Third Master’s face was so thick, he had no idea how to write the character for “thin.”

He gave Zhu Qing outside the door a look, then lifted his robe and sat on the round table.

“Tang Yuan, I’m also taking breakfast at Jingsi Residence today. Have them send more food.”

Tang Yuan looked at Yan Sanhe but didn’t dare move.

Third Master was angry. “What’s this—can’t order you around?”

Tang Yuan: “Yes!”

Yan Sanhe watched the master and servant act with an expressionless face.

Tang Yuan’s acting skills were still somewhat immature, a bit awkward.

As for that Xie fellow…

Using Li Buyan’s words, what was it—that Card something owed him a little golden statue.

Third Master Xie had no idea his underwear had been completely seen through, and said very seriously, “That Mama Chen will probably have news today.”

So soon?

Yan Sanhe was slightly stunned.

“What Miss Yan instructed, we dare not delay!”

Third Master Xie folded his arms, smiling insincerely. “These next few days I won’t be going to the yamen—Mingting and I will stay with you to settle the matter of Old Matriarch Ji.”

Yan Sanhe touched her ear, thinking she must have a hearing problem.

“What did you say?”

“Mingting and I will stay with you to settle Old Matriarch Ji’s matter.”

Yan Sanhe’s gaze swept across Third Master Xie’s face. Though his complexion was like day-old rice, his eyes were bright—he didn’t seem to be joking.

“You don’t need to handle the Ji family matter anymore?”

Listen, listen, listen—this statement was probing again.

Xie Zhifei was extremely careful, deliberately shrugging. “We’re just common folk—how could we manage such a catastrophic matter as a family confiscation?”

Keep pretending!

Yan Sanhe sneered inwardly, her gaze at Xie Zhifei holding several subtle meanings.

Xie Zhifei faced her scrutiny openly and generously.

The benefit of good self-control was that even when you knew perfectly well what was going on, you wouldn’t ask unnecessary questions—everyone just kept shaking their riddles in the jar!

On the side, Li Buyan, watching this scene, couldn’t help but wonder: When a male fox and a female fox fight, who wins?

Just then, Tang Yuan came in carrying a food box.

Behind her was Zhu Qing, who had just left and returned.

Seeing Zhu Qing return, Xie Zhifei’s expression changed.

“Did that Mama Chen send news?”

“Master guessed right. She’s already on her way to the capital and should arrive the day after tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow?”

“We’ll go meet her.” Yan Sanhe made the decision immediately. “This way we save time.”

“This time we’re taking a carriage. Even if the sky falls, you’re not allowed to ride a horse.”

Xie Zhifei pointed at her forehead where the scab hadn’t yet fallen off. “Don’t negotiate with me—there’s no discussion.”

No discussion?

Yan Sanhe’s eyelid twitched, and her face darkened. Who did he think he was?

“Yan Sanhe!”

Xie Zhifei’s expression was utterly sincere.

“Don’t rely on your youth to not take care of your body. If you don’t care about yourself, my old ancestor still cares! If something happens to you, how will my old ancestor live!”

Though his mouth spoke of how the old ancestor would live, his expression said “Third Master can’t live either, Third Master also cares very much.”

“…”

Yan Sanhe’s fingers forcefully scratched at the table corner.

Scratching once wasn’t enough.

Scratch again!

Li Buyan watched Yan Sanhe’s frustrated appearance and was delighted inwardly: This round, the male fox wins—wins through thick skin.

“Miss, let’s just take the carriage.”

Li Buyan quickly handed over the “ladder” so the frustrated Yan Sanhe could climb down.

“Eat. We leave in half an hour.”

Yan Sanhe glared at Xie Zhifei, which counted as agreeing.

Third Master Xie rarely gained the upper hand—he was delighted inwardly too.

“Zhu Qing, go prepare quickly, and notify Master Pei—tell him to hurry up and stop always dawdling and wasting time.”

“Yes!”

Zhu Qing turned and walked away, pausing at the courtyard gate.

The person outside the gate also paused.

“Second Master.”

Xie Buhuo frowned. “Is Third Master here?”

Zhu Qing: “Having breakfast with Miss Yan.”

Xie Buhuo’s expression changed slightly as he nodded to Zhu Qing and walked into the courtyard.

Tang Yuan had already heard the commotion outside and hurried out to greet him. “Second Master has arrived.”

Xie Buhuo handed her the porcelain bottle in his hand.

“Miss Yan’s wound scab should fall off soon. Once it does, have her apply this scar removal cream—once in the morning and once at night after washing her face. Use it consistently for a month.”

“Thank you, Second Master.”

“I’ll be going!”

“Second Master, please have a cup of tea before you go.”

“No need.”

Xie Buhuo’s gaze cast a faint glance toward the main hall, then turned to leave.

“Second Master, please wait.”

A cool voice sounded from behind. Xie Buhuo’s form paused, and he turned around, his eyes containing a tender light.

“Miss, how is your injury?”

“Fine.” Yan Sanhe nodded.

“That scar cream uses the palace’s formula—please try it, Miss.”

“Thank you.”

“Miss, your complexion isn’t good—rest more.”

“Alright!”

“Then… I take my leave!”

“I won’t see you out!”

Xie Buhuo smiled faintly and left bathed in morning light.

Yan Sanhe waited until he was far away before turning around.

Suddenly, she collided with a pair of smiling yet mocking dark eyes. The owner of those eyes leaned against the doorframe with folded arms, looking utterly sleazy.

Yan Sanhe walked past him expressionlessly, returned to her seat, picked up her chopsticks, and lowered her head to eat.

Xie Zhifei took the porcelain bottle from Tang Yuan’s hands, looking at it left and right.

“Yan Sanhe, the best scar removal cream isn’t from the palace.”

Yan Sanhe didn’t look up.

However, Li Buyan curiously asked, “Then where is it from?”

Xie Zhifei didn’t know why, but felt Li Buyan’s interjection was irritating.

Your head wasn’t knocked—why are you talking so much!

He coughed before saying, “Baiyao Hall’s scar removal cream is most effective. When we get back, I’ll have Pei Xiao…”

“Whether it leaves a scar or not doesn’t matter.”

Yan Sanhe spoke. “No need to go to that trouble.”

Xie Zhifei tossed the porcelain bottle into Tang Yuan’s arms and sat at the table, picking up chopsticks. “Yan Sanhe, it’s just a small favor—what trouble is it?”

Yan Sanhe: “…” Can’t we just eat peacefully without talking!

“Third Master?”

Li Buyan stared at Third Master Xie for a long while, then suddenly smiled warmly.

“Earlier you weren’t sending my young lady scar removal cream, but as soon as Second Master sent some, you want to send it too?”

Third Master Xie: “…”

Li Buyan: “Are you two brothers competing with each other?”

“Cough cough cough…”

Xie Zhifei suddenly started coughing violently, coughing until his face turned red. He lost his appetite entirely, threw down his chopsticks, and said, “This congee has no flavor—which cook made it? Dock her monthly wages.”

Li Buyan chuckled. “It’s plain congee—what flavor should it have?”

Xie Zhifei knew this person was doing it on purpose. “Miss, you don’t understand—plain congee also has flavor. For example…”

Li Buyan had no interest in listening to his nonsense. Under the table, her foot tapped Yan Sanhe’s.

Yan Sanhe looked up at her.

Li Buyan blinked: See that? The Xie manor’s Second Master and Third Master don’t get along!

Yan Sanhe: I see.

Li Buyan: It must be a legitimate-versus-concubine conflict.

Yan Sanhe: It has nothing to do with us.

Indeed, it has nothing to do with us.

Li Buyan smiled and shifted her gaze away, taking a sip of the thin rice porridge in her bowl.

But I’ve confirmed it with my eyes—

It has something to do with you!