Shi Buyu put on a pretentious act, wandered around outside for a bit, and then came back.

From afar, the bougainvillea on the courtyard wall no longer bloomed as full as before. Up close, its withering was even clearer.

The flowering season was almost over.

When she moved in, it had still been a wall of green. Counting carefully, it had already been almost five months since she met Yan Shian.

At first, she thought he was someone full of schemes, obsessed with the throne, full of conspiracies and sinister calculations. But after spending time with him, she realized he was actually a pitiful child— the most pitiable person she knew.

So when she arranged this banquet for him, he was happy. When friends hurried back for him, he was happy. Anything done for him made him happy.

How barren must one’s heart be to be so easily satisfied?

She jumped up and plucked a branch, touching the bougainvillea — Shi Buyu thought Yan Shian was as pitiful as this fading flower, making her want to share some delicious food and fun things with him, to cheer him up.

On the wind-and-rain corridor, soft cushions and small tables were added, with some food on them. She, however, unusually didn’t touch the food and instead picked up fish food to throw down.

Many small fish came to eat. Most of the food suitable for the table had already been eaten by her. She came several times a day to feed them, hoping they’d grow fast so she could eat them quickly.

Faint sounds came from afar — guests must be arriving one after another.

After waiting a while longer, the housekeeper returned.

“Is everything arranged?”

“Yan can handle those minor things quite well. It’s just that their status limits them; they can’t make decisions on their own.”

Wan Xia walked over to fix the young lady’s hair. She never expected people would come begging at the lady’s place — now the lady’s status in this household had become somewhat unclear.

But Wan Xia thought that was good — when it was convenient to act as a guest, she could be a guest; when it was better to act as the host, she could be the host. The lady should live as comfortably as she wished.

As for everything else, the old gentleman had said to just watch and not intervene; whatever happens in the future depends on the lady herself.

Feeling a bit lazy, Shi Buyu returned to the study and looked at the sheets of Xuan paper on the desk, feeling clarity in her heart.

Right now, the morale of the Danba Kingdom was high; before the winter ceasefire came, they wouldn’t just sit idle. She had never heard of reinforcements sent to the capital — the Grand Tutor was doing all he could to negotiate, but the food sent to the front lines was less than required, which further damaged morale.

Danba must have many spies in Dayou and would surely find the right moment to attack.

War reports should soon be arriving at the capital.

Danba, Zamu, and Dayou were originally a three-way power balance. Now one leg was twisted, but the other two were both ambitious and prosperous.

Danba had already made a move; Zamu was close behind.

“小十二” (Little Twelve).

Shi Buyu was startled, ran to the window, and looked outside: “Seventh Brother, why are you here?”

“Yan Gongzi’s (Young Master Yan’s) reputation in my Fusheng Sect has become legendary, making my sect famous. Now that he passed the imperial exam, I came to ask for some celebratory wine.”

Shi Buyu ran outside, hearing this, laughing: “What an excuse you’ve come up with.”

“The one I found is naturally excellent,” Cheng Junyu said as he looked at his junior sister whom he hadn’t seen for some time. She looked well.

Yan Shian stopped at the door: “I’ll leave Yan Yi here; Brother Junyu, you follow him later.”

Cheng Junyu cupped his fists: “I’ll come over later to congratulate you.”

Yan Shian nodded, smiled at Miss Shi, and quickly left.

Shi Buyu brought her brother into the study, and Wan Xia brought tea in.

Cheng Junyu smiled and asked: “Aunt Wan, how have you been recently?”

“Thanks for your concern, Seventh Young Master, I’m well.” Wan Xia knew very well that the seventh young master wasn’t here just to congratulate them. “Feel free to speak; I’ll keep watch.”

Cheng Junyu took a letter from his chest pocket and placed it on the desk: “The Ninth Brother sent a letter, specifically addressed to you.”

Shi Buyu opened the letter while asking: “Where did Ninth Brother go?”

“You’ll know after reading the letter.”

The letter was brief: “Little Twelve, how have you been recently? Ninth Brother sends you bad news — Danba and Zamu kingdoms have opened trade relations, and their princesses and princes are marrying. If they succeed, Dayou is in danger.”

Shi Buyu handed the letter to her brother, holding the teacup and slowly turning it in her hand.

“If those two kingdoms join forces, disaster will come to Dayou.” Cheng Junyu frowned deeply. Seeing that Little Twelve’s expression remained unchanged, he asked, “Aren’t you worried?”

“The three-way power balance has lasted nearly thirty years. That’s already a long time. No matter which country declines first, the other two will join forces. Now Dayou is just the meat on the chopping board.”

“What should we do?”

Shi Buyu looked baffled: “Seventh Brother, are you crazy? What does Dayou have to do with me? If they want to eat Dayou, let them eat! The more they consume, the more unstable the emperor’s throne becomes, and the greater the chance Yan Shian will succeed. We just need to wait.”

“Cut it out! The teacher spent so much effort on you — you can’t become someone who just watches the flames and waits to profit from them.”

Shi Buyu couldn’t help but laugh: “But I really can’t do much. Brother, I have no people, no troops. You know well no matter what I do, it will all end up on your shoulders. Because of that, I don’t make decisions lightly.”

Cheng Junyu took out a second letter: “It arrived with the letter from Ninth Brother.”

Shi Buyu just looked at the handwriting and knew it was from the White-bearded one. She snorted and refused to take it: “Didn’t he say he wouldn’t write to me?”

Cheng Junyu only smiled as he watched her. He saw her index and middle fingers tapping on the desk, then quickly grabbed the letter and opened it.

“小十二, stop slacking, time to work!”

Shi Buyu’s eyes widened in disbelief. She took the envelope and emptied it out, then smoothed the letter — indeed, it was only a single sheet!

“He only wrote these few words?” Shi Buyu slapped the letter on the desk, nearly jumping up. “There’s so much space left, couldn’t he fill the whole page?”

Cheng Junyu looked at the few characters — the handwriting was familiar, as was the style. When the teacher was with Little Twelve, it was either Little Twelve enjoying others’ misfortune or the teacher doing so; at least one of them was always down on their luck.

But…

Cheng Junyu lowered his gaze. “The teacher’s health hasn’t fully recovered. Third Brother’s last letter said he invited Gongyi to come and administer medicine. Only then could the teacher get out of bed.”

Shi Buyu was stunned: “It’s been so long and he still hasn’t recovered?”

“Big Brother is worried that Third Brother didn’t tell the whole truth. He’s already sent someone back. We’ll know once they return.”

The two siblings, who usually never took anything seriously when they met, fell silent. The teacher was already eighty-two. Compared to anyone, that was a long life. Poor health was normal, but still, they couldn’t accept it. That old man had to live to a hundred.

“Write to Third Brother and tell him to hide all the things the White-bearded one used for divination… no, that won’t work, he can’t hide them.” Shi Buyu thought for a moment: “Let Big Brother send someone to bring those things to the capital, so he can’t touch them. Didn’t he say I’m the life gate? Then I will be that life gate!”

Cheng Junyu looked at her with pain in his eyes: “Little Twelve, you know the teacher loves you the most. The teacher once tried to send you out of this mess, but failed.”

“I know he loves me,” Shi Buyu said firmly. So, she must love him too.