The next day.

Yan Sanhe was sleeping groggily when she heard Tang Yuan calling outside: “Why has Third Master come so early?”

“Where’s your miss? Is she up yet?”

“Not yet!”

“What about Li Buyan?”

“Gone to practice martial arts.”

“She really never rests for a day.”

Xie Zhifei walked to the window and tapped on it with his hand. “Yan Sanhe, open the window.”

Yan Sanhe struggled several times before crawling out of bed. After throwing on a robe, she opened the window, her head tilted, expression listless.

“Speak. What’s your answer?”

“The case files will arrive in two or three days.”

Xie Zhifei looked at her and said quietly: “This matter can’t be conducted in the residence. Behind Hundred Medicine Hall there’s a square courtyard—we’ll discuss matters there from now on.”

So it’s settled!

Yan Sanhe looked at him askance and only then noticed the dark circles under his eyes, wondering what mischief he’d been up to at night.

“Today I’ll first scout out the Zheng residence.”

Xie Zhifei’s heart warmed. This was just like her—once she agreed to something, she wouldn’t waste a moment of time.

He leaned forward, turned his head, brought his lips close to Yan Sanhe’s ear and said:

“It’s on Fourth Lane. All the other gates are locked and can’t be entered. At the northwest corner there’s a small gate, hidden beneath some climbing roses…”

As he spoke, his breath blew into her ear. Yan Sanhe felt itchy and wanted to move away but had no way to do so.

“At the first quarter of the noon hour, I’ll wait for you inside that gate.”

Yan Sanhe was surprised: “Why noon?”

“Since you don’t need to dispel obsessions now, going in and out at night—my father and big brother will grow suspicious. During the day they actually won’t. Also…”

Xie Zhifei looked down at her.

“Now that it’s hot, most people will rest a bit at noon. That lane has few people to begin with—at that time there will be even fewer.”

Yan Sanhe was fully awake now and looked up to meet his eyes: “Third Master has put in quite the effort.”

Xie Zhifei hooked his lips. “A matter of life and death—I dare not be careless.”

“What about what I asked you to do?”

“Don’t worry—Ding Yi has already gone to handle it.”

The man’s lips were just above Yan Sanhe’s nose, his breath all falling on her face, even itchier than when it fell on her ear.

If this were any other woman, she’d definitely be blushing and heart racing.

Yan Sanhe wasn’t—she just stared at him directly. Instead it was Xie Zhifei who couldn’t withstand her gaze and blushed first.

Just then, a voice sounded from behind.

“Third Brother came so early!”

Xie Zhifei slowly turned around, not even blinking: “Second Brother came not too late either.”

Xie Buhuo raised the food box in his hand.

“I heard Miss Yan didn’t eat well at dinner yesterday. Auntie got up early to personally make some noodle soup and ordered me to bring it to Miss Yan.”

Miss Yan ate dinner where yesterday?

Why didn’t she eat well?

The various reasons—overnight, probably everyone in the Xie residence already knew.

Xie Zhifei’s heart grew colder while his face smiled more roguishly. “Second Brother, how should I praise Auntie? Tsk tsk tsk, so very diligent!”

“Father praises her the same way.”

Xie Buhuo avoided his younger brother’s gaze and looked toward Yan Sanhe. “Miss Yan, please try it—the taste is excellent.”

Mm, full of the flavor of gunpowder.

Yan Sanhe nodded: “Many thanks.”

Xie Buhuo handed the food box to Tang Yuan: “Eat it while it’s hot—it’ll get mushy when it cools.”

“Don’t worry, Second Master. This servant will serve it to Miss right away.”

Xie Buhuo slowly walked to the window. “Miss, if you have nothing to do during the day, would you like to go out for a walk?”

Yan Sanhe was about to refuse when suddenly her mind had a flash of inspiration: “Good!”

Xie Buhuo’s eyes couldn’t hide his surprise. He glanced at Xie Third Brother and his voice carried a smile.

“In one shichen, I’ll wait for Miss at the corner gate.”

“Fine.”

These two affirmatives made Xie Zhifei’s heart turn sour—a different kind of sour from what Pei Mingting gave him.

Pei Mingting’s sour, for Xie Zhifei, was a helpless yet somewhat amused sour.

But the sour rising now…

He smiled again. “Second Brother has great ability. I exhausted all my good words but she didn’t agree.”

“Perhaps Third Brother’s invitation method wasn’t right.”

“Next time I’ll have to learn properly from Second Brother.”

“Always at your service.”

“Snap!”

The window closed.

Yan Sanhe rubbed the goosebumps on her arms, her eyes full of doubt—

Even if one was legitimate and one was from a concubine, in front of her, an outsider, they should maintain some semblance of decorum.

What had happened between these two brothers?

…

The Xie residence had secrets, but the secrets all sank deep underwater.

Yet the Xie residence also had no secrets. In the short span of a quarter-hour, the news that Miss Yan would go to the streets with Second Master spread to everyone.

In Enthroned Grace Hall.

The old madam was having breakfast. Hearing this news, she smiled and had a servant add another small half bowl of congee.

That child’s temperament—how could she casually go out with just anyone? This showed Second Brother had caught her eye.

A good thing!

…

Fragrant Wood Courtyard.

After Auntie Liu heard this news, one beautiful jade-white hand patted her daughter Xie Wanshu’s hand.

“Listen to Auntie—from now on you must get even closer to this Miss Yan.”

Xie Wanshu frowned: “Has Second Brother taken a fancy to her?”

Auntie Liu glared at her: “Don’t talk nonsense. Marriage is a major matter—how can there be private dealings? “

…

East Wing, main courtyard.

Lady Wu almost laughed aloud with delight.

As long as she didn’t come to harm her Third Son, whether she matched with Second Brother in the residence or with some other man outside, she raised both hands in approval.

It was just that if Second Brother matched with someone like this, he could forget about surpassing her two sons in this lifetime.

…

Fangzhou Courtyard.

Lady Zhu glanced at Chuntao, who quickly produced two copper coins and handed them to the servant woman who’d rushed over to report.

After the person left, Chuntao said quietly: “First Madam, could Second Master really…”

“There’s an old saying that’s quite good.”

Lady Zhu looked at her beautiful face in the bronze mirror and said leisurely: “Seeing is believing, hearing is false. If you ask me, even seeing may not be real. Let’s just keep watching!”

…

In the carriage.

Xie Daozhi and Xie Erli each sported dark circles under their eyes, looking at each other.

All because of Third Brother’s fuss last night, the father and son hadn’t closed their eyes all night.

After a long while, Xie Daozhi spoke: “Things have come to this—more talk is useless. We can only take it step by step.”

Xie Erli nodded.

“I’ll personally speak to the old madam and your mother.”

Xie Daozhi sighed. “The old madam is sensible. As for your mother…”

Xie Erli’s heart tightened.

Not good—the meal in the warm pavilion yesterday had probably already reached Father’s ears.

“Eldest Son, a virtuous wife brings few troubles to her husband; a filial son brings peace of mind to his father.”

Xie Daozhi hadn’t slept all night, his face pale green. “Actually, Third Brother’s refusal is for the best. If we married a young lady with Miss Du’s temperament into the family, I fear there would be no peace at home.”

These words were ostensibly about Miss Du, but covertly about his own mother, Lady Wu.

Xie Erli was extremely intelligent. “Father, rest assured. My wife and I will find opportunities to counsel her.”

“You should counsel her. Your mother can still listen to a few words from you two.”

Xie Daozhi changed the subject: “By the way, there’s another matter I’d like to hear your thoughts on.”