Jingsi Residence.

Yan Sanhe lay on the bed, eyes fixed on the bed curtain.

The curtain lifted, and Li Buyan entered.

“Sanhe, you really predicted it—the Xu family is finished.”

Over the span of one cup of tea, Li Buyan recounted everything—Squire Wang’s blood petition, how the Ministry of Works’ Hebei Department director became a eunuch, how Xu Lai was dismissed from office, how Xu Sheng entered the Embroidered Uniform Guard…

Li Buyan narrated vividly, as if she’d seen it all with her own eyes.

“All the taverns and teahouses outside are spreading the news, everyone’s discussing it!”

She laughed softly. “Sanhe, it was good of him to spend silver finding me a substitute—he thought it through so thoroughly.”

If not thorough, how could the one on the Dragon Throne believe it!

Yan Sanhe couldn’t be bothered with these irrelevant matters. “By the way, where’s Jingchen’s bundle?”

Li Buyan’s expression went blank for a moment.

“I had it tied to my body. After Zhu Qing knocked me out… in the Grand Imperial Grandson’s study, I was so worried about you that I forgot to take it.”

She jumped up. “Wait here, I’ll go get it back right now.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she was already gone.

Tangyuan came in carrying a food box. “Miss, the kitchen simmered this bone broth for two hours. It’s fragrant and rich.”

“Bring it here!”

Yan Sanhe drank it all in one go. After thinking about Jingchen’s matters for a while, she unknowingly fell asleep.

When she woke from her nap, before even opening her eyes, she smelled a strong medicinal odor, and also…

A sound of labored breathing.

She opened her eyes suddenly and saw clearly who sat before her. For a long moment, she couldn’t speak.

He’d truly been beaten terribly.

His face bore no resemblance to its usual appearance. His entire right cheek was swollen, his right eye severely bloodshot, the eyeball nearly bulging out.

Below, both hands were wrapped in gauze with only a section of each thumb exposed. His plain elegant robe bore distinct bloodstains, quite striking to the eye.

“How did you come?”

“I saved the young lady, so I’ve come to ask for a reward.”

“What do you want?”

Xie Zhifei managed a smile with difficulty. “Whatever the young lady sees fit to give.”

Yan Sanhe pointed at her own foot and gave him three words: “We’re even.”

Xie Zhifei asked, “Does the young lady’s foot injury have anything to do with me?”

Hmm!

It doesn’t!

This young lady brought it on herself!

Yan Sanhe returned his words: “Then does Third Master’s injury have anything to do with me?”

Hmm!

Also doesn’t!

Third Master brought it on myself!

Xie Zhifei squinted his eyes and sighed heavily. “When I was being beaten, do you know what I was thinking?”

“What?”

“I was thinking, no matter what, as long as you could escape.”

It sounded like nonsense.

Even without me, you’d still have taken that beating.

Yan Sanhe raised an eyebrow. “When Shen Chong’s palm came down, do you know what I was thinking?”

“What?”

“Why couldn’t that palm strike Xu Sheng instead? Why strike me?”

Xie Zhifei asked, “Do you understand now why it struck you?”

“No idea. How about…”

Yan Sanhe met his gaze. “Third Master help me resolve this confusion?”

“All right!”

Xie Zhifei’s expression was particularly candid, his agreement particularly quick. “Sit up. I’ll come closer. We two disabled persons need to help each other!”

“Is this resolving confusion or whispering secrets?”

“Whispering secrets!”

Xie Zhifei blinked. “The kind that no one else can hear—only heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know.”

Yan Sanhe’s face suddenly flushed red, all the way to behind her ears.

Xie Zhifei laughed softly. “Why are you blushing? Don’t let your thoughts run wild. I’m talking about serious matters.”

Yan Sanhe was speechless.

Why didn’t Xu Sheng beat him to death!

Cursing him mentally was one thing, but she still slowly propped herself up to sit, then inched her body forward bit by bit.

Xie Zhifei also leaned his face over. “That bastard going after you—I couldn’t stand it.”

Yan Sanhe’s heart trembled. She suddenly turned her face, meeting Third Master’s deep black eyes directly.

For the first time at such close range, she realized Third Master Xie’s eyes were very striking.

When the corners of his eyes drooped slightly, they brought out a rich sense of innocence that made one’s heart melt into a puddle.

“Most importantly, Huairen wanted to make a move, and this mad dog was jumping around causing trouble—quite an eyesore.”

Xie Zhifei looked at the girl’s black hair scattered by her ears. “Yan Sanhe, considering we’ve gone through life and death together, I won’t hide it from you.”

Yan Sanhe remained silent.

“Miss Yan.”

His mood was good, his tone rising. “Seeing how honest I’m being, shouldn’t you really reward me with something?”

Reward you with a knock on the head—do you want it?

Yan Sanhe humphed inwardly.

“My injuries look serious, but they’re actually all external wounds.”

The disabled person surnamed Xie cleared his throat. “After I recuperate a few more days, when this handsome face won’t scare away young ladies and new brides, I’ll help you run errands for Jingchen’s inner demon.”

This statement greatly exceeded Yan Sanhe’s expectations.

She scrutinized Xie Zhifei’s expression. “Are you serious?”

“Miss Yan.”

Third Master’s body leaned lightly back against the chair. Though his posture appeared leisurely and relaxed, only he knew in his heart that he could barely hold on.

“When have I ever joked with you? Everything I’ve said to you has been sincere.”

For the first time in her life, Yan Sanhe felt her mouth was a burden.

She couldn’t out-talk him, but she still had to maintain her dignity.

“A kind reminder to Third Master—this is a losing deal, time-consuming and laborious, with absolutely no benefit.”

Xie Zhifei smiled with pursed lips. “That’s exactly why I’m shamelessly coming to ask the young lady for a reward!”

So we’ve circled back around again?

Yan Sanhe made the final declaration: “Speak. What do you want?”

“Simple.”

Xie Zhifei’s Adam’s apple bobbed twice. “Just say thank you.”

That’s it?

That’s it?

Yan Sanhe’s tone was utterly sincere. “Xie Zhifei, for the manor incident, and for that guard who protected me, and for Jingchen’s matter—thank you for everything.”

“No need for courtesy. It’s all what I should do.”

Xie Zhifei blinked. “And I did it willingly.”

Yan Sanhe was speechless.

The situation now seemed even more wrong.

Not only could she not counter his moves, she had no power to fight back?

Why was this?

Why on earth was this??

…

The Grand Imperial Grandson’s Villa.

Zhao Yishi set down his brush. After the ink on the paper dried, he said, “Yan Xi, hold it up for me to see.”

Yan Xi carefully pinched the upper two corners of the paper. “Your Highness, excellent calligraphy!”

Zhao Yishi crossed his arms and smiled. “This is the best piece I’ve written in recent months.”

Yan Xi, seeing him smile, knew his mood was excellent and immediately followed with flattery. “When Your Highness encounters joyful matters, your spirits are naturally lifted.”

Eliminating a mad dog, forcing the Prince of Han to his manor to avoid the summer heat…

These were indeed joyful matters!

“Your Highness.”

Shen Chong entered the study, his expression somewhat difficult to describe. “We just caught a wall-climbing thief.”

Zhao Yishi’s expression darkened.

Yan Xi, skilled at reading faces, quickly rebuked, “I say, Guard Shen, must you trouble His Highness with such trifling matters? Just kill them and be done with it.”

“It’s Miss Li.”

“Who?” Yan Xi thought he’d misheard.

“Miss Li, Li Buyan.”

Yan Xi quickly glanced at his master’s expression, then changed his tune. “Oh, so it’s Miss Li. Then we certainly can’t kill her. What does Your Highness think?”

Zhao Yishi’s words betrayed no joy or anger, but his eyes curved into an arc.

“Invite her in!”