The other shore?

Great Qi?

In the deathly silence, two “gurgle gurgle” sounds incongruously emerged.

“That…”

Xie Zhifei, tough on the outside but weak within, “It’s protesting. Even if I throw three more swords, it’ll still protest.”

Pei Xiao quickly chimed in, “I’m hungry too.”

Yan Sanhe looked at Hu Yong. “Trouble your household to prepare food.”

Hu Yong stammered, “May I ask something—what relation do all of you have to the Ji family exactly? Is my aunt’s health still good?”

This matter wasn’t Yan Sanhe’s concern.

She coughed, signaling the responsible party to quickly speak up.

Thus Magistrate Pei straightened his clothes and composed his shocked expression.

“I am Pei Xiao, Right Instructor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices in the capital, sixth rank. The Old Madam is my maternal grandmother. Late last year, grandmother passed away peacefully from natural causes.”

“Ah…”

Hu Yong wanted to wail but couldn’t manage it. His mouth gaped wide, his dark, gaunt face flushing red.

She just died like that?

“Birth, aging, illness, death—the natural order of things.”

Pei Xiao restrained his patience. “First prepare the food. Some matters I’ll discuss with you afterward.”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Hu Yong made a show of wiping tears, scrambling up from the floor.

Once he left, Xie Zhifei finally uncrossed his legs and turned to look at Yan Sanhe. “The matter seems to have become clear.”

Yan Sanhe met his gaze, then nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

“This black dog was most likely given by the Old Madam’s lover—might even have been a love token. That’s why she took it everywhere.

Later, when the Old Madam was forced by her family to go to the capital, the lovers were separated. Then hearing that Heidan starved itself to death for her, it became an enduring yearning in her heart she couldn’t dissolve.”

Pei Xiao felt Xie Fifty’s analysis made perfect sense, but it was still missing a few sentences.

“Grandmother wouldn’t allow dogs in the residence because one look would remind her of Heidan. Thinking of Heidan would remind her of her former lover. Yan Sanhe, doesn’t everything make sense now?”

“Pfft!”

Pei Xiao glared at Li Buyan. “What are you laughing at?”

Li Buyan: “If things were this simple, anyone could dissolve obsessions and resolve demons. What would my young lady be needed for?”

Hey!

Pei Xiao winked at Xie Zhifei: This girl is mocking us for being stupid.

Xie Zhifei ignored him. “Yan Sanhe, what’s your view?”

Yan Sanhe rubbed between her brows. “I think the direction is right, but… we need to understand more, investigate more.”

He said my direction is right!

Xie Zhifei forcibly suppressed the joy in his heart. “Mm, after eating we’ll understand more.”

Hey!

Why only say Xie Fifty is right—what about mine?

Pei Xiao suddenly felt his nose wasn’t a nose, his eyes weren’t eyes.

“Magistrate Pei.”

Seeing it was Yan Sanhe calling him, Pei Xiao quickly puffed out his chest, waiting for her praise.

Yan Sanhe: “Go ask the eldest nephew about this—do the two shores of Beicang River intermarry or not?”

Pei Xiao froze. “That’s it?”

“There’s more.”

Yan Sanhe frowned. “Where is the Hu family’s old residence? Are there any long-lived neighbors? If so, we must make a visit.”

So she never intended to praise me?

Pei Xiao walked out looking thoroughly disgruntled.

“Buyan?”

“Miss.”

“Go investigate the Hu family’s reputation—ask about their character, good or bad.”

“Simple—throw some silver around and it’s done in one cup of tea.”

“Go quickly, return quickly.”

“Wait for me to eat.”

Once Li Buyan left, Third Master Xie stood and walked to the outer room. Seeing only Zhu Qing there, he asked, “Where’s Huang Qi?”

“Following Magistrate Pei.”

“Then you go help Miss Li.”

“Yes!”

After giving instructions, Xie Zhifei had just turned around when his outgoing foot retracted.

The young lady lay sprawled on the table, her back slightly arched, curved into a soft bow, melding with the distant candlelight.

Xie Zhifei watched quietly for a while, then walked to the courtyard gate to stand with hands clasped behind his back.

After standing briefly, several women approached carrying food boxes. Xie Zhifei made a silencing gesture, signaling them to set down the boxes.

The boxes were set down, but the women stared at Xie Zhifei and wouldn’t leave.

What a handsome young man—rare in these parts!

Xie Zhifei grew annoyed at being stared at. His face darkened, killing intent seeping out from around him.

The women scattered in fright.

Handsome is handsome, but such a terrible temper—that kind of man won’t do.

Shortly after they left, Magistrate Pei came running over. “Xie Fifty, what are you standing here for?”

Must you have such a big mouth?

Can’t you speak more quietly?

Xie Zhifei didn’t even glance at him, carrying the food boxes toward the main hall.

“What’s this about?”

Pei Xiao looked utterly confused. “Did I offend him?”

Inside, Yan Sanhe had already straightened up. Perhaps due to exhaustion, her head hung low—somewhat listless.

Xie Zhifei: “Tired?”

Yan Sanhe rubbed her face with both hands. “I’m alright.”

Xie Zhifei: “If tired, lie down a bit more. Zhu Qing and the others haven’t returned yet.”

“I’m back.”

Pei Xiao bounced over.

“Yan Sanhe, the two shores do intermarry. Also, the old residence is by the Beicang River. However urgent the journey, it’ll still take two or three hours. Only one or two elderly people remain in the village.”

Two or three hours?

Looks like they can’t make it today.

Yan Sanhe was calculating mentally when Li Buyan and Zhu Qing returned one after the other.

“Miss, I asked around. The Hu family has no major problems—just loves bragging, always saying they have relatives in the capital who are high officials.”

Zhu Qing: “Miss Yan, I have additional news. The Hu family hasn’t divided their property all these years—apparently waiting for the capital great-aunt to send money.”

“Send money?”

Pei Xiao was astonished. “My maternal grandmother was secretly supporting her natal family?”

“Eat first.”

Yan Sanhe was hungry too. “We’ll talk after eating.”

These five days on the road, everyone had eaten cold, hard rations without a drop of oil in their bellies.

With hot food and dishes in hand, even the usually elegant Third Master Xie wolfed things down a bit, never mind the taste.

Yan Sanhe remained unhurried, eating one bite at a time.

Xie Zhifei was accustomed to her slowness and didn’t rush her. After finishing his meal, he crossed his legs and drank tea while waiting.

After Yan Sanhe drank the last mouthful of soup and rinsed her mouth with tea, she said, “Call the eldest nephew again.”

The eldest nephew had been poking his head around outside. Hearing someone call him, he quickly ran in.

“Young lady, what else do you need to ask?”

“Buyan, first pay for the meal.”

“This, this… how could we accept your silver? It’s all simple home cooking, not worth anything…”

Li Buyan slapped one hundred taels of silver on the table. “My young lady told you to take it, so take it. Less nonsense.”

One hundred taels?

Are they crazy?

This meal wouldn’t cost even two taels.

Pei Xiao’s eyes were about to pop out when suddenly his knee ached.

He glared at Xie Fifty: Why are you kicking me?

Xie Fifty hooked his lips: Have you ever seen Yan Sanhe be this generous along the journey? Watch carefully—the eldest nephew probably won’t find it easy to pocket this silver.

The eldest nephew glanced at the silver, unable to hide his excitement on his face while putting on a troubled expression.

“Then… then I’ll shamelessly accept it.”

“Wait.”