Thanks to wastrel Xie, Yan Sanhe was hungry.

If this had happened before, she could at least endure for a day or two, but the Xie manor served three meals daily, each precisely on time.

From frugality to luxury is easy; from luxury back to frugality is difficult!

She told herself this internally, then pulled Tangyuan toward a wonton stand.

After eating wontons, there was nothing else to see, so Yan Sanhe decided to head back to the manor.

Tangyuan discovered that Miss Yan was a very decisive person. When she said to return home, there wasn’t even a pause, except for this route back…

“Miss Yan, let’s not take Four Lanes Alley.”

“Why not?”

“Many people died in that alley before. It’s often haunted at night.”

“The Zheng family case?”

“How does Miss know?”

Not only do I know, but thanks to your Third Master, I’ve even walked that road at night.

“Right now it’s broad daylight—ghosts won’t come out!”

Tangyuan looked up at the sun overhead and could only resign herself.

During the day, Four Lanes Alley was just a quiet lane with high walls on both sides. Occasionally, some dead branches rebelliously poked out over the walls.

The two had barely taken a few steps when they heard hoofbeats behind them.

A horse whinnied and stopped beside them.

“What a coincidence again—I’m also just heading back to the manor.”

Wastrel Xie dismounted. “Since we’ve met, why not walk together? Let me accompany you, Miss!”

Yan Sanhe ignored him, quickening her pace.

Wastrel Xie’s legs were long—he caught up in just a few steps.

“That… I didn’t mean to criticize you. It’s mainly that it seemed so wasteful. Just consider that I had a momentary lapse—don’t take it to heart.”

Yan Sanhe walked even faster.

Wastrel Xie brazenly followed again. “This time I let you pay, and I feel terrible about it. Next time…”

“There won’t be a next time.”

“Surely Miss isn’t so petty? Unless…”

Third Master Xie deliberately drew out his tone without continuing.

Yan Sanhe turned to look at him.

“You don’t dare?”

“Correct—I don’t dare!”

“Why not?”

Because you’re a married man!

Yan Sanhe withdrew her gaze, her steps growing faster and faster.

Xie Zhifei was about to chase after her to ask more when his peripheral vision caught sight of a tender bud emerging from a dead branch. He couldn’t help but stop.

Zhu Qing’s heart sank. He quickly urged, “Master, there’s nothing to see. Let’s go!”

“How is there nothing to see? It’s spring again.”

His voice was quite heavy, even tinged with vicissitudes. Yan Sanhe couldn’t help but turn to look, and her gaze collided with a pair of smiling dark eyes.

What was wrong with this romantic wastrel?

Yan Sanhe flicked her sleeve and turned to leave.

Never looking back!

…

The Xie manor’s side gate.

Du Yiyun, supported by an old servant’s hand, was about to board a carriage when she suddenly heard Ni’er call softly, “Miss, look quickly!”

Du Yiyun looked in that direction, unable to hide the vicious light in her eyes.

In the distance, that woman surnamed Yan walked ahead while Xie Zhifei followed behind bouncing along. Though several zhang separated them, it was clearly an attempt to hide their connection.

She sneered coldly inwardly and used force to step up into the carriage.

“Ni’er, you come up too.”

“Yes!”

The carriage wheels rolled.

Du Yiyun gritted her teeth. “No wonder Sister-in-law can be so calm—it has nothing to do with her man at all.”

Ni’er truly worried for her young lady.

It was true that the Xie and Du families were old friends, and true that Third Master and Miss were childhood sweethearts, but their marriage had never been explicitly discussed.

The Du family disdained Third Master’s short life and couldn’t bear for their daughter to become a young widow.

The Xie family followed Third Master’s declaration that he didn’t want to ruin another family’s daughter.

But that couldn’t withstand Miss’s feelings for him!

From childhood, she’d liked following behind Third Master, calling him “Third Brother” this and “Third Brother” that. She’d even told the Du family elders she’d rather be a widow for decades than marry into the Xie family and be Third Madam for once.

Miss’s devoted heart was rewarded by Third Master bringing a wild woman into the household?

What utter humiliation!

“Miss absolutely cannot let that cheap woman enter the household. If she bears a son or daughter, though they won’t have legitimate status, they’d still claim seniority as the eldest. They’d compete for the family property in the future.”

Ni’er said urgently, “Miss hasn’t even formally passed through the gates yet!”

Du Yiyun was clever enough to see her own situation clearly.

But she just liked that man—had liked him since childhood. Even when monks and Taoists all said he wouldn’t live past thirty and was thoroughly short-lived, she was willing to marry him.

For this woman to move into Tranquil Reflection Residence showed she was no simple person.

Du Yiyun’s two eyebrows nearly stood on end.

“Ni’er, I want this woman dead.”

Ni’er showed not a trace of alarm, only saying calmly, “There are many ways to die. Miss must think carefully about which method would least arouse suspicion.”

Du Yiyun’s heart stirred. “You mean…”

“Borrow a blade to kill!”

…

Shortly after the Du family’s carriage left the Xie residence, Yan Sanhe’s group arrived at the side gate.

Steward Xie was waiting at the side gate. Seeing the young mistress return, he quickly stepped forward with an ingratiating smile. “Miss Yan has returned. Are you tired? Would you like this old servant to prepare a small sedan chair?”

“I’m not seventy or eighty yet.”

Yan Sanhe didn’t even turn her head. “You can ask the one behind me if he needs it.”

The one behind was completely unconcerned. “I do need it—why wouldn’t I?”

Steward Xie observed the situation and, thinking he understood, quickly tugged at his Third Master’s sleeve and whispered:

“Third Master, though Miss Du was wrong first, Miss Yan’s methods were a bit too harsh. According to the Eldest Mistress, both of Miss Du’s knees are bruised purple.”

Xie Zhifei stopped in his tracks and said in a grave voice, “What happened?”

Huh?

Huh huh?

Miss Yan didn’t complain at all?!

Steward Xie wished he could slap himself across the face.

He stole a glance at Yan Sanhe, who had already walked far away, then hastily recounted the incident’s beginning and end with a guilty expression.

After listening, Xie Zhifei remained silent for a long while.

Steward Xie couldn’t read his master’s mind and could only say with trepidation, “This old servant just called everyone together again and gave them a stern warning. Such incidents won’t happen again.”

“Saying ‘won’t happen again’ is premature.”

Third Master said lightly, “Under heavy rewards, there will surely be brave volunteers, Xie Xiaohua.”

Steward Xie’s real name was Xie Xiaohua. Third Master only used this name in one situation: when he was angry.

But Third Master’s anger differed from others’—the angrier he was, the more he restrained it.

Steward Xie dropped to his knees with a thud. “Third Master, this old servant…”

“Why are you kneeling?”

Xie Zhifei smiled. “No wonder Miss Yan doesn’t like you. At this rate, even I won’t like you.”

“Third Master, this old servant’s heart is completely loyal to you. You can’t dislike me.”

Steward Xie wailed once, then quickly lowered his voice. “From now on when Miss Du enters the manor, this old servant will secretly assign seventeen or eighteen pairs of eyes to watch her. I absolutely won’t let her cause any more trouble.”

“Not so stupid after all!” Xie Zhifei raised an eyebrow.

“If I were stupid, Third Master would dislike me.”

“Get up!”

Xie Zhifei looked toward Tranquil Reflection Residence. “Zhu Qing?”

“Master!”

“Take that old ginseng from my room to Sister-in-law.”

“Master, that was what the old ancestor told you to use to properly nourish your health.”

“My health is excellent.”

Xie Zhifei glanced sideways at Steward Xie.

With just Xie Xiaohua alone, he couldn’t keep Du Yiyun in check—he needed to add Sister-in-law as well.

Moreover, today’s matter was fortunately defused by Sister-in-law’s skillful handling.

Just then, a young servant came running over. He first bowed to Third Master, then leaned close to Steward Xie’s ear for a lengthy whisper.

As Steward Xie listened, he cursed inwardly.

You little brat are also unlikeable—with Third Master right here, why are you whispering in my ear? Who’s really the master—him or me?

After the servant finished, Steward Xie turned and quickly said, “Third Master, Second Master and Second Miss just went to Tranquil Reflection Residence.”

Third Master Xie’s expression became slightly unpleasant.