When Xie Zhifei returned home, the sky was still dark. Unable to hold on any longer, he collapsed on the bed and slept like the dead.

When he opened his eyes again, daylight was bright.

The rain had stopped.

Xie Zhifei figured pregnant women didn’t rise that early, so he lazed in bed for a while before letting out a deliberate cough.

Zhu Qing entered carrying a washbasin.

“Tell Xie Xiaohua about those two maids…”

“Master, Steward Xie came early this morning to say those two maids were already disciplined yesterday. He asks Master to try using them again. If Master is still dissatisfied, he’ll find a way to remove them.”

“Huaer has been exceptionally thoughtful lately. This master should reward him.”

Hearing these words, Zhu Qing knew Master was in a good mood today.

Xie Zhifei’s mood was indeed good.

Though Lu Shi’s death was sudden, it was a clean resolution. He was freed, the Emperor was freed, and the few of them no longer had to keep their hearts in their throats.

As for Tang Mingyue…

There were plenty of people in the world who looked alike. It was probably just coincidence!

“Where’s my father? Has he gone to court?”

“Left long ago.”

“I imagine by now all the civil and military officials know about Old Censor’s matter.”

Xie Zhifei climbed out of bed with a cold laugh. “From now on, every one of them can sleep soundly.”

Zhu Qing didn’t dare respond to this, merely keeping his head lowered.

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard will be patrolling the streets today, focusing on the area around the Lu residence. There will likely be common people going spontaneously to pay their respects, seeing Old Censor off on his final journey. Don’t let anyone create chaos there.”

“Master can rest assured. I’ve transferred personnel from the Eastern and Southern Districts.”

Xie Zhifei nodded, then turned back around.

“Regarding Singing Spring Garden, give the brothers a heads up. Tell them from now on Third Master has their backs. Help them out discreetly, and later Third Master will treat them to courtesans.”

“Yes.”

Zhu Qing didn’t need to ask further—he knew Master wanted to take this opportunity to cultivate a connection with Cheng Fuyao.

Although Singing Spring Garden couldn’t even rank among the capital’s opera houses, it was a place where all sorts mingled—people from all three religions and nine schools gathered there.

This place was most suitable for gathering information.

“Master, it’s getting late. You should head to the government office.”

“You go cover for me first.”

“What about Master?”

Xie Zhifei wiped his face with a towel. “This master still has business.”

And it’s major business!

…

The major business was naturally to see Tang Mingyue and obtain her birth date and time.

But Third Master was in no rush. He needed to find a way to send that chattering fellow away first.

Getting rid of people was something Xie Xiaohua excelled at.

When Xie Zhifei explained his idea, Xie Xiaohua was shocked, his face full of trepidation.

That Miss Tang was a married woman. Forget about sending her husband away—even having the slightest thought was a mortal sin.

Could it be his little cub’s taste had changed from spirit mediums to married women?

That didn’t make sense.

Just yesterday when Miss Yan called, the little cub couldn’t wait to rush over.

“Master…”

Xie Xiaohua suddenly remembered how yesterday Third Master had stared fixedly at Miss Tang, and decided no matter what, he had to earnestly remonstrate once.

“There are thousands upon thousands of women in this world. You mustn’t lose your head. Our Xie household is a family of poetic propriety—we cannot do such bestial acts.”

Xie Zhifei: “…”

Seeing Third Master’s expressionless face, Xie Xiaohua’s heart sank. Could this little cub really have such intentions?

“Xie Xiaohua.”

“Ah?”

“You don’t need to go to the estate to shovel manure anymore. Just jump straight into the pit.”

Xie Zhifei tossed out this line and swept away in a huff, leaving Xie Xiaohua alone feeling aggrieved with pursed lips.

In these times, loyal words are harsh to the ear, and loyal servants are hard to be!

Hard to be or not, he still had to be.

Xie Xiaohua took a deep breath and marched toward the guest courtyard like a hero going to his death. Who told him this was the little cub he’d held since childhood!

…

While waiting, Xie Zhifei first went to Old Madam’s courtyard.

These past days, going out early and returning late for Old Censor’s matter, he hadn’t spoken properly with Old Madam for quite some time. If he didn’t go, Old Madam would scold him as a little beast with no ancestral respect.

Seeing her young grandson arrive, Old Madam was overjoyed and quickly ordered the kitchen to send over more of her grandson’s favorite foods.

After keeping Old Madam company through breakfast and listening to her chat for a good while, Xie Zhifei went to Zhichun Courtyard.

He stood at the courtyard gate for a moment but still didn’t go in to see Lady Wu.

Since he’d already shown his mother coldness, he might as well be thoroughly cold about it. Cold until her heart hurt, until she understood—only then would it truly be for her own good.

Otherwise it would be wasted effort.

Turning around, he saw his sister-in-law Lady Zhu hurrying over with servants.

Drawing closer, Xie Zhifei noticed his sister-in-law had lost some weight, her face showing traces of fatigue—probably due to her natal family’s matters.

Lady Zhu had come to pay respects to her mother-in-law. Confinement was confinement, but proper etiquette still had to be observed.

The two greeted each other. Lady Zhu glanced at Zhichun Courtyard. “Third Brother isn’t going in?”

“No.”

Xie Zhifei looked at the slight darkness under Lady Zhu’s eyes. “Sister-in-law, take care of your health. Don’t overwork yourself with everything. Taking care of yourself comes first.”

Lady Zhu was moved in that instant.

These days, between her natal family’s matters, the household affairs, and the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, she’d been so busy her feet barely touched the ground.

No one had noticed her exhaustion, not even her pillow companion.

Only this third brother-in-law, every time he saw her looking unwell, would always give her some words of concern.

In this world, only sincere hearts can exchange for sincere hearts.

Lady Zhu smiled. “You should also take care of your health. You’ve lost quite a bit of weight. Later I’ll have the small kitchen make you some nourishing…”

“Please don’t trouble yourself.”

Xie Zhifei hated eating those cloying supplements most. “I feel like vomiting just smelling them.”

“You!”

Lady Zhu glared at him.

“I don’t know how Miss Yan is doing. I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had time to visit her. Mid-Autumn is coming—she’ll be spending the festival all alone. How pitiful.”

Xie Zhifei was about to respond when his peripheral vision caught Xie Xiaohua running over from afar. He quickly said, “Sister-in-law, please go in. I still have matters to attend to.”

…

The guest courtyard was in the west.

When Xie Zhifei walked in, Tang Mingyue was practicing tai chi in the courtyard with Xue Zhao, executing each move and stance quite properly.

Seeing Third Master enter, Tang Mingyue slowly completed a closing movement, then smiled sweetly.

“Third Master has come. Third Master looks so spirited today.”

Her sweet tongue left Xie Zhifei’s own silver tongue with nowhere to deploy.

“How did Miss Tang rest? Were you accustomed to sleeping here?”

“The room was clean, the bedding soft, the courtyard quiet and peaceful. I slept extremely well.”

Tang Mingyue’s mouth curved. “Third Master, shall we talk inside?”

Xie Zhifei followed her into the room, deliberately looking around.

“Where is Brother Dan?”

“I heard the household steward say that this season’s chestnuts are wonderfully fragrant. He went to buy some for me.”

Tang Mingyue stroked her small belly, smiling somewhat embarrassedly. “The little rascal inside is craving them.”

“They truly are fragrant. Once you start eating them, you can’t stop.”

Xie Zhifei changed the subject. “What matter brings Miss to the Xie residence?”

Tang Mingyue’s smile slowly faded.

“I heard everything from Uncle Xue about the matter. My master, she…”

“Last night, while Miss Tang was on her way to the Xie residence, your master’s heart demon was already resolved. The coffin has been sealed as well.”

“Truly?”

“Absolutely true.”

Tang Mingyue clasped her hands before her chest with a devout expression. “Buddha bless us, Bodhisattva bless us.”

“After spending these years in the Tang family, Miss still has this habit?”