This layout…

Xie Zhifei’s finger lightly touched Yan Sanhe’s back. Yan Sanhe looked up into his eyes and shook her head imperceptibly.

She only knew how to dissolve obsessions and resolve demons—she didn’t understand feng shui, much less could she discern the deeper meaning here.

Just then, Zhou Ye had already reached the eaves and turned around with hands clasped behind his back.

“My Zhou manor’s rule—masters enter, servants wait outside in the courtyard. But I know Brother Xie is Lord Pei’s right hand, so please come inside as well!”

One sentence made all six people’s expressions change in unison.

Outwardly, only the Pei siblings were masters, while the other four were servants. Yet Zhou Ye specifically named only Xie Zhifei among the four…

This definitely had meaning.

Xie Zhifei’s heart beat faster, though his face maintained a composed expression. He straightened his back and replied with equal significance:

“Magistrate Zhou has good judgment indeed.”

Zhou Ye’s expression remained blank. Without saying anything, he turned and crossed the threshold.

The three entered the inner hall and were simultaneously stunned.

Everything was yellow rosewood—each piece simple and elegant. A single glance revealed superior craftsmanship, possibly even from famous artisans.

No lights lit.

Master and servants all dressed plainly.

Yet the interior furnishings were invaluable…

The three exchanged glances. Strange, this was far too strange!

Zhou Ye sat in the host’s position at the Eight Immortals table. Pei Xiao sat on the other side.

By position and rules, Xie Zhifei should only stand. But after Yan Sanhe was seated, he smoothed his robe and sat openly across from her.

If Zhou Ye had seen through his identity, then he’d use his identity to present Zhou Ye with a pledge of allegiance—this was what the three had discussed beforehand.

“Magistrate Zhou, there’s something I must confess to you.”

Xie Zhifei looked guilty. “I’m actually not Lord Pei’s personal guard. My true identity is the son of Xie Daozhi.”

Zhou Ye’s expression showed considerable surprise.

“Is that… Cabinet Minister Xie Daozhi?”

Still pretending?

Xie Zhifei smiled with honeyed words but daggers in his heart.

“Mainly because Father forbade me from leaving the capital, but I’m rather playful, so I disguised myself as Pei Mingting’s guard.”

The moment he finished speaking, he noticed Yan Sanhe lift her eyelids to look at him.

The romantic wastrel’s speech truly had its particulars.

By speaking the name Pei Mingting, Zhou Ye should understand their relationship.

A man’s courtesy name wasn’t something just anyone could use—only very close people could.

And close people could travel together.

“I see!”

Zhou Ye laughed heartily, clearly understanding. “Young Master Xie, my respects.”

“Magistrate Zhou, my apologies. Please don’t hold it against this good-for-nothing.”

“Young people—it’s natural, natural.”

Zhou Ye was very magnanimous. “Wine and dishes are already prepared. Lord Pei, Young Master Xie, let’s eat and talk.”

Wine and dishes too?

All three were somewhat stunned.

According to their prior discussion, once inside the Zhou manor, after brief pleasantries, they’d speak frankly.

To prevent accidents, the three didn’t even plan to drink a cup of tea.

“What’s this?”

Zhou Ye’s face showed some displeasure. “Lord Pei specifically sent me a calling card—so you didn’t come to my manor to eat and drink?”

“Indeed not.”

To prevent complications, Pei Xiao quickly smiled: “I’m leaving soon, so I came specially to bid Magistrate Zhou farewell. Just to say goodbye.”

Zhou Ye’s face showed considerable regret. “Lord Pei doesn’t plan to continue searching for Wu Guanyue father and son?”

Pei Xiao: “…”

Zhou Ye: “Not avenging the assassination attempt?”

Pei Xiao: “…”

Go to hell!

Pei Xiao cursed inwardly: Can you stop making every sentence meaningful, you bastard?

Xie Zhifei quickly exchanged glances with Yan Sanhe. Seeing her long lashes blink lightly, he laughed heartily.

“Mingting, such kind intentions from Magistrate Zhou—how can we disappoint him? Magistrate Zhou, let’s drink properly later.”

Zhou Ye’s gaze shifted to Yan Sanhe. “What does Miss Pei think?”

Yan Sanhe narrowed her eyes, deliberately making herself sound willful.

“Magistrate Zhou, I’m picky. Let me say this first—if it’s tasty I’ll eat it, if not, I can’t be bothered to try.”

“Without trying, how do you know if it’s tasty or not?”

Zhou Ye smiled coldly. “Don’t you agree, Miss Pei?”

These words shocked all three again.

Could there really be something added to the food and drink?

…

The wine and dishes were set beside the large water vat in the courtyard.

An Eight Immortals table with a palace lantern at each corner. Once seated, they could even hear fish splashing in the water vat.

Eight dishes—four cold, four hot. Two pots of plum wine.

The same two old servants served dishes and poured wine.

Perhaps due to age, both had trembling hands. When pouring wine for Lord Pei, some spilled accidentally.

This spill drew Yan Sanhe’s attention.

Only now did Yan Sanhe notice the landscape painting on the wine pot was lifelike.

Yan Xing was a master of calligraphy and painting. Under his influence, Yan Sanhe’s accomplishments in art surpassed most people’s.

This definitely wasn’t the work of an ordinary painter—it must be by a master’s hand.

This was getting stranger and stranger, Yan Sanhe told herself.

This Zhou Ye could afford yellow rosewood furniture and commission famous artists to paint wine pots—why would he steal their money?

Moreover.

When she sat down, she’d taken the opportunity to glance—the fish in the water vat numbered exactly six, matching their group of six.

Was this hinting they were like fish in this vat, unable to escape?

Just then, Zhou Ye raised his wine cup, his face showing a hint of polite smile.

“This cup—I toast our three distinguished guests. Though Nanning Prefecture is a small place, it has clear mountains and beautiful waters, simple folk customs. I hope you’ll have opportunities to return.”

To drink or not to drink this wine?

Drink?

Might something be added?

Don’t drink?

What awaits them?

Pei Xiao raised his cup. “Xie Zhifei got dead drunk yesterday. My sister can’t handle liquor. I’ll toast Magistrate Zhou first with this cup. Come, bottoms up!”

“Lord Pei isn’t afraid I’ve added something to this wine?” Zhou Ye’s voice was low, almost cruel.

“What do I have to fear?”

Pei Xiao put on an impervious act. “My father is an imperial physician. Though I don’t know medicine, I can still detect poison.”

With that, he tilted his head back and downed the wine.

Detect poison my ass!

He just gritted his teeth and went all in.

Better he die first than let Xie Fifty and spirit medium Yan charge ahead.

However…

It seems…

Really nothing happened!

“Lord Pei has courage.”

Zhou Ye drained his cup in one gulp, picked up the wine pot to refill both cups, then suddenly changed topics.

“By the way, what rank is Miss Pei in your household? Legitimate or concubine-born?”

“Brother, what rank am I? Legitimate or concubine-born?” Yan Sanhe looked toward Pei Xiao.

Zhou Ye’s expression changed instantly.