Chapter 19: It Must Be a Foe Destined by Fate

Page (1/3)

Although a smile touched his lips, the words he spoke plainly revealed his displeasure, and the few young women fell silent at once.

Lord Pei was handsome, but his temper was far inferior to that of the Young Marquis Wei. The noble ladies whose hearts had been fluttering moments before promptly went pale, ruthlessly snuffing out the tender thoughts that had just begun to blossom.

Pei Shijin had no idea how many chances he had just lost to become the man of Yanjing’s young ladies’ dreams. After a moment’s thought, he brought his sleeves together before the embarrassed shopkeeper.

“If that is the case, then I cannot very well make things difficult for you any longer.”

As he spoke, he was already considering how to have Xiao Ling reclaim the golden hairpin after they returned. Then his gaze shifted, and he saw a woman in a slate-blue satin robe entering through the door. The bracelet on her wrist was smooth and lustrous, and two tall maids followed behind her. One glance was enough to tell that she was a dignified senior servant from a great household.

Xie Yun stared for a moment, then said in surprise, “Nanny Zhao?”

Pei Shijin understood at once. So she was from the Prime Minister’s residence.

Nanny Zhao was equally astonished, but she soon smiled warmly and bowed to Xie Yun.

“What brings you here, Eldest Miss?”

Those who had been speaking ill of Xie Yun froze, their faces stinging.

Had they not said that Xie Yun had severed all ties with the Prime Minister’s residence? Then why did this servant still address her as Eldest Miss?

Xie Yun hurriedly helped her up.

“I happened to come by for a look, and unexpectedly encountered you here. You came at just the right time as well, Nanny.”

In an aristocratic household, a trusted servant who accompanied the madam represented her mistress in every word and deed when outside. Thus, Xie Yun told Nanny Zhao what had happened.

Since all these ornaments and hairpins were meant for Xie Yuming, Pei Shijin would have to deal with someone from the Prime Minister’s residence if he wanted the golden hairpin. He had just stood up for her, so this was the perfect opportunity for her to return the favor and avoid feeling indebted to him.

The golden hairpin was certainly valuable, but it was hardly some unparalleled treasure in the Prime Minister’s residence.

Xu Yourong had ordered a great many ornaments for Xie Yuming. Surely there were plenty on the second floor worth more than this hairpin, so arranging the matter would not be difficult.

This was a decision Nanny Zhao could make on her own.

Page (1/3)

Page (2/3)

Sure enough, after hearing the whole story, Nanny Zhao smiled with great affability.

“Such a small matter, and it has left our Eldest Miss at a loss? As it happens, this old servant came today to collect these ornaments. The last time, Madam was still saying that the congratulatory gift sent to Lord Pei for his new appointment might have been too modest. Let this hairpin go to Lord Pei today as well, by way of an apology.”

At her words, a faint smile curled at the corner of Pei Shijin’s lips.

“My thanks to the Prime Minister’s wife and to you for your kindness. However, this hairpin carries great meaning for me. To receive it for nothing would leave me uneasy. It would be better to regard it as something I purchased from you, Nanny.”

As he spoke, he drew a heavy purse from his robes and placed it in Nanny Zhao’s hand.

The smile at Nanny Zhao’s lips faded slightly. After a moment, she acknowledged him and accepted the purse.

The Prime Minister’s residence clearly wished to build a friendly relationship with Pei Shijin, but he had made it equally clear that he had no such intention.

Yet she was ultimately only a woman of the inner household. This was something she would have to report to Madam after returning.

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Xie Yun let out a quiet breath of relief and thanked Nanny Zhao once more.

Nanny Zhao firmly supported her by the arm, preventing her from bowing, then said earnestly, “Since I have encountered Eldest Miss today, there are a few words I must convey. Madam has been thinking of you these past two days, and it seems the Old Madam has likely received the news as well and will be returning soon. Please return to the residence at your earliest convenience, Eldest Miss. Do not make Madam grieve.”

She had watched Xie Yun grow up in the Prime Minister’s residence. Though her words contained a little exaggeration, she sincerely hoped that the girl would return.

Xie Yun pressed her lips into a faint smile.

“Madam ought to understand me. Please give her my regards, Nanny.”

Nanny Zhao could only sigh. She took the ornaments ordered by the Prime Minister’s residence from the shopkeeper, then left Jade Adornment with the two maids.

After their party departed, the people who had been present looked at Xie Yun with considerably more wariness. They hurriedly paired off to settle their accounts, no longer daring to stare at Pei Shijin.

The shopkeeper offered the two of them an apologetic smile, added a few flattering words, and returned to his business.

The entrance of Jade Adornment fell quiet.

Pei Shijin lifted his eyelids slightly and fixed his gaze on Xie Yun. Then he gave the brocade box containing the golden hairpin a little shake.

Page (2/3)

Page (3/3)

“Miss Xie was rather generous with the favor she just bestowed. What is it? Are you in such a hurry to sever all ties with me?”

Xie Yun: “…”

What was wrong with this man? Should he not have thanked her?

He appeared cold and heartless, yet his words were so infuriating. Xie Yun did not feel like answering him, so she turned around and presented him with her back.

Pei Shijin watched her anger with amusement. The hem of her lake-green skirt shifted gently with each step, swaying like a peony freshly plucked from the branch.

Only now did she seem somewhat lively, with traces of the girl she had been two years ago.

She was clearly only just past her coming-of-age ceremony, yet she was always so solemn and composed. It was truly dull.

Xie Yun walked a little too quickly and failed to notice the threshold beneath her feet. Unfortunately, she twisted her ankle in an instant.

A piercing pain spread from her ankle.

Pei Shijin lowered the arms he had folded across his chest.

“Tsk.”

He was not a debt collector. What was she rushing for?