Yan Sanhe was indeed nervous.
What she hated most in life was putting on an act—it felt false and exhausting.
With Li Buyan stirring things up like this, her waist was no longer stiff, her back no longer rigid. By the time they reached Chunen Hall, she lifted her chin and walked in with a composed air.
The old lady had been craning her neck in anticipation. Seeing them arrive, she tried to stand up to greet them, but Xie Zhifei pressed her back down.
“Grandmother, please sit. Since when do elders greet juniors?”
Yan Sanhe stepped forward and nodded at the old lady. “Are you well?”
No title, no bow—everyone in the hall gasped in shock.
Xie Zhifei had long anticipated this scene.
This girl hadn’t even knelt or bowed before Zhao Yishi. Much less would she do so here, especially given Yan Xing’s relationship—she still hadn’t truly let go of her resentment toward Grandmother and Father.
“Can’t blame Miss Yan for being distant. After three months apart, Grandmother and I are both so unfamiliar we don’t know what to call each other!”
How shrewd the old lady was. She pointed at Xie Zhifei reproachfully. “You still have the nerve to talk. Hurry and have Miss sit down.”
“No rush. I’ll introduce her to everyone first.”
Xie Zhifei walked over to a woman. “This is my mother. You may address her as Madam.”
Yan Sanhe stepped forward and nodded once. “Greetings, Madam!”
Though Wu Shi didn’t know Yan Sanhe’s background, she knew this person was favored by the old lady. “Miss, when you have time, come sit in my courtyard. No need to be too constrained.”
Yan Sanhe looked carefully at Wu Shi—dignified appearance, dignified dress, dignified speech.
“Alright!”
“You’ve met Elder Brother and Sister-in-law.”
Xie Zhifei beckoned to the small boy standing beside Zhu Shi. “This is my nephew, Xie Huaizhou. Huaizhou, call her Auntie.”
Xie Huaizhou, about four or five years old, was already being personally tutored by Xie Daozhi.
He walked before Yan Sanhe and gave a scholarly bow. “Greetings, Auntie Yan.”
How should I act as an elder?
Buyan, help!
“This is the greeting gift Auntie Yan prepared for you.”
Xie Zhifei opened his palm, revealing a small jade pendant. “Go play with it!”
Little Huaizhou took the jade pendant and smiled slightly at Yan Sanhe. “Thank you, Auntie Yan.”
Auntie Yan: “…”
Xie Zhifei tilted his head slightly and said in an impossibly low voice: “I’m thorough, aren’t I?”
Yan Sanhe softly hummed an acknowledgment. Such smooth words, such impeccable handling—from now on, I’ll call you Xie Thorough.
“This is my eldest sister, Xie Wenshu.”
Xie Zhifei stopped before a woman in green and patted her shoulder lightly. “Elder Sister, this is Yan Sanhe.”
The woman blinked and smiled shyly at Yan Sanhe.
Yan Sanhe inclined her head slightly. “Greetings, Eldest Miss.”
Xie Zhifei: “My sister is blind.”
Yan Sanhe’s heart jolted.
No wonder she’d lived at the Xie manor for nearly a month and never seen the Xie family’s eldest daughter—she was blind.
Yan Sanhe noticed her eyes appeared no different from anyone else’s. “Was it acquired?”
Xie Wenshu nodded. “I lost my sight at age six.”
Yan Sanhe’s heart jolted again.
Having resolved obsessions for so many people, she’d encountered all sorts and heard all kinds of voices. This Eldest Miss Xie before her wasn’t particularly striking in appearance, but possessed an extraordinarily pleasant voice.
She had never heard such a beautiful voice.
Xie Zhifei: “Yan Sanhe, these two—one is my second brother, one is my younger sister. You should have seen them before.”
Yan Sanhe nodded. “Greetings to you both!”
“Sister Yan, you’re finally back!”
Xie Wanshu pouted, speaking coquettishly. “I came to Jingsi Residence to see you several times.”
“Mm!”
Yan Sanhe nodded, her gaze shifting to meet Second Master Xie’s eyes.
Xie Buhuo also nodded at her, his gaze as calm as a windless lake, without a ripple.
Xie Zhifei: “This is Concubine Liu, and this is Concubine Luo.”
“Greetings to you both!”
The two concubines both rose and bowed to Yan Sanhe. “Greetings, Miss!”
Yan Sanhe’s gaze swept over them, inwardly surprised.
Concubine Liu wore no powder, no ornaments, yet outshone the young and radiant Concubine Luo beside her.
If it were only her beauty, that would be one thing. But her entire bearing…
In this world, legitimate wives had the appearance of legitimate wives, and concubines had the appearance of concubines.
Concubine Liu not only had the appearance of a legitimate wife but also the bearing of one. No wonder Xie Daozhi neglected Second House’s son and daughter.
Otherwise, how could there be peaceful days in the Xie manor?
“Grandmother, I’ve finished the introductions. Let’s start the feast!”
The old lady made no effort to hide her favoritism. “You and Miss Yan sit on either side of me.”
…
The family banquet was set in the side hall, at a large round table with cold dishes already served.
Yan Sanhe sat beside the old lady and looked up, but didn’t see the two concubines. She couldn’t help leaning back and glancing toward Xie Zhifei.
Xie Zhifei knew what that glance meant.
But in high-born households, concubines couldn’t sit at the table. Even at family banquets, they had to dine separately.
He coughed into his fist, signaling Yan Sanhe not to worry about it.
Just then, Wu Shi and Zhu Shi rose. The two women stood behind the old lady, one holding chopsticks, one holding a cloth, respectfully serving the old lady’s meal.
Yan Sanhe’s heart filled with disgust, her brows and eyes cooling.
“Old lady, since today’s feast was arranged for me, I have no other requests. Just let Madam and First Mistress sit down so we can have a proper reunion meal.”
As soon as these words fell, everyone was shocked.
Under everyone’s alarmed gazes, Yan Sanhe’s face showed not a trace of expression.
She didn’t even glance at the old lady, merely placing her right hand on the table, tapping her index finger once, then again.
As if waiting for the old lady’s response, yet also expressing her impatience.
The old lady’s face turned white in an instant.
This gesture was Yan Xing’s favorite.
Tears quickly welled in her eyes, which she forcefully suppressed. “Today is a family banquet. Everyone, listen to Miss Yan. Sit down and eat. No need to follow the rules.”
Everyone was shocked again.
The old lady valued rules above all else. Her常说的一句话便是无规矩不成方圆。
Her常说的一句话便是无规矩不成方圆.
Her常说的一句话便是无规矩不成方圆.
Her常说的一句话便是无规矩不成方圆.
Her常说的一句话便是无规矩不成方圆.
Her常说的一句话便是无规矩不成方圆.
Her常说的一句话便是无规矩不成方圆.
Her常说的一句话便是无规矩不成方圆.
Her常说的一句话便是无规矩不成方圆.
Her常说的一句话便是无规矩不成方圆.
Her favorite saying was “without rules, there can be no order.”
Amid everyone’s shock, Yan Sanhe spoke again slowly: “Old lady, call me Sanhe. Don’t keep calling me ‘Miss.'”
She’s finally, finally willing to let me grow close.
The old lady’s heart surged with emotion, choking out: “Good, good, good!”
Xie Zhifei felt all the hot blood in his body ignited by Yan Sanhe’s few sentences.
Who said this girl didn’t understand human nature and worldly wisdom?
She simply disdained it, didn’t want it, wasn’t willing.
Look how she’d maneuvered the old lady with these advances and retreats—absolutely brilliant!
But just then, a voice cut across.
“Miss’s consideration is considerate, but rules must still be followed.”
Wu Shi smiled. “The old lady was widowed at a young age and raised Master with great difficulty by herself, giving us the Xie family we have today. When I serve the old lady her meals, I’m helping Master fulfill his filial duty. I don’t find it hard at all.”
Third Master’s expression changed instantly.