Chapter 18: He Is Standing Up for Her

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Seeing Pei Shiqin at Jade Adornments truly took Xie Yun by surprise. What business did a grown man have in a jewelry shop? Could it be that he was selecting hairpins and rings for a beloved lady?

Not only was Xie Yun astonished, but the other women at Jade Adornments also covered their faces to steal glances at him from time to time. Beyond curiosity about his presence, they were undoubtedly drawn by his striking appearance and bearing.

It seemed that being an exceptionally handsome man could be a burden as well. Fortunately, Qi women valued modesty; there was no uproar or chaotic thronging, just a few lingering looks before sending a maid to inquire discreetly about marriageability.

Xie Yun hesitated briefly, then stepped inside. She avoided the area where Pei Shiqin stood and went straight to the other side, lowering her gaze to examine the jewelry.

She was currently short of funds, unlike before. The jewelry at Jade Adornments was renowned for exquisite craftsmanship; the second floor’s pieces were far more luxurious and expensive than those on the first.

In the past, she was a regular on the second floor; now, just browsing the first was enough.

Soon, Xie Yun chose a silver tassel and a white jade hairpin and instructed the shop assistant to wrap them carefully.

These two delicate items nearly exhausted the money she had received from Lady Chengyuan for buying a screen. After returning to Huaiqing Alley, she would need to seriously consider ways to earn money.

She was about to leave after paying when she heard a very familiar name from Pei Shiqin’s side, causing her to halt instinctively.

“Sir, it’s not that I’m unwilling to sell this gold hairpin to you, but it has already been reserved by the Prime Minister’s mansion. My assistant forgot to put it away—that’s his fault—but this isn’t a matter of price!”

Prime Minister’s mansion.

Xie Yun frowned and looked at Pei Shiqin standing there.

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His profile was stern, his expression cold. Yet he persisted, “Ten times the price. I will buy this gold hairpin.”

The shopkeeper’s face showed distress, clearly troubled.

He could afford to offend neither side: on one hand, the aristocracy; on the other, a rising court noble. Qi had always revered noble families, and in Yanjing, they could topple many with a mere gesture. For the sake of propriety and order, the shopkeeper could not back down.

As the standoff lingered, the shopkeeper noticed Xie Yun.

He brightened visibly, his keen eyes gleaming as he raised his voice. “Miss Xie!”

Xie Yun, about to step out the door, had to stop at the sound.

The shopkeeper hurried over in three quick steps, bowing respectfully. “Miss Xie, how fortunate you are here! Lord Pei has his eye on a gold hairpin, but it was reserved long ago by the Prime Minister’s mansion for you. What shall we do?”

Since it was meant for the Prime Minister’s daughter, and she was right there, the matter was simple.

To take it or not was just a word from this lady.

Xie Yun said nothing, her gaze slowly dropping to the gold phoenix-tail hairpin set with rubies on the tray in the shopkeeper’s hands.

The hairpin was exquisite, finely crafted with lifelike openwork flowers. Even accustomed to fine things, she could tell this was no ordinary piece.

Yet, she had heard nothing about Pei Shiqin marrying anyone in the past three years, and she did not know to whom he wished to give this hairpin.

Pei Shiqin approached, joined by others in the shop who seemed to enjoy watching the unfolding drama.

He rubbed his temple and lifted his eyes to Xie Yun.

He had heard of her current situation and knew from the shopkeeper that the jewelry sent to the Prime Minister’s mansion was likely reserved by the prime minister’s wife to mend the mother-daughter bond with their new daughter.

This matter had nothing to do with Xie Yun.

But Pei Shiqin was determined to have it. If he could not buy it openly, he would find other means to reclaim it.

This was because it had been his mother’s favorite gold hairpin, the one she wore longest while alive.

After many upheavals and years of wandering, it had now appeared at Jade Adornments—truly a symbol of how things and people had changed.

To Pei Shiqin, this was his mother’s belonging, and he intended to claim it.

Sure enough, Xie Yun spoke. “Shopkeeper, you must be mistaken. I no longer have any ties to the Prime Minister’s mansion.”

A stifled laugh was heard nearby, followed by a few cutting remarks.

“Must be that the shopkeeper’s been too busy these past days. Not even knowing about the Prime Minister’s daughter?”

“Indeed, the current daughter is named Xie Yuming, not that imposter from before!”

“What a shame, already embarrassing enough, now mistaken for someone else. If I were her, I’d find a hole to hide in and never show my face again...”

Such gossip filled the air.

Pei Shiqin’s expression darkened suddenly.

He glanced sideways at those who spoke, a faint smile curling his lips. “What’s this? Has this shop become a place where just anyone can wander in?”

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