Night—descended.

Li Buyan pinned up her hair, changed into men’s clothing, tucked her soft sword at her waist, and prepared to leave. Looking down, she saw Yan Sanhe watching eagerly and couldn’t help laughing.

“Tangyuan, you’re not allowed to go anywhere. Watch Miss properly.”

“Miss, rest assured.”

Li Buyan walked over and crouched down. “Oh my, look at those aggrieved little eyes.”

“Since you know I’m aggrieved, listen carefully—don’t miss a single word.”

“Don’t worry. Even if Third Master secretly passes gas, I’ll prick up my ears to hear it.”

“Be serious!”

“Very serious.”

Li Buyan’s smile faded. “You shouldn’t sit idle either. Practice copying Jingchen’s calligraphy again—see if you can figure out anything else.”

Yan Sanhe knew she worried about her getting sick from boredom. “Go with peace of mind.”

“Also, if anyone comes visiting, tell them you’re unwell and won’t see them.”

“Am I that easy to bully?”

“Yes!”

Li Buyan started to stand, then crouched back down. “Oh right, did you say those kind words?”

“I did!”

Yan Sanhe replied, “Your mother said people must be flexible—can leap through dragon gates and can crawl through dog holes too.”

“You—”

Li Buyan’s slender finger poked her forehead. “Haven’t figured it out yet!”

Those four words left Yan Sanhe completely bewildered. Even when Tangyuan helped her let down her hair, she remained oblivious.

I’m so clever—what haven’t I figured out?

“Miss, time to bathe. The hot water is all prepared.”

“Mm!”

Because of her foot injury, even bathing had become difficult. Thinking of the suffering these past days, Yan Sanhe regretted again that she shouldn’t have neglected even her own foot because of that Xie scoundrel.

Thinking of this, Yan Sanhe’s face reddened again.

After she’d said those kind words, he smiled with great satisfaction, looking at her. “Our Miss Yan has made progress—knows how to speak nicely now.”

Your family, your family—who’s your family?

Completely shameless!

Yan Sanhe shuddered and came to her senses.

I can retort quite smoothly now—why back then did my mouth seem sewn shut?

…

In the Xie residence carriage.

Xie Zhifei looked at Li Buyan, his face perfectly composed.

“Hero Li, the Training Bureau isn’t like other places. You must observe six directions and listen to eight. When I tell you to do something, do it. When I tell you not to do something, absolutely don’t do it.”

“Third Master, still don’t trust me?”

“Correct!”

Li Buyan fell silent.

Xie Zhifei pointed his finger at her, his tone growing stricter.

“Anyone who can enter the Training Bureau isn’t ordinary. Once wine is drunk and temperaments rise, they’ll inevitably act wildly. Don’t go drawing your sword at every turn and causing trouble for me.”

Li Buyan snorted. “Then please trouble Third Master to investigate the case efficiently. Don’t get drunk, lose your temper, and only flirt around, forgetting everything else.”

Xie Zhifei paused. “Li Buyan, which eye saw me flirting?”

“Third Master, let’s speak plainly.”

Li Buyan smiled slightly. “Miss hasn’t figured it out, but that doesn’t mean her maid hasn’t either.”

Xie Zhifei stared steadily at Li Buyan.

This wasn’t just a shit-stirring stick—this was Sun Wukong who jumped out of Laojun’s alchemy furnace with fiery golden eyes!

Really wanted to smack her with a brick.

A long while.

An even longer while.

He smiled without warmth. “Seems Hero Li’s brain doesn’t work well, but your eyes are quite sharp.”

“Said correctly.”

Li Buyan smiled again. “So certain people shouldn’t bully my miss for being thin-skinned and inarticulate. If you truly have that intention, be like Young Master Pei—speak openly.”

You understand nothing!

If I really spoke openly like Young Master Pei, I’d have no chance either!

Everything requires planning before action—heard of that?

Never fight unprepared battles—heard of that?

Xie Zhifei rubbed his throbbing temples, looking disgusted. “Fine, Hero Li, shut your mouth. I still want to live a few more years.”

…

The carriage drove to the lane entrance and suddenly stopped.

Zhu Qing called, “Master, it’s blocked ahead.”

Xie Zhifei lifted the curtain. “Go find out what’s happening?”

“I’ll go!”

Li Buyan jumped down from the carriage, quickly returning. “They say today the Training Bureau is selecting the courtesan queen. Half the officials in the capital are here.”

Xie Zhifei asked, “What’s today’s date?”

Li Buyan replied, “First day of the seventh month.”

Xie Zhifei slapped his forehead.

What kind of luck did Third Master have?

First day of the seventh month—the Training Bureau selected its courtesan queen.

The courtesan queen was selected once every three years.

In past years on this date, he’d lead his Military Justice Bureau brothers patrolling the streets, guarding against the Imperial Academy scholars causing trouble when drunk.

Besides officials, Imperial Academy tribute students and scholars with degrees could also visit the Training Bureau.

These scholars, all young and hot-blooded, drinking some wine and seeing beautiful women, couldn’t tell east from west.

This year while recovering at home, his days had passed in a blur—he’d actually forgotten such an important date completely.

Truly deserved death.

“Zhu Qing, park the carriage aside. When Mingting arrives, we’ll walk in.”

“Yes, Third Master.”

Just as Zhu Qing parked the carriage, they saw Huang Qi driving another carriage toward them from afar.

Pei Xiao descended.

Xie Zhifei met his gaze and laughed unkindly. “Oh my, Lord Pei has become haggard pining for his beloved!”

“What, not allowed!”

Not only was Lord Pei’s beard scruffy, his eye sockets dark, even his chin had sharpened. Pointing at Li Buyan, his tone was unfriendly. “Why did she come?”

“Sent by order of my Sanhe.”

Hearing the two words “Sanhe,” Lord Pei felt his heart wrench in pain.

“Young Master Pei!”

Li Buyan walked before him, first performing a respectful bow, then took out the eight hundred taels in banknotes that Third Master Xie hadn’t accepted and stuffed them into his hand.

“Miss says she can’t let you expend people, effort, and money. Young Master Pei, take this!”

Look at that!

My beloved is so considerate!

Such a pity—heaven has no eyes, separating mandarin ducks!

Pei Xiao tucked the banknotes into his chest and nodded to Xie Zhifei, righteous energy soaring to the clouds.

“Investigate carefully later. Keep your eyes off the young ladies. We can’t disappoint her intentions—must discover something for her.”

Xie Zhifei thought: “…” Look how capable you are?

Zhu Qing approached. “Two Masters, let’s go quickly. If we’re late, there may be no seats.”

“Go!”

Xie Zhifei waved his hand. The five set out toward the Training Bureau.

Reaching the entrance, even the usually composed Zhu Qing was somewhat shocked. A long queue stretched before the Training Bureau’s two vermillion doors—a black mass of people.

Li Buyan watched and sighed. “Never seen people queue to pay for visiting pleasure quarters. My mother was absolutely right—men will find even shit outside fresh and new!”

Young Master Pei: “…”

Xie Zhifei: “…”

Xie Zhifei removed his waist token and handed it to Zhu Qing. “Mingting, remove yours too.”

Zhu Qing received both masters’ tokens and walked to the back of the queue to wait honestly.

Li Buyan held back for a long time before asking, “Third Master, with your status as the Cabinet Minister’s favored son, you can’t even cut the queue?”

“Miss Buyan.”

Xie Zhifei sneered coldly. “With your hero status, can you kill people randomly?”

Li Buyan fell silent: “…” Why is this person’s temper so bad today?

Nonsense!

You’ve already completely figured out Third Master’s thoughts and used your mother’s words to scold him—can he give you a pleasant expression?