Shi Buyu didn’t feel the slightest need to worry about anything lately. She had been watching the fish for days, and now that Fan Can had finally arrived—the one meant to catch them—she dragged him straight into the water while shouting from the shore.

“Fan Can, do your best! I want fish for dinner tonight!”

Fan Can didn’t even struggle. He didn’t want to admit that his strength was no match for hers. Instead, he scooped up a handful of water and splashed it back at her. “If you want fish, why don’t you bring a net? What about fishing with a rod?”

“I only want the fish you catch!” Shi Buyu wouldn’t let herself be outdone. She bent down, scooped up water, and flung it at him. The two went back and forth like that, splashing each other endlessly. They hadn’t caught a single fish, but were both soaked to the bone, looking like drowned cats.

Wan Xia, knowing her young mistress’s monthly cycle, allowed her some freedom but thought she should remind the girl that she was now a grown woman. Fan Can was already married—she couldn’t treat him like a childhood playmate anymore.

She turned and closed the courtyard gate, then called over Zhai Zhi. “Go prepare a set of clothes according to that young man’s build. Also, inform Young Master Yan about the situation here and ask him to return later.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Meanwhile, Danniang sat calmly on the railing watching the spectacle. She listened to Xiao Twelve’s excited shouts—pointing here saying there were fish, pointing there saying more fish. But Fan Can was moving so awkwardly he couldn’t possibly catch anything. He hadn’t even gotten close before the fish all scattered. Xiao Twelve thought he was too slow, while he complained that she was bossy. They ended up splashing each other and fighting again.

“Danniang, have some Buddha peaches—they’re crisp and sweet.”

Danniang looked down at the neatly sliced fruit on the plate and smiled. “No matter how old I get, as long as I’m with Aunt Wan, I feel like I can still be a child.”

“In front of Aunt Wan, you are still a child,” Wan Xia said, pouring fruit tea and handing it to her. Watching the two playing below, she added, “Though you’re still older than those two. They’re just little kids.”

Danniang laughed heartily.

Wan Xia chuckled as well. They had been this rowdy since they first met. All these years later, they were still the same. She didn’t know if that meant they hadn’t grown up, but maybe that was a blessing in itself.

After letting them play for a while, Wan Xia finally came over to drag her young lady inside to clean up. She instructed Zhai Zhi to take Fan Can to the guest room to change.

Danniang, sword in hand, stood on the railing. When the water surface finally calmed, the hidden fish slowly swam out again. She chose her moment, drew her sword, and leapt. At the same time, she threw her scabbard across the water. With a flick of the blade, two fish flew out of the water and landed on shore. Just as they were about to fall back in, she spun midair and slapped the water with her palm, using the force to land on her scabbard. From there, she leapt again, landing steadily on shore.

She picked up the drifting scabbard, gave it a shake, then turned to the maidservant. After sheathing her sword and placing it back at her waist, she said with a smile:

“Excellent technique, my lady,” the maidservant in green commented.

“And you’ve got a good eye,” Danniang replied, bending down to grab the two fish by their mouths. She handed them over. “Please take these to the kitchen and keep them alive in water.”

The maid nodded. She glanced at the young master emerging from the house, then at the mess of the lotus pond that looked like it had been through a disaster. Thinking back to the scene just now, she couldn’t help but smile. This young lady truly had a unique way of making friends.

“Danniang!” Fan Can came running. Halfway there, he stopped to pick the largest lotus leaf and hurried back, holding it over her head. “Your husband is here to shade you from the sun.”

Danniang smiled and linked arms with him, murmuring a soft “Mm.”

Shi Buyu sat with her hair loose while Ah Gu wrung it out. She sipped a bowl of hot tea, her face scrunching up—it was incredibly bitter.

Feeling that her hair was almost dry, Wan Xia smoothed it gently and said, “You all chat. I’ll go cook something good. Let’s have an early dinner so it doesn’t get in the way of tonight’s plans.”

Shi Buyu immediately called out her request: “Ah Gu, I want fish soup!”

“I’ll make it,” Wan Xia replied, tucking the loose strands behind her ear before hurrying off. Fish soup had to be simmered a long time to be tasty.

Danniang looked at Xiao Twelve. “You have something tonight?”

Shi Buyu didn’t hide it. “We’re staking out the mass grave.”

“I’m coming too!” Fan Can jumped in immediately. Just thinking about their past escapades got him excited all over again.

“You’re not coming. You two are leaving the capital tomorrow.”

Fan Can got ready to argue, but Danniang stretched her arm out and clamped a hand over his mouth. She looked at Shi Buyu and said, “Xiao Twelve, you’re putting yourself in danger. Even if Aunt Wan could take on a hundred by herself, she can’t fight a thousand. She can’t block sneak attacks. And she still has to protect you—you, who can’t even tie up a chicken.”

“…I’m about to swear!” Shi Buyu glared. “How am I unable to tie up a chicken?”

“Fine, you can tie a chicken. Can you tie a person?” Danniang withdrew her hand, laughing so hard her shoulders shook.

“Wait a little. I’ll send Fan Can away tomorrow, and I’ll be back in at most four days. If I’m there too, even if something happens, we’ll be able to run.”

“I don’t need you. I’ve got backup.” Shi Buyu leaned back in her armchair, curling her legs up. “You just helped me—now it’s your turn to lay low. If someone catches your trail, at least you won’t be trapped in the city.”

Danniang still frowned. “That Yan guy?”

“Yeah. We made a deal. Mutual use, mutual support. If either of us betrays the other, we both die. That’s the most stable kind of partnership. Don’t worry about me.”

“His identity isn’t ordinary, is it?”

Shi Buyu nodded. “I won’t tell you for now. The less you know, the better—for now.”

Danniang thought for a moment. “Give me two promises. First, that you’ll always prioritize your own safety. Second, if you need help, you’ll let me know as fast as possible.”

“I promise, I promise. Don’t you know how much I value my life? A gentleman doesn’t stand under a crumbling wall—and I am that gentleman.”

Danniang gave her a mock glare, then laughed. She decided she’d stay in the capital’s outskirts for a while. She didn’t know exactly what Xiao Twelve was involved in, but it was definitely not trivial. Someone had to watch over her.

Fan Can tugged at his wife’s sleeve. “Can I talk now?”

Danniang pulled her sleeve back. “Did I cover your mouth?”

That was permission! Fan Can opened his mouth, ready to go off. But the moment passed, his energy faded, and in the end he realized there was nothing worth making a fuss over. So he dropped it.

Shi Buyu was pleased. She wasn’t about to be the only one who got bossed around by Danniang.

The three of them hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Shi Buyu and Fan Can chattered nonstop, their laughter wild and uninhibited.

Danniang sat beside them, listening without a single moment of distraction. She had grown up too fast and couldn’t pretend to be innocent anymore—but seeing the two of them still so joyful, she felt joyful too.

Maybe, once all this trouble blew over, she and Fan Can should stay in the capital for a while. Whatever Xiao Twelve was involved in, it was definitely serious. She needed to be nearby.

Outside the courtyard gate, Yan Shian heard the faint laughter and smiled. Without disturbing them, he turned and quietly walked away.