“That place has become a living hell. Yisheng is the only one who escaped alive. Sujuan helped him—her younger sister died in there.”

Shi Buyu’s expression turned cold. “They exposed the body-dumping at the city gate and blamed it on me. They dispose of corpses there regularly, all from that palace. After that incident, things quieted down for a while. But now, they’ve just changed the dumping ground.”

Orchid couldn’t believe it. “That place used to be so noble and refined. All the officials took pride in gaining entry there!”

“It’s just a place. What it’s used for is what it becomes.”

Orchid pressed her lips together. “I understand. I’ll pass it on to the Madam.”

“Yisheng said everyone who tried to investigate ended up dead. The Madam doesn’t need to risk herself—just keep an eye on it,” Shi Buyu reminded her. “Our focus right now isn’t the imperial palace. That comes later. It’s still too early.”

“Yes.”

Even though she didn’t gain much useful information, Shi Buyu wasn’t discouraged. Matters inside the palace were never easy to probe.

Just as she was about to see Orchid off, Luo Qing rushed in from outside. “Miss, the messenger’s arrived. Pingyang City has fallen. The remnants have retreated to Baokou City.”

“Finally, some news.” Shi Buyu smiled lightly. “There will definitely be a major battle this autumn. The Danba Kingdom is more patient than I expected. With an opponent like that, someone as useless as Duan Qi won’t be able to handle it. I thought they might bypass Baokou City, but now… I’m not so sure. If it were me, and I took a city that easily, I’d definitely seize the momentum and swallow up Baokou. It’s a juicy prize.”

Luo Qing frowned. “You mean Baokou City will fall too?”

“Seventy percent chance.” The nonchalance on Shi Buyu’s face disappeared. “Danba knows Dayou well. They must know that behind Baokou is Fuyuan. Fuyuan City is the seat of Fuyuan Prefecture and houses the Pingyao Military Commissioner. The Commissioner, He Qiliang, is brave but lacks strategy. However, he has an advisor, Lin Ke, who’s brilliant. They complement each other. With He Qiliang’s provincial troops and the remaining forces, even if he and Duan Qi are at odds, Danba won’t find it easy to conquer them. Their best move is to capture Baokou and then stalemate with Dayou’s army there, while stripping Baokou, Pingyang, Sitong, and Xinfu to the bone to support their troops through the winter—saving them the trouble of transporting provisions.”

She lightly tapped her index fingers together like a clap. “Looking at how they’ve taken cities so far, Danba has been methodical—never greedy, never reckless. The one commanding must be an old general. If I can think of it, he certainly can too. Just wait—a few days from now, another messenger will come. It’s just a pity such a fine day had to be ruined by this news. Who knows how many people will curse the Loyal and Brave Marquis again.”

As Orchid listened to Shi Buyu speak so knowledgeably about the frontlines and analyze things so calmly, she began to understand why both Yan Ze and Luo Qing had gravitated toward her in such a short time. Shi Buyu always gave off a feeling that everything was under control—just follow her lead, and you won’t go wrong.

Even Orchid herself began to seriously consider Yan Ze’s words.

“Aunt Orchid, I’ll leave the palace to the Madam. Please also pass along my regards.” Shi Buyu tilted her head with a sweet smile. “Even though she doesn’t like me, I still like her. I’ll go to her again next time I need something.”

“…”

Orchid couldn’t respond to that. She stood and bowed, taking her leave with swift steps—as if afraid that staying a moment longer would make her burst out laughing.

Shi Buyu stretched lazily. Auntie was still adorable. As for the Madam… she’d give her a passing grade.

Not long after, Yan Shian returned, holding a paper-wrapped bundle of fish bones.

Seeing him, Shi Buyu smiled. “Looks like the literary gathering ended early.”

Knowing she had received the news, Yan Shian didn’t hide anything. “Aside from voicing outrage, cursing this one and blaming that one—what else can they do?”

“Did you expect them to swap pens for swords? Or did you think they’d take up arms and fight?” Shi Buyu walked into the study. “At times like these, if civil officials can stop bickering over petty things and just hand over money and troops, they’re good officials. Go ask around—how many of those are there? Even if the fighting reaches Baokou, or even Yanxi Prefecture, they’ll still be arguing. What—because the enemy hasn’t reached the gates yet?”

Yan Shian opened the oil-paper bundle in front of her. “Seems like it’s always been this way in court.”

“It wasn’t like this during the reign of the Founding Emperor, nor during Emperor Qizong’s time. Ultimately, it comes down to the emperor’s ability—whether he can command his officials, whether he cares about governance, whether he’s a wise ruler who holds the country and people in his heart. A competent emperor allows freedom of speech, but not chaos. Allows personal interests, but not at the expense of public duty. If the court can’t tell major from minor and argues all day…”

Shi Buyu looked straight at him. “Then it’s already out of control. A sign of imperial decline.”

Yan Shian met her gaze. He wanted to ask: Was this something the White-Bearded Master taught you too?

But in the end, he simply said, “If not for my imperial grandfather turning the tide, Dayou would’ve already fallen.”

“If you can turn it again, it’ll be a second lease on life for Dayou.”

“What do I do next?”

Shi Buyu picked up a piece of fish bone and nibbled thoughtfully. Once she finished eating, she had her answer. “The next big thing… is probably my sixteenth birthday.”

The topic shift was so abrupt that it caught Yan Shian completely off guard. His mind, full of warfare and statecraft, stumbled for a moment before finally registering that, yes, this was a big deal.

He asked, “How have you celebrated in past years?”

“Eating, drinking, getting gifts. And I get to make one request. The White-Bearded Master and I share the same birthday, so his presents all end up mine too.” Shi Buyu popped another piece into her mouth. It was the kind of snack you never craved when it wasn’t there, but once you started, you couldn’t stop—deliciously addictive.

Yan Shian was curious. “Do your wishes always come true?”

“Of course! What’s the point of making wishes that can’t be granted?” Shi Buyu wiped her hands with a cloth. Eating made talking inconvenient—she’d snack more later. “Last year, I asked to know who my Second Brother is. All these years, I’ve never met him. The White-Bearded Master never mentioned him before, but when I asked, he said he’d tell me by my next birthday.”

Yan Shian stifled a laugh. And that birthday is…

“I figured I’d wait a year, but look at me now, stuck here!” Shi Buyu huffed. “I’ll get back to it once I wrap up everything here.”

“Did you ask your other brothers about him?”

“I did. Third Brother said that from his generation on down, they only know there is a Second Brother but have never met him. He said only Big Brother has seen him. But Big Brother is so serious—he even dares to discipline the White-Bearded Master. Once he punished both of us. Whenever I see him, I just want to hide.”

“…” Yan Shian often found their sect fascinating, and now, even more so.

Just what kind of master could raise such a wildly different bunch—and yet still keep them all so close?