In the Xie residence’s afternoon garden, maids and matrons gathered to gossip.

“Have you heard? Someone’s moved into Quiet Contemplation Residence.”

“Really? That’s the courtyard where the eldest young master used to study. Even when the second young miss made a fuss several times wanting to move in, it didn’t happen.”

“Who has such great face?”

“You’d never guess—it’s that person who held the eldest young master hostage that night.”

“How could it be her?”

“Shouldn’t someone so brazen who doesn’t know their place be sent to prison?”

“Exactly. How did she end up living in Quiet Contemplation Residence?”

“Quiet Contemplation Residence is nothing—Imperial Physician Pei even examined her!”

Everyone fell silent.

Imperial Physician Pei wasn’t an ordinary person. He only treated the masters of the Xie residence. Even Concubine Liu, who bore the master a son and daughter, didn’t have that qualification.

“I heard the eldest young master goes to Quiet Contemplation Residence every few days.”

“…”

A girl who dared hold the eldest young master hostage and could summon Imperial Physician Pei—there was only one possibility:

She was the eldest young master’s woman kept outside. Using some method, she made a huge scene. The eldest young master had no choice but to bring her home and elevate her to a noble concubine.

This is bad. From now on, there’ll be no peaceful days in the eldest young master’s courtyard.

…

“Have you heard? Someone’s moved into Quiet Contemplation Residence.”

“Really? That’s the courtyard where the eldest young master used to study. Even when the second young miss made a fuss several times wanting to move in, it didn’t happen.”

“Who has such great face?”

“You’d never guess—it’s that woman the third young master was carrying that night.”

“What do you think her relationship is with the third young master?”

“Need you ask? She’s already moved into Quiet Contemplation Residence. Eighty percent chance she’s a woman the third young master kept outside.”

“Is the third young master going to marry her?”

“How could he possibly marry some wild woman from outside? At most he’ll elevate her to concubine status. Miss Du will still be the primary wife.”

“With Miss Du’s temperament, nine out of ten she won’t tolerate it.”

“That’s why that woman is clever. Before Miss Du enters the family, she’s securing her foothold in the Xie family first. If she bears a son or daughter, even if Miss Du can’t tolerate her, she’ll have to.”

“The third young master was fine. How did he suddenly change? Didn’t he say he wouldn’t cause trouble…”

“He wouldn’t cause trouble, but that doesn’t mean women won’t desperately throw themselves at him. Our third young master is so handsome—ranked among the top in the capital.”

“This is bad. From now on, there’ll be no peaceful days in the third young master’s courtyard.”

…

The mistress of Quiet Contemplation Residence stood at her writing desk at this moment, brush in hand.

“Today is the fifth day since moving into the Xie family. The bed is too soft, not as firm as the one at home. After sleeping, I wake with a sore back and waist. In Li Buyan’s words: negative review.

The food is good. Regular meals have at least five dishes and one soup, plus bird’s nest to eat. In five days I’ve gained back all the weight I lost over two months. Positive review.

That fatty Xie is too annoying. All day long ‘young miss this, young miss that.’ I tell him to shut up but he won’t listen. His five elements lack a beating. I’m considering whether to give him one so he’ll behave for a few days.

Tangyuan still doesn’t quite dare eat at the same table with me. Her bottom only dares touch half the chair, and she doesn’t really eat the food. Do I have a face that says ‘strangers keep away’?

Xie Erli came twice, didn’t say much, just said he came to check on things.

Is he that idle?

With that time, wouldn’t listening to songs at a pleasure house be better?

…

Several days later.

The mistress of Quiet Contemplation Residence stood at her writing desk again, brush in hand.

“Today is the twelfth day since moving into the Xie residence. I’ve gotten used to the soft bed, but the bedding is too silky—it keeps falling on the floor at night.

The food quality remains consistent, with added seasonal fruits and snacks, but the fruits in the capital aren’t sweet.

Yesterday I said: ‘These melons in our area would only be fed to pigs.’ That fatty Xie knelt again.

Twelve days, fatty Xie has knelt twenty-eight times. Should I just break his legs directly? Might as well not let him stand up at all.

Tangyuan has dared to serve herself food these past few days, but she still can’t change from saying ‘this servant.’ It’s really grating to hear.

That wastrel Xie came twice, didn’t say much, also said he came to check on things.

Is he that idle too?

Don’t wastrels all spend their days listening to songs at pleasure houses?

Up to now I still haven’t stepped outside Quiet Contemplation Residence’s gate. This half month I must restore my health, recover everything I lost before.

Because I can feel the next heart demon is getting closer and closer to me!

…

Yan Sanhe hadn’t guessed correctly. That wastrel Xie was currently rushing to a pleasure house.

Pleasure houses in the capital were divided into three tiers.

The highest tier was the Music Bureau, places specifically for high officials and nobles to enjoy themselves.

Most of the courtesans inside were family members of disgraced officials, plus some tributes from neighboring countries.

These courtesans could both compose poetry and serve people, without much worldly taint. They embodied elegance.

The second tier consisted of houses and courtyards.

The girls in houses and courtyards mostly came from poor backgrounds. Though their looks and learning couldn’t compare to those in the Music Bureau, the key was they knew how to let loose!

When those little songs started, men’s bones went soft. They embodied charm.

The lowest tier were the street-walking nightingales.

These women, aging with fading beauty, could only sell their bodies to have food and survive. They embodied vulgarity.

People from official families generally weren’t too willing to go to the Music Bureau to listen to songs.

Why?

Because the official arena was like a slaughterhouse. With one stroke of bad luck, who knew when one’s own family’s womenfolk might end up there.

Lichun Courtyard was their first choice.

But this wastrel Xie’s trip wasn’t to listen to any young lady sing songs.

He pushed past the approaching attendant and with one swift stride rushed up the stairs, walking directly to the innermost private room on the second floor. Then he raised his foot.

The door flew open with one kick.

Laughter and dice sounds came to an abrupt halt.

Three to five bald monks turned their heads in unison. Xie Zhifei’s eyes immediately spotted Pei Xiao, who retained a full head of black hair, being embraced in the center.

“Anyone who doesn’t want to be impeached by the censors tomorrow—get lost!”

The monks didn’t dare make a peep. They pushed away the girls in their arms and slunk away.

The girls saw that the usually smiling Third Master Xie looked like a demon today. Not daring to say more, they also left swiftly.

Xie Zhifei walked in with a dark expression, looking toward Pei Xiao.

“The dignified Right Good Affairs Officer of the Buddhist Registry, a sixth-rank official, actually bringing subordinates to visit a brothel. Do you still want your official position or not?”

“Of course I want it. Why wouldn’t I want it?”

Master Pei’s face was full of sincerity. “Amitabha. My soul can belong to Buddha, but my flesh can also be worldly.”

Xie Zhifei was amused by his shamelessness despite his anger.

“You being worldly alone would be one thing. All of the capital knows you, Pei Mingting, are just passing time at the Buddhist Registry. Yet you’re actually leading a group of monks to be worldly. I think you want to die.”

“Which bastard tattled to you?”

Pei Xiao slammed the table and cursed: “The big officials and nobles whoring around goes unnoticed, but when I listen to a little song they can’t stand it. Is there any justice? Is there any law?”

The bastards Master Pei referred to were the censors of the Censorate. These people had small positions but considerable power.

Most crucially, because their positions were small, they didn’t dare provoke officials of fifth rank and above. But for officials of sixth rank and below, they would bite anyone they saw—like mad dogs.

Xie Zhifei pointed at him.

“Ancestor, at this critical juncture, can you please restrain yourself a bit?”

“It’s precisely at this critical juncture that I wanted to come out for some air.”

Pei Xiao sneered coldly. “What’s the matter? My uncle has already lost his position. Are those dogs planning to bite me too?”

Xie Zhifei: “From your tone, you’re planning to bite back?”

“Biting dogs—that’s beneath me.”

Pei Xiao rolled his eyes. “I have a dog-beating stick to break their dog legs.”

“Alright, stop all the boasting.”

Xie Zhifei, thinking of some rumors he’d recently heard, leaned his face closer and lowered his voice.

“Did your family have someone dig up your maternal grandmother, Old Lady Ji’s grave?”

Pei Xiao’s half-rolled eyes suddenly froze.