Mei Niang’s face no longer bore any trace of seductive charm as she stood before Xie Zhifei with lowered head.

“Third Master is capable—it’s just that Mei Niang is not.”

“What do you mean?”

“Several accounts from this month still haven’t been collected.”

Third Master Xie straightened up and gently patted Mei Niang’s shoulder, his face still carrying a hint of amusement.

“Don’t you have a mouth to use? Couldn’t you have someone send Third Master a message? Third Master would have handled it for you.”

“They’re from the Prince of Han’s heir,” Mei Niang said in a low voice.

“That… Third Master has no solution either.”

Third Master Xie smiled. “How about we just endure it for now?”

“Yes!”

Mei Niang added, “Last month’s accounts have been tallied, Master…”

“Hand them to Zhu Qing.”

“Yes!”

Third Master Xie waved his hand, and Mei Niang bowed respectfully before withdrawing.

Just as no one would expect the gambling house’s chief steward to be a woman, few people in the capital knew that the true owner behind Mei Niang was actually Third Master Xie.

“Xie Fifty.”

Pei Xiao approached, tapping Xie Zhifei’s foot with his toe. “Do you think that Yan Sanhe will guess that we…”

“Even if she can’t guess everything, she can probably figure out seventy or eighty percent.”

“You’re certain?”

“Zhu Qing.”

Zhu Qing emerged from the shadows. “Master Pei, today while I was beside Miss Yan, I heard her say something.”

“What did she say?”

“She said Third Master hides things deep.”

Pei Xiao’s body trembled. Dear Buddha, Xie Fifty’s acting skills could still be seen through?

This, this, this…

This young lady has eyes of fire and gold!

Xie Zhifei rubbed his throbbing temples.

“Be more careful when talking to her from now on. This person doesn’t say useless things—every sentence has a purpose. One careless moment and she’ll lead you into a ditch. She’s crafty!”

Pei Xiao sighed. “In all my years, I’ve never met a woman more clever than her.”

Have I ever met one either?

Xie Zhifei grumbled internally, then continued, “About her identity and the Ji family matter—should we tell them everything when we meet tonight, or…”

At this question, Pei Xiao’s temples also began to throb.

“It seems we can’t hide it. Otherwise, why would we arrange to meet tonight? For all we know, as soon as we leave, she’ll start investigating.”

An unusual glint appeared in Xie Zhifei’s eyes.

Pei Xiao asked, “What, do you want to help Yan Sanhe keep it hidden?”

Xie Zhifei stared blankly for a moment. “I don’t know why, but I really don’t want him to know these things.”

“Why?”

“Yan Sanhe is too clever!”

Pei Xiao suddenly started. “You’re afraid she’ll…”

“I’m not afraid of her. With that cold and indifferent personality of hers, even if she guesses whose side we’re on and who we work for, she won’t say a word about it.”

Xie Zhifei sighed. “I just feel we shouldn’t drag her into these power struggles. She’s an innocent young lady.”

“Not dragging her in is easy—your Xie family can just let her go. Otherwise…”

Pei Xiao sneered coldly. “It’s only a matter of time anyway.”

Xie Zhifei’s expression turned extremely unpleasant.

“Enough, stop thinking about all this nonsense.”

Pei Xiao kicked him again. “Even if you want to let her go, if the Ji family matter isn’t resolved, I absolutely won’t agree to it, no matter what.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Qing suddenly coughed. “Master, we’ve arrived at Qingfeng Wharf.”

Xie Zhifei said, “Dock the boat. We’re picking up a friend.”

“Yes!”

The boat slowly pulled alongside the shore, where two people were already waiting.

The gangplank was lowered, and the two boarded one after another.

Once they were on board, Zhu Qing immediately pulled up the gangplank. The entire process took only moments, and the boat began drifting leisurely along the Yongding River again.

One person wore a gray-blue cloak. He didn’t linger outside the cabin but went straight in.

Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao followed him inside.

The person removed his cloak, revealing a face as white as jade, radiant with vitality.

If Li Buyan had witnessed this scene, she would have proudly given her young lady a thumbs up and praised her: “Guessed correctly.”

The visitor was none other than Zhao Yishi.

He smiled warmly at the two of them. “Sit!”

Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao didn’t stand on ceremony—one sat to his right, the other to his left.

Xie Zhifei crossed his legs. “Tell us, why did the Emperor send you here?”

Pei Xiao huffed. “You even kept it from me—are you even human?”

Zhao Yishi: “…”

Xie Zhifei extended his left hand. “The pre-rain Dragon Well tea I asked for—hand it over!”

Pei Xiao extended his right hand. “The ten-year-aged Sangluò wine I asked for—hand it over!”

Zhao Yishi laughed out loud. “How did I end up with two treasures like you?”

If Li Buyan were to witness this scene as well, she would definitely furrow her delicate brows, click her tongue, and say: “That’s not right—since when can dogs threaten their master?”

“Shen Chong.”

Zhao Yishi called out, “Hurry and bring out their things. If you don’t, these two will devour me alive.”

A powerfully built man heard the call and entered, placing items on the table. Just as he was about to turn around, Xie Zhifei grabbed his hand.

“That arrow of yours today passed right by the young lady’s face. Were you trying to scare me to death or what?”

“Third Master, I apologize.”

Shen Chong’s expression changed slightly. “It’s just that the young lady’s movements were too fast. I had calculated this arrow perfectly, but if…”

“Alright, alright, alright…”

Third Master Xie was most afraid of hearing Shen Chong talk about archery, martial arts, and such—it gave him headaches. “Go tell my Zhu Qing about it.”

“Yes!”

Once Shen Chong left, silence immediately fell over the room, and the air gradually grew heavy.

Finding joy in suffering—such joy was only temporary.

All three knew clearly that what they were about to discuss and face would definitely not be easy.

After half a cup of bitter tea, Zhao Yishi spoke first.

“Today, I was the one who presided over the confiscation of the Ji estate. I knelt in the Imperial Study for two hours yesterday to obtain this permission.”

He smiled bitterly. “I didn’t notify you because there wasn’t time.”

Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao exchanged glances. The latter forced out a smile. “Why go to such lengths? Your leg is already…”

“Father won’t speak up for the Ji family—that already makes him lose people’s trust. If I didn’t come, it would chill even more people’s hearts.”

Zhao Yishi looked at Pei Xiao. “Moreover, the Ji family is not just anyone. What’s two hours? I should have knelt all night.”

“Zhao Huairen!”

Pei Xiao felt a heart that had been cold for several days suddenly warm up.

The court was investigating Ji Lingchuan’s corruption. Two days ago, Xie Fifty had gotten wind of it, and if Xie Fifty could learn about it, the Crown Prince and the Zhang family wouldn’t be ignorant.

For two days, the Crown Prince and Zhang family showed no movement, clearly indicating that Uncle had become a discarded piece. Yet unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, the Imperial Grand Heir had stood up.

Zhao Yishi patted his shoulder, seeming to speak to him yet also to himself.

“Since childhood, I don’t know how many times I’ve heard of or witnessed family confiscations and clan exterminations—when a drum is broken, ten thousand people beat it. I just didn’t want even someone like Zhang Fei to come and throw a punch. I can’t bear it, and I can’t stand to watch it.”

Pei Xiao turned his face away, not wanting his loss of composure to be seen.

“Let’s not talk about this.”

Zhao Yishi withdrew his hand and coughed softly. “Do you know how much silver was confiscated from the Ji family?”