Once the incident passed, Shi Buyu no longer gave it much thought—but clearly, others did.

Wan Xia became cautious. From then on, everything given to the young lady had to go through her first. She also informed Yu Liang and asked him to keep a closer eye on things.

Yan Ze, grateful that Miss Shi had taken the young master’s side, delivered a large braised pork knuckle early the next morning along with various fresh vegetables—the leafy greens still dewy with morning mist.

Even Luo Qing, who usually kept his distance, came by today. He had no place to speak on behalf of his master, but his words were full of implicit gratitude.

The cook, whom Yan Shi’an called “Granny,” brought over a big bowl of freshly fried small fish.

Wan Xia saw the young lady happily hugging the bowl and eating, and chuckled.
“Are you happy because the food is delicious, or because you’re happy for Young Master Yan?”

Shi Buyu thought for a moment.
“I should be happy for him… but right now, it’s definitely because these little fish are just too tasty.”

“I see. I’ll go learn this recipe from the old lady,” said Wan Xia with a smile.

Shi Buyu giggled. If A’gu could learn it, then even if she left the Yan family someday, she’d still get to eat it.

“From small things, you can tell the big picture. If Yan Shi’an treats his subordinates kindly, he’ll treat others well too.”

Wan Xia nodded. “As long as he’s not the type to burn the bridge after crossing it.”

“If he dares tear down my bridge, I’ll cut off his water and leave him to die of thirst,” Shi Buyu declared while chewing a mouthful of fish. She tried to sound fierce, but to Wan Xia, with her puffed-out cheeks, she looked more like a cheeky raccoon.

Keeping her promise, Shi Buyu went to pick Yan Shi’an up on the last day of his exams. Guarded by Yu Liang and Wan Xia, she squeezed through the crowd at the tribute hall entrance. Her red outfit stood out so much that Yan Shi’an spotted her immediately upon exiting and instinctively smiled before hurrying toward her.

“Easy to recognize, right?” Shi Buyu looked smug. “I figured there’d be a crowd today, so I dressed flashier so you’d see me at once.”

“Very easy to recognize.” Yan Shi’an noted how she’d even changed out of her usual round-collar robe. Dressed in red, she looked vibrant and healthy—clearly well taken care of during his absence.

“Let’s go home first,” Shi Buyu said as she pulled him through the crowd, raising her hand to wave at Yan Ze. “I figured your legs must be mush from these past days, so I brought the carriage.”

“Going home” sounded lovely. “Legs turning to mush” did not, Yan Shi’an thought to himself. But the smile on his face wouldn’t go away. He let Shi Buyu drag him wherever she wanted. But when he saw her hop up on the horse while he was getting into the carriage, his smile froze. Wait a minute—wasn’t this the wrong way around?

Wan Xia slowed her horse and turned her head to keep herself from laughing out loud.

Yan Ze, driving the carriage, had no way to avoid witnessing it. He stared straight ahead, trying to act blind and deaf, not even daring to think too much—he might burst into laughter.

His young master had never been treated like this before—hahahahaha!

Yan Shi’an tried to save face.
“My legs aren’t that weak. Why don’t we switch, and I’ll ride the horse?”

“You might not have joined the autumn exams before, but even I’ve heard how grueling nine days and seven nights can be. No need to feel embarrassed. Look around—how many people came in carriages to pick someone up?” said Shi Buyu. “Whatever others have, you should have too.”

She had said this before—and she did what she said. That moved Yan Shi’an. If it means being cared for this seriously, sitting in a carriage really isn’t bad at all.

They rode along, Yan Shi’an leaning by the carriage window to chat with her.
“You doing okay these past few days?”

“I’m fine,” Shi Buyu answered, her eyes darting mischievously. Though, she thought, someone who came storming in and left with nothing probably wasn’t.

But that had nothing to do with her. She hadn’t gone looking for trouble—she was the one others tried to bully and just failed to succeed.

Feeling justified, Shi Buyu suddenly spurred her horse toward a pastry shop.

Yan Shi’an didn’t think much of it, simply asked Yan Ze to stop and wait. Truthfully, he was completely worn out—not just from the food and lodging, but the exams themselves had drained his energy and spirit. The swaying of the carriage was starting to lull him to sleep.

“Young Master!” Yan Ze suddenly called out anxiously.

Yan Shi’an snapped awake and looked ahead.

“Aunt Lan.”

Lan Hua sighed inwardly. “Young Master, the Madam requests your presence.”

Yan Shi’an glanced at Shi Buyu, who was still buying pastries.
“Please wait for me up ahead, Aunt.”

Following his gaze, Lan Hua gave a respectful nod and left.

“What happened while I was gone?”

Yan Ze didn’t dare hide it. He quickly summarized the confrontation between the Madam and Miss Shi, especially recounting her words verbatim.

Yan Shi’an chuckled as he listened, the tightness in his chest easing a little, allowing him to breathe freely again.

“Sounds like she wasn’t at a disadvantage.”

Yan Ze looked over at Miss Shi, who was now playfully pestering Aunt Wan, and muttered, “More accurately, it was the Madam who couldn’t get the upper hand, and Miss Shi retaliated without mercy.”

“That’s good.”

“But Young Master, you just came out of the exam hall. You haven’t had a single warm meal, not even a proper bath. How can she… how can she…” Yan Ze was heartbroken. The Madam treated outsiders better than her own son.

Yan Shi’an looked at Shi Buyu galloping back with a box of pastries. Whatever shadow had begun to form in his heart completely vanished at her laugh.

“Hurry, help me carry this—A’gu’s going to take it away!”

Yan Shi’an took the box and put it behind him. “Have Yan Ze bring it to my study after we’re home. If you want some, just help yourself.”

Shi Buyu raised an eyebrow—that meant something.

Looking around, she spotted a vaguely familiar figure and instantly understood. “You’re done for.”

“I’m not,” Yan Shi’an replied. “There are some things only I can do.”

He stepped down from the carriage and looked up at her with a smile. “Thanks for coming to pick me up.”

“I said I would. Of course I meant it.” Shi Buyu looked at him, feeling a pang in her chest. She had the impulse to take him and run away. But in truth, she couldn’t even say much. That woman wasn’t her problem. Shi Buyu could fight and retaliate freely—Yan Shi’an couldn’t. That was his own mother.

“Granny said she’s making all your favorite dishes. A’gu’s pork knuckle is still being kept warm on the stove. Hurry back—cold food doesn’t taste as good.”

Yan Shi’an nodded. “I’ll be quick.”

A servant brought a horse over. He mounted up and lightly kicked to ride off—

“Yan Shi’an!”

He pulled the reins and turned back to face her.

“Remember this,” Shi Buyu said as she rode closer. “The Yan Shi’an standing here today—he came from twenty years of sacrifice and hardship. What others give you are just boosts. Whether you’re excellent or not depends only on you. Others’ denial doesn’t mean you’re bad. Others’ approval doesn’t mean you’re good. Anyone standing in front of you trying to judge you has their own agenda. Don’t fall into that trap. Whether you were good or not—history will judge that later.”

Yan Shi’an moved his horse even closer. “I am Yan Shi’an.”

“Well said, young man.”

Shi Buyu wore a smug, self-satisfied expression. Right now, she felt like a villain corrupting a good kid. Too bad! Being the bad guy feels awesome—hahaha!