It must be said, Xie Zhifei’s work at the Five Cities Commandery wasn’t for nothing.

Even after so many days had passed, he still saw some details—Han Xu had no grounds whatsoever to oppose Yan Sanhe resolving the Zhu family’s heart demon.

Tell the truth?

Yan Sanhe felt it unnecessary. She didn’t want to tell even Li Buyan about this matter.

“Because of you—the Han Family Post Station pays five thousand taels of silver to the Five Cities Office every year. You scraped too harshly.”

Xie Zhifei suddenly sat up, looking down at Yan Sanhe.

Yan Sanhe sensed his gaze on her body, felt very uncomfortable, and also sat up.

“Isn’t it five thousand taels?”

“It is.”

Xie Zhifei admitted readily. “But starting next year, I’ll only collect three thousand taels from him.”

Yan Sanhe paused. “I’ll thank him on his behalf.”

“Don’t thank me.”

Xie Zhifei curved his lips. “It’s your face that matters.”

Yan Sanhe saw his half-smile and for some reason felt annoyed. “Does my face work so well with you?”

“Yes!”

Xie Zhifei looked at her, then solemnly added another sentence. “Forever effective.”

This person!

This person!

Yan Sanhe couldn’t handle it. Just then the carriage jolted, and she took the opportunity to lie down on her side.

“Fine, you don’t need to humor me anymore. I already agreed to resolve the Zhu family’s heart demon.”

Yan Sanhe, I’m not humoring you—these are sincere words.

It’s just that now isn’t the right time to tell you plainly.

This identity as Third Master of the Xie residence didn’t allow him to do everything as he pleased.

But also because of this identity—youngest son of the most favored Cabinet Minister, secretly the Grand Prince’s most capable right-hand man—only with this could he protect her safety.

Also.

Han Xu stopping you was definitely not about those five thousand taels. There must be another reason.

You didn’t tell the truth.

Xie Zhifei looked at her back, a faint layer of tenderness in his eyes.

How many more secrets was this girl’s heart bearing that he didn’t know about?

…

Yan Sanhe actually fell asleep. She was too tired—she hadn’t slept in several days.

Opening her eyes, pitch darkness met her gaze. The carriage body still violently swayed.

It was already deep night.

She waited for her eyes to adjust to the dim light. Just about to turn over, she suddenly realized something was wrong—

At some point, she had turned to face Xie Zhifei.

And Xie Zhifei also faced her, arms crossed over his chest, body curled up as if very cold.

His breathing was heavy, hot breath spraying on Yan Sanhe’s face.

Yan Sanhe wanted to prop herself up to sit.

Something else was wrong.

A blanket covered her body, wrapping her tightly.

Is this person an idiot?

She clearly wasn’t afraid of cold.

Yan Sanhe turned and sat up, covering him with the blanket.

“Awake?”

His voice was very hoarse, carrying thick nasality. After speaking, he lifted his eyelids to glance at Yan Sanhe, then closed his eyes again.

Yan Sanhe went mute—she hadn’t expected him to be awake.

Xie Zhifei pulled the blanket up, his entire body shrinking inside. Then he turned over.

“Then let me sleep a while.”

“…”

So, brother, were you just now resting with your eyes closed while pretending?

Xie Zhifei wasn’t pretending—he didn’t dare sleep.

Men and women were ultimately different in this world.

Men could philander with three wives and four concubines without consequence. Women, even if their temperament was spirited, would be called loose.

Though Yan Sanhe wasn’t an ordinary woman, she was ultimately still a woman.

Boys and girls shouldn’t sit together after age seven. Yet they had to share a carriage for many days. She could not care, but he had to cherish her maiden reputation.

So when she slept, he stayed awake. When she was awake, he slept. This was the safest way to coexist.

Moreover, when she faced him alone, she was clearly uncomfortable.

Xie Zhifei knew why she was uncomfortable—dirty, too embarrassed.

Actually he was the same—didn’t want to expose his disheveled appearance to her. Wanted to save face!

Yan Sanhe had no idea about someone’s winding thoughts. She let out a soft breath, secretly thinking it would be good if they always staggered like this in the future.

At least she wouldn’t have to show this appearance that even ghosts would disdain to him.

Yan Sanhe got her wish.

For the following days, when she was sleepy, he was energetic. When she woke, he collapsed into sleep.

One blanket—you cover yourself, then I cover myself. Eventually they couldn’t distinguish whose scent dominated.

Occasionally when both were awake, neither dared glance at the other.

One glance at the other made them despise themselves even more.

In the final days, Xie Zhifei felt he was about to collapse.

What the hell kind of situation is this!

Third Master had face before everyone. How was it that before Yan Sanhe, every time he completely lost face all the way to his grandmother’s house!

…

Post stations were spaced nearly eight hundred li apart. Even with the carriage running non-stop at full speed, it took two days and nights.

After six carriage changes, the capital’s imposing city gate appeared in the distance.

Suddenly the carriage stopped with a “whoa.”

Then the curtain lifted and a head poked in.

“Ai-ya, you’ve finally returned. If you didn’t come back, I was going to turn into a stone of a wife waiting for her husband.”

Inside the dark carriage, Young Master Pei’s eyes moved from brightness into darkness—he couldn’t see the people inside clearly.

“Look, look—my dark circles, my bloodshot eyes, all fucking because of you two…”

His words cut off abruptly.

Afternoon sunlight filtered in, illuminating the two people in the carriage. One disheveled, one scruffy-bearded, both huddled in corners looking pitiful like two beggars.

Young Master Pei stared for a while. Tears flowed like they cost nothing, streaming down.

“No matter how urgent, you can’t torment people like this. Fucking hell, do you have any human conscience left?”

Yan Sanhe crawled over and flicked Young Master Pei’s forehead.

“Well said. Continue—I want to hear more. Curse harder.”

Young Master Pei rubbed his forehead, watching helplessly as Yan Sanhe got off the carriage.

Wuu wuu wuu—is this still the little fairy from my heart?

What smell on her body?

What smell in her hair?

All fucking gone sour!

Young Master Pei nearly retched up last night’s dinner.

Yan Sanhe stood steady. Looking up, she saw Li Buyan several zhang away.

Even mentally prepared, Li Buyan was still shocked by Yan Sanhe’s appearance.

She cursed inwardly, “Fuck that,” stepped forward to take Yan Sanhe’s bundle, tied it in a knot at her chest, then squatted before her.

“Get on.”

Yan Sanhe obediently climbed on.

Li Buyan carried her on her back and said to the Zhu residence’s people waiting nearby, “Go tell your master that my young lady needs to wash, change clothes, eat, and sleep.”

“This…”

“What ‘this’ bullshit.”

Li Buyan’s eyes showed thick killing intent. “Say one more word and this auntie will send you to meet your old master.”

The Zhu residence person was too frightened to say another word. Patting his bottom, he ran back to report.

Pei Xiao watched Li Buyan carry the person onto the carriage. He also bent down in the same posture, sticking his bottom out.

“Brother, get on. Let your bro pamper you properly.”

“Get lost.”

Xie Zhifei jumped off the carriage, his voice hoarse. “I’m not that weak yet.”

Seeing Third Master descend, the Grand Prince’s guard saluted him with cupped fists and left to report.

Having sat too long, Xie Zhifei’s legs were numb. Leaning on Pei Xiao’s shoulder, he hobbled toward the carriage where Yan Sanhe sat.

Pei Xiao’s body stuck to Xie Zhifei’s, but his head stayed eight zhang away.

No help for it.

Even smelling Yan Sanhe made him want to vomit. This person made him want to vomit even more!