This time, Yan Ze returned directly with a reply—
A pile of paper torn to shreds.

And the painting from last time.

“Miss Lan Hua said you needn’t take this matter to heart. She’ll handle Madam and soothe things over—just focus on your own affairs. Also,” Yan Ze glanced at his young master and continued, “Miss Lan Hua said, if Miss Shi sends anything else to Madam, you don’t need to intervene. She said Miss Shi won’t suffer any losses, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Seems everyone can see that Miss Shi means no harm,” Yan Shi’an said, tilting his chin slightly. “She’s just too stubborn to acknowledge it. Give this to her. No need to keep it secret.”

“Yes, sir.” Yan Ze began rewrapping the package. “If Miss Shi writes again, shall I continue delivering her letters?”

“There probably won’t be another one.” Yan Shi’an smiled. She had won—she must be smiling happily right now. He just didn’t know if next time she would be the one to initiate, or if his mother would provoke her again.

Strangely enough, all the helplessness and disappointment he once felt toward his mother had somehow disappeared after Miss Shi’s round of mischief. In its place was… a faint sense of anticipation. That was truly Miss Shi’s unique ability—however difficult the problem, once it reached her hands, it became effortlessly simple.

He gently unrolled the painting. Though he already knew what was drawn, with each section revealed, his heart leapt higher with anticipation and delight. She had painted him, bit by bit—his features, his face, his hands, his body, even his expressions, all carefully depicted by her own hand.

What was she thinking as she painted it?

He softly touched the green-robed figure on the third floor of Floating Life Studio. There had been a time when he saw her standing in that exact spot, wearing clothes of the same color, looking down at him—and that time, he had won first place.

The rest of the painting, though the “hanging by the beam and stabbing with an awl” part was a bit exaggerated, was otherwise so accurate it seemed as if she had witnessed it herself. Even Yan Yi’s dozing posture was captured vividly. Maybe she had come one night, silently watching without disturbing him.

Judging by this painting, at least for now, Miss Shi bore him no ill will. He just didn’t know if he had reached the stage of being “half-familiar” or already a “friend.” He didn’t dare ask.

Still, it must be more familiar than before.

That was enough.

---

Elsewhere, Shi Buyu was laughing loudly while hugging the bundle of shredded paper. “I’m keeping this. Next time she comes looking for trouble, I’m going to burn it piece by piece right in front of her—starting with her claws!”

Yan Ze gave a mock bow. “Cousin, please show some mercy.”

“Fine, I won’t burn it piece by piece. I’ll torch the whole thing at once.”

“…” Yan Ze had never seen this kind of mercy. He quickly changed the subject. “Cousin, would you like some fish sashimi? I can bring over two fresh carp tomorrow.”

Of course Shi Buyu wanted to eat it! But—

She pointed to Aunt Wan and waved her finger, urging him to go speak to her.

Yan Ze gave a dry cough and approached Wan Xia. “Aunt Wan, there will be fresh fish delivered tomorrow. May I bring two carp?”

“Bring some lamb instead,” Wan Xia replied, pretending not to see the silent exchange between the two. “It’s winter now—she should be drinking more lamb soup to stay warm. No more carp deliveries for the time being.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Yan Ze glanced apologetically at Miss Shi. He had tried—but if Aunt Wan said no, there was no helping it. Even the young master had to consider Aunt Wan’s mood—they didn’t dare go against her.

Shi Buyu slumped her shoulders. Looked like she wasn’t going to taste it again this year.

Yan Ze now found everything about his cousin pleasing, completely forgetting she had secretly fed the young master food from outside. If he could, he’d have bought her two fish right then and had his mother cook them for her. But in the end, he didn’t dare. With a cupped fist, he quickly took his leave.

Wan Xia came over and tapped her on the forehead, making her bounce like a roly-poly doll. “Now that the weather’s turned cold, you can’t eat raw and cold food anymore. If you really want it, Auntie will let you—but you have to train with me for one hour a day.”

“I don’t want it anymore! I give up!” Shi Buyu had already tasted the pain of physical training. She’d rather sacrifice her appetite than go through that again. Wasn’t sitting comfy enough? Wasn’t lying down relaxing? Why suffer like that? No way!

Wan Xia gave her a scolding look. “You lazybones.”

“Even the meat says it’s lazy,” Shi Buyu muttered.

Wan Xia couldn’t help but laugh, tapped her forehead again, then went off to work.

Shi Buyu tied up the bundle, gave it a toss, glanced around the room, and decided that anywhere she put it would feel like clutter. Finally, she threw it to the floor and kicked it under the cabinet. Out of sight, out of mind.

---

In the blink of an eye, it was already October.

As the results announcement drew near, the scholars and students of the capital slowly sobered up from their days of revelry and began discussing their chances of success.

Some were confident of victory, others anxious, while a few acted indifferent, declaring that if not this time, then the next.

In recent days, Yan Shi’an had attracted plenty of attention. The moment he stepped outside, he was besieged with questions. In the end, he stopped going out entirely, staying home for some peace—though even at home, there were a few people he couldn’t keep out.

“How long has it been since I last came to your place? When I walked in today, I almost thought I had the wrong house.” Dou Yuancheng grinned roguishly. “Having a fiancée really makes a difference—even your house looks more pleasant now.”

Yan Shi’an asked knowingly, fishing for praise. “Better than before?”

“Obviously. Coming here before, I practically had to match my steps exactly. If one foot strayed an inch ahead of the other, I’d feel like I needed to make it up.”

Was it really that bad? Yan Shi’an laughed. “Why didn’t you ever say so?”

“Who comes to your house and then criticizes it? That wouldn’t be right.” Dou Yuancheng suddenly leaned in closer. “I heard something recently. You know that big chrysanthemum banquet Zhang Shijin hosted on the ninth day of the ninth month? Even invited Princess Qinghuan. Guess what happened?”

Qinghuan—fearless, always at odds with Zhang Shijin. As soon as Yan Shi’an heard this, he knew it wasn’t good. “What?”

“You know Zhang Shijin never got along with you. That day, a whole crowd of sycophants were flattering him, saying all kinds of nasty things about you. Princess Qinghuan overheard them and, right in front of everyone, gave them a good mocking. She said something like—‘Only those with a pure heart can have the face of an immortal. Those with a cesspit in their heart will have filth pouring from their mouth, eyes, and ears.’ I hear it was very awkward. She left immediately after, and everyone else lost interest. The banquet ended in gloom.”

“Sounds like quite the scene. How come I never heard about it?”

“You’ve practically been living in Floating Life Studio lately. How would you hear anything?” Dou Yuancheng teased. “But seriously, it didn’t spread far. Zhang’s guests were all his own circle. Afterward, Master Zhang personally went around asking people to keep it quiet. Everyone complied publicly, though some still whispered about it. But one thing’s certain—Zhang Shijin must hate you even more now.”

Yan Shi’an chuckled softly. “Let him. It’s nothing new.”

True that. Dou Yuancheng shrugged and dropped the subject. No need to talk about such unpleasant people.