As soon as Third Master rolled out, Steward Xie also nimbly rolled out. Walking out of the courtyard and looking up, he saw Third Master standing under the shade of a tree with his hands behind his back.

Clearly waiting for him.

He scurried over quickly. “Third Master, what are your instructions?”

“Madam Chen and her grandson—still release them back to the small kitchen. Whatever they did before, they continue doing now, as if nothing happened.”

Steward Xie: “…”

“Send people to secretly watch Madam’s quarters and Concubine Liu’s quarters. Report to me every day about who left the residence, who went to the privy, who said what to whom.”

“Third Master, this…”

“Xie Xiaohua, don’t give me any of that ‘this and that.’ After being a steward for so many years, if you don’t even have these few informants under your command…”

Xie Zhifei’s lips curved, smiling coldly.

Xie Xiaohua had watched Third Master grow up from childhood. He kept a mental account of when he was fooling around and when he was serious.

“Rest assured, Third Master. This old servant will certainly handle it properly.”

“Also keep an extra eye on Concubine Luo’s side. When snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits. Don’t assume she’s safe just because she’s not making noise—we must guard against her too.”

“Yes!”

“There’s one more person. Watch him closely inside the residence—you don’t need to worry about him outside.”

Xie Zhifei’s gaze was hard and fierce, showing ruthless determination. “You should know who I’m talking about!”

Of course he knew—wasn’t it Second Master?

Those bits of broken lingzhi were given to Concubine Liu by him.

“Third Master, rest assured. This old servant knows.”

Xie Zhifei confirmed he hadn’t left anything out, then patted Steward Xie’s shoulder.

“Xiaohua, the Xie residence isn’t big but isn’t small either. If we master and servant join hands to catch the evildoing villains, later when you pass away and have any lingering thoughts or demons, Miss Yan, considering you once gave her an explanation, will at least try to find a way to close your coffin.”

Xie Xiaohua: “…”

Third Master, can’t you wish me well?

How could Xie Xiaohua know that in Third Master’s heart, he wished everyone well?

A person only has one head and one pair of hands, unable to grow three heads and six arms. Only if Father went smoothly, the Xie family was stable and peaceful, would he have the energy to unravel the mysteries surrounding Yan Sanhe.

Up ahead, the Buddhist rituals had already begun in full swing.

Before the offering platform, eighteen monks wearing cassocks sat on prayer cushions chanting sutras.

Young Master Pei wore a red robe, standing proudly beneath the shade of a tree, his expression as arrogant as a victorious rooster.

Why did he enter the Buddhist Registry Office? This was precisely the benefit—when conducting Buddhist rituals for his own brothers, he didn’t need to beg anyone or spend money.

Xie Zhifei lifted his chin toward him as a greeting, then walked to the monks’ side and knelt down, flipping his robe.

When one scroll of sutras finished, the wooden fish struck with a “dong,” and he bent to kowtow three times.

From now until sunset, he would continue kowtowing for an entire day—these kowtows would continue.

Young Master Pei watched Xie Zhifei kowtow one after another, feeling that today’s kowtows were particularly genuine, without a trace of carelessness. The way his hands were clasped together seemed to be imbued with the compassion from the sutras.

Only Xie Zhifei himself knew in his heart that he had no compassion, only devotion.

Bodhisattva!

I’m willing to use this extra lifetime of mine to exchange for the truth of the Zheng family case and for Huaiyou’s joy and well-being from now on.

…

Because of the small kitchen matter, Third Master’s birthday banquet was eaten hastily.

Lady Wu claimed illness and didn’t emerge;

Second Master said he was busy with outside matters and only had someone send birthday gifts;

Xie Wanshu sat among the First Branch members, carefully observing everyone’s facial expressions, her heart pounding like a drum.

After eating a few bites, Xie Daozhi took his eldest son to the outer courtyard to dine with the monks. The monks would stay overnight at the Xie residence tonight.

Once the head of household left, Third Master and Young Master Pei exchanged glances and, using the excuse of going out for entertainment, made their escape.

The two went straight to the Kaigui Pleasure House.

On the pleasure boat at Kaigui Pleasure House, Mei Niang was already waiting eagerly.

When the two masters boarded, the boatman immediately began rowing. Halfway through, they stopped at a dock as before.

Zhao Yishi boarded the boat, bringing only Shen Chong behind him.

Master and servant entered the boat’s cabin. Zhao Yishi sat in the place of honor. Mei Niang personally served tea and poured wine. When wine cups were raised, Third Master’s birthday banquet truly began.

After several cups of wine, Third Master’s eyes truly looked like they were stained with peach blossoms, showing a faint flush.

He spread his hand and extended it onto the table.

Zhao Yishi and Pei Xiao obediently pulled out banknotes from their breast pockets and placed them in his hand.

This person was the most handsome and refined, yet what he liked was the most vulgar thing—gold and silver.

Rare!

Pei Xiao said to Huang Qi, Shen Chong, and Mei Niang, “Why aren’t you hurrying up? Present the private savings you’ve hidden for a year to Third Master.”

Xie Zhifei rolled his eyes at him. “Listen to how you talk—I seem less like I’m here to celebrate my birthday and more like I’m here to collect debts.”

Zhao Yishi took a sip of wine. “Mm, about the same.”

Since he put it that way, the debt collector simply hooked his finger openly. “Come on, hand it all over. Whether Third Master lives well or comfortably this year depends on all of you.”

Mei Niang was most straightforward—without a word, she slapped a gold ingot on the table.

Shen Chong was also quick—a banknote flew over.

Only Huang Qi pulled out his banknote with trembling hands, his eyes still clinging reluctantly, making Young Master Pei so angry he kicked him. “Can you bring your master some face?”

Huang Qi pursed his lips, thinking to himself: I’m just different from others—I only fight for steamed buns, not for pride.

Having obtained a pile of silver, Xie Zhifei had no interest in drinking wine anymore. He tilted his head and counted first, then took out several banknotes and placed them in front of Pei Xiao.

Young Master Pei felt inexplicably panicked. “What are you doing?”

Xie Zhifei looked composed. “Sell me that villa of yours in the city.”

Young Master Pei was shocked. “What do you want a villa for?”

Zhao Yishi added, “Keeping a mistress in a golden house?”

Xie Zhifei wore a “what business is it of yours what I do with it” expression that begged for a beating. “Pei Mingting, just say it—selling or not?”

“Damn, is this the attitude of a buyer? This is outright robbery!” Young Master Pei was furious.

Xie Zhifei crossed his arms and smiled at him.

The affection in his eyes, the tender gazing—it made even Huang Qi behind Young Master Pei break out in goosebumps, thinking: If Third Master truly wanted to seduce someone, forget women—even men couldn’t resist!

“Selling, selling, selling!”

Young Master Pei surrendered, unwilling to accept defeat. He struggled in his death throes, adding, “What karmic debt did I incur in my past life?”

Third Master felt no guilt whatsoever. He turned his body and smiled at Zhao Yishi.

Zhao Yishi instinctively leaned back, wanting to distance himself from this person.

Useless!

Third Master’s face was so thick that even Li Buyan marveled at it. He also pulled out several banknotes and placed them in front of Zhao Yishi.

“Huairen, I want to become the Chief Commander of the Five Districts Military Police Bureau.”

Zhao Yishi’s throat moved slightly. After a long moment, he bit out a few words: “Now this is outright robbery!”

“Just say it—are you letting me rob you or not!”

Xie Zhifei looked pitifully at him. “Ai, a short-lived ghost celebrating his birthday—one year passes, one year less.”

What does it mean to strike at the heart?

This was striking at the heart.

Zhao Yishi’s heart was pierced by this sentence into a large hole. He said angrily, “Chief Commander it is, then. Why are you cursing yourself for no reason? Are you even human?”

“He’s just a beast.”

Pei Mingting had a bellyful of grievances to pour out.

“Huairen, you don’t know—this beast, in such heavy rain last night, he actually ran to Four Lanes Alley…”

Xie Zhifei listened to Young Master Pei’s complaints while lifting his wine cup and raising it toward the empty space.

Huaizuo, Huaiyou—peaceful birthday!