But Zhu Qing, in this world it’s not only them who need me standing in front.

There’s also a Yan Sanhe.

Fate has gone round and round and sent her to my side again. This is Heaven giving me a chance for redemption. If I can’t protect her again, what kind of master am I? What kind of person?

Xie Zhifei’s hand fell on Zhu Qing’s head, gently rubbing it.

“Things are still far from the point where you need to kneel to me. It’s just going to see a resigned scholar.”

The real danger would come after seeing Tang Jianxi and digging things out from his mouth.

“Yan Sanhe has shown kindness to the Xie family. Yan Xinghua has shown kindness to the Xie family. Not repaying kindness is not the conduct of a gentleman!”

Xie Zhifei helped Zhu Qing up. “Enough. Your master isn’t stupid either. Even if I must die, I can’t die alone—I have to drag someone along with me.”

I have to create some opportunities for those two to be together.

His gaze looked once into the long alley, then he mounted his horse and turned the horse’s head. “Let’s go to the Pei residence.”

Zhu Qing stood in place, watching as one man and horse disappeared into the vast night, doubt rising in his heart—

Why didn’t Master mention a single word about his feelings for Miss Yan?

…

Pei Residence.

Study.

Young Master Pei was like a shapeless mudfish, collapsed in the Grand Master chair, gazing at the gloomy sky outside the window, calling out to Bodhisattva in his heart.

Bodhisattva, please show me a clear path.

Should I, Young Master Pei, risk it all for her once more?

“Throughout life I’ve never known lovesickness. Just now knowing lovesickness, I’m harmed by lovesickness. Body like floating clouds, heart like flying catkins, breath like gossamer threads… Damn it, how can this poem be so fitting!”

To the side, Huang Qi had an expression of shock and terror.

Master can actually recite poetry?

Doesn’t have a fever, does he!

“Third Master has arrived!”

A maid’s shout didn’t bring Young Master Pei’s soul back.

When Xie Zhifei walked in, he didn’t move, only hummed twice to indicate he was troubled. You can do whatever you want.

Xie Zhifei grabbed this rotten mudfish in one move. “Get ready. Tomorrow we’re going to Hejian Prefecture.”

“For what?”

“To accompany Yan Sanhe to find someone surnamed Tang.”

“I’m not going!”

What Young Master Pei least wanted to hear now were the three words “Yan Sanhe.”

He still hadn’t figured out how to face her!

Still hadn’t made a choice between his parents, the Pei family, and her!

Still hesitating, looking ahead and behind, wavering left and right!

When Young Master Pei stuck up his rear end, Third Master knew what shit he was going to drop. “Let me ask you—how many chopsticks are there?”

“Two.”

“Can you use just one?”

“What use is one?”

“Then there you have it!”

Xie Zhifei cursed “idiot” in his heart. “What use is it for you to oppose your parents alone? Add a Yan Sanhe and see what attitude your parents have.”

Young Master Pei looked at him with an incredulous expression: What is this kid saying? Didn’t my parents make it clear they don’t agree?

“If there’s one Ji family, there can be two Ji families. If there are two Ji families, there will be a third Ji family.”

Xie Zhifei smiled with great disdain.

“Don’t forget—the Ji family still owes Yan Sanhe one favor. What this favor is, Yan Sanhe can say whatever she wants.

If Yan Sanhe asks the Ji family for one hundred thousand taels of silver, can they refuse? If she asks them to help you rise to power and authority, can they refuse?”

Young Master Pei: “…”

“What great aristocratic families, what marquises and earls!”

Xie Zhifei laughed coldly. “Marry a spirit medium back home, and you, Young Master Pei, your Pei family—just wait to soar to success!”

Wow!

Parting the clouds to see the blue sky!

The mudfish slithered up with a swoosh, grabbing Xie Zhifei’s arm. “Stop the nonsense. Let’s go, hurry up!”

Huang Qi: “…” Such a good thing—why doesn’t your Third Master marry her himself?

Zhu Qing: “…” Does Master truly want to set up Young Master Pei and Miss Yan?

Having followed Master for nine years, this was the first time Zhu Qing felt he couldn’t quite understand the man before him.

…

Young Master Pei’s “hurry up” still delayed nearly half an hour.

Although Hejian Prefecture was close, a round trip would still take five or six days at the fastest. Young Master Pei, having experience from the last trip to Nanning Prefecture, decided to prepare more things and bring more clothes.

Thinking about it, everyone would be dusty and dirt-faced, but only he, Young Master Pei, would be wearing clean clothes, looking presentable—surely Yan Sanhe would think highly of him.

Leaving the Pei residence, they headed straight for the Xie residence.

After walking only a few steps, Xie Zhifei’s right eyelid suddenly twitched several times.

Left eye jumps for wealth, right eye jumps for disaster…

He froze for a moment, then suddenly reacted, shouting at Pei Xiao, “We’re not going back to the Xie residence—let’s make do at the villa for one night.”

Pei Xiao immediately became coy. “I, I haven’t mentally prepared myself to see Yan Sanhe tonight!”

Xie Zhifei couldn’t be bothered with him.

When they first saw Mother Chen at the inn, that girl didn’t even pause for breath before wanting to rush straight to Nanning Prefecture. Now that they had news of Tang Jianxi, could she wait?

But in his heart he held some hope—perhaps that girl had taken his words to heart and hadn’t acted on her own.

Several horses turned their heads and galloped swiftly. In early autumn night, Xie Zhifei actually ran up a forehead full of hot sweat.

Arriving at the villa, they dismounted and knocked on the door.

The door opened with a creak and a head popped out. “Eh, Third Master, why did you come?”

“Where’s Miss?”

“She’s here!”

“She hasn’t gone out?”

“No!”

Xie Zhifei let out a long sigh of relief, tossing the reins into that person’s hands and striding inside.

The residence wasn’t large—he quickly reached the main courtyard.

The courtyard gate was half-closed, with both east and west side rooms pitch dark.

Xie Zhifei walked to the east side room’s window, listening intently with his ears pricked up, about to eavesdrop on the movement inside when Young Master Pei, who had caught up behind him, opened his mouth with a shout:

“Xie Wushi, what the hell are you doing? A young lady’s boudoir…”

“Shh shh…”

Xie Zhifei was so anxious he wanted to stomp his feet, using gestures and eye signals to indicate this young ancestor should quickly stop shouting.

Something’s wrong!

He lightly dropped from the wall. That troublemaking stick could hear him—how come with such commotion in the courtyard, not even a lamp was lit inside the room…

Xie Zhifei yanked open the window.

Just then, a lamp lit in the side ear room.

Borrowing a bit of lamplight, he poked his head in to look—where was any trace of that master and servant pair?

Tangyuan,披着衣裳，端着烛火走出来，一看院子里涌进来四个人，吓得烛火差一点扔地上。

Tangyuan threw on her clothes, came out carrying candlelight, and seeing four people flood into the courtyard, was so scared she nearly dropped the candle.

“Where’s Yan Sanhe?”

“Miss has already departed.”

“She left through the back door?”

“Mm-hmm!”

Tangyuan saw Third Master looking like a fierce evil spirit and quickly said, “Miss left a message for Third Master.”

“Speak!”

“Miss said, please rest assured, Third Master. She’ll go early and return early!”

Fat chance of resting assured!

A nameless fire burned up from Xie Zhifei’s chest. Without thinking, he roared at Pei Xiao, “What are you standing there stupidly for? Hurry up and chase!”

Why are you roaring at me?

Young Master Pei was baffled.

…

Yan Sanhe rushed out before the south city gate closed. Two people, two horses, heading straight for Hejian Prefecture.

They galloped three hundred li in one breath, found a large tree, rested back-to-back for half an hour, then continued on the road.

Running all night, by morning they reached Gu’an County. The two found a roadside breakfast stall, drank a bowl of hot rice porridge, each ate two vegetable buns, and continued on their way.

All the way without wind or rain, by nightfall they had reached Yongqing County. By this time both people and horses were exhausted. Yan Sanhe decided to find an inn to make do for one night and continue on the road early the next morning.

Yongqing County was a necessary stop on the way to Hejian Prefecture.

The county town wasn’t large, and there weren’t many inns. The two picked one that looked pleasant to the eye and walked in.

The inn was called Welcoming Inn. Inside it was arranged cleanly and neatly. By coincidence, only the last room remained.

Li Buyan nimbly pulled out silver and secured this last room. “Innkeeper, bring hot water and food directly to the room.”

“Miss, rest assured. We’ll bring them shortly.”

“Sanhe, you go back to the room first. I’ll go feed the horses.”

“Alright!”

Yan Sanhe took the room key and picked up her bundle, walking inside.

“Innkeeper, do you have any rooms left?”

A gentle voice called out from behind.