Huaihua came over, looking at the young master sitting there, and suddenly felt a sharp ache deep in her heart.

The madam didn’t understand why the young master always disobeyed when it came to Miss Shi. But those of them who had served the young master for many years knew all too well.

The young master seemed noble and respected, but from childhood until now, everything he learned and knew was only related to that status.

Madam herself had become obsessed with this matter, forgetting that when she was a daughter at home, she was valued, expected, and pampered; as a consort, she was favored by the emperor. She had once had everything. But the young master had nothing. So when he met someone as bright and spirited as Miss Shi, he quickly fell deeply for her.

If it were someone else, they would have worried the young master might be schemed against or used. But Miss Shi and the young master’s relationship was out in the open, a clear arrangement, which actually put them at ease. After spending half a year together, not only the young master but even those servants liked Miss Shi, especially after her showdown with Madam.

Whenever there is a back-and-forth battle, there are always hidden tricks, but Miss Shi had none. She was openly fighting you—if you can’t win, it’s your own fault.

And Madam, not only was she losing at every turn, she had to follow Miss Shi’s arrangements.

That only made her angrier and more determined to prove herself superior in the young master’s heart.

Huaihua sighed, wishing Miss Shi had come back with him. Surely she would have a way to ease the young master’s pain.

“How so?”

Huaihua quickly stepped forward and handed a visiting card to the young master. “Sister Lan Hua sent this with the new address.”

It was an extremely formal visiting card. Every time they met at a new place, it was sent this way, so even if it fell into someone else’s hands, it could be explained.

But today, Yan Shian felt his eyes sting painfully. He looked away, folded the card, and got up to attend the appointment.

In the mansion, Aunt Lan Hua handed the ginseng tea to Madam and gently advised, “The young master came back so soon, it shows how much he cares about you. Please don’t be angry with him.”

“He shouldn’t have left the capital at all,” Madam said stiffly and pushed the tea aside. “You all want to play the good guy, but have you thought what would happen if something happened to him out there?”

“The young master took enough men…”

“What good can that handful of men do?” Madam frowned deeply and covered her mouth to cough.

Lan Hua dared not continue persuading and gently patted Madam’s back, quickly asking someone to bring medicine.

But the medicine was also pushed away: “I won’t take it. I want him to see how sick I am. How dare he be distracted by other matters!”

Lan Hua was helpless in her eyes. No matter what she said or urged, Madam wouldn’t listen.

“Madam, the young master is here.”

Hearing the announcement, Madam suddenly coughed even harder.

Yan Shian paused outside the door before continuing, knowing she used her body as a weapon and inevitably started doubting everything she did. Now hearing her cough sounded fake too.

“Mother.”

He bowed, then looked up at the figure always facing away from him. It seemed since he became aware, the first thing he always saw of his mother was her back—a back that had naturally stood straight when young, but now only barely supported itself, stubborn as ever, and even more obstinate.

A few years ago, whenever he thought of that increasingly weak back, he forced himself to study hard, to improve himself. Losing once made him sad, so he studied twice as hard and was twice as obedient.

But this shouldn’t become a tool to control him.

“I heard you went to Guangxi County.”

“Yes.”

“Was it because of Shi Buyu again?”

“Because of clues.”

Madam waved her hand, knocking the tea cups and bowls off the small table beside her onto the floor. “How dare you lie to me!”

Yan Shian looked at the shattered pieces on the ground, as if seeing fragments of himself breaking apart. “Because of clues. Her brother is there…”

“You’re still defending her!” Madam turned with the help of Lan Hua, looking at him fiercely. “She managed to take you away from the capital today—who knows if next time she’ll drag you into danger? Didn’t I tell you to send her away? Sooner or later, she’ll ruin you!”

“If she wanted to harm me, she’d stab me in the heart once and I’d be done. She has that chance.”

“Jian! Have you gone mad?” Madam pounded the small table repeatedly. “After so many years of struggle to get here, a woman made you lose all your fighting spirit? See, I was right before—you should never have kept her by your side. She…”

“Mother.” Yan Shian quietly interrupted. “Zeng Zhengshi wanted to reveal the clues he found in court to prove he wasn’t negligent, but the emperor never gave him a chance to speak and threw him into prison. Aside from the few clues You Fu handed to Li Sheng, none have been told to anyone. Do you know why?”

Madam frowned and looked at him. “What are you trying to say? That I wronged you? Or that Shi Buyu was wronged?”

“Because Zeng Zhengshi gave up hope.” Yan Shian took back his words and gave an answer before his mother could erupt. “We went to Guangxi County because Kuang Jing tracked down those working for the emperor who set a trap right under his nose in Qingping County. Mother, you know my men have been searching for these people for a long time but couldn’t find them. In the next phase of the plan, these people will be very useful.”

Seeing the slight surprise on his mother’s face, Yan Shian felt relieved and asked, “Mother, do you think I should go on this trip?”

If this was really such an important lead, of course he should go. But how could Madam admit that? She coldly said, “You already went. What meaning is there in talking about it now?”

“Mother, your anger is not because I left the capital without telling you, right? I want to carefully explain the reasons so you don’t worry yourself sick.” Yan Shian paused, then said, “Aunt Lan Hua sent word that you coughed blood. Why? Does the emperor want you dead?”

Madam did not want to respond to the previous words, but followed this line. “He’s been pretending to be a good man all these years. Why would he want me dead before you were exposed?”

Behind her, Lan Hua sighed inwardly. The young master’s verbal attack left Madam no defense. She must have realized by now, even if she didn’t know before.

Moreover…

Lan Hua looked at the young master’s expression that barely changed and understood—he already knew what was going on the moment he returned to the capital.

Yan Shian asked again, “Then the imperial doctors didn’t do their job?”

“The imperial doctors…” Madam finally reacted, furrowing her brow, showing her maternal authority fully. “Are you suspecting I’m faking my illness to trick you back?”

“A proud mother like you would never stoop to such underhanded tricks. You’ve always despised those.”

Madam was silenced.

Yan Shian had never once gained the upper hand in front of his mother like this. Seeing she was at a loss for words, he stopped pressing and looked at Lan Hua behind her.

Lan Hua stepped forward.

“Mother’s medicine must be carefully prepared and taken on time without any mistakes. The imperial doctors are skilled; if her condition worsens, it will be because you didn’t take good care. I will hold you accountable.”

“Yes.”

Yan Shian stepped back, bowed: “There are still many matters to handle, so I will take my leave first. Mother, please take good care of yourself.”

Watching him leave, Madam felt a heavy weight in her heart. The fire inside her seemed barely released and only smoked inside.