The two pieces of evidence were tucked inside Xie Zhifei’s robe.

Ding Yi and Huang Qi remained behind. For the next few days, they would stay close to protect Xiang Yanrui and his wife.

Zhu Qing drove the carriage, racing along the deserted stone-paved road.

Everything still appeared orderly on the surface, but Xie Zhifei knew that the person sitting across from him with lowered head and closed eyes was very unsettled inside.

Yes, Yan Sanhe’s mind was in chaos.

The lives of one hundred and eighty members of the Zheng family still weighed heavily on her shoulders.

She had just told Chen Pi that once he recovered, she would find him a woman who did funeral work to start a family with.

Those two night watchmen—she was the one who wanted to find them.

If something happened to Xiang Yanrui on top of all this, another life would be added to her burden. How could she face Zhu Weijin, and how could she pass the test of her own conscience?

“Yan Sanhe.”

Xie Zhifei couldn’t help but speak. “This matter has nothing to do with you whatsoever. If you blame yourself, you’re playing right into the villain’s hands.”

Young Master Pei took a red cord from around his neck. On the cord hung a red talisman with four large characters written on it: Safe Coming and Going.

He pressed it into Yan Sanhe’s hand. “Quick, wear it. Several eminent monks have blessed it—it calms the spirit.”

Before Yan Sanhe could see clearly what it was, Li Buyan had already stuffed it back. “If anyone’s going to give a gift, it should be Third Master. Don’t steal the scene, Young Master Pei.”

“Steal the scene?”

Pei Xiao was confused. What does that mean?

Li Buyan ignored him and gave Yan Sanhe a cold smile.

“What’s the point of blaming yourself? Remember what my mother said: Better to be a fierce ghost among men than a weakling among the dead. If you have time to blame yourself, you might as well tell us the next step—what do we do?”

Young Master Pei hastily chimed in. “Right, we’re all relying on you for direction.”

Xie Zhifei: “Without you, we’re just a band of scattered troops and stragglers.”

Young Master Pei was taken aback.

Beside him, Li Buyan let out a breath. “More than just scattered troops and stragglers—we’re like a pile of loose sand.”

Scattered troops and stragglers.

A pile of loose sand.

Young Master Pei was taken aback again: What, everyone feels this way?

Yan Sanhe’s chest grew warm, but her heart slowly settled, all because of the three people before her.

“If I said the next step is to have Zhu Qing take those two items and leave for Qi Kingdom immediately, would any of you object?”

“Miss Yan, I have no objection.”

The one answering her was Zhu Qing, who was driving the carriage.

“I’ve traveled that route once—I’m familiar with it. Going alone, I can return quickly. If nothing goes wrong, I’ll definitely be back within twenty days.”

One more person.

No.

There were also Ding Yi and Huang Qi who remained at the Xiang residence.

They followed her, never doubting, never retreating, always moving forward.

Yan Sanhe suppressed her emotions. “Ming Ting, do you have any objections?”

Pei Xiao knew she was asking about those two pieces of evidence. If either one got lost, he’d have no way to explain to Huairen. But given the current situation…

“I have no objection. I’ll explain things to Huairen.”

“Good!”

Yan Sanhe: “First take Zhu Qing back to Xie Manor, then we’ll all go see Zhao Yishi together. We must inform him about this.”

…

When they returned to Xie Manor, Zhu Qing took traveling money, dry provisions, and the jade thumb ring Wu Shunian had given Third Master. He selected the strongest horse and set off immediately.

Yan Sanhe and the others headed straight for Duanmu Palace.

In the depths of night at Duanmu Palace, the lamps in the Crown Prince’s quarters were still lit.

Zhao Yishi had a memorial open before him. He’d had it open for ages without turning a page, not reading a single word. He stood, closed the memorial, and walked outside.

The inner servant Wang Yin came forward. “Your Highness, where will you rest?”

Whenever Zhao Yishi heard “where will you rest,” his head split in two.

Married for nearly two months now, even with the mourning period, he should spend one night in the Crown Princess’s chambers, even if doing nothing.

But whenever Zhao Yishi thought of Lady Wu’s appearance, he lost all interest.

Only now did he understand that some things couldn’t be forced.

Like one’s own heart.

Like sharing a bed and having children with a woman he loathed.

But the Crown Prince’s household must have heirs.

Too many emotions were hidden in Zhao Yishi’s calm pupils. “Let’s go to the Crown Princess’s quarters.”

“Yes!”

Wang Yin lifted the lantern. “Your Highness, mind your step.”

Just as they left the courtyard gate, Shen Chong hurried over.

“Your Highness, Third Master and Young Master Pei are here.”

Shen Chong glanced up at his master. “Miss Yan and Miss Li came with them too.”

“Quickly, show them to the study.”

A trace of joy and relief that only he understood appeared in Zhao Yishi’s long, narrow eyes. “Actually, I’ll go greet them myself.”

He walked very quickly. Seeing the four approaching from afar, his brain made no conscious decision—his footsteps simply slowed, his gaze settling on one person.

She still walked with that leisurely, casual air, looking from a distance like a young boy.

Zhao Yishi could even imagine the expression on her face at this moment—lips curved carelessly upward, a pair of wonderful eyes looking here and there, utterly lively.

Pei Xiao walked at the front. Seeing Zhao Yishi come out to greet them personally, he was somewhat surprised. “Why come out? You could have just waited in the study.”

Zhao Yishi waved at him dismissively, his gaze falling on Yan Sanhe. “Miss Yan, it’s been a long time.”

Yan Sanhe’s voice was flat. “Your Highness the Crown Prince, let’s go to the study to discuss serious matters.”

Zhao Yishi composed his expression. “Follow me.”

Pei Xiao quickly caught up, walking beside Zhao Huairen. After walking a bit, he realized he was the only one beside Zhao Huairen—those three had slowed down several paces and were following behind them.

Why are they walking so slowly!

Pei Xiao stopped to wait for the three to catch up.

“Ming Ting, you…”

Zhao Yishi was speaking while walking and turning his head, but discovered no one beside him. His handsome dark eyes immediately dimmed.

…

Entering the courtyard.

Li Buyan suddenly stopped. “Third Master, I wouldn’t understand what you’re discussing anyway. I’ll just wait outside.”

“Fine.”

Beside her, Pei Xiao instinctively glanced at the Crown Prince walking ahead. Seeing he didn’t turn around, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Entering the study, everyone took their seats. After the inner servants served tea and closed the door behind them.

Xie Zhifei looked at Yan Sanhe’s expression. Seeing she had no intention of speaking, he took the initiative to relate everything they’d discovered these past few days, point by point.

Finally, he told Zhao Yishi about the deaths of Chen Pi and the two night watchmen.

Zhao Yishi’s expression changed several times. He looked at Yan Sanhe. “What is Miss Yan’s assessment?”

“I have two assessments.”

Yan Sanhe spoke bluntly. “First, does Your Highness have enemies?”

The Zheng family matter was being re-investigated jointly by the Three Judicial Offices under the Crown Prince’s leadership. If they failed to produce results, the new emperor would hold the Crown Prince accountable.

This way, killing Chen Pi and the night watchmen at least had a motive.

Zhao Yishi pondered deeply for a long time before asking, “And the second point?”

Yan Sanhe: “One of the participants in the events back then doesn’t want the case reopened.”

Hearing these words, something stirred in Xie Zhifei’s heart.

This reasoning made sense. Could there really be a participant who wasn’t silenced and was now killing to prevent exposure?

But this reasoning also made no sense. How could such an important matter have left any participant un-silenced?

“Both assessments are my speculation. Perhaps there are other possibilities.”

Yan Sanhe looked into Zhao Yishi’s dark eyes. “But regardless of which possibility, there’s only one thing Your Highness needs to do right now.”

Zhao Yishi: “Speak.”

Yan Sanhe: “Send people to protect Xiang Yanrui properly. Don’t let him become a second Chen Pi.”

Zhao Yishi nodded. “Leave this matter to me.”

Yan Sanhe: “You must promise me.”

Zhao Yishi exhaled deeply. “I will not only protect Xiang Yanrui well, I will also send people to secretly protect Miss Yan and Chengyu.”

“No need. We can protect ourselves.”

Yan Sanhe stood and looked at Zhao Yishi. The candlelight outlined her slender silhouette.

“Your Highness should pay more attention to your rivals in court.”

—

Dear ladies, happy and auspicious Dragon Boat Festival!