Shi Buyu thought she was dressing up just to amuse her elder brothers and sisters, but in reality, she had been spoiled like a daughter by them for two whole days before returning to the capital.

She looked up at the three characters “Hongmei Residence” and smiled. “Agu, I actually feel like I’ve come home.”

Wanxia was a little surprised. The young lady had been with the old master to so many places, always referring to them by their place names, but the only place she ever called home was that house in the bamboo forest. She never expected this residence, where the young lady had lived for only half a year, would make her feel that way.

Footsteps came from behind. Shi Buyu turned to see Yisheng.

“How have you been these past few days?”

He Yisheng smiled slightly at the corner of his lips. “It’s quieter without the young lady around.”

“So now you finally know I’m good,” Shi Buyu laughed. “Come on, let’s go inside. I brought back some delicious fish cakes for you. Agu, please cook more — Yisheng wants some.”

No one knew who actually wanted the fish cakes, but Wanxia and He Yisheng exchanged a glance and didn’t expose her. They followed her into the courtyard.

They saw the young lady pick up a small stone from the flowerbed, excitedly run up to the covered corridor, lean on the railing, and toss stones to greet the fish: “Little fish, I’m back! Come see me quickly!”

Her mountain king-returns-to-his-mountain attitude made everyone smile.

Yan Shian arrived a step late and stood at the doorway watching the lively scene. The moment the mistress came back, the whole courtyard seemed to come alive, filled with a vibrant energy everywhere.

“Yan Shian, you’re pretty fast!” Shi Buyu called out loudly. “After you left, my brother took me to eat some really delicious fish cakes, and I brought a lot back. Agu, make more—Yan Shian wants some too!”

Wanxia gave her a scolding glance and headed to the kitchen.

Yan Shian casually walked over and looked at the fish swimming up to the stones, joking: “They’ve been trained by you to know the one who throws the stones is their master.”

“Of course, who else would they know?”

“The big fish are getting fewer and fewer.”

“Fish that grow big are just for eating, aren’t they?” Shi Buyu threw some fish food down. “Look how well-behaved these little fish are, not greedy at all. The big fish fight fiercely for food.”

Yan Shian laughed. No matter what Shi Buyu said, if it came from her, it always sounded good to him.

“Too bad my brother wouldn’t let me bring back fish from Fengxian River. He said they’d all die on the way. Later, he’ll send me fish balls and fish cakes.”

“Hmm.”

Shi Buyu finished feeding the fish and then turned to look at Yan Shian, who wasn’t in a very good mood. “Feeling alright?”

“You knew she was lying to me.”

“Well, sort of, but that’s your mother. If I said it outright, it would just stir up trouble.” Shi Buyu looked at the fish swimming and waiting for food. “Her thoughts are easy to guess. It’s hard to imagine how such a person managed to protect you back then.”

“Are you reminding me of how difficult it was for her?”

“I’m genuinely curious.” Shi Buyu leaned close and pointed to her eyes, making him look. “See? All I have in my eyes is confusion.”

Yan Shian really looked into her eyes. Honest and unguarded, round and bright, what he saw was not confusion, but innocence.

Full of mixed thoughts, he quickly looked away. “She wasn’t so stubborn back then. She was actually quite clever.”

“I can’t imagine it. I only remember she was my defeated opponent.” Shi Buyu said casually, deliberately irritating him: “Did you argue with her? Did you win?”

“What if I lost?”

“Losing is normal. Asking if you won is just being polite.”

Shi Buyu smiled proudly at the growing number of fish below and then stopped feeding them. She sat down, holding the freshly brewed tea from Yisheng and took a few sips. Immediately, warmth spread through her whole body.

“This time I didn’t lose, but I didn’t feel like I won either.” Yan Shian sat in the nearby round chair, relaxing and slumping his shoulders. “She’s so sickly now that I should have given her some slack, but I can’t let her weakness become a way to control me. We’ve been mother and son, dependent on each other for so many years, yet now it’s all about scheming and guarding against each other…”

Yan Shian patted his chest and smiled at Shi Buyu. “It’s an unpleasant feeling.”

“People only feel content when they’re happy.” Shi Buyu crossed her legs. “Between you two, it’s already shifted from a strong mother and weak son, to a strong son and weak mother. Your mother has to accept this fact—she can’t always be in charge. She’s so troublesome, but you haven’t hurt her in return. Yan Shian, you’ve done very well.”

Yan Shian looked at her but didn’t speak. He knew that if he stayed silent, Shi Buyu would keep talking.

“Don’t think I’m praising you — I’m just stating facts.”

Shi Buyu popped the seeds from the melon seeds Yisheng had peeled into her mouth, enjoying the snack. Then she continued: “Let’s not use me as an example. If you were like the sons from other noble families in the capital, do you think your mother would dare to act like this? In the end, it’s because you’ve been a good, obedient son that she’s so confident. Also, in her mind, you’re still weak like you used to be. She feels she has to manage your affairs, make decisions for you, or else you’ll go astray. That’s not because you’re wrong, but because she hasn’t seen that you’ve grown up.”

Is that so?

Yan Shian looked up at the roof of the corridor. “Then what should I do?”

“Be strong in front of her, prove with facts that you’ve grown up. She protected you from the wind and rain before, but from now on, you are her support!”

Yan Shian turned to her. “I thought you really disliked her.”

“I don’t like her much, but we’re talking about you and her now, not me and her. It’s not the same.”

Shi Buyu waved her hand, looking exactly like a sensible adult.

“A little defeated opponent like her isn’t even worth the effort to hate.”

“…” Yan Shian smiled, feeling unsurprised. This was the real Shi Buyu.

“How come the fish cakes aren’t ready yet? I’ll go urge them.”

Shi Buyu got up and ran to the kitchen, then entered and hugged Agu’s waist, laughing: “Agu, I just had a long talk with Yan Shian about so many reasons! Turns out when you reason with someone and they actually listen, it feels so good. No wonder my brothers like reasoning with me!”

Wanxia mercilessly exposed her: “When have you ever seriously listened?”

“Oh, I’ve had serious moments too!”

“Agu has never seen one.”

“That’s because you weren’t around.”

“What a coincidence.”

“Isn’t it just a coincidence.”

Wanxia couldn’t help laughing. She pushed away Shi Buyu’s hands around her waist, put the fried fish cakes on a plate, and handed it to her, gently turning her toward the door.

Shi Buyu noticed there was still fish ball soup on the stove and giggled as she ran off.

“Yan Shian, eat the fish cakes.”

He Yisheng hurried to take out bowls and plates from the drawer. The drawer held everything needed nearby because the young lady was a foodie, and utensils were indispensable.

“Yisheng, you eat too.” Shi Buyu put a fish cake into each of their bowls, then took one herself and savored it, the fresh aroma satisfying her completely.

It was strange how anything fish-related tasted so good.

Yan Shian had slept and eaten little these days, but now that his mood had lifted, the food tasted especially good. After finishing a bowl of fish ball soup, his body warmed, and so did his heart.

The winter sun was warm. Others’ warmth was in the sky above; his warmth was right beside him.