Getting home wouldn’t be so quick.

It was called the Lotus Appreciation Banquet for a reason—after admiring the lotus flowers, there was still the banquet to attend.

There was still time before the banquet began, so the two of them strolled around the lotus pond, taking a look at what others were also visiting. It didn’t seem abrupt or suspicious—only made people think that Young Master Shi’an was especially attentive to his cousin. Especially when the banquet began and he even asked Zhu Ran’s sisters to help take care of her a bit, earning him even more resentment from those already displeased.

The banquet was divided by folding screens. His instructions were clearly heard by those present. The young men laughed and teased him, while the ladies—already paying her extra attention because of Princess Qinghuan—were even more focused on her now. After all, she had the lowest status among everyone there. Now their stares were blatant, and a few were clearly unfriendly.

Shi Buyu sat behind a small table, her head slightly lowered in apparent shyness, but her eyes scanned the room, noting each of those expressions.

Those who carried an air of superiority likely had high status themselves and watched like spectators from above. Those sizing her up probably wondered how to go about dealing with her to win favor with Princess Qinghuan. Others, indifferent, showed no clear malice or goodwill. But the last group of women clearly carried resentment—they must have harbored feelings for Young Master Shi’an, only for a “cousin” to suddenly fall from the sky and block their way.

Fortunately, in the Great You Dynasty, both men and women were expected to maintain proper decorum. No one would say something unpleasant during a banquet, out of consideration for the host’s dignity and their own family’s reputation. No one wanted to make a fool of themselves.

Instead, they collectively ignored her, ostracized her, treated her as invisible.

Shi Buyu was so uncomfortable she ended up overeating.

“The fish sashimi was actually really good—thin, fresh, sweet. If I wasn’t afraid of scaring them, I could’ve eaten a whole fish,” Shi Buyu said the moment she got in the carriage, returning to her true self as she rubbed her belly. “Ah Gu, I want more tomorrow.”

“Fish sashimi is raw. You shouldn’t eat it so often,” Wan Xia didn’t agree. “But the lamb soup was nice. How about having that again tomorrow?”

“Fine.” Shi Buyu didn’t insist. The Zhu family’s lamb soup was indeed good—no unpleasant taste at all, and it warmed her body from the inside.

Yan Shi’an rode alongside the carriage, listening to the conversation between mistress and servant with a quiet smile. Those women thought they were making things difficult for Miss Shi, but clearly, to her, a plate of fish sashimi was far more important.

Once home, Shi Buyu followed him to the study.

“Didn’t notice anything unusual.” Shi Buyu leaned against the hidden desk as she sat down. “No one followed us no matter where we went, nor did anyone look concerned about guests wandering into places they shouldn’t. The maids and servants weren’t especially attractive, and their demeanor was calm. That suggests the masters of the Zhu household aren’t the kind who kill at a whim or are difficult to serve. If people were frequently dying there, those servants couldn’t possibly be so unafraid.”

“Other than the courtyards housing the women’s quarters, everywhere else was fair game,” Yan Shi’an shared his findings. “I went to greet Zhu Ling first, then Zhu Ran took us to his residence—there were no signs of precautions. I pretended to get lost and asked a servant for directions; he didn’t show any suspicion.”

“It all looked perfectly normal—almost too open,” Shi Buyu mused. “Is it possible the Zhu house is just a transit point?”

“That’s the only thing that would make sense. I’ve arranged for someone to keep watch.”

Now that a tail had been exposed, it was only a matter of time before they caught it. Shi Buyu wasn’t in a hurry—what interested her more was another matter.

“When did Qinghuan start harboring wicked thoughts about you?”

That phrasing…

Fortunately, Yan Shi’an had anticipated needing to report this when they got back and replied without hesitation, “There are always various poetry gatherings and banquets in the capital. I declined some but attended others. Qinghuan loves talent—and talented men. Among them, she’s especially drawn to the kind like me—those without prestigious backgrounds but aiming for a successful future. Of course, one has to be passably good-looking and pleasing to her eyes.”

Thinking of that swordsman earlier, Shi Buyu nodded. “So handsome men can also be sources of trouble.”

Yan Shi’an neither agreed nor disagreed, continuing, “After a few meetings, she summoned me and asked if I wanted to take a shortcut. She offered to promote me if I spent some time with her.”

Shi Buyu collapsed in laughter on the desk.

Yan Shi’an looked a little helpless. “I declined her offer. Fortunately, while she’s reckless, she doesn’t force people. Later on, she’d still tease me when we met, but if I didn’t respond, she let it go.”

“She’s trying to wear down your resolve,” Shi Buyu remarked. “Waiting until you suffer setbacks, then reminding you there’s a path she saved just for you. That kind of temptation could truly shake a person’s heart. It’s a lot more thrilling than forcing someone.”

Yan Shi’an looked at her—why did she sound a little impressed?

“What do you think? Does she know the truth?” Shi Buyu shifted positions to sit more comfortably.

“She was only six back then. I don’t believe she knew everything. But growing up in a place like that, kids mature early. I think she might’ve suspected something,” Yan Shi’an said, pausing. “Her various outbursts in front of the Emperor—they seem like tests.”

“Testing how far she can push him? Whether he truly indulges her, or if he plans to ruin her?” Shi Buyu asked.

Yan Shi’an shook his head. “I’m not sure. She’s not someone I dare to get too close to.”

“Good thing she doesn’t use her status to force people. Otherwise, that would’ve been a tough pass for you.” Shi Buyu asked again, “How’s her relationship with the eldest princess?”

“It’s well known that the sisters don’t get along. Every time they meet, Qinghuan must provoke her. The eldest princess mostly just tolerates it.”

“When did their relationship sour?”

“Ten years ago. Qinghuan was sixteen when she visited the eldest princess’s residence and caused a big scene. Since then, they’ve had no contact. The eldest princess tried to make peace—sent gifts every year, but Qinghuan always threw them out.”

Shi Buyu suddenly smiled. One called her “Qinghuan,” the other, “the eldest princess.” The closeness was clear in the choice of words.

“You don’t like the eldest princess?”

Yan Shi’an paused. “When Father died, she was already twelve and had received the most of his love and care. Yet she was the first to forget him. She devoted herself to pleasing the Emperor, married the man he chose, bore children, and enjoyed all the wealth and power. She seems to tolerate Qinghuan in all things, but always in a way that everyone sees. She knows Qinghuan won’t accept her gifts, yet still sends them every year. Thanks to her, Qinghuan is seen as a disrespectful younger sister, while she gets rewarded by the Emperor for her ‘goodwill.’”

Well now—that’s truly a case of “the dragon begets nine sons, each different.” Shi Buyu pondered, then offered another angle: “Could they be putting on an act?”

“No,” Yan Shi’an shook his head. “Very few of the late Emperor’s consorts survived. The highest-ranking one is my mother. Qinghuan never greets her, and even avoids her at the palace. Given her personality, she must resent Mother for standing by the Emperor’s side and helping him ascend the throne. The eldest princess, on the other hand, is her complete opposite. My mother said that at first, the eldest princess saw her as an ally and was sincere. But after her marriage, their relationship cooled year by year—until it turned around completely. Now she acts every bit the elder princess in front of my mother. When they quarreled, my mother tried to mediate, but the eldest princess said: ‘What use is clinging to the past in life?’”