Why did a thin layer of sweat appear on Xie Daozhi’s forehead?

That was because Yan Xi was trained by Yan Ruxian. His every word and action was most measured—otherwise he couldn’t possibly serve at the Grand Imperial Grandson’s side.

Even he disregarded everything to plead for Yan Ruxian…

Could it be that Yan Ruxian really was wronged?

Xie Daozhi felt somewhat uneasy in his heart. “Third Son, what did the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the joint investigation by the Three Departments discover?”

Third Master thought to himself, How would I know? “Father told me to rest at home. I haven’t been inquiring about this matter recently.”

Right!

You’ve just been busy frequenting brothels.

Xie Erli glared at Third Son, then asked, “Father, did Minister Lu attend court?”

That would be good.

“He says he caught a severe cold and is so ill he can’t even get out of bed.”

Xie Daozhi shook his head.

“The day before yesterday I ran into your Uncle Pei. He was frowning and complaining to me that the Imperial Medical Academy had already dispatched five medical experts, but none could cure Minister Lu’s illness. If this continues, they’ll all have to pack up and leave.”

How could they not pack up and leave?

If Minister Lu’s illness couldn’t be cured, he couldn’t attend court.

If he didn’t attend court, the Emperor couldn’t force him to produce evidence of Yan Ruxian’s debauchery in the harem.

If the evidence couldn’t be produced, everyone in the capital was in danger—even the ambitious Prince of Han could only hurriedly return to his fiefdom to avoid trouble.

Xie Zhifei sighed. “Father, with his own strength, Minister Lu has turned the entire capital upside down. He’s quite something!”

Xie Daozhi glared at his son. “Don’t you see who his master is?”

“Who is his master?”

A dark gleam flashed in Xie Daozhi’s eyes as he waved dismissively with disgust. “Enough, get lost. This matter has nothing to do with you.”

Xie Zhifei couldn’t wait to get lost. He leapt up with a bound, patted his backside without a word, and left.

Yan Sanhe was celebrating her housewarming today—he had to go congratulate her. But before congratulating her, he still had to coax the Great Ancestor first.

Walking out of the study, Xie Zhifei headed straight for the Grace Hall. Just halfway there, Zhu Qing hurriedly caught up.

“Third Master, we’ve found news of those two people.”

Xie Zhifei’s heart suddenly raced.

…

On July nineteenth, two things happened at the Xie residence.

The first thing happened during the day—Miss Yan of the Quiet Contemplation Residence left the residence.

The second thing happened at night—Li Zheng’s wife, the Madam’s companion, somehow fell into water and drowned. It was said that when she was fished out, her body was already stiff.

The Madam took one look, fainted dead away, scaring all the servants into pinching her philtrum and calling for the Imperial Physician.

Strangely, Imperial Physician Pei, who had always been on good terms with the Xie family, didn’t come. Steward Xie only went outside to fetch a regular physician to treat the Madam.

This angered the Madam so much that she sat up with a start from her deathbed and pointed at Steward Xie’s nose to curse him.

After cursing a few times, the Old Madam arrived leaning on her cane.

Steward Xie helped the Old Madam inside, dismissed the servants, and closed the door.

No one knew what the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law said behind closed doors. They only knew that after the Old Madam left, the Madam cried alone in her room for half the night, and from then on claimed illness and didn’t emerge.

Yan Sanhe knew nothing at all about the chaos at the Xie residence.

At this moment, she and Li Buyan were strolling in the small villa, digesting their food while conveniently surveying the residence’s east, south, west, and north.

The more they looked, the more shocked the two became.

Though the sparrow was small, it had all five vital organs—there was even a flower garden in the back courtyard.

Such a residence, with annual rent of only ninety taels—what kind of big sucker would make such a losing deal?

Just then, Tangyuan hurriedly caught up. “Miss, Third Master has come. He says there’s urgent business.”

Urgent business?

That meant they’d found Zhu and Tang.

“Let’s go, return!”

Upon entering the courtyard, she saw Third Master standing beneath a lantern with his hands behind his back, examining the courtyard’s scenery.

Hearing the movement, he slowly turned around. His face in the lantern’s halo was tranquil and silent.

People say that viewing beauties under lantern light makes them more beautiful with each look. Actually, when viewing handsome men under lantern light, it’s the same.

Four eyes met.

Third Master’s gaze was too heavy and profound, pressing down until Yan Sanhe couldn’t help but want to shift her eyes away.

Xie Zhifei didn’t give her a chance to shift them. Opening his mouth, he said, “We’ve found them. Let’s talk in the study.”

Yan Sanhe: “Tangyuan, heat water and serve tea.”

The water was heated, tea was served. Xie Third Master’s peach blossom eyes narrowed, settling on Yan Sanhe.

The face was still that face, but the corners of her eyes and brows seemed to have relaxed somewhat. It appeared she was satisfied with this residence.

“Zhu Qing.”

Zhu Qing stepped forward and, following Third Master’s instructions, asked, “Miss Yan, one piece of good news, one piece of bad news—which do you want to hear first?”

“The bad one.”

After Yan Sanhe said these two words, the corner of her eye sensitively caught Xie Zhifei’s mouth curving up slightly.

What was he smiling about?

Smiling because you’re the same as before—when given good news and bad news, you always choose to hear the bad first. Not a bit has changed.

Xie Zhifei picked up his teacup. “Zhu Qing, then tell her the bad news first.”

“The bad news is that Young Master Zhu is no longer in this world.”

Yan Sanhe’s reaction was extremely quick. “Then the good news is that Master Tang is still alive.”

“Yes.”

Zhu Qing explained in detail, “Young Master Zhu’s full name was Zhu Yanting. In the thirty-second year of the Late Emperor’s reign, he passed the imperial examination, ranking eighth in the second tier.”

Yan Sanhe asked, “When did he die? What was the cause of death?”

Zhu Qing: “The Late Crown Prince rebelled. He participated in it. Afterward, he committed suicide by sword.”

Yan Sanhe involuntarily held her breath.

No wonder Xie Zhifei’s glance at her just now was so heavy and profound—the answer was waiting here!

“…What about his family?”

“All three clans were executed.”

Yan Sanhe was startled. “What about Master Tang?”

“Master Tang’s full name is Tang Zhen, courtesy name Jianxi. He passed the imperial examination in the thirty-second year of the Late Emperor’s reign, ranking fiftieth in the second tier. He once served as an assistant minister at the Court of Imperial Entertainments, an eighth-rank official position. After only three years, he resigned and went into seclusion.”

Only served as an official for three years?

Yan Sanhe pondered, “Were he and Tang Qiling only in a teacher-student relationship?”

“Yes, they just happened to share the surname Tang.”

“Where did he go into seclusion?”

________________________________________

“Hejian Prefecture.”

“Hejian Prefecture?”

Yan Sanhe suddenly gasped, her mind spinning extremely fast.

“I remember the abbess of Water Moon Convent, Huiru, said that the couple who took Mingyue away was surnamed Tang, were gentry from Hejian Prefecture, and had been successful examination candidates in their early years.”

The three remaining people in the study were simultaneously shocked.

Both surnamed Tang;

Both had passed examinations;

Both in Hejian Prefecture;

Could there really be such a coincidence in this world?

Yan Sanhe pressed down her rising excitement. “Zhu Qing, what else did you learn about Tang Zhen?”

“In reply to Miss Yan, just this.”

“This is enough. Thank you for your hard work.”

Yan Sanhe stood up and walked to the window, then turned back around and nodded at Xie Zhifei sitting in the Grand Master chair.

“Third Master, it’s late at night. Please return!”

Use him and toss him aside?

Xie Zhifei’s complexion turned slightly green. “I say, Miss Yan, are you thinking of getting rid of me so you and Li Buyan can head straight to Hejian Prefecture overnight?”

Yan Sanhe’s gaze shot toward Li Buyan: Are my thoughts really so transparent now?

Li Buyan rubbed her temples: It’s not your fault—mainly the enemy is too cunning.

“From the capital to Hejian Prefecture is only a two-day, two-night carriage journey. Whether you go half a day early or half a day late, that Tang Jianxi will be what he is.”

Xie Zhifei pointed with his finger as a warning.

“This matter is important. Don’t act on your own. Tomorrow evening, Mingting and I will accompany you out of the city.”