Wan Xia prepared a whole table of fish dishes according to the young lady’s preferences—grilled, stewed, braised, fried, you name it.

The delicious aroma was so tempting that even Shi Buyu couldn’t resist running to the kitchen several times. When the final dish was ready, she couldn’t wait any longer and shouted, “Time to eat!”

Then she did a headcount. “Where’s Yan Shian?”

Cheng Junyu, who had been playing chess with Shi Xu, thought for a moment and said, “I handed him the invitation myself. After letting me in, he just walked me to the door and went back.”

Shi Buyu understood immediately—he considered himself an outsider and deliberately stayed away so as not to disturb her birthday with her two elder brothers. Sensible enough to make one want to pat his head.

“Qingzhi, go call your young master for dinner. We won’t wait if he’s late.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Yan Shian didn’t keep her waiting long. He came over shortly after, and neither of them said anything more, simply sitting down to eat.

It was her sixteenth birthday. Shi Buyu felt it was just like any other year—and yet, not.

What hadn’t changed was that she received gifts from both brothers—actually, even more than in previous years. The dishes tasted the same as always, and her aunt was still by her side. Sadly, there was still no raw fish salad—of course, there hadn’t been any in past years either.

What was different, though, was the presence of Yan Shian at her side—and the absence of that white-bearded man who always tried to snatch food off her plate. She wondered if he had managed to eat his longevity noodles this year—last year he’d nearly choked on them.

Thinking about how sick he had been this year, Shi Buyu started to believe that maybe these mysterious superstitions were worth paying attention to after all.

She ate nonstop, her thoughts equally busy. She realized she really missed the white-bearded man. She wanted to sneak back just to see if he’d recovered, if he could get out of bed, if he’d successfully eaten his longevity noodles.

But he had laid such a big trap—he must have his reasons. She didn’t dare move. She was afraid of messing things up for him.

Shi Buyu clinked glasses with her seventh brother. What she really wanted was to send a message and ask: What are you plotting, really?

After the meal, Shi Xu and Cheng Junyu didn’t stay long—they left together.

Yan Shian, on the other hand, didn’t go anywhere the whole day. He spent the afternoon with her in the study—reading, playing chess, talking, or each doing their own thing. Even in silence, there was no awkwardness. Later, they had dinner together. He had accompanied her through her entire birthday.

During the day, Yan Ze also sent over a birthday present—freshly made fish balls he had queued up to buy. They were springy and flavorful. Shi Buyu liked them a lot and decided not to let Yan Shian eat any of Yan Ze’s food tomorrow—she’d give them to him the day after instead.

---

It had rained for two days straight, and the weather suddenly turned cold.

Shi Buyu hated the cold, bundling herself up like a worm and refusing to even step outside.

Wan Xia led people to renovate the covered walkway, turning it into a cozy, sheltered corner so that the young lady could continue to tease the fish despite the rain and wind.

But no amount of cold could dampen the enthusiasm of scholars and poets.

Though only open for less than three months, Fusheng Gathering had already become the biggest and most popular cultural salon in the capital.

Here, if you truly had talent, it would not go unnoticed. Here, it wasn’t unusual to run into renowned scholars or even high-ranking officials. Even royals could occasionally be seen.

Here were the most beautiful dancers, the most graceful and talented musicians, a young woman whose chess skills rivaled national masters, and a girl whose painting skills were worthy of a grandmaster.

Here, there was indulgence, passion, wine, and song.

Here, there were fierce competitions, loyal camaraderie, and mutual admiration from kindred spirits.

Here, one could witness the most dazzling side of the literati.

In a short time, besides the official anthology published under the supervision of Assistant Minister Ji Hui, there were already two more gatherings so impressive that Cheng Junyu, being a bookseller himself, decided to compile them into books to preserve for future generations. Yan Shian had attended both events.

Shi Buyu flipped through the sample book her brother had sent. Though she herself lacked the patience or skill for such things, she’d grown up immersed in this environment and could tell the quality. These two events, in her opinion, even surpassed the one Ji Hui had presided over. Her brother wasn’t just publishing them because of Yan Shian’s status.

---

“Young Lady!” Yan Ze came rushing in to report, “News from Fusheng Gathering—many people arrived suddenly, both inside and out, all clearly trained fighters, and they’re securing key areas.”

Shi Buyu closed the book and looked up. “Who’s hosting today’s gathering?”

“Zhu family. Zhu Ran,” Yan Ze answered fluently. “Today’s theme is a gentleman’s salon called ‘Deep Listening.’”

Zhu Ran—Zhu Ling’s nephew.

Shi Buyu got up and went to the wall where she kept a scroll with notes on Zhu Ling. Looking at it, she frowned. The men they sent to investigate his hometown hadn’t returned yet, but she was already sure this man was suspicious. Bodies were still turning up around the palace. Yan Shian’s people were still working on identifying suspects, but hadn’t found the right lead. No one knew whether the people snatching victims for the emperor had already left the capital or if they were simply hidden too well. Every unanswered question seemed to circle back to Zhu Ling.

And now, conveniently, an unexpected group had shown up at a gathering hosted by his nephew.

Yan Ze grew anxious at her silence and asked, “Young Lady, what should we do?”

“No need to panic. Let’s wait and see. A’Gu, help me tie my hair.”

Wan Xia helped the young lady disguise herself as a man again and tucked the item gifted by her eldest brother into her pouch—just in case.

Seeing that Shi Buyu was leaving with only Wan Xia, Yan Ze quickly followed and said, “I’ll prepare extra men for backup.”

“Stay calm. Don’t act rashly. Even if it really is the emperor who came, he won’t abduct anyone in public.”

Yan Ze was stunned. “You mean… you mean…”

Shi Buyu waved him off, indicating he didn’t need to follow. The people running Fusheng Gathering were no strangers to chaos. If they’d sent word so urgently, it must truly be serious.

And who in this world was more ‘special’ than the emperor?

On the way there by carriage, Shi Buyu reviewed her thoughts once, twice, three, four times. She hadn’t considered this possibility before. All the victims of the emperor were young men and women. Yan Shian was older than that age group. So when rumors spread of his beauty and talent, and when Qinghuan and Zhang Susu fought over him, she’d never once thought the emperor might become interested.

She had walked the righteous path for so long, she’d forgotten—some people were just twisted from the start, not to be judged by normal standards.

“Young Lady, we’ve arrived.”

Shi Buyu stepped down from the carriage and saw Cheng Junyu by the door chatting with someone. When he saw her, he wrapped up quickly and came to greet her. “You’re a bit late. The gathering’s already started.”

“Got delayed by something at home.”

They walked together. Cheng Junyu leaned in and said in a voice low enough not to be overheard, “He just arrived not long ago. He’s on the second floor, northern corner.”

“You recognize him?”

“I met him once years ago. I remember what he looks like.” Cheng Junyu raised his voice again. “Hurry up! Don’t miss the excitement!”