“Young master.” Ling Hua stood formally at the entrance of the Handan courtyard, his expression indifferent. Only Hua Lu followed behind him. Hua Lu whispered to Yan Jiyue, “I’m sorry, young master. I couldn’t stop Brother Ling Hua.”

…After all, he was Yan Zhujun’s person, and a small attendant like him didn’t dare to be presumptuous.

Yan Jiyue ignored Hua Lu, leaning against the tree trunk behind him, his expression icy and devoid of warmth: “If you have something to say, say it.”

Ling Hua said, “The master says that tomorrow’s weather will be fine, and he wants you to accompany him to Lake Huayue for a boat ride.”

Yan Jiyue laughed lightly, “Elder sister has returned. Why isn’t he staying by her side to take care of her? How does he have the mood to go boating?”

“This servant doesn’t know. I’m only conveying the master’s wishes.”

Yan Jiyue’s cold smile instantly vanished, “Tell father, I’m not going.”

On the surface, it was a boat ride, but in reality, it was just an opportunity for the noble ladies of Juan City to look at potential husbands. Yan Jiyue was disgusted at the thought.

Ling Hua said flatly, “The master also said that regardless of whether you’re willing or not, if you’re stubborn, he will tie you up and take you there.”

“Father, how did your inquiries go? Hasn’t Sister Su sent him away yet?” As soon as Yang Shu returned, Lin Xiaoxing sat up impatiently, anxiously asking.

Yang Shu wore a gloomy expression, his face sullen: “Don’t mention it. Xie Yi is living too well now, even having the leisure to pick green apricots to brew wine.”

Lin Xiaoxing leaned against the bed railing, looking lost: “Does this mean Sister Su has no intention of driving him away? Why? How could Sister Su like such a lowly man? He’s not worthy at all.”

“Who knows what tricks he used. In any case, he must have Su Mu firmly under his control. Besides, I doubt this person ever intended to return to the Great Desert. The frontier is so chaotic now, how could a man dare to go back?”

“It must be a delaying tactic. He’s using this time to seduce Sister Su, looking for a chance to turn uncooked rice into cooked rice. If he can’t become the primary husband, being a small attendant is also good. At least with Sister Su’s abilities, he can live without worrying about food and clothing, much better than living on the frontier.” Lin Xiaoxing’s face looked unpleasant. “His methods are so clever. In the future, even if he becomes a small attendant, he’s bound to vie for favor. Who knows, Su Jiji might even be so bewitched by him that she favors her attendant and neglects her husband.”

“That’s exactly it. I never thought this Xie Yi was hiding such depths. We didn’t notice any signs before.” Yang Shu said indignantly.

“Father, what should we do now?” Lin Xiaoxing pulled at Yang Shu’s sleeve, pleading, “I’ve already missed out on Sister Su once. I really don’t want to miss out a second time.”

Yang Shu stroked Lin Xiaoxing’s head comfortingly, “Don’t worry, there will always be a way.”

Yang Shu’s eyes rolled as he said, “Su Mu might not mind the brand on Xie Yi’s body, but others certainly will. If the neighbors all knew that Su Mu was keeping such a little slut in her courtyard…”

Luoyan Lane has always been a respectable neighborhood. It would never allow brothel types to live there. Generally, retired male courtesans either marry into the countryside under false names or live in concentrated areas in the city. In any case, they are extremely averse to these retired male courtesans living in ordinary residences, fearing it might attract their former patrons and harm the reputation of their own pure sons.

“That’s right! If Uncle Wang and the others knew about this, they would definitely spread the news. They would force Sister Su to drive him away. At that time, even if Sister Su is reluctant to part with Xie Yi, she would have no choice.” Lin Xiaoxing’s eyes regained their sparkle as he tugged at Yang Shu’s sleeve, pleading, “Father, please go quickly. Can you go talk to them?”

“Now?” Yang Shu looked at the sky.

Lin Xiaoxing nodded, “Yes, it has to be now when it’s dark and everyone has finished dinner and is inside. Usually at this time, don’t those uncles and brothers from the neighboring houses sit at the entrance of the alley to chat?”

Yang Shu nodded, “Alright.”

As he left, passing by the gate of Su Mu’s courtyard, he peeked through the crack in the door.

The two were squatting by a water basin, washing green apricots. Su Mu was washing them seriously, but Xie Yi’s gaze held a hint of spring. His dark green eyes were watery, looking at Su Mu through his thick eyelashes, full of shy affection. Even as a man, Yang Shu felt his bones melt at the sight.

Fortunately, Su Mu was focused on washing the apricots and didn’t notice. Otherwise, if it were any other woman, she would have pounced on him like a starving ghost.

While inwardly praising Su Mu for her self-control, Yang Shu despised Xie Yi for his lack of self-respect. He hurried even more urgently towards the gossip center at the entrance of the alley.

As the saying goes, good news doesn’t leave the door, but bad news travels a thousand miles. This is an eternal truth, especially when it comes to scandalous bad news, which spreads at an exponential rate.

“What?! A little slut with ‘lust’ branded on his chest has snuck into our Luoyan Lane!”

“This is too much! If word gets out, how will my son ever find a good wife!”

“This Su Mu is really something, actually hiding it for him. I bet she’s been bewitched by that vixen’s seductive scent.”

“We can’t allow this. We must drive him away tomorrow!”

“Yes, yes, yes!” A group of men said angrily.

The next day at dawn, before Su Mu had even woken up, she was roused by an urgent knocking at the door.

She turned over, propping herself up to sit. Just as she was about to get out of bed, the door to Xie Yi’s room opened: “Sister Mu, you rest. I’ll go.”

Xie Yi had already dressed. Today he wore a plain, snow-white robe with a wide black sash around his waist, looking slim yet sturdy. Because he had hurriedly gotten up, his hair wasn’t yet combed and was hastily tied in a high ponytail, his thick long hair hanging down his back like a waterfall, with a few strands of dark hair falling across his forehead.

Xie Yi opened the door: “Who—”

As soon as Xie Yi cracked the door open, someone from outside suddenly rushed in, grabbing his hair and pulling hard. Xie Yi cried out in pain.

“You little slut, even your cries are so seductive!” A middle-aged man stormed in aggressively. Seeing Xie Yi’s delicate appearance, he was instantly reminded of his wife-master flirting with male courtesans. Anger surged in his heart, and mistaking Xie Yi for a male courtesan, he slapped him hard across the face.

“That’s enough! Uncle Yang, we didn’t come here today to use violence. We’re reasonable people.” Yang Shu pulled Wang uncle back, trying to persuade him. But in his heart, he wished Wang uncle would hit harder, preferably ruining that face so it couldn’t seduce anyone in the future.

He knew about Wang uncle’s wife-master frequenting brothels, so Yang Shu had deliberately exaggerated many negative things about Xie Yi to Wang uncle, and also mentioned Wang uncle’s son who was about to be engaged. This was how he had instigated Wang uncle to be the vanguard.

“Stop!” Su Mu heard the commotion outside, hastily threw on a robe, and rushed out, shielding Xie Yi in her arms.

Su Mu looked around, seeing Yang Shu also present, and angrily said, “What’s the meaning of coming to my courtyard early in the morning and hurting my person?”

“Ah, Su girl-” Yang Shu began, looking troubled.

“What else could it mean? A little slut with a brand on his body has quietly moved into Luoyan Lane. He might have no shame, but we still do. Quickly get this lowlife to leave!” Wang uncle said furiously.