Guest courtyard.

The moment Xie Zhifei stepped inside, his first sight was of Yan Sanhe.

The courtyard wall was built of stacked stones, only half a person’s height. She stood with her hands behind her back before the stone wall, her silhouette as silent as the surrounding mountains.

What was she thinking?

Xie Zhifei suddenly felt an inexplicable fear: Would she still acknowledge me?

Hearing the commotion, Yan Sanhe turned and strode forward. “This is Physician Zhou. He’ll examine you all shortly.”

Only then did Xie Zhifei notice an old man squatting below the stone wall—also bald.

The old man stood up and grinned at everyone, his two front teeth equally yellow and crooked.

Young Master Pei: “Xie Fifty, look! They’re twins—look exactly alike!”

How novel!

Xie Zhifei said to Physician Zhou, “Then we’ll trouble you.”

Physician Zhou’s withered, elongated fingers pointed at Huangqi and Zhuqing. “You, you come with me first.”

One sentence changed Young Master Pei’s expression.

He leaned close to Yan Sanhe, presenting his observation in a low voice. “Saw at a glance that Huangqi and Zhuqing are most severely injured. This country physician has some real skill.”

Yan Sanhe ignored him, looking at Xie Zhifei. “Third Master’s room is on the left, Young Master Pei’s in the middle. Dinner will be served in your respective rooms.”

One on the far left, one on the far right—clearly not wanting to see him.

But at least she acknowledged me.

Xie Zhifei smiled bitterly with considerable relief. “When can we see Tang Jianxi?”

“Tonight, in his study. When Huangqi and Zhuqing come out, Third Master should quickly see Physician Zhou. Don’t delay treating your injuries. Tonight won’t be easy—prepare yourself mentally.”

Her tone was extremely calm, as if those barbed words at the mountain’s base had never been spoken. Yet Xie Zhifei understood clearly—

This girl had already drawn a clear boundary between them in her heart.

Seeing Li Buyan’s poor complexion, Yan Sanhe stepped forward to support her. “Where do you feel unwell?”

Li Buyan smiled weakly. “My eyes feel uncomfortable.”

“Nonsense!”

Young Master Pei interjected. “You didn’t injure your eyes!”

Li Buyan rolled her eyes at Xie Zhifei. “Someone rubbed sand into them. Third Master, wouldn’t you say so?”

Who do you think you are?

Xie Zhifei snorted coldly and walked toward his room.

He still had the face to show displeasure?

Li Buyan wanted to grab a weapon and strike him. Yan Sanhe quickly dragged her forward. “I’ve had hot water prepared. You’ll sweat from the journey—wash up shortly.”

“Yan Sanhe!”

“Are you hungry? Want to eat some pastries first?”

“…”

“Mountain spring water makes especially fragrant tea. I’ll brew you a cup shortly.”

“…”

Young Master Pei watched the two figures’ backs, grinding his teeth.

Damn it, who was master and who was servant? Was there no law?

…

The door slammed shut with a bang.

Li Buyan looked at Yan Sanhe with unfriendly eyes. “Why did you just pull me away?”

Yan Sanhe answered with a question: “Why were you targeting Xie Zhifei just now?”

“I find him disagreeable.”

“Because of me?”

“Exactly!”

“You saw through it?”

Saw through it long ago. Unlike you, dull as a pig, with your head filled only with heart demons, seeing nothing else.

Li Buyan nodded honestly.

“Buyan.”

Yan Sanhe’s voice was calm and steady. “At this juncture, everything else should be set aside. Tang Zhiwei’s matter is the top priority.”

Li Buyan looked gravely at Yan Sanhe. “Sanhe, tell me honestly, you…”

“At this juncture, it’s also not the time to question me. When we return to the capital, we’ll close the door and discuss thoroughly. Also…”

Yan Sanhe lightly tapped her forehead. “You said it yourself—romance isn’t a life-or-death matter. What’s this about? How big a deal is it?”

“I just…”

“You just can’t bear to see me suffer the slightest grievance.”

“Good that you know.”

Yan Sanhe helped her sit, poured a cup of warm tea and brought it to her lips, laughing softly. “Silly girl, do I seem like someone who suffers grievances?”

…

In another room.

Young Master Pei stared at Xie Zhifei intently. “Truth—what happened between you and Yan Sanhe? What happened between you and Li Buyan?”

“Aiya!”

Xie Zhifei cried out in pain. “The wound on my back seems to be bleeding again. Quick, help me check.”

“Quick, turn around.”

Young Master Pei walked behind him and looked down—it was indeed seeping blood again.

“What kind of eyes does that quack doctor have? You’re clearly the most severely injured.”

Young Master Pei had forgotten that just a quarter-hour ago, he’d been praising that quack doctor in Yan Sanhe’s ear.

“Does it hurt?”

“Hurts terribly.”

Young Master Pei rushed out frantically. “Physician! Physician! Something’s wrong! Someone’s dying! My brother is bleeding again…”

Xie Zhifei watched the swaying wooden door, his lips pressed tightly into a line.

Mingting, you don’t even ask where I hurt most.

My heart hurts most!

…

Treating injuries, eating, resting…

As night deepened, a servant knocked on Yan Sanhe’s door. “Miss, the master is already waiting in the study. Miss may go now.”

“Good.”

Yan Sanhe stood. “Buyan, go knock on Third Master’s door.”

“Forget it!”

Li Buyan’s nostrils pointed skyward. “Right now, seeing that face makes me want to spit on it.”

Yan Sanhe smiled helplessly and had to walk to Xie Zhifei’s door herself. Just as she was about to knock, the door suddenly opened from inside.

Xie Zhifei emerged. “Time to depart?”

Yan Sanhe nodded. “Huangqi is severely injured—let him rest in his room.”

“Miss Yan, I’m not severely injured.”

How could Huangqi bear staying alone in his room staring blankly? He poked half his head out from behind Xie Zhifei. “I want to go too.”

If he was in this room, then Young Master Pei should be too.

Yan Sanhe raised her voice. “Fine, then prepare to depart.”

Xie Zhifei pushed Huangqi’s half-head back inside. The door banged shut. “Yan Sanhe, let’s talk for a moment!”

“Third Master.”

Yan Sanhe slowly raised her eyes. In the night, these eyes appeared extraordinarily bright.

“At the mountain’s base, I momentarily lost myself and spoke disrespectfully to Third Master. Third Master needn’t hold it against me.”

Xie Zhifei was momentarily stunned.

“On the way up the mountain, I already revealed my identity. When we reach the study, act according to circumstances.”

Yan Sanhe pointed at Li Buyan in the distance. “I’ll wait for Third Master ahead.”

Xie Zhifei watched the young woman’s slender retreating figure, his heart beginning to ache faintly again.

…

The moonlight in the mountains was more brilliant and lovely than the capital’s moonlight.

The night wind was very cool, even carrying a hint of early winter. Yan Sanhe wasn’t afraid of it, but the others were freezing considerably.

Walking along, Yan Sanhe discovered this residence was much larger than imagined—turning this way and that like a maze.

Finally reaching the study entrance, the servant made a welcoming gesture. Yan Sanhe stepped forward.

Inside the study, lamplight blazed brightly.

Tang Jianxi sat in an armchair, his face expressionless.

Beside him stood a woman.

The woman wasn’t particularly beautiful, her features already drooping, yet she had a fortunate appearance.

Moreover, this woman’s figure was very slender—clearly she’d never borne children. She should be Tang Jianxi’s first wife.

On the other side of the study sat six chairs. Between every two chairs was a small table.

On the small tables sat tea, fruits, and pastries.

Yan Sanhe sat in the chair closest to Tang Jianxi, then pointed at the chair beside the small table. “Third Master, sit.”

Xie Zhifei slowly sat down. With great tacit understanding, he and Yan Sanhe exchanged a glance, then each looked away.