As soon as Yan Sanhe entered Tranquil Contemplation Residence, Li Buyan grabbed her and pulled her all the way into the inner room.

The door closed.

Li Buyan asked impatiently, “How did you know that matter wouldn’t be difficult for those two? What did you figure out? Speak quickly—don’t leave out a single word!”

Yan Sanhe’s expression was calm, but her pupils gleamed brightly.

“The Crown Prince and Imperial Grand Grandson are family, right?”

“Right!”

“The Ji family are the Crown Prince’s dogs, so they’re also the Imperial Grand Grandson’s dogs, right?”

“Right!”

“The Ji family is Pei Xiao’s maternal clan. There’s no reason an uncle would support the Crown Prince but his nephew wouldn’t. So Pei Xiao is also the Imperial Grand Grandson’s dog—makes sense, doesn’t it?”

“Perfect sense.”

“Do you remember what that corrupt official said to Pei Xiao?”

“I remember. He said, ‘Magistrate Pei should pray more to Buddha to protect the Ji family womenfolk. This time their chastity was preserved, but next time in the Music Office, won’t they still be spreading their legs…'”

“This proves the corrupt official and Pei Xiao aren’t on the same side, right?”

“Right!”

“It also proves the corrupt official isn’t with the Crown Prince and Imperial Grand Grandson—they might even be political enemies, right?”

“Right!”

“Do you remember when you went to teach that corrupt official a lesson, you nearly took an arrow?”

“Who could forget? The Imperial Grand Grandson’s guard had excellent skills.”

“Since the Imperial Grand Grandson and that corrupt official aren’t on the same side, why did he intervene to stop you? Why not let you teach him a lesson?”

“Yes, why?”

“Because the corrupt official isn’t like Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei was just a minor Brocade Guard—crippling or killing him didn’t matter. But the corrupt official is an Assistant Minister of Justice. Injuring him would have escalated the situation.”

“The Imperial Grand Grandson didn’t want the situation to escalate, so he had his guard intervene. On the surface shooting at me, but actually protecting me in secret.”

“Whose person are you?”

“I’m my young lady’s person.”

“Whose household does your young lady currently belong to?”

“The Xie family!”

Li Buyan jumped up. “So the Imperial Grand Grandson was secretly protecting the Xie family.”

“Whether he was protecting the Xie family or not, I don’t know. But one thing is certain—Third Master Xie is also the Imperial Grand Grandson’s dog.”

“Heavens!”

In Yan Sanhe’s pupils, Li Buyan saw her own astonished expression. “Going in such a big circle—aren’t they all exhausted?”

“Whether they’re exhausted or not, I don’t know.”

Yan Sanhe pushed Li Buyan aside, lazily flopping onto the bed. “Anyway, I’m nearly dead from exhaustion. I’ll sleep for a while.”

“Wait, I have one more question.”

Li Buyan pounced over, sitting at the bedside.

“Since they’re all on the same side, why did the Imperial Grand Grandson have that Censor Lu note it down? Shouldn’t blood be thicker than water?”

Yan Sanhe thought about it. “Probably putting on a show!”

Li Buyan didn’t understand. “What’s the point of this performance?”

“I truly don’t know.”

Yan Sanhe’s eyes were half-open, half-closed. “Let me sleep first, then we’ll talk…”

Her voice grew weaker and weaker. Finally, the young lady’s long lashes stopped moving—clearly, she’d been spirited away by the Sandman.

Li Buyan removed her shoes for her, placed her feet on the bed, and gently covered her with the quilt.

The sleeping girl’s hand fumbled under the pillow as soon as she touched the quilt, pulling out a handkerchief to clutch in her palm before curling both her body and head into the covers.

Li Buyan watched her wrap herself into a dumpling, her lips curving with a smile tinged with helplessness.

“Sanhe, only when you’re sleeping do you seem like a living, breathing person!”

…

North of the capital ran a river called the Yongding.

The scenery on both banks of the Yongding River was starkly different. The east bank was full of pleasure houses—the best place for seeking flowers and willows.

The most famous of these was the Lichun Courtyard.

It was said the girls of Lichun Courtyard were all fox spirits transformed—most skilled at captivating men’s hearts.

The west bank was lined with commercial shops—Brocade and Silk Manor, Precious Jade Pavilion… all established here.

Most famous on the west bank was the Kai Cabinet Gaming House.

The Kai Cabinet could also captivate men’s hearts—not with girls, but with silver.

Here you could see gamblers who’d struck it rich overnight, and you could see paupers who’d lost everything but their underpants.

Brothels and gambling dens separated by just a river—it was like a widower living next to a beautiful, flirtatious widow. How many incidents must arise?

To this end, Northern District Military Commander Third Master Xie would patrol the Yongding River whenever he had time.

Of course, once official business was done, Third Master would also enter the Kai Cabinet to gamble a bit, test his fortune.

Third Master’s gambling wasn’t mixing with those foul-smelling men in the main hall, comparing who had thicker arms and necks.

Third Master gambled with elegance—he went to the boat parlor.

Not just anyone could board the boat parlor. Everything inside—furnishings, food, drink, utensils—was said to be tribute goods.

In the vast capital, only royal relatives, nobles, and the fabulously wealthy had the privilege to board.

The boat drifted leisurely on the moat. Leaning by the window, one could take in a river of jade-green water and half the city’s spring scenery.

The noble guests watched scenery while discussing national affairs. When they’d talked enough, they’d burn incense, wash their hands, and sit at the table to gamble.

After gambling, on the return journey if they spotted a pleasing girl from any pleasure house, they’d invite her aboard for a night together.

How romantic and carefree!

Tonight, Magistrate Pei was in low spirits over the Ji family matter. His sworn brother Third Master Xie coaxed him to the Kai Cabinet.

The manager had been waiting. Seeing the distinguished guests arrive, she flapped her handkerchief and thrust out her ample bosom to greet them.

“Oh my, my two masters—it’s been days since you’ve come.”

“What powder are you wearing? It’s choking me to death. Get lost!”

Pei Xiao, in a foul mood, shoved the woman into Third Master Xie’s arms and boarded the boat parlor on his own.

Madam Mei nestled into Third Master’s embrace, cooing sweetly, “Third Master, did you miss Madam Mei? Madam Mei missed you to death.”

Who could have imagined the gaming house’s chief manager was actually a beautiful woman?

Third Master Xie’s hand mischievously pinched Madam Mei’s pretty face. “You don’t miss me—you miss the silver in my pocket.”

“Oh, my dear Third Master, I miss the silver and I miss your body too. Madam Mei hasn’t touched your body in so long.”

Madam Mei clung tightly to Third Master Xie’s arm, boarding the boat while casting flirtatious glances at him.

“If Third Master doesn’t work Madam Mei to death in bed tonight, this boat won’t be coming back. Cast off—”

Not far away.

Several gambling addicts were lifting their robes to “release water” into the river, overhearing the entire conversation.

“Speaking of women, they should be like Madam Mei to be enjoyable in bed—truly wanton, truly lascivious.”

“Look who she used to be. Let me tell you—Madam Mei used to be a courtesan on East Street. It’s Third Master, that short-lived fellow, who’s more likely to die in her bed.”

“Not likely to die, but I heard every time Third Master comes down from the boat parlor, his face is pale, his eyes are dark, his legs shake when he walks.”

On the boat parlor.

Having overheard the gossip, Third Master Xie leaned lazily against the rail. “Madam Mei, tell me—am I capable or not?”