Xie Zhifei said nothing and bent his legs, obediently kneeling.

The eldest brother is like a father.

For Xie Zhifei, though this eldest brother came halfway through, he was more responsible for him than his actual strict father.

Mother’s foolishness was acknowledged even by the old madam. To avoid the children growing up at a woman’s hand, when Big Brother turned five and began his studies, Father brought him to his side for personal instruction.

Elder Sister was handed over to the old madam.

When it came to Third Master’s turn, the heavy responsibility of teaching him fell on Xie Erli.

Xie Erli had no indulgent heart for this sickly younger brother. Beat when he should beat, scold when he should scold—he’d rather lock himself in a room to regret it afterward than hold back.

Xie Zhifei would forever remember his first month after the soul descended.

Every deep night, Big Brother would secretly come and lie by his bedside, keeping watch all night.

Huaizuo was dead, but Third Master’s life was still long.

He thought: I must live on for him, even if just for the person lying by the bed.

“Xie Zhifei, regarding Du Yiyun’s matter—what do you have to say?”

Being called by full name meant Big Brother was truly angry.

Xie Zhifei composed his expression and said seriously: “Big Brother, a sugarcane isn’t sweet at both ends. One end must always be sacrificed. The Crown Prince is the eldest legitimate son—he’s orthodox, and what’s more, he has the hearts of all the people.”

“Is now the time to sacrifice?”

“It’s not!”

“Why not?”

“The Ji family case just ended. The Han Prince’s side won’t let it rest—they’ll definitely make some move. Sacrificing now would be making an enemy for the Xie family.”

“Third Brother, it seems you’re not confused after all!”

“But Big Brother.”

Xie Zhifei raised his head.

“Du Yiyun will turn seventeen in a few months. A seventeen-year-old young lady is at the best age for marriage. Since our families can’t be joined, why keep dragging her along?”

Xie Erli laughed coldly. “You’re showing a woman’s kindness.”

“Big Brother, in men’s battles, whether wielding spears or shields, these are men’s affairs. Don’t drag young ladies into it.”

Xie Zhifei took a breath: “She and I have been friends—I have to give her this baseline.”

“That’s what she desires with all her heart, completely willingly.”

“Then even more reason not to.”

Xie Zhifei’s voice lowered. “Anything can be squandered, but not a person’s true heart.”

“You…”

Xie Erli was so angry smoke came from all seven orifices. “Do you know that because of your action, Father will have to…”

“Have to what?”

“Generate how much additional trouble!”

Xie Zhifei lowered his head and said nothing.

“Third Brother!”

Xie Erli’s voice was dark and low. “The Xie family provides you with fine clothes and food—not for you to act recklessly. Don’t forget there’s a whole household of people behind you.”

Xie Zhifei opened his mouth, but his throat felt blocked, unable to say a single word.

“Kneel for one shichen and properly reflect on where you went wrong.”

Xie Erli threw down these words and left with a flick of his sleeve, never looking back.

The study was extremely quiet, without a breath of wind, yet Xie Zhifei’s ears heard the sound of wind and cranes crying out.

Big Brother, I’m sorry.

With Yan Sanhe’s temperament—sympathetic to women, harsh to men—if I don’t completely sever ties with Du Yiyun, in her eyes I’m a heartless man.

She absolutely won’t help.

Your younger brother can put the Xie family first in everything, but regarding the Zheng family case—there’s no room for negotiation.

Just as he was thinking, Zhu Qing hurried in. “Master?”

Xie Zhifei looked up: “What is it?”

Zhu Qing crouched down. “The Grand Heir requests you and Young Master Pei to come over.”

This late?

“Is he ill?”

Zhu Qing nodded.

“At the separate estate?”

Zhu Qing nodded again.

Xie Zhifei said nothing more, braced himself on Zhu Qing’s shoulder to stand, and said: “Let’s go.”

“What if the eldest master learns you didn’t kneel for the full shichen…”

“What’s there to fear? Your master will make up for it when he returns!”

…

At the separate estate.

Pei Xiao was already waiting at the second gate. Seeing Xie Zhifei hurrying over, he smiled wryly and greeted him: “Ha ha, what a coincidence—we meet again.”

Xie Zhifei ignored his lack of seriousness. “Has the imperial physician been summoned?”

Pei Xiao: “My father just left.”

Xie Zhifei: “Why is he suddenly ill when he was fine?”

Pei Xiao pointed to his own back. Xie Zhifei’s brow immediately furrowed. “He was beaten again?”

Pei Xiao nodded and said: “I really don’t know what that person is thinking—showing a kind face to everyone else, but to his own son, nothing is right.”

“Stop complaining. Come, let’s go see.”

The two walked to the wing room where a strong medicinal smell hit them.

Zhao Yishi was lying on his side on the couch, bare-chested with a thin blanket covering his lower body, smiling faintly at them.

Xie Zhifei walked over and placed his hand on the forehead—it was frighteningly hot.

“How did you develop a fever?”

Zhao Yishi brushed away his hand and pointed to the newly added bamboo couch opposite, answering irrelevantly: “Keep me company and chat.”

“If you’re ill, rest properly. What’s there to chat about?”

Though he said this, his rear had already sat down, and he pulled Pei Xiao to sit as well. “Let me tell you something.”

Zhao Yishi nodded, indicating he should speak.

“Today I completely cleared things up with Du Yiyun.”

“Oh? You’re willing to let her go?”

“What willing or not willing—my heart was never on her.”

“What did she say?”

“She cried.” Xie Zhifei: “Amitabha, it’s all my sin!”

Pei Xiao smiled at Zhao Yishi: “I also have something to tell you.”

Zhao Yishi: “I don’t recall you having a young lady who likes you.”

Pei Xiao rolled his eyes: “Can’t I like a young lady?”

Zhao Yishi looked at Xie Zhifei: “His heart is stirring?”

Xie Zhifei laughed coldly: “It’s not spring feelings—it’s a heart that’s lascivious, base, and wanton.”

“Wanton my ass!”

Pei Xiao cursed with a smile. “I think she and I have quite good prospects.”

Zhao Yishi was curious: “Which family’s young lady could be favored by our Young Master Pei?”

Pei Xiao was bashful: “Someone you know.”

“Who?”

“That Yan the divine woman.”

Zhao Yishi’s deep black eyes lazily glanced at Xie Zhifei.

Xie Zhifei’s sword-like brow lifted. “Huairen, tell him honestly—does he have a chance?”

Zhao Yishi thought seriously. “Young Master Pei?”

“Mm?”

“Change your name.”

“Change to what?”

“Pei Shameless!”

Xie Zhifei couldn’t hold back anymore and laughed out loud.

“You still have the face to laugh!”

Pei Xiao lunged forward, grabbed his throat. Xie Zhifei struggled, extending one hand with difficulty: “Huairen, save me!”

“Save you?”

Young Master Pei bared his teeth. “That’s impossible now. Tell me—will you submit tonight?”

Xie Zhifei exerted slight force with his hands. Young Master Pei was already subdued, unable to move.

“Xie Fifty, let me go!”

“Young Master Pei, without the diamond drill, we don’t take on porcelain work. Tonight, your master will attend to you!”

“Scram!”

“Where should I scram to—into your arms?”

“I spit on you!”

Pei Xiao struggled to extend one hand: “Huairen, save me!”

Zhao Huairen laughed until tears came out. “Stop fighting, both of you. Tonight this heir will spread the favor equally—both of you submit to me!”

Xie Zhifei released Pei Xiao with a somewhat disgusted expression: “Reluctantly!”

Pei Xiao straightened his clothes: “Making do!”

Zhao Huairen first choked, then after a moment burst into loud laughter.

Outside.

Shen Chong nodded to the Grand Heir’s personal attendant Yan Xi, indicating he should take advantage of the Grand Heir’s current happiness to quickly bring in the medicine.

Yan Xi sighed heavily.

In all the world, only those two masters could cure His Highness’s heart disease!