Shi Buyu didn’t feel any pity at all. After all, it wasn’t her family’s stuff getting smashed. Yan Shian had brought this “peach blossom debt” on himself, so it was only fair that she pay a price.

That wasn’t enough — she wanted to smash even more. In her heart, Shi Buyu egged herself on, though on the surface she still looked wronged and aggrieved. Unfortunately, she was born without tears; otherwise, she would have cried with sorrow like pear blossoms in the rain.

“Miss Zhang, you not only stole my husband-to-be, but you also come here to bully me? What kind of sense is that? If all girls in the capital are like this, then this is how they are…”

Though she didn’t finish her sentence, her meaning was clear.

Zhang Susu smashed another plate of fruits in front of her. “Are you insulting me? What kind of person do you think you are? How dare you insult me?!”

Shi Buyu became even more aggrieved: “I didn’t insult you! You’re just so unreasonable! You snatched my fiancé right from under me, you knew he was already betrothed and yet still chased after him. And you come here to bully and humiliate me? Is that how the Zhang family raised their daughters?”

“Since he’s a fiancé, he’s still unmarried. If he ends up with me, it means he has no real feelings for you. What’s wrong with me?”

“But he rejected you, and you’re the one still clinging to him! Now, look at you — coming here to cause trouble!”

Zhang Susu crossed her arms, chin raised proudly. “So what? It took me so much effort just to find a man like Young Master Shian — talented, handsome, and about my age. Of course, I’ll do everything I can to make him mine. You want to insult me, go ahead. But this man is mine now. I’m not afraid to tell you, no matter what it takes, I will get what I want. You’d better be sensible and leave willingly. I’ll give you all the gold, silver, jewels, farmland, and mansions you want.”

“I don’t want any of that!” Shi Buyu leaned on the chair’s armrest, looking like she might collapse. “My cousin has already passed the provincial exam, the next step is the imperial exam. He will definitely succeed and can give me all the wealth in the world! Miss Zhang, my cousin doesn’t like you. Why would you degrade yourself and become a laughingstock for others?”

“I did everything to catch the groom and still failed — that’s the real joke!” Zhang Susu’s temper, which had just calmed a little, immediately exploded again. “Luo Shi, don’t be ungrateful!”

Shi Buyu clutched her chest. “Are you trying to kill me here? I’d rather die than give my cousin to you!”

Zhang Susu wasn’t stupid enough to think of killing someone in their own home. Even if her grandfather protected her, her life would be ruined. Furious, she smashed everything in the room that could be broken.

“You refuse a toast and must drink the penalty wine. Luo Shi, don’t regret this!”

“Even if you threaten me, I will never give my cousin to you!” Shi Buyu looked weak and about to cry but was holding back. “Miss Zhang, there are plenty of other men for you. Why do you have to fight me for my cousin?”

“Young Master Shian is outstanding in every way; only he deserves me!”

Shi Buyu softly collapsed onto Auntie’s chest, eyes half closed, as if she finally couldn’t hold on and fainted.

“Miss! Miss!” Wan Xia called out quickly, “Yan Ze, send someone to get the doctor!”

Yan Ze pinched the soft flesh of his thigh hard, answering loudly, “Quick! Get the doctor!”

Wan Xia carried the miss, and He Yisheng supported her from the side; the three hurried out together.

The others suddenly found things to do, busying themselves elsewhere. No one stayed to serve inside the main hall.

Zhang Susu stood in the midst of the mess, dizzy with anger. She fell heavily onto the floor, and her wet nurse hurried to help her up.

“How dare they treat me like this! They actually dare! When I become the mistress of this house, I’ll sell them all! Not one left!”

If the mistress was like this, the servants who had been with her for years wouldn’t be much better.

The wet nurse hadn’t even had a sip of water since coming in, let alone been pampered with kindness like others. Now she was filled with resentment and urged, “Miss, you can’t be soft-hearted. If you don’t deal with such servants, won’t they just bully the mistress more?”

“That’s right!” Zhang Susu sneered. “I’ll fight them stubbornly. I have to become the mistress here — just wait and see!”

Meanwhile, Shi Buyu was laughing so hard she trembled, leaning on Auntie. “Too bad I don’t have tears, or I’d look even more pitiful. Yisheng, did you see that? She came all this way and achieved nothing, just got mad, hahaha!”

He Yisheng smiled slightly and steadied her so she wouldn’t laugh too hard and fall over.

“The doctor’s here, come see him. I happen to feel weak today!”

Wan Xia lightly patted her backside. She’d never seen someone so lively despite all the drama.

After the doctor’s visit, Shi Buyu called Luo Qing over after seeing the prescription for tonifying qi and blood.

Many matters on Yan Shian’s side were actually handled by Luo Qing, though he rarely appeared, so it looked like Yan Ze was busier.

“Spread the news that the Zhang girl failed to catch her groom and ended up humiliating Yan Shian’s fiancée until she fainted. Just as many people knew about the ‘catching the groom’ matter before, just as many should know about her bullying me. The more it spreads, the better.”

Shi Buyu snorted. Even if it was all a show, she truly was bullied and humiliated. She wouldn’t let this go — she’d repay it twice over.

Luo Qing was someone Yan Shian trusted deeply, definitely not ordinary.

So when Yan Shian came out after attending the Deer Song banquet, new rumors about him spread.

Hearing his fiancée had fainted, he immediately declined other invitations, looking anxious as he rode home on horseback, confirming the rumors of their mutual affection.

Back home, Yan Shian quickly approached the Hongmei Residence door. Hearing laughter inside, an involuntary smile appeared on his face.

Of course, he knew Miss Shi wouldn’t faint from anger — she was more likely the one making others faint from anger. Still, knowing this, he couldn’t help but rush home to check if she had really been upset.

Now, he was truly relieved.

The man in the blue robe carrying a bucket came out and bowed quickly: “Young Master.”

The people inside heard this and called out cheerfully, “Yan Shian, you’re back!”

The cheerful tone was pleasing to the ear.

Yan Shian stepped into the courtyard and saw Miss Shi leaning on the veranda railing, watching Yan Ze and others catching fish. She looked better than usual, showing no sign of having been bullied.

Walking over, he said, “Haven’t you finished eating all the fish in the lotus pond yet?”

“There are still some that escaped,” Shi Buyu pointed to herself, “just like me.”

That phrase sounded familiar. Yan Shian recalled how Miss Shi had described herself the first time they met.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Especially good.” Shi Buyu smiled, eyes squinting with joy. She mimicked both herself and Zhang Susu’s conversation in a vivid performance that made not only Yan Shian laugh, but also others who had witnessed the scene.

Yan Shian said, “I think she’s the one who needs to see the doctor.”

Shi Buyu nodded in agreement. “With this much fire in her, she really needs a few doses of medicine to clear the heat.”

They exchanged a look and both laughed heartily.