Shi Buyu had been lying still for a long time without moving. She thought about the White Beard who hadn’t recovered yet, about the safety of Ninth Brother, and about the places where some of her brothers might be at this moment.

Finally, she thought about herself.

If she was the trunk bearing the life and death of eleven brothers, then she must be strong enough so that no one could easily cut her down.

But… what exactly did White Beard want to do?

Opening the letter and looking at those few words, an evil thought rose in Shi Buyu’s heart. She spread out paper and took a pen, filling an entire sheet with ‘…’ marks.

“Auntie!”

Wanxia called out from afar, carrying something inside and placing it on the table outside.

“Auntie, give this letter to Yan Shian and have him find an opportunity to pass it to Seventh Brother.”

Looking at the fierce “White Beard” written on the envelope, Wanxia stifled a laugh, then pulled the girl out of the room and sat down at the table: “This is the last time this year.”

Fish sashimi!

Shi Buyu turned around and gave Auntie a hug. “After this, I won’t crave it anymore.”

“Really won’t crave it?” Wanxia looked her up and down with a smile in her eyes. “With just that little eyebrow-and-eye feud between you and Master Yan, even the fish in the lotus pond can’t be fooled.”

Shi Buyu pushed Auntie away and started eating immediately, deciding to satisfy this craving first—worrying about future cravings would be a problem for later.

Seeing her eating with eyes bright and uplifted, Wanxia felt happy too. That’s how a spirited girl should be.

---

Thanks to the game Shi Buyu provided for fun, the Yan family banquet was livelier than anyone expected. Everyone got a bit carried away. Even those who usually didn’t get along avoided cold glares today; those smiles couldn’t be hidden, and with those smiles, many grudges inexplicably faded away.

Only when night approached did everyone gradually leave.

Yan Shian had washed up to sober himself a bit and hurried to Hongmei Residence. The door was open, as if kept especially for him.

Just thinking this made his heart warm and his steps quicken.

“Master Yan.” Wanxia stood up in the covered corridor. “The young lady is waiting for you in the study.”

Although Yan Shian had drunk a lot, he was not drunk. Hearing this, he became even more alert. Thinking of the visit from Chengjun Yu today, he pondered a bit more and then entered the study, asking, “What’s going on?”

“A matter neither big nor small.”

Shi Buyu had already cleaned up, her hair loosely braided hanging over her chest. Her expression lacked her usual liveliness, instead unusually calm. She glanced at Yan Shian: “Not too drunk?”

“Not drunk.” Yan Shian sat across from her, his mood slowly growing serious.

Without wasting words, Shi Buyu told him the news about Ninth Brother being sent back.

Yan Shian hadn’t expected this “neither big nor small matter” to be such a huge issue, and even more surprising was that Miss Shi’s Ninth Brother had gone straight to the Zamu Kingdom.

He thought for a moment: “What can I do?”

“Do you have caravans?”

“Yes, two.”

Yan Shian immediately understood and explained more clearly: “Dayou and Zamu Kingdom have traded for many years; both caravans have official permits for entry and exit.”

Shi Buyu stared at him intently: “Can you send some skilled people over there? I’m worried about Ninth Brother’s safety.”

“Yes.” Yan Shian agreed at once. “I have a shop in Qihui, the open trading city in Zamu Kingdom, used specifically for collecting goods from there. This is all aboveboard. We can send some people there first. Where is Ninth Brother in Zamu Kingdom now?”

“He’s currently in Qihui.” Shi Buyu relaxed slightly. “You put people there. I’ll have Seventh Brother notify him. The rest he can handle himself. The people need to be skilled enough to get him out if needed.”

Yan Shian nodded and then spoke about the alliance between the two kingdoms: “If they unite, Dayou won’t last long.”

“It’s not without hope. Secretly sending reinforcements to Dayan Town — whether intentional or not — Zamu Kingdom can’t handle it. They can’t take the city, while Danba Kingdom keeps getting a bigger piece of the pie. Their alliance won’t succeed anytime soon.”

Shi Buyu smiled lightly: “But first, no one believes Zamu Kingdom would mobilize troops. Even if the emperor agrees and sends soldiers, Zamu’s spies would have already sent the news back. They just need to increase forces beyond Dayou’s numbers. Dayou still won’t hold. So, it’s a deadlock.”

Seeing Yan Shian silent, Shi Buyu rested her chin on her hand and asked: “Don’t you think this is actually good for you? The more unstable the emperor’s throne is, the bigger your opportunity.”

“If war breaks out, even if I truly take the throne, I’d just be a doomed ruler.” Yan Shian shook his head. “Once the flames of war start, everyone’s life is worth less than grass — including you and me. When the nest is destroyed, no egg remains intact.”

“Then let’s wait and see if things turn around.”

Yan Shian suddenly smiled: “Not anxious?”

Shi Buyu smiled too: “No, not anxious.”

Their moods relaxed with that smile. Shi Buyu said: “That matter is still far off. You better worry about the Zhang family daughter first. Chancellor Zhang has many underlings; someone will surely come to be the middleman at tomorrow’s Luming Banquet. Have you thought of a way to deal with that?”

“I saw the master today; he reminded me too.” Yan Shian hesitated a bit. “Can I borrow a scented sachet handkerchief?”

Shi Buyu understood, her eyes flicking as she took off the purple hair tie braided in her hair and handed it over: “Tie this on your wrist. Anyone with eyes will understand what it means. If someone pretends not to see and insists on bringing it up, just show it to them.”

This was a complete surprise and delight for Yan Shian, who quickly took it and agreed enthusiastically.

“I’ll also give you a handkerchief.” Shi Buyu got up and went to the cabinet behind her to fetch a clean one, looking it over: “I like old things, they feel comfortable to use. But the color isn’t very bright anymore.”

Yan Shian felt sharper than when taking the imperial exams and immediately said, “Doesn’t this just prove my deep feelings? Even when the handkerchief is worn, I’m reluctant to replace it.”

“Makes sense.” Shi Buyu handed it over. “No need to return it. Take it when you need it.”

“Alright.” Yan Shian touched the bougainvillea embroidered on the handkerchief and looked up: “Thanks for today’s help.”

“A fiancée should do that.”

A fake fiancée who could do so much for him—yet his own mother hadn’t said a word. Yan Shian’s lips curved slightly. If he failed the exams today, he would probably get scolded—either directly or through Aunt Orchid.

That would be fine too.

“Avoid the Zhang family daughter for now. Don’t confront her face to face. She’ll definitely come looking for me. No need to stop her, let her come.” Shi Buyu smiled. “The rest, leave to Qinghuan.”

Yan Shian raised his eyebrows: “You think she’ll step in?”

“When you were at the Fusheng Collection, Qinghuan came—without a lover, dressed as a man. I worried about what she might do, but she only watched you compete in poetry and then quietly left without causing trouble.”

Shi Buyu rested her chin: “Qinghuan looks reckless, but deep down she’s proud. She likes you, but if you don’t want to, she won’t bother you. Even she never troubled you. Now there’s a Zhang family daughter pestering you—I don’t believe Qinghuan can stand that. We lose when facing Chancellor Zhang, but Qinghuan won’t.”

Shi Buyu suddenly leaned on the table laughing hard: “Before you and your sister meet, Qinghuan can already help you a lot. Remember her contributions and praise her more in the future.”

Yan Shian’s mood… was a bit complicated.