The next morning, Yan Ze delivered the vegetables as usual.

Seeing Wanxia’s gaze fixed on the extra large bones, he hurriedly explained, “The young master asked me to add these. The young master used to suffer from cramps, and the cook would stew rich bone broth for him. After drinking it for a while, the cramps stopped.”

Wanxia gave Yan Ze a smile for the first time and her impression of Yan Shian improved a lot. “Young Master Yan is very thoughtful. Please thank him on behalf of my lady.”

Yan Ze was overwhelmed by the favor. From this, he understood how to get along with this somewhat aloof Aunt Wan.

Wanxia went back inside to attend to the lady, who was still sleeping in. She told her about the bones.

Shi Buyu stretched, stepped on her slippers, and got out of bed. “I can’t let his kindness go to waste. I’ll drink several bowls.”

Wanxia helped the lady sit down and quickly tied up her hair. “I’ll stew the soup later. Zhai Zhi is good at cooking; I’ll instruct her properly. Both of them have some skills — they’re here to protect you.”

“I’m already living here. Yan Shian isn’t stupid enough to openly station people around me. He needs me now, so he won’t do anything to anger me. Auntie, don’t worry. Nothing will happen to me.”

“As long as you’re under my watchful eye, I can rest easy.” Wanxia looked at the girl in the bronze mirror, feeling nostalgic for when she was little — a small bundle she could just carry on her back.

But she still had to leave.

Wanxia started stewing the soup and made all sorts of arrangements. She even peeled two peaches for the lady before leaving.

Sitting under the rain shelter, enjoying the blooming lotus in the pond, Shi Buyu absentmindedly ate the sweet peaches. Without Auntie nearby, the surroundings were too quiet.

“Qingshan.”

Qingshan quickly came out of the house. “Miss.”

“Go invite Xue Ning over.”

“Yes.”

Ruan Xue Ning was indeed clever; after just one night, she had adjusted her positioning. The little flower in her hair was gone, and her flowing white dress had changed to a low-key lotus color. She no longer put on airs.

Shi Buyu laughed, “What a beautiful girl—how did she turn so dull and gray overnight?”

Ruan Xue Ning bowed and didn’t know what to say or do. She recalled that when she was the mistress, the maidservants would come forward to serve—bring tea, pour water, massage shoulders.

She could do all that.

During her years on the pleasure boat, she had learned many things—both necessary and unnecessary.

Just as she was about to step forward, the cousin spoke first: “Come, sit.”

Ruan Xue Ning went over but wasn’t sure if she should really sit.

Shi Buyu pulled her down with a tug. “I have Auntie with me; I don’t need a maid. I didn’t have you follow me to serve like a maid.”

Ruan Xue Ning asked, “Then what should I do?”

“Manage affairs for me.” Shi Buyu rested her head on her arm and tilted it to look at her. “I plan to create a place for entertainment. Don’t worry, nothing dirty or messy—just talent-based, only contract workers. As long as she has skill, whether wearing a mask or a veil, I’ll pay. If she has trouble, I’ll help. If she wants to stay long-term, I can be her stepping stone. The only condition is to stay for two years.”

Another two years.

Ruan Xue Ning thought about the contract she signed and impulsively asked, “Why always two years?”

“Because I gave myself two years.”

Ruan Xue Ning wanted to ask what exactly would take two years, but for some reason, she didn’t dare.

Pursing her lips, she asked something else, “If sisters from other places, who can’t control their lives, want to come, will you take them?”

“Yes.”

“Truly talented girls don’t come cheap.”

“Is that a problem?” Shi Buyu stated factually, “My cousin is very rich.”

“…” That was too straightforward, and Ruan Xue Ning got stuck. Young Master Yan was indeed wealthy, or she wouldn’t have chosen him after screening.

After thinking a moment, Ruan Xue Ning asked again, “Must they be pure entertainers?”

“Yes, the reputation must be established from the start, so everything else can be orderly and dependable. Only those attracted by refined art will buy into it. Otherwise, what’s the difference from a brothel?”

Seeing her not speaking further, Shi Buyu pressed, “Any other questions?”

Ruan Xue Ning paused for a moment. “Since I was brought in by you yesterday, everyone knows I belong to Young Master Yan. If I come out publicly as the manager here, people will think this is Young Master Yan’s business. Won’t that ruin his reputation?”

“Worried about him that much?”

Ruan Xue Ning lowered her head. “He’s my benefactor. I don’t want to bring him trouble.”

Shi Buyu smiled. She really knew how to be grateful.

“I’ll send you away later. You’ll live at the Yunqi Inn. In the meantime, stay in the main hall, act a little, let people know I don’t let you meet Yan Shian at all. Make him hate me. In a few days, Yan Shian will come by to give you some silver and urge you to leave the capital. You disappear in the face of money. When I finish setting this place up, I’ll show up again. By then, you and Yan Shian will be nothing.”

Ruan Xue Ning was stunned. “Aren’t you afraid of ruining your own reputation?”

“What use is reputation? I’m not planning to find a husband.”

Those who already have a husband don’t need to find one, Ruan Xue Ning thought bitterly. “Does the Yan family not care about your reputation?”

Shi Buyu realized — she didn’t need to find a husband, she already had one. She changed the subject: “If I ruin my reputation chasing away someone who could damage my cousin’s reputation, the Yan family will understand.”

Ruan Xue Ning thought about it, and it made sense. No matter how pure a woman is, if she spent years in the pleasure quarters, whose parents would want someone like that by their son’s side?

Thinking like this, Ruan Xue Ning felt sad. Even if she left that place, she could never erase the past stamped on her. Which good family would want her?

“You can’t ruin anyone. If someone falls because of you, it means they lack willpower — it’s not your fault,” Shi Buyu said, looking at the dragonfly trembling on the lotus flower. “Unless you deliberately seduce them.”

“I won’t!” Ruan Xue Ning stood up and loudly denied, not sure if she was speaking for her past or her future self.

“I’m picky. If you’re not good enough, I won’t take you,” Shi Buyu smiled at her. “Xue Ning, will you be my manager?”

Was it because she was good that cousin had her follow?

Ruan Xue Ning stared blankly at her smiling cousin. Her spirit, once crushed, slowly lifted. That one sentence seemed to confirm that her years of perseverance were not in vain — all the hardship and suffering hadn’t been for nothing.

“I don’t know if I can do it well.”

“If not you, then who?” Shi Buyu turned away, the dragonfly on the lotus gone in the short time. “If you know someone good, recommend her to me. I’ll allow you some private interests. Don’t rush at the inn; when it’s time for you to leave, someone will come for you. Since you’re mine, I guarantee your safety.”

Ruan Xue Ning bowed. “Qi Qi will follow your orders, Miss.”

“To me, you are Xue Ning, Ruan Xue Ning.”

Ruan Xue Ning never knew she was so fragile; just hearing that stirred her emotions and brought tears to her eyes.

“Yes, Xue Ning will follow your orders.”

“Go get ready.”

As the footsteps faded away, Shi Buyu rested her head on her arm, watching her figure grow distant until gone.

Brother Qi worried she was too soft-hearted, but it seemed they had forgotten that years ago, they worried she was too hard-hearted.