Can’t eating keep your mouth shut?

Yan Sanhe lifted her eyelids, truly not wanting to deal with this type of person.

“Sister Yan, you come from a small place and don’t understand some rules. For us young ladies, reputation is most important.”

Du Yiyun’s manner was both innocent and sincere.

“Wearing men’s clothing in one’s own courtyard where no one can see—no one would say anything. But when going out, one must be careful not to become a laughingstock.”

Yan Sanhe said expressionlessly, “Laughingstock about what?”

“A maid’s words and actions represent her master. If a maid is clever and capable, others won’t praise the maid but will praise her master. Conversely, if a maid has no manners, others won’t blame the maid but will say her master has no manners.”

Du Yiyun sighed deeply.

“Sister Yan is now staying at the Xie manor. Sometimes you must consider the Xie manor’s interests—you can’t ruin the reputation of the Xie family as a scholarly household.”

“Du Yiyun!”

“Du Yiyun!”

Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao shouted almost simultaneously.

Du Yiyun widened her bright, watery eyes, looking terrified. “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

Xie Zhifei: “…”

Pei Xiao: “…”

“Madam, did I say something wrong?”

Du Yiyun’s expression changed from terror to pleading.

“I’m doing this for her good! She’ll be living long-term at the Xie family—that makes her half a member of the Xie family!”

“That’s right, that’s right!”

Lady Wu quickly soothed her. “You’re a good child. Don’t cry, please don’t cry.”

Du Yiyun is a good child, so then…

The bad child must be me!

Lady Wu’s single sentence ignited all the anger Yan Sanhe had been suppressing.

Originally, Tang Yuan had already set out the meal, just waiting for Li Buyan to finish practicing, wash her hands and face before eating.

That roast duck Pei Mingting sent truly was fragrant. She’d caught the scent and felt rather tempted to try it.

Who knew Lady Wu would send someone to summon her to eat, saying Miss Du, Third Master, and Master Pei were all waiting.

Yan Sanhe wouldn’t care about any Miss Du, Third Master, or Master Pei. What she couldn’t refuse was Lady Wu’s phrase “to apologize.”

So Li Buyan didn’t even have time to change clothes before hurrying over with her.

If they’d just eaten a peaceful meal, that would have been fine. But this Du Yiyun kept putting on one act after another.

By her usual temperament, Yan Sanhe would have long since thrown down her chopsticks and left. But today Lady Wu was hosting. If she threw down her chopsticks, the one losing face would be Lady Wu.

Lady Wu had just lost face yesterday. If she lost face again today…

Why am I so soft-hearted?

Yan Sanhe set down her chopsticks and stood up, saying coldly, “I’m full. You four enjoy your meal.”

Du Yiyun grabbed her arm, tears pooling in her eyes, about to fall but not falling, looking utterly pitiful.

“Sister Yan, I spoke wrongly. Don’t be angry, please don’t be angry!”

Aren’t you tired of acting?

Yan Sanhe lightly shook her hand free. Who knew Du Yiyun would use the momentum to fall backward, then cry “Aiya!” and collapse sitting on the ground.

With this fall, everyone froze.

Xie Zhifei quickly looked at Pei Xiao with his eyes. Pei Xiao coldly shook his head: Sorry brother, even the Bodhisattva can’t save this situation.

Lady Wu finally couldn’t help but rebuke, “Miss Yan, what are you doing for no reason?”

Du Yiyun’s maid Ni’er, hearing the commotion, rushed in and threw herself forward. “Miss, Miss, what’s wrong?”

Du Yiyun’s tears flowed profusely, yet she bit her teeth and wouldn’t say a word.

Ni’er angrily raised her head. “Miss Yan, there’s no bullying people like this.”

Li Buyan also entered at this moment. Just about to speak, Yan Sanhe glanced at her coldly.

Li Buyan obediently closed her mouth.

Yan Sanhe walked before Du Yiyun, looking down at her from above, lightly raising an eyebrow.

Just when everyone thought she would say something, she suddenly smiled faintly.

This smile—stunning beauty couldn’t be concealed.

This smile—contempt and disdain also couldn’t be concealed.

Then she turned to look at Lady Wu. Lady Wu was startled by the cold light in her eyes.

“Straight as a bowstring, die by the roadside. Curved as a hook, receive a feudal title.”

Yan Sanhe’s face was strangely calm. “Hearing makes one intelligent, seeing makes one wise. I hope you can possess these two things.”

Having said this, she turned and left, her back upright and composed, unhurried and unruffled.

Lady Wu couldn’t understand at all. “Third Son, what, what did she say?”

She was saying that upright people don’t meet good ends, while crooked, devious people enjoy glory and wealth.

She was saying you grew ears and eyes for nothing—only seeing the surface but not seeing what’s inside.

Xie Zhifei didn’t answer Lady Wu’s question.

At this moment, his eyes were hot, his heart was hot. Deep in his brain, a strange and intense emotion was about to burst forth.

At this moment, he finally understood why he’d tried to stop his mother from inviting Yan Sanhe.

It wasn’t fear that Yan Sanhe would displease his mother, but fear that his mother would displease Yan Sanhe as she had yesterday.

Strange, why would I fear Yan Sanhe being displeased?

He asked himself again.

Yan Sanhe shook her sleeves and left without a backward glance.

Could Li Buyan let this pass?

If she could, she wouldn’t be Li Buyan.

“What a magnificent white lotus flower! Not even an Oscar Best Actress could act like her. Truly the battle-flower among lotus flowers.”

Under these circumstances, Master Pei still had the presence of mind to ask, “That… what’s a white lotus flower?”

“A white lotus flower…”

Li Buyan smiled warmly. “You men wouldn’t understand. Only we women do.”

“…” Pei Xiao choked.

Li Buyan continued, “But speaking of propriety, especially the propriety of noble families, Master Pei might not understand either.”

“…” Pei Xiao choked again.

“Boys and girls not sitting together after age seven—Master Pei, look into it. Women shouldn’t leave their inner chambers—Master Pei, look into it.”

Li Buyan’s gaze shifted to Du Yiyun. “Marriage matters require parents’ orders and matchmaker’s words—Master Pei, look into that too?”

Master Pei indicated—

Li Buyan, did you learn this skill of indirect criticism from my third aunt? Hmm, you learned very well!

Du Yiyun’s face turned white as paper, looking utterly terrible.

“People shouldn’t always be chattering about others. Think more about what kind of character you yourself have. Your own spine isn’t straight, yet you meddle in others’ business. Tsk, so capable—why not ascend to heaven?”

Li Buyan’s gaze shifted to Ni’er.

“Oh right, if my young lady truly wanted to bully your young lady, I swear to Buddha your young lady wouldn’t even be able to cry. So everyone just calm down. Harmony is precious!”

Having said this, she gracefully turned around and, under everyone’s shocked and astonished gazes, strolled out leisurely at her own pace.

Sanhe has a cold temperament and can’t be bothered to jabber with you. But I, Li Buyan, am different.

For the sake of being fellow women, this time I’ll just move my lips. But if it were a man trying this?

This lady would dig up their ancestral graves.

“Li Buyan, wait for me! I’m leaving with you!”

Pei Xiao shouted while shooting a glance at Xie Zhifei.

Brother, sorry—this scene is too ugly.

I’m escaping first.