No matter how big his headache, Xie Zhifei still steeled himself and entered the study, getting straight to the point.

“Brother, Geng Songsheng has been found. He’s a monk at Mount Wutai.”

Without giving Xie Erli time to catch his breath, he continued: “Yan Sanhe wants to go see him immediately, and she wants to take sister-in-law too.”

These words were like one punch, then before Xie Erli could react, another punch followed.

Painful.

“She’s a married woman—what’s she going there for?”

“I don’t know why she needs to go. I’m just following orders. I’ve already spoken to sister-in-law…”

“She’s not going!” Xie Erli slammed the table.

“Eldest brother, now isn’t the time for temper tantrums. Geng Songsheng’s matter is very likely connected to Old Master Zhu’s heart demon. Can you bear to see the Zhu family members die one by one?”

“You…”

“Are you doubting yourself or doubting sister-in-law?”

Xie Zhifei: “Besides, Geng Songsheng is now a monk. What are you competing with a monk about?”

A monk?

Xie Erli sneered coldly in his heart.

Even if this man had fallen so low as to become a beggar, it would be better than becoming a monk.

A beggar?

At most he’d send Zhu Yuanmo to throw some money his way.

But a monk?

That woman would miss him for a lifetime!

“Brother, if you truly can’t bear to part with sister-in-law, I’ll go tell Yan Sanhe.”

Xie Zhifei deliberately took a step back. “I’ll say sister-in-law’s health is too delicate to withstand…”

“Go, go, go! Just take her. Take her right now.”

Xie Erli had a fire burning in his heart. He couldn’t direct it at Yan Sanhe, so he had to vent it on his third brother.

Not only was Xie Zhifei not angry, he looked at him with heartfelt sympathy.

Sister-in-law’s marriage to eldest brother was arranged by their parents through a matchmaker. Eldest brother’s marriage was no different.

The person eldest brother truly liked was a maid named Nanshan.

That maid had been bought from outside. She had an ordinary appearance but was exceptionally clever and gentle.

Precisely because she was ordinary, Mother had felt comfortable placing her in eldest brother’s courtyard, never imagining that through their daily interactions, feelings would develop between them.

When Mother found out, she wasn’t angry. She discussed with Father about elevating the girl to be a concubine.

Who knew Father would fly into a rage, scold Mother thoroughly, and the very next day have Nanshan sold off.

Eldest brother fell gravely ill over this matter, losing ten pounds in a month. Watching from the side, Xie Zhifei’s heart ached.

Children of noble families had no say in whom they married. Over these years, the couple couldn’t be called harmonious, but they treated each other with respect.

Others might not know, but Xie Zhifei understood clearly in his heart—because of sister-in-law, eldest brother’s face had gained a bit of smile these past years.

Now this matter had surfaced out of nowhere…

“Brother, should I take that as your consent?”

Xie Erli waved his hand impatiently, signaling him to get lost.

“Brother, tomorrow morning I’ll personally escort sister-in-law there.”

“Brother, you absolutely cannot tell Grandmother or Mother.”

Xie Erli took a deep breath. After the person left the courtyard, he swept his hand forcefully.

“Crack—”

The teacup shattered on impact, as if smashing into his heart.

…

The Zhu residence.

Secret realm.

“Eldest brother.”

Zhu Yuanzhao: “Who found out about Geng Songsheng’s whereabouts so quickly?”

Zhu Yuanmo sighed softly. “The Grand Imperial Grandson, His Highness.”

The air froze for an instant.

So eldest brother had hurriedly left with Young Master Pei to see the Grand Imperial Grandson.

“But…”

Zhu Yuanhao hesitated. He glanced at his second brother’s shocked expression, which mirrored his own, then steeled himself: “The old ancestor had a rule—we cannot have private contact with imperial princes and grandsons.”

At a time like this, what use was following rules?

“If I hadn’t gone, how could he have found the person so quickly?”

Zhu Yuanmo’s gaze darkened. “The Grand Imperial Grandson still has the character for legitimate heir. He’ll ultimately be our Zhu family’s master. Since he’s the master, what difference does it make whether it’s sooner or later?”

Zhu Yuanzhao and Zhu Yuanhao exchanged glances, thinking this was the only way to console themselves.

“Second brother.”

“Eldest brother.”

“You should make this trip with Miss Yan.”

Zhu Yuanzhao had already been planning this. Eldest brother couldn’t leave his work at the ministry, Mother needed third brother, so he was the most suitable choice.

“Alright.”

Zhu Yuanmo stood up, walked to his side, wanting to speak but hesitating.

“Brother, if you have something to say, just say it.”

“Having you go along actually has another reason. Of us three brothers, you were closest to him, and you were also closest to elder sister. In case…”

Zhu Yuanmo patted his second brother’s shoulder. “Try to mediate between both sides.”

Zhu Yuanzhao smiled bitterly. “Eldest brother, I can mediate other matters, but this one…”

“Second brother, just remember one thing—your surname is Zhu.”

“I…”

Zhu Yuanzhao saw the flash of pain in his eldest brother’s eyes and finally nodded.

…

The next day.

Before dawn, a carriage quietly left the Xie residence, heading straight for the Zhu residence.

Arriving at the main gate, Xie Zhifei jumped down first. Just as he was about to turn and help his sister-in-law, Yan Sanhe’s voice sounded nearby.

“Let her get down herself.”

Xie Zhifei withdrew his hand. “Sister-in-law, this journey will be quite arduous, sleeping rough. Yan Sanhe is worried you might…”

“You know I’m not afraid.”

Zhu Weixi supported herself on the carriage frame and jumped down. Standing steady, she found everyone looking at her with slight surprise.

And they should be surprised.

She had removed all her gold, silver, and pearl hairpins, showing her bare face. She wore the plainest, thickest cotton jacket, her hair pulled up high like a man’s.

“Miss Yan, will this do?”

“This is exactly how it should be.”

Yan Sanhe: “Buyan, throw out everything in the carriage that’s unnecessary.”

Li Buyan climbed into the carriage.

The charcoal brazier was thrown out;

Fruits and snacks were thrown out;

The red clay stove, tea leaves, and tea utensils were all thrown out.

Second Master Zhu’s face looked terrible. “Miss Yan, these are all for the road…”

“What’s this about?”

Yan Sanhe’s tone was unkind. “Am I taking you on a pleasure outing? Should we also bring a few roast ducks and squabs?”

Young Master Pei guiltily touched his nose:

What did she say?

The wind was too loud, didn’t hear clearly.

Li Buyan jumped down from the carriage and curled her lip. “If it weren’t for the eldest young mistress, I’d throw out the hot water bottles too.”

Yan Sanhe gave the order: “Depart!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ding Yi and Huang Qi jumped onto the two carriages one after the other. These two had wrapped themselves so thoroughly that only their dark eyes were visible.

Zhu Weixi: “Yan Sanhe, which carriage should I…”

“The one in back.”

Li Buyan pointed with her hand. “With me.”

Seeing Li Buyan’s commanding presence, Young Master Pei obediently climbed into the first carriage.

Zhu Yuanzhao turned to look deeply at his eldest and third brothers, then climbed hand and foot into the first carriage.

Yan Sanhe walked to Xie Zhifei’s side and looked up. “Hold out your hand.”

Xie Zhifei extended his hand, and a small porcelain bottle dropped into it.

“Yan Sanhe, what is this?”

“Can’t you look for yourself!”

Yan Sanhe’s face flushed. She quickly turned to board the carriage. As she lifted the curtain, she threw out a sentence:

“Third Master doesn’t need to see us off at the city gate. We’ll part here. Depart!”

“Hyah—”

Ding Yi cracked his whip, and the carriage wheels began spinning rapidly.

Xie Zhifei watched intently as the carriage disappeared around the corner before looking down at the porcelain bottle in his hand.

With this look, all the blood in his body began to heat up.

This porcelain bottle was the one he’d specially obtained from Hundred Medicine Hall for Yan Sanhe after she’d been beaten by that animal Xu Sheng and left the Ministry of Justice prison—medicine for promoting blood circulation and dispersing bruises.

She’d given it to him?

Xie Zhifei touched the bruise on his neck, his eyes unable to hide what lay within.

Besides Zhu Qing, not even Mingting had noticed this bruise on his neck.

Only she had seen it.