Unaware that she’d just narrowly escaped a disaster, Shi Buyu confirmed that she was indeed in a foul mood. Yan Shian scanned the area, his eyes lighting up. “Wait for me a moment.”

Shi Buyu couldn’t be bothered to look at what he was doing, nor did she let the carriage stop for him. It was as if she hadn’t run into him at all—she didn’t even change her reclining position.

A moment later, a packet of lotus seeds was handed to her.

“I just happened to see someone selling fresh lotus seeds.”

Shi Buyu looked up at the man grinning before her. It was a completely different expression from his usual self. Since they’d met, it seemed like the first time she’d seen him smile like that—like someone freed for a moment by the influence of alcohol, breaking free from restraints and returning to his true self.

The malicious thoughts swirling inside her gradually faded. She reached into the packet, peeled a seed, popped it into her mouth, and nodded in approval. “Tender.”

“I’ll go get some more.”

Seeing him turn his horse around and ride off, Shi Buyu didn’t stop him. She leisurely continued peeling lotus seeds. If someone was rarely in high spirits, what harm was there in letting them enjoy a moment of joy?

When she heard hoofbeats and looked up, a bamboo basket was handed to her. She laughed. “You bought the whole basket from that vendor?”

Yan Shian, however, felt he’d made the right call. At least, Miss Shi seemed to be in a better mood.

“There’s still half a basket left. If you hang it in a well, it’ll stay fresh for days.”

He really knew his stuff. Shi Buyu finished the handful in her hand and reached out.

Yan Shian dutifully handed the basket over.

Shi Buyu grabbed a big handful for A-Gu, intending to eat what was already peeled. She lay against the carriage window again, watching the lively scene outside. Come to think of it, she had never really experienced the nighttime bustle of the capital.

“Still early before the curfew?”

“Still early,” Yan Shian picked up on her meaning and offered considerately, “We’re not far from the Western Market. Want to take a look? A classmate told me there’s a stall that makes these special roasted cakes—quite different from the ones we usually eat.”

“Let’s go!”

If the earlier streets had been just moderately crowded, then the Western Market was a sea of people, shoulder to shoulder. Carriages had to stop at the entrance.

Excited, Shi Buyu tapped the carriage to signal the driver to stop. Just as she was about to get out, A-Gu tugged her back.

Wan Xia placed a veiled hat on her and tidied her clothes before allowing her to step down.

It hadn’t felt any different while sitting in the carriage, but stepping into the throng of people, Shi Buyu suddenly felt that all this liveliness had something to do with her.

Looking ahead, she saw neat rows of two-story houses, each strung with various lanterns high overhead. It was as if each was silently competing in creativity, every one unique. Lined up together, from afar they resembled a fiery snake, lighting up the entire Western Market.

Tea houses and restaurants roared with voices, and songs accompanied by cheers echoed from a distance—who knew which establishment had such a talented singer?

The wide street was flanked by hawker stalls. Though modest in scale, every stall had clearly been arranged with care. Lanterns in the shapes of fish, flowers, ingots, and more hung from each corner. Even if someone just glanced their way without buying, the vendor would beam with pride, as if they’d won some unspoken contest with neighboring stalls.

As they strolled through the crowd, Shi Buyu bought a fish-shaped lantern, tasted the roasted cake Yan Shian had praised, bought a pair of earrings for A-Gu, watched a street performance, and admired a high-difficulty dance show. At that moment, Yan Shian returned with a stick of candied hawthorn, coaxing a broad smile out of her.

Yan Ze, breathing as lightly as possible, stole another glance at Wan Xia and cautiously offered an explanation, “Young Master drank a bit too much today. I hope you’ll excuse him, Auntie.”

Wan Xia chuckled softly. “As long as the young lady is happy. Such a trivial matter—no need to worry about it, Steward Yan.”

He wasn’t trying to worry. He was just afraid that if she got even a little annoyed, she might knock the young master around. Yan Ze thought this silently but only nodded outwardly, “You’re right, Auntie.”

Wan Xia narrowed her eyes slightly as she watched the two grow increasingly close. The young lady hadn’t realized her own feelings yet, so she wasn’t concerned. As for Yan Shian—whether he had or hadn’t realized, she wasn’t sure. But judging from their time together, he seemed to have a clear understanding of his own situation—namely, that he had no say over his marriage.

From the look of it, whatever feelings he might have for the young lady weren’t serious yet. At most, it was the first time in his life someone had truly opened up to him, so he subconsciously began to treasure her too much. She’d just have to remind him at the right time.

Seeing the girl pick up another handful of sweet cakes, Wan Xia resisted the urge to dampen her spirits and turned her gaze away, thinking that if they passed an herbal shop, she’d buy some dried hawthorn to brew a tea for the young lady later—otherwise, she’d probably end up with indigestion from overeating.

They had come a bit late, so halfway through the market they had to turn back. But even so, Shi Buyu was content. The frustration she’d felt after being defeated by the old man earlier was now completely transformed into fighting spirit.

Who cares about the past? Those with vision look to the future. The next round—she would win for sure!

Leaving the Western Market, they passed through streets with fewer people and turned into a quieter alley. The noise gradually faded, and the gates of the Yan residence came into view.

With the clamor gone, reason slowly returned after the excitement.

Yan Shian recalled how close they had seemed earlier in the market and wondered if he should apologize. Just as he was thinking about it, the carriage came to a halt.

Shi Buyu stepped out and asked, “Where are my lotus seeds? You didn’t lose them, did you?”

Yan Ze hurried forward with the bamboo basket. “Miss, the lotus seeds are right here.”

Yan Shian pressed the basket back into his hands. “Your courtyard doesn’t have a well. Better let Yan Ze take care of them. If you want any, just ask.”

Another “Miss” from Yan Shian. It might have slipped out naturally, but Shi Buyu, having heard it so many times in the market, was already used to it. She didn’t even feel the usual annoyance anymore. Nodding as she walked inside, she said, “By the time these are finished, the ones growing in my yard should be ready to eat.”

Wan Xia teased, “If you keep poking them every day, by the time they’re ready, there won’t be a single intact lotus pod left.”

“There are so many pods—I only poked a few,” Shi Buyu stepped over the threshold, boldly justifying herself. “If I don’t check, how will I know if they’ve secretly ripened and are ready to eat?”

Yan Shian burst out laughing—definitely something Miss Shi would do.

It wasn’t until they each returned to their rooms that Yan Shian remembered what he’d been fretting over earlier. But in front of Miss Shi, such worries seemed completely unnecessary.

Still thinking about it, the next morning, Yan Shian went over under the excuse of delivering lotus seeds. As he passed the lotus pond, he paused to check—and sure enough, he spotted several pods near the edge that had been poked with holes. There were also empty lotus seed shells on the ground. He could easily imagine Miss Shi’s disappointed expression upon finding a hollow pod.

“Aren’t you here to bring me lotus seeds? Planning to pick them fresh for me?”

Yan Shian turned toward the voice and saw her walking out of the house. She was dressed in a light green round-collared robe, lively and fresh like the dewdrop-studded lotus leaves in the pond.

“I figured they’d be fully ripe in two or three more days. Perfect timing.”