Since it was a lotus appreciation banquet, the poetry gathering naturally revolved around lotuses.

Beside the winding stream, Yan Shi’an watched helplessly as the wine cup landed in front of him once again, smiling with exasperation. “I see what this is—you’ve all teamed up against me.”

“Finally figured it out!” The man sitting above him burst into laughter. “Come on, give us another good poem.”

“I’ve barely sat down and already recited three poems. Forget Yan Shi’an running out of talent—even Jiang Lang himself would accuse you of bullying him,” Yan Shi’an protested, waving his hands. “No more, no more.”

“Then three cups as punishment.” Zhu Ran leaned forward from the front, peering over. “Princess Qinghuan gave her orders—Young Master Shi’an must recite five poems. You’re still two short, or you’ll have to answer to all of us.”

Why would Qinghuan be here?!

There were countless feasts and banquets in the capital, yet Qinghuan was never someone who attended just because she was invited. But now she had shown up at a minor banquet hosted by a fifth-rank honorary official. Yan Shi’an pondered over her intentions as he lifted his wine cup, appearing to hesitate—or perhaps he was simply composing lines in his mind. Whatever the reason, there could only be one conclusion: she had come for him.

By now, that young lady had already gone over. Considering Qinghuan’s personality…

Yan Shi’an sighed, resigned, and composed another poem. When the next round came and the cup landed in front of him again, he seemed ready this time. Standing up, he raised his wine cup high toward the crowd, downed it in one gulp, tossed the cup aside, and effortlessly recited a seven-character quatrain.

It was a completely different demeanor from usual—arrogant, bold, even a bit wild.

His boldness stirred the others, who cheered loudly and drank heartily in unison.

Dou Yuancheng tapped his wine cup. “Gentlemen, shouldn’t we go admire the lotuses now? If we wait much longer, all we’ll see are closed buds.”

“Brother Dou is right. Any later and we’ll miss the best of it,” Zhu Ran stood up. “Come on, let’s go enjoy the lotus pond!”

The group moved in a lively procession to the lotus pond. From afar, they offered courteous greetings—the men graceful and refined, the women poised and dignified.

Yan Shi’an scanned the crowd but saw no sign of that young lady. Though he knew she wasn’t someone to be easily bullied, he couldn’t help feeling a bit concerned—after all, Qinghuan was no ordinary person in both conduct and status.

“Huh? That figure in the pavilion—doesn’t look like Princess Qinghuan?”

Yan Shi’an instinctively turned to look at the waterside pavilion. He couldn’t make out the face, but the silhouette was unmistakable—dressed in a red-and-white blouse and skirt, with a maid in purple beside her. Who else could it be but that young lady and her servant?

Given the reason they came to the Zhu household today, being placed in such a conspicuous position couldn’t have been her idea. Which meant—it had to be Qinghuan’s doing.

“That’s my cousin. She’s obsessed with lotuses—probably wandered over there without even realizing it.” Yan Shi’an cupped his hands to the crowd. “I’ll go check on her.”

Dou Yuancheng reminded him, “You should greet the Princess first.”

“Where is she?”

Zhu Ran, having already heard what had happened from the servants, replied, “The Princess went boating to pick lotus flowers. She won’t be back anytime soon. Let’s enjoy the view first—we can greet her when she returns.”

No one objected. If they waited too long, the lotus blossoms would start closing, and it would be a waste to just stand around.

Yan Shi’an quickly walked up the wooden path. As he got closer and saw the girl’s usual calm demeanor, most of his worries melted away. “Seeing you here the moment I arrived gave me quite a scare.”

Shi Buyu smiled. “Why? Am I not allowed to be here?”

“At any banquet, the best spot is always reserved for those people.”

See? Such a simple truth. Shi Buyu smiled faintly. “Princess Qinghuan’s trap was laid quite clearly. I’m just a little cousin—earned no goodwill from the noble ladies, and already racked up a basket of disfavor.”

“People who don’t matter—no need to worry about them.”

Exactly. Resorting to pitting women against each other was a petty move. Shi Buyu never intended to work from within the inner chambers.

They exchanged a glance—both thinking the same thing—and instantly felt much better.

The pavilion was surrounded by water, making it an ideal place to talk.

Yan Shi’an took a few steps forward, gazing at the beautiful scene ahead and the small boat heading toward them. “What’s your plan?”

“You weren’t exactly honest, Young Master Shi’an. Didn’t even tell Princess Qinghuan she wants you as her consort.”

“Others might not understand the reason, but you do.”

Shi Buyu couldn’t hold back her laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “If you succeed, I’ll be sure to bring this up in front of her. Her expression will be delicious.”

Yan Shi’an couldn’t help smiling too. “I honestly don’t know whether to ask you to spare me, or to spare her.”

Their banter faded, replaced by silence—this wasn’t the right place for deep conversation.

The boat drew near. Yan Shi’an bowed toward Princess Qinghuan as she waved.

Qinghuan had the boat dock by the pavilion, then held up a bouquet of lotus flowers, offering them to him. “Young Master Shi’an, please accept this.”

Yan Shi’an looked at the bouquet, momentarily stunned. If Shi Buyu ever brought up this moment in the future, would she wish she could go back in time and toss him into the lake?

“Do you not think the flowers are beautiful, Young Master Shi’an? No matter—I’ll go pick more.”

“They’re beautiful,” Yan Shi’an accepted the lotuses. “Thank you for the gift, Princess.”

“This isn’t a gift most people get,” Qinghuan stepped closer. “With just a nod, I can offer you many more ‘one-of-a-kind’ things.”

“……”

Princess Qinghuan giggled and waved her hand. Her boat drifted away as she spun in place twice and fell into Zhan Yan’s arms, gleefully stroking his firm chest.

Yan Shi’an felt the bouquet in his hands burning hot—he couldn’t toss it, yet didn’t want to hold it either.

“Do you not think the flowers are beautiful, Young Master Shi’an?” Shi Buyu asked with a sly smile, her voice teasing and low. “No matter—I’ll go pick some for you. Just point out which one you want, and I’ll swim over and get it.”

Yan Shi’an coughed, trying not to laugh. “How about we just pick one from home?”

“No can do. The lotus pond at home is small. Pick one and it’ll look bare.” Shi Buyu refused decisively, completely forgetting that the courtyard wasn’t even hers—let alone the pond.

Yan Shi’an didn’t bother reminding her. He turned to look at the lavishly indulgent Qinghuan and said, “Now that I have these flowers, no one will trouble you.”

Shi Buyu understood the implication. Qinghuan had been the one to leave her here—yet she had also been the one to gift flowers to Yan Shi’an. This move created just enough ambiguity. No matter how it was interpreted, it all pointed to romantic entanglements. Everyone knew Princess Qinghuan fancied talented young men, and there had long been rumors of her liking Yan Shi’an—wanting to keep him close. But he had politely declined, claiming he was focused on his studies. Her treatment of that Luo family girl earlier suddenly made perfect sense.

Neither of them intended to go head-to-head with Qinghuan. Since she wanted Shi Buyu to remain here, Yan Shi’an would simply stay too—and enjoy the most stunning view of the lotus pond.

As the sun rose higher and the lotus flowers began to close, Princess Qinghuan was the first to leave. Her maid approached and delivered a message: “Her Highness says what she said earlier still stands. Young Master Shi’an is welcome to send a calling card anytime.”

Yan Shi’an gave a slight bow. “I’m preparing for this year’s autumn examinations.”

The maid understood and respectfully took her leave.

Once she was gone, Shi Buyu leaned in with a grin. “What did she say earlier…?”

“It’s time to go home,” Yan Shi’an quickly walked ahead up the path, clearly not wanting to say another word about it.