Xie Zhifei mimicked her gesture, making a prayer motion with his hands.

Tang Mingyue smiled awkwardly.

“It’s a habit I developed at Water Moon Convent. I can never break it. Father often scolds me about it.”

“People are like that—once a habit forms, it’s hard to change.”

Xie Zhifei’s tone was lazy. “I used to love climbing trees when I was young. Even now when I see a tree, I want to climb it.”

“Pfft—”

Tang Mingyue covered her mouth and laughed. “Third Master must have been quite mischievous as a child.”

“When I was young, I didn’t like celebrating my birthday. Now that I’m grown, I still don’t like it. Every year when that day comes, I get a headache.”

“Why is that?”

“Hai, it’s all because of those monks and Taoists making a fuss.”

Tang Mingyue had grown up at Water Moon Convent and knew very well that inviting monks and Taoists to chant sutras and perform rituals on one’s birthday meant the birthday person’s soul was too light and their eight characters couldn’t suppress it.

So she casually asked a question.

“When is Third Master’s birthday?”

“July fourteenth.”

“Ah!”

Tang Mingyue exclaimed in surprise. “Mine is also July fourteenth!”

It was as if countless firecrackers exploded simultaneously beside Xie Zhifei’s ears, making his entire head buzz so that he couldn’t hear anything.

July fourteenth.

She was actually born on July fourteenth.

Xie Zhifei shuddered violently and forced out a slight smile. “How can it be such a coincidence?”

“It really is—what an incredible coincidence.”

Tang Mingyue smiled so broadly her eyebrows curved. “In all my years, I’ve never met anyone who shares my birthday.”

Xie Zhifei took a deep breath. “This isn’t a good day. They say it’s a ghost birth.”

“My master said the same thing. That’s why she told me not to casually tell others about this birthday, and she recites soul-pacifying sutras for me every year.”

When Tang Mingyue said this, she was stunned herself.

Strange!

Why did I tell him my birthday?

I shouldn’t have.

Then she thought—Third Master is someone who helps Master resolve karmic demons. He’s been to Muli Mountain and even entered Father’s study. Father’s study door isn’t open to just anyone.

Mm, Third Master is one of us, so he doesn’t count as “others.”

Thinking this way, Tang Mingyue quickly felt at ease again.

“As far as I know, Miss Tang was abandoned at…”

Xie Zhifei deliberately paused here.

“I apologize, Miss Tang, for bringing up your painful past. I’m just curious—how do you know your birth date? Or did she find you on July fourteenth?”

“I…”

“Wife, wife, I’m back!”

Shan Er’er entered excitedly, but when he saw Xie Zhifei was also there, the smile on his face immediately faded.

“Third Master is here.”

Damn it, this is a real conversation wrecker!

Xie Zhifei inwardly wanted to cough up blood, but his expression remained mild as he nodded.

“Wife, eat it while it’s hot.”

“Wait, I’m talking with Third Master.”

Shan Er’er sat down beside Tang Mingyue. “About what? Let me listen too.”

“About my master. Master’s coffin has been closed.”

Mentioning this reminded Tang Mingyue that she hadn’t asked any of the proper questions yet.

“By the way, Third Master, what was my master’s heart demon? Who was she before? Why did she develop a heart demon?”

Xie Zhifei turned to glance at Xue Zhao sitting in the corner. Xue Zhao happened to look back at him.

Their eyes met.

Xue Zhao gently shook his head at him.

Only then did Xie Zhifei understand—many things were still hidden from this young lady.

“It’s not that I don’t want to tell Miss Tang, but it involves too much, and I…”

“It’s fine, I won’t ask then. Uncle Xue said pregnant women should hear fewer supernatural stories.”

Xie Zhifei was slightly startled.

Because of his status, he had encountered countless women—clever ones, not-so-clever ones, beautiful ones, plain ones, gentle ones, temperamental ones…

None had been like Tang Mingyue—making one feel an inexplicable fondness.

Always smiling at everyone.

Sweet-tongued enough to charm people to death.

Speaking and acting with such propriety that one never felt the slightest discomfort.

“By the way, Third Master, could I meet Miss Yan? I want to thank her.”

“This…”

“I don’t mean anything by it. Master raised me, and though I can’t help with her affairs, saying thank you is the least I should do. Otherwise…”

Tang Mingyue lowered her eyes. “I won’t feel right about it.”

Refuse?

Tang Mingyue would most likely immediately head home.

Don’t refuse?

With Yan Sanhe’s temperament and personality…

Xie Zhifei made his choice instantly.

“Miss Yan left me a message saying there’s nothing to thank her for and asking Miss Tang to return to Muli Mountain soon. But since Miss Tang wishes to meet her, I’ll have to find a way.”

When Tang Mingyue heard she could meet her, she immediately smiled like a flower.

“Third Master, you’re such a good person—no, a great person!”

“Then Miss Tang should settle in comfortably for a day or two. I still have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Third Master, have some roasted chestnuts before you go.”

Xie Zhifei shook his head. “There’s something I must remind you—about your master…”

“I know, I can’t say half a word to anyone else.”

Xie Zhifei hummed in acknowledgment, his peripheral vision sweeping over the man peeling chestnuts nearby. In just the time of a few sentences, this fellow had already peeled five or six.

Quite nimble hands!

However nimble, still an enormous conversation wrecker!

…

Xie Zhifei left the guest courtyard and headed straight for the side gate. Just as he was about to mount his horse, he saw the Xie family carriage approaching from the alley entrance in the distance.

That carriage was commonly used by his father.

At this hour, shouldn’t he be at court?

Xie Zhifei waited in place for a moment. When the carriage stopped, he stepped forward and lifted the curtain.

Xie Daozhi, about to descend, was startled.

“Third son, it’s you?”

“Father, why have you returned at this hour?”

Xie Daozhi descended from the carriage, grief showing on his face.

“The old Imperial Censor passed away last night. His Majesty issued an edict posthumously enfeoffing him as Duke Zhengguo and granting him burial in the imperial mausoleum. I’ve returned to change clothes and rush to the Lu family to pay my respects.”

Burial in the imperial mausoleum—what supreme honor!

Not only did His Majesty not execute him, but he elevated the old gentleman to an unprecedented height.

Xie Zhifei was thoroughly shocked.

“Then… has the edict of self-criticism been issued?”

“It has. This morning at court, His Majesty personally read the edict before all the civil and military officials.”

Xie Daozhi wiped away a tear and sighed toward heaven. “A wise ruler indeed!”

Ordinarily, Xie Zhifei would have joined in the exclamation, but today for some reason, his heart felt somewhat uncomfortable.

“By the way, why haven’t you gone to the office yet?”

“I’m going now.”

“Wait.”

Xie Daozhi called him back. “In a few days it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival. Grandmother has mentioned several times that she wants to invite Miss Yan back for a reunion dinner. Help Grandmother arrange this matter.”

“When I had breakfast with Grandmother this morning, she mentioned it to me as well. I’ll try my best.”

“What do you mean ‘try’? You must bring her back.”

Xie Daozhi was about to step forward when he suddenly remembered something. “Who is the young couple staying in the guest courtyard?”

“Actually, they came looking for Miss Yan, but Miss Yan won’t see them, so they had to ask me.”

“Why won’t she see them?”

“She says the transaction is complete, no thanks needed.”

Xie Daozhi immediately understood the situation and patted his son’s shoulder with a sigh before leaving.

Xie Zhifei waited until he entered, then mounted his horse and rode alone straight to Water Moon Convent.

Before noon, he had already arrived at the convent gate.

Xie Zhifei dismounted, his gaze sweeping around before freezing.