Chapter 24

Wang Muyi, being straightforward and outspoken, laughed immediately after hearing Nianxi’s idea and said: “Starting a shop together is an excellent plan. It just so happens that one of the properties from my dowry fits perfectly. While it’s not large, it’s in a prime location. It’s a small two-story building, and when you open the windows, you can enjoy the willows in spring and the moonlight in summer. It’s ideal in every way.”

This was exactly what Nianxi had been waiting to hear. She envisioned a teahouse exclusively for women, not just to sell beverages and teas but to provide an elegant and relaxing environment. Using the finest materials for decoration, she planned to have private rooms carefully partitioned, furnished with huanghuali wood tables and chairs, along with intricately potted pine bonsai. It would be a perfect place for young women to unwind.

After finalizing the details, a maid approached them, saying, “Madam Heir, Miss Wen, the feast is starting in the main hall. Please follow me to the banquet.”

The Cheng’en Estate’s banquet had separate sections—the women gathered in the flower hall, while the male guests were hosted at a nearby waterside pavilion. As the two walked from their secluded pavilion toward the flower hall, they passed through a long corridor and unexpectedly encountered Pei Jian.

Wang Muyi nudged Nianxi gently with her elbow.

Pei Jian, tall and elegant with striking features, stood at the end of the path. Without any need for an introduction, his presence was impossible to overlook.

Nianxi looked away.

The capital was not that large, and since he was Gu Ci’s friend, they would likely run into each other often in the future. There was no need to avoid him deliberately. Considering his inappropriate behavior in the side gate garden, Nianxi felt that, given their current relationship, staying strangers was best. However, her cousin Muyi did not share the same sentiment.

As they passed by Pei Jian and rounded a corridor, Wang Muyi leaned in and whispered, “Isn’t Pei Jian good friends with Gu Ci? Do you not know him?”

Nianxi responded calmly, “We’ve met, but we’re not close.”

Wang Muyi looked skeptical. “The way he looked at you just now didn’t seem like he didn’t know you.”

Pei Jian had been staring at Nianxi the whole time until she lifted her gaze. Only then did he turn away with a blank expression.

On matters like this, Wang Muyi had a natural knack for noticing subtleties. “It seemed he’s familiar with you.”

“Do you think he might like you?”

Nianxi nearly burst out laughing at the absurdity of that suggestion. In her previous life, even after more than a decade together, she couldn’t win his genuine affection. How could he have had an epiphany all of a sudden?

“Cousin—” Nianxi sighed, slightly exasperated by her cousin Muyi’s wild imagination. “He and Gu Ci are good friends.”

Wang Muyi grew even more animated at this, her smile turning mischievous. “Good friends means they have similar tastes! The look Pei Jian gave you just now was far from innocent.” She clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. “Pei Jian doesn’t seem like someone without strength. If he fought Gu Ci, what kind of scene would that be?”

Nianxi pressed her hand to her forehead, glancing at her overexcited cousin with a calm tone. “A scene you couldn’t even dream of.”

Pei Jian was one of the most composed and restrained people she had ever met. A fight? That was utterly inconceivable. Besides, he didn’t even like her.

But Wang Muyi trusted her instincts. “What if, though? If they both showed up to propose to your family, who would you choose?”

Nianxi had zero interest in entertaining this topic. She had wasted 13 years in her previous life on Pei Jian and hadn’t learned her lesson? Even if Pei Jian were as perfect as a celestial being, she wouldn’t endure that pain again.

Forget it. Living her own life well was far more important.

But—

“While waiting for you earlier, I overheard Princess Wen Shu…”

Nianxi shared with her cousin what she had overheard behind the flowering trees.

Wang Muyi pressed her, “Why didn’t you tell Pei Shizhang yourself? This could be considered a lifesaving gesture.”

Nianxi continued walking forward, her tone calm. “To avoid suspicion.” She had no feelings for Pei Jian but couldn’t just stand by and watch him ruin his future.

In their dynasty, anyone who married a princess and became a consort would be reduced to a life of leisure, barred from holding any official position. For someone like Pei Jian, that would be worse than death.

Nianxi was no overly compassionate saint, and given the nature of their relationship, they weren’t exactly enemies. The mystery of her death in her past life remained unsolved, and offering a single warning cost her nothing. However, as she later realized, kindness wasn’t always rewarded.

The banquet at the Cheng’en Estate was of the highest standard, with a menu featuring fifteen courses of paired dishes to complement wine—a total of thirty dishes.

Midway through the feast, the alcohol began to make her head spin. She informed her mother that she was stepping out to change clothes. As soon as she exited the flower hall, someone stopped her. “Miss Wen, the princess requests your presence.”

Nianxi’s heart tightened. With so many onlookers around, she didn’t want to draw attention. She gave a discreet signal to Xing Yue and, accompanied by Lan Zhi, followed the maid.

Nianxi entered a secluded courtyard where Princess Wen Shu sat high in the hall, looking down at her with disdain. “So it was you who ruined this princess’s plans?”

Nianxi: … How did she figure it out?

“What is Your Highness talking about? I don’t understand,” Nianxi replied.

“Don’t play dumb. Yan Qing already told me everything,” said Xiao Nanxi, pointing to the black-clad guard by the pillar. “When this princess was planning in the garden, you were hiding behind the trees, eavesdropping!”

She slammed the armrest angrily. “Speak! Do you also have feelings for Pei Shizhang?”

Nianxi looked utterly wronged. “Me? Feelings for him? Not at all.”

“Then why did you ruin my plans?”

At this moment, Nianxi understood everything—

It was all because of that unprincipled guard, Yan Qing. Today was simply bad luck—she had stumbled upon the princess loudly scheming in a bustling garden. If it had been anyone else, Yan Qing would have allowed them to “overhear” as well. In any case, the princess’s plans were bound to fail today.

Having figured out the whole sequence of events, Nianxi decided to put on a righteous demeanor: “The young master of the Pei family is a fellow Imperial Academy classmate of my brother, who has studied diligently for over a decade to serve the court. Master Pei must have similar aspirations. But if he marries a princess, he’ll spend his life as nothing more than a wealthy idle man…”

Princess Xiao Nanxi interrupted her, “This princess never said I wanted Pei Shizhang to marry me. How does that ruin his future?”

Nianxi: “…What?”

Xiao Nanxi puffed out her chest proudly and said, “This princess only wants to have her way with him. I’m not asking him to take responsibility. After today, he can go on to serve in the government, and we’ll have nothing to do with each other.”

Nianxi: “…Huh?!”

Xiao Nanxi no longer maintained the dignity of a princess. She gave Nianxi a sidelong glance, her small face lifting as she snorted lightly, “How old-fashioned!

Nianxi felt as though a whole new world had opened up to her. She had never imagined a woman could be so free-spirited. “Indeed, I am old-fashioned, unlike Your Highness, who is so enlightened!” she replied sincerely, her clear almond eyes full of admiration.

Xiao Nanxi, caught off guard by the praise, grew slightly bashful. “Aren’t you people from scholarly families supposed to value propriety and decorum? Do you truly think my idea is good, or are you just humoring me?”

In her previous life, Nianxi likely wouldn’t have agreed, but having died and been given a second chance at life, her perspective had completely changed.

“All these rituals and formalities are nothing more than chains that bind people. Life is short—if one can bear the consequences, why not live a little boldly?”

“A soulmate! You’re absolutely a kindred spirit!” Xiao Nanxi exclaimed, leaping excitedly from her chair and grabbing Nianxi’s hands. “This princess has reserved a painted boat at Ningbi Lake today. Come with me for a lake cruise later!”

Nianxi hesitated.

In her past life, Princess Wen Shu had passed away early, and they had never interacted. Meeting her now, Nianxi couldn’t shake the feeling that the princess was a bit eccentric. Just as she was about to find an excuse to decline, a thought struck her. “Your Highness, I have some knowledge of divination. Judging from your facial features, it’s best not to go near the water today—it’s an ill omen.”