These old matters happened before Yan Sanhe was born. Father had told her about them intermittently later on.

Grandfather’s mouth had never revealed a single word.

White-haired people seeing off black-haired people…

Yan Sanhe could imagine how devastated Grandfather must have been as each letter arrived in his hands.

But he didn’t collapse. He could still read, still paint, still use his footsteps to traverse every mountain and water of Yunnan Prefecture.

From this, it was evident his heart knot was not them.

If not them, who could it be?

Could it be that despicable retainer who caused the Yan family to be raided?

But if it were him, how could it be difficult to speak of?

This enmity was clearly and plainly lodged in the hearts of the Yan family and Grandfather.

For the first time in her life, Yan Sanhe felt that the amiable old man was actually separated from her by eighty thousand layers of belly.

One layer of belly, one secret.

Old man, where is your true secret?

Xie Zhifei hadn’t gone far. Arms crossed over his chest in an extremely lazy posture, he stared at Yan Sanhe not far away.

She just sat there leaning against the wall. The night wind blew her single garment, yet she didn’t shiver from cold at all.

Why?

Xie Sanye was completely stupefied.

Was this young lady missing a nerve or something?

Why didn’t she feel cold at all?

…

The Xie Estate.

The imperial physician had just left when Xie Daozhi couldn’t lie still. He struggled to climb out of bed.

Steward Xie quickly stepped forward to support him. “Master?”

Xie Daozhi pushed away his hand and said weakly, “Has Eldest returned?”

“Just returned to the estate.”

“Summon him.”

“Yes!”

A moment later, Xie Erli was already standing before Xie Daozhi.

“Father?”

“You let Third Brother follow her?”

“Yes.”

Xie Daozhi hesitated for a moment.

“Just having Third Brother follow isn’t enough. Our family must also take action, otherwise…”

Xie Erli thought of the Ji family matter. “Father, what kind of action?”

“I haven’t thought it through.”

Xie Daozhi buried his face in his palms. “My mind is in chaos.”

“Father, don’t be anxious. Things have already reached this point—we must look forward.”

Xie Erli comforted him. “You still need to attend morning court tomorrow. You should first…”

“This is bad, Master.”

Steward Xie suddenly pushed open the door. “The old lady is running a fever.”

Xie Erli was greatly alarmed. “Where’s Imperial Physician Pei?”

“Already left.”

“How did she suddenly develop a fever?”

“She was fine just a moment ago.”

Xie Daozhi slapped the bed frame. “Take a calling card and invite Imperial Physician Pei again.”

Steward Xie: “Yes!”

“Father, rest first. I’ll go check on the old lady…”

“Eldest!”

Xie Daozhi grabbed his son’s hand, his face pale. “Tell me, could this be karmic retribution coming?”

A chill shot up Xie Erli’s tailbone.

“It shouldn’t be. There are still a few days.”

“What certainty is there with supernatural matters?”

Xie Daozhi said weakly, “What if it came early?”

Xie Erli: “…”

After quite a while, neither father nor son spoke. They heard each other’s heartbeats—

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

…

Morning light gradually broke through.

Yan Sanhe rubbed her numb legs. After the numbness passed somewhat, she walked out of the alley.

The city gates hadn’t opened yet, but carriages heading out of the city had already begun lining up.

She followed at the very end of the queue.

Not far away, Xie Zhifei stroked his chin. “Tell me—should Third Master be even thicker-skinned, or use some underhanded methods?”

Zhu Qing wore an expression of “Master, spare me.”

Ding Yi thought seriously for a moment. “Underhanded methods. Master’s face is already thick enough—hasn’t done any good!”

Xie Sanye pointed his finger forcefully at Ding Yi several times, then turned to Zhu Qing. “Dock his wages for one month.”

Zhu Qing: “Alright!”

Ding Yi: “…”

Xie Sanye didn’t look at Ding Yi’s face, which was about to cry. Just as he was about to step forward, from the corner of his eye, he saw Steward Xie striding toward him on his stout legs.

“What happened?” His expression changed.

Panic couldn’t be concealed in Steward Xie’s expression.

“Third Master, the old lady fell ill as soon as she returned. Imperial Physician Pei says it’s perilous.”

“What do you mean by perilous?”

“Imperial Physician Pei said a lot of flowery words I couldn’t understand. First Master said to tell Third Master to hurry.”

Xie Sanye’s heart jumped. “You mean…”

Steward Xie nodded.

Xie Zhifei stood there stunned, his face grim as water. The Ji family’s misfortune also seemed to have started with someone falling ill.

“What else did Eldest Brother say?”

“First Master said Third Master should be careful of everything.”

Xie Zhifei’s eyes widened as he made a decisive decision. “Zhu Qing, Ding Yi?”

The two quickly stepped forward. “Master?”

Xie Zhifei: “Prepare to depart.”

Ding Yi pointed toward Yan Sanhe’s back. “What about her?”

“Didn’t you tell me to use underhanded methods?”

Xie Zhifei: “I’m listening to you.”

Ding Yi: “…”

Ding Yi thought: What about my docked wages?

Xie Zhifei quickly walked to Yan Sanhe, took out his waist token, and held it forward.

“Five Cities Military Commissioner conducting an investigation.”

His voice was dark and hoarse, yet everyone at the city gate heard it clearly.

“Yan Sanhe, come with me.”

“…”

Yan Sanhe was momentarily stunned. Before she could react, her arm was already grabbed by a large hand.

“My apologies!”

Xie Zhifei pulled her out of the queue, all the way to the city gate entrance, and raised his waist token again to the guards.

Those men saw it was Third Master Xie and quickly pulled the heavy vermilion gate open.

Zhu Qing drove the carriage through the city gate, then pulled the reins with a “Whoa,” stopping by the roadside.

Xie Zhifei pointed at the carriage. “Get in.”

Yan Sanhe didn’t move. She looked down at the claw-like hand on her arm, her gaze carrying a barb.

“So urgent—who in your Xie family had an accident?”

Originally, Xie Sanye had some doubts about Old Ancestress’s illness—wondering if it was just coincidence.

When she said this, Third Master almost shouted out “What the hell.”

He restrained this impulse in time, his Adam’s apple sliding several times as he said calmly, “Impressive—truly prescient!”

Yan Sanhe was startled.

She had originally wanted to probe the reason for the Xie family’s Third Master’s urgency, just saying this casually, but unexpectedly actually probed out something.

“It’s not time yet. It has nothing to do with Grandfather’s matter.”

“You’re so certain—you’re not that expert yourself, are you?”

Only then did Yan Sanhe realize he had said something foolish.

Yan Sanhe was Yan Xing’s legitimate granddaughter. She hadn’t suffered misfortune yet, was still spirited and talking to him. When would it be the Xie family’s turn?

“Regardless of whether it’s related or not, this matter is urgent.

“I know you don’t care for Xie family people, but now you’ve seen—I hold an official position. With me along this journey, it saves worry, trouble, and effort.

“More importantly…”

Xie Zhifei spoke slowly, “You’re surnamed Yan. By rights, you should be the first to suffer misfortune. What kind of misfortune—aren’t you afraid? Yet you dare travel alone?”

Yan Sanhe: “…”

“It’s clear you and your grandfather have an extraordinary relationship. Think about it yourself—if something really happens to you, he won’t rest easy lying in that coffin!”

Yan Sanhe: “…”

“Here’s the deal. I’ll give you two choices. You can choose to climb into the carriage yourself, or choose to be tied up and put in the carriage.”

Xie Zhifei smiled, his peach-blossom eyes slanting upward.

But in his words, every single character carried ruthless determination.