Though Xie Zhifei had guided Tang Mingyue to say this, when she actually said it, he felt a sense of loss.

“Why?” he asked.

“Setting aside how investigating would waste Third Master’s efforts, I also can’t bear to hurt my parents. If they knew I was investigating my past background, they’d certainly think my wings had grown hard and I wanted to fly away.”

Tang Mingyue placed her hand on her lower abdomen, smiling through her tears.

“Finding my birth parents would just mean grudges and resentments. I’m living well now—why give myself trouble? Third Master, I don’t hate them, and I don’t resent them, truly. To speak from my heart, I’m even grateful to them. Otherwise, how could I have met Master, met my parents, met him?”

She glanced toward the door, her eyes revealing a touch of tenderness.

“My father says a person’s life is simply about holding an umbrella when it rains and adding clothes when it’s cold. It’s very short—don’t make trouble for yourself.”

Seeing Xie Zhifei still in a daze, she smiled again.

“Third Master, don’t you think so?”

“Yes!”

As Xie Zhifei spoke, a surge of heat welled up in his eyes, and the heavy stone in his chest suddenly lightened.

He suddenly realized that the woman before him wasn’t simple at all:

Smarter than anyone;

More magnanimous than anyone;

More grateful than anyone;

And would have better fortune than anyone!

That’s why when everyone in the Zheng family died, she alone survived—living carefree and happy without a care in the world.

This was Heaven’s favor toward her, and also the protection of all the wronged souls of the Zheng family.

He clenched his fist, suppressing the heat in his eyes, and said in a low voice:

“Since you don’t plan to investigate further, this whole matter ends here. When you meet Miss Yan shortly, there’s no need to mention it. Just treat it as if this matter never happened.”

“I should still thank her.”

“She doesn’t like people thanking her. Just toast her with tea in place of wine later—that will be enough. Don’t say anything more.”

Tang Mingyue felt an indescribable fondness for the man before her.

Not only was he handsome, but he was warm-hearted too.

He’d specially made a trip to Muli Mountain for her background—going and returning in less than five days, how rushed and tiring that must have been!

She herself had taken half a month just to get from Muli Mountain to the capital!

“Don’t worry, Third Master. I won’t mention a single word.”

What an obedient good child!

A smile finally appeared on Xie Zhifei’s face.

“Tomorrow I’ll see you out of the city. I’ll have the residence prepare some of the capital’s specialties for you to bring back to your parents to taste.”

“Wonderful, wonderful! I’ll thank you on their behalf, Third Master.”

Seeing her accept without demurring, Xie Zhifei felt even happier.

“Also thank them for me.”

For raising you like their own daughter to be so fine and good.

His eyes grew hot again. Unable to sit any longer, Xie Zhifei rose and opened the door, taking a deep breath of fresh air. Turning back, he instructed again:

“In the future, don’t come to the capital anymore. It’s not a good place.”

“What a coincidence—my father said the same thing.”

Tang Mingyue brushed aside the stray hairs by her ear.

“If Third Master has time in the future, come play at Muli Mountain, and bring Miss Yan too. I’ll show you around—there are so many fun things in the mountains.”

“I definitely will.”

Xie Zhifei’s voice trembled slightly.

Afraid Tang Mingyue would hear it, he hurriedly stepped across the threshold and left the courtyard. Looking up, he saw Shan Er Yi at the gate pacing anxiously like an ant.

Shan Er Yi had been waiting impatiently for a while.

What were these capital men thinking? Did they understand the four characters for propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame?

Who spent all day behind closed doors talking alone with another man’s wife?

Seeing Xie Zhifei emerge, Shan Er Yi looked at him unfavorably. “Has Third Master finished his secret conversation?”

Xie Zhifei looked at Tang Mingyue—the more he looked, the more he liked her.

But looking at this Shan Er Yi, the more he looked, the more distasteful he found him.

Even the name was unpleasant—Er Yi, Er Yi. Why didn’t you call yourself San Yi, Si Yi, or Wu Yi!

“Who gave you your name?”

“Huh?”

Look at this fool!

Xie Zhifei raised his voice. “I’m asking you, who gave you this name?”

Shan Er Yi puffed out his chest. “My father!”

“Is there any meaning to this name?”

“Of course there is.”

“Tell me.”

I’m afraid if I tell you, you’ll be scared to death!

Shan Er Yi’s face was full of pride.

“Of life’s disappointments, eight or nine out of ten occur. The remaining two and one are matters of satisfaction. Third Master, this meaning isn’t something ordinary people can understand.”

Xie Zhifei: “…”

Seeing Third Master Xie freeze, Shan Er Yi deliberately raised an eyebrow.

“Third Master, my fate also isn’t something ordinary people can compare with. Don’t you agree?”

Being able to become the son-in-law of the Tang family—yes, his fate was good, but as a person…

An absolute idiot!

Xie Zhifei couldn’t be bothered to say another word and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Having gained the upper hand in his first confrontation with Third Master Xie, Shan Er Yi immediately clapped and laughed triumphantly.

“Uncle Xue, look—he’s jealous.”

Jealous your grandmother’s leg!

Xie Zhifei cursed furiously in his heart.

…

Returning to his courtyard, Xie Zhifei didn’t even remove his clothes. He said to Zhu Qing, “Wake me in two hours,” then collapsed onto the bed.

Beside him, Ding Yi was on the verge of tears.

Having roughed it through wind and weather for three months, when he received the summons from his master, he’d rushed home. Finally seeing his master…

“I’m such a big person standing right in front of him, yet how can he not see me? Has he stopped recognizing me as a person?”

“He’d recognize you even as ashes.”

Xie Zhifei didn’t even lift an eyelid. “Deliver what you investigated to Miss Yan, then return to Xie Manor with her.”

Ding Yi wanted to say a few more words with his master, but Zhu Qing grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and dragged him out.

“Can’t you see the master’s so tired his eyes won’t even open? Go do your job!”

“Where did you and Master go? How come…”

A killer glare shot over, and Ding Yi quickly shut his mouth.

“If you want to keep this month’s wages, don’t ask anything.”

Ding Yi felt like crying again. How was it that after just a few months away, he couldn’t even ask about his master’s itinerary?

Had he fallen out of favor?

He sniffled and resignedly picked up the bundle on the table, heading straight for the other courtyard.

In the other courtyard, Yan Sanhe was being pressed into a seat before the bronze mirror by Tangyuan to have her hair styled.

Going to visit others on the Mid-Autumn Festival required at least a bit of grooming. As Li Buyan put it, they didn’t need to wear gold and silver, but they should at least command some presence.

Her hair had just been finished when Ding Yi arrived in a hurry, handing over the bundle.

“Miss Yan, this is what Master asked me to bring you. It’s from the eighth year of Yonghe…”

“Put it down!”

Yan Sanhe glanced at Li Buyan, who immediately jumped down from the window, walked into the room, took out a fifty-tael bank note, and handed it over.

Ding Yi shook his head like a rattle drum. “Oh no, I couldn’t possibly…”

“Take it.”

Yan Sanhe’s tone brooked no refusal.

“These three months haven’t been easy for you. It’s not much—just some hardship money. No need to mention it to your Third Master.”

“This…”

“Take it!”

Ding Yi obediently pocketed the bank note. “Miss Yan, Third Master instructed me to accompany you…”

“You’ll have to wait a moment.”

Yan Sanhe picked up the bundle. “Tangyuan, give Ding Yi some of the mooncakes Young Master Pei gave us to taste.”

Ding Yi’s heart warmed. He wasn’t afraid at all anymore.

Hmph!

If he’d truly fallen out of favor, he’d just come work for Miss Yan. Miss Yan cared about him!