After eating hot rice, drinking hot soup, and sipping warm wine, Yan Shian finally soaked himself in a tub of hot water. He felt as if he were floating, as though all the things he’d once longed for but lacked were finally being made whole—someone had patched up all his missing pieces. For the first time, he tasted what completeness felt like.

How rare, that such a word would even appear in his life.

Smiling, Yan Shian let his senses sink into the moment’s warmth. By the time he woke again, it was already the early hours of the next day. He leaned against the bed, thinking for a moment, but had no memory at all of how he’d gone from the bath to the bed.

“Young Master, you’re awake?”

Yan Yi leapt up from the floor and handed him a cup of water.

Yan Shian took it and drank a couple of sips. “What time is it?”

“Almost dawn.”

Still early. For once, Yan Shian felt truly idle. Yet he had no desire to go to the study, to deal with the endless affairs waiting there.

Noticing Yan Yi stifling a yawn, Yan Shian said, “Why don’t you sleep a bit more?”

Yan Yi shook his head. “You slept early last night and didn’t even eat dinner.”

Then he asked, “Are you hungry? I can go get you something.”

“I’m not.” Yan Shian pointed to the footrest. “Sit down and talk with me.”

Yan Yi sat as instructed, waiting for the young master to speak.

“These past few days, other than my mother visiting, has anything else happened?”

Yan Yi thought for a moment and shook his head. “Nothing of note.”

“Not even with the young lady?”

Yan Yi hesitated, then asked, “Young Master, what kind of thing counts as something when it comes to the young lady?”

A good question. Yan Shian thought for a moment. “Everything counts.”

So Yan Yi began recounting events starting from when Yan Shian had left. “The young lady took He Yisheng to the Yixing Bookstore. They brought back a cartload of books. To make room, she moved some of the existing books into your study. The bougainvillea bloomed too wildly, so the young lady climbed up a ladder to trim it herself… but she didn’t do a good job. Aunt Wan scolded her and made her come down.”

Yan Shian chuckled. He could picture the scene vividly.

“And then?”

Yan Yi continued, “The young lady said the fish in the lotus pond tasted the best. She had Aunt Wan make several fishing rods. Qing Shan and Zhai Zhi joined in. Everyone caught fish—except the young lady. She swapped rods with everyone but still had no luck. So she begged Aunt Wan to make her a net. She finally caught some with that, and even bought some fingerlings to release into the pond—said there’d be more to eat next year.”

Seeing that the young master was listening with great interest, Yan Yi grew more animated. “A couple of days ago, during Mid-Autumn Festival, she learned to make mooncakes from Aunt Wan. She picked out the best-looking ones and sent them to Miss Qiqi so the girls in Floating Life Collection could taste them. As for the worst ones—no one knows where she sent those. She returned after dinner and then gathered us to admire the moon and celebrate the festival together.”

She probably went to find her seventh brother, Yan Shian thought. She wouldn’t want to disturb others on a night meant for family reunion.

Mid-Autumn Festival… In past years, he’d at least eaten a mooncake. This year, while sitting the imperial exam, he hadn’t even thought of it.

“The young lady also left something for you…” Meeting his master’s gaze, Yan Yi had a flash of insight. “I’ll go get it now.”

Yan Shian waited, but when Yan Yi didn’t return, he couldn’t stay in bed any longer. He got up and went to the outer room, sitting at the table facing the door.

A little while later, Yan Yi finally returned and quickly explained, “I warmed up the mooncakes a bit.”

Yan Shian looked at the two mooncakes in the bowl.

These were the most… uniquely shaped mooncakes he’d ever seen. One was flat with two protruding corners, and on top were what vaguely looked like eyes and a nose, though all quite lopsided—it took a moment to recognize the face. The other mooncake was clearly pinched with effort into a round shape, but ended up more oval.

“Are they all like this?”

Yan Yi quickly replied, “Each one is different. The young lady said mooncakes are like people—no two are exactly alike.”

Yan Shian laughed. That sounded exactly like something she would say. Aunt Wan probably indulged her too, likely even chiming in with, “The young lady is right,” encouraging her even more.

For Miss Shi to grow up with such a carefree nature, Aunt Wan surely deserved much credit.

He broke off a small piece and tasted it—it was surprisingly delicious. No need to ask to know that Aunt Wan had prepared the filling and simply let Miss Shi play with the rest.

Suddenly, Yan Shian realized he was famished and polished off both mooncakes.

“I’ll get you something else.”

“I’m full,” Yan Shian said, stepping outside. The sky was beginning to lighten. Dawn was near, and the wind carried a damp chill—it would probably rain today.

Mid-Autumn had passed. The weather was turning cold.

---

Shi Buyu sneezed as soon as she got up, the wind carrying drizzle through the open windows. Rubbing her nose, she peeked outside.

Ah, such a day—perfect for crawling back into bed.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option. Yan Shian was back. There were things she had to go over with him.

He Yisheng entered carrying breakfast. Lately, he’d been arriving early and staying until she went to sleep. He was getting better each day at looking after her.

But despite how well he served her, he never crossed the line—never tended to her directly, never stayed in the same courtyard, never touched her underclothes. He was more aware of propriety than Shi Buyu herself. Even Aunt Wan couldn’t find a single flaw in his conduct.

“It’s getting colder. Did you add an extra layer, miss?”

“I did.” Shi Buyu rested her chin in her palm and looked at him. “You’ve really taken to being my servant, huh?”

“What’s wrong with that? I feel at ease staying by your side.” He Yisheng finished setting the table. “And I know if I ever want to leave, you won’t stop me.”

“I’m more afraid you’ll cling to me and not leave!” Shi Buyu scooped two spoonfuls of pickles into her porridge. “It’s hard enough for Aunt Wan to take care of me. Add you in too, and we’ll definitely get caught if we have to run.”

He Yisheng’s expression remained calm, but there was the hint of a smile. It was clear she’d never once thought about being tied down—never imagined someone might anchor her in place. Someone like… him.

Though Yan Shian’s identity was never stated outright, they didn’t hide much in front of He Yisheng. Judging from their current activities, he must be of royal blood.

Hearing footsteps, He Yisheng turned to look. As Yan Shian entered, he quietly carried the tray away.

He hoped the young lady would never be tied down by anyone. She was meant to be like the wind—untouchable, unharmed, free to go wherever she pleased. Always joyful.

Shi Buyu looked up and asked, “Have you had breakfast?”

“I ate the mooncakes you left me.”

“Were they good?”

“Delicious.”

Shi Buyu beamed with satisfaction. “Go wait for me in the study. I’ll come over once I finish eating.”

Yan Shian nodded. “Can I look through everything in the study?”

“Go ahead. It’s not like I’d hide my secrets in your house.” Shi Buyu lowered her head and dug into her porridge.

Her secrets had all been buried long ago.