Yan Shian raised his wine cup and toasted the few classmates around him: “My cousin came all the way from our hometown. I’ve been coming to the academy every day but haven’t really talked to her properly. Today I must go back first. As an apology, this meal is on me.”

Dou Yuancheng drank his wine and stood up following him: “I’ll go with you.”

As the two left, Qiqi bowed to Zhang Shijin and quickly hurried after them.

Inside the room, there was a brief silence, then someone chuckled: “Dou Yuancheng really understands you, Zhang Shijin. Your methods are a bit dirty.”

“Don’t you all enjoy watching the drama just fine?”

Zhang Shijin looked at the wine in his cup, clearly disapproving of Yan Shian’s behavior — how he hid behind a refined and gentle exterior to act arrogantly and take all the benefits. He wanted to see what would happen once news spread that Yan Shian kept a courtesan by his side — would the women hoping to marry him still be interested?

Outside the tavern, Yan Shian mounted his horse with ease.

“Master Yan.”

Dou Yuancheng frowned. Today’s matter was obviously a trap set by Zhang Shijin. That woman couldn’t have been unaware. When he saw her catching up, he grabbed the reins to block her: “Miss Qiqi, Shian has no grudge against you and even gave you a large sum to buy your freedom. If you keep causing trouble here where there are many people, isn’t that just biting the hand that feeds you?”

Qiqi hurriedly stepped back. Yan Shian on horseback was backlit, making his expression hard to see.

“Master Yan’s kindness will never be forgotten by Qiqi.”

“To me, it was just a small effort. If this small effort can save you from misery, then it’s worth it.” Yan Shian lightly urged his horse forward. “Yuancheng, let’s go.”

Dou Yuancheng mounted and rode alongside him: “She will definitely come looking for you. This is a trouble you can’t shake off. Knowing it’s a trap by Zhang Shijin, why did you jump right in?”

“If I ignore it, after tomorrow, she’ll have no other chances in life. Put yourself in her shoes—if it were me, I’d grab any opportunity to fight for my life.”

“Your nature is too easy to manipulate. Zhang Shijin knew you’d save her, so he dared to use such a dirty trick.” Dou Yuancheng sighed: “You come from a wealthy family and could save many people, but you also have to think about whether you can get out of this mess without losing yourself.”

Yan Shian looked at his thoughtful friend and smiled sincerely: “Don’t worry, I’m not that foolish.”

“Besides studying, I haven’t seen much of your brains.” Dou Yuancheng took the chance to bring up something he heard earlier: “Your cousin came? You’re alone in the capital. If she wanted to find someone, shouldn’t she have gone to your parents? Why come to you?”

“That’s what my parents wanted.” For some reason, what he was about to say made Yan Shian’s heart beat faster: “She and I have a betrothal. She’s my fiancée.”

Dou Yuancheng was stunned: “You have a fiancée?!”

Yan Shian laughed: “Why can’t I have one?”

“No.” Dou Yuancheng pulled the reins to ride closer: “Don’t tell me you don’t know how many girls like you. At every big or small banquet, so many secretly come to see you. Didn’t Master Qixin try to arrange a match for you?”

“Master knew I was taking the imperial exam and turned them all down.”

“That’s even more suspicious.” Dou Yuancheng patted his horse’s back, making it trot lightly. Then he pulled the reins back to Yan Shian’s side and continued: “Master Qixin probably used your exam as an excuse to refuse. With your knowledge, you definitely won’t fail. Countless people are waiting to catch a husband off the list. And now you say you have a fiancée?”

“Now that you put it that way, I’m glad I have one. If I got caught off the list, who would come to save me?”

“I’d only help my sister catch you.” Dou Yuancheng still didn’t quite believe it: “Really? Think carefully — having a fiancée might not be all good for you.”

Thinking of the gluttonous peach-loving girl, Yan Shian lowered his head and smiled: “I think she’s pretty good.”

Dou Yuancheng was frustrated: “You always think everything’s good. That kind of attitude only makes you lose. If you had a strong wife’s family backing you in the capital, with your abilities you could do great things in the future. You’re cutting off your own path to success!”

“The path you walk on your own is the true path; everything else is just a shortcut.” Yan Shian patted his friend on the back. “I know what I want. Don’t pity me. I probably won’t go out much lately. If anyone invites me from your place, just refuse for me. My cousin just finished her mourning period; I want to spend more time with her.”

“The talented and handsome Master Yan actually has a fiancée! If this news spreads, tsk tsk, many hearts will break.”

Dou Yuancheng sighed deeply. He even considered making this classmate his brother-in-law. Many at the academy had the same idea. Though Yan Shian came from a humble background, his scholarship was top-notch, appearance excellent, personality great — with support, there was no fear he’d become ungrateful. Also, he was Master Qixin’s most valued disciple. Many families would be willing to marry their daughters to him.

“You can keep feeling sentimental. I’m heading back first.” Yan Shian waved his hand and spurred his horse home, looking as if someone was waiting for him there — he hurried eagerly.

Dou Yuancheng watched his back, unsure if this news should be kept quiet or spread. If it really got out, his sister might cry. What a troublemaker, so good-looking and causing a young girl to be completely dazzled — what a mess.

Learning that Shi Buyu hadn’t gone out, Yan Shian headed straight to her courtyard.

“Back early!” Shi Buyu was playing with fish, holding food in one hand and a pebble in the other. Nearby lay some fruit and tea — a scene of leisure.

Yan Shian looked at her left hand, then her right — feeling like two completely different temperaments mixed together, and quite harmoniously.

Shi Buyu tilted her head: “What happened?”

“Nothing major.”

Yan Shian took a handful of rice and threw it into the fish pond. She followed by throwing a pebble, startling the fish, which scattered. The rice sank uneaten. After a pause, he leisurely explained the whole matter.

“In short, you’re a wealthy and kind-hearted person. That Zhang Shijin took advantage of your personality, scheming to have you keep a courtesan and ruin your reputation.”

“More or less.”

Shi Buyu rested her head on her arm and looked at him: “She’ll definitely come looking for you. Do you have a backup plan?”

“I sent her away openly and far off. Zhang Shijin’s plan failed and my reputation was saved.”

Shi Buyu threw rice and pebbles simultaneously, watching as the trained fish didn’t swim far before returning to eat the rice.

“No rush, I’ll meet her.”

Yan Shian raised his eyebrows: “What do you want to do?”

“Do you know where news travels fastest and most reliably? The brothel.” Shi Buyu smiled softly: “More than meeting Miss Qiqi, I want to see Qimeng.”

Yan Shian listened to her tone, feeling like she had been to such places before.