When Pei Xiao entered the east wing room, Xie Zhifei was waiting with both eyes open.

When their gazes met, both had a feeling of surviving a disaster.

Pei Xiao sat down by the bed, pointed at Xie Zhifei, then at his own chest: Damn it, you almost scared my soul out of my body!

Xie Zhifei’s two eyebrows squeezed together: Damn it, I’m in so much pain right now I could die!

Pei Xiao gestured toward the outside with his mouth: Don’t worry, everything’s arranged. Won’t let Third Master suffer for nothing.

Xie Zhifei’s long lashes closed as he let out a breathy sound: “Yan?”

Pei Xiao replied, “She’s fine, just injured her leg a bit.”

Xie Zhifei suppressed his anger: How did she get injured?

Pei Xiao slapped his forehead.

Ah, in all the rush, he’d actually forgotten to ask.

Xie Zhifei’s eyes shot daggers: Believe it or not, when I recover, I’ll pin you down and beat you up?

Pei Xiao was furious and spoke aloud: “Here I am, leaving my own wife unattended to keep watch here, and you still want to beat me up? Where’s your conscience? Did a dog eat it? Do you know that because of you two, I’ve run my legs thin by several rounds?”

At this moment, Zhu Qing entered carrying a medicine cup.

“This is a dose of anesthetic powder that Physician Pei prepared to stop Third Master’s pain.”

Xie Zhifei’s body was burning with pain. He said weakly, “Quickly.”

After drinking the medicinal decoction, drowsiness swept over him. He forced his eyelids open. “Mingting, go check on Jingsi Residence again. Tell them I said so—don’t let that courtyard lack for anything.”

“Do you even need to tell me that? I wouldn’t shortchange anyone before I’d shortchange my own wife.”

“Master Pei?”

Zhu Qing gestured with his mouth toward the person on the bed.

Pei Xiao looked down, his heart aching terribly. In the blink of an eye, this person had fallen asleep again.

…

That night, the lamps in several courtyards of the Xie Manor burned all night long.

That night, Yan Sanhe drifted into unconscious sleep, then was jolted awake by pain.

That night, Third Master Xie dreamed all night, and in his dreams, he and Yan Sanhe were climbing trees.

That night, agonizing screams echoed from the interrogation room of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, making one’s scalp tingle.

That night, Xu Lai knelt outside the gates of Chonghua Palace for half the night.

The next day, at morning court.

Old Censor Lu Shi, dressed in crimson robes, walked into the court hall with firm steps and a solemn expression.

All the civil and military officials’ hearts sank simultaneously. This was bad—when the censor wore crimson, someone was in for misfortune.

Last time it was Ji Lingchuan. Who would be unlucky this time?

The officials quickly cleared a path.

The old censor stood steadily, bowed to the emperor on the imperial throne, then said in a vigorous voice, “Your Majesty, the official I impeach today is…”

An hour later, the emperor’s heavy voice echoed through the hall:

“Vice Minister of Justice Xu Lai—for allowing his son to commit violence and treating human life with contempt—is stripped of his official position and shall never be employed again.”

Vice Minister Xu collapsed to the ground, his face uglier than a corpse.

…

When Xie Zhifei opened his eyes again, amid the glaring white, several faces gradually became clear.

The old lady with an anxious expression.

His mother secretly wiping away tears.

And his eldest sister sitting quietly by the bed.

Xie Zhifei grasped his eldest sister Xie Wenshu’s hand and forced out a smile. “How did you come too?”

Xie Wenshu replied, “I had nothing else to do, so I came to see you.”

The old lady touched her grandson’s face tenderly. “Little Third, does it hurt?”

“It hurts like hell.”

“Aiya, what should we do!”

The old lady turned to look at Madam Zhu by the window. “How about… go fetch Physician Pei again. Little Third is in so much pain—see if there’s any medicine to stop it!”

Madam Zhu smiled apologetically. “Old Lady, Uncle Pei just left.”

Madam Wu glared. “Go call him back! Third Son grew up under his watch—how could he bear it?”

Madam Zhu was speechless.

Though Xie Wenshu’s eyes were blind, she could sense her sister-in-law’s helplessness and quickly scratched Little Third’s hand with her fingertip.

“Old Ancestor, Mother!”

Xie Zhifei groaned in pain. “Everyone go back. You all have darker circles under your eyes than I do. It breaks my heart.”

The old lady, advanced in years and not having slept well all night, truly couldn’t hold out. “Then rest well. Your old ancestor will come see you tomorrow.”

“Come early. I’ll be eagerly waiting!”

Aiya!

My precious darling!

The old lady’s heart melted into a puddle. She thought, in this whole world, was there any child more lovable than Little Third?

After the two elders left, Xie Zhifei coughed. “Big Sister, you should go back too. Be careful not to trip on the way.”

“Take good care of your injury.”

Xie Wenshu patted Little Third’s hand. “Sister-in-law, help me up.”

Madam Zhu quickly helped Xie Wenmei up. The two walked to the outer room, and Xie Wenshu gently tugged on Madam Zhu’s sleeve, saying softly, “Sister-in-law, please bear with my mother.”

Xie Wenshu’s eyes were jet black. Because she couldn’t see, her eyes opened especially wide when she spoke, making them appear very bright.

Everyone said sisters-in-law were natural enemies, but this one before her made Madam Zhu feel indescribable pity.

Both beautiful in appearance and temperament, never causing trouble, polite to everyone—yet heaven was blind. At twenty-four, still an unmarried maiden in her chamber, without even a single marriage proposal.

“Sister, you worry too much. Come, I’ll see you back.”

“No need, you’re busy. I have my maid.”

“Then I’ll see you out of the courtyard.”

Xie Wenshu couldn’t help but smile. “Though heaven didn’t give me good eyes, it gave me an excellent sister-in-law.”

“Just like Little Third, spreading honey on your lips?”

Madam Zhu looked up, unable to suppress the smile on her face. “Madam?”

Madam Wu looked at her daughter-in-law’s smile, momentarily finding it somewhat glaring.

“Pick two proper, capable maids from the manor to serve in Little Third’s courtyard. Ding Yi has been sent out, and with only Zhu Qing attending to him, he can’t manage.”

Madam Zhu hesitated. “Madam, Third Brother doesn’t like having maids in his courtyard. We should probably tell him first.”

“Just say it’s from me.”

Madam Wu insisted, “Men attending to him can’t be as attentive as women. In the past when he was busy inside and out, it was fine, but now he can’t even get out of bed—it’s terrible suffering.”

Seeing Madam Wu’s firm attitude, Madam Zhu said, “Yes, Madam!”

Madam Wu walked to her daughter and took her other hand. “Come, Mother will see you back to your courtyard.”

Xie Wenshu imperceptibly squeezed Madam Zhu’s fingers. “Sister-in-law, I’m going back now.”

“Go ahead!”

Madam Zhu watched the mother and daughter depart, then turned to look at Chuntao with a bitter smile.

Chuntao knew why the First Mistress smiled bitterly.

No matter how proper a maid was, seeing someone like Third Master, she couldn’t help but have little thoughts. The person was chosen by First Mistress, so if anything happened in the future, it would all be First Mistress’s fault.

“How about we choose from the Old Lady’s courtyard instead?” Chuntao suggested quietly.

“My thoughts exactly.”

Madam Zhu took out her handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her forehead. “Let’s go. We’ll go to the Old Lady’s courtyard.”

“First Mistress!”

A voice called out from the side.

Madam Zhu turned to see it was Wei Lin, the personal servant beside Xie Erli.

Wei Lin stepped forward. “First Mistress, news came from the palace—Xu Lai has been dismissed from office, never to be employed again.”

Madam Zhu’s eyes brightened with a cold laugh. “This is called ‘good and evil meet their just ends eventually.'”

“The master sent word from the palace to First Master that the Xie Manor should close its doors to guests for half a month. Publicly, we’ll only say Third Master is gravely ill. Please ask First Mistress to instruct everyone in the manor, high and low, to be cautious in word and deed.”

Wei Lin continued, “First Master says he won’t attend social engagements during this time and will dine at home to avoid trouble.”

Madam Zhu’s expression became stern. She immediately understood the master’s purpose in these arrangements.

Just days ago, the Xie family had parted ways with the Du family. Now Xu Lai had lost his position because of the Xie family. The Xie family stood at the eye of the storm—in all things, they could only keep a low profile, and must keep a low profile.

“Tell First Master I know what to do.”

After Wei Lin left, Madam Zhu said coldly, “Chuntao, go summon Steward Xie.”