The more Young Master Pei thought about it, the more he felt this terrible idea was actually quite good—extremely good.

“Don’t tell me you’re worried about protecting Du Yiyun’s reputation. That woman has stirred up your Xie household like this—why protect anything?”

Xie Zhifei’s eyes nearly split with rage as he slammed the table. “Can’t you understand human speech? I said no.”

Young Master Pei got anxious too and slammed the table. “This is just going with the flow.”

“Go with your brother-in-law!”

Xie Zhifei pointed at Young Master Pei’s nose and cursed, “Can’t you, a grown man, be a bit more upright and honorable?”

“Still upright and honorable?”

Young Master Pei scoffed. “Do you think you’re Old Censor, always using righteous strategy? We don’t have his abilities or his patience. What’s wrong with using some underhanded tricks?”

Wrong!

Very wrong!

The person who used to be best at underhanded tricks was Xie Fifty himself.

Young Master Pei leaned forward, examining that handsome face carefully. “Or is it that you have someone in your heart now and don’t want them to misunderstand?”

Xie Zhifei was startled by his words, his expression freezing.

With this freeze, Young Master Pei’s long-held suspicions found their target. He slammed the table again. “Speak! Who is it?”

Do I need to tell you?

His heartbeat gradually calming, Xie Zhifei glanced at him. “There is someone, but it’s still early days. Don’t slander the young lady’s good reputation.”

“Ooh, already protecting her—who is it?”

Young Master Pei was bursting with curiosity.

“Do I know her? How does she look? Is she gentle and virtuous? What’s her family background like? Don’t tell me it’s like mine—one high, one low, a huge disparity?”

Xie Zhifei was getting a headache from his questions. “Can you focus on the matter at hand?”

“No.”

Who was Third Master Xie? Someone who kept his distance from women, appearing dissolute on the surface but secretly practicing the Five Finger Divine Skill under his covers every night.

Now he had someone in his heart—how rare was that!

“Does the young lady know you like her? Does she have any feelings for you? Don’t be like me again—a one-sided infatuation.”

Xie Zhifei wanted to stuff a rag in this Pei fellow’s mouth.

Just then, Ding Yi rushed into the cabin, his face mournful. “Third Master, this is terrible—Miss Yan left a note and departed.”

What?

Xie Zhifei’s scalp went numb. “Where did she go? Where’s the note?”

Ding Yi pulled out the paper from his robes. Xie Zhifei snatched it away.

In black ink on white paper was a line of flowing script: Urgent matter, returning to Yunnan Prefecture, will return quickly, don’t worry.

Looking at the handwriting, Xie Zhifei could tell Yan Sanhe had written it hastily.

“Did she go alone?”

“No, there was also that man by her side.”

What?

Xie Zhifei’s eyes nearly split as he grabbed Ding Yi’s collar. “What exactly happened?”

Ding Yi had never seen such a terrifying expression on Master’s face.

“The two of them were walking home just fine when they suddenly stopped to talk. After talking, their walking pace quickened. Once home, Miss Yan went to her room, packed a few items of clothing, and left with that man.”

“How did they leave?”

“On horseback.”

Ding Yi: “I tried to follow, but Miss Yan gave me this note and told me not to follow. She also said if Li Buyan returns from the south, to have her wait in the capital.”

Xie Zhifei slumped dazedly into his chair, his mind buzzing.

Young Master Pei wailed from the side.

“Fifty, you need to keep a tight watch on that girl in your heart! Don’t end up like me—getting cuckolded right before your eyes. Look, she’s eloped with a man!”

With your pig brain, you think you’re fit to assist the Grand Grandson?

Xie Zhifei looked at Pig Brain Pei with an unfriendly expression, his mind racing.

Judging from their words and actions, Yan Sanhe and that man were obviously very familiar.

The handwriting was so sloppy, clearly this trip was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and the matter was urgent.

Yunnan Prefecture was where she’d lived before.

She’d told Li Buyan to wait at the villa, meaning she would definitely return.

After thinking it through once, Xie Zhifei’s suspended heart settled down slightly.

“Ding Yi, immediately investigate that man’s background. Be quick.”

“Yes!”

“Wait.”

Zhu Qing stopped Ding Yi. “Anyone who can access the second and third floors of Ancient Moon Tower is no ordinary person. Ask over there and you’ll know.”

Ding Yi looked at Zhu Qing gratefully and fled as if escaping.

In just half an hour, he came rushing back, panting.

“Master, I found out. That man is Han Xu, the new Fort Master of Han Family Fort.”

Young Master Pei asked curiously, “What does Han Family Fort do?”

“A famous escort agency in Jining Prefecture. The Han ancestors served in the military and fought in wars. After retiring, they relied on their military connections to start the escort business. They have branches in every prefecture throughout the nation.”

Ding Yi: “After the previous old Fort Master passed away, I heard there was chaos for a while. It was this Han Xu who stabilized the situation.”

“Eloped with an escort guard?”

Young Master Pei’s entire being radiated dissatisfaction from every pore. “Is the spirit medium blind?”

Zhu Qing walked before his master.

“Master, since he runs an escort agency, Miss Yan’s safety is definitely assured. Right now, the urgent matter is still the Du-He marriage alliance.”

Zhu Qing didn’t need to remind him—Xie Zhifei knew the priorities.

The Grand Grandson’s injury was the major issue.

The He-Du marriage alliance came second.

Yan Sanhe leaving the capital could only rank last.

In his heart, he wanted nothing more than to chase after Yan Sanhe regardless of everything, but reason told him he couldn’t.

Xie Zhifei looked at Zhu Qing and slowly spoke.

“For the He-Du marriage alliance, the key is the He family. Spread the word that He Yun doesn’t like women—he only likes men.”

Zhu Qing frowned. “Third Master, do we even need to spread this?” Wasn’t it obvious?

“Yes!”

Xie Zhifei: “I want everyone high and low in the capital to know, so Du Jianxue gets his spine poked at by others.”

“This plan is brilliant!”

Young Master Pei gave Xie Zhifei a thumbs up and praised him.

“Pei Mingting.”

“Ah?”

“Miss Yan would rather elope with an escort guard than enjoy comfort with you. This shows…”

Xie Zhifei sneered coldly. “You, Young Master Pei, can’t even compare to an escort guard.”

“You…”

“You’re just trash!”

Xie Zhifei rapped him on the back of the head. Young Master Pei yelped in pain.

“Xie Fifty, are you trying to murder me?”

“Killing you yields no meat, flaying you yields no oil.”

Xie Zhifei’s words dripped with mockery. “Just go do whatever you’re supposed to do.”

Young Master Pei glared at him resentfully. “What am I supposed to do?”

“Find Ji Haidong.”

Xie Zhifei’s expression turned cold. “Have the Zhang family act as intermediary, and have the Crown Princess advise the Crown Prince from the side.”

Young Master Pei: “What about you? What will you do?”

“I’m going to meet my dear Second Brother first.”

Xie Zhifei: “He and He Wenyu are close friends. If He Wenyu sides with the Prince of Han, which way will his elbows bend when he’s surnamed Xie?”

Pei Xiao’s gaze fixed on Xie Fifty.

In this instant, he discovered this guy had suddenly grown capable!