The reunion dinner passed without major incident, only undercurrents flowing silently.

After the meal, Yan Sanhe excused herself, saying there were matters at the residence, and bid everyone farewell.

Once she left, Xie Daozhi helped the Old Madam back to her room, and the two households dispersed.

Xie Zhifei waited until everyone had gone before walking out of the courtyard with a gloomy expression. Looking up, he saw his eldest sister standing prettily at the courtyard gate.

“Eldest Sister.”

Xie Zhifei went to her and took her hand. “Waiting for me?”

Xie Wenshu smiled. “Walk with me a bit?”

“Certainly.”

Seeing Third Master supporting her, Yun Hui dared to release her hold, stepping back with Zhu Qing to follow quietly behind their masters.

“Did you taste Miss Yan’s mooncakes?”

Xie Wenshu’s voice was soft and gentle as jade. Xie Zhifei, no matter how displeased he felt, couldn’t help but soften his tone.

“By the time I arrived, they were all gone. Didn’t get to try any.”

This was a lie. When the mooncakes were brought to him, his mind was full of Tang Mingyue’s matter, and he’d casually given them to Zhu Qing.

“I received a box—she gave them to me. Want to try some?”

“You still treat me like a three-year-old child, Sister? Keep them for yourself.”

“Really won’t try any?”

“Sister, just speak plainly.”

Xie Zhifei reached up to ruffle her hair. “No need to beat around the bush.”

Xie Wenshu smiled embarrassedly. “You saw through me?”

You’re already waiting at the courtyard gate—how could I not see through you?

“Who could blame us for being true siblings?”

“Then I’ll speak directly.”

Xie Wenshu truly disliked beating around the bush. “What do you think of Miss Yan?”

Xie Zhifei rubbed his nose. “She’s alright.”

“I think she’s very good.”

Xie Zhifei laughed in exasperation. “Just because of that box of mooncakes?”

Xie Wenshu blinked. “With so many people in the residence, I only met her once, yet she still remembered me.”

“Sister, she was just giving them out casually.”

“Is that so?”

Xie Wenshu reached for Xie Zhifei’s hand and squeezed it gently. “I don’t think so.”

“Then what’s your take?”

“Some were people she cares about, some were for appearances.”

“Who did she care about, who was for appearances?”

“Sister-in-law, the Steward, me, and that couple in the guest quarters—those were people she cares about. The Old Madam and the second household were for appearances.”

Xie Zhifei looked down at her, his gaze deepening.

“Don’t think I’m blind—my heart sees more clearly than anyone’s.”

Xie Wenshu gripped his hand.

“Though she and Mother don’t get along, in her heart she still sides with our first household. All three of us received one, so Second Brother’s hopes are likely to come to nothing.”

Just then, Steward Xie came running up with a box of mooncakes.

Xie Zhifei’s face darkened. “Did you see Miss Yan off?”

“This old servant personally saw her to the carriage.”

Steward Xie panted. “Third Master, these are mooncakes Miss Yan gave this old servant. You barely ate anything at dinner tonight—have a taste later.”

“What did I say?”

Xie Wenshu giggled delightfully. “Well then, Third Son, I’ll leave you here. Yun Hui, help me back.”

“Yes, Miss!”

After the three walked away, Xie Xiaohua quickly moved his head close to Third Master’s, looking mysterious. “Master, you must think of something. Miss Yan and that one from the second household…”

“Xiaohua.”

“Hm?”

Xie Zhifei looked at him and pulled out a banknote from his robe, stuffing it into his hand. “Go find a woman outside tonight.”

Xie Xiaohua: “…”

Xie Zhifei: “Cure your senility.”

Xie Xiaohua: “…”

Xie Zhifei: “Let me tell you the truth—the second household has no chance today, no chance tomorrow, no chance in this lifetime.”

Xie Xiaohua wanted to ask “why” when suddenly a young servant came running over.

“Third Master, Steward Xie, Master summons you to his study.”

…

Moonlight like water illuminated the stone path.

A young maid walked ahead with a lantern.

Yun Hui supported First Miss in the middle.

Zhu Qing followed at a distance behind.

Yun Hui had something to say to Miss but found Zhu Qing’s presence inconvenient. She turned back. “Zhu Qing, you can go back. We’ll manage with Miss.”

Zhu Qing glanced at her without speaking.

Yun Hui whispered in Xie Wenshu’s ear, “Miss, look at this blockhead—always like this.”

Xie Wenshu patted her hand and said gently, “Zhu Qing, what has Third Brother been busy with lately?”

Zhu Qing moved forward several steps to Xie Wenshu’s other side. “Replying to First Miss, busy with office matters.”

“Does he often visit Miss Yan’s place?”

“Often.”

“Young Master Pei hasn’t come to visit for quite some time.”

“He’s with Master every day outside.”

Xie Wenshu laughed softly. “They’ve been close since childhood.”

“Mm.”

Xie Wenshu turned her face toward Zhu Qing’s direction. “Third Brother seemed quieter today.”

Zhu Qing was startled and looked down at her.

In the moonlight, her skin, rarely exposed to sun, glowed with a cold white light.

“Third Master went on a long journey and rushed back for the festival. He hasn’t had a full night’s sleep in several days.”

Zhu Qing lowered his voice. “First Miss, don’t worry. After some rest, he’ll be fine.”

Xie Wenshu: “As long as he’s alright. This person appears lively on the outside, but his thoughts run deep.”

Zhu Qing glanced down at her again, then quickly looked away.

“Go back now. He can’t do without you by his side.”

“This servant will see First Miss to the courtyard gate. Third Master instructed—it wouldn’t be good to return too early.”

Xie Wenshu smiled until her eyes curved. “Why must you be so literal?”

Zhu Qing said nothing and slowed his pace to walk behind her.

As they spoke, they reached the courtyard gate.

“First Miss, this servant will return…”

Before he could finish, Zhu Qing suddenly saw a small pomegranate that had fallen from a tree on the ground.

“First Miss, careful!”

Too late!

Xie Wenshu stepped on the pomegranate. With a “crack,” her whole body pitched forward.

Yun Hui was holding a box of mooncakes in one hand and supporting Miss with the other—she couldn’t react in time. The young maid ahead hadn’t even turned around yet.

Zhu Qing rushed forward, his arms loosely catching her.

After several stumbles, Xie Wenshu still couldn’t steady herself. Panicking, she grabbed Zhu Qing’s robe front, using that leverage to barely stabilize.

Yun Hui, frightened, thrust the mooncakes into the young maid’s arms and rushed over.

“Miss, are you hurt?”

Xie Wenshu shook her head and released one hand.

Yun Hui quickly grasped it. Only then did Xie Wenshu release her second hand to grab Yun Hui’s arm.

She gripped with such force that two veins stood out on the back of her hand.

Zhu Qing’s previously expressionless face suddenly tightened.

“Who was on duty in the courtyard today?”

Hearing this tone, Xie Wenshu quickly said, “It’s a holiday today—I let them go out and have some fun.”

After a pause, she added, “Don’t make a fuss. It’s a small matter.”

Zhu Qing regained some rationality and fell silent for a moment. “Help Miss inside. I won’t say anything.”

Yun Hui looked at Zhu Qing gratefully. “Miss, let’s go in.”

Zhu Qing waited until they entered the room before using his foot to viciously kick the pomegranate tree outside the courtyard several times.

Dead branches and rotten fruit fell everywhere.

He picked up a broom and swept the ground clean. After glancing once more toward the courtyard, he turned and left.