Qing Huan had stirred up such a spectacle that even though the Zhang family tried their best to suppress it to protect Zhang Susu’s reputation, it was all in vain. With their complex web of family alliances, curious relatives came and went to poke around. After cross-checking the bits and pieces of information they each collected, the truth more or less came to light.

Too many people were paying attention. Even without deliberate spreading, the gossip quickly spread through the capital like wildfire once it reached a few inner circles.

The Zhang family didn’t sit idle, of course. Behind the scenes, they tried to steer the narrative toward a romantic scandal. In that version, it was Yan Shi’an who became the seductress.

Shi Buyu burst out laughing when she heard this. She liked Qing Huan—she wasn’t afraid of powerful ministers, treated others with dignity when they deserved it, and never belittled anyone unjustly. Someone like that was truly worthy of the title “Princess of the Realm.”

Naturally, word of this reached the Emperor’s ears.

The Emperor, just over fifty, still looked quite dashing. But his gaze always gave people a strange discomfort. Even when he smiled, there was something off-putting about it, though it was hard to explain why.

That day, when he met the Prime Minister, he joked, “I heard you suffered a loss at Qing Huan’s hands?”

The Prime Minister bowed deeply. “Her Highness is of noble status. If she personally came to instruct us, then the Zhang family must indeed have done something wrong.”

Old fox.

The Emperor lifted his teacup and took a sip. “Qing Huan’s always had that temper. Even I coddle and coax her. Why would you provoke her?”

“It was my fault. Next time I see Her Highness, I’ll be sure to keep my distance.”

“No need to put on that face in front of me. Yes, she’s headstrong, but when has she ever gone off on someone without reason?” The Emperor glanced at him meaningfully. “To say ‘give me whatever I want’—what arrogance. It’s only because Qing Huan acted first. Otherwise… hmph!”

Zhang Xuzhi felt a wave of relief at those words. Since the Emperor clearly knew that Qing Huan had personally come to his door, he must also know the reason. If he had said nothing, that would’ve been the real sword hanging over the Zhang family’s neck. But now that he brought it up, it was oddly reassuring.

“Your Majesty, I have committed a grave error.” Zhang Xuzhi swiftly knelt. “It was entirely due to my lack of discipline at home. That’s how such outrageous words came to be spoken. I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”

“Qing Huan has already gone and dealt with it on my behalf,” the Emperor said, his gaze sharpening. “If you bear a grudge against her for it and cause trouble in secret, I won’t spare you.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Zhang Xuzhi said, feeling ever steadier in his heart. “In fact, I must thank Princess Qing Huan for her timely reminder. I had no idea how poorly I had been supervising my family. To think we brought such trouble on ourselves over a single man.”

The Emperor’s serious expression melted into a smile. “I admit, I’m a bit curious about the whole affair. Was it truly over a man? I heard Qing Huan tried to make him her consort, but he refused, and then your granddaughter tried to catch him at the examination halls.”

“I’m truly too ashamed to speak of it,” Zhang Xuzhi said, though he now felt fully at ease. His words, however, carried a tone of anger and disappointment. “That Yan Shi’an is quite the looker, and he’s talented too. Not yet twenty and already a juren. He’ll surely place in next year’s palace exams. But he already has a fiancée and rejected my granddaughter in public. Yet she behaved like she was possessed and wouldn’t let it go—she even barged into his home. It’s disgraceful. She’s brought shame to the entire Zhang family.”

To think someone could capture Qing Huan’s attention like that—even after rejection, she still helped him secure a place at the cultural gathering hosted by the Deputy Minister of Rites. And he could drive the Prime Minister’s granddaughter to desperation as well…

The Emperor’s interest was piqued. Just how handsome is this Yan Shi’an?

Zhang Xuzhi subtly lifted his brows and glanced at the Emperor, satisfied that his goal had been achieved. He sneered inwardly. A nobody, nothing but a pretty face—and yet because of him, the Zhang family suffered humiliation at Qing Huan’s hands.

He hated Qing Huan. But he hated Yan Shi’an even more.

Qing Huan was untouchable for now. But Yan Shi’an? Heh…

---

Shi Buyu, having enjoyed all the gossip she could, began planning how she would celebrate her birthday—what to eat, how to have fun.

It only came once a year, and her Aunt was especially agreeable on that day, so she needed to think carefully.

She picked up a brush and solemnly wrote the characters for “raw fish” (yuhui) on the paper. Then she began to ponder what tone to use when asking Aunt, so she might actually agree.

Should she say it’s her last meal request this year? But she’d already promised that last time.

Maybe she could say it was her birthday wish? But wasn’t it a waste to use her one annual request just for a plate of fish?

Resting her chin on her hand, Shi Buyu stared at the two characters on the page, imagining a plate of fresh, tender yuhui in front of her. Her mouth was nearly watering. How could anything taste so good? So fresh and delicate, especially with Aunt’s dipping sauce…

She wiped the corner of her mouth. Her inner scale tipped dramatically toward the yuhui side—the other side practically launched into the sky.

Maybe just this once…

“Miss, Eldest Young Master has sent a letter,” Wanxia entered with a letter and a small box. She glanced at the two characters on the table and gave Shi Buyu a knowing, half-amused look before placing the items down. She folded the paper and walked out.

Shi Buyu slumped. Well, never mind. Aunt really wasn’t going to let her have it this year.

Remembering her eldest brother had sent someone to check on the white-bearded elder, she quickly opened the letter.

“Twelve, Teacher’s health has greatly improved under Master Gongyi’s care, though he still needs some time for recovery. I’ve arranged for someone to stay and look after him. I’m aware of everything—if you need anything, come to me. I’ve also enclosed a birthday gift.”

“Twelve… All my other brothers call me Little Twelve, only Eldest Brother calls me just Twelve.” Shi Buyu muttered, but knowing the elder’s health was improving made her beam. She set the letter aside and eagerly pulled the box closer.

What could it be?

Thinking back to what her eldest brother had sent before, her excitement dwindled. While her other brothers always chose things she liked, Eldest Brother only sent practical items—even once gifting her a discipline ruler!

A ruler is still a ruler, no matter how fine the wood. Didn’t he understand that?

What if this was another moral reminder gift?

She took a few deep breaths before cautiously opening the box a sliver. It was dark inside. She opened it a bit more and saw a small sphere, just big enough to fit between thumb and forefinger. Inside the lid was a note:

“This item was crafted by a descendant of the Mohist school. Press the slight indentation to release a burst of a hundred needles. Usable twice. Always keep it with you.”

Shi Buyu carefully picked up the sphere and turned it in her palm, spotting the tiny concave spot. Something this small could shoot a hundred needles twice—essentially giving her two extra lives. An excellent self-defense tool!

But Mohist descendants hadn’t been heard from in ages. Where had Eldest Brother found such a person?

Shi Buyu didn’t even know what spurred her thoughts exactly, but a clever idea sparked in her mind.

Since he’d already found one, Eldest Brother surely knew where to find more. And the Mohist school had so many good things! No need to steal—she’d buy them. Her cousin had money!