Her words were pleasant to hear, but they were also sincere.

Xie Yanfang could clearly sense that she was very relaxed in his presence.

Actually, it had been like this from their first meeting, as if she and he were very familiar with each other.

Very few people, whether men or women, could be so at ease when first meeting him.

Was this girl innocent and carefree? Not really. Young children might be innocent and carefree, but they would certainly be nervous and constrained facing strangers. Rather, it was those who had experienced the world and observed all manner of people who could achieve this.

Xie Yanfang looked at Chu Zhao and nodded with a smile: “Then I won’t stand on ceremony, Miss A’Zhao—” He called her by name. “I’ll handle this matter.”

Chu Zhao nodded happily: “Good. With Third Master here, my mind is at ease.”

Xie Yanfang said with a smile: “I also thank Miss A’Zhao for not wildly speculating. As soon as you heard the news, you came directly to ask—frank and forthright. Being able to know such a Miss A’Zhao, my mind is also at ease.”

Chu Zhao smiled and took her leave. Xie Yanfang rose to see her off, but Chu Zhao declined.

“Should I go see A—Xie Yanlai?” Chu Zhao asked. “No matter what, these matters were caused by the two of us. I should speak with him.”

Xie Yanfang said with a smile: “Miss A’Zhao needn’t worry about it.” He called for someone: “Take Miss A’Zhao to see Yanlai.”

A servant who had been hiding somewhere immediately emerged to lead Chu Zhao.

Chu Zhao walked forward. Xie Yanfang didn’t follow further, standing in place to see her off.

A’Le happily greeted her at the doorway, saying urgently: “Miss, I just saw A’Jiu.”

He had come earlier? Chu Zhao was surprised. Why hadn’t she seen him?

“He probably came looking for Third Master. Seeing you talking with Third Master, he was afraid of getting into trouble and ran away,” A’Le said. “I was just about to tell him about this matter, to tell him not to talk nonsense, but I didn’t get the chance.”

Chu Zhao laughed and said: “It’s fine. I’ll go see him and tell him personally.”

A’Le nodded and followed Chu Zhao as they went with that servant toward a courtyard in another direction.

After the girl disappeared from view, Xie Yanfang withdrew his gaze and returned to the waterside pavilion. Steward Cai also came over.

“So it really was Prince Zhongshan’s heir who did it?” He frowned. “What madness has possessed Prince Zhongshan’s heir? Did we provoke him?”

“Prince Zhongshan has already sent his son to the capital—it would be strange if he didn’t go mad,” Xie Yanfang said, looking at the empty seat and empty teacup across from him with a smile. “However, we didn’t provoke him, but someone provoked Miss Chu.”

Steward Cai was startled: “Prince Zhongshan’s heir came for Miss Chu? Not the Crown Prince?”

“When you investigated this matter, you should have learned how Yanlai and Miss Chu parted ways, right?” Xie Yanfang asked with a smile.

Steward Cai nodded: “They encountered Prince Zhongshan’s heir. The prince’s heir was entrusted to find Miss Chu, and Miss Chu had no choice but to return.”

“So you can imagine that Prince Zhongshan’s heir and Miss Chu must have had a conflict,” Xie Yanfang said with a smile. “And the reason Miss Chu said those words about life and death with Yanlai was because of Prince Zhongshan’s heir.”

“We know this too. When investigating, some of Deng Yi’s attendants mentioned that Miss Chu’s attitude toward the heir was disrespectful,” Steward Cai said. “But—”

But the heir wouldn’t hold a grudge against a young girl, would he?

“He certainly doesn’t hold a grudge,” Xie Yanfang said. “Moreover, after arriving in the capital, he’s had the most contact with Miss Chu. He’s already been to Chu Garden twice, and coincidentally, he even rescued a Chu family maid who fell into the water at Chu Garden.”

Coincidentally—this word had another meaning in Steward Cai’s eyes.

There was something between Prince Zhongshan’s heir and Miss Chu.

He frowned: “Miss Chu actually concealed matters between her and the heir. She deliberately wants to use us as a shield!”

Xie Yanfang said: “Miss A’Zhao didn’t really conceal anything. As soon as she arrived, she frankly told me that she said those words to Yanlai because of the heir.”

It was just that after telling him this, whatever others thought afterward, whether their thoughts were correct or not, she said no more.

Seeing him lost in thought, how happy the girl had been at that moment.

Xie Yanfang smiled slightly.

“This Miss Chu,” Steward Cai said with displeasure. “Young Master actually didn’t question her and went along with her wishes.”

“This is irrelevant,” Xie Yanfang said calmly. “The heir doing this is indeed acting with ill intent toward our Xie family. As long as there’s ill intent toward us, we naturally must take action. As for matters between him and Miss Chu, they’re none of our concern.”

Steward Cai shook his head helplessly: “Whatever Young Master decides is best.” He asked again: “Is there something between Miss Chu and Yanlai?”

When she stopped the punishment on the street before, was it really just to meet Third Master Xie? Now he was somewhat doubtful.

Xie Yanfang laughed heartily: “Three people make a tiger, Steward Cai—even you’ve been confused by the rumors. Those words really shouldn’t be taken seriously. Miss A’Zhao has already explained clearly.”

“I know those words shouldn’t be taken seriously,” Steward Cai said with a stern face. “But why didn’t Yanlai even tell the family about words that shouldn’t be taken seriously? Yanlai’s regard for this Miss Chu is unusual.”

Xie Yanfang moved the tea things aside and took out thick correspondence and records, saying offhandedly: “Because in his eyes, they were passers-by brushing past each other—no need to tell everyone about it.”

At this point he paused.

However, just now when he mentioned that Yanlai had never told the family about this matter, Miss A’Zhao immediately said that Yanlai had also never revealed his identity to her. After these passers-by brushed past each other, she didn’t know who he was until she saw him being punished on the street.

Thinking of this, he smiled slightly.

These passers-by were both kind-hearted passers-by, it seemed.

He didn’t share this thought with Steward Cai.

Steward Cai was still continuing: “You see, Miss Chu is still thinking about going to see Yanlai.”

Xie Yanfang looked at the somewhat agitated old man and asked: “Steward Cai, even if Yanlai and Miss Chu have an unusual relationship, so what?”

Steward Cai was stunned. Yes, so what?

“It’s not as if I have an unusual relationship with Miss Chu,” Xie Yanfang said, smiling at the old servant.

Third Master having an unusual relationship with Miss Chu? What a joke!

Steward Cai glared at Xie Yanfang, then lovingly produced another stack of letters and documents: “These are to be sent out today. Young Master must deal with them before sunset.”

……

……

Chu Zhao stood in the room, looking at the youth lying face-down and motionless on the bed, showing Chu Zhao only the back of his head—more thoroughly concealed than when he had been covered by scarves and hats on the road.

“Miss Chu,” a maid held out tea. “Please have some tea.”

Chu Zhao smiled at her: “No need, I’ve already had some.”

Another maid brought over a round stool: “Miss Chu, please sit.”

Chu Zhao shook her head: “No need, I’ll stand.” She said, looking at the bed. “Standing, I can see more clearly.”

Then a maid walked to the bedside and enthusiastically said: “Then I’ll pull back the covers for Miss so you can look—”

Hearing this, Xie Yanlai, who had been pretending to sleep, could bear it no longer.

“Who is the master here?” he asked. “Am I still in my own home?”

The maids smiled with pursed lips and retreated.

“Young Master, Miss Chu brought medicine. She can look at your wounds,” the maid who was about to pull back the covers explained.

Xie Yanlai laughed: “Are you saying Third Brother won’t let anyone treat my wounds?”

That maid’s face turned white and she lowered her head.

“You’re this fierce even at home, and fierce to girls too,” Chu Zhao said. “At least you’re consistent.”

Xie Yanlai looked at her coldly: “Miss Chu must be very popular walking on the streets now, with everyone’s eyes on you. Miss Chu must be quite satisfied, right?”

He laughed as he spoke.

Chu Zhao made a sound of agreement, stared at him, and also smiled: “It’s just a pity you can’t go out on the streets or leave the house, so I specially came to see what you look like gloating over my misfortune.”

The maids who had already retreated looked at each other. What were these two talking about? Were they mocking each other?

But they seemed quite happy mocking each other. They lowered their heads and retreated further away.