Still that peach tree, still two people beneath it.

“Yan Sanhe.”

Han Xu’s anger was suppressed in his throat. “Why do you think I blocked them from finding you?”

Yan Sanhe: “I know.”

“Do you still want your life?”

“Yes!”

“If you want your life, why take on this heart demon?”

“Two reasons.”

Yan Sanhe held up two fingers. “When you knelt and begged me back then, if I hadn’t agreed, what would you have done? What would have become of Han Family Fort?”

Han Xu froze, not expecting her to ask this.

If Yan Sanhe hadn’t agreed, he would have died, and there would be no more Han Family Fort in the world.

“Second, with each heart demon I resolve, I can recall a bit of my past.”

Yan Sanhe: “A person without roots is drifting duckweed. In this vast world, where can they find refuge?”

Han Xu was even more shocked.

“This is my last secret. I’ve told you everything.”

Yan Sanhe said softly, “Will you still block me?”

“Yes!”

Han Xu’s eyes rarely showed such churning emotions. “If a person doesn’t even have their life, what roots are there to find?”

“Han Xu.”

Yan Sanhe took a deep breath.

“You’re clearly a girl, but for Han Family Fort you must dress as a man for life, unable to marry, unable to bear children, unable to show your true face to the world. Why are you still willing?”

Han Xu: “…”

“Because you’re surnamed Han. You have no choice. And I’m a demon resolver. I likewise have no choice. I cannot truly watch the Zhu family die one by one without caring.”

Her voice grew heavy. “Han Xu, I am afraid of death. I want to flee. But people must die eventually.”

“Yan Sanhe, if Li Buyan were here, would she block you?”

“No.”

Yan Sanhe spoke with certainty. “She would only say—you die first, I’ll follow right after.”

Han Xu’s eyes grew hot, mist instantly covering his eyeballs.

After a long while, he said, “First, have Li Buyan stay close to you at all times. Second, if you encounter any difficulties, remember to find me immediately.”

Yan Sanhe looked at him, her lips curving in a smile. “Alright!”

At the gate.

Third Master Zhu looked worried. “Third Master, Yan Miss won’t go back on her word again, will she?”

What are you thinking?

Xie Zhifei sneered coldly. “She always keeps her word.”

Third Master Zhu thought—if she kept her word, I wouldn’t have fainted from anger.

“But I see that Young Master Han and Miss Yan have a very unusual relationship.” You, Third Master Xie, have to step aside.

“What if…”

Third Master Zhu glanced at Third Master’s expression, not daring to continue. He pulled three coins from his robes, planning to divine a divination for himself.

Xie Zhifei was so angry his molars ground together. He swallowed down a mouthful of sour water and said to Ding Yi and Zhu Qing behind him:

“Tonight go ask around the village—what have Miss Yan and that fellow surnamed Han been doing these past days?”

Ding Yi looked at Master’s heaving chest and quickly advised, “Master, Miss Yan’s eyes aren’t that bad. That fellow surnamed Han’s face…”

“Get lost!”

Xie Zhifei roared lowly.

Was he worried about them being alone together as man and woman?

He wanted to find out what matter was worth Yan Sanhe rushing back thousands of li in such haste.

This idiot!

…

Third Master Zhu had just finished his divination. The joy at the corner of his mouth hadn’t yet fully formed when he saw Yan Sanhe approaching. He straightened his expression.

“Tonight you all rest first. Tomorrow morning at the second quarter of the hour of the Ox, depart on time. Everyone rides horses. Strive to return to the capital in one month.”

So she agreed?

Third Master Zhu let out a long breath, then asked carefully, “Miss Yan, my rear end…”

Still worrying about your rear end?

Yan Sanhe’s voice was cold. “Two people have already died in the residence.”

Hearing this, Third Master Zhu felt the world spinning before his eyes again. “Then my second sister-in-law…”

“I don’t know who.”

Yan Sanhe interrupted. “I only know this is just the beginning. Two lives are far from enough.”

“Ai-ya, heavens…”

Third Master Zhu wailed, his body going soft again. The two guards behind quickly supported him.

Xie Zhifei also sucked in a sharp breath. “Yan Sanhe, shouldn’t we depart right now?”

“Haste makes waste.”

Yan Sanhe turned her head, looking at Aunt Shi and the others watching the excitement nearby.

“Aunt Shi, as usual, prepare a month’s dried provisions for me. Eight people’s worth.”

“Good, good, I’ll prepare it right away.”

“Remember to charge—two hundred taels.”

Yan Sanhe tossed this line at Xie Zhifei and walked into the study with Han Xu, one in front, one behind.

The sound of the door closing came. Xie Zhifei’s heart ached along with it.

Should he still have Ding Yi investigate tonight what they’d been doing alone together these past days?

How this scratched and clawed at his heart!

…

Provisions for only one month meant the return journey would be even more rushed than the arrival.

How rushed exactly—everyone knew in their hearts. They’d probably have to go without sleep.

Xie Zhifei ordered everyone to wash, change clothes, and eat their fill. He also discussed with Third Master Zhu that if necessary, he and Yan Sanhe would return to the capital first while Third Master Zhu took a carriage and could be slightly slower.

“That won’t do, that won’t do.”

Third Master Zhu shook his head repeatedly. “This is originally my Zhu family’s matter. I’ll return to the capital together with you.”

“Since you say so, then prepare yourself mentally. This journey won’t be pleasant. Don’t complain of hardship or fatigue later.”

He could bear it—Yan Sanhe couldn’t.

Third Master Zhu’s old face burned hotly. “Tell Miss Yan—whatever’s fastest. Even if I die, I won’t drag her down.”

“Good.”

Xie Zhifei held this sentence in his mind and ran to knock on the study door.

Yan Sanhe came to open it. “What is it?”

Xie Zhifei quickly glanced into the room. Though his heart was unbearably sour, he still pretended to be calm. “Tired? If not, show me around.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

Yan Sanhe looked at the darkness under his eyes. “This place and this residence won’t run away. Sleep first, rest well.”

Xie Zhifei: “Where should I sleep?”

Yan Sanhe: “??”

Xie Zhifei’s expression was very innocent. “You also know I’m particular. I can’t sleep in unclean places.”

At this point, you still have the heart to be picky?

Yan Sanhe pointed to the opposite room. “Sleep there.”

Xie Zhifei turned to look, his body not moving. “That room…”

“Mine.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll make do in the study for one night.”

“I’ll sleep in the study. You sleep in the room.” Xie Zhifei took a step inside.

His tall frame nearly brushed past Yan Sanhe’s face. The clothes he’d worn for days without changing brought dust and sweat smells rushing at her face. Yan Sanhe felt her breathing become uncomfortable.

This person’s presence was so strong!

Xie Zhifei walked to the window, his peach blossom eyes glancing at Han Xu sitting in the grand chair, then sat on the bed.

If Young Master Pei were here now, he would surely say sarcastically: Xie Fifty, look at yourself. Is there any difference between you and a dog pissing on a tree to mark territory?

If Han Xu’s face weren’t covered by that skin mask, he truly would have laughed.

It was obvious—this lord was sour toward him.

Also obvious—this person had feelings for Yan Sanhe.

He deliberately walked to Yan Sanhe’s side, ruffling her hair. “I’m leaving first. Contact me once you’re back in the capital.”

Just now the two had been hiding in the study discussing going their separate ways.

Han Xu needed to stay at the Yunnan Prefecture branch a few more days, then head north, inspecting each branch along the way. He wouldn’t travel with them.

Yan Sanhe nodded. “I’ll see you off.”

“Good.”

The two walked out of the study one in front of the other.

Xie Zhifei sat with a dark expression, staring at the door direction without a word.

His heart began scratching and clawing again.

Should he have Ding Yi make a little voodoo doll of that fellow surnamed Han and stick ten thousand needles in it every day?