Not in the capital?
Second Master Zhu was completely stunned, barely managing to ask, “Then… then what should we do?”
Xie Zhifei thought to himself: How would I know what to do?
By rights, he and Mingting shouldn’t have interfered at all. They were only doing this for Sister-in-law’s sake.
Sister-in-law had been truly good to him.
“That’s how things stand. Whether you believe it or not, you must make your own decision.”
Xie Zhifei’s tone remained quite indifferent.
“It’s your Zhu family whose coffins can’t be buried. It’s your Zhu family’s descendants who’ll suffer misfortune. Don’t wait until disaster strikes before regretting—by then it’ll be too late.”
With these few words, the veins on Eldest Master Zhu’s forehead throbbed.
It wasn’t that he didn’t believe them. He’d just asked Imperial Physician Pei how old this Yan Sanhe was, and when he heard seventeen…
Eldest Master Zhu wondered if there was any reliability left in this world.
The Zhu family were the founding masters of feng shui and fortune-telling. He’d studied diligently for thirty-two years before inheriting his father’s mantle.
What could a seventeen-year-old girl understand about resolving heart demons?
But the current situation left no room for more doubts—three coffins had already split open.
Eldest Master Zhu gritted his teeth and respectfully bowed to Xie Zhifei.
“My apologies, Third Master, Young Master Pei. How can I find Miss Yan?”
This was the proper attitude for your Zhu family.
Third Master Xie’s expression softened slightly. “Yan Sanhe went to Yunnan Prefecture. She won’t return to the capital for about two or three months.”
Two or three months?
The three Zhu brothers’ faces turned identically pale, almost bloodless.
Eldest Master Zhu wanted to say more when suddenly the door banged open and the young servant Chen Yan rushed in.
“Second Master, Second Mistress has started bleeding again. Imperial Physician Pei says he can’t stop it no matter what.”
Second Master Zhu’s hair stood on end. “Didn’t you go fetch the gynecology expert…”
Chen Yan: “Already on the way. Should arrive in about the time it takes to brew tea.”
“Elder Brother?”
Second Master Zhu asked with a tearful voice, “What do we do, what do we do?”
Eldest Master Zhu shot to his feet and grabbed his brother who’d gone soft as mud. “You go guard sister-in-law in that courtyard. Chen Yan?”
“Yes, First Master.”
“Take my card and fetch all the famous physicians in the capital.”
“Yes!”
Eldest Master Zhu forcefully pushed his younger brother forward. “What are you standing there for? Go quickly!”
Second Master Zhu left on shaky legs.
Eldest Master Zhu immediately approached Xie Zhifei. “Third Master, about this matter…”
“This matter has only just begun.”
Xie Zhifei had no intention of frightening him.
“Elder Brother Zhu, you must prepare yourself mentally. Three coffins have exploded—this shows Old Master Zhu’s heart demon is extremely dangerous.”
“I know.”
Eldest Master Zhu’s former confidence had vanished, his expression becoming humble and respectful. “Right now, the urgent priority is finding Yan Sanhe.”
“The capital and Yunnan Prefecture are thousands of miles apart.”
Xie Zhifei looked at him helplessly. “Even if we find Yan Sanhe and rush back, with the current dangerous situation, several more people in the residence will likely suffer misfortune.”
Third Master Zhu quickly interjected, “Who will it be?”
Xie Zhifei shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Elder Brother.”
Third Master Zhu grew more anxious. “We must think of something quickly!”
What solution was there?
Eldest Master Zhu’s gaze shifted to Xie Erli, who stood silently at the side. “Erli, do you have any good ideas?”
At this critical moment, Xie Erli was quite direct. “Elder Brother, I only have one solution.”
“Speak quickly!”
“Regardless of how far the journey, we must first invite Yan Sanhe back to the capital. A day earlier is a day better, an hour earlier is an hour better.”
Xie Erli looked at Xie Zhifei as he said this. “Third Brother, you should make this trip.”
Xie Zhifei’s expression showed reluctance. He said nothing.
Seeing this, how could Eldest Master Zhu not understand? He immediately stepped back. “No need, no need. I’ll send someone…”
“Elder Brother.”
Xie Erli immediately interrupted him.
“Not just anyone can successfully invite Yan Sanhe. Of those here, aside from Third Brother and Young Master Pei, even I wouldn’t succeed.”
“Mingting and I may not succeed either.”
Xie Zhifei was being proud on Yan Sanhe’s behalf. “It still depends on whether she’s willing.”
At this point, Eldest Master Zhu finally understood completely—
To have this Yan Sanhe resolve lingering attachments and dispel demons required an invitation, and not just anyone could extend one.
He took a deep breath and said sincerely, “I ask Third Master to make this trip for the Zhu family, for my sister’s sake.”
“Elder Brother Zhu.”
Xie Zhifei shook his head. “I apologize. It’s not that I’m unwilling to help—I truly cannot leave the capital right now.”
If he could leave, would he have waited anxiously until now? He’d have gone to find Yan Sanhe long ago.
Eldest Master Zhu thought of the four characters he’d divined and said in a pleasant tone, “May I presume to ask what matters keep Third Master from leaving the capital?”
“This…”
Xie Zhifei still shook his head. “Better not to say.”
Eldest Master Zhu could only turn his gaze to Young Master Pei, but before he could speak, Young Master Pei waved his hands repeatedly:
“I can’t leave either.”
One couldn’t leave, the other couldn’t leave either…
Eldest Master Zhu said bluntly, “Third Master, Young Master Pei, this is a matter of life and death. Please just tell us frankly—what exactly should we do?”
“This…” Xie Zhifei was genuinely in a difficult position.
“Let me speak plainly!”
Xie Erli, who’d been silent, stood up and pointed at Pei Xiao. “Elder Brother, Third Brother—the Crown Prince’s son isn’t in the capital.”
This single short sentence revealed too much information.
But who were the Zhu family? Whom did they serve?
Moreover, everyone with eyes in the capital knew about Young Master Pei’s relationship with the Crown Prince’s son, and Young Master Pei’s relationship with Third Master.
If the Crown Prince’s son wasn’t in the capital, he must have entrusted matters to these two young men!
This showed that both the Pei and Xie households stood on the side of the Crown Prince and Crown Prince’s son.
Eldest Master Zhu Yuanmo looked at his brother-in-law and took a deep breath, speaking slowly:
“The Imperial Astronomical Bureau serves only the Emperor—we cannot lean to either side. This is the rule our ancestors established. Our ancestors also established another rule: daughters who marry out aren’t like water thrown away. The men of the Zhu family must protect them—we must protect them.”
Though these words were tactful, their meaning was already very clear.
When the time truly came for the Crown Prince and Prince of Han to cross swords, the Zhu family would protect Zhu Weixi, and naturally would also protect the Xie family, since the two families were connected by marriage.
“I can also cast a divination for the Crown Prince’s son to determine fortune or misfortune over the next two months.”
Third Master Xie and Young Master Pei were startled.
“If it’s inauspicious, Third Master and Young Master Pei stay in the capital to stand guard.”
Zhu Yuanmo continued, “If it’s auspicious, then I trouble Third Master or Young Master Pei to accompany me on this journey. How about it?”
If the Crown Prince’s son was safe, the Crown Prince was safe.
Having reached this point, Xie Zhifei was also straightforward. “As long as it’s not inauspicious, we’ll make this trip for you.”
Zhu Yuanmo immediately cast the divination himself without another word.
Moments later, the divination revealed itself—moderately auspicious.
Zhu Yuanmo looked at the divination and added a few more words with furrowed brow: “The Crown Prince’s son faced a bloody disaster some days ago, but fortunately there was danger without harm. He will certainly return safely.”
Damn.
This was too accurate.
Wasn’t Huairen’s assassination exactly a bloody disaster?
Xie Zhifei was still somewhat uneasy. “Elder Brother Zhu, may I ask one more thing—what about the capital?”
Is it safe?