Not far away, inside the carriage, Lan Hua quietly glanced at her master, who wore an indifferent expression. She had never seen the young master smile like this before, nor had she ever seen him look so relaxed.

This was something the madam could never tolerate. She would never allow the young master to let his guard down. Now, seeing him act like this in front of this young lady, she feared…

Madam closed her eyes. “Return.”

Lan Hua dared not think too much and only hoped in her heart that madam still remembered the injury on the young master’s arm from last time.

The day after Yan Shian left the examination hall, Shi Buyu received news that the person investigating the chaotic burial ground had died. She was not surprised — she even thought the death was a bit late. This matter had to be stopped with them; otherwise, not only would Zhu Ling’s innocence be impossible to prove, but pulling up the radish would also bring out the mud, implicating more people.

She made no further moves, ordering all of Yan Shian’s subordinates to remain silent, as if her hand had never been involved. On the surface, the fight was still between Prime Minister Zhang and Grand Tutor Fu.

In the end, Minister Liu was arrested, his family’s property confiscated, and he was exiled. Zhu Ling emerged completely unscathed. On the Grand Tutor’s side, one was bitten back by the other. Overall, this round was a win that the emperor had effortlessly gained.

Taking down Minister Liu’s arrest warrant and throwing it into the fire basin, Shi Buyu walked over to the paper with Zhu Ling’s name recorded on it. How long would Prime Minister Zhang keep this person? If he stayed too long, it meant there was still something about Zhu Ling yet to be uncovered.

He Yisheng came in. “Miss, Yan Guan Shi is here.”

Hadn’t he just sent the message? Shi Buyu stepped out and saw that Yan Guan Shi was not carrying the familiar wooden box, and smiled: “I thought there’d be good news today.”

Yan forced a smile, unwilling to say some things, but could not avoid it: “Madam requests your presence.”

“I won’t go.”

“Miss…”

Half of this courtyard’s houses were built over a lotus pond, connected by wooden stairs. Shi Buyu crossed her arms, leaning on the railing, refusing to come down.

“I stay here because I have a deal with Yan Shian, but this deal doesn’t include going to curry favor with his mother. If she lived here, it would be proper for me to pay respects. If she came from somewhere else, as a guest I should pay respects as well. But if she invites me to meet her elsewhere, whether I go or not is my decision, not hers to command.”

Yan listened, both relieved and worried. “Madam’s temperament is strong. If you don’t go, I fear…”

“If I don’t go, does she intend to kill me or hit me?” Shi Buyu smiled. “Madam seems to have forgotten: I am a guest, an outsider. If any outsider dares to harm me, I will return the favor with all my strength.”

Shi Buyu leisurely climbed down the stairs. “Let’s see which consequence she cannot bear — hers or mine. Yan, no need to soften my words. Please relay my message exactly, not a word more or less. I have respected her for many years, and I ask her to understand that I am an outsider and do not have to submit to her control.”

Yan bowed and saluted. He knew these words would surely anger madam, but he was grateful. This was the first time in the young master’s life that madam wanted to take away someone near him but failed.

“Miss, rest assured, no one in the household dares to harm you.”

“If Yan Shian can’t even control this much, how can he handle anything else?” Shi Buyu waved her hand. “Go, and remember, every word exactly.”

“Yes.”

Wanxia came beside the young lady, frowning. “You’re here to help Master Yan. If she wants things to succeed, she shouldn’t make things difficult for you.”

“If a person only thinks about one thing for decades, madness isn’t far off.” Shi Buyu went outside the courtyard, watching the unfamiliar woman next to Yan. “Yan Shian grew up under her control. Last time, he even chose to harm himself rather than obey her. That happened after I appeared, so she’s blaming me for this.”

“It’s ridiculous. How could Master Yan always be a puppet in her hands?”

Shi Buyu turned back and looked at the blooming bougainvillea. So beautiful, she wanted to embrace it fully.

Thinking this, she had Qing Shan fetch a ladder. She climbed up, opened her arms, and hugged the bougainvillea. Flowers bloom from tiny buds into splendid blossoms — how much more so for people? When they gather enough strength, don’t their wings become strong?

Meanwhile, Lan Hua returned to her master’s side.

Seeing that she hadn’t brought anyone, madam silently looked at her.

Lan Hua bit her lip and faithfully repeated exactly what she had heard, without adding or subtracting a word.

Madam’s face turned dark. How many years had it been? How many years had no one dared oppose her like this?! Fine, just fine! Only a nature like this could stir her son’s thoughts!

In anger, madam suddenly coughed violently.

“Master, please listen to me.” Lan Hua patted her back gently. “While the young master is away, you move against the people around him. If he finds out, he will surely turn against you. That young lady knows your identity and still dares to speak like that — doesn’t it show she has no ulterior motives toward the young master? If she had, wouldn’t she endure whatever hardships you put her through? She only treats this as a transaction and sincerely fulfills it. What’s so wrong with that?”

“Of course it’s wrong!” Madam’s voice was hoarse. “How many girls in the capital fancy him? Have you ever seen him close to any of them? He is gentle and soft in front of Shi Buyu — how can he be that soft? If his will is worn down by this softness, how can he accomplish great things?”

“Master…”

“No need to say more.” Madam coughed again. “I absolutely will not allow it!”

Lan Hua grew anxious. Madam’s temper flared — what could be done now?

Shi Buyu did not expect to meet madam that very night, nor that she would directly knock on madam’s courtyard door.

She showed all due courtesy, led her inside, and sat in the main seat, folding her hands in a scholar’s greeting.

“Shi Buyu greets madam.”

Madam looked at her with hostile eyes.

Seeing no response, Shi Buyu was unbothered. Having fulfilled the etiquette, she took her seat below and waited for madam to speak her purpose.

Wanxia stood watch closely, ready to protect the young lady from attack.

“Yan said you are an old acquaintance, but I wonder which old acquaintance taught you such bad manners.”

“Is not accepting madam’s harassment bad manners?” Shi Buyu smiled. “If my teacher knew this, they would say I did well. If madam thinks her position is supreme and everyone else is worthless, then I should be grateful Yan Shian wasn’t raised by you — he is more compassionate than you. Isn’t madam aware of this, that’s why she dares to threaten Yan’s people with their lives?”

“What a sharp tongue!” Madam was even angrier. Her son had even confided such private matters to an outsider!

Shi Buyu’s smile never faded. “If madam dislikes me, everything I say is wrong. It would be better if madam leaves now, so she won’t hear more things she dislikes.”