Old Madam Xie stood in the courtyard and, without speaking first, wiped her tears.
She wiped once—tears flowed down;
Wiped again—tears still flowed down.
If it were only tears flowing, that would be one thing, but the key was the old madam also used her tear-filled eyes to gaze pitifully at Yan Sanhe, appearing pitiful, small, and helpless.
Yan Sanhe gritted her teeth: “When did Jingsi Residence set up a theater stage?”
The old madam was shrewd—how could she not hear the mockery in those words? Still, she said nothing and continued wiping her tears relentlessly.
Wiping and wiping, her body swayed as if about to collapse.
Xie Zhifei at her side quickly reached out to support her. “Quick, quick, fetch the imperial physician.”
A clever maid immediately ran off.
“Miss Yan needn’t worry. The old madam will recuperate for a few months and perhaps recover. If she doesn’t recover, it’s also fate.”
Xie Zhifei turned and smiled apologetically at Yan Sanhe. “Miss, take your time leaving. I won’t see you off. If the old madam takes a turn for the worse, I’m afraid she’ll have final words to entrust to me.”
Damn it!
Can I still leave?
Yan Sanhe looked coldly at Xie Zhifei, unwilling: “Third Master Xie, why must you keep me here?”
Xie Zhifei dropped the joking manner. “Yan Sanhe, according to Great Hua Kingdom law, women cannot establish independent households. You should know what this means, right?”
Yan Sanhe knew clearly.
It meant that after Yan Xing’s death, everything in his name—even just a few broken-down rooms—would return to the Yan clan.
And she, this orphan girl, could only depend on the clan from then on. Moreover, the Yan clan had the right to dispose of her.
To put it most crudely, if the Yan clan ordered her to marry a dog, she could only obediently comply.
Actually, Yan Sanhe wasn’t worried at all that the Yan family would come looking. She wasn’t originally Yan Xing’s biological granddaughter anyway.
But the Xie household didn’t know this.
Seeing her silence, Xie Zhifei’s gaze deepened: “Whether the old ancestor’s illness improves or not depends entirely on you, Miss.”
Better not cause more trouble than necessary. Better not arouse suspicion.
Yan Sanhe flicked her sleeves and walked into the room.
Third Master Xie’s lips curved into a smile. “The carriage is already prepared. I’ll personally come fetch Miss to return later.”
After shouting this, Third Master turned his face away, the smile completely vanishing.
She agreed not because she feared the Yan clan, but because she was afraid her identity as not being Yan Xing’s biological granddaughter would be exposed.
Excellent!
I’ve caught your fox tail!
…
The Ji residence wasn’t far from the Xie household—through four lanes, around a few alleys, and you’d arrive.
Yan Sanhe descended from the carriage and immediately saw Pei Xiao dressed in official robes.
Beside this person stood two clean-faced monks. Both monks placed palms together and intoned to Yan Sanhe: “Amitabha!”
Yan Sanhe’s body trembled, subtle changes appearing on her face.
Li Buyan noticed. “What’s wrong?”
Yan Sanhe was silent for a moment. “I feel this scene is also very familiar.”
Li Buyan’s mind went blank.
Monks are familiar;
Being concubine-born is familiar;
But these two things don’t connect at all!
At this moment, Pei Xiao strolled forward with measured steps, head held high. “At Xie Fifty’s request, I’ve come to accompany Miss Yan.”
Yan Sanhe: “Are you familiar with the Ji residence?”
Pei Xiao: “Thoroughly familiar.”
“Sorry, let me interrupt with a question.”
Li Buyan’s head leaned in. “What’s the story behind ‘Xie Fifty’?”
A maid is just a maid.
Pei Xiao said proudly: “At thirty one is established, at forty without confusion, at fifty knowing heaven’s mandate. Knowing heaven’s mandate is also called ‘zhifei’ (knowing non-confusion). The names of the three masters of the Xie household all come from this.”
Li Buyan “oh-ed.” “Then your single name ‘Xiao’ (laugh)—what’s the story behind that?”
Can I tell you?
Pei Xiao sneered coldly. “A maid should have a maid’s self-awareness. When the master hasn’t spoken, how can a maid chatter on the side? What kind of decorum is that!”
Li Buyan muttered: “I just thought the name sounded nice and asked. What’s wrong with that?”
Fine!
Since you said it sounds nice.
Pei Xiao coughed.
The thin monk behind him quickly smiled: “When Lord Pei was born, he first laughed, then cried. Lord Pei’s father said he must not be an ordinary child, thus named him with the character ‘laugh.'”
Li Buyan “tsk-ed.” “Forgive my lack of knowledge, but what rank is Lord Pei’s official robe, and what does he manage?”
Indeed lacking knowledge!
Pei Xiao puffed out his chest.
The plump monk behind him quickly smiled: “Lord Pei is at the Buddhist Registry, ranked at the sixth grade.”
He manages monks!
Li Buyan smiled sweetly: “Then recite the Diamond Sutra for us to hear?”
“What are you thinking?”
Pei Xiao wanted to curse: “Lord Pei manages monks, he doesn’t become a monk.”
Li Buyan “oh-ed.” “Nice name, handsome looks, and holding high office—the matchmakers must have trampled the Pei household threshold down three inches, right?”
The thin monk smiled: “Our Lord Pei has never married, stays away from women. Forget three inches—seven inches won’t happen either.”
Asking so much detail—does this maid have feelings for me?
Pei Xiao’s face showed some satisfaction.
Just then, Li Buyan leaned her head close to Yan Sanhe’s ear.
“Miss, I’ve sussed him out. His rank isn’t high, it’s a sinecure, his words aren’t pleasing, his personality and temper aren’t good, he likes being coaxed, has gynophobia—he’s usable.”
Yan Sanhe gave Pei Xiao a cool glance. “Then we’ll trouble Lord Pei to lead the way and tell me about the Ji family’s situation.”
Pei Xiao nearly failed to catch his breath.
So!
She asked all that to test whether I’m usable?
In all my years, Lord Pei has never suffered such humiliation.
Wah, I can’t bear it!
“A usable person brings efficiency. An unusable person wastes time and provides information that easily leads you astray.”
When Yan Sanhe’s dark eyes stared at people, it always made them uncomfortable. But this time, Pei Xiao met her gaze directly.
No wonder Xie Fifty wanted to secretly investigate her. Too calm and intelligent—completely unlike a normal seventeen-year-old girl.
Pei Xiao suddenly grew curious. “What do you want to know about the Ji family?”
“I ask, you answer.”
Yan Sanhe preferred her own questioning method—simple and clear. “In your eyes, what kind of person is the old madam?”
“This…”
Where to even begin?
Pei Xiao was momentarily stuck, his steps involuntarily slowing.
Yan Sanhe: “Just now when I asked this question, what was the very first thought that floated through your mind?”
Pei Xiao blurted out: “A kind and good person.”
“How is she good?”
“From childhood, I spent more time at the Ji household than the Pei household. Every time I came, the old madam would hide away the best things and secretly slip them to me when no one was around. Even her own grandsons didn’t get this treatment.”
Pei Xiao let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
“I was naughty as a child—small beatings every three days, big beatings every five days. The old madam didn’t mind. She openly protected me and even yelled at my father, saying children should be mischievous—if they’re not mischievous, they’re not children.”
Pei Xiao lowered his head and bit his lip. “Put it this way: even if I tore the roof off the Ji household, she would still praise me: ‘Well torn.'”
Li Buyan shook her head directly. “Utterly unprincipled doting!”
“What’s wrong with doting?”
Pei Xiao grew angry. “My maternal grandmother doted on me—what business is it of yours? What are you, a sorceress, jealous about?”
Sorceress?
Hmph!
Li Buyan’s hand moved to her waist. Seeing the flash of tears in Pei Xiao’s eyes, she awkwardly lowered her hand.
Forget it!
Considering this guy has some filial piety!
Yan Sanhe: “Besides you, who else does the old madam treat well?”
“She treats everyone well, legitimate and concubine-born alike.”
Pei Xiao hummed. “But she treats me best. Even her own grandsons can’t compare.”
Yan Sanhe pressed further: “Why is that?”
“What do you mean why? I’m handsome, a fine figure of a man. Good-tempered, responsive to requests. Don’t touch gambling, don’t touch whoring, keep myself clean and proper.”
“Getting full of yourself.”
Li Buyan picked at her ear. “When bragging, have some awareness. Enough is enough.”
“You…”
Pei Xiao’s chest heaved. He mentally chanted “Amitabha” several times before restraining himself from throwing a punch.
Mainly because he couldn’t beat her.
“You’re the person she loves most. Then…”
Yan Sanhe’s cold gaze swept toward Pei Xiao. “Who is the person she hates most?”
Pei Xiao’s heart jumped violently.
How the hell could he dare say that!
Chapter 64: Familiarity
Yan Sanhe took the paper package and nodded lightly.
“Thank you. You should return.”
“Miss should also rest early. Farewell.”
The man’s tall, slender back quickly disappeared into the night.
Yan Sanhe turned her head and saw Li Buyan with arms crossed, a playful smile on her face.
“What are you looking at me for?”
“You don’t like Third Master, but Second Master seems quite pleasing. Sanhe sister, please honestly explain—why is this?”
Yan Sanhe hesitated. “It seems very familiar.”
“Familiar what? Is it Second Master Xie himself, or…”
“It’s what he said.”
“Which sentence?”
“The sentence ‘the second branch doesn’t have anything good’—I always feel I’ve heard it before.”
“Could it be…”
Li Buyan’s lips curved up. “Could it be… your true identity from before was actually a concubine-born child?”
Is that it?
Yan Sanhe’s eyes showed confusion.
…
“Old Madam Ji’s heart demon is a dog?”
If Yan Sanhe hadn’t said it herself, Xie Erli wouldn’t believe it at all.
How could this be possible?
Too preposterous!
Xie Erli steadied his mind: “Early tomorrow morning, the Old Madam will personally go to Jingsi Residence to keep the person here. Whether it works or not depends entirely on the Old Madam’s ability. It’s late—go rest!”
Hearing that the old ancestor would personally act, Xie Zhifei felt mostly relieved.
“Elder Brother should also sleep early.”
Once Third Son left, Xie Erli also departed the study and returned to Fangzhou Courtyard. Seeing the lamp still lit in the west wing room, he was quite satisfied.
Lady Zhu Weixi heard movement and came out to greet him. After the couple exchanged a few words, Xie Erli went to the washroom to bathe and change.
Everything properly done, he extinguished the lamp and half-reclined, half-lay on the outer bed.
They’d been married six years. Lady Zhu clearly knew that when the man assumed this posture, he had something to say, and she knew even more clearly what he wanted to say.
“Today’s matter was my fault.”
Lady Zhu’s eyes fixed on the bed curtains: “I shouldn’t have agreed to let Second Sister go out.”
Xie Erli’s voice grew heavy. “Is this your only mistake?”
Lady Zhu bit her lip: “Even worse was only assigning two guards and a few matrons to follow.”
“I’ve already instructed you before—anything involving Yan Sanhe requires extra vigilance.”
Xie Erli tapped the bed board with his finger.
“Fortunately there was no real danger this time. Otherwise, what face would I have to give the Old Madam and Father an explanation? What face to give the second branch an explanation?”
In the darkness, Lady Zhu’s eyes had already filled with tears. She bit down hard, not daring to let them fall.
“Father entrusted the inner residence to you because he values and trusts you. Don’t let this kind of thing happen again in the future—making him worry about court matters while also worrying about household affairs.”
Lady Zhu’s voice trembled as she responded: “Yes!”
“Tomorrow morning the Old Madam will go to Jingsi Residence. Set aside your tasks and accompany her.”
“Yes!”
“Also make time to visit the second branch.”
“I already went today.”
“What did Concubine Liu say?”
“She only scolded her own daughter.”
“She certainly knows how to conduct herself!”
Xie Erli snorted coldly. “It’s late. Sleep!”
After speaking, he turned over, facing outward, his back presenting a cold distance.
Tears finally slid from the corners of Lady Zhu’s eyes.
She turned her head to look at the man’s head, forcing the grievance, bitterness, and sorrow spreading through her heart back down bit by bit along with the tears.
…
In the vast capital at this moment, among the women crying in sorrow like Lady Zhu, one was Du Yiyun.
Du Yiyun’s sorrow was completely different from Lady Zhu’s.
She was furious that the scheme she’d carefully plotted had been reduced from a major matter to a minor one, from minor to nothing.
What made her grit her teeth most was that the Xie father and son—one went to the Xu household to flaunt official authority, the other personally went to the Ministry of Justice to demand someone’s release.
Was this treatment for a concubine?
This was clearly the treatment of Third Madam Xie.
On the bed, Ni’er rose and wrung out a hot towel, handing it to Du Yiyun: “Miss, if it didn’t work this time, we’ll try again next…”
“Where is there a next time?”
Du Yiyun said bitterly: “If I target that wench again next time, the Xie family will notice. They’re not stupid.”
Ni’er worried: “Miss, this matter must go through proper channels to be legitimate. Otherwise…”
“Who doesn’t know we need proper channels?”
Du Yiyun threw the hot towel back at Ni’er.
“Father has tested the waters several times, but that old bastard Xie Daozhi just prevaricates, never giving a straight answer.”
Ni’er sneered coldly: “Miss doesn’t mind that Third Master is short-lived, yet their Xie household dares look down on our Du household. Truly laughable.”
Du Yiyun raged: “Don’t say my Third Brother is short-lived.”
“Look at this mouth of mine!”
Ni’er lightly slapped herself. “But returning to the point, what exactly is that wench’s background? How could she trouble Master Xie himself?”
Hearing this, Du Yiyun froze.
Right—what is her background?
Who are her parents and brothers?
What kind of distinguished guest of the Xie household is she?
I actually know nothing.
“No, I must have someone investigate.”
Du Yiyun forcefully struck the bed edge: “Once I’ve investigated, I’ll find another way to deal with her. I refuse to believe it!”
…
A good night’s sleep.
When Yan Sanhe awoke, daylight was already bright. Li Buyan, who had slept on the outer side, had long since disappeared.
At this time, she was most likely practicing martial arts.
Yan Sanhe dressed properly and sat at the vanity, examining the top of her head in the bronze mirror.
It didn’t hurt anymore, but having gauze on top looked too unsightly.
Tang Yuan brought in hot water. “Miss, please don’t move. I’ll change the gauze for you.”
“Help me style the simplest hair knot.”
“Miss, rest assured.”
After changing the gauze and finishing her hair, Yan Sanhe changed into that gray-blue robe and lowered her head to wash.
Everything properly done, seeing Tang Yuan still standing behind her, thinking of the maid’s considerate attentiveness, she coughed lightly: “I’ll be leaving the residence today.”
Tang Yuan was so shocked she couldn’t speak.
“Return to wherever you came from.”
Yan Sanhe was silent for a moment. “If you have any difficulties, you can speak now. I can decide for you.”
“Where can I go!”
Li Buyan lifted the curtain and entered, smiling at Yan Sanhe: “Miss, go take a look quickly. There’s a fatty kneeling in the courtyard holding a rope, saying hanging oneself brings the quickest death.”
This was telling her that if she wanted to leave, she’d have to step over Steward Xie’s corpse first.
Yan Sanhe sneered coldly, walked to the outer room, and didn’t even glance at Steward Xie on the ground.
“Li Buyan, hang that rope on the beam. If he wants to die, it’s easy enough. I’ll help him!”
“Right away!”
Li Buyan walked to Fatty Xie, and with a flick of her hand, Steward Xie felt his palm burn. The rope had already vanished.
My dear mother!
They’re actually willing to let me die?
With fire rushing to his head, Fatty Xie scrambled to his feet and ran outside on his plump legs.
Li Buyan laughed until she bent over: “Look, another coward.”
The coward rushed off to report.
In no time, a group of people entered Jingsi Residence. Leading them was the white-haired Old Madam Xie.
On either side of her stood Third Master Xie and Lady Zhu.
## Chapter 65: Keeping Her
Old Madam Xie stood in the courtyard and, without speaking first, wiped her tears.
She wiped once—tears flowed down;
Wiped again—tears still flowed down.
If it were only tears flowing, that would be one thing, but the key was the old madam also used her tear-filled eyes to gaze pitifully at Yan Sanhe, appearing pitiful, small, and helpless.
Yan Sanhe gritted her teeth: “When did Jingsi Residence set up a theater stage?”
The old madam was shrewd—how could she not hear the mockery in those words? Still, she said nothing and continued wiping her tears relentlessly.
Wiping and wiping, her body swayed as if about to collapse.
Xie Zhifei at her side quickly reached out to support her. “Quick, quick, fetch the imperial physician.”
A clever maid immediately ran off.
“Miss Yan needn’t worry. The old madam will recuperate for a few months and perhaps recover. If she doesn’t recover, it’s also fate.”
Xie Zhifei turned and smiled apologetically at Yan Sanhe. “Miss, take your time leaving. I won’t see you off. If the old madam takes a turn for the worse, I’m afraid she’ll have final words to entrust to me.”
Damn it!
Can I still leave?
Yan Sanhe looked coldly at Xie Zhifei, unwilling: “Third Master Xie, why must you keep me here?”
Xie Zhifei dropped the joking manner. “Yan Sanhe, according to Great Hua Kingdom law, women cannot establish independent households. You should know what this means, right?”
Yan Sanhe knew clearly.
It meant that after Yan Xing’s death, everything in his name—even just a few broken-down rooms—would return to the Yan clan.
And she, this orphan girl, could only depend on the clan from then on. Moreover, the Yan clan had the right to dispose of her.
To put it most crudely, if the Yan clan ordered her to marry a dog, she could only obediently comply.
Actually, Yan Sanhe wasn’t worried at all that the Yan family would come looking. She wasn’t originally Yan Xing’s biological granddaughter anyway.
But the Xie household didn’t know this.
Seeing her silence, Xie Zhifei’s gaze deepened: “Whether the old ancestor’s illness improves or not depends entirely on you, Miss.”
Better not cause more trouble than necessary. Better not arouse suspicion.
Yan Sanhe flicked her sleeves and walked into the room.
Third Master Xie’s lips curved into a smile. “The carriage is already prepared. I’ll personally come fetch Miss to return later.”
After shouting this, Third Master turned his face away, the smile completely vanishing.
She agreed not because she feared the Yan clan, but because she was afraid her identity as not being Yan Xing’s biological granddaughter would be exposed.
Excellent!
I’ve caught your fox tail!
…
The Ji residence wasn’t far from the Xie household—through four lanes, around a few alleys, and you’d arrive.
Yan Sanhe descended from the carriage and immediately saw Pei Xiao dressed in official robes.
Beside this person stood two clean-faced monks. Both monks placed palms together and intoned to Yan Sanhe: “Amitabha!”
Yan Sanhe’s body trembled, subtle changes appearing on her face.
Li Buyan noticed. “What’s wrong?”
Yan Sanhe was silent for a moment. “I feel this scene is also very familiar.”
Li Buyan’s mind went blank.
Monks are familiar;
Being concubine-born is familiar;
But these two things don’t connect at all!
At this moment, Pei Xiao strolled forward with measured steps, head held high. “At Xie Fifty’s request, I’ve come to accompany Miss Yan.”
Yan Sanhe: “Are you familiar with the Ji residence?”
Pei Xiao: “Thoroughly familiar.”
“Sorry, let me interrupt with a question.”
Li Buyan’s head leaned in. “What’s the story behind ‘Xie Fifty’?”
A maid is just a maid.
Pei Xiao said proudly: “At thirty one is established, at forty without confusion, at fifty knowing heaven’s mandate. Knowing heaven’s mandate is also called ‘zhifei’ (knowing non-confusion). The names of the three masters of the Xie household all come from this.”
Li Buyan “oh-ed.” “Then your single name ‘Xiao’ (laugh)—what’s the story behind that?”
Can I tell you?
Pei Xiao sneered coldly. “A maid should have a maid’s self-awareness. When the master hasn’t spoken, how can a maid chatter on the side? What kind of decorum is that!”
Li Buyan muttered: “I just thought the name sounded nice and asked. What’s wrong with that?”
Fine!
Since you said it sounds nice.
Pei Xiao coughed.
The thin monk behind him quickly smiled: “When Lord Pei was born, he first laughed, then cried. Lord Pei’s father said he must not be an ordinary child, thus named him with the character ‘laugh.'”
Li Buyan “tsk-ed.” “Forgive my lack of knowledge, but what rank is Lord Pei’s official robe, and what does he manage?”
Indeed lacking knowledge!
Pei Xiao puffed out his chest.
The plump monk behind him quickly smiled: “Lord Pei is at the Buddhist Registry, ranked at the sixth grade.”
He manages monks!
Li Buyan smiled sweetly: “Then recite the Diamond Sutra for us to hear?”
“What are you thinking?”
Pei Xiao wanted to curse: “Lord Pei manages monks, he doesn’t become a monk.”
Li Buyan “oh-ed.” “Nice name, handsome looks, and holding high office—the matchmakers must have trampled the Pei household threshold down three inches, right?”
The thin monk smiled: “Our Lord Pei has never married, stays away from women. Forget three inches—seven inches won’t happen either.”
Asking so much detail—does this maid have feelings for me?
Pei Xiao’s face showed some satisfaction.
Just then, Li Buyan leaned her head close to Yan Sanhe’s ear.
“Miss, I’ve sussed him out. His rank isn’t high, it’s a sinecure, his words aren’t pleasing, his personality and temper aren’t good, he likes being coaxed, has gynophobia—he’s usable.”
Yan Sanhe gave Pei Xiao a cool glance. “Then we’ll trouble Lord Pei to lead the way and tell me about the Ji family’s situation.”
Pei Xiao nearly failed to catch his breath.
So!
She asked all that to test whether I’m usable?
In all my years, Lord Pei has never suffered such humiliation.
Wah, I can’t bear it!
“A usable person brings efficiency. An unusable person wastes time and provides information that easily leads you astray.”
When Yan Sanhe’s dark eyes stared at people, it always made them uncomfortable. But this time, Pei Xiao met her gaze directly.
No wonder Xie Fifty wanted to secretly investigate her. Too calm and intelligent—completely unlike a normal seventeen-year-old girl.
Pei Xiao suddenly grew curious. “What do you want to know about the Ji family?”
“I ask, you answer.”
Yan Sanhe preferred her own questioning method—simple and clear. “In your eyes, what kind of person is the old madam?”
“This…”
Where to even begin?
Pei Xiao was momentarily stuck, his steps involuntarily slowing.
Yan Sanhe: “Just now when I asked this question, what was the very first thought that floated through your mind?”
Pei Xiao blurted out: “A kind and good person.”
“How is she good?”
“From childhood, I spent more time at the Ji household than the Pei household. Every time I came, the old madam would hide away the best things and secretly slip them to me when no one was around. Even her own grandsons didn’t get this treatment.”
Pei Xiao let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
“I was naughty as a child—small beatings every three days, big beatings every five days. The old madam didn’t mind. She openly protected me and even yelled at my father, saying children should be mischievous—if they’re not mischievous, they’re not children.”
Pei Xiao lowered his head and bit his lip. “Put it this way: even if I tore the roof off the Ji household, she would still praise me: ‘Well torn.'”
Li Buyan shook her head directly. “Utterly unprincipled doting!”
“What’s wrong with doting?”
Pei Xiao grew angry. “My maternal grandmother doted on me—what business is it of yours? What are you, a sorceress, jealous about?”
Sorceress?
Hmph!
Li Buyan’s hand moved to her waist. Seeing the flash of tears in Pei Xiao’s eyes, she awkwardly lowered her hand.
Forget it!
Considering this guy has some filial piety!
Yan Sanhe: “Besides you, who else does the old madam treat well?”
“She treats everyone well, legitimate and concubine-born alike.”
Pei Xiao hummed. “But she treats me best. Even her own grandsons can’t compare.”
Yan Sanhe pressed further: “Why is that?”
“What do you mean why? I’m handsome, a fine figure of a man. Good-tempered, responsive to requests. Don’t touch gambling, don’t touch whoring, keep myself clean and proper.”
“Getting full of yourself.”
Li Buyan picked at her ear. “When bragging, have some awareness. Enough is enough.”
“You…”
Pei Xiao’s chest heaved. He mentally chanted “Amitabha” several times before restraining himself from throwing a punch.
Mainly because he couldn’t beat her.
“You’re the person she loves most. Then…”
Yan Sanhe’s cold gaze swept toward Pei Xiao. “Who is the person she hates most?”
Pei Xiao’s heart jumped violently.
How the hell could he dare say that!