Du Residence.
Inner quarters.
Du Yiyun’s tears flowed freely.
Ni’er beside her fumed, “All that talk about ‘parents’ orders and matchmaker’s words’ is false—it’s just that Third Master has changed his heart toward Miss.”
“Yiyun, the capital isn’t home to only that Xie Laosan who’s good-looking.”
At this point, Elder Master Du could only console her. “With our family’s status, what kind of prestigious household can’t we find?”
“Exactly!”
Second Master Du chimed in from the side. “He’s a short-lived ghost anyway—he’s not worthy of you!”
“Brother!”
Du Yiyun said through her tears, “It’s not that your sister is being pathetic and throwing herself at him—it’s just that after all these years between him and me…”
“Little sister!”
Elder Master Du sighed. “When a man changes his heart, ten oxen can’t pull him back. Stop crying. Father will stand up for you in this matter—he won’t let you be wronged for nothing.”
Second Master Du slapped the table. “Next time don’t let me see him. Every time I do, I’ll beat him.”
“Thank you, eldest brother and second brother, for standing up for me.”
Du Yiyun wiped her tears with her handkerchief. “What happened to that girl later? Was she found?”
“Why do you care whether she lives or dies?”
Elder Master Du was frustrated. “Listen to your brother—people shouldn’t be too kindhearted. The kind get bullied.”
“Remember elder brother’s words.” Second Master Du also lectured her. “Your heart needs to be harder, tougher.”
Du Yiyun nodded through her tears.
Seeing their beloved sister looking so pitiful, the two Du brothers felt heartbroken and couldn’t bear to watch anymore. After a few more words of advice, they left indignantly.
Once they were gone, Du Yiyun’s face showed not a trace of vulnerability.
“Ni’er, go find out what happened at the Xu family villa.”
“Yes!”
Half a cup of tea later, Ni’er hurried back. “Miss, something happened to Xu Sheng.”
Du Yiyun was startled. “What happened?”
Ni’er said, blushing, “His manhood was cut off.”
“Who did it?”
Du Yiyun’s face paled. “Was it Yan Sanhe?”
“The details aren’t clear, but it’s already spreading throughout the city. All the imperial physicians are rushing to the villa.”
“What about Yan Sanhe? Is she dead?”
Ni’er caught her breath. “This servant got the news and rushed back to report to Miss. I haven’t had time to inquire yet.”
“Go find out immediately.”
“Yes!”
“Wait!”
“Also find out where Xie Zhifei is.”
“Yes!”
The room fell silent again.
Du Yiyun clutched her silk handkerchief tightly, then suddenly laughed.
“Yan Sanhe, you’d better be ruined, rotted, crippled, or dead—otherwise I’ll have to think of another way to deal with you.”
Yes, this time it was her again.
That lowlife Xu Sheng—the more he couldn’t have a woman, the more he’d fixate on her.
All she had to do was secretly send someone to tell him that the woman he’d been obsessing over had returned, and he’d definitely use any means necessary to get her.
Yan Sanhe, don’t blame me for being cruel and ruthless. Besides Xie Zhifei, there’s another matter where you offended me.
I, Du Yiyun, kneel to heaven, kneel to earth, kneel to father and mother, but I’ve never knelt to anyone else.
That kneeling, in front of everyone’s eyes—you trampled my face, Du Yiyun’s face, under your foot. You trampled the Du family’s face under your foot.
This humiliation—I will repay you double.
As for you, Xie Zhifei…
Du Yiyun narrowed her eyes.
You were originally just a dog following behind me. There’s only the master not wanting the dog—there’s no principle of the dog turning around to pick its master!
…
The second time at Spring Breeze Tower, Xie Zhifei specifically requested a large private room.
They’d just sat down and hadn’t even taken a sip of tea when the door was kicked open.
Pei Xiao rushed in. “Yan Sanhe, Yan Sanhe, are you alright?”
Yan Sanhe looked at him, his head and face covered in sweat, and felt warmth in her heart. Her tone softened. “I’m fine.”
“Oh my, you scared me to death.”
Young Master Pei, who’d nearly been scared to death, shifted his gaze and pointed at Li Buyan through gritted teeth. “A servant who can’t protect her master should be chopped up and fed to dogs.”
Li Buyan: “…”
Pei Xiao asked, “Who did it? Xie Wushi, have you found out?”
“That bastard Xu Sheng.”
“Xu Sheng?”
Pei Xiao froze. “On my way here, I heard that turtle grandson was…”
Xie Zhifei quickly coughed. “Cough cough cough cough…”
Pei Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Why are you…”
Xie Zhifei’s gaze flickered toward Li Buyan. Once wasn’t enough—he glanced again.
“Why are you looking at her…”
Suddenly a flash of understanding struck, and his eyes widened as Pei Xiao quickly covered his mouth to keep from crying out.
Li Buyan smiled sweetly. “Young Master Pei, still planning to chop me up and feed me to dogs?”
Pei Xiao wore an expression that said “My lady, how would I dare?” and gave her a thumbs up. “Hero Li, beautifully done.”
“Mingting… Mingting… Pei Mingting!”
“What are you shouting about?”
Pei Xiao stuck his head out. “I’m right here!”
Madam Ning ran in breathlessly. “Child, why are you running so fast? I couldn’t even catch up… Ah, Miss Yan, Third Master, everyone’s here—what a coincidence, we meet again!”
What coincidence?
Xie Zhifei said, “Third Madam, Miss Yan was specifically waiting for you here.”
“Waiting for me? Why?” Madam Ning was puzzled.
Just then, Sixth Miss Ji Hui came in covered in fragrant sweat. Seeing the people in the private room, she was also puzzled, using her eyes to ask Pei Xiao: Why did you lead us back here again?
If I didn’t lead you back, how would you ask for help!
Pei Xiao beckoned. “Third Maternal Aunt, Sixth Sister, don’t stand there—sit down and talk.”
Madam Ning and Ji Hui sat down, confused.
Pei Xiao casually closed the door, his expression very grave.
“You two, listen carefully to every word I’m about to say. The grave of Nun Jingchen at Water Moon Convent wasn’t robbed.”
Ji Hui asked, “Then what was it?”
Madam Ning’s face paled. “Is it haunted?”
“Ah…”
Ji Hui grabbed Madam Ning’s arm. “How can a Buddhist convent be haunted? It’s a pure land of Buddha!”
Madam Ning quickly chanted, “Amitabha, Amitabha!”
Pei Xiao stamped his foot in frustration. “Can you two please not interrupt me!”
“I’ll say it!”
Xie Zhifei poured tea for them both.
“Third Madam, Sixth Sister, Nun Jingchen’s coffin wasn’t robbed, nor is it haunted. Rather, she had an unfulfilled thought in life, and over time that thought became demonic. Someone needs to be invited to dissolve the thought and dispel the demon.”
Madam Ning was so frightened her teeth chattered. “It’s over, it’s over, it’s over. This is worse than ghosts—we’re dealing with demons now.”
Wait!
Her eyes widened. “Nephew Xie, where in this world are there demons?”
Ji Hui added, “Right, we’ve heard of supernatural things though.”
Madam Ning had a flash of inspiration. “Is it a sex demon?”
Ji Hui’s whole person wasn’t well. “Mother, a sex demon targeting dead nuns?”
Madam Ning quickly chanted, “Amitabha, Amitabha!”
Nephew Xie: Well, he couldn’t continue either.
“Third Madam!”
Li Buyan suddenly drew her soft sword and placed it on the table. Ji Hui screamed and burrowed into Madam Ning’s arms.
“Go back and tell Water Moon Convent’s abbess that if she wants Nun Jingchen’s coffin lid to close, come find my young lady at the Xie residence.”
“Then, then, then what?”
“Then have her come beg my young lady. My young lady will naturally help her dissolve the thought and dispel the demon. Otherwise, you’ll all be in for bad luck.”
Pei Xiao and Xie Zhifei turned to look at Li Buyan: They’ll be in for bad luck?
Li Buyan remained calm and composed: Scare them first.
Madam Ning, upon hearing she’d have bad luck, lost two of her three souls. “You… you… your young lady isn’t… isn’t a case investigator?”
“No!”
Li Buyan said seriously, “My young lady is skilled at talking to the dead whose coffins won’t close. Yes, what you’d call a divine woman.”
Coffins?
Dead people?
Talking?
“Thud.”
Madam Ning and Ji Hui’s heads knocked together, and both had already fainted stiff.
“Third Maternal Aunt, Third Maternal Aunt!”
“Sixth Sister, Sixth Sister!”
“Sigh, really can’t handle a little scare…”