The officials of the Northern Bureau, hearing that the Imperial Grandson was leaving, came forward one after another to pay their respects.

The Northern Bureau’s chief, Cai Si, personally escorted him to the door and helped Zhao Yishi into the carriage.

The Imperial Grandson’s procession was slightly less grand than the Crown Prince’s, but still quite imposing.

When the carriage reached the mouth of the Northern Bureau alley, Shen Chong handed his horse to a subordinate and, with a slight movement, slipped into the carriage.

Zhao Yishi suddenly opened his eyes. “Speak. What is it?”

“Your Highness, two major matters.”

Shen Chong lowered his voice. “The Zhang family sought an audience with the Crown Princess an hour ago.”

“Did Mother see them?”

“The Crown Princess refused to see them, but the Zhang family wouldn’t give up and are now waiting at our residence.”

“How resourceful of them.”

Zhao Yishi laughed coldly. “Speak of the second matter.”

Shen Chong drew a letter from his breast. “Your Highness, Zhu Qing just delivered this.”

After reading the letter, Zhao Yishi’s lips finally curved into a slight smile.

“Master, is it good news?”

“More or less!”

Zhao Yishi glanced at Shen Chong. “How many people are coveting the Northern City Military Magistrate position?”

Shen Chong said, “As many as those who covet Xie residence’s Third Master.”

Zhao Yishi pondered for a moment. “Third Master is ill and will need two or three months to recover. Keep that position secure for him—let no one covet it.”

“Yes.”

“Tomorrow at court, have someone submit a memorial impeaching Left Shanshi of the Bureau of Buddhist and Daoist Affairs.”

“Your Highness, impeach him for what?”

“The number of monks in the temples of the two Guang regions is unclear.”

Zhao Yishi’s thumb and forefinger rubbed together, repeating the motion several times before he said softly, “Impeach him for embezzling court funds.”

Shen Chong was greatly alarmed. “Your Highness?”

“If we don’t do this, how can we provide cover for Mingting?”

Zhao Yishi: “Left Shanshi, Right Shanshi—it makes no difference for Mingting to sit there. It’s all an idle position anyway.”

“Yes!”

“By the way, what’s the name of the Ministry of Justice Left Vice Minister’s only son?”

“Replying to Your Highness, it’s Xu Sheng.”

“Third Master specifically instructed in his letter to have you break one of his legs. Do it cleanly and efficiently.”

Shen Chong: “…”

“He’s ill, and Mingting isn’t in the capital. The timing is perfect.”

Zhao Yishi laughed quietly. “That boy may smile on the surface, but inside he’s quite vengeful!”

…

The Hanlin Academy in the afternoon—everyone had eaten their fill and was napping in their own rooms.

Xie Erli, thinking that Third Brother hadn’t returned all night, tossed and turned twice before climbing off the bed.

Just as he was about to call someone, Zhu Qing slipped inside.

“Eldest Master.”

“Where’s Third Brother?”

Zhu Qing stepped forward and whispered in Xie Erli’s ear.

After just a few sentences, Xie Erli’s expression changed drastically.

Before he could speak, Zhu Qing said urgently, “Third Master and Pei Ye have no one with them and didn’t bring much silver. I must catch up with them immediately.”

The words “wait” were still in Xie Erli’s throat when Zhu Qing had already reached the courtyard.

“Such quick hands and feet!”

He muttered, sitting down in the grand armchair.

The person was already several hundred zhang away—chasing him back was impossible. Now it was a matter of how to cover for him.

Feign illness?

That foolish boy actually thought of that.

Once Xie residence’s Third Master fell ill, how many people in the capital would come to visit?

No, this matter still needed discussion with Father, asking him to make a decision on how to feign this illness flawlessly.

As for Yan Sanhe…

They’d also need to find an excuse for Old Madam’s side, otherwise there’d be another scene.

Xie Erli felt one head turning into two.

…

At this moment, someone with an even bigger headache than Xie Erli was Pei Daren.

Four layers of quilts padded the carriage. His body was comfortable, but his spirit was suffering greatly.

Look!

That divine sorceress Yan’s knife-sharp gaze was looking over again!

Miss, what are you looking at? I, Pei Daren, sell my skills, not my body.

“What are you looking at?” Yan Sanhe finally couldn’t bear it anymore.

Since this person got into the carriage, he’d been fidgeting constantly, never still for a moment.

Fidgeting was one thing, but he kept glancing at her—east, west, everywhere.

“Who’s looking at whom exactly?”

Pei Daren sighed. “If you weren’t looking at me, how would you know I was looking at you? If I weren’t looking at you, how would I know you were looking at me? Just because you’re a young lady doesn’t mean you can bully people.”

I don’t want to bully you—I want to hit you!

Yan Sanhe: “Xie Sanye, stop the carriage.”

Xie Zhifei pulled the reins, and the carriage stopped steadily.

“What’s wrong?” Li Buyan dismounted.

Xie Zhifei also jumped down from the carriage. “What happened?”

“It’s stuffy in the carriage. I’ll ride the horse for some fresh air.” Yan Sanhe didn’t say another word.

“Fine, I’ll switch with you.” Li Buyan thrust the whip into Yan Sanhe’s hand.

Xie Zhifei turned to glance at the carriage. “Did he bully you?”

“Xie Wushi, how would I dare!”

The carriage curtain lifted, revealing Pei Daren’s extremely sincere face. “Can’t you trust my character?”

You have character?

Xie Zhifei’s eyes conveyed a warning. “Behave yourself.”

Yan Sanhe mounted the horse, flicked the whip, and rider and horse galloped away.

Xie Zhifei returned to the carriage, watching that unrestrained figure ahead, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Mm.

Getting some fresh air on horseback was good!

Very good!

With the person changed in the carriage, who was looking at whom became clear at a glance.

Li Buyan stared at Pei Xiao for a long while, then suddenly coughed and reached into her breast to draw out a soft sword, placing it between them.

The sword glinted with a sharp, cold light in the jostling carriage.

Pei Xiao: “…”

Li Buyan smiled with complete innocence. “Pei Daren, I’m someone who acts rather than talks. If I gouge out eyes, I won’t bother with cutting off hands.”

Barbaric!

Crude!

Pei Xiao ground his teeth and turned over, presenting his back to Li Buyan, thinking: This old master can’t even be bothered to glance at you!

They traveled until evening when the sky suddenly darkened.

Xie Zhifei looked at the black clouds on the horizon and called out, “Yan Sanhe, looks like rain. Let’s find a place to rest.”

Yan Sanhe on horseback turned her head. “All right!”

“Young mistress, get in the carriage. I’ll scout ahead.”

Li Buyan poked her head halfway out of the carriage. “Best to find a postal station. If not, a village will do.”

“Good!”

Just as this word of agreement left her lips, raindrops the size of soybeans came pelting down.

This downpour caught everyone off guard.

Xie Zhifei steadied the carriage while straightening up to look around.

All around was barren—not even a tree for shelter.

“Yan Sanhe.” He shouted.

Hearing his call, Yan Sanhe reined in her horse and waited for him to bring the carriage alongside.

As they were about to draw parallel, Xie Zhifei shouted, “The road ahead is unfamiliar, and the rain is too heavy. We can’t go forward.”

Yan Sanhe had already spotted a small earthen slope ahead. The wind and rain were coming from the northwest. By sheltering on the southeast side of the slope, the horses could suffer less.

She made a quick decision. “You stop first. I’ll go ahead to check.”

“Young mistress, let me go!”

“There’s no time to switch people.”

Yan Sanhe didn’t look back. “I’ll return very quickly.”

“Yan Sanhe!”

Xie Zhifei shouted urgently, “There’s nothing ahead. I won’t allow you to act alone.”

With such heavy rain, everything was a white blur with no visibility. This godforsaken place was so desolate—what if…

“Rumble—”

“Whinny—”

“Aiyah—”

Xie Zhifei felt his heart sink with those three sounds, along with half of the carriage body.