“Under the clear heavens, at the feet of the Son of Heaven, these villains dared to massacre even General Zheng’s household. What wouldn’t they dare to do?

Moreover, the case had just occurred and not even a shadow of the culprits had been found. How could I dare gamble with the lives of my entire household?”

Xie Daozhi thought back to events of the past, his hands trembling involuntarily. “There was another more important reason—my third son was gravely ill and near death.”

Yan Sanhe’s gaze lowered, all emotion contained within those dark eyes. “How many days did you stay in the palace?”

“Three days.”

Three days later, he emerged from the palace with both eyes bloodshot from exhaustion.

He went straight home to his third son’s room, saw him sleeping peacefully, breathed a long sigh of relief, and collapsed onto the bed.

Yan Sanhe was silent for a long while. “Then how did they end up arrested and imprisoned?”

“The capital was under martial law. The Five City Military Commissioner’s Office was responsible for street patrols, the Embroidered Uniform Guard for arrests. They must have discovered them on the street.

“They arrested innocent civilians too?”

“Our Hua Kingdom has an unwritten rule—during special times, anyone suspicious is first arrested and released later.”

“So…”

Yan Sanhe laughed coldly: “Their only fault was bad luck?”

“If you don’t believe me, you can wait for my eldest son to return. Although this happened nine years ago, for anyone who’s been imprisoned, when they were arrested and when they were released—all of it is recorded clearly in the case files.”

Xie Daozhi: “This is a major matter. I have no need to lie.”

Yan Sanhe fell silent again.

Her gaze fixed motionlessly on the cobblestones beneath her feet. Her back, which usually stood very straight, seemed to bend and bow somewhat from this blow, revealing an unexpected fragility.

“Who was the murderer?”

“What?”

She spoke too quietly—Xie Daozhi didn’t catch it at first.

“Who was the murderer who killed one hundred and eighty members of the Zheng household?”

“Come into the study—it’s too cold outside, and this story is long.”

Xie Daozhi entered the study. It was near dusk now, and the study was completely dark. He lit the lamps first.

Yan Sanhe followed him in and stood by the window.

“The murderers were Wu Guanyue, the exiled ruler of Great Qi, and his son. In Yonghe Year Three, His Majesty dispatched General Zheng Yu to campaign and pacify Great Qi. The battle was a great victory. The old general killed the Wu family members until blood flowed like rivers, but Wu Guanyue unfortunately escaped.”

Xie Daozhi sat down in the grand master’s chair, saying wearily: “Five years later, this father and son returned for revenge.”

“Has the murderer been caught now?”

“A few assassins were captured. The Wu father and son haven’t been brought to justice yet. Rest assured, the Embroidered Uniform Guard continues investigating secretly—they’ll be caught eventually.”

“Why the Zheng General’s household?”

“What?”

“For grievances, go to the source; for debts, find the debtor. It shouldn’t have been his turn.”

“Miss Yan!”

Xie Daozhi was frightened out of his wits. “You can’t speak carelessly—be careful not to bring disaster.”

Yan Sanhe slowly raised her head.

The candlelight slanted across her face, half in light and shadow, half hidden in darkness, creating an indescribable eerie chill.

“Father!”

A gentle voice sounded outside. “I’ve investigated the matter at the Military Commissioner’s Office.”

“Come in!”

Xie Erli pushed open the door and walked straight to Yan Sanhe. “Miss Yan, this matter truly was a misunderstanding.”

Yan Sanhe: “Speak.”

“On July sixteenth, the capital was under martial law. The Five City Military Commissioner’s Office discovered the father and son on the street.”

Xie Erli handed a case file to Yan Sanhe.

“Page six records their imprisonment and release dates. Your brother’s death in prison is also recorded.”

Yan Sanhe’s expression was solemn, standing motionless.

Xie Erli knew she didn’t believe it and continued: “Normally, bodies of those who die in prison are thrown into mass graves, but because these father and son were innocent, your father was allowed to retrieve the body.”

Yan Sanhe’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. “Was there no explanation at all?”

Xie Erli paused, understanding the meaning behind her words, then said: “With a major case at hand, the Five City Military Commissioner’s Office and Embroidered Uniform Guard were following orders. This matter… can only be called extremely unfortunate!”

Each word was like a dagger stabbing into Yan Sanhe’s heart.

Her heart ached, her body felt weak. She needed something to lean on, something to support her and keep her from collapsing.