The atmosphere at Floating Life Gathering was in full swing.

With the wine going to their heads, the scholars’ wild enthusiasm had come alive. Few remained still—one moment they’d clink glasses with a friend, the next they’d be dashing from the third floor to the second to recite a poem. Laughter and chatter echoed non-stop.

Shi Buyu first looked around for Yan Shi’an’s location. As expected, he had been placed on the high platform again. Ever since his fame had grown, that stage had become his permanent seat. Even if he wanted to come down, it was impossible—every exit was guarded.

Yan Shi’an spotted her right away. Their eyes met, and Shi Buyu knew he was already aware. Of course, the message had reached her—there was no way he wouldn’t have been informed.

She gave him a slight nod and headed up to the second floor. She didn’t move toward the railing but instead hid her figure behind others, watching the poets with lively interest just like everyone else—clapping when appropriate, careful not to draw the attention of the imperial guards, nor that of the Emperor. After all, a woman disguised as a man still looked delicate no matter what.

After joining the crowd and blending in, she seized an opportunity to naturally ascend to the third floor with the others. Moving with the flow of people to the south side, she spotted that man in scholar’s clothing.

He was easy to recognize.

Not everyone present participated in the literary gathering. Some simply sat quietly, ordering wine and a few snacks, content to just listen. Others leaned on railings to observe but didn’t cheer. Yet no one’s gaze was as disgusting as his—sticky, dark, intrigued—his entire face seemed to twist with it.

Shi Buyu rubbed her arms to soothe the goosebumps, then shifted positions to keep him within her peripheral vision.

She watched him lick his lips, touch the corners of his mouth, stroke his neck repeatedly…

“Ugh…” Shi Buyu turned her eyes away and gagged, her face pale with disgust. Never in her life had she seen someone so revolting.

“Master Shi’an, it’s your turn!”

“Hahaha, no hiding now!”

“Hiding? He couldn’t hide his brilliance even if he tried! Come, come, it’s your line!”

Amid the clamor, Shi Buyu looked down through a gap between shoulders in front of her. Only three people remained on the stage.

Today, Yan Shi’an was calmer than ever. When he learned he was present, he immediately understood the reason and felt a chill deep in his bones. That sinister gaze, slithering over him like a venomous snake, made it unbearable to remain even a second longer—until he saw Miss Shi arrive.

He didn’t know where Ah Gu was hiding, but there she was, alone in his line of sight. Her comforting look felt like a protective shield over him, easing that unbearable sensation.

If he shouldn’t stand out further, Miss Shi would have given him a signal—but she didn’t. Instead, she went upstairs. Until he saw her next move, he knew he had to stay on that platform.

Still, today he was too distracted, and failed to take first place, losing in the final round.

Before stepping off, Yan Shi’an bowed to the crowd. As his eyes passed over that man’s face, just that brief glance made him feel like his scalp was about to split open.

How could a person’s gaze be so sickening?

As he left the stage, intending to meet up with Miss Shi and leave, the man approached with a smile.

Yan Shi’an’s entire body tensed, but after years of playing both sides, his instinctual response was to put on his usual genteel, elegant smile.

“Though it’s our first meeting,” the man said with a smile, “I can’t help but feel a strange sense of familiarity when I see you. The capital sings your praises, Master Shi’an, as a man of both talent and looks—and truly, you live up to your name.”

Yan Shi’an cupped his hands politely. “Rumors are not to be trusted.”

“On the contrary,” the man said, eyes lingering, “I find your reputation entirely deserved.” With that, he turned and left.

As people from all three floors began to exit like flowing water, Yan Shi’an moved into a corner and took several deep breaths, like he was trying to exhale all the filth that gaze had smeared onto him.

Shi Buyu came up beside him and gave his arm a firm squeeze before leading him out.

Yan Shi’an lagged a few steps behind and saw Ah Gu waiting at the door, and together they returned home.

Yan Shi’an, on horseback, arrived first and waited in the front yard. When their eyes met, both their faces looked terrible.

Once in Yan Shi’an’s study, before she could ask, he began recounting what the Emperor had said upon leaving—rubbing his arms continuously, clearly still nauseated.

Shi Buyu had just calmed her goosebumps, but after hearing his words, they rose again. She also began rubbing her arms. The two of them looked both pitiful and ridiculous.

“Why did he suddenly set his eyes on me?”

“Grand Chancellor Zhang,” Shi Buyu had already pieced it together. “I overlooked something. The bodies the palace dumped were all no older than sixteen or seventeen. You’re already twenty, so I didn’t consider that possibility. I thought even if the Grand Chancellor wanted to move against you, he’d wait for next year’s palace exams and pull a trick there. I had contingencies for that. But I didn’t expect he’d use the Emperor to deal with you now.”

Yan Shi’an hadn’t imagined that man would take such an interest in him either. Just thinking about it made his skin crawl like lice were crawling over him. He scratched at his arm, even through his clothes. Eventually, he rolled up his sleeves and scratched hard until there were marks and pain—only then did the feeling subside.

Shi Buyu turned and ordered, “Yan Ze, bring a basin of well water and a towel.”

Yan Ze, hearing the urgency in her voice, quickly brought the requested items.

Yan Shi’an plunged his hands into the basin. In this season, well water was already ice cold, and the chill soon overpowered that nauseating sensation.

“Here, dry off.” With the temporary discomfort eased, Shi Buyu began shifting his focus. “Now, what do you think he’ll do next?”

“If he’s interested, he’ll investigate me.”

“Can your background hold up?”

Yan Shi’an looked down at his towel-wrapped arm. “I’ve prepared for this day for twenty years. Don’t worry, there won’t be a single flaw.”

Shi Buyu looked at him. “If he really harbors that intent… what will you do?”

“Does Miss Shi have a countermeasure?” Yan Shi’an looked up and met her gaze. “If I want to escape this trap, if I don’t want to be so disgusted—do you have a way?”

“I do.”

Her firm reply startled him. With her intellect, she must know that entering this trap would benefit him most. Yet she was willing to abandon it.

He heard himself ask, “Why?”

Shi Buyu smiled faintly and glanced around at the room full of books. “Why not? You’ve worked so hard to get here—why should a scholar like you suffer such humiliation? Even if your goals are delayed a little, what of it?”

Yan Shi’an looked at her, thousands of thoughts settling into silence in his heart. This person—she was protecting his pride, respecting his preferences, not forcing him, not persuading him with any reasoning.

And yet he knew all too well—if his mother were facing this situation, she would force him, command him, disregard his revulsion, and push him into that trap.