Yan Sanhe hadn’t expected Imperial Physician Pei would also come examine her. She obediently extended her hand.

After several pulse examinations, Pei Yu was now thoroughly familiar with Yan Sanhe’s pulse. Three fingers pressed down—he knew nothing was seriously wrong.

“This foot of yours absolutely cannot touch the ground, especially in the first two weeks. That’s when tendons and bones are growing. If they shift position, recovery later will be extremely difficult.”

Yan Sanhe nodded somewhat guiltily.

“That…”

Imperial Physician Pei cleared his throat. “My wife asked me to thank Miss on her behalf. Thanks to Miss for the Ji family matter…”

“No need to thank me.”

Yan Sanhe didn’t let him finish. “This was a fair transaction, money for service. Thanks serve no purpose. Tangyuan, see Imperial Physician Pei out.”

“Yes.”

After the two left, Yan Sanhe looked at Li Buyan sulking in the corner and sighed softly.

This girl had probably taken in every word Lady Wu said.

“If you’re uncomfortable staying at the Xie residence, once my foot can walk, we’ll move to an inn.”

“That’s proper.”

Two cold streams shot from Li Buyan’s nose. “What ‘not frivolous, not flippant’—as if she’s the only proper lady in the world?”

If Lady Wu had scolded her, Li Buyan could still endure. Scolding Yan Sanhe—not attacking physically was already giving her maximum face.

“Master is here.”

Yan Sanhe and Li Buyan looked at each other: Why would he come?

The curtain moved. Xie Daozhi entered and without a word first performed a scholar’s bow to Yan Sanhe.

Seeing this gesture, Yan Sanhe knew he’d come regarding Lady Wu. Unable to rise due to her foot injury, she shifted sideways and received half his bow.

Xie Daozhi sat beside her. Before speaking, he sighed first. “My wife is foolish. I apologize to Miss on her behalf.”

Yan Sanhe frowned. “Master Xie need not do this.”

“I must do this—even this isn’t enough.”

Xie Daozhi’s expression was sincere. “In the future, I will restrain her and not let her embarrass herself before Miss. Please, for the sake of the Old Madam and myself, don’t take it to heart.”

With his attitude so humble, Yan Sanhe couldn’t say much more and simply nodded lightly.

Only then did Xie Daozhi show a bit of smile. “Many thanks for sparing this old face. Actually, I myself feel quite ashamed.”

“There’s no need for this.”

Yan Sanhe spoke flatly. “Elder Madam and the others treat me very well. I only remember the good, not the bad.”

Listen to that—now that’s magnanimity.

“If so, Miss please rest well and recover.”

Xie Daozhi didn’t say much more, hurriedly lifting the curtain to leave as if having urgent business.

Yan Sanhe and Li Buyan exchanged glances, both simultaneously thinking of one person: Tangyuan.

However, before they could call, Tangyuan had already rushed in and knelt before Yan Sanhe.

“Miss, it was this servant who reported to Butler Xie.”

Yan Sanhe frowned. “Why did you do that?”

“Miss’s character—this servant has observed somewhat these days. Even if wronged, you won’t defend yourself.”

“So you wanted to defend me?”

“The servants in this residence are accustomed to currying favor with the powerful and trampling the weak. If Miss suffers one wrong in silence, they’ll dare slight you once. If Miss suffers two wrongs in silence, they’ll dare slight you twice. Over time, Miss will be disheartened.”

“What heart would I lose?”

Yan Sanhe gave Li Buyan a look.

Li Buyan extended her hand to help, smiling as she said, “These people can’t even enter our miss’s heart. Besides, if truly disheartened, we’ll just pack our bags and leave efficiently.”

Tangyuan muttered quietly, “I guessed you’d want to leave.”

Li Buyan teased her. “What, can’t bear to part with us?”

Tangyuan’s face reddened as she said nothing.

“Don’t worry. If we really leave, we’ll abduct you along too.” Li Buyan patted her shoulder and winked lightly.

Tangyuan thought: “…”

Why does this sound like eloping!

…

Xie Daozhi wasn’t just urgent—his heart burned with fire.

With such great anger, his feet moved quickly. Soon he reached Lady Wu’s courtyard.

Lady Wu had just returned from the Old Madam’s courtyard. Before she could catch her breath, she heard people outside announcing Master had arrived. She hurried out to greet him.

Xie Daozhi entered the inner room with her, dismissed everyone, and his first sentence made Lady Wu’s expression change.

“From now on, you are forbidden to visit Quiet Contemplation Residence.”

“Master, why is this?”

“You still have the face to ask me why?”

Xie Daozhi slammed the small table. “Not forbidding you from going there is already sparing your face. If not for the children’s sake, I should confine you.”

Lady Wu was frightened to tears. “Master, what did I do wrong that you’d confine me? I merely saw Miss Yan injured her foot and reminded her to walk more steadily.”

Xie Daozhi stated, “You call that reminding? You were implying she’s improper.”

“I…”

Lady Wu said tearfully, “I meant it for her good! No young lady in the Xie residence constantly runs outside, never home for a moment.”

“She’s not an ordinary young lady. Even the Old Madam doesn’t interfere with her affairs. Why are you meddling?”

“Precisely because the Old Madam indulges her, I must intervene.”

Lady Wu’s reasoning was abundant. “Otherwise, if she causes trouble in the future and damages the Xie family’s reputation, what then?”

“You…”

Looking at Lady Wu’s righteous face, the fire in Xie Daozhi’s heart suddenly extinguished, leaving only indescribable helplessness and exhaustion.

He and Lady Wu actually had two years of loving days.

Back then, while he studied, she served his mother and managed household affairs. Though difficult, those days were harmonious.

Later, after he passed the imperial examinations and became an official, as their family business gradually established itself, they spoke less and less.

Not because the outside world’s dazzling variety dazzled him, but truly because when he said east, she said west; when he said south, she said north—they couldn’t communicate.

“Madam.”

Xie Daozhi sighed. “I have my own plans regarding Third Son’s marriage. You needn’t interfere with Quiet Contemplation Residence. You just need to properly serve the Old Madam and be my wife, Xie Daozhi—that’s enough.”

Lady Wu didn’t hear the helplessness in Xie Daozhi’s words but instead caught another implication. “Listening to Master’s words, if I interfere more with Quiet Contemplation Residence’s affairs, Master will divorce me?”

Talking past each other!

Talking completely past each other!

Xie Daozhi angrily slammed the table and simply said bluntly, “Yes! If you meddle more in Quiet Contemplation Residence’s affairs, don’t blame me for not remembering our years of marital affection.”

Lady Wu was stunned, tears rolling down.

“Master would divorce me for an outsider? All these years I’ve served the elderly above and the young below. If not meritorious, I’ve worked hard… When Master went to the capital for examinations and was gone three years, those three years mother-in-law and I…”

“Madam, Madam, Master left long ago.”

“Left!”

Lady Wu cried out “Aiya,” weeping, “I haven’t finished telling my hardships…”

Every quarrel, every complaint—forget Master being unwilling to listen, even I can’t bear hearing it anymore.

Manager Li’s wife retorted in her heart, thinking of the banknotes Miss Du had given, she again spared no effort in sowing discord.

“Madam, see—didn’t I tell you? That girl is formidable! Master would even divorce you for her sake. What are we to do!”