Changing the house for Shi Buyu was actually too simple. After just one round, the design was clear in his mind. Once the drawing was finished, Yan Ze took it away. She happily fell into reading storybooks, finishing the two she had brought back before falling asleep.

The next morning, when she arrived at the library, she found that the bookshelf originally full of storybooks was empty, with only three left placed at the edge.

“Yan Ze!”

Shi Buyu quickly put down her book and hurried out. Suddenly remembering something, she ran back and clutched the remaining three books tightly to her chest. She couldn’t let even these few be taken away!

Yan Ze had anticipated this and came early to wait here. Hearing her shout, he really wanted to run, but dared not.

“Yan Ze, where are my storybooks?!”

Yan Ze forced a smile that was more like a grimace: “Miss Biao, the young master said you broke your promise. He put all the books in his study to prevent you from reading all night. If Aunt Wan comes back and finds out, he won’t be able to explain.”

Arrogant Shi Buyu didn’t think she had done anything wrong. Yan Shian isn’t anyone related to her, so why should he interfere? But when Aunt Wan was mentioned, she suddenly felt guilty. Her voice softened and the tiptoes she’d been standing on lowered. She hugged the books tighter.

“But only three books a day is too few. These are so thin, I can finish them quickly.”

“The young master said you need to rest and recover your energy first. After that, the number can be increased to four.”

“Four is still too few!”

Yan Ze stepped back and bowed: “The books are in the young master’s study. Miss Biao can go negotiate with him.”

Of course she wanted to find him — but that brat was currently in the academy! Shi Buyu was so annoyed she spent the whole morning finishing the three storybooks, then sat at the front gate waiting for him to return.

She thought that although things had been a bit covert, the two of them had more or less bonded — and now he just moved her storybooks?!

So when Yan Shian came back, he immediately met his cousin’s unfriendly glare.

“Give me back the storybooks.”

Yan Shian handed his whip to Yan Yi, smiled, and stepped forward: “Hungry? Grandma said at noon you’ll get fried little fish. Want to go together?”

Actually, breakfast was also made by grandma, but just hearing about fried little fish made Shi Buyu feel hungry. Her temper softened considerably, but she still remembered her purpose here. Walking inside, she argued with him.

“I’m not a child. You can’t treat me like one. What’s wrong with reading a few more storybooks? It’s not like I did something unforgivable.”

“You promised me you wouldn’t read at night.”

“If I don’t promise, will you stop?”

No.

Yan Shian looked at her, seeing she was even more stubborn than himself, and laughed angrily: “If you were my master’s disciple, your palms would be all blistered by the ruler.”

“That’s why I’m not!” Shi Buyu raised her chin. “White Beard never hit my palms. He’s better than your master.”

Compare what? Yan Shian suppressed a laugh. How did she get to the point where everything had to be compared?

Shi Buyu’s thoughts were clear and she never forgot her purpose: “Storybooks.”

Yan Shian stopped walking: “Did you look in the mirror today? Your eyes are red. If Aunt Wan sees you like this when she returns, will she dare to leave your side again?”

Shi Buyu was already a little impatient. She didn’t like being controlled, and the more she was controlled, the more rebellious she felt. She even planned to spend her own money to buy storybooks, so even if she stayed up all night reading, Yan Shian wouldn’t have the right to say anything.

But Yan Shian’s words reminded her.

If Aunt Wan comes back and sees her ruining herself, she will feel guilty. For the next while, Shi Buyu would have to survive on watery soups and no storybooks at all.

Counting the cost in her heart, Shi Buyu thought it best to be patient and pace herself.

“I won’t read at night.”

Yan Shian looked at her with a half-smile: “Sounds familiar.”

Shi Buyu, feeling guilty, thought for a moment and said: “Put the storybooks back in the library… fine, I’ll go read them there, alright?”

“Alright.” Yan Shian finally kept walking. He didn’t want to take away her fun as long as she didn’t stay up late.

Grandma’s fried little fish were crispy and delicious, with a homemade dipping sauce that was amazing. Shi Buyu ate more than half by herself. Yan Shian tasted some and the rest ended up in her stomach.

In the afternoon, she went with him to the study. One busied themselves with what seemed endless work; the other either lay down or leaned back reading storybooks. At night they ate together, then returned to their own rooms.

After several days of this, Shi Buyu’s complexion visibly improved. When Wan Xia returned and saw her rosy cheeks, all her worries from the journey eased. She even specially prepared a table of dishes to thank the host family.

Yan Shian was overwhelmed by the favor and had no intention of complaining. Under Shi Buyu’s threatening looks, he didn’t say a word.

Once Aunt Wan returned, many things could begin.

Shi Buyu first went to see her seventh brother, confirmed he hadn’t done anything else, and then had him send a letter to the fifth brother to inquire.

She absolutely wanted a clear outcome. Some goodwill she accepted, but unknown goodwill she would not — because that might not be goodwill at all.

Wan Xia adjusted the headscarf on the young lady, looked her over, and smiled: “What a handsome little gentleman.”

Shi Buyu steadied the scarf and stood up to leave. She hadn’t worn men’s clothes for a while.

Just outside the gate, they happened to meet Yan Shian returning from an outing. He didn’t ask where they were going, only said: “Want to bring two more people?”

Wan Xia was about to say no, when Shi Buyu said: “Have you been to the Ghost Market?”

“No.” Yan Shian shook his head. No one around him would agree to go to a place that sounded so unsafe.

“I’m going there to meet someone. If you’re free, you can come along.” Shi Buyu stepped down the stairs, patting her horse’s back: “You know a lot of secrets now; I’ll return a few to you.”

Yan Shian took back the reins he had just handed to Yan Yi: “I’ll go with my cousin and broaden my horizons.”

The Ghost Market was in a corner of the southern city — dark, shady, just looking from outside made people hesitate.

Yan Ze, who had heard the news and rushed after them, hurried to stop them: “Young master, it’s too dangerous.”

“The Ghost Market follows rules more than most places. No murders have ever happened there. Everyone who operates there knows if a murder happened, the Ghost Market wouldn’t have a place in the capital anymore.”

Shi Buyu handed the reins to the approaching person, casually tossed him a handful of copper coins as a tip, and signaled to take the other horses away. Walking inside, she said, “The Ghost Market has its own rules. If you see something you want, first, no need for excessive bargaining with the seller; second, no easy returns; third, don’t question the quality of the goods sold.”

“What if the goods are illegitimate?”

Yan Shian asked, but immediately felt his cousin’s look seemed to say: Where’s your brain?

“If the goods were legitimate and aboveboard, would they come to the Ghost Market?”

“……”