From the second household, two people came.

Xie Wanshu rushed to the bedside, blinking her watery eyes. “Third Brother, how are you? Does it hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

Xie Zhifei’s gaze moved past her to Concubine Liu behind. “Concubine, please sit.”

No matter what filth existed in his heart, appearances had to be maintained.

Moreover, his father had just left when Concubine Liu arrived—she was putting on a show for father to see, and he couldn’t help but play along.

Concubine Liu sat down on the small stool by the bed, her eyes immediately reddening. “How did you get hurt so badly?”

Xie Zhifei forced a smile. “Bad fortune.”

Upon hearing this, how could Xie Wanshu accept it? “Nonsense! My third brother has the best fortune.”

Concubine Liu glanced at her daughter coolly, then handed over a paper package, her face showing some embarrassment.

“Concubine doesn’t have much of value. This is two taels of cordyceps sinensis—excellent for nourishing and replenishing qi. Third Master, please don’t disdain it.”

“You’ve been thoughtful, Concubine. Zhu Qing, accept it for me.”

“Thank you.”

Normally, Ding Yi handled all these social exchanges. Zhu Qing took the paper package and clumsily opened his mouth. “Much obliged.”

Concubine Liu said, “We’re one family—no need for two sets of courtesies. Your second brother has gone out on business, otherwise he would have come too.”

Zhu Qing didn’t know how to respond. From the corner of his eye, he quickly glanced at Third Master, but Third Master also showed no intention of speaking.

The room suddenly grew cold, the atmosphere inexplicably awkward.

Xie Zhifei saw the time was about right and showed undisguised weariness with a yawn.

Concubine Liu seemed to receive amnesty and quickly stood up. “Third Master, rest well. I’ll come see you again later.”

Xie Zhifei replied, “Concubine, safe travels. Zhu Qing, see them out for me.”

“Yes!”

“Third Brother, I’m leaving. If you’re bored, just send someone to call me. I’ll come keep Third Brother company and chat.” Xie Wanshu looked back with every step.

“Mm, go on.”

Xie Zhifei responded very coolly, then closed his eyes.

Since it was all an act, the smile on the face was fake, the tears in the eyes were fake, the words of concern were fake—only those two taels of cordyceps sinensis were real.

Xie Zhifei inexplicably thought of Yan Sanhe.

Like when she liked, detest when she detested—everything following her own heart, never caring what others thought. How free.

“Zhu Qing.” He called.

“Master?”

“Have Steward Xie go to the shop and select a good cane.”

“Master doesn’t need a cane. In a few more days…”

Zhu Qing suddenly realized something and quickly changed his tune. “Yes!”

Seeing he understood, Xie Zhifei added, “Don’t buy the kind elderly people use. Something smaller, more refined.”

Zhu Qing thought of Master Pei’s constant “my wife this, my wife that” and said quietly, “Master isn’t afraid of making Master Pei jealous?”

“What’s there to be jealous about!”

Did he have no sense of how Yan Sanhe treated him?

It was about time to accept defeat and retreat.

Xie Zhifei said, “Come on, help me to Jingsi Residence for some air.”

“Master.”

Zhu Qing had no choice but to play Ding Yi’s role and patiently persuade.

“You went just this morning, not even two hours ago. You’re going again? Even if Miss Yan isn’t recuperating, Master’s body needs to rest. This morning’s trip reopened two wounds, and they bled again.”

“Zhu Qing, have you heard the phrase ‘feast your eyes on beauty’?”

“I have.”

“What about ‘heal yourself with beauty’?”

Zhu Qing was speechless.

…

“Madam.”

Madam Zhu pointed at two maids. “The one in red is called Xiaohong, the one in green is called Lüqi. Both were chosen from the Old Lady’s courtyard. Please inspect them, Madam.”

Madam Wu saw these two maids both had proper, honest faces and was quite satisfied. “Tell them the rules for Little Third’s household.”

“Yes!”

The rules in Third Master’s courtyard were actually very simple.

Speak less, work more, don’t try desperately to climb into his bed—that was one. The study was restricted territory—that was two.

Madam Zhu explained the rules clearly in front of Madam Wu. Xiaohong and Lüqi acknowledged them one by one, and Madam Zhu took them to Third Master’s courtyard.

As soon as she left, Li Zheng’s wife, Madam Wu’s personal attendant, entered the room.

“Madam, Third Brother just went to Jingsi Residence again.”

Li Zheng’s wife held up two fingers. “Before it’s even dark, he’s already made two trips. This old servant truly feels for the young master—the scabs haven’t even formed yet!”

Madam Wu’s tone immediately turned sour. “Should I calculate their birth charts and horoscopes to test their marital compatibility?”

Li Zheng’s wife didn’t dare continue this line of conversation.

Just then, a maid’s voice rang out from outside. “Madam, the Du family’s steward is waiting outside the second gate, saying he wants to see you.”

The Du family?

To see me?

Madam Wu quickly straightened her clothing. “Quickly invite him in.”

The steward was in his forties with a kind face. Upon meeting, he first bowed, then handed over a paper package.

“I heard Third Master was injured, so my young miss ordered me to deliver some medicinal supplements.”

“This…”

Madam Wu looked apologetic. “How embarrassing!”

“Madam, please accept it. My young miss said, don’t look at the monk, look at the Buddha—whatever Madam has done for her over the years, my young miss remembers it all in her heart.”

The steward’s tongue was very smooth. “My young miss also said that Third Master is someone Madam holds dear in her heart. Ordinarily she would certainly come call in person, but these times are different from the past.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Wu felt both comfortable and pained in her heart.

Young ladies from great families were indeed different in upbringing. Look how proper and courteous!

Not like those from poor backwaters—neither warm nor cool in manner, neither yin nor yang in tone, with eyes grown to the top of their heads.

What a pity!

Such a fine young lady, such a prestigious family—yet both the master and Little Third looked down on her.

…

How could Madam Wu know that the fine young lady in her heart was currently sitting in a pavilion over water, drinking tea with her father Du Jianxue.

Du Jianxue had just come from court and told his daughter everything about the court’s developments, hiding nothing.

“The Xu family is finished this time.”

Du Yiyun smiled. “Father need not sigh. As long as Xu Sheng exists, no matter how high Xu Lai’s official position, someone could pull him down.”

The person was too stupid.

And owed too many blood debts.

“What does Father think of Second Master Xie?”

“Second Master Xie?”

Du Jianxue shook his head. “No impression.”

“From when Daughter was at the Xie family, I heard quite a few rumors about him.”

Du Yiyun refilled Du Jianxue’s tea slightly. “I heard Second Master was extremely clever at his studies in the past, but unfortunately couldn’t catch Master Xie’s eye and was constantly overshadowed by the eldest master.”

Du Jianxue frowned. “You mean…”

“Father, the Xie family isn’t a monolithic block. Though there are only two households, each has their own thoughts, their own calculations.”

Du Yiyun said, “To make the Xie family lose peace, I think two people can be used.”

“Second Master Xie is one. And the other?”

“Madam Wu, Xie Daozhi’s legitimate wife.”

Du Yiyun sneered and shook her head. “Father surely doesn’t know—as fortunate as Madam Wu’s fate is, that’s how stupid she is.”

Du Jianxue had long heard about Madam Wu’s affairs.

When Xie Daozhi hosted banquets at home, he never invited Madam Wu out, only having Concubine Liu attend at his side.

As for that Concubine Liu…

Du Jianxue couldn’t help but laugh. “Do whatever you want. Your father stands behind you regardless.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Du Yiyun’s voice was very soft. “Daughter has already cast the bait.”