Muxiang Courtyard.

Concubine Liu had servants set up a table in the courtyard with melons, fruits, and snacks. While appreciating the moon, she chatted about family matters with her son and daughter.

After cracking a few melon seeds, Xie Wanshu suddenly asked, “Mother, today you helped…”

“Wanshu!”

Concubine Liu interrupted, her gaze on the maids. “All of you, go out and enjoy the moon. No need to attend here.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Once the courtyard was clear of outsiders, Concubine Liu poked her daughter’s forehead with a slender finger.

“How many times have I told you not to speak carelessly outside?”

Xie Wanshu protested indignantly, “This isn’t outside—this is Mother’s own courtyard.”

Xie Buhu: “Even your own courtyard won’t do. People’s hearts are separated from their bellies. Remember Mother’s words in your heart.”

“Brother, do you really like Miss Yan?”

“Otherwise?”

Xie Wanshu pouted. “Everything else about her is fine, just too cold—not warm at all.”

“What do you know?”

Xie Buhu sneered. “How could someone Mother favors be wrong?”

“Oh…”

Xie Wanshu drew out the sound. “So it was Mother who favored her.”

“Don’t talk nonsense—it was your brother who favored her first.”

Concubine Liu refilled her son’s tea. “I merely brought up old matters.”

Xie Wanshu looked curious. “Brother, what do you favor about her?”

“That she’s smarter than you.”

“But I heard she and Third Brother are close and get along quite well.”

“All the more reason to compete.”

Xie Buhu seemed to be talking to himself. “We can’t let him have all the good things.”

“Is Second Master here?”

All three were startled. Xie Buhu responded, “Yes.”

Steward Xie entered carrying a box. “Master sent this old servant to deliver this, saying it’s for Second Master.”

Xie Buhu stood to receive it without opening it, merely saying coolly, “Thank Father for me.”

“Yes.”

Seeing he had nothing more to say, Steward Xie departed.

Only then did Xie Buhu open the box.

It was a piece of green jade, not large—perfect for carving a seal.

Xie Buhu played with it in his hand for a while, a hint of mocking smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

“Mother made the right move with this chess piece.”

“What right or wrong move?”

Concubine Liu snapped the box shut with a “crack.” “It was your good judgment in seeing the right person.”

“But I still think Miss Yan’s family background is too thin.”

Xie Wanshu rested her chin in both hands. “If she married in, she’d certainly have no dowry to speak of.”

Xie Buhu silently cursed: Idiot!

…

Steward Xie left Muxiang Courtyard and headed straight for Master’s study.

In the study, Eldest Master and Third Master sat drinking tea. Steward Xie stepped forward to report, then was about to leave when Xie Daozhi stopped him.

“You sit and listen too.”

“Yes.”

Steward Xie didn’t dare truly sit, perching half his bottom on the chair.

Xie Daozhi sipped hot tea. “Third Son, has the heart demon at Shuiyue Convent been resolved?”

“Resolved.”

“How was it resolved?”

“Father, it’s not that your son doesn’t want to say.”

Xie Zhifei didn’t blink an eye telling this lie. “Yan Sanhe forbade me from speaking. If you truly want to know, you should ask her directly.”

If you dare!

“By the way.”

He added, “That young couple in the guest quarters will leave the capital first thing tomorrow morning. The matter at Shuiyue Convent is completely settled.”

Xie Daozhi naturally knew the first thing Yan Sanhe did upon entering the Xie residence was visit that young couple in the guest quarters before coming to see the Old Madam.

Though he was extremely curious in his heart, since Yan Sanhe forbade discussion, he naturally wouldn’t press further.

But there was one matter he absolutely had to clarify.

“Third Son, does Miss Yan have anyone in her heart?”

What’s this about?

Are you really trying to matchmake for Second Master Xie?

Xie Zhifei crossed his legs casually. “Father, some things I’m not at liberty to discuss. Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

This one also inconvenient, that one also inconvenient—then why did I summon you here?

“I’m asking you—does she mean what she said about not marrying and having children?”

“Literal meaning.”

“You…”

“Father!”

Xie Zhifei’s peach blossom eyes lifted with a cold laugh.

“She truly isn’t an ordinary young lady. If you really push her too far, she won’t even enter the Xie residence’s gates. You and Grandmother should both tread carefully—don’t end up with a bamboo basket drawing water, coming up with nothing.”

“Alright, alright!”

Xie Daozhi waved his hand impatiently, thinking this young scoundrel wasn’t the least bit pleasing today.

“Old Xie, when you saw Miss Yan off just now, did she say anything?”

Steward Xie was about to answer honestly when his peripheral vision caught Third Master’s cold gaze. He quickly changed his words. “Miss Yan didn’t say anything particular to this old servant, except…”

“Except what? Speak quickly!”

“When this old servant was helping her into the carriage, I heard her mutter to the maid beside her: ‘No banquet is without ulterior motives.'”

Xie Zhifei immediately laughed coldly. “See what I told you?”

“Father.”

Xie Erli interjected. “Parental command and matchmaker’s word don’t suit Miss Yan. Perhaps it’s better to let Second Brother pursue this himself. Who knows, there might be a good result?”

Xie Daozhi sighed, thinking this was indeed an option.

“I summoned you here not just for this matter.”

He looked at his eldest son. “With the spring examinations incident, the Ministry of Rites will likely execute several people. Do you want to fill one of those vacancies?”

Xie Erli’s mouth tightened slightly. “Father, Minister Du runs the Ministry of Rites. Won’t I be an eyesore if I go there?”

Xie Daozhi said coolly, “People must be tested through experience.”

“I think it’s unnecessary.”

Xie Zhifei maintained his lazy demeanor. “With the current unstable situation, Elder Brother should stay safely in the Hanlin Academy.”

Xie Erli also felt this wasn’t a good time, but Father always acted prudently. Why would he suggest this at such a moment…

“Does Father have some other plan?” he probed.

Xie Daozhi looked at his eldest son. “I plan to step back somewhat.”

“Why?”

Xie Zhifei couldn’t help sitting up straight. His father wasn’t that old in years and enjoyed imperial favor—why step back now?

“The Prince of Han’s memorial arrived in the capital yesterday. He says he misses His Majesty’s health and wants to return to the capital to show filial piety.”

Xie Daozhi stroked his beard. “Once he returns, the capital won’t be peaceful.”

Xie Zhifei naturally understood why it wouldn’t be peaceful.

The Ministry of Rites had several of the Prince of Han’s loyal dogs—he needed to protect them.

With the Crown Prince’s thorough investigation of Jiangnan officialdom, several people would certainly die—he needed to insert himself there.

Most importantly, with Lu Shi’s death, there would also be changes at the Censorate.

If he didn’t find a way to return from his fiefdom, how could he deploy his forces?

His father feared being caught up in the power struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince of Han, so wanted to step back. Before stepping back, he wanted to push Elder Brother forward.

“Stepping back isn’t the solution.”

Xie Zhifei’s face grew more serious. “Father just needs to sit steady and walk righteously. What say you, Elder Brother?”

Xie Erli understood his father’s character well—definitely not one to show weakness. “Besides this, does Father have any other concerns making you want to step back?”

Xie Daozhi’s brow furrowed with several wrinkles. “His Majesty’s temperament has changed dramatically these past few days.”

Xie Zhifei shot to his feet. “What do you mean?”

Xie Daozhi rubbed both temples, then after a long moment, said in a low voice, “He seems to suspect everyone.”