Jingsi Residence.

Ji Lingchuan’s eldest son, Ji Haidong, lifted his robe and knelt on the ground, kowtowing three times to Yan Sanhe with resounding thuds.

After kowtowing, he scrambled up using both hands and feet, his expression solemn. “Father is gravely injured and bedridden, unable to come personally. He has three phrases he commanded me to convey to Miss Yan.”

Yan Sanhe: “Speak.”

“The first is ‘thank you.'”

“Mm!”

“The second is that what he promised initially, he will never go back on. If he doesn’t have the life to return alive to the capital, then I, his eldest son Ji Haidong, will complete it in his stead. Please be assured, Miss.”

“Mm!”

“The last phrase.”

Ji Haidong looked at Yan Sanhe. “He asks Miss to show mercy in your words and leave the Ji family a way to survive.”

With this last phrase, Xie Zhifei, leaning against the doorframe, raised his eyelids slightly.

This meant for Yan Sanhe to keep completely silent about the Old Madam’s matters and about Wu Guanyue.

Yan Sanhe stood up and walked before Ji Haidong.

Ji Haidong was more than a head taller than her, yet unconsciously retreated half a step.

Regarding the Old Madam’s matters, Father had told him everything afterward.

If not for Twelfth Brother’s resurrection from the dead, he would never have believed that this young, attractive girl before him was the one who dissolved obsessions and broke demonic influences for the Old Madam.

“I also have three phrases for him.”

“Please speak, Miss.”

Yan Sanhe: “Money and goods settled, no thanks necessary.”

Ji Haidong respectfully replied, “Yes!”

Yan Sanhe: “Regarding what he promised, even without your special trip to mention it, I wouldn’t worry about him going back on his word. If he truly reneges, I have methods to claim what’s owed. Moreover, the gods watch from three feet above.”

Ji Haidong was frightened into retreating another half step.

“The last phrase.”

Yan Sanhe looked at him coldly. “The moment the coffin closes, the Old Madam’s matter ends for me. Your way to survive doesn’t lie with me—it lies with yourselves.”

Ji Haidong’s expression tightened upon hearing this. “Thank you, Miss. I will relay everything truthfully to Father.”

“In that case, I won’t see you out.”

Yan Sanhe turned around, her back radiating coldness that repelled others from thousands of miles away.

Ji Haidong didn’t dare say another word and quickly turned to leave. Reaching the door, Xie Zhifei extended his hand to block his path.

“I have one more phrase—also trouble Brother Haidong to convey to Uncle Ji.”

Ji Haidong was quite familiar with Xie Zhifei. “Chengyu, just speak.”

Xie Zhifei: “Black dog or house dog—under no circumstances can you mention them to anyone.”

“…” Ji Haidong looked completely confused.

Seeing this expression, Xie Zhifei knew Ji Lingchuan had kept his mouth tightly sealed regarding the Zheng family case, not even telling his own son.

His heart settled considerably.

“Just say these words to your father—he’ll understand. Let’s go, I’ll see Brother Haidong out.”

“Alright!”

Nearing the second gate, Xie Zhifei suddenly coughed and said in a suppressed voice, “After Uncle Ji’s injuries heal, have him depart early. Don’t delay.”

Ji Haidong’s head shot up. Seeing Xie Zhifei’s grave expression, his heart skipped a beat.

…

“Young Master?”

Zhu Qing watched Ji Haidong’s retreating back and couldn’t help asking, “Why should Old Master Ji depart early?”

Xie Zhifei: “That way he’ll have time to look around and walk along the Beicang River.”

Zhu Qing: “…”

“Let’s go back!”

Xie Zhifei turned around, then suddenly remembered something.

“I recall before we left the capital, we had people watching Xu Sheng. Did they discover any activity?”

“His leg was crippled. He hasn’t left the house in three months. Nothing discovered.”

“Will he limp?”

“Shen Chong did it—how could he not limp!”

“I just love that fellow’s ruthless cruelty.”

Xie Zhifei’s gaze and expression were somewhat unfathomable. “Can we reach into the Ministry of Justice?”

Zhu Qing: “Does Young Master want to review the Zheng family case files again?”

Xie Zhifei: “Not me—our Miss Yan.”

Zhu Qing shook his head. “The Ministry of Justice is difficult. The Court of Judicial Review and Censorate are possibilities we could work on.”

Xie Zhifei patted his shoulder. “Then work on it. Money isn’t the issue—most importantly, make it absolutely airtight.”

“Yes!”

“Also, Zhou Ye’s matter will probably be sent to the Ministry of Personnel soon. Keep watch for me.”

“Yes!”

“Watch the palace gates. As soon as the Crown Prince emerges, notify me and Mingting immediately.”

“Young Master, rest assured. People are already watching.”

“Zhu Qing!”

Xie Zhifei looked at him and called softly, “What would this young master do without you?”

Zhu Qing’s face reddened. He was struck speechless.

…

In Jingsi Residence, after washing up, Yan Sanhe glanced at Li Buyan meaningfully, then collapsed onto the bed to sleep.

Li Buyan covered her with the thin quilt and withdrew, closing the door.

Tangyuan was tidying up the tables and chairs in the main room. The courtyard gate had already been lowered.

Mm!

Quiet and peaceful—the perfect opportunity for a talk.

After Tangyuan finished tidying, she turned around and jumped in fright. Li Buyan was standing right behind her.

“Does Miss have business?”

“Yes!”

Li Buyan straightened her back. “Yan Sanhe and I are both straightforward people. We like to speak plainly about things.”

Directly calling the mistress by name—who, who, who gave her such audacity?

Tangyuan began feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

“Among the Xie residence’s many maids and servants, your ability to come to Jingsi Residence shows you have fate with Yan Sanhe.”

Li Buyan: “But fate doesn’t last long—together today, scattered tomorrow. What truly goes the distance is affection.”

Tangyuan listened somewhat confused.

“Affection is like saving money. You put a little in the jar, she puts a little in the jar. The money grows, and affection deepens. What’s frightening is…”

Li Buyan’s tone shifted. “You put money in the jar in front of her, but once she turns around, you give the money from the jar to someone else.”

Tangyuan’s face turned deathly pale in an instant.

She, she… they already knew!

Li Buyan smiled sweetly, her eyes and brows curving, yet there was little mirth.

“From a distance, Yan Sanhe is a block of ice. But if you look closer, tsk tsk tsk…”

She reached out and lightly flicked Tangyuan’s forehead.

“Tangyuan, don’t let your backside decide your brain. You can miss anything, but if you miss her…”

Regret it later!

Tangyuan’s legs gave out and she collapsed directly to the ground.

…

Deep night.

The courtyard gate opened a crack. Tangyuan slipped out in a crouch, glanced around, then ran off at full speed.

She ran all the way to Third Young Master Xie’s courtyard and knocked urgently on the door.

Moments later, she knelt on the ground with her head lowered, relaying Li Buyan’s words without missing a single character to Third Young Master.

Xie Zhifei had already gone to bed, but hearing these few phrases, his drowsiness vanished completely.

Well then! Just back at the Xie residence, the quilt not yet warmed, that girl had already started dealing with the people around her. Swift and decisive, not leaving even a buffer period.

Just one word: fast!

“What’s your own thinking?” he asked.

Tangyuan bit her lip and said nothing.

“Speak openly. Say what you’re thinking. Don’t be afraid—Third Young Master doesn’t eat people.”

“Third Young Master!”

Tangyuan raised her head, eyes reddened. “This servant feels Miss Yan is quite good. This servant wants…”

“Wants what?”