At the villa.

Lights blazed brightly.

When Xie Zhifei arrived, besides the two familiar people in the room, there was also someone kneeling.

This kneeling person was actually someone Xie Zhifei knew as well.

It was none other than Yan Xi, the Grand Prince’s personal eunuch.

Yan Xi was eighteen this year. He’d begun serving the Grand Prince at age eight—a full ten years. He was the Grand Prince’s most valued confidant.

“What’s this about? Has Eunuch Yan been caught stealing some delicacy?”

Xie Zhifei was on good private terms with Yan Xi. Seeing him kneeling, he spoke up for him without drawing attention.

Who knew that as soon as these words left his mouth, Pei Mingting’s gaze would slice toward him like a blade.

Xie Zhifei, thinking of the Grand Prince, subtly indicated with his hand toward the palace, using his eyes to ask: Is it because of that one inside?

Pei Mingting gave a slight nod.

No wonder!

Yan Xi could serve before Huairen because of his godfather, Yan Ruxian.

One could say Yan Ruxian had single-handedly trained Yan Xi into such a smooth operator.

If Yan Xi didn’t have Yan Ruxian as a backer, he couldn’t possibly have earned the Grand Prince’s regard.

Now that Lu Shi had impeached Yan Ruxian, Yan Ruxian’s position was precarious. Yan Xi, thinking of past affections, most likely wanted to petition the Grand Prince to speak favorably on his godfather’s behalf.

After all, these father and son prospered together, fell together.

Xie Zhifei sat down beside Zhao Yishi.

“Huairen, when I was injured those few days, why didn’t you come see me? You had me waiting expectantly for several nights.”

Zhao Yishi remained silent.

“Eunuch Yan, quickly help Third Master remove his clothing so your master can properly examine Third Master’s injuries.”

Xie Zhifei wore an aggrieved expression. “Huairen, it hurts.”

When Third Master acted coquettish, even Yan Sanhe couldn’t withstand it—let alone Zhao Yishi?

He turned his head and glanced coldly at Yan Xi. “For Third Master’s sake, get lost. If you dare speak of interceding again, go receive fifty strikes of the cane yourself.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Third Master.”

Yan Xi looked gratefully at Third Master, then efficiently got lost.

“I told you—it had to be fifty strokes.”

Pei Mingting rarely flattered anyone. “Our Fifty’s mouth has not only been dipped in honey, but blessed as well.”

Blessed?

You think I’m a monk?

Xie Zhifei ignored him. “Huairen, how’s the matter with that old eunuch progressing?”

Zhao Yishi replied, “He demonstrated his will through death.”

Xie Zhifei was shocked. “He died?”

“They discovered it early and saved him.”

Zhao Yishi sneered coldly. “He knelt before His Majesty crying streams of tears and snot, even stripped off his lower garments entirely, swearing to heaven.”

For a eunuch, embezzlement and abuse of power weren’t fearsome—but involving the imperial harem, disgracing the imperial family—that made it a grave matter.

Xie Zhifei sighed. “He’s been driven to desperation.”

Young Master Pei interjected, “Has the palace begun investigating?”

Zhao Yishi replied, “With His Majesty’s temperament, how could he not investigate?”

Xie Zhifei asked, “What have they discovered?”

Zhao Yishi answered, “Nothing so far.”

Xie Zhifei propped his chin on his hand. “But since the Old Censor dared to impeach him, he should have solid evidence. What does he say?”

Zhao Yishi frowned slightly.

“The Old Censor fell ill. He first had someone present evidence of abuse of power and embezzlement. The evidence of debauching the imperial harem hasn’t appeared yet—he says one must eat one bite at a time and investigate matters one case at a time.”

“Is the evidence of abuse of power and embezzlement all conclusive?” Pei Mingting asked.

“The Censorate, Court of Censors, and Ministry of Justice are already investigating, but it won’t be that quick.”

Cold intent filled Zhao Yishi’s eyes. “Because of this matter, His Majesty has already spent five consecutive nights in the imperial study. Everyone in the harem and court is in a state of constant anxiety.”

How could they not be anxious?

If the charge of debauchery were confirmed, it would mean extermination of nine generations.

Xie Zhifei furrowed his brow. “One demonstrates his will through death, the other wears crimson robes to impeach—between these two, one must be lying.”

“It must be Eunuch Yan.”

Young Master Pei thought he didn’t even need to use his brain.

“That old fox Lu Shi hasn’t made a single mistake in decades. What’s that saying—his arrows never miss their mark!”

“My dear imperial uncle left the capital early this morning, returning to his fief.”

These words seemed both headless and tailless, but Third Master and Young Master Pei understood clearly.

The Prince of Han, sensing the ill winds blowing through the capital, feared being implicated, so he greased his heels and efficiently fled.

This also proved that the old eunuch Yan Ruxian’s problems were serious.

A boulder seemed lodged in Zhao Yishi’s chest. He feared that in the coming days, neither the court nor the harem would know peace.

Xie Zhifei, thinking of Tang Qiling’s fraud case, had a sudden thought.

“By the way, Huairen, that day at the Music Bureau, I also heard some gossip about Yan Ruxian. I don’t know if it’s true or false.”

Zhao Yishi had been about to drink some tea to ease the blockage in his chest. Hearing him say this, he didn’t even bother with the tea.

“Some scholars said that Yan Ruxian had also interfered with the Spring Examination fraud.”

“What?”

This completely shocked Zhao Yishi.

Pei Xiao looked thoughtfully at Xie Zhifei. “At the time, we two were even more shocked than you. We pricked up our ears to listen further, but unfortunately, someone covered that scholar’s mouth.”

Xie Zhifei continued, “I don’t really believe it. The Spring Examination is something from His Majesty down to the Cabinet to the Ministry of Rites—everyone takes it seriously. How could a mere eunuch interfere?”

Pei Xiao sneered, “He can even debauch the imperial harem—what’s interfering with the Spring Examination compared to that?”

Zhao Yishi couldn’t sit still. He stood and opened the window.

With autumn’s approach, the summer breeze carried a chill, sweeping away the suffocating atmosphere in the study in one gust.

“If this is true, the matter would be quite serious.” He gazed at the night sky, speaking softly.

Third Master and Young Master Pei knew where the seriousness lay.

The Spring Examination was held once every three years. They didn’t know which examination Yan Ruxian had interfered with—but the Crown Prince had once served as chief examiner for a Spring Examination.

“During the Late Emperor’s twenty-third year, there was also a Spring Examination fraud case. The chief examiner at the time was Tang Qiling.”

Zhao Yishi’s voice grew heavy. “It’s said he also colluded with palace eunuchs.”

Xie Zhifei glanced at Pei Xiao. “Huairen, could you tell us in detail about that fraud case from the Late Emperor’s twenty-third year?”

Zhao Yishi turned around, helpless. “That’s all I know.”

Young Master Pei had originally hoped he might reveal a few more details. “Haven’t you even seen the case files?”

Zhao Yishi shook his head. “They involve the Late Crown Prince—the matter is too sensitive. It’s said that this case, along with the case files for the Late Crown Prince’s curse case, have all been sealed. No matter who you are, examining them is forbidden.”

It’s over!

I’ve boasted too big!

“Don’t mention this matter again, you two. Just hearing it, forget it immediately. Never bring it up.”

Zhao Yishi extended one slender finger, pointing toward the palace.

“It’s that one’s taboo subject. You can’t mention it even a little—whoever mentions it dies!”

“Who, who wants to mention it?”

Pei Xiao’s heart pounded with fright. He quickly changed the subject.

“Alright, alright, let’s not discuss these anxiety-inducing matters. By the way, that day with the courtesan, Huairen, did you win or lose?”

“I won!”

Young Master Pei pressed, “So tell us quickly—how did the courtesan taste?”