Winning first place, of course, meant she wouldn’t be leaving so easily.

Shi Buyu had already eaten two servings of fish bones, but still hadn’t seen him return. Growing restless, she strolled downstairs. Originally, she intended to find her Seventh Brother for a chat, but halfway there, she was stopped by Qiqi.

“Miss, are you looking for a place to wash your hands?”

“Huh? It’s you!” Shi Buyu looked surprised. “When I saw you earlier, I thought I was mistaken. Why are you here?”

“I’m managing things here now,” Qiqi replied smoothly. “Today I witnessed how much Young Master Shi cares for you, and I realized that I had been too forceful in the past—it was my fault.”

Qiqi knelt and bowed.

“To be in charge here means you’ve got real skill.” Shi Buyu helped her up, holding her arm with a smile as if they were close sisters. “The Fusheng Gathering is full of renowned talents. I’m sure you’ll find someone who truly suits you.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Miss,” Qiqi replied. “There are many people here today, mostly men. Since you’re of noble status, why not wash up in my room instead?”

“I’ll trouble you, then.”

The Fusheng Gathering had front and back courtyards—the front for the gathering itself and the back for residences.

As the manager and someone Shi Buyu had specially instructed, Qiqi lived in a very nice place. It had everything one might need and was spacious, with three rooms and a small courtyard. A small window opened to a view of the outside, making it ideal for private conversations.

Shi Buyu nodded approvingly. “Not bad. Quite roomy.”

“This is the best house in the Fusheng Gathering,” Qiqi said as she brought over water, intending to help Shi Buyu wash her hands, only to be gently avoided.

“You’re not my maid. No need to serve me like this.” Shi Buyu washed her hands herself, then smiled at her. “How has Xue Ning been lately?”

Qiqi—Ruan Xuening—lowered her eyes. After a moment, she looked up. “I’m doing well. I used to have no say over my fate, and I understand that many of the girls here are the same. I’ve spoken with each of them to understand their needs and, after discussing with Mr. Cheng, have agreed to several of their requests. As the Fusheng Gathering’s reputation grows, the girls worry less about the future. They’re at ease now.”

“And you?”

Qiqi looked puzzled.

Shi Buyu sat in a curved-back chair. “The Ruan family was exiled. Do you not think about them?”

Qiqi froze, then realized what she meant. She knelt in front of Shi Buyu, gripping her hands. Her eyes and posture pleaded without a single word.

Shi Buyu pulled her up and had her move a small round stool to sit beside her before continuing. “I can’t promise I’ll bring the Ruan family back, but since you’re working for me now, it’s my responsibility to consider what you want and what I can offer. If what you want is the Ruan family’s former glory, then I must think about whether it’s something I can achieve. I hope what I give you is what you truly want.”

Shi Buyu smiled. “You’re too easy to fool. If it were me, I’d demand terms first before agreeing to devote myself to someone’s cause.”

Qiqi lowered her head and smiled. “I don’t know why, but when you said it like that, I couldn’t think of anything else and just agreed. Later, I felt like I was being too cheap, but then I thought—it’s you, so I didn’t mind.”

“You trust me, and I’ll strive to live up to that trust.” Shi Buyu gently touched her face. “I’ve looked into it. The Ruan family was exiled to Lingnan. I’ll see what I can find out. If there’s any way I can help, I will. If I can’t, I’ll still send them some silver. I’ll tell them it’s from Xue Ning.”

Ruan Xuening’s tears poured down her face. When she had been a Ruan daughter, she had enjoyed all the riches, but compared to her brothers, she was still insignificant. Yet now, it was she—this daughter—who could support the family. Shi Buyu gave her face and dignity.

“Don’t cry—it ruins your beauty.” Shi Buyu wiped her tears. “Just focus on managing the business here. Don’t worry about anything else, and definitely don’t go running into danger alone if you hear rumors. Talk to Mr. Cheng. Sometimes what you hear isn’t the truth but a trap. If you believe it, you’ll fall into it. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Qiqi nodded repeatedly. “I understand. I’ll just make sure the girls here are well taken care of.”

“Mr. Cheng is my brother. You can trust him completely.” Shi Buyu lowered her voice. “If anything unexpected happens, tell him.”

Ruan Xuening nodded earnestly.

Shi Buyu patted her head again. “There’s nothing shameful or unspeakable here. Relax and live your life. If you meet someone you like, there’s no harm in trying.”

“You must be joking, Miss.” Qiqi laughed. “I no longer have that kind of qualification. Being able to live freely like this is already a blessing.”

“Well, maybe there’s someone out there who isn’t blind? Hold yourself in higher regard. You’re pure, talented, and beautiful—who’s out of your league? And if they bring up family background, just ask what their ancestors did. Who’s really better than whom?”

Ruan Xuening laughed behind her hand, pure joy in her eyes. “I’ll listen to you, Miss. If anyone dares look down on me, I’ll ask them what their ancestors did—maybe mine were even better!”

“That’s the spirit. It doesn’t matter if others recognize your worth—as long as I do. Forget the gossip. Others have nothing to do with you, but I do.”

Shi Buyu gave her head a final pat and stood. She really liked obedient, clever girls like her.

Her hands now clean, Shi Buyu returned to the front courtyard—only to see Yan Shi’an walking quickly toward her.

Though he clearly knew where she had gone, seeing her still made him let out a breath of relief. “Where did you go? You were gone when I came back—it gave me a fright.”

“What, do you think the Zhang family could kidnap me inside the Fusheng Gathering?” Shi Buyu couldn’t resist taking a jab at them. “I went with Miss Qiqi to wash up in her room. Didn’t expect she’s managing things here now. So, tell me—do you come here for the gatherings, or to see her?”

Yan Shi’an cried out his innocence, raising a hand. “I swear! I have no such intentions!”

The onlookers weren’t about to let the chance to stir up trouble go.

“I’m not so sure,” someone commented.

“Me neither.”

“I agree.”

Soon, everyone watching joined in with a chorus of teasing.

Yan Shi’an bowed and begged for mercy. “Drinks are on me today!”

“With a character so praised even by the princess, how could Young Master Shi’an be swayed by others? His wife has wronged him!”

“That’s right, sister-in-law—you’ve wrongly accused him.”

“Young Master Shi’an is a man of integrity.”

“You two are a perfect match!”

The crowd quickly changed their tune and now cheerfully helped Yan Shi’an clear his name.

He moved closer to Shi Buyu to plead his case again.

Shi Buyu, acting thoroughly embarrassed, slapped his chest and hid behind him, giggling as her teasing laughter rang out through the entire floor.

Yan Shi’an cupped his hands toward the crowd again and escorted her back to her seat.

“How was my performance? Wasn’t it convincing?”

Looking at her bright, excited eyes, Yan Shi’an thought—he didn’t want it to be “like the real thing.” He wanted it to be the real thing.

He nodded. “Very convincing.”

“Hehe.”

The wine was flowing, the conversation lively. Yan Shi’an was the first to take his leave—with a good excuse: his cousin was tired.

He promised to return after sending her home, and the others reluctantly agreed—nearly demanding he sign a contract not to fall into a “pit of love.”

But once home, he couldn’t bear to leave.

Shi Buyu waved. “Go on—have fun.”

“…,” Yan Shi’an asked indirectly, “You don’t have anything else to say?”

Shi Buyu looked confused. Was she supposed to say something else? She thought hard. Zhang Susu was in trouble, Qing Huan was already let go, and no one else was worth mentioning!

She tentatively offered, “Then… drink a little less?”

Satisfied, Yan Shi’an nodded. “I’ll try to drink less.”

Actually, drinking more was fine too, Shi Buyu thought—after all, it had nothing to do with her. If her actual husband ever dared come home drunk expecting her care, she’d toss him in a pond. But since they weren’t there yet…

She returned to her study. Though the gathering’s laughter still echoed in her ears, her heart was as peaceful as a meditation chamber. She recorded everything down, letting her thoughts grow and branch out from there.

Two more sheets of rice paper now hung on the wall of her study.