Li Buyan dismissively made a “tsk” sound.

“The Zhu family really has rigid thinking. Rules are dead, but people are alive. Young Master Pei, didn’t you say Second Master Zhu and Third Master Zhu also know divination and fortune-telling? Have First Master Zhu quickly teach them. What if…”

“Do you have a brain or not!”

Young Master Pei felt he was practically exploding with rage.

“I don’t study medicine because I lack spiritual aptitude. Second Master Zhu and Third Master Zhu weren’t chosen for the same reason—no spiritual aptitude.”

Young Master Pei was already exploding.

“Without spiritual aptitude, even if they study to death, they can only learn superficially. Small matters they can muddle through, but when it comes to life-and-death major issues…”

“Does the Imperial Astronomical Bureau have life-and-death major issues?” Li Buyan asked when she didn’t understand.

“How could there not be? Choosing auspicious days for military campaigns, selecting auspicious times for sacrifices and ancestor worship, observing celestial phenomena to determine where fortune and misfortune lie… These are all matters even more critical than life and death.”

My goodness.

Young Master Pei pressed his temples—talking with this troublemaker was truly exhausting!

Li Buyan finally understood this time. Having understood, she had to offer some constructive suggestions.

“I think this heart demon is unprecedentedly dangerous. I’ve followed Yan Sanhe for so many years and never seen three coffins explode with so many deaths at once.”

Zhao Yishi looked at her gently, indicating she should continue.

“Just in case, have First Master Zhu write down some important matters first. If he really can’t hold on until Sanhe and the others return, at least there’ll be some remedy.”

Zhao Yishi’s two eyebrows drew together.

This trip to Jiangnan—he had thoroughly purged the entire Zhejiang Prefecture’s official circles, replacing important positions with the Crown Prince’s people.

But with gains came losses.

With the Emperor’s favor, the Prince of Han’s faction, overriding many senior officials, promoted Yuan Ping from the Censorate to Left Chief Censor, forcibly suppressing Right Chief Censor Qin Deshu.

Qin Deshu was precisely the Crown Prince’s man.

While Yuan Ping was a dog of the Prince of Han who would charge forward to bite whoever his master wanted.

Though the Du family didn’t form a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Wu’an’s residence, Du Jianxue still kept his official position.

First, Du Jianxue indeed had no corrupt practices.

Second, Du Yiyun somehow caught the eye of the Prince of Han’s legitimate son, Zhao Yixian.

The Princess Consort of Han took their eight characters to have them read—supposedly a heaven-made match. The marriage was set for the third day of the third month next year. Reportedly, both families were already preparing intensively.

This way, one had the Ministry of Rites, one had the Censorate—both serving the Prince of Han. The two sides seemed to return to an evenly matched state.

Though the Imperial Astronomical Bureau seemed insignificant, in certain key matters, it could influence outcomes.

Precisely because of this, the Zhu family never took sides. Like the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they were loyal only to the Emperor.

This time the Zhu family had trouble and came to Xie Zhifei for help—it was actually a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Xie Zhifei had already paved the way. As long as he could invite Yan Sanhe to resolve Old Master Zhu’s heart demon, even if the Zhu family couldn’t be used by him, they would certainly be useful at critical moments.

So no matter what, First Master Zhu couldn’t have an accident.

“What about Old Physician Shen’s side?” Zhao Yishi asked.

Young Master Pei shook his head. “The Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles can only be used at the threshold of life and death. First Master Zhu hasn’t reached that point yet.”

Zhao Yishi’s brows gradually furrowed. Li Buyan noticed and felt an impulse to smooth out his brows for him.

Thinking about it, she ultimately didn’t dare.

“Then there’s only one solution—have my young lady rush to the capital. As long as she arrives, she can discover what Old Master Zhu’s heart demon is.”

Young Master Pei: “Then what?”

“When Yan Sanhe discovers the heart demon, the departed Old Master Zhu’s soul will have something to look forward to.”

Li Buyan: “At that time, the resentment on him will temporarily ease a bit. After all, resolving a heart demon also takes time—this can buy time for First Master Zhu.”

Young Master Pei was stunned. “This works too?”

Li Buyan: “It does!”

Zhao Yishi immediately glanced at Shen Chong behind him.

“Station people at every post station along the route. Each station should prepare the best carriage and best driver to meet Miss Yan and Third Master.”

“Yes!”

“Select two hundred-year-old ginseng roots from the storehouse and send them to the Zhu residence.”

Zhao Yishi thought again. “Whether imperial physicians or traveling doctors in the capital, anyone with reputation should be invited to the Zhu residence for examination.”

“Yes!”

“Mingting.”

“What, I have more to do?”

“Tomorrow, invite some eminent monks and Taoists to the Zhu family to chant sutras and perform rituals—treating a dead horse as if it were still alive!”

“Fine!”

“There’s one more important point.”

Li Buyan added, “Have someone tell First Master Zhu that no matter what, he must stay optimistic. Eat and drink as usual, act as if the coffin never cracked.”

Mm, have him be as big-hearted as you!

Young Master Pei was very disdainful inwardly, but his words were: “That’s also a method. I’ll go tell him myself.”

Li Buyan knocked on the table to remind him. “Your words carry no weight. Mine are useful.”

Yes, yes, yes—you’re useful, your whole family is useful.

Young Master Pei said irritably, “Then tomorrow, you come with me to the Zhu residence.”

Li Buyan extended her hand. “Lend me a hundred taels and I’ll go.”

Still daring to raise the price?

Young Master Pei nearly ground his back teeth to dust, thinking this troublemaker was doing it on purpose.

Just then, Zhao Yishi extended his hand and lightly patted Li Buyan’s palm once.

“You dare ask for a hundred taels?”

The man’s hand was pale and slender, with distinct knuckles. His fingertips carried a hint of coolness as they swept across Li Buyan’s palm. A tingling sensation shot up from her feet.

Li Buyan was stunned for a moment, suppressing the turmoil in her heart. She deliberately drew out her tone. “Then… how much should I borrow?”

Zhao Yishi turned his head. Shen Chong pulled out a stack of banknotes from inside his clothes and placed them on the table.

Li Buyan looked down—probably several thousand taels.

She laughed lightly. “I’ve changed my mind again—I only want to borrow ten taels.”

Zhao Yishi’s eyes showed surprise.

Li Buyan looked up, her gaze like torches. “My mother said a woman’s palm cannot face upward.”

Young Master Pei glared at her. “Then why did you still ask me?”

“You…”

Li Buyan: “I just wanted to see your panicked, desperate-like-a-cornered-dog appearance.”

Young Master Pei was so angry he shrieked. “Li Buyan, who’s the dog? Who’s the dog? From now on, I won’t share the sky with you.”

“Fine, then tomorrow I’ll sleep at home.”

“You…”

Li Buyan drew the soft sword from her body and placed it on the table threateningly. “Whoever calls me to the Zhu residence, I’ll…”

“Auntie, great-aunt…”

Young Master Pei surrendered, as submissive as could be. He pulled out ten taels of silver and stuffed them into her clothes.

“Take it, take it, take it all.”

Li Buyan happily accepted it, gently lifted her foot with just the right amount of force, and stepped down. Then, supporting her chin with her hand, she looked at Zhao Yishi with a bold gaze.

Zhao Yishi’s heart beat like drums.

His complexion was extremely pale. His ears gradually flushed red. Though not clearly visible by candlelight, they burned painfully.

Moments later, he withdrew his foot, measuring his force as he stepped back.

Their eyes met.

Neither moved again.

The night was deep. Light and shadows from both riverbanks continuously receded.

Li Buyan slowly curved her lips.

Actually, Mother’s original words were: A woman’s palm cannot face upward toward a man she likes.

On the side, Young Master Pei suddenly realized everyone had stopped talking. He couldn’t help but look at this one, then that one.

Made sense.

What could my Huairen possibly have to say to that troublemaker!