And not just Third Master alone.

Everyone’s expressions looked displeased, especially Xie Daozhi, who ground his teeth and cursed inwardly “foolish woman.”

Saying these words at ordinary times would be perfectly fine, and the old lady would smile and praise “Madam is filial.”

But today, at this occasion, before Yan Sanhe, these words should not be said.

Whether the old lady was widowed, whether she raised him with great difficulty alone—others might not know, but Yan Sanhe knew perfectly well.

Secondly, Yan Sanhe was speaking up for Wu Shi. If you don’t thank her, so be it, but to contradict her in front of everyone—highly improper.

Thirdly, Yan Sanhe had finally agreed to integrate into the Xie family. For this, the old lady even dispensed with the rules. At this moment, you, Wu Shi, jump out—do you want to drive her away again?

Just when everyone at the table didn’t know how to respond, Xie Zhifei stood up and pressed Wu Shi into her chair.

“I say, Madam, with you standing and Sanhe sitting, you’re the elder and she’s the junior—won’t that make her uncomfortable? Besides, don’t I have Old Grandmother? I’ll help Grandmother with her dishes.”

He smiled. “Grandmother can look wherever she wants, and my chopsticks will reach there. I haven’t seen Grandmother for three months. Let me fulfill this filial duty too.”

Wu Shi’s ability to read situations might be poor, but she could see Master’s displeasure. She dared not say more.

Xie Zhifei returned to his seat and raised his wine cup with a harmless smile.

“Yan Sanhe, thank you for being considerate of my mother and sister-in-law. This first cup I’ll toast on their behalf, and also to my grandmother, for finally reuniting with her younger family member.”

This mouth didn’t just have honey on it—it was practically blessed by the Buddha.

It resolved Wu Shi’s embarrassment, flattered the old lady, and most importantly, he hadn’t forgotten to humor her—and he did it quite comfortably.

Yan Sanhe looked at Xie Zhifei as if looking at a golden, gleaming bodhisattva.

“Third, sit down. The first toast isn’t your turn yet.”

Xie Erli glared at his brother and stood up, raising his cup toward Yan Sanhe.

“Since we’ve made introductions, we’re family. Family doesn’t speak in two voices. From now on, Miss, come out and socialize more. Whether it’s Grandmother or Madam, they’ll treat you like their own daughter.”

With matters reaching this point, appearances were saved and steps provided.

Yan Sanhe raised her cup and said two words indifferently: “Thank you!”

The meal proceeded harmoniously, as if that scene had never occurred.

Because of her happiness, the old lady drank two extra cups. Her head lolled against her grandson’s shoulder, drowsy.

Third Master Xie shot his father a look. Xie Daozhi put down his chopsticks and stood up, and only then did the feast finally end.

…

Returning to Jingsi Residence, Yan Sanhe couldn’t change out of her clothes fast enough. She closed the door, pulled Li Buyan to sit on the bed’s edge.

She told Li Buyan everything she’d heard and seen at Chunen Hall, pouring it all out.

After listening, Li Buyan stroked her chin. “So Xie Thirty and Xie Fifty’s mother, though virtuous and dignified, though filial, doesn’t seem very clever.”

Yan Sanhe nodded.

Li Buyan: “So Second Master Xie’s mother is definitely no ordinary person. I just wonder what her maternal family did to get into trouble?”

Yan Sanhe nodded again.

Li Buyan: “Eldest Miss is twenty-four. By rights, a girl this age should have married long ago. Seems the Xie family plans to support her for life.”

Yan Sanhe nodded once more.

Li Buyan: “You said Xie Thirty and Zhu Shi didn’t talk much, so clearly the couple’s feelings are ordinary. Otherwise, after all these years, they wouldn’t have only one child. Wonder how many concubines Xie Thirty has in his rooms.”

Yan Sanhe continued nodding.

“As for Xie Fifty’s mouth…”

Li Buyan giggled.

“Truly beloved by all, flowers bloom at his approach—he can make the dead speak and the living die. No one matches him. ‘Xie Thorough’ doesn’t sound good. Let’s call him Xie Exquisite—exquisite from all eight sides.”

Yan Sanhe couldn’t hold back and curved her lips in a smile.

Li Buyan counted on her fingers—still one person short. “Oh right, where was Xie Forty? You didn’t mention him from start to finish?”

Only when she reminded her did Yan Sanhe remember there was such a person at the table.

“He spoke very little, had no presence.”

Li Buyan: “Both young masters, one the center of attention, one neglected—what a difference between heaven and earth!”

“Nothing to do with us.”

Yan Sanhe leaned back, pillowing her head on her arm.

“Buyan, I don’t plan to stay long at the Xie family. All the twists and turns of a great household—it taxes the mind and drains the spirit.”

Li Buyan lay down too, turning on her side to look at her. “Then why did you go meet people?”

“Xie Thirty’s invitation was sincere. I couldn’t refuse.”

“You, at heart, are still too soft.”

Being lectured left Yan Sanhe unable to retort, so she changed the subject. “Help me think of how to broach this with Xie Exquisite.”

Li Buyan’s eyes rolled in a circle.

Mm!

To deal with that smiling fox Xie Exquisite, she really did need to think carefully!

…

The smiling fox tucked the thousand taels secretly passed to him by his sister-in-law into his breast and sat in his mother Wu Shi’s room drinking bird’s nest soup.

Wu Shi watched her son longingly, finding him more pleasing the more she looked.

After finishing, Third Master wiped his mouth and looked at her with gentle, obedient eyes.

“Mother, whenever you encounter matters concerning Yan Sanhe in the future, remember one thing I tell you.”

“What?”

“Whatever Yan Sanhe says, goes.”

Wu Shi grabbed her son’s arm. “Son, who exactly is she to the old lady? Tell Mother the truth.”

“Just a distant relative of Grandmother’s. Grandmother saw she was an orphan and brought her to the manor to raise.”

“An orphan warrants such treasuring?”

Third Master Xie coaxed: “How could she not be treasured? How many of Grandmother’s maternal relatives are there? None—just her alone. If you treat her well, you’re treating Grandmother well.”

Wu Shi sheepishly released her grip. On second thought, something seemed wrong, so she grabbed hold again.

“Today Grandmother had you two sit on either side of her. She wouldn’t be planning to match you two, would she?”

“How could that be!”

“What about you?”

Wu Shi clutched anxiously. “You spoke up for her so much. You haven’t taken a fancy to her, have you?”

Third Master Xie hadn’t expected his own mother to suddenly ask this. He froze for a moment.

His son was what kind of person—could Wu Shi not know?

Seeing her son dazed like this, she grew furious and slapped him. “What’s her status? What’s your status? The match is completely unsuitable. Don’t let your head get muddled.”

“Mother, where is your mind going!”

Xie Zhifei rubbed his arm. “I think of her as a younger sister.”

“That’s best!”

Wu Shi spoke earnestly.

“You’re not young anymore. Settle things with Miss Du soon. That child may be somewhat spoiled, but her background is excellent. Your father is good in every way except not very attentive to your marriage. By rights…”

“Mother, no more ‘by rights.'”

Hearing these words made Xie Zhifei want to flee. “I’m dead tired. Going back to rest. You should rest early too!”

But Wu Shi still had more to say.

“Don’t blame Mother for talking too much. In all the capital, the only one who doesn’t mind your short life and is devoted to you—Mother sees only Miss Du. No one else.”

As she spoke, tears fell.

“It’s still Mother who wronged you, didn’t give you a good body. From childhood to now, how much suffering you’ve endured, how much pain you’ve borne…”

Here we go again!

Xie Zhifei sighed heavily inwardly!