Hearing this, Tang Mingyue finally sensed something amiss.

“Third Master, didn’t you say Master’s heart demon has been resolved? Why do you still need to see my childhood belongings?”

“Yan Sanhe instructed me to do this. After I return from Muli Mountain, I’ll explain everything to Miss Tang one by one.”

Xie Zhifei looked at her expression and added another sentence.

“In fact, there’s still a small loose end left in this matter.”

Once Yan Sanhe was mentioned, Tang Mingyue asked no more questions.

“Then… I need to write Mother a letter.”

“No need for a letter. Just give me a token. I’ve met Madam Tang.”

“No, I should still write one.”

Tang Mingyue smiled. “I’ve been away so many days. Mother will worry. You can take it back for me.”

Xie Zhifei walked to the courtyard and shouted loudly, “Zhu Qing, bring paper and brush!”

“Yes!”

Soon paper and brush were brought.

Tang Mingyue picked up the brush, scratched her head, and muttered to herself, “Ai-ya, what should I write?”

“Report your safety.”

“Third Master is still clever.”

Tang Mingyue smiled at Xie Zhifei, dipped the brush in ink, lifted it, then paused again.

“What is it?”

Tang Mingyue cupped her chin. “Third Master, help me think—how do I report my safety?”

You don’t even know this?

Miss Tang, have you studied at all?

“I don’t like reading. Whenever I see books or write characters, I get sleepy.”

Tang Mingyue’s face showed not a trace of shame.

“Father says I’m not cut out for it, so I’ve never written a letter before. Previously when I wrote to Master, Father wrote them for me.”

You’re really something!

Xie Zhifei felt if she kept pestering him like this, his palpitations would act up again.

“Just say everything is well in the capital, don’t let parents worry. After seeing Miss Yan, you’ll head home. Mid-Autumn is approaching, you miss them greatly, and tell them to take care of themselves.”

“Third Master speaks so well. I’ll write exactly what Third Master said.”

Xie Zhifei saw her finally putting brush to paper and relaxed enough to drink tea.

After finishing a cup of tea, seeing her still writing character by character, he stood up and walked over, thinking those few characters should be done quickly. Why does she still need…

Xie Zhifei’s complaints died the instant he saw the letter.

Are these characters?

This is goddamn chicken scratch!

Tang Mingyue noticed Third Master watching her write and grinned.

“Third Master, please don’t look. My writing isn’t good.”

After speaking, she found herself an excuse. “Father says it’s a blessing for girls not to read or write.”

“Does Miss Tang like martial arts?”

“Oh my, how did you know?”

“When I arrived, I saw you practicing tai chi with Xue Zhao.”

“I can do other forms too—all taught by Uncle Xue. Uncle Xue says if I’d started young, I’d definitely be excellent martial arts material…”

Tang Mingyue prattled on, completely unaware that Xie Zhifei’s expression grew increasingly grim.

Writing like chicken scratch, fond of martial arts…

How is this so similar to his former self—Zheng Huaizuo?

After finishing the last character, Tang Mingyue blew on it with her mouth.

“Third Master, look—I wrote pretty well!”

“Indeed.”

“Miss Tang, Miss Yan instructed that you must keep this matter secret. Even your pillow partner cannot know.”

“Why?”

“Still the same—when I return from Muli Mountain, I’ll explain everything. I’ll also take you to see Yan Sanhe.”

Xie Zhifei said, “She just resolved your master’s heart demon. Her body needs several days of quiet rest to recover.”

“Then I’ll wait for Third Master to return.”

“Very obedient.”

Xie Zhifei forced out a smile. “Obedient girls have better vitality.”

Tang Mingyue was delighted. “What a coincidence—Father says the same thing.”

…

The courtyard gate opened.

Xie Zhifei ignored Shan Er’er’s glowering stare and glanced at Zhu Qing before striding away.

Zhu Qing quickly followed. “Master?”

Xie Zhifei walked to a deserted spot. “Prepare horses and provisions. Prepare for a trip to Muli Mountain. Depart in one pot of tea’s time.”

Zhu Qing’s heart jumped. Just as he was about to speak, Third Master’s sharp gaze cut over. He immediately said quietly:

“Yes!”

“Tell outsiders I’m on urgent business.”

“What about Young Master Pei? Should I tell him the truth?”

“Keep it from him.”

Xie Zhifei turned to glance at the distant guest courtyard.

“Tell Xie Xiaohua to take good care of Miss Tang. If Miss Tang loses one liang, I’ll starve him for three days.”

“Yes!”

“Also, don’t let Tang Mingyue and Yan Sanhe meet.”

Zhu Qing clearly heard his heart go “thump.”

…

Just as Xie Zhifei rode out of the capital, Yan Sanhe was walking out of the Han Family Post Station.

Han Xu wasn’t there. She could only leave a verbal message.

“Return to the residence.”

Li Buyan was slightly surprised. “Not going to the Zheng residence?”

Yan Sanhe: “We’ll go at night.”

Li Buyan’s eyes lit up. “I love excitement like this.”

“Before going, we’ll first offer him incense at the Lu residence.”

“That’s even more exciting.”

Li Buyan helped Yan Sanhe mount her horse. “Let’s go back first and eat our fill, sleep our fill, then when the moon is dark and wind is high, we’ll do bad things.”

That night at the Lu residence, white lanterns hung high. Those coming to send the old Imperial Censor off for the last time formed a line extending to the alley entrance.

Yan Sanhe and Li Buyan stood in the queue. After waiting a full hour, their turn finally came.

One stick of clear incense, three bows.

After paying respects, the two left silently and headed straight for the old Zheng residence.

Throughout the entire night, Yan Sanhe examined the entire estate inside and out again.

When the fifth watch drum sounded, the two finally crawled out through the dog hole.

Returning to the residence, Yan Sanhe had Li Buyan sleep first while she burrowed into the study, drawing the Zheng residence stroke by stroke.

This drawing took an entire day.

After the final stroke, Yan Sanhe propped up her bloodshot eyes from staying up all night and collapsed headlong onto the bed, sleeping until darkness enveloped her.

When she woke, it was already the afternoon of the next day.

Yan Sanhe opened her eyes and immediately asked, “Has Third Master come?”

Li Buyan shrugged, indicating he hadn’t seen even a ghost shadow.

He promised to bring the Zheng family case files in two days?

Yan Sanhe cursed “liar” in her heart and decided after eating, she’d make a trip to the Five Cities Commandery.

Before she could pick up chopsticks, Young Master Pei arrived urgently.

“Yan Sanhe, where did Xie Fifty go? Do you know?”

I was just looking for him!

Yan Sanhe sensed something wrong. “What—he’s not in the capital?”

Young Master Pei sat at the table and picked up a set of bowls and chopsticks.

“He’s not. Said he went out on urgent business without even saying hello. That kid’s got nerve.”

Li Buyan entered thinking—you’ve also got nerve, snatching my bowls and chopsticks without treating yourself as an outsider.

Yan Sanhe: “Does he usually do this?”

“How could he!”

Young Master Pei scooped up some rice. He’d been busy for ages and was starving. “Wherever he goes, he always tells me.”

Yan Sanhe remembered the scene at Water Moon Convent that day and picked up some food for Pei Xiao.

“By the way, Pei Mingting, what ailment does Xie Zhifei have? Why do people outside say he’s short-lived?”