Chapter 42: with translation of chapter title

The Pei clan of the Manor of the Duke Who Guards the Nation is a high-ranking, illustrious family.

The Pei clan of the Manor of the Duke Who Guards the Nation is a high-ranking, illustrious family.

The Pei family's third son was born to the Duchess Who Guards the Nation; he is third in birth order.

The third son of the Pei family was born to the Duchess Who Guards the Nation, and he is third in birth order.

But is that Pei Sanlang not a fool?

"But that Pei third son, isn't he a fool?" Could be: "But that Pei third son, isn't he an idiot?" Use "fool". Keep tone.

She remembered her mother saying that Madame Pei had two children; Sanlang fell seriously ill as a child, treatment came too late, damaging his brain, leaving his mental capacity at that of a six-year-old, and he occasionally acts foolish and insane.

"She remembered her mother saying that the Duchess had two children; the third son suffered a severe illness in childhood, treatment was delayed, burning his brain, leaving his mental capacity at that of a six-year-old, and he would sometimes be foolish and insane." Need to keep details.

The fourth son is normal, except that he was unfortunately wounded in a recent anti-bandit campaign; I heard he became disabled. If not for that, he would have been an outstanding military commander, which is a pity.

"The fourth son is normal, but he was unfortunately wounded in a recent anti-bandit campaign; I heard he became disabled. Otherwise he would have been an outstanding general, which is a pity."

As for this Pei Sanlang, also known as Pei Zhi, he apparently hasn't left the Manor of the Duke Who Guards the Nation for several years; when Lady Shen visited the Pei household for a banquet last year, she didn't see him, and it's said he's been confined.

"Speaking of this Pei third son, Pei Zhi, he probably hasn't left the Manor of the Duke Who Guards the Nation for several years. When Lady Shen visited the Pei household for a banquet last year, she didn't see him; it's said he's been confined."

If his condition weren't serious, there would be no need to keep him hidden so strictly.

"If his condition weren't serious, making it inconvenient to see people, why would he be kept under such strict watch?"

What Shen Shuangning wonders now is whether the Pei Sanlang the attendant mentioned is actually Pei Zhi of the Manor of the Duke Who Guards the Nation.

"What Shen Shuangning now wonders is, is the Pei third son that the attendant spoke of actually Pei Zhi of the Manor of the Duke Who Guards the Nation?"

Ah Heng asked on her behalf.

"Ahen asked on her behalf."

The attendant was embarrassed, scratched his head, and said, "I don't know either; that young master didn't say."

"The attendant was embarrassed, scratched his head and said: 'This, I, your servant, also don't know; that young master didn't say.'"

Pei Zhi hasn't set foot outside for ten years; even if it were really him, not only would this little attendant not recognize him, but Shen Shuangning wouldn't either.

"Pei Zhi hasn't gone out to see people for ten years; even if it really were him coming, not only would this little attendant not recognize him, Shen Shuangning wouldn't either."

Shen Shuangning lifted her gaze again toward the Zijin Pavilion, but there was no one by the window.

"Shen Shuangning lifted her gaze again toward the Purple Dawn Pavilion, but there was no one at the window."

Shen Shuangning felt a myriad of doubts, and was also quite curious.

"Shen Shuangning felt a myriad of doubts, and was also quite curious."

She didn't make things difficult for the attendant, gesturing for Ah Heng to give him a few coins.

"She didn't make things difficult for the attendant, gesturing for Ahen to give him a bit of loose silver."

The attendant quickly waved his hands: "It's just delivering an umbrella, miss, you're being too polite."

"The attendant hastily waved his hands: 'Just delivering the umbrella, miss, you're being too polite.'"

He refused to accept it, so Ah Heng took it back.

"He absolutely refused, so Ahen took it back."

The attendant added, "The rain won't let up anytime soon; our shop has set up a stage, so you might as well go inside to rest awhile and leave when the rain stops."

"The attendant added: 'This rain won't stop anytime soon; today our shop has set up a stage, miss, you might as well go inside to rest awhile, and leave when the rain stops.'"

The attendant observed her words and demeanor, seeing that the woman before him wore fine Shu brocade, had an ethereal beauty and remarkable bearing—certainly not an ordinary lady of a genteel family, but undoubtedly a daughter of a prominent official household.

"The attendant observed her words and demeanor, seeing that the woman before him was dressed in fine Shu brocade, with an immortal's grace and jade-like beauty, an extraordinary temperament, certainly not an ordinary young lady from a respectable family; he concluded she must be the daughter of a prominent official household."

Shen Shuangning, however, showed hesitation.

"Shen Shuangning, however, showed hesitation."

First, she doesn't like that sort of fame-and-fortune venue at the Zijin Pavilion; second, Xiao Jingyuan is also there; third, she feels listening to a play is less enjoyable than watching the rain.

"First, she doesn't like that sort of fame-and-profit venue that is the Purple Dawn Pavilion; second, Xiao Jingyuan is also there; third, she feels listening to opera is less enjoyable than watching the rain, which is more relaxed and comfortable."

The attendant's eyes shifted, and he said, "Perhaps that Master Pei is still here; I can point him out to you, miss."

"The attendant's eyes shifted, and he said: 'Perhaps that Master Pei is still around; I, your servant, can point him out to you, miss.'"

So the young lady in front nodded.

"Thus the miss in front nodded."

The attendant's heart leapt with joy; he immediately put on a warm smile and made a gesturing "please" motion.

"The attendant's heart leapt with joy; he immediately put on a warm smile and made a gesturing 'please' motion."

Ah Heng opened the umbrella, shielding Shen Shuangning as they passed through the rain: "Miss, watch your step."

"Ahen opened the umbrella, shielding Shen Shuangning as she passed through the rain: 'Miss, watch your step.'"

Shen Shuangning lifted her skirt, lowered her eyes to the path, and failed to notice Qingfeng beneath the eaves.

"Shen Shuangning lifted her skirt, lowered her eyes to the path, and failed to notice Qingfeng beneath the eaves."

Qingfeng also carried an umbrella in his arms, which Xiao Jingyuan had instructed him to deliver to Shen Shuangning.

"Qingfeng also had an umbrella tucked in his arms, which Xiao Jingyuan had ordered to be taken to Shen Shuangning."

But before Qingfeng could reach her, someone intercepted him.

"As a result, before Qingfeng could get there, someone intercepted him."

Seeing the Fourth Miss approach, Qingfeng's face showed hesitation.

"Seeing the Fourth Miss approach, Qingfeng's face showed a struggle."

The Fourth Miss already has an umbrella and intends to enter the Zijin Pavilion—should the prince's umbrella still be delivered, or not?

"The Fourth Miss already has an umbrella, and she also wants to go into the Purple Dawn Pavilion; should this umbrella that the Young Master intended for her still be sent, or not?"

At that moment, Shen Shuangning met Song Xizhi face to face.

"At that moment, Shen Shuangning met Song Xizhi head-on."

"Ning sister?" Song Xizhi hadn't expected to encounter her here.

"'Ning sister?' Song Xizhi hadn't expected to meet her here."

Shen Shuangning greeted her, worried Song Xizhi might misunderstand, and added, "Today the Young Marquis is setting out for Danzhou; I came to see him off, but I didn't expect the rain to grow heavier, so I came here to take shelter."

"Shen Shuangning greeted her, worried Song Xizhi might misunderstand, and added: 'Today the Young Marquis is setting out for Dan Zhou; I came to see him off, but I didn't expect the rain to pour down harder, so I came here to take shelter.'"

Song Xizhi had long heard of Shen Shuangning's involvement with the Young Marquis Xie; learning that Shen Shuangning was here for Xie Lin, she felt relieved, yet a hint of complexity lingered in her eyes.

"Regarding Shen Shuangning's affair with the Young Marquis, Song Xizhi had long heard of it; learning that she appeared here for Xie Lin, Song Xizhi's heart relaxed, yet at the same time a hint of complexity flickered in her eyes."

"Sister Song, are you here to watch the opera?" Shen Shuangning pretended not to know that Xiao Jingyuan was also present.

"'Sister Song, are you here to listen to the opera?' Shen Shuangning pretended not to know that Xiao Jingyuan was also there."

Song Xizhi certainly wasn't there to watch the opera.

"Song Xizhi certainly wasn't here to listen to the opera."

Today she proactively arranged to meet the Xiao heir, because it concerns a matter of vital importance to the survival of the Song family.

"Today she actively requested a meeting with the Young Master Xiao, for a matter of great importance, concerning the life and death of the Song family."

But she naturally would not reveal it to Shen Shuangning.

"But she naturally would not reveal it to Shen Shuangning."

"I came together with the heir," she said, as if to prove something, a sweet smile appearing on her face, "but something sudden has come up at the manor, so I must return first."

"'I came together with the Young Master.' As if to prove something, Song Xizhi's face broke into a sweet smile, 'But something sudden came up at the manor; I must return first.'"

Shen Shuangning didn't press further, merely smiling and saying, "Sister Song, you and the heir truly have a good relationship."

"Shen Shuangning didn't press further, only smiling and saying: 'Sister Song, your relationship with the Young Master is truly good.'"

Song Xizhi replied, "Ning sister, you and the Young Marquis are the same."

"Song Xizhi replied in turn: 'Ning sister, you and the Young Marquis are just the same.'"

Shen Shuangning smiled, noncommittal.

"Shen Shuangning smiled, noncommittal."

When Song Xizhi arrived, it wasn't raining, so she hadn't brought an umbrella; now the rain continues.

"When Song Xizhi came, it wasn't raining, so she hadn't brought an umbrella; now the rain is still falling."

Qingfeng thought it over and still handed the umbrella to Song Xizhi; after all, Miss Song is the heir's beloved.

"Qingfeng thought it over, and still handed the umbrella to Song Xizhi. After all, Miss Song is the Young Master's beloved."

Although it went against his master's orders, Qingfeng felt he had done the right thing, and he believed the heir would praise him for having good judgment if he knew.

"Although it went against his master's orders, Qingfeng felt he had done the right thing; if the Young Master knew, he would surely praise him for having good judgment."

The maid beside Song Xizhi took the umbrella and laughed, "The heir is still as thoughtful as ever."

"The maid beside Song Xizhi took the umbrella, smiling: 'The Young Master is still as thoughtful.'"

The woman's smile grew wider; she said nothing, lifted her foot into the rain, took two steps, then turned back to Shen Shuangning and said, "In a few days I'll be holding a banquet at my manor—Ning sister, you must come."

"The woman's smile deepened; she said nothing, lifted her foot and stepped into the rain, walked two steps, then turned back to Shen Shuangning and said: 'In a few days I will hold a banquet at my manor; Ning sister, you must come.'"

Shen Shuangning found it hard to refuse, so she nodded.

"Shen Shuangning found it hard to refuse, so she nodded."

Song Xizhi then hurried away with her maid, boarding the Song family's carriage.

"Song Xizhi then hurriedly took her maid and left, boarding the Song family's carriage."

Qingfeng still stood there, lowered his head, and bowed to Shen Shuangning: "Fourth Miss."

"Qingfeng still stood there, lowered his head and bowed to Shen Shuangning: 'Fourth Miss.'"

Shen Shuangning merely gave a slight nod, paid no further attention, and walked straight inside.

"Shen Shuangning merely gave a slight nod, paid no further heed, and walked straight inside."

Qingfeng paused, sensed her aloof attitude, and felt a bit uneasy.

"Qingfeng paused, sensed her aloof attitude, and felt somewhat displeased."

He had thought the Fourth Miss would let him escort her to see the heir.

"He had thought the Fourth Miss would naturally let him escort her to see the Young Master."

But the Fourth Miss said nothing, as if she and the heir were strangers.

"But the Fourth Miss said nothing, as if she and the Young Master were mere strangers."

Even though they had met many times in private, and she wasn't truly unfamiliar with him—plus the heir had specially sent him to deliver the umbrella, showing how much he cared—yet the Fourth Miss didn't utter a word, not even a polite remark.

"Clearly they have met many times in private, and it's not that they're truly unfamiliar; moreover, the Young Master specially had him bring the umbrella, showing how much he cares for her, yet the Fourth Miss didn't utter a single word—not even a polite phrase..."

Qingfeng refused to give up, strode after her, and called out loudly, "Fourth Miss, the heir is on the second floor."

"Qingfeng refused to give up, he strode after her and called out loudly: 'Fourth Miss, the Young Master is on the second floor.'"

Shen Shuangning stopped, turned around doubtfully, and asked, "Does the heir want something from me?"

"Shen Shuangning stopped, turned with doubt: 'Does the Young Master want something from me?'"

Qingfeng blinked, then said, "No, I just thought the Fourth Miss and the heir were friends..."

"Qingfeng blinked: 'No, I just thought the Fourth Miss and the Young Master were friends...'"

Shen Shuangning impatiently raised her hand to interrupt, saying, "I didn't come to see the heir; since he has no business, please don't bother me."

"Shen Shuangning impatiently raised a hand to cut him off: 'I didn't come to look for the Young Master; since he has no business, don't bother me.'"

This was her polite way of telling Qingfeng that her relationship with Xiao Jingyuan is merely a cooperative arrangement tangled in interests, not even a friendship.

"This was a polite way of telling Qingfeng that her relationship with Xiao Jingyuan is merely a cooperative arrangement tangled in interests, not even friendship."

Qingfeng was startled.

He had always thought that it was Shen Shuangning, trying to curry favor with their master, who had taken the initiative to cooperate.

Then, did he misunderstand?

Shen Shuangning didn't care what Qingfeng thought; after speaking, she turned and left. Xiao Jingyuan isn't the emperor—does she really need to go out of her way to see him? How ridiculous.

If it weren't for her curiosity about Pei Zhi, she wouldn't willingly set foot anywhere Xiao Jingyuan is.

The attendant eagerly led the way, bringing them to a seat on the second floor; the view of the show from upstairs is more comfortable.

But before Shen Shuangning could sit down, a servant dressed like a scribe came up to her and made a respectful bow.

"Miss Shen, my young master requests your presence."

Shen Shuangning felt the servant's face was familiar, and she blurted out, "You're the one who delivered Li Ji pastries to me at the Song residence before."

"Miss Shen has a good memory." The servant smiled slightly, did not deny it, and said frankly, "My master's surname is Pei; he is the Third Young Master of the Zhen'guo Duke's residence."

This time the servant did not conceal anything.

So it really is Pei Zhi—does that mean his illness is cured?

Although she had braced herself, when she learned that the other party's identity was indeed the Pei Zhi she knew, Shen Shuangning was even more surprised, and at the same time felt a deep sense of puzzlement.

She had no dealings with Pei Zhi at all—why would he secretly be paying attention to her?

Shen Shuangning's eyes grew a bit more guarded; she suppressed her doubts and let the servant lead the way.

But when she arrived at the place, the room was empty—no one in sight, only a table of dishes.

"What does Young Master Pei mean by this?"

The servant said, "Miss Shen, please wait a moment; these dishes were ordered by the young master for you. You can eat while watching the rain, so you won't get cold."

Shen Shuangning raised her eyebrows slightly.

She had barely eaten anything this morning before rushing to the City God Temple to pray for blessings for Xie Lin; her stomach had been empty for a while, she was indeed hungry, so she endured and sat down.

She wanted to see what mystery this Pei Zhi was up to, what exactly he was trying to sell.

Shen Shuangning said, "When will your young master be willing to see me?"

The servant smiled appeasingly: "My young master is thin-skinned and shy, speaks little; I don't know his plans either. Miss Shen, please eat at your leisure; perhaps the young master will come shortly."

Having said that, he withdrew and considerately pulled the door shut.

Once the door was closed, it shut out the outside sounds and sights.

Shen Shuangning even suspected that the person wasn't Pei Zhi at all, but she could sense that he meant no harm, and she decided to see what he intended to do first.

"Sit, you eat too," Shen Shuangning said to A Heng.

A Heng sat beside her, though his expression remained wary of everything around.

Shen Shuangning picked up her chopsticks and saw that every dish was one she loved; her suspicions grew stronger.

First Li Ji, then these dishes, and even knowing she likes to watch the rain—it seems they understand her better than her own family does.

Truly interesting.

At that moment, on the other side of the wall, Xiao Jingyuan was sitting and waiting for someone, the window beside him already shut.

He dislikes rainy days.

Not long after, Qingfeng returned.

Seeing Qingfeng's dusty, disheveled appearance, Xiao Jingyuan frowned involuntarily and asked, "What happened?"

Qingfeng wiped his face with his hand: "Nothing."

After thinking, he honestly explained, "Miss Song didn't bring an umbrella, so I gave her mine."

Xiao Jingyuan's hand holding the tea cup paused; he glanced at Qingfeng but said nothing.

For some reason, Qingfeng felt the young master was displeased, and he hurriedly explained, "When I went to deliver the umbrella, Miss Shen already had one."

"Understood, you may retreat," Xiao Jingyuan said, lowering his eyes.

He had sent Qingfeng to deliver the umbrella only because of Xie Lin, with no other intention.

Since Miss Shen already had an umbrella, there was no need for him to show extra concern.

Xiao Jingyuan's lips curled into a sneer.

Qingfeng cautiously gauged the young master's expression; seeing that it remained cold, he ultimately did not mention that Shen Shuangning had also entered the Zichen Pavilion, and withdrew silently.

After leaving the private room, Qingfeng felt regretful, fearing that the young master didn't consider Miss Shen all that important—he was simply being full of himself!

Meanwhile, Shen Shuangning unintentionally caught sight of a painting on the wall, froze, her gaze locked on it, eyes wide as if she had seen a ghost.

How did her painting end up here?

Shen Shuangning immediately put down her chopsticks, rose, and strode over.

A Heng also rose, following her, and asked doubtfully, "Miss, what's wrong?"

Immediately afterward, they saw Shen Shuangning standing before a painting, her expression solemn.

A Heng also came to her side, looked at the painting, but could see nothing unusual, and couldn't help wondering, "Miss, what's wrong with this painting?"

A Heng had never seen it before and did not know that this was the spring magnolia painting Shen Shuangning had created in the ladies' etiquette contest.

Shen Shuangning's carefully drawn brows knit together, and she said in a low voice, "This is my painting."

A Heng exclaimed in shock, "Miss, how did your painting end up here?"

"That's exactly what I want to know."

In past ladies' etiquette contests, the paintings made by the young ladies were either kept by themselves, sold at auction, or retained in the palace for preservation.

Shen Shuangning had won the jade tablet and placed first; naturally her painting attracted much attention, with many people wanting to buy it.

However, afterward Shen Shuangning did not pay special attention to where the painting went; she merely heard her mother mention in passing that someone wanted to buy her magnolia painting, but it had caught the eye of the Grand Princess and was thus kept in the palace.

That is why, upon seeing it now, Shen Shuangning is utterly shocked.

She reached out and carefully felt the magnolia painting.

The ink on it had long since dried, but every stroke was one she had once painstakingly drawn and outlined.

It wasn't a copy by someone else; it was truly drawn by her own hand.

What happened today is rather strange...

In her doubt, Shen Shuangning suddenly felt a protruding spot.

She curiously lifted the painting.

A small stone brick set into the wall looked quite suspicious.

She reached out and touched it, discovering it could be moved with a light push.

Shen Shuangning's heart stirred; she carefully pulled it out, then saw a thumb-sized hole in the wall that actually allowed her to see through to the opposite side.

Faint voices of conversation came through.

Shen Shuangning only glanced, then recognized the person opposite, and was instantly startled.