After a moment of silence, Cheng Junyu said, “Although what you said isn’t pleasant to hear, it’s the absolute truth. The current situation is definitely advantageous to Yan Shian. And since you came to his side, after he passed the imperial examination, he’s been somewhat lucky.”

Luck is a mysterious thing. Some people are good at everything, but just lack a bit of luck. Everything they do is more difficult, and the results may not be as good.

For Yan Shian to seize the throne with luck on his side is like having Heaven itself supporting him.

Shi Buyu opened the letter, folded it again along the creases, then opened it, folded it again, without saying a word.

Cheng Junyu joked, “Angry at Teacher Sheng? Want to write a letter to scold him?”

“Brother Jiu went to Zhamu Kingdom—is that arranged by White Beard?”

“Yes.”

“Is it because of me?” Shi Buyu looked at Brother Qi: “Except for Brother San, who stayed with White Beard, and Brothers Liu, Ba, and Jiu, who went to Zhamu Kingdom, what about Brother Si? Brother Shi? Where did Brother Shi Yi go? On the day I kidnapped the Shi family and drew away the pursuers in the city, wasn’t that actually done by Big Brother’s men? Brother Wu lied to me saying it was him, but that depends on whether I believe it.”

“Whether you believe it or not doesn’t matter, as long as you don’t keep digging further.” Seeing that she had guessed, Cheng Junyu stopped hiding it: “Right now, only Brother San is by the Teacher’s side. Old Liu and Old Ba were sent out by the Teacher.”

Shi Buyu didn’t ask where they had gone, just like Brother Jiu, she would find out what she needed to know when the time came.

She kept folding and unfolding the letter, then folding again, unfolding again, head lowered, saying, “Except for Second Brother, whom he never mentions, everyone else has a place to go, ultimately gathering around me, right?”

“Little Twelve, we are not here for you.” Cheng Junyu leaned forward and gently patted her head, just like when she was little.

Back then, she had just arrived at the Teacher’s side, emotions out of control, snapping at everyone. A child who looked like a porcelain doll, no matter how cold and sharp, was still cute. Her vigilance was like a small animal among wolves — not threatening, but making them like to tease her even more. He wasn’t angry when scratched, but would find someone to hide himself and would pat her head to soothe her.

The grown-up Little Twelve hadn’t lost control of her emotions for a long time; even when emotions piled up now, she could manage them like an adult.

“Each of us is where we should be, including you. Don’t get stuck on this. Is it your position to take? Is this scheme set by you? No. So how can it be because of you? If anything, Little Twelve, you’ll be the one who works the hardest.”

Shi Buyu looked up at him.

Cheng Junyu dipped his brush in tea and drew a tree on the desk, speaking while drawing: “The Teacher is the root, you are the trunk, and we eleven brothers and sisters are the eleven branches on this tree. These branches only need to stretch out and absorb sunlight and rain to grow better. But you can’t only care about yourself — you also have to look after every branch. If you don’t take care, these branches might… break.”

He looked at his little junior sister, who was crumpling the letter into a ball — their Little Twelve cared deeply about them, which was why she couldn’t bear to let them take risks.

From Yan Shian’s recent movements, from the reputation he made in Fushengji, Cheng Junyu had already guessed that Little Twelve intended to take another path, one that would need the help of these brothers but would definitely keep them safe.

But how could they bear to let her spend her years on this path? Years ago, Dayou couldn’t hold her back anymore — she was determined to see other countries. Of course, they wanted to help her, so they discussed through letters many times how to let her go out safely and return safely.

Back then, they thought when the Teacher said the time wasn’t right, he meant Little Twelve was too young — so they’d wait until she was older!

Later, they realized that this time was not the same as that time.

But no matter what, they still wanted to help Little Twelve succeed.

“Don’t think about saving us trouble — you can’t.” Cheng Junyu looked up at the sheets of xuan paper; this was how the Teacher worked, and she had learned it all.

Big Brother said among the twelve brothers and sisters, Little Twelve learned the most from the Teacher and was most like him — even in temperament.

“They trade and intermarry to strengthen relations between the two countries, so they won’t sabotage each other.”

Everything came back to these matters. Cheng Junyu looked at the one carefully smoothing the letter.

“Dayou’s battle reports should be on the way. Losing the city is inevitable. The consecutive losses show Dayou’s military strength is far weaker than before. After the next spring sowing, Zhamu Kingdom will send troops to attack Dayou. If successful, it will speed up the alliance between Danba and Zhamu Kingdom.”

“How can we stop them from succeeding?”

“There are things I can think of, but cannot do. Dayou and Zhamu Kingdom have traded for years and have good relations — who would believe they would attack Dayou?”

Shi Buyu chuckled, “Don’t even mention Big Brother stepping forward. The Marquis of Loyalty and Courage blocked Danba’s path, and ended up with an uncertain fate. Can you guarantee if Big Brother blocked Zhamu’s path, no one would try to harm him? Unless we have proof Zhamu is making a move.”

Cheng Junyu pondered.

Shi Buyu asked, “In what capacity did Brother Jiu stay in Zhamu Kingdom?”

“He originally went as an adviser for a merchant. He slipped up in front of the right people, was noticed and kept there, gradually moving from the margins to the inner circle.” Cheng Junyu smiled, “Don’t worry, his Zhamu dialect is more native than the locals; no one suspects him.”

Shi Buyu didn’t ask who the target was. To get information on trade between two countries was no small feat; replying would only increase Brother Jiu’s danger.

“I’ll talk to Yan Shian — he has people everywhere.”

Cheng Junyu nodded, “Yan Shian exceeded my expectations. I didn’t think he was that good. My friends all think highly of him. Passing the imperial exam only added to his prestige. I heard he was captured as a husband by the Zhang family’s daughter?”

Shi Buyu smiled, “Sounds like the whole city knows already.”

Cheng Junyu worried, “That’s about right. The Zhang family won’t let it go easily. Since you’re still the fiancé, she’ll probably come to trouble you. At home, it’s no problem, but you must bring more people when going out — you don’t know what they might do.”

“I know — Aunt is watching out!”

Cheng Junyu couldn’t stay any longer and stood up, saying, “I’m going ahead. If you want to reply to the Teacher, write it and give it to Yan Shian to pass to me.”

Shi Buyu waved her hand, thinking about how to write a reply that would let White Beard know she was very, very angry!