Coming out from the main hall, Yan Sanhe held her umbrella, deep in thought.

Xie Daozhi had repeatedly prevented her from continuing her words, which showed that he had no intention of acknowledging that past matter.

What was the reason he didn’t want to acknowledge it?

Was it guilt, or was it for the sake of his dignified reputation as Cabinet Minister Xie?

Yan Sanhe glanced at Steward Xie walking ahead, then turned to look at the two guards following behind her.

Things were probably not so simple!

While pondering, she had already arrived at a secluded courtyard.

Steward Xie jerked his chin toward the courtyard. “This is it. Please!”

“Wait.”

Steward Xie narrowed his eyes at Yan Sanhe, his face wearing an expression that said “how can this person be so tactless?”

The “tactless” person lifted her eyelids, showing not the slightest sense of propriety as she said: “I want hot water.”

Steward Xie: “…”

Steward Xie exchanged a glance with one guard, then called the other guard over, whispered a few instructions, and hurriedly departed.

Yan Sanhe stood in the courtyard briefly before walking directly into the room.

No lamps were lit inside. She was too lazy to light any, so she found the nearest chair to sit in, staring at the blue stone tiles on the floor, her mind full of worries.

For someone like Xie Daozhi to have become a Cabinet Minister, his schemes and methods would be far from simple.

She had only one night’s time left.

What should she do next?

In the silence, moonlight quietly poured into the room. The ash-blue figure sat motionless, thin and solitary.

“Miss, the hot water has arrived.”

Two matrons carried hot water into the courtyard. Seeing the room pitch-black, they called out first at the top of their voices.

Yan Sanhe sat up abruptly, as if suddenly awakening from a nightmare.

“Why hasn’t Miss lit the lamps? Where should we put the hot water?”

“Anywhere.”

Yan Sanhe walked to the table to light the lamp, then bent down to pull five taels of silver from her bundle.

The two matrons set down the hot water. Seeing the silver in Yan Sanhe’s hand, their eyes immediately brightened.

Yan Sanhe pressed the silver into one person’s hand. “It’s cold—you two aunties should buy some hot wine to drink.”

That person quickly smiled apologetically: “Many thanks to Miss then.”

The other also smiled: “Miss, if you’re lacking anything or need anything at all, you can tell us.”

“No need.”

Yan Sanhe paused. “I just want to inquire about something…”

…

In the study.

Xie Daozhi sat in his master’s chair like an old monk in meditation.

Steward Xie pushed the door open. “Master.”

Xie Daozhi came back to himself: “Is she settled?”

“Yes.”

Steward Xie approached and said in a low voice: “Master, using the pretext of wanting hot water, she took the opportunity to inquire about the Old Madam’s birth date and time, saying she wanted to light an eternal lamp for the Old Madam.”

“Hmph!”

Xie Daozhi’s hand clenched into a fist, his eyes gradually revealing a fierce light.

Steward Xie’s ability to reach the position of confidant lay in his skill at gauging his master’s thoughts. “Master, should this humble servant…”

“Not for now.”

Xie Daozhi cut off his words.

“Station more people around that courtyard. Tomorrow morning, you personally lead people to escort her out of the city. After confirming she’s left the city, then return.”

“Yes!”

Xie Daozhi waved his hand wearily. “Go tell Madam that I’ll rest in the study tonight.”

“Yes!”

“Wait!”

Xie Daozhi’s expression became solemn: “If a third person learns of this matter, the consequences will be…”

Steward Xie dropped to his knees with a thump.

“That young lady was completely spouting nonsense. This old servant has long forgotten what she said. Please set your mind completely at ease, Master.”

Xie Daozhi picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and said leisurely:

“Old Xie, naturally I trust you!”