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“Good morning, Young Master Yan.” Shi Buyu walked over in her usual brisk strides. “Will I have to keep dressing like this from now on?”
Yan Shi’an actually thought her current appearance suited her quite well, but judging from her tone, she clearly wasn’t happy with it. So he went along with her: “Once we enter the capital, you’ll only need to make minor adjustments.”
Shi Buyu was relieved. She disliked wasting time on appearances—she’d much rather get an extra half hour of sleep.
The group didn’t linger long in Fengrao County. Shi Buyu and her servant switched to a carriage, which made the journey slower. They didn’t reach the capital until almost noon.
Shi Buyu lifted the curtain and frowned at the long line ahead. “How long do you think it’ll take for us to get in?”
Yan Shi’an had been riding ahead, but upon hearing her voice, turned his horse around and rode back. “I’ve sent someone to speak with the guards. Those who reside long-term in the capital don’t need to wait in line.”
Shi Buyu understood immediately—residents of the capital were naturally less suspicious.
Sure enough, not long after, the person Yan Shi’an sent returned with permission. Shi Buyu let down the curtain and sat back.
The carriage rolled forward until it stopped at the city gate. Yan Shi’an handed over his personal token, as well as the tokens and travel permit for the two women in the carriage.
A member of the city guard examined the token, then glanced at the travel permit. “You’re coming from Baishui County?”
“Yes, two people—master and servant.” Without waiting for further questions, Yan Shi’an knocked lightly on the carriage.
Soon, Wanxia opened the carriage door from inside.
The guard stepped forward and looked inside. Indeed, there were only two women, with nowhere else for anyone to hide. He even crouched down to check beneath the carriage before handing the documents back and waving them through. The capital was a web of powerful connections—offending the wrong household could lead to serious trouble. The guards knew better than to cross anyone who might be important.
Entering the city turned out to be easier than expected.
Shi Buyu lifted the curtain again and leaned against the window, watching the scene outside. It wasn’t just those trying to get in—the line to leave was just as long. Under the scorching sun, people stood sweating profusely, yet none dared move out of line.
So many layers of checkpoints. The powerful couldn’t be stopped. The rich could bribe their way through. Even criminals slipped past. The ones who truly got stopped were always the honest, law-abiding commoners.
Wanxia gently pulled the curtain down and supported the slouching young woman against her shoulder. “The sun is too strong. Rest for a bit.”
“Aunt Wanxia, I suffer during the summer.”
“You don’t just suffer in summer, my lady. When your mood’s foul, every season is hard.”
Shi Buyu drifted off, leaning against the carriage wall.
At the Yan residence, the main gates stood wide open. Yan Ze led the household staff out to line the steps in greeting. Seeing no sign of their master yet, he turned to Luo Bo, who stood in the shade inside the doorway.
“By the timing, they should be here by now.”
“Passing through the city gate always takes a while,” Luo Bo replied.
Yan Ze knew that, of course, but he couldn’t help worrying. “The young master acted recklessly this time.”
“Or rather,” Luo Bo said, stepping from the shadows with his hands behind his back, “it’s the first time I’ve seen him act on impulse. I’ve served him for ten years, and yet this is the first time he’s taken a risk. Oddly, I feel a little happy. It makes him feel… more human.”
Yan Ze had served the young master even longer. He naturally understood what Luo Bo meant, but still cautioned, “The young master can’t afford to be impulsive.”
“If a bowstring is pulled too tight, it’ll snap.” Luo Bo looked toward the end of the alley where the carriage had just appeared. He adjusted his robes and stepped outside.
The carriage came to a stop. Yan Shi’an raised his arm to assist Shi Buyu, who accepted his help without hesitation as she stepped down.
“Greetings, Miss Biao (cousin),” the servants bowed.
Shi Buyu raised an eyebrow at Yan Shi’an. “All this for me?”
Yan Shi’an’s tone was solemn as he addressed the servants, “From this day forth, Miss Biao is considered half a mistress of this house. If anyone shows her disrespect, they will not be let off lightly.”
“Yes, sir.”
‘Miss Biao’ took a moment to adjust to her new title, but as she thought about how many people would now be serving her, she felt she was already getting used to it. Her memories before the age of three were vague. Later, she’d been dragged all over the country by the white-bearded old man. If Aunt Wanxia was ever sent off on an errand, she sometimes couldn’t even eat properly. She’d never lived a life of luxury with servants at her beck and call—this would be a nice change.
Yan Shi’an dismissed the rest of the staff, leaving only Luo Bo and Yan Ze to accompany them. As he led her inside, he pointed things out along the way: where the study was, the guest quarters, where banquets could be hosted, and so on.
Shi Buyu listened carefully, and by the time they reached the main hall, she had already memorized the layout.
“Luo Bo’s full name is Luo Qing—he’s my advisor. Yan Ze is the head steward; he manages all affairs within the residence.”
The two men stepped forward and bowed.
Shi Buyu lifted a hand in a casual gesture of acknowledgement. From Yan Shi’an’s attitude, it was clear these were trusted aides.
He continued, “There hasn’t been a mistress in the household before, so there are only a few older female servants. There’s no woman in charge of household affairs yet. Aunt Wanxia, from now on, they’ll report to you.”
Wanxia didn’t decline. Since her young lady would be staying long-term, it made sense to take control. Still, she added, “Young Master Yan, you may call me Aunt Wanxia.”
“Since Miss Shi is my cousin and she calls you Aunt Wanxia, it’s only proper I do the same. You should address me as ‘Young Master Biao’ from now on,” Yan Shi’an explained. “It’s best if we use consistent titles both inside and outside the residence to avoid suspicion.”
That actually sounded reasonable. Wanxia looked to her lady for the final word.
Shi Buyu didn’t care about such trivialities and nodded her agreement. What she was more interested in was: “Your identity—do the servants here all know?”
“They do. Did you notice there are no very young servants among them?”
That “cousin” again? Shi Buyu was proud by nature and responded crisply, “If you hadn’t mentioned it, cousin, I really wouldn’t have noticed.”
Ahem—Yan Shi’an turned his head and covered his smile with a light cough. “The youngest servant here is Yan Yi, my personal attendant, and he just turned seventeen. Everyone else has been with me for many years and has no family burdens. Anyone problematic wouldn’t have lasted this long.”
Shi Buyu nodded. Clearly, someone powerful had been backing Yan Shi’an all along. It would take an extraordinary mentor to guide and shape him into what he had become. With his status, the people serving him had undoubtedly been carefully selected from a young age.
Yan Shi’an added, “The current turbulence won’t die down quickly. You’d best stay in for now and rest for a while.”
“What about you? Still going to the academy?”
“Of course.”
Shi Buyu found him intriguing. On one hand, it seemed like he had no plans—but on the other, his influence had clearly already extended far and wide. He was calm and calculating. Even though he held the initiative in their dealings, he hadn’t rushed her to make any commitments.
“I thought you’d want to talk with me about future plans.”
“Those who seek great achievements must avoid impatience, impulsiveness, and greed,” Yan Shi’an said with a light smile. “I’ve already gained a strong ally in you. If I then rush to seize more, I fear you’d only end up disappointed in me.”
“Not disappointed,” Shi Buyu said frankly. “But I’d certainly be sure to prepare more backup plans for myself.”
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Lhaozi[Translator]
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