Shi Buyu carefully put her brother’s letter away into a box. “I didn’t expect that not only was Zhu Lingfei not eliminated, but he’s even involved in corpse dumping. Have you found out anything unusual about him?”

Yan Shian shook his head. “I’ve had people watching him specifically, but so far, nothing has turned up. I sent someone to his hometown to investigate—it’s far, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

“The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that man is hiding a big secret.” Shi Buyu took out an invitation and handed it over. “The day after tomorrow, our Seventh Brother is planning to hold a grand gathering at the Floating Life Pavilion, and female companions are allowed.”

Yan Shian paused and looked up. “Will Qinghuan be coming?”

“I’m guessing Zhang Susu will be there too,” Shi Buyu said with a smile. “I’ve set the stage for them. Let’s hope they put on a good show.”

“What if they call me out by name? What am I supposed to do then?”

“Female companions are allowed, of course you’ll bring me. We’ll adapt as the situation unfolds. I’m delicate—could faint at any moment.” Shi Buyu propped her cheek on her hand and winked at him. “How could I miss such a spectacle?”

Yan Shian reminded her, “You’re part of the spectacle too.”

“Wrong. With me, it becomes even more spectacular.”

At Shi Buyu’s insistence, she applied delicate makeup to appear frail and left behind A’Gu, who only wanted to stay downstairs to watch the carriage. She followed Yan Shian softly and gently into the Floating Life Pavilion. It was the first time she had openly stepped into her own territory.

Qi Qi, who was already there, blinked at her subtly. Shi Buyu followed closely behind Yan Shian and, under everyone’s watchful gaze, took a seat at an empty table on the second floor.

Yan Shian kept glancing at her, finding this version of Miss Shi refreshingly novel. But in the eyes of others, his behavior looked deeply affectionate. That gaze, that expression—completely crushed any speculation that he might be pretending to resist while actually welcoming her affections.

Shi Buyu leaned in and whispered, “Seventh Brother said he hired a cook with excellent skills, particularly in making dishes that pair well with wine. Can you have someone send some over?”

Yan Shian leaned in close and replied in a low voice, “I’ve been here many times and never paid attention to the food. Not sure what they have. I’ll ask if they have any fish snacks.”

Shi Buyu’s eyes lit up, nodding eagerly.

Yan Shian didn’t call anyone over. Instead, he stood up and went to ask carefully. After a while, he returned and whispered to Shi Buyu again, “No fish snacks, but they have fish bones. Supposedly one of the Pavilion’s signature dishes. I ordered a few others too. We’ll try them, and if they’re good, I’ll order more.”

“Alright.” Shi Buyu actually had nothing else to say, but to maintain the illusion of a loving relationship with her fiancé—and to paint Zhang Susu, who would try to split them up, as the villain—she stayed close, searching for things to talk about. “Do you know all these people?”

“I’ve seen most of them. Some I know, some I don’t.” Yan Shian’s eyes swept across the room. Those who met his gaze either greeted him with a clasped fist or quickly looked away. It was easy to see who he had relationships with and who he didn’t.

“Since it’s a cultural gathering, there’ll definitely be poetry contests. Be sure to stand out—don’t hold back. The more talented you appear, the more envy you’ll draw.”

“…” Yan Shian looked at her, at a loss for words.

Shi Buyu gave him a wide grin. And since she was sitting very close to him, to outsiders it looked as though they were practically leaning into each other. Everyone who saw them believed without doubt that they were deeply in love. After all, eyes don’t lie—and Yan Shian’s eyes seemed permanently fixed on his fiancée’s face.

As soon as Zhang Susu arrived and heard Yan Shian was there, she rushed upstairs—without waiting to hear the part about him bringing a female companion—and walked straight into a scene of deep affection. She was so furious she nearly passed out and immediately lashed out with a whip.

Yan Shian barely had time to shield Miss Shi behind him, while Yan Ze, quick on his feet, stepped in front of his master and took the blow.

The second floor fell into dead silence.

Shi Buyu nearly broke character from her fragile expression. She subtly pushed Yan Shian aside and stepped forward to check on Yan Ze’s injuries. Luckily, the weather had turned cold and Yan Ze was well bundled—he would be in pain, but likely not hurt. A faint red mark was visible on his neck.

Yan Ze whispered, “Miss, I’m fine.”

Yan Shian’s expression turned cold. “Miss Zhang, this is not the Zhang family residence. You can’t throw tantrums here!”

Zhang Susu ignored him and raised her hand for another strike, but someone who had followed her quickly restrained her. He chuckled awkwardly. “My sister was impulsive. She couldn’t bear to see the one she loves being kind to another. I hope you, Master Shian, can understand.”

This was Zhang Lezhi, the second young master of the Zhang family—and his words were absolutely shameless.

Yan Shian felt a surge of anger. He knew he couldn’t openly confront the Zhang family, but he didn’t want to tolerate this either. That whip had been meant for Miss Shi!

Before he could respond, the person beside him stepped in first.

“So what you’re saying is, if I’d been injured by your sister today, I’d just have to accept it—and my cousin should be understanding of how tiring it must be for her to swing a whip?”

“…”

Her words were razor-sharp, every bit as biting as Zhang Lezhi’s had been shameless.

Zhang Lezhi hadn’t expected such a direct rebuttal. He looked at the woman who was supposedly so frail she could faint at any moment. She certainly looked delicate, but now her cold expression held an undeniable strength.

A woman like this couldn’t possibly have a weak character.

He signaled for those nearby to restrain his sister and stepped forward with a polite bow. “Indeed, my sister was too impulsive. Her mind is simple—when she admires someone, she becomes completely fixated. It was wrong of her to cause a disturbance and offend you, Miss.”

“Just because she fancies my fiancé, she thinks she can barge in, insult me, and whip me?” Shi Buyu clutched her chest, looking so fragile she might collapse—but her words were anything but soft. “She even offered me money to get lost. I may come from humble origins, far beneath Miss Zhang’s status, but I know what decency is, and I have my pride. I won’t take dirty money, and I certainly won’t let her trample on my relationship with my cousin.”

Shi Buyu turned her gaze to Zhang Susu, who was being held back and silenced, and deliberately provoked her. “Miss Zhang, you admire Master Shian because he’s talented and handsome, someone worthy of you. But do you know how hard he’s worked? Do you know how diligently he studies every day? Even after passing the provincial exam, he still stays up late reading and continues to write daily. I told him he could rest now, but he said this was only the beginning—there’s no time to relax.”

She changed her tone slightly and went on. “He’s lived an honest and upright life, with a clear conscience. He’s never wronged anyone. And because you like him, you’re forcing him to abandon his fiancée? He clearly doesn’t want to, yet you keep pestering him. If you really got your way, even if he achieved great success in the future, there would always be a stain left behind—because of you. That’s not love. You’re ruining him!”

“You’re lying! If he were with me, I could give him anything he wanted!”

Shi Buyu leaned against Yan Shian, pointing at her as though wanting to curse but not quite able to get the words out.

“Oh? You could give him anything he wants?” A voice rang out before the person arrived.

Shi Buyu smirked secretly. Everyone was here now.

Qinghuan ascended the stairs. She waved off the crowd that stood to greet her and looked at Zhang Susu, who had started to rise.

“Did I say you could stand up?” she said coldly.