Third Master Zhu once thought he would die halfway, but he was still alive.

Just living like a wild man.

Everyone looked similar to him. Even Yan Sanhe, accustomed to rushing about, wasn’t doing much better.

She hadn’t bathed in over half a month. Her hair was matted together, her face ashen. If not for her small frame, you couldn’t tell if she was male or female.

“Xie Zhifei, at the next post station, rest for three hours and eat something hot.”

Xie Zhifei spat out the dust in his mouth. “I’ve finally been waiting for you to say that.”

The further north they traveled, the colder it became. Everyone still wore the light clothes they’d left in, shivering on horseback.

Xie Zhifei felt even his bones were frozen.

They quickly reached the post station.

When dismounting, as usual, a large hand supported Yan Sanhe’s back, gently bracing her until she stood steady before releasing.

From long hours of riding, Yan Sanhe’s legs were very weak. She had to grip the reins tightly to keep herself stable.

Previously Li Buyan would help her. With Li Buyan gone, she gritted her teeth and endured. But the first time they rested, Xie Zhifei noticed.

Just as she was about to turn and say thanks, Xie Zhifei had already whispered in her ear, “The Grand Prince came to meet us.”

Only then did Yan Sanhe notice at the post station entrance stood a carriage drawn by four horses.

“How do you know it’s him?”

“The Son of Heaven has six horses, imperial princes have four.”

Xie Zhifei took the reins from Yan Sanhe’s hands along with his own and tossed them all to Zhu Qing.

Just then, someone ran out hearing the commotion. His gaze lit up the moment he saw Xie Zhifei.

“Third Master, we’ve finally been waiting for you.”

Xie Zhifei recognized him—one of the Grand Prince’s personal guards, named Liu Jiang.

Liu Jiang meeting them halfway…

Xie Zhifei strode over and asked quietly, “Is the Zhu family’s situation not good?”

Third Master Zhu followed behind him. He heard nothing else, just the word “Zhu family,” and anxiously pushed aside the guard’s hand, stumbling forward.

“What happened to the Zhu family?”

Liu Jiang glanced at Third Master Zhu. “First Master Zhu’s health isn’t very good.”

“What?”

Third Master Zhu was so frightened his legs went soft and he fell to his knees with a thud.

He shakily pulled three copper coins from inside his clothes, mumbling some incantation under his breath, then tossed the coins.

Two reverse, one obverse.

Inauspicious again!

“Miss Yan, Miss Yan…”

Third Master Zhu suddenly burst into tears. “I beg you, quickly save my elder brother. My elder brother cannot have an accident. He cannot!”

Yan Sanhe’s brows didn’t furrow at all. She just stepped forward and pointed at the carriage. “Who’s driving?”

Liu Jiang was startled. “Me.”

Yan Sanhe: “Are there more behind?”

Liu Jiang: “Yes!”

Understanding these two sentences without context, Xie Zhifei grasped the meaning.

Huairen had arranged a carriage and driver at each post station to help Yan Sanhe return at maximum speed.

He quickly said, “Third Brother, Miss Yan and I will go ahead. You rest for a few hours and follow quickly.”

Third Master Zhu struggled to his feet, about to say he’d also go along. Suddenly the words stuck in his throat.

A carriage carrying two would run fastest. If he forced himself on, he’d only slow them down.

“Fine, fine, fine—you go ahead!”

Xie Zhifei looked at Zhu Qing. “You and Ding Yi stay with Third Master Zhu.”

Though the Grand Prince was protecting them, Zhu Qing still wasn’t at ease. “Let Ding Yi stay. I’ll protect Master and Miss. I’ll ride on horseback and can switch off driving with Brother Liu.”

Hearing this, Yan Sanhe carefully studied Zhu Qing.

Not particularly outstanding looks, never talkative, but he just made people feel solid and reliable.

“Put on another layer before getting on the horse. It’s cold going north.”

Zhu Qing never expected Miss Yan would say such words. His heart warmed. “Yes.”

“Brought some, brought some. There are clothes in the carriage.”

Liu Jiang went to the carriage to retrieve clothing. Zhu Qing accepted it, put it on, then entered the post station to select the best horse.

Everything ready, Yan Sanhe gave one command: “Depart.”

In just moments, the carriage sped away, leaving behind rolling clouds of dust.

Third Master Zhu watched the carriage become a black dot and disappear before his eyes. Only then did he belatedly ask:

“Who arranged that person and carriage? Young Master Pei?”

Ding Yi covered his mouth and whispered three words in his ear. “The Grand Prince.”

“…”

Third Master Zhu was shocked speechless.

After a long while, he suddenly slapped his thigh. “Ai-ya, not good—I forgot to ask if Second Sister-in-law is alright?”

…

The four-horse carriage ran very fast.

The carriage wasn’t large. Thick bedding covered the floor with two brocade cushions and two packages of snacks in the corner.

Only then did Yan Sanhe realize something was wrong.

Usually when she and Xie Zhifei rode in a carriage together, there were others present. This was the first time the two of them were together in such a cramped space.

Where do I put my hands?

Where do I put my feet?

What expression should be on my face?

Xie Zhifei wasn’t doing much better than her right now—just that the full beard on his face hid his embarrassed expression.

He was genuinely an inexperienced rooster who’d never crowed. When listening to music at pleasure houses with a girl on each arm, that was all an act.

But the person before him—even dead drunk, he didn’t dare say her name aloud. She was truly someone held in his heart.

He looked up.

Yan Sanhe was also looking at him.

Their eyes met for one second before each looked away.

“That…”

Xie Zhifei pointed at the snacks. “Want to eat some?”

“Not hungry.”

“Then… dare to sleep beside me?”

What’s not to dare?

Yan Sanhe was exhausted. Her body lay down and she fell asleep on her side.

Xie Zhifei also lay down, back to back with her.

But thinking about it, this seemed wrong—this position made it look like he was having a quarrel with her. He quickly flipped over to face her.

Still wrong.

This position looked like he wanted to do something to her—rather lewd.

So he lay facing upward, pillowing both arms behind his head.

After lying a while, remembering their childhood intimacy, he couldn’t help but sigh.

What’s this person sighing about?

Please, stop sighing. Hurry and say something.

“Why did you return this trip?”

“…”

Sighing was better.

“Came back to handle some business.” She said casually.

“Is it urgent?”

Xie Zhifei turned his face to look at her. “When Ding Yi told me, I broke out in cold sweat.”

“Somewhat urgent.”

Yan Sanhe paused, then said what she thought was a joke. “Five Cities Commandery Commander—easily frightened?”

“Yes, I’m timid.”

Xie Zhifei: “In the future, don’t launch surprise attacks. My heart can’t take it.”

Yan Sanhe’s body had gradually begun relaxing, but after he said this, she tensed up again, feeling like if he really died young, it would all be her fault.

“How do you know Han Xu?”

“Are you interrogating a case?”

“Yes.”

Xie Zhifei: “If this case isn’t solved, I’ll die with unresolved grievances.”

See—dying with unresolved grievances had become her fault too.

Yan Sanhe ground her back teeth. After a long while, she still provided the clue. “I resolved a heart demon for the Han Family Fort.”

Xie Zhifei felt his whole being come alive, but still had doubts.

“Then why didn’t he agree to let you resolve the Zhu family’s heart demon?”

What right did he have to disagree?