“Madam!”

Manager Li’s wife pursed her lips.

“Closing the door in broad daylight, with one red and one green maid standing guard outside—this servant waited for ages, but that door remained tightly shut. Who knows what they’re doing inside.”

“Slap—”

Lady Wu struck the small table with her palm, her plain features twisting into a vicious expression.

“Madam, this servant speaks out of turn with words she shouldn’t say, but the one in front has both looks and family background. What does that master of Quiet Contemplation Residence have?”

These words struck right at Lady Wu’s heart.

What indeed?

No dowry, no family background—even that face didn’t look particularly blessed.

“This servant also heard that Miss Yan constantly runs outside, only returning deep into the night. What proper young lady behaves like that?”

Manager Li’s wife sighed repeatedly.

“And look at that maid beside her—even more audacious than her mistress! A proper young lady dressing as a man—what kind of appearance is that? Madam, you must keep your guard up!”

“How do I guard?”

Lady Wu twisted her handkerchief, brow furrowed with worry. “She’s the Old Madam’s maternal relative, supported by both the Old Madam and Master. My words carry no weight.”

“Even if they carry no weight, you must speak.”

Manager Li’s wife said in a low voice, “If this marriage truly comes to pass in the future, Madam will likely be suppressed by Concubine Liu again.”

These words struck Lady Wu’s heart once more.

The person Lady Wu hated most in this life was none other than Concubine Liu—hated to the point of wanting to kill her.

She was the legitimate wife, true.

She had sons and daughters by her side, also true.

But her daughter was a blind girl who couldn’t marry, her son was a sickly ghost everyone knew was dying young, and only her eldest was somewhat accomplished—yet he married a daughter-in-law who wasn’t of one heart with her.

And Concubine Liu?

Her son was clever and capable, her daughter charming and lovely. In the future, one would marry, one would wed—no matter what, their family status wouldn’t be too poor.

How many more years could the Old Madam live? How many more years could she protect her? If she suddenly kicked the bucket…

Lady Wu thought of her own predicament and could no longer sit still. “I heard Miss Yan was injured. I’ll go check on her.”

…

Inside Quiet Contemplation Residence.

Xie Zhifei lay with eyes closed, as if asleep, but his elegant brows were slightly furrowed, seeming quite uncomfortable.

At first, Yan Sanhe hadn’t noticed where his discomfort lay, until Li Buyan pointed beneath Xie Zhifei.

Blood stains were faintly seeping out from below.

Yan Sanhe was startled. “Xie Zhifei, I’ll have Li Buyan carry you back first. When the person you summoned arrives, I’ll come to your courtyard. What do you think?”

Xie Zhifei had endured until now just waiting for these words.

He would be able to jump around in a few days, but external wounds in the first three days—first, avoid movement; second, avoid heat. With all his moving about, the wounds had split open again.

Even split open, he was quite pleased—with one glance, the person was right before him. His heart felt especially solid.

“Then when Zhu Qing returns, I’ll have him call you.”

Li Buyan walked before Xie Zhifei and crouched down. “Third Master, climb on.”

A grown man like Xie Zhifei—how could he be comfortable having a woman carry him? “There are people in my courtyard. Tangyuan, go call them.”

“Xie Zhifei, don’t be coy at a time like this. Tangyuan, you hurry and summon Imperial Physician Pei.”

Yan Sanhe’s tone was quite sharp. Hearing it in Xie Zhifei’s ears, however, it felt warm. “I’m just afraid my body’s too heavy and will crush your Buyan.”

“Third Master, please don’t—I could carry two of you without being crushed!”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

“You’re not one for ceremony anyway!”

Third Master choked, glaring at Yan Sanhe. “Control your person. I wasn’t beaten to death by others, but I’ll be angered to death by her alive.”

With this glare, his peach blossom eyes appeared especially bright.

Yan Sanhe only felt her heart skip half a beat faster with a thump.

How could this be?

She touched her chest, frowning slightly in thought. That face was beaten beyond recognition—there was nothing attractive to see. Why would my heart race?

Yan Sanhe slowly lay down, using her fan to shield her face. Right now her face also felt slightly flushed.

Unknown how much time passed before footsteps approached. She said lazily, “Buyan, how is he?”

At the courtyard gate, Lady Wu looked at the two side-by-side bamboo couches, feeling unable to breathe. She sneered coldly, “Miss Yan is herself injured, yet still thinking of others?”

Yan Sanhe started, picked up her fan, and seeing it was Lady Wu, replied flatly, “It’s Madam. Please sit.”

Lady Wu glanced behind her. Manager Li’s wife hurried forward with a paper package. “Miss Yan, this is two taels of ginseng Madam is giving you to help heal your injuries.”

Yan Sanhe supported herself on the bamboo couch, sitting up with difficulty. “Many thanks. Please place it on the small table.”

On the small table, the two taels of cordyceps Xie Zhifei had brought still remained. Manager Li’s wife set down the paper package and jerked her mouth toward Lady Wu.

Lady Wu’s eyes weren’t blind—she could see clearly.

Hearing that when Concubine Liu visited Third Son, she had gritted her teeth and produced two taels of cordyceps, which now appeared in Quiet Contemplation Residence…

Hmph, this seductress appeared cool and detached, but behind the scenes made plenty of small moves.

Lady Wu sat on the other bamboo couch. “How did your foot get injured?”

Yan Sanhe replied, “My own carelessness.”

Lady Wu wore an expression of earnest concern. “Young ladies must walk steadily, not recklessly and hastily—it’s easy to get injured.”

Yan Sanhe glanced at Lady Wu but said nothing.

“Walking steadily also means acting steadily—not being frivolous or flippant. That’s what proper young ladies should be like.”

Lady Wu smiled. “Miss Yan, wouldn’t you say that’s reasonable?”

Yan Sanhe looked at her again, still saying nothing.

Not receiving a response, Lady Wu thought for a moment, then continued, “Miss is the Old Madam’s maternal relative. The Old Madam values propriety most. Miss, if not for others, then just for the Old Madam’s sake, in the future…”

Her words caught here. Lady Wu drew a breath before continuing, “In the future, please also be more careful when walking. Don’t be reckless.”

“What Madam originally wanted to say was ‘in the future, restrain your conduct,’ wasn’t it?”

Lady Wu was startled. How did she know?

“If Madam finds me displeasing, say so directly. But if you want to make wishes, you must go to a temple—thousand-year-old monasteries grant every prayer.”

Lady Wu’s expression instantly darkened. She shot up. “Miss Yan, I showed kind concern for your injury, yet you’re so ungrateful…”

“Oh my!”

At some point, Li Buyan had entered the courtyard, with pale-faced Tangyuan behind her.

Tangyuan tugged anxiously at Li Buyan’s sleeve, signaling her not to continue.

But Li Buyan holding back—that wouldn’t be Li Buyan.

“Oh, I understand now. Turns out you’re idle because you don’t manage the household, Madam.”

Lady Wu, having her painful point struck, scolded, “A mere serving maid dares speak to her mistress this way—simply outrageous!”

What kind of mistress are you to me?

Li Buyan walked before Lady Wu, smiling sweetly.

“Madam, you must be careful. Even the Old Madam hasn’t said anything about my miss. You shouldn’t overstep her to lecture people. That makes you seem…”

As cold light shot from Li Buyan’s eyes, she gently uttered four words.

“Especially disobedient!”