Shi Buyu followed with a respectful bow, then offered thanks:
“Many thanks to the Princess for speaking on my cousin’s behalf.”

“There’s no need for you to thank me.” Qinghuan rested her chin on her hand and studied her. “You’re only passably pretty—certainly not as good-looking as Young Master Shi’an. What exactly do you see in her?”

Shi Buyu lowered her head, feeling deeply aggrieved.

Yan Shi’an looked at her, gaze full of emotion.
“Perhaps it’s because—whether I was down and out or full of ambition—she’s always looked at me the same way. And because, when I’m by her side, I feel at ease. No matter what she does, I feel she means well. That kind of trust… I give it to her naturally. I can’t give it to anyone else.”

Beautifully said, thought Shi Buyu. She almost believed it herself.

“I, this ‘someone else,’ understand.” Qinghuan masked the faint disappointment in her heart with a teasing tone. When she looked at Shi Buyu again, there was a hint of admiration in her gaze.
“Though you appear the type to back down from everything, you’ve never really retreated in front of me—and even dared to argue with the Zhang family based on principle. That shows there’s something commendable in you. Life is long. Let’s see how far this kind of feeling can carry the two of you.”

Qinghuan’s smile was like a gentle breeze.
“I hope that when Young Master Shi’an is old and gray, he’ll still have the resolve he has today.”

Yan Shi’an and Shi Buyu bowed to her together.

“Well then, I won’t pine after you anymore.” Qinghuan waved them off and reclined once again on her wide lounge chair.
“Bring the good wine! And go summon Zhan Yan to keep me company!”

Yan Shi’an took Miss Shi back to their original seat. The others no longer stared brazenly at them—some resumed chatting, some paid their respects to the princess, others struck up conversations. But whatever they were doing, their eyes still flicked over to this corner from time to time, forcing Shi Buyu to maintain her delicate, gentle demeanor and stay close to Yan Shi’an.

Not that she minded—it was a great chance to talk.

“So, how was my plan? Effective, right?” Shi Buyu covered her mouth, trying to hide how much she was laughing.
“The Princess has given up on you, and the Zhang family wouldn’t dare tangle with you again. Two birds with one stone—perfect.”

“Better than expected.”

At last, the waiter brought their food.

Yan Shi’an paused the conversation, waited until the waiter left, then picked out a fish bone and placed it before her as he continued,
“Zhang will suffer quite the lesson this time.”

“She came right at me—I had to hit back.” Shi Buyu picked up the bone and examined it. It still had a bit of meat on it from the fish’s spine. One bite—her eyes lit up. The bones were crisp and fragrant. Delicious!

“You try it too.” After speaking, Shi Buyu remembered they were in public and that now was the perfect time to show off their deep affection. So she picked up a piece and offered it to Yan Shi’an’s mouth.

His gaze shifted several times before he finally lowered his eyes and opened his mouth to take the bite.

Shi Buyu, enjoying the act, followed it up with a shy look, lowering her head and acting all bashful. But that didn’t stop her from grabbing another piece for herself—though she forgot she was still using the same chopsticks she had just fed him with.

Yan Shi’an’s chewing paused, and his gaze fell on the chopsticks.

Shi Buyu leaned in and whispered,
“So are we hiding behind Qinghuan now? With her standing guard, no one dares come near you.”

“Exactly.” It was perfect—peaceful, and a chance to stay close to Miss Shi like this. Everything was just right.

“Perfect for enjoying good food,” Shi Buyu glanced around quickly and popped another crispy bone into her mouth.
“If I’d known fish bones were this tasty, I’d have asked Seventh Brother to bring them to me every day!”

Then she shook her head.
“No, that’d be too troublesome. Why not just take the chef home with us? Brother would definitely agree.”

“No need.” Yan Shi’an reasoned gently,
“Ah-gu dislikes you eating food from outside. We can just ask Brother to find out how the chef makes the bones. Once Ah-gu learns it, you can have it anytime.”

“Good idea.” Shi Buyu nodded in agreement. She’d just tell Brother, and Ah-gu would only need to observe the chef once to learn the method. Much more convenient.

The two of them kept chatting about this and that, whispering things only they could hear. To others, it was further proof of how deep their bond ran. And for Yan Shi’an, his reputation not only remained intact but actually improved.

With Princess Qinghuan personally confirming it, people now believed Yan Shi’an had resisted the temptations of wealth and status, had not taken shortcuts, and had achieved academic success purely on his own merit. People admire strength—and in the eyes of many, Yan Shi’an was now a true rising star. Once word spread, even the most traditional and conservative ministers would look upon him more favorably.

That favor would be of great use to him in the future.

Shi Buyu looked left, looked right, and took another bite.

When the time came, the literary gathering began.

“I’m heading to the railing,” Yan Shi’an said.

“Go!” Shi Buyu punched her fist in encouragement.
“Defeat them and win the top prize!”

Yan Shi’an looked deeply at her.
“Today, I have many reasons why I must take the top spot.”

For your planning, for my future, for helping Qinghuan out of a bind—

For you.

Shi Buyu didn’t understand the look in his eyes. Nor did she overthink it. On a day like this, if he could win top honors, the name of Young Master Shi’an would spread even wider—especially with the Zhang family and Princess Qinghuan acting as his backdrop and support.

Today’s poetry gathering was themed around the winter season.

Normally bustling, the Floating Life Pavilion was even more lively today due to Qinghuan’s presence and the attendance of many noble ladies. The atmosphere was more intense than ever.

Poems were recited one after another. Cheers, applause, and drumbeats sent the atmosphere soaring.

Midway through, Yan Shi’an went to the first floor.

Later, he stepped up to the central stage.

Shi Buyu looked at the one bathed in starlight, dazzling enough to make it hard to look away—and suddenly understood why Zhang Susu couldn’t let go, and why even a princess like Qinghuan, who had seen so many handsome men, was drawn to him. Not only was he handsome, but he was also brilliant. His background might be ordinary, but he held his head high before everyone—never fawning, never arrogant, never self-deprecating. A man like that was indeed far too rare.

“Feeling smug?”

Shi Buyu turned to see that Princess Qinghuan had appeared beside her without her noticing.

“The first time I saw him was at a poetry gathering by a stream,” Qinghuan said.
“Everyone else was scratching their heads in frustration, trying to compose something. He was calm and composed, not the least bit flustered.” Even now, thinking of that moment, Qinghuan’s heart stirred.
“There were many young noblemen there—some quite handsome—but for some reason, he gave me a sense of familiarity. As if he were someone from my past life, come to find me in this one.”

Qinghuan laughed.
“I don’t mind if you laugh at me. Back then, I really thought he was meant for me. I even considered dismissing all my other courtiers and taking him as my consort. But he never gave me the chance. After I first expressed my interest, he turned me down cleanly. I thought he was just being reserved. Only after a few more times did I realize… he never intended to accept me.”

Shi Buyu thought: If he had accepted you, lightning would strike, the royal tombs would shake, and all the coffins would burst open.

“Luoshi.” (Qinghuan used Shi Buyu’s formal surname.)

Shi Buyu looked up at her. Qinghuan, however, was gazing down at the figure on the stage.

“You don’t need to pretend in front of me,” she said. Another excellent poem had just been read out below, the applause perfectly covering Qinghuan’s words so that only Shi Buyu could hear.
“It’s fine this way. A man like Yan Shi’an needs a clever wife. When you two get married, I’ll send a generous gift.”

Shi Buyu thought about it—then dropped the act completely. She bowed and said,
“Your Highness, this favor shall be repaid a hundredfold.”

“A hundredfold?” Qinghuan chuckled.
“Very well—then I’ll be waiting.”