The Xie Manor, which had been in turmoil all night, finally quieted down.

Steward Xie dragged his two tired legs back to his own courtyard.

A trusted servant had already prepared hot water and food. Seeing him return, he smiled. “Steward, do you want to bathe first or eat first?”

“A body full of stinking sweat—bathe first.”

“Yes!”

The bathtub was in the washing room. When Steward Xie’s frame sat down, water splashed everywhere.

“Comfortable!”

Almost at the same moment he sighed out these three words, an ice-cold soft sword pressed against Steward Xie’s neck.

Steward Xie jerked in fright, his blood freezing throughout his body.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s me, Li Buyan.”

Steward Xie splashed around to face her, his eyes full of disbelief.

Li Buyan and he stared at each other, big eyes to small eyes. After staring for a moment, she smiled gracefully. “I’ll ask a question. If Steward answers honestly, we’ll all be fine.”

Steward Xie rasped through his tight throat, “And if I don’t?”

Li Buyan laughed softly. “Then Steward Xie would be the second Xu Sheng. Want to try?”

Ah, your seventh great-aunt!

Steward Xie looked down at his lower body, thinking, I haven’t used this thing enough yet—can I let you cut it off?

“Ask!”

“What grievance, what resentment exists between Second Master Xie and Third Master?”

Steward Xie found it both funny and exasperating.

Creating such a scene, he thought she wanted to ask about some earth-shattering secret. Who knew it would be about this?

“One legitimate, one concubine-born. One favored, one not favored. Isn’t that how the resentment forms?”

“Steward Xie, do you think I’m a three-year-old child?” Li Buyan pressed the long sword in an inch.

“You, you—why the rush?”

Steward Xie trembled all over. “I was just about to continue!”

“Speak quickly!”

“When Third Master was young, he had a severe illness and nearly died. It was Second Master who used underhanded tactics, making Third Master stand in the rain for half an hour in the bitter cold.”

Steward Xie continued, “With Third Master’s body at that time, forget standing in rain—even wearing one less piece of clothing wouldn’t do.”

Steward Xie would never forget Third Master’s drowned rat appearance, shivering from cold, his face purple-blue.

Seeing him, Third Master called out like a mosquito: “Little Flower, I’m cold. Hold me.”

Steward Xie’s heart nearly broke with pain. He quickly embraced him and ran home desperately.

Along that whole journey, Steward Xie felt like he was holding a block of ice—not a bit of warmth.

“From then on, the resentment was formed.”

Steward Xie sighed. “No wonder the master and old lady don’t like Second Master. That child is sinister and vicious.”

So that’s how it was.

I need to remind Miss when I get back—stay far away from Second Master Xie.

Li Buyan sheathed her sword. “Steward Xie, so your real name is Xie Little Flower!”

“You, you, you…”

Steward Xie trembled all over, thinking, if you dare call me that again, I’ll dig up your family’s ancestral grave.

“This name is wrong.”

Li Buyan looked down into the water. “Calling you Xie Magnificent would be more fitting.”

Steward Xie: “Huh?”

“Much offense given—please don’t take it to heart, elder.”

Li Buyan tucked the soft sword at her waist. “From now on, I’ll speak well of you to Miss and Third Master—heaps of good words.”

“As if I need you to…”

The words had barely started when the figure before him suddenly flashed, bringing a gust of wind that made Steward Xie shudder.

“Lawless dead girl, wretched girl…”

After cursing for a while, Steward Xie suddenly thought of something and also looked down.

Hey, her eye assessment wasn’t bad.

Quite magnificent indeed!

…

Ancient Moon Tower was the capital’s most famous place for vegetarian cuisine.

The proprietor here was formerly a monk who later returned to secular life and opened this restaurant in the capital.

The building had three floors: the first for general customers, the second for private rooms, the third couldn’t be reserved with money alone—it required official status.

Under a server’s guidance, Xie Buhuo climbed to the third floor and pushed open a door. Suddenly, a cool breeze rushed toward him.

Their eyes met.

Du Yiyun rose with a graceful smile. “Second Brother, it’s been a long time. Please sit.”

Xie Buhuo sat opposite her without speaking, his gaze resting on the woman before him—neither cold nor bland.

A server brought dishes and wine. After everything was properly arranged, Ni’er tactfully closed the door and left.

Only then did Du Yiyun smile. “Second Brother, the osmanthus wine here is quite famous. Let me accompany you for a drink.”

Xie Buhuo laughed softly twice.

The one at home was still being sour about this person and that person. This one already had the audacity to sit and chat with a man.

He picked up his wine cup and clinked it against Du Yiyun’s, then drained it in one gulp.

Du Yiyun set down her cup and called out softly, “Second Brother, let me speak frankly—I hate Xie Zhifei.”

Xie Buhuo poured himself another cup leisurely. “Hate that he didn’t marry you?”

Du Yiyun’s voice was faint. “Hate that his heart changed too quickly.”

“Men’s hearts are naturally fickle.”

Xie Buhuo looked at the wine cup in his hand and smiled. “Facing east today, west tomorrow—doesn’t Sister Yiyun know this?”

“Doesn’t Second Brother hate?”

Du Yiyun didn’t answer but asked instead.

“Clearly the best scholar among three brothers, yet you don’t even have the qualification to take the imperial examinations. Every day you deal with unsavory merchants, calculating against this one and that one.”

Xie Buhuo looked at her coldly.

“I believe with Second Brother’s abilities, if only you could become an official, you’d have a bright future ahead.”

Du Yiyun’s expression grew sad. “But this world is just so unfair. The word ‘concubine-born’ crushes Second Brother for life, never able to raise your head. Is Second Brother willing?”

Xie Buhuo maintained his indifferent, cool appearance, letting no hint of emotion show.

“Even if Second Brother is willing, what about Concubine Liu? What about Wanshu?”

Xie Buhuo suddenly frowned.

And Du Yiyun saw this frown clearly.

“In looks, bearing, intelligence, and ability—which aspect does Concubine Liu fall short of Madam? Yet she must endure Madam’s cold face in everything, not daring to overstep half a step.”

Du Yiyun shook her head with a light smile. “Wanshu is even more pitiful—such a delicate, tender young lady, just because of the word ‘concubine-born,’ her future marriage…”

Here she suddenly changed direction. “I truly feel indignant for her—even that Yan Sanhe of unknown origins can suppress her.”

Xie Buhuo’s expression showed some surprise.

“I won’t hide it from Second Brother—I already know about Young Master Pei’s matter.”

Du Yiyun sighed deeply. “How can I say this? The one worthy of Young Master Pei is not Yan Sanhe at all, but Sister Wanshu.”

“So.”

Xie Buhuo finally spoke. “What Sister Yiyun means is…”

“Second Brother is a clever man. Clever men do clever things.”

Du Yiyun looked at him with a beaming smile.

“I call you Second Brother because I truly regard you as one of my own. Today at this meal, I’ve shown Second Brother all my cards. Second Brother might go back and think about what you want.”

“Oh?”

Xie Buhuo’s voice was bland. “What I want, I can definitely obtain?”

“Whether you can obtain it is hard to say.”

Du Yiyun said, “Second Brother only needs to remember one thing—I and the Du family behind me will always help Second Brother.”