Miss Yan didn’t think much of it.
“A Military Patrol Bureau investigation—investigating what case?” she asked in return.
Truly clever!
Straight to the point!
Xie Zhifei smiled faintly. “The old lady’s grave was mysteriously dug up. Can and should the Military Patrol Bureau investigate this case?”
Silence fell around them.
This way, not only could they cover up the matter of the old lady’s coffin standing open, they could also legitimately question anyone in the Ji residence.
Who did it?
Why did they do it?
What deep grudge did they have with the old lady?
The entire process of dissolving obsessions and demons could be concealed beneath this case—no one would suspect a thing.
This idea was absolutely brilliant.
Yan Sanhe looked at this man smiling with a somewhat roguish air, finally sensing something.
This wastrel Xie wasn’t as frivolous as he appeared.
This person had methods, had brains, and also had…
A bit of cunning!
After a moment of silence, she asked again: “Then what am I to the Military Patrol Bureau?”
“You’re an investigative expert I’ve invited.”
Xie Zhifei looked directly into her eyes, saying slowly: “Is Miss Yan satisfied with this identity?”
Their eyes met—one pair black as a deep well, the other impassive as hidden currents.
The only certainty was that both wanted to see through these eyes to what the other was hiding.
Yan Sanhe raised her eyebrows slightly. “If Minister Ji is satisfied, then I’m satisfied.”
The ball bounced to Ji Lingchuan, whose expression changed several times as he hesitated without speaking.
Even at this point, still guarding against me?
Simply doesn’t know what’s good for him!
Xie Zhifei sneered inwardly. “Uncle Ji, may I speak with you privately?”
The two walked some distance away. Xie Zhifei opened without courtesy.
“Uncle Ji, I heard the Censorate’s move is imminent, within these few days. Moreover, the old censor has announced he’ll definitely wear crimson robes to court that day.”
Ji Lingchuan’s body swayed unsteadily, barely able to stand.
When a censor wore crimson, all officials trembled—anyone would fear it.
This wasn’t just impeachment before the Emperor—it definitely meant dragging someone down, even imprisonment and house confiscation.
Xie Zhifei steadied him, sighing: “If not for Mingting’s sake, I wouldn’t meddle in this. Uncle Ji, stop hesitating. There’s no time.”
Ji Lingchuan slowly raised his head, looking at the face before him, and nodded forcefully.
Feeling once wasn’t enough, he nodded again.
Xie Zhifei gently patted his back, consoling him: “It’s not a dead end yet. Yan Sanhe is definitely a lifeline.”
“Mm, mm, mm!”
Ji Lingchuan turned away to wipe turbid tears, forcefully calming his roiling emotions.
…
Lunch was set in the flower hall.
Ji Lingchuan was busy arranging afternoon matters, so the Eight Immortals table had one person seated on each of its four sides.
The food was sumptuous—eight dishes and one soup.
But Master Pei was rather dissatisfied, his face drawn long.
A maid actually daring to sit as an equal with masters at the same table—who gave her such audacity?
Also!
He glanced sideways at Li Buyan.
Sitting as equals was one thing—did she need to sit upright with head held high, looking completely natural?
Pei Xiao covertly nudged Xie Zhifei’s foot: Can’t you manage this?
Xie Zhifei kicked back: Can’t manage it. Eat.
Pei Xiao: Can’t eat!
Xie Zhifei: Ancestor, please eat. We have business this afternoon.
Pei Xiao: You make that surnamed Li get lost, then I’ll eat.
“You two.”
Li Buyan smiled slightly. “Please eat properly. Just for the sake of my stomach, accumulate some good karma, all right?”
Pei Xiao snorted coldly: “What’s wrong with your stomach?”
Li Buyan’s smile deepened: “My stomach can eat chicken, but can’t watch men getting intimate.”
What does that mean?
Pei Xiao’s eye twitched: Xie Wu-shi, do you know?
Xie Wu-shi coughed: Should be like calcium supplementation—not a nice phrase.
Just then, Li Buyan very kindly provided an explanation: “By the way, male intimacy is also called ‘cut sleeve.'”
The air froze.
These words were hurtful, awkward, impolite, and damn irritating.
This master won’t eat!
Pei Xiao slapped down his chopsticks with a “snap,” jumped to his feet, and glared down at Li Buyan.
“Li mystic, Xie Wu-shi and I have known each other since childhood. We’re brothers, friends—not cut sleeves. Get that straight.”
“Master Pei!”
Yan Sanhe stood up, her gaze level with his. “Li Buyan is my friend, my sister—not a maid. Show some respect.”
Pei Xiao’s neck twisted inch by inch toward Xie Zhifei: How did they know I was badmouthing Li mystic?
Xie Zhifei: Ancestor, I want to know too!
…
With that earlier scene, this meal became oppressively silent, enough to cause indigestion.
After the last mouthful of soup, Yan Sanhe rinsed her mouth with tea and broke the silence. “Third Master Xie?”
Xie Zhifei quickly replied: “What instructions does Miss Yan have?”
Yan Sanhe: “Among the people who served the old lady, aside from those who left the residence, I estimate there are about ten remaining.”
“What is Miss Yan’s meaning?”
“Third Master should be accustomed to interrogating criminals. To save time, how about we each take five?”
Xie Zhifei was shocked by this suggestion. “What do I need to ask?”
“You only need to ask three questions?”
“Which three?” Pei Xiao interjected.
Yan Sanhe didn’t even glance his way. “In your eyes, what kind of person was the old lady?”
Xie Zhifei: “The second?”
Yan Sanhe: “Regarding the old lady, what memorable incidents come to mind?”
Xie Zhifei: “The third?”
Yan Sanhe: “Who would most likely want the old lady to find no peace after death?”
As the last word fell, Xie Zhifei’s heart surged like waves.
He picked up his teacup, affecting a lazy expression as he smiled: “I’ve memorized all three questions. Just want to add one more thing…”
“When we’ve finished questioning everyone, I’ll tell you the purpose behind these three questions.”
Xie Zhifei: “…”
Yan Sanhe: “How many people in official robes did you bring to the Xie residence?”
Xie Zhifei: “Two—one is Zhu Qing, one is Ding Yi.”
Yan Sanhe: “Lend me Zhu Qing.”
Xie Zhifei: “How does the young miss plan to use him?”
Yan Sanhe: “For show.”
Hearing this, Xie Zhifei immediately understood. “Rest assured. When that fellow stands by the young miss, he’s exactly like a door god—no one won’t fear him.”
Yan Sanhe looked across at Pei Xiao: “Master Pei?”
Master Pei smiled rather falsely: “What do you need me to do, Miss Yan?”
Yan Sanhe: “Third Master asks questions, you record. Don’t miss a single word.”
“That’s so many words to write. This master’s hand will get sore.”
Pei Xiao frowned, his finger tapping the table rather rudely. “How about…”
The two mystics stood up and walked out side by side.
“…”
Pei Xiao was speechless for a long while, then glared at Third Master Xie through gritted teeth.
Third Master Xie’s expression was utterly calm. Not only calm—he even smiled with curved eyes.
“You damned bastard.”
Master Pei cursed. “She’s already this formidable, yet you’re not the least bit surprised?”
Third Master Xie glanced at him. “I’ve seen her when she was even more formidable. Believe it or not?”
“Even more formidable?”
Master Pei sighed deeply. “Tell me, at such a young age, how did she…”
“Stop lamenting.”
Finally having a chance to speak privately, Third Master Xie quickly leaned his head closer. “Quick, tell me what you discovered before I arrived?”
“That maid named Li Buyan not only knows how to extract information, her eyes are sharp.”
Speaking of this, Pei Xiao grew excited again.
“Let me tell you, those two master and servant work in perfect harmony. The master gives one look and the maid immediately understands. We two grew up naked together and don’t have their level of coordination.”
Xie Zhifei’s face grew cold. “Looks like we need to investigate that girl too.”
“Absolutely must investigate! Li Buyan is so young—those martial skills of hers are incredible. How did she train them? Who taught her?”
Hearing this, Xie Zhifei’s face grew another shade colder.
Great!
One mystery unsolved, another appears.