The one who had been sleeping intermittently ended up being the latest to rise the next day.

Shi Yan had already gathered his people, prepared disguises, and said his goodbyes to the family. So when Shi Buyu arrived after breakfast, she was met with a heavy, somber atmosphere. One look at the disguised Shi Yan, and she understood the reason. She was a little surprised—she had expected the Shi family to investigate thoroughly, but she thought Shi Xu would be the one to go. Right now, the Shi family needed Shi Yan to remain in command.

She had to admit, she admired him a little for it.

“I’m heading out now,” Shi Yan walked toward her. “If you have anything to tell me, just say it.”

Shi Buyu had never planned to beat around the bush. She said directly, “There’s definitely something wrong with the supervising general. Once you’re there, don’t make contact with the remnants of the Shi forces for now. Since the Shi family was taken, they might use the Shi army to lure you out. Not all of the Shi forces can be trusted. The speed at which the city fell was suspicious too—Whitebeard said it didn’t look like a city that was taken by force, more like someone opened the gates. I suspect there’s a traitor, but I can’t say if they’re in the army or back in the capital.”

Shi Yan immediately connected the dots: “If a city was lost due to treason, the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage becomes the traitor of Dayou. Even those who want to defend him wouldn’t be able to speak. The mastermind behind this used one of Dayou’s key border towns to set the trap, just to cement the charge of treason against my father—completely destroying any chance of redemption!”

“People with strong personalities are the easiest to manipulate. For a family that values loyalty and courage above all, they’re even easier to target,” Shi Buyu said. “Whoever’s behind this would’ve laid a wide net in Situan. There might have been doubts about the Marquis’s betrayal before the prison break, but once that happened, the stain became permanent. If you get caught in Situan, you’ll have no way out.”

Shi Yan had already considered all of this, but hearing his niece lay it out so clearly still gave him a chill. He straightened up, alert and focused: “I’m not going there to die. I won’t do anything foolish.”

Shi Buyu tapped her palm lightly with her fingers. “Rather than go to Situan, it’s better to head for Xinfu Town. If the Marquis of Loyalty and Courage left any clues behind, they’d be there. Worst case, if you fall into enemy hands, just defect. You’re already branded a traitor—keeping your life is more important. Better than dying in Dayou’s hands.”

“…Defecting”—the word fell so easily from her mouth that the war council fell into silence. Loyalty and courage were what the Marquis’s household was built on; nothing could be further from defection.

Shi Buyu was unfazed. She turned and said, “Bring Yan Shian here.”

Yan Shian had stayed away from the council room out of propriety, but he was nearby and came quickly.

“Do you have any contacts in Situan?”

The question was so blunt that Yan Shian needed a moment before replying, “I do. If it’s about the Marquis, I’ve already sent someone to gather information.”

“Then there’s no need to go to Situan. Wait for the news. Head to Xinfu Town instead, but not through Situan,” Shi Buyu made the final call. “Go to the Kingdom of Zhamu. They have good relations with Danba, who currently occupies Xinfu Town. Entering from Danba’s rear border will be much easier and less suspicious.”

Yan Shian immediately followed up, “I’ll handle the identities. Dayou trades with Zhamu—we can travel with a merchant caravan.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Both were used to making decisions, so the matter was quickly finalized without anyone asking Shi Yan’s opinion.

Shi Xu glanced at his third uncle. Seeing no signs of anger on his face, he felt some relief, but there was a trace of sorrow in his heart. Of the three brothers, Third Uncle always seemed the gentlest in temperament, but he was actually the proudest. And now, this proudest man had willingly put himself last—for the sake of the family.

Yan Shian left to prepare the documentation.

Shi Buyu felt her part was done and was about to leave when Shi Yan asked, “When are we sending the child away?”

“Wu Fei will inform me once he’s finished settling the Shi family’s side branches. We’ll send the child off then.”

Shi Yan handed her a piece of paper. “When that time comes, give this list to him. I’ve taken ten elite men with me. These positions need to be filled quickly.”

Shi Buyu glanced at the list and nodded.

Shi Yan wanted to say something unrelated to family matters, but after opening his mouth, he realized he had nothing else to say. The way Buyu looked at them always carried a sense of distance.

He sighed inwardly and said, “If there’s ever a time you need family, have Wanxia send word. The Shi family may be badly hurt, but we’re not without the strength to fight back.”

“If I need help, I won’t hold back.” Seeing that he had no more to say, Shi Buyu turned and left. Partings, to her, had always been commonplace—nothing worth mentioning.

Before long, Shi Xu brought their mother over. Before Shi Buyu could speak, he stated their purpose: “We came to tell you about the Shi family’s ties with other clans. You might need this when you return to the capital.”

Shi Mother restrained herself from speaking, not letting herself stare too long at her daughter, only nodding along.

Shi Buyu didn’t refuse—this was indeed something she could use.

They talked until noon, when Wanxia returned. Shi Xu covered every family he could think of, and Shi Mother filled in the details beside him. Only during these moments did she allow herself to look directly at her daughter. With her husband and eldest son’s lives uncertain, her daughter’s return had been her only comfort.

But now, even that was leaving.

Wanxia wasn’t a servant of the Marquis household, so she only gave a half bow when she saw them.

Shi Xu rose and respectfully bowed. “You’ve worked hard over the years, Aunt Wan.”

“Taking care of the young lady was never hard,” Wanxia replied, accepting the tea poured by the girl and sipping it. Her voice was warm. “Don’t worry, she’s safe. I’ll go wash up now.”

Shi Mother’s heart sank when she saw the teacup—her daughter had never poured her a cup of tea.

“I’ll be leaving soon,” Shi Buyu looked at the two of them. She wasn’t blind to her mother’s hope, but… it all felt too unfamiliar.

Shi Mother didn’t dare ask her to stay. She only said, “At least eat something before you go.”

“I’ll just take a few flatbreads.”

“I’ll have someone pack them,” Shi Xu interjected, stopping their mother from pressing further. “When you get to the capital, prioritize your own safety.”

Shi Buyu agreed. From a young age, Whitebeard had told her that her life was more important than anything. So, no matter what, she cherished it—and never put herself in unnecessary danger.

Watching Shi Xu help their mother away, Shi Buyu turned to Wanxia and said, “I know she wants to hear me call her ‘mother.’ I even want to give that to her. But the words just won’t come out.”

“You’re slow to warm up, Miss. After spending more time together, it’ll get easier.”

Shi Buyu shook her head. In the end, it wasn’t about being slow to warm up. She simply didn’t want to. She had Whitebeard, A’Gu, her brothers, and many familiar faces. These years, she’d never been alone—so she never felt like she needed a house full of family. After this matter is over, she’ll have repaid the kindness of birth. In the future, she won’t need to constantly remind herself to remember the Shi family.