Yan Shian was just about to stand and introduce himself when the person beside him said,
“His name is Yan Shian, but it’s a false one. As for his real name, it’s not time to reveal that yet. He and I made a deal—he helped me break the prisoners out, and I’ll help him accomplish his mission. He has fulfilled his part, so now it’s my turn. When Aunt returns, I’ll go down the mountain with him.”

Shi Yan’s heart sank. “Accomplish what?” he asked.

“To replace the man on the throne.”

The sharp intake of breath that followed was unmistakable. The sheer audacity of those words left everyone staring at her, as if she were simply discussing the weather.

Shi Yan stood up, his voice grave.
“Buyu, do you even realize what you’re saying? The title Marquis of Loyalty and Courage was earned through generations of integrity and valor. Never once has our family disgraced that legacy.”

“And what if the current emperor never had a rightful claim to the throne in the first place? Would dragging a usurper off the throne tarnish the name of the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage? And if it does…”

Shi Buyu gave a slight smile. “Then cast me out of the family.”

The room fell into stunned silence.

Marquis of Loyalty and Courage. Generations of the Shi family had held themselves to the strictest standards of loyalty and courage. Yet now, one of their own spoke as if that legacy meant nothing—and what’s worse, her words actually made a certain amount of sense…

Cough. Shi Qing broke the silence with several coughs. Then he asked,
“Do you have any proof?”

“You all know the Marquis better than I do. Would he ever betray the country? If not, then why frame him for a crime that guarantees his death? Why ensure that not even a baby from the Shi family is left alive?”

Eradicate the root. The words echoed in every mind.

Shi Buyu continued,
“The late emperor grew up in the Shi household. The former Marquis taught him spear and fist techniques. They were companions since youth. Who in the entire court could match that kind of bond? The late emperor’s death was sudden—can any of you say with certainty that the Marquis didn’t investigate in secret? And wouldn’t those with guilt in their hearts be the ones most afraid of being found out?”

Yan Shian reacted instantly and stood up sharply.
“You’re saying… the Marquis must have discovered something, and that’s why he was destroyed?”

“It’s only my speculation. But the white-bearded man has a point.” Shi Buyu looked at him.
“He’s sat on that throne for twenty years. Why would he suddenly move against a loyal Marquis who posed no threat—unless he felt threatened? Or do you truly believe the Marquis betrayed his country?”

“The Marquis would never do that,” Yan Shian said, slowly sitting down again. Though Shi Buyu’s words had shaken him, he still had his reason. Just as she said, the late emperor had grown up in the Shi household and had been deeply close to the Marquis. Even with his last breath, he asked his mother to find the Marquis. If anything, it was the Empress Dowager who didn’t fully trust the Marquis—not the emperor.

Shi Xu, however, thought of something else.
“Did the old master know your plan?”

“He did.” Shi Buyu lowered her gaze.
The old man rarely read fortunes, but Eleven Brother had once said the last time was thirteen years ago. Afterward, he went to the capital and brought her back. When he learned of the Marquis’s downfall, he read the stars again. He wouldn’t say what he saw—only that she had to return to the capital. He spoke like a lunatic, and if not for his frail health, his beard would’ve been yanked out one strand at a time.

“And he didn’t try to stop you?”

“No.”

Shi Xu exchanged glances with Third Uncle.
He didn’t fully know who that old Daoist really was. His grandfather once said he was no ordinary man—even the late emperor had treated him with respect and called him sir. With such a protector, Buyu’s future would be secure.

Over the years, Shi Xu had watched her grow—from a sharp, cold, and aggressive child into someone more unruly and expressive by the year. Her gaze had softened. Her claws were still sharp but now wielded with control, no longer harming others or herself without realizing it.

He had spent over a decade shaping her into who she was. And now, he wouldn’t stop her from turning the world upside down.

Shi Xu looked at the only outsider in the room—Yan Shian.
“Shian.” The name symbolized peace in all directions.

“This matter has little to do with any of you. Don’t overthink it,” Shi Buyu said as she stood.
“I’m tired. I’m going to rest.”

Yan Shian stood as well.
“All necessities—food, clothes, daily supplies—will be sent later. For now, it’s best everyone stays on the mountain.”

This was currently the Shi family’s greatest concern. Shi Yan rose and bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Young Master Yan.”

Everyone followed suit except for Shi Qing.
Though it was Shi Buyu’s plan that got them out of prison, it couldn’t have happened without Yan Shian’s help.

Shi Yan continued,
“Since Buyu made a deal with Young Master Yan on the Shi family’s behalf, then this deal involves us all. If there’s anything you need, as long as it’s within the Shi family’s power, we won’t refuse.”

Yan Shian naturally understood the deeper meaning behind those words. He looked toward the door, where someone had just turned back.

“My deal with him isn’t something any of you can fulfill. And the master I serve—you can’t serve him either.”
Shi Buyu’s voice was soft, but her words carried undeniable weight. She showed no deference just because the other was her elder.

Shi Yan wanted to speak again, but Shi Qing suddenly interrupted.
“Shi Xu, have your mother make proper arrangements for our honored guest. Do not treat them lightly.”

Shi Xu quickly obeyed and led the two away.
Buyu had bared her claws—if they kept pushing, the relationship might sour before it had a chance to grow.

Once everyone else was dismissed, only Shi Yan remained.

“Second Uncle, why did you stop me?”

Shi Qing dipped his finger in tea and wrote the characters for “Yan Shian” on the table.
“Look.”

Shi Yan stared at the name but saw nothing unusual.
“Buyu said it’s a false name.”

Shi Qing wrote it again—this time horizontally, from left to right instead of vertically.
“Now look again.”

Shi Yan didn’t know what his uncle was getting at, but when he saw the name written like that, he froze.
With “Yan” and “Shian” written closely together… wasn’t that… Ji? Ji?

A member of the imperial family?

Buyu said the current emperor gained the throne improperly—then that could only mean he took it unjustly from the late emperor. And the late emperor… had died so suddenly…

Shi Yan looked at his uncle in shock.
“You’re saying… you’re saying…”

“Consider his age—it’s not impossible.”
Shi Qing gently massaged his wrist. His body was weak, and after so many sunless days in prison, combined with the ordeal today, every bone in his body ached. But his mind was sharp and excited.
If his theory was right, then the Shi family… might still have a chance to rise again.

Shi Yan paced back and forth, both excited and anxious.
“I trust that Buyu learned great skills from that Daoist. But she’s only sixteen—no matter how talented, this is too much.”

“You remember her as the disaster child, but forget how she got that name.”
Shi Qing’s gaze shone with intensity.
“In all my life, I’ve never met a child smarter than Buyu. You won’t find many like her in the history books either. And if that Daoist truly is a mighty figure—then with Buyu’s talent, under his teaching… how can you be sure she doesn’t have the power to shake the heavens?”

“Maybe she does.”

“If she really can succeed, then that would be wonderful. But if she fails, she’ll die with no way out.”

“If we don’t bet everything now, then the Shi family will carry the crime of treason for generations to come. Our descendants will live in shame and fear, with no future at all. And what would be the point of such a Shi family?”
Shi Qing walked to the door and looked up at the sky, now dyed red with sunset.
“We already sent the children away—we’ve left behind enough incense offerings.”

Shi Yan stepped forward and looked up at the same sky with his second uncle. After a moment, he smiled.

“Father used to say that Second Uncle could’ve been the boldest and most strategic general, if only you had a healthy body. He was right.”

“I used to think so too. But not anymore.”
Shi Qing clasped his hands behind his back and stepped outside. His voice was low.
“I must live—so I can watch the Shi family rise again from where it fell. Otherwise… how could I die in peace?”

Shi Yan’s eyes reddened instantly.
His father had been loyal all his life, only to meet such a tragic end.
How could he possibly rest in peace?