her lips slightly.

However, she only admired herself for a moment and was about to remove it when Chundai urged, "My Lady, wear it for today. Since we are not going out, you might as well wear it and be happy."

Shen Zhiyi’s hand had been on the hair ornament, but as she felt the smooth, warm Nanhong beads, she imagined the man buying this piece for her, and she hesitated. "Then... I shall wear it for a while."

Chundai nodded vigorously.

Shen Zhiyi handed the remaining earrings and other gifts to her to be put away, but still couldn't help asking, "Last night... when did the Young Master leave?"

"Around nine in the evening, Steward Zhao came to invite the Young Master, saying the Madam had requested his presence, so he left... but he quickly sent Su’an over with some ginseng."

Shen Zhiyi nodded without a word.

In truth, her rushing out into the snow to question him the way she did last night was indeed impulsive. That he held no affection for her was an unspoken truth between them. Since the Shen family had fallen, his willingness to take her in was already a rare kindness; by what right could she demand to know whom he would or would not marry?

Even if that person were Qin Yin, so what?

Besides...

Shen Zhiyi’s lowered eyelashes trembled. With her own life drawing to a close, what meaning was there in pursuing these things?

The afternoon sun was perfect, and the snow on the eaves began to melt, falling onto the bluestone tiles with a rhythmic ticking sound.

Chundai wrapped a thick cloak around Shen Zhiyi and laughed, "Hurry, My Lady, if the snow melts away, we won't be able to collect any. I love the tea you brew with snow water the most."

Holding a small ceramic jar, Shen Zhiyi stood beneath a plum tree in full bloom, her eyes crinkling into a smile. She raised her hand to lift the jar beneath a branch, her wide sleeves sliding down to reveal a segment of delicate arm; her porcelain-white skin was even whiter than the snow on the branches.

The gold-threaded peony on her hair ornament swayed with her movements, glistening in the sunlight and making her pale, delicate face appear even more radiant.

Everything seemed to have returned to the way it once was.

Just as the small jar was filled, Shen Zhiyi was about to lower her head to speak to Chundai when she suddenly heard a soft female voice at the entrance: "Big sister was ill just last night; why are you not resting properly today?"

Chundai’s hand, holding the ceramic jar, trembled. The jar slipped and shattered into pieces, and the freshly collected snow was stained with mud.

"What are you doing here?!" Chundai stepped forward to shield Shen Zhiyi, glaring at Qin Yin.

Two years had passed, and Qin Yin had grown even more dazzling. Her air of pampered elegance and gentleness bore a faint resemblance to her sister, Qin Zhen.

Qin Yin smiled gently. "I merely heard that Concubine Shen was unwell last night and came to check on you. There is no need to treat me like an enemy, is there?"

"Who is unwell? You’re the one who’s unwell!" Chundai was about to retort, but Shen Zhiyi gently patted her hand.

"Chundai, go and brew some tea."

"No need!" Qin Yin raised her hand, and several maids immediately entered carrying trays. Qin Yin smiled. "I fear I am not accustomed to the tea in your courtyard. I came today because the Young Master gifted me several bolts of fabric last night. I thought I wouldn't be able to wear them all, so I brought some for you. The Young Master’s taste is impeccable; surely you won't dislike them, will you?"

Shen Zhiyi’s fingernails dug into her palms, hidden beneath her sleeves, as her gaze fell upon the trays. They were indeed the finest materials: Suzhou Kesi silk, Jinling cloud brocade, and Jihuaxiang incense gauze. Even when the Shen family was still in its prime, these would have been considered top-tier.

Noticing her reaction, Qin Yin smiled. "If you like them, there is plenty more in my courtyard, all gifted by the Young Master. I can send more over later..."

"There is no need." Shen Zhiyi lifted the corner of her lips and withdrew her gaze. "These fabrics may seem exquisite to you, but to me, they are merely ordinary. If I need anything, I will ask my husband myself; there is no need to trouble you."

"Your husband?" Qin Yin ignored the bravado in her words. Covering her lips with a handkerchief, she smiled meaningfully. "Very well. Everyone in the capital knows how much the Young Master dotes on his concubines. I suppose whatever you want, the Young Master will give you..."

She deliberately emphasized the word "concubine." Everyone knew that the Pei household was extremely strict about etiquette; a concubine was never permitted to call the master "husband." This remark was a mockery of Shen Zhiyi’s overestimation of herself.

As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Yin’s gaze shifted to the hair ornament in Shen Zhiyi’s hair, and she let out an "Oh!"

"I didn't expect it to look so good on you."

Shen Zhiyi frowned, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart. Sure enough, Qin Yin continued: "On the way back, we passed a small town, and my hair ornament broke. Brother Huaijin said the wedding gift list was still incomplete and I could choose for myself, so he accompanied me to a jewelry shop. I took one look at this piece and told Brother Huaijin that it would look beautiful on you, and begged him to buy it as a gift for you."

Her gaze swept over the ornament, finally locking onto Shen Zhiyi’s eyes, the provocation and mockery no longer masked. "That town looked like a remote, backwater place, but I never imagined this ornament would suit you so well."

The Shen family had fallen. In the past, the eldest daughter of the Shen family could have bought half the painting boats on the Bian River with the single pearl on her embroidered shoe. But as a concubine living under another's roof, apart from that old silver bracelet, there was not a single thing on her person that truly belonged to her.

Shen Zhiyi felt as if that hair ornament had suddenly become a thousand pounds heavy, pressing down until her spine felt ready to snap. She gripped her palms tightly, forcing herself not to show any of the emotions Qin Yin wanted to see. She turned, hugged the broken ceramic jar, and started to walk away. "If Miss Qin has nothing else, could you please leave? At this hour, I presume the Grand Princess is already awake. Should you not be there to attend to her?"

"I was just on my way." Qin Yin chuckled. As Shen Zhiyi was about to brush past her, she suddenly seized her wrist and, with a quick movement, pushed her to the ground.

The ceramic jar shattered, and Shen Zhiyi’s elbow landed on the shards, causing blood to flow, and her ankle was twisted.

"My Lady!" Chundai, who had been returning with tea, saw the scene and rushed over to support Shen Zhiyi. "Are you hurt?!"

Shen Zhiyi endured the piercing pain in her elbow and ankle, shaking her head.

Qin Yin stood to the side, pretending to apologize. "Oh! Did you have another dizzy spell, sister? It is all my fault for not holding onto you properly..."

Shen Zhiyi leaned on Chundai’s wrist, struggling to stand. She met Qin Yin’s gaze directly and stared coldly for a few moments. "Can Miss Qin leave now?"

Shen Zhiyi had been arrogant and willful in the past, and Qin Yin had suffered many losses at her hands. Now, meeting that gaze, Qin Yin felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of guilt. She touched her temple, smiled, and left with a graceful, swaying gait.

Once Qin Yin was gone, Shen Zhiyi could no longer hold back. She hissed in pain, her willow-leaf brows knit together, and she gasped as she gripped Chundai’s hand. "Help me inside."

Shaoyao was a servant from the Qin household. After leaving the Begonia Courtyard, she saw her mistress looking composed and couldn't help but look back at the Pei household maids who were following them. She leaned in and whispered to Qin Yin, "Miss, why did you..."

"Why did I push Shen Zhiyi, you mean?"

Shaoyao remained silent, and Qin Yin continued, "When the Shen family was in power, Shen Zhiyi suppressed me at every turn. If today’s incident had happened back then, what do you think she would have done?"

"She would have cried and made a scene before the Young Master. Even if you hadn't pushed her, she would have found a way to frame you to make the Young Master despise you."

"Exactly." Qin Yin blew on her brightly painted fingernails, her expression devoid of warmth. "It happened so many times that even if Brother Huaijin didn't say anything, he stopped believing her in his heart. So, even if she makes a scene before him now, it will be to no avail. Under the current circumstances, it will only make him despise her more for being unreasonable."

Shaoyao scratched her head. "But what if she doesn't make a scene?"

"If she doesn't make a scene, isn't that even better? It proves that she no longer has the protection of the Shen family and can only live in humiliation. If we want to deal with her in the future, won't it be an easy task?"

Shaoyao gasped, filled with admiration for her mistress. "But..." she looked back at the Pei family servants following them. "What if the Young Master finds out the truth?" The Young Master was an Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review; he had presided over countless cases. If he found out...

"He is an Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, so what? Sometimes men truly do not understand the intricacies of the inner chambers. Besides... whether he marries me or not does not depend on him."

"Does it depend on the Grand Princess?"

"No—" Under the soft sunlight, Qin Yin smiled, looking gentle and harmless. "It depends on the old man of the Pei household."

From a distance, Qin Yin’s slender figure looked like a pure gardenia, standing quietly in the warm sun after the snow.

"Go and send a message to my father. Tell him that regarding the Shen family matter from back then, we must pull out the roots to ensure they don't grow back. I smelled medicine in Shen Zhiyi’s courtyard just now; tell him to send someone to find out what illness she really has. And... as for the person I am looking for, tell Father to find them for me as quickly as possible."