Zhao Yishi’s voice was light, his expression also light.
“You indulged him in pursuing Yan Sanhe?”
“Otherwise what could I do? Every night this person thinks about that girl until he can’t sleep.”
Third Master Xie smiled at Zhao Yishi. “Later when you take a fancy to someone, I’ll indulge you too.”
For no reason, a figure suddenly floated into Zhao Yishi’s mind.
That person had her hair tied up, a clean white face, with a smile on her face. “Your Highness, a lecher climbs walls to peep!”
Why would it be her? he thought.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Yishi pushed Third Master’s hand away and continued eating his grapes, spitting out a seed and placing it in Young Master Pei’s palm. “Whose heart demon?”
Young Master Pei: “A nun at Water Moon Convent named Jingchen.”
Zhao Yishi: “What’s her background?”
Third Master Xie: “Investigation shows she was a courtesan from the Jiaofang Bureau.”
Zhao Yishi glanced at Third Master Xie. “Where did you go?”
Young Master Pei: “Mulí Mountain in Shangguan County, Hejian Prefecture, to visit a reclusive master. That master’s surname is Tang, given name Jianxi.”
Third Master Xie: “Unfortunately, we didn’t learn much. We stayed on the mountain one night and then headed back.”
While speaking, Young Master Pei’s hand already held nine grape seeds.
Zhao Yishi pulled the handkerchief from Third Master’s hand and wiped his fingers one by one clean, then tossed the handkerchief back to him.
“So, what do you want me to help with?”
Third Master Xie: “…”
Young Master Pei: “…”
“Why are you both stunned?”
Zhao Yishi scoffed. “Do you think this Crown Prince Grandson has no ability to help?”
“Ah, my dear Huairen!”
Young Master Pei tossed aside the grape seeds in his hand and directly leaned his body against him affectionately.
“You’re just too damn good to us.”
“Get lost!”
Zhao Yishi pushed him away, turned his head slightly, and looked at Third Master Xie coolly.
Third Master revealed a smile that was eternal, innocent, and pitiful.
“Who is Third Master smiling for?”
“For you, Huairen!”
“Still able to smile?”
“Bitter smile.”
“Still smiling?”
“I can’t very well cry in front of our distinguished Crown Prince Grandson!”
“Yo, quite the silver tongue.”
“It’s all I have left.”
Third Master Xie’s eyes held a smile, one hand pressed against his heart. “No wait, there’s also a belly full of gratitude.”
“Third Master.”
Zhao Yishi snorted. “What do you plan to do with this gratitude?”
“Nothing in particular. I’ll listen to my dear Huairen. If Huairen wants me to keep it in my heart, Third Master will keep it in his heart. If Huairen wants me to show it, Third Master will show it.”
Xie Zhifei smiled with a face full of flattery. “Anyway, whatever he says goes.”
“Smooth talker, you get lost too!”
Zhao Huairen extended one finger and poked him several times forcefully. Not satisfied, he poked directly at his forehead.
Third Master smiled with his peach blossom eyes narrowed to slits, looking completely shameless with his “won’t hit back when beaten, won’t talk back when scolded” expression, making it impossible to get a handle on him.
“Commander-General Xie, it’s not this Crown Prince who needs to lecture you, but when this person goes mad, do you have to go mad along with him?”
Those five words of address made Xie Zhifei’s eyes light up.
The promotion matter was settled!
He directly pressed his hand on Zhao Huairen’s shoulder, his gaze meaningful. “If Huairen wants to go mad, Third Master will accompany you too.”
“Accompany eating, drinking, sleeping, chatting?”
“Accompany you up mountains of blades and down seas of fire.”
Xie Zhifei’s gaze was deep, with a touch of apology as he looked at Zhao Huairen. “My Crown Prince Grandson, is that enough?”
Zhao Huairen looked back at him, his gaze and expression gradually softening.
Young Master Pei winked at Third Master Xie: When it comes to coaxing people, it’s still you, Xie Fifth!
Third Master: Obviously. Hurry up and learn.
Once men talk things through, there’s no reason to keep dwelling on it. After a few more cups of wine, that little bit of unhappiness in Zhao Yishi’s heart vanished like smoke.
Only then did Xie Zhifei speak up. “Huairen, what did the raid on the Yan estate turn up?”
Mentioning this, Zhao Yishi’s face darkened. “They found two Ji estates’ worth.”
Two Ji estates?
Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao looked at each other in bewilderment.
“One legal wife and several concubines in the household, with food, clothing, and daily necessities comparable to the ladies in the palace. Never mind you being shocked—even I…”
Zhao Yishi stopped mid-sentence, a strange feeling suddenly arising in his heart.
Yan Ruxian was at most just a eunuch. Where did he get the audacity to amass so much wealth, and dare to have a wife and concubines?
Did His Majesty truly know nothing?
Xie Zhifei asked, “Where is he now?”
“In the palace.”
“In the palace?”
Young Master Pei could hardly believe his ears. His house had been raided, for heaven’s sake—how could he possibly still be in the palace?
Just as he was about to ask “what’s the situation,” he suddenly felt pain in his foot.
Xie Zhifei withdrew his foot and asked again, “You led the Embroidered Uniform Guard to raid his house—the Crown Prince didn’t say anything, did he?”
“Let’s not discuss that.”
Zhao Yishi brushed past it lightly. “I’ve been observing closely—the person replacing Yan Ruxian will most likely be Qin Qi.”
Xie Zhifei wasn’t familiar with this Qin Qi. “For us, is this good or bad?”
“This person acts low-key, steady, with no obvious allegiance. Can’t really say if it’s good or bad—we’ll just have to watch and see.”
Zhao Yishi patted Xie Zhifei’s shoulder. “Third Master, you’ve played the dissolute wastrel long enough. It’s time to take up your post.”
“I’ll report to the office tomorrow.”
“There’s another piece of news that just came through. Three days from now, Old Censor Lu will attend court.”
Young Master Pei was somewhat surprised. “His illness is better?”
Zhao Yishi’s face turned ashen with anger.
This fellow’s whole mind was on Yan Sanhe—he had no idea what his own father had done or what message he’d sent.
Young Master Pei had no idea Zhao Yishi’s ashen face was because of him. He simply assumed it was because Lu Shi was about to present evidence of Yan Ruxian’s palace debauchery.
“I’m worried too!”
He sighed. “Lu Shi never misses his mark. If he really brings out some evidence, won’t His Majesty…”
“Xie Fifth, cover his mouth for me.”
Xie Zhifei walked in front of Young Master Pei and clapped his large hand over his mouth.
What did I say?
Young Master Pei was so angry his eyes rolled back. Xie Fifth, let go.
Xie Fifth: Huairen ordered me to cover it, do I dare refuse?
Young Master Pei: You son of a… you’ll end up a traitorous minister in the future.
Xie Fifth: The future? I already am one now.
Young Master Pei grabbed Zhao Yishi’s arm: Huairen, honest advice is hard on the ears!
Zhao Yishi shook off his arm and strode onto the deck, breathing out several mouthfuls of stale air.
Hearing this news, his first worry was the same. His Majesty had been wise and mighty his entire life—how could he let an old, ugly eunuch disgrace his reputation?
Footsteps sounded behind him.
Young Master Pei’s voice sounded pitiful. “His Majesty is a hundred thousand leagues away from me. Why would I worry about him? I’m worried about you.”
Third Master: “Mingting just has a foul mouth but a soft heart. Don’t hold it against him.”
Young Master Pei stomped his foot. “Why worry? When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a way. Worst case, I’ll get drunk with you.”
Third Master: “I’ll handle the roasted meat. Liquor with meat—that’s the real flavor.”
Still angry about what?
Zhao Yishi turned to look at the two, putting on a tough front. “Don’t just talk big. When the time comes, I’ll probably still have to do the roasting.”
Third Master calmly shirked responsibility. “Who would be so shameless as to make the Crown Prince Grandson do manual labor?”
Young Master Pei calmly twisted the knife. “That kind of shameless person should be chopped up and fed to dogs.”
Zhao Yishi: “…”
Fine. Completely out of temper now.