Everyone chattered at once, leaving the old steward so embarrassed he couldn’t show his face. He angrily flicked his sleeves and left.

The main hall quieted down. Seeing He Tinglan keeping her head down without speaking, Ruyi’s tone softened: “Sorry, we…”

Before she could finish, Tinglan threw herself forward and hugged her.

“What’s there to apologize for?” She smiled with reddened eyes, looking over Ruyi’s shoulder at the people standing behind them. “This is the first time anyone has been willing to stand on my side.”

Since childhood, no matter what happened, her family always said she hadn’t done well enough – if only she had done better, things wouldn’t have turned out this way, and so on. She had grown accustomed to being blamed and to bearing everything alone. Only just now did she realize what a happy thing it was to have someone’s protection.

“The boss is right.” Releasing her, He Tinglan straightened up. “When they sent me away, the debt of raising me was already settled. I don’t owe them anything now. If they have business, let them bring silver and come begging.”

Ruyi was delighted, and everyone nodded in unison: “Six hundred taels – that’s a lot of money! Enough for all of us to play in Liang Garden for several days.”

“Just wait and see. Looking at his expression, I’m sure he’ll be back.” Zhao Yanning crossed her arms, full of confidence.

Fuman looked somewhat worried as she gestured: If it’s an ordinary suspicious case, that’s fine, but if it’s a murder case, once we take it, we’ll inevitably conflict with the Ministry of Justice. Lord Shen has now fallen out with the manager, so he probably won’t be accommodating anymore.

Qingyi frowned as she watched: “Is Lord Shen really that petty?”

“It’s not about being petty. What man would want his sweetheart sleeping with someone else?” Zhao Yanning pursed her lips. “But if you ask me, Qingyi and the manager are much more compatible.”

Ruyi coughed rather affectedly.

“What’s wrong? Am I not right?” Zhao Yanning became defiant. “Look here – a few days ago, you casually mentioned a headache, and he started cracking walnuts for you. He’s already filled this big jar, and afraid you won’t like them, he’s planning to make them into pastries. Our Lord Shen is good and all, but does he have this kind of patience?”

He Tinglan stood beside Ruyi, glanced at the staircase across from them, and gently shook her head at Zhao Yanning.

“Hey, what are you afraid of? Lord Shen isn’t even here, and even if he were, I’d still have to say it. Our manager’s livelihood isn’t easy – if she’s going to find someone, it should be someone who knows how to cherish her. The way he is, disappearing all the time, how can that compare to Qingyi’s attentive service?” As he spoke, he looked puzzled and followed her gaze to glance back.

With just one look, he naturally withdrew his gaze and continued: “But what use is being pleasing? If you want someone dependable, it would still have to be someone like Lord Shen – handsome and skilled in martial arts. When he walks down the street, who knows how many girls peek out their windows to look? The manager must prefer him too, don’t you think?”

Ruyi enjoyed watching the excitement: “I used to like him, but after what you just said, I feel I’ve wronged Qingyi.”

“Wronged him how?” Moving his feet, Zhao Yanning turned his back to the direction where Shen Qiyuan was located, sidling over like a crab to the other side, picking up the jar of walnuts to stuff into his mouth. “He just shelled those for the kitchen to make pastries – I was fooling you. Hey Fuman, since we have time now, teach me to make walnut crisps.”

Fuman looked puzzled at the person standing by the staircase, not quite understanding why he would appear here, but seeing Ruyi’s expression was very natural with even a hint of joy in her eyes, Fuman didn’t worry about it anymore and followed Zhao Yanning toward the kitchen.

Shen Qiyuan descended the stairs expressionlessly.

Everyone in the main hall suddenly became busy. Zheng Qingyi picked up empty plates and chased after them to the kitchen: “I’ll help you!” He Tinglan also sniffled, picked up the account books, and walked outside: “The grain shop accounts still haven’t been settled.”

In the blink of an eye, only Ruyi remained.

A gentle breeze stirred, and gauze curtains fluttered in the main hall as he walked through them, looking down at her.

“You used to like him, but what about now?”

Ruyi looked up, her smile radiant as a flower: “Now I like him even more.”

With a light snort, Shen Qiyuan glanced at the remaining walnut shells on the table: “Such trifling things can move you – thousands of years lived in vain.”

She smiled sweetly, her eyes bright and sparkling as she looked at him: “But what if I specifically want to eat walnuts?”

“Then call him back.”

Though he said this, his hands picked up several intact walnuts, crushed them, extracted the meat, and stuffed it into her mouth.

Ruyi opened her mouth to eat, tugging at his sleeve: “How much did you hear?”

“From beginning to end.”

“Aren’t you going to interfere?”

Shen Qiyuan raised an eyebrow: “Don’t tell me you’re still thinking of He Zeyou?”

“Not at all.” She shook her head. “I just want to earn those six hundred taels, then go play in Liang Garden with them.”

What was fun about Liang Garden? Nothing but courtyards and landscape, with a few imitation palace buildings.

He snorted but didn’t voice this, continuing to feed her all the walnuts before flicking his sleeves and walking outside: “Ningyuan Marquis’ Manor is hosting a banquet. Naturally, I must attend.”

Ruyi hurried to follow him: “What a coincidence! I’ll go too.”

“Without name or status, how can the manager travel the same road as me?”

“That’s not difficult. Aren’t I supposed to please you?” She said matter-of-factly. “Learning those corrupt officials’ ways, don’t I need to hover around you?”

Shen Qiyuan fell silent, exited, and entered the carriage, placing a soft cushion beside him. Ruyi unceremoniously sat down and even instructed the driver: “Go quickly.”

The marquis’ manor was hosting a banquet, so logically, there should be crowds at the gate, but when they arrived and looked out, there weren’t many carriages and horses. There was only Shen Qiyuan’s carriage with a bronze-topped roof.

Knowing she was puzzled, Shen Qiyuan said quietly: “For the past half year, Ningyuan Marquis has lived in seclusion with few social contacts.”

Someone like He Zeyou would never willingly live quietly – his seclusion was most likely because he had no money.

Ruyi got out of the carriage and looked at the marquis’ manor’s main gate.

Looking from the outside, this imposing marquis’ manor was no different from before, but once past the second gate, the flowers, plants, and decorations everywhere showed signs of decline.

A grand household naturally required a constant flow of silver to maintain it. Even just trimming flowers and plants, wiping stone lanterns and pavilion pillars cost dozens of taels per month, not to mention the wages of maids and servants inside. Others might not know, but Liu Ruyi was clear: to maintain their former splendor, the He family needed at least three hundred taels in monthly expenses.

But now the He family’s various sources of income clearly couldn’t support this expenditure. Even Old Lady He was only wearing plain fabric without embroidery for today’s banquet, sitting in the main seat with pursed lips.

He Zeyou looked very tired, forcing himself to maintain his spirits while greeting guests. Wen Zhenxue stood behind him, her rouge unable to cover the fatigue on her face.

“Lord Shen has arrived?” Seeing Shen Qiyuan, both quickened their steps to welcome him.

Shen Qiyuan nodded politely: “I’m intruding.”

“A small celebration at the manor – thank you for making the special trip, my lord.” He Zeyou’s eyes brightened slightly. “Please take the seat of honor, my lord. You must have several drinks later.”

Wen Zhenxue had sharp eyes and noticed the person behind him, her expression changing slightly: “This is?”