Tang Mingyue was frightened into sitting back down immediately.

Third Master was absolutely right—Miss Yan really didn’t want to see her and had no intention of accepting her thanks.

Yan Sanhe thought of that edict of self-reproach, thought of the Emperor’s methods, and her face darkened.

“The matter is over. Miss Tang should set off back as soon as possible. In the future, if you can avoid coming to this capital, don’t come—it’s not a good place.”

Oh my, even the words were exactly the same as Third Master’s.

“Miss Yan, we’re leaving first thing tomorrow morning. We’re used to living in the mountains—everywhere else feels inferior to the mountains.”

“Then live well with your parents and don’t let down your master’s devotion to you.” With any other master, you wouldn’t have the good fortune you have now.

When she said this, it must relate to my background.

Tang Mingyue became even more obedient. “Miss Yan can rest assured, I will.”

Then there was nothing more to say.

Yan Sanhe glanced at Li Buyan, who placed a box of mooncakes on the table. “It’s Mid-Autumn today. Please taste them, Miss Tang.”

“Wonderful! What flavor are they?”

Having maintained her composure for so long, her nature broke through at this moment. Yan Sanhe’s expression softened somewhat. “You’ll know once you taste them.”

“I don’t have anything nice to give Miss Yan. When you and Third Master come to visit Muli Mountain another day, I’ll treat you properly then.”

“We definitely will.”

Wow!

The answer was exactly the same as Third Master’s—not one word more, not one word less.

Tang Mingyue suddenly lost all fear of Yan Sanhe. Third Master was a good person, so Miss Yan must be a good person too.

“I won’t see Miss Tang off tomorrow. It’s a long journey—take care on the road.”

Yan Sanhe rose, her gaze falling on the man beside Tang Mingyue with a half-smile.

Tang Mingyue quickly said, “This is my husband, surname Shan, name Er Yi…”

Turning her head, she saw her husband still standing there stupidly like a wooden goose… She quickly tugged at Shan Er Yi’s sleeve.

“Let’s see Miss Yan out together.”

Shan Er Yi stood up woodenly, gulping down his saliva. “Miss…”

Yan Sanhe suddenly slapped the table, and Shan Er Yi jumped straight up in fright.

“Making such a racket in the middle of the night—have you no public decency? My wife is pregnant, and you’re all making such noise!”

Oh my!

Oh my!

Shan Er Yi clutched his chest, unable to speak.

Actually, when these two had first entered the courtyard, he’d recognized them. He’d been shrinking his head, not daring to greet them, afraid of being recognized, but in the end…

His wife was all excited though.

“Miss Yan, you’re the one who gave up the room… No wonder you looked familiar.”

Yan Sanhe nodded to Tang Mingyue, then walked before Shan Er Yi, hands on her hips, her smile chillingly cold.

“Just a young couple quarreling, neither giving in?”

Shan Er Yi was so frightened he jumped in place again, trembling. “I…”

“How was I to know I’d already married?”

“This…”

“This time, for your wife’s sake, I’ll let it go.”

“You…”

“If you dare spout nonsense again…”

Yan Sanhe raised her other hand to her throat, making a slicing motion. Li Buyan added a wicked smile and provided the sound effect—

“Slice!”

Shan Er Yi’s vision went black as he screamed internally: Wife, save me!

…

Tuen’en Hall.

The female family members sat gathered around the Old Madam, chatting and laughing. Such a harmonious atmosphere hadn’t been seen in a long time.

“Miss Yan has arrived.”

The Old Madam supported herself on her cane to stand. “Quick, go bring her in.”

“Old Madam, just sit comfortably. I’ll go greet her.”

Madam Zhu walked into the courtyard just as Yan Sanhe entered.

Their gazes met. Madam Zhu’s eyes lit up, while Yan Sanhe frowned slightly.

Though Madam Zhu had applied powder and rouge, the exhaustion on her face couldn’t be hidden.

Yan Sanhe coughed.

As Li Buyan handed over a box of mooncakes, she winked at Madam Zhu. “The First Madam’s mooncakes—Miss specifically told me to add something special. First Madam must try them.”

Madam Zhu looked curious. “Miss Li made them?”

Shh!

Li Buyan held up a finger. “It’s a secret.”

Madam Zhu laughed, handing the mooncakes to Chuntao behind her, then took Yan Sanhe’s hand and patted it. “How thoughtful.”

Yan Sanhe nodded while ultimately couldn’t help adding one more thing. “Don’t overwork yourself.”

“It’s fine—I’ve just been busy these past couple days.”

Madam Zhu glossed over it with a smile, leading Yan Sanhe inside.

In the room, everything went silent for a moment.

Yan Sanhe hadn’t actually dressed up deliberately—she’d just worn a new silver-red garment that Tangyuan had personally made for her.

Her features tended toward the cold side, and she usually wore plain-colored clothes. Occasionally wearing red, she blazed like the scorching sun, dazzling everyone’s eyes.

Though Xie Wenshu couldn’t see, she could sense the unusual atmosphere around her and couldn’t help squeezing her maid Yun Hui’s hand.

Yun Hui leaned close to her ear, whispering, “Miss Yan looks truly beautiful today.”

Xie Wenshu smiled, thinking that required having good looks to begin with.

Yan Sanhe stepped forward and curtsied to the Old Madam.

“I hope Old Madam has been well.”

The Old Madam smiled so broadly her mouth couldn’t close. “Good, good! Come sit quickly, don’t stand.”

Li Buyan came forward and handed over a box of mooncakes. “Please taste them, Old Madam.”

Not only had she called her by a title, but she’d also brought a festival gift. The Old Madam’s eyes grew hot, nearly bringing tears.

“Quick, bring them here for me to taste.”

While Madam Zhu ordered someone to cut the mooncakes, she guided Yan Sanhe to sit beside the Old Madam.

Yan Sanhe picked up a teacup, hiding the faint cold smile at the corner of her mouth.

Time was good medicine. Compared to several months ago, Yan Sanhe no longer felt such bitter hatred toward this old woman.

It wasn’t forgiveness, but rather—forget it.

Forget it—she was old too.

Setting down the teacup, Yan Sanhe tapped her fingers on it several times. Li Buyan quickly handed the last box of mooncakes to Xie Wenshu.

“This is for First Miss.”

Xie Wenshu never imagined Yan Sanhe would give her mooncakes and was shocked speechless.

“Yun Hui, quickly thank Miss Yan for me.”

Yun Hui took small steps forward before Yan Sanhe and curtsied.

“Thank you, Miss Yan.”

“No need for courtesy.”

“Old Madam, the mooncakes are here.”

A maid entered with a tray, the mooncakes already cut into small pieces.

The Old Madam picked up a piece, smiling. “Let them all try.”

Madam Zhu smiled flatteringly. “I said this morning when I got up and heard magpies chattering in the branches, I’d have good fortune today.”

Madam Zhu took the tray and first brought it before her mother-in-law Wu Shi. “Madam, please try a piece.”

Wu Shi forced out a smile and picked up a piece, looking up at Yan Sanhe.

But Yan Sanhe was also looking coldly at her.

Wu Shi’s heart quailed, and the mooncake fell to the ground, rolling several times before disappearing under a chair.

This made things awkward.

Everyone knew Wu Shi had been confined by the Old Master because of Yan Sanhe—even First Master and Third Master weren’t allowed to visit.

Had she deliberately dropped the mooncake to openly express her dissatisfaction with Yan Sanhe?

Wu Shi’s heart cried out her innocence—she’d just been frightened.

“Miss Yan, I didn’t mean to. I just didn’t hold it properly.”