The two exchanged a glance, both quite satisfied with each other for the moment.

Luo Bo looked up at the young master, who appeared relaxed, and began to ponder—was he truly acting on impulse this time, or… was it to gain even more?

“There’s one more thing,” Yan Shian suddenly said, as if he had just remembered. “Your second brother has already guessed my identity.”

“Not surprising. Among this generation of the Shi family, Shixu walks the path of a strategist,” Shi Buyu replied. “Did he come to offer allegiance?”

“In a way. I didn’t agree, but I didn’t reject him either. The Shi family is a major power—I naturally want them. But I made a deal with you first. I wanted to hear what you think. If you’re not okay with it, I’ll turn him down.”

“There’s no need to pretend in front of me.” Shi Buyu met his gaze. “Whether I agree or not, you’ll take the Shi family anyway. The only difference is whether you do it openly or through me. Yan Shian, we need to establish some ground rules. For instance, when I place my trust in you, you must give me the same in return. When I’m working with all my strength to plan for you, I expect some honesty from you as well. I don’t have the best temper—if I keep putting in double the effort for half the results, wasting time on useless detours, I might just flip the table.”

The lid of the teacup snapped shut with a crisp clang, as crisp as her voice. “Until the day you sit on that seat, I am not beneath you. I hope Young Master Yan doesn’t treat me like a subordinate to be ordered around.”

In all of Yan Shian’s life, no one had spoken to him so bluntly—except his mother. Strangely, though, he didn’t feel angry. It felt right, somehow, that Shi Buyu was exactly this kind of person—someone who wouldn’t lower herself because of his status, and certainly wouldn’t try to please him.

“Miss Shi and I are allies, equals—not master and subordinate.”

Shi Buyu was satisfied and jokingly gave a distant promise. “Once everything is accomplished, I wouldn’t mind being your subordinate for a short while.”

“When that time comes, don’t run too fast, Miss Shi.”

“Alright, then I’ll walk a little quicker.”

Each harboring their own thoughts, they exchanged a smile and rose at the same time.

Yan Shian extended his hand in a gesture of invitation. “You may go wherever you like in this residence, Cousin. If you need anything, just instruct the servants. And if there are others you wish to bring here—so long as you trust them—they may come as well.”

This place had already been fortified like an iron barrel, and Shi Buyu wasn’t planning to add new variables. “Ah Gu is enough for me.”

That was certainly for the best.

After a brief pause, Yan Shian still steered the conversation back. “And the Shi family…”

“You need the Shi family as a power base. But doesn’t the Shi family need you just as much as an opportunity?” Shi Buyu looked ahead at the courtyard where she would likely be staying for quite some time. “I speak only for myself. The Shi family has its own masters to make their decisions.”

Clear-headed and focused. Yan Shian smiled and stopped in his tracks. “You’ve had a long journey. Rest well, Cousin.”

All those repeated Cousin’s made Shi Buyu instinctively want to rebel. “Take care, Cousin. I won’t see you out.”

Another Cousin in return left Yan Shian deeply satisfied as he took his leave. Though he’d always had people around him since childhood, he had always been alone.

Alone when eating. Alone when sleeping. Alone while reading. Alone in his lofty position, surrounded most by bowed heads of servants and subordinates.

He had relatives, yet he could see none—not even his own mother, whom he rarely met. He didn’t know what it felt like to be cared for by elder siblings, or to look after younger ones. He didn’t know what it meant to rely on family.

All he ever had was a blood-soaked blade hanging above his head—a constant reminder, a constant threat… a constant fear. So much so that he often woke in the middle of the night, reaching for his neck just to be sure he was still alive.

When he was younger, he once told his mother about his fear. She said that his father couldn’t have a coward for a son.

From that day on, he never needed anyone again.

Yan Shian turned to look back—Shi Buyu was leaning close to the courtyard wall, examining a vine.

He knew very well that theirs was just a transaction. But that one word—Cousin—made him feel as if their relationship had grown closer, made him feel… that maybe he wasn’t alone anymore.

Just thinking this filled a corner of his heart with a strange warmth. He even caught himself imagining that if the day of success truly came, he would love to have a cousin like this by his side. Then he would never truly be alone again.

He would learn how to be a good elder brother—buy her beautiful clothes and jewelry, give her houses and farmland. As long as she needed something, he’d give it to her.

---

The courtyard had clearly been tidied with care. Vines climbed and twisted along the walls, forming a green curtain. Shi Buyu recognized them—bougainvillea. Once blooming season arrived, the wall would burst into a riot of colorful flowers, turning the green wall red.

There was a small garden in the courtyard, with orderly rows of greenery and blossoms. A pond lay at the center, filled with blooming lotuses. Unfortunately, it was already late in the day, and the flowers had begun to close.

Farther back lay the living quarters.

Shi Buyu didn’t go inside. She sat under the covered corridor, where the sun didn’t reach, leisurely examining the elegant little courtyard. She sighed, “Having money really is nice.”

Wanxia covered her mouth and laughed. “But you’re not short on money, my lady.”

“Yeah, but no one ever taught me how to spend it! If I’d known money could be used like this, I would’ve started enjoying it ages ago.” Shi Buyu rested her head on her arm and gave a long, dramatic sigh. “It’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go back! Next time the old white-beard wants to take me traveling again, I’m asking up front if there’s good food and lodging.”

Wanxia only smiled. She knew—when the time came, her lady would be the first one out the door.

Though it was summer, a cool breeze drifted through this place. Shi Buyu, feeling lazy, lay still where she was. Wanxia wandered around the rooms, already planning what would need to be bought. The young lady would likely be living here for some time—they needed to prepare for the long haul.

Soon she came out of the study. “My lady, look what I found.”

Shi Buyu tilted her head to look and laughed—it was the set of paintings they had left with Yan Shian for safekeeping. He had brought them all here.

“From Young Master Yan,” someone called outside. “I’ve come to deliver some items for the young lady.”

Wanxia put the paintings back and raised her voice. “Steward Yan, please come in.”

Yan Ze entered first, followed by two servant girls carrying sandalwood chests. “Young Master sent these two maids to assist Madam Wan. Their names are Qingshan and Zhaizhi.”

The two set down the boxes, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully to Wanxia. When they saw the young lady watching from the side, they quickly offered a deeper salute.

Shi Buyu waved a hand from afar.

After handing over the servants, Yan Ze pointed to the boxes. “The seamstress made several sets of clothing based on what the young lady wore that day. They may not be perfect yet, but you can wear them for now. The seamstress can come later today to take proper measurements—whenever you’re free.”

“Any time is fine. Thank my cousin for me.”

“Yes, of course.” Yan Ze continued, “Your meals will be sent shortly. There’s also a small kitchen in the courtyard. Madam Wan may submit a menu to me, and I’ll have it delivered every morning.”

Wanxia had been meaning to bring this up. She took over smoothly. “My lady only eats the food I prepare. Sorry to trouble you, Steward Yan.”

“No trouble at all. It’s our duty.” With that, Yan Ze took his leave.