Not only was Zhu Yuanmo’s heart unsettled—Second Master Zhu and Third Master Zhu’s faces had completely changed. Both men had the same reaction: looking toward the old steward.

What nonsense had this old fool been spouting with Miss Yan?

The old steward lowered his head, unconsciously avoiding their gaze.

“Old Steward.”

“Eldest Master?”

Zhu Yuanmo’s expression had returned to calm. “Immediately send someone to bring Second Miss back. Speed is essential.”

The old steward’s eyes filled with joy—Eldest Master wasn’t blaming him and was even letting him handle things.

“Yes, yes, this old servant will go right away.”

“Miss Yan.”

Zhu Yuanmo: “As for the remaining people, allow us three brothers to discuss it. We’ve been hiding Father’s heart demon from outsiders. As for what to say…”

“The excuse can come from Third Master.”

Yan Sanhe didn’t even lift her eyelids. “The Five Cities Military Commissioner’s Office investigating a case always has proper justification.”

“Right, right, right!”

Young Master Pei quickly added: “Elder Brother Zhu, when the Ji family investigated their heart demon, they used this exact excuse. No one dared question it.”

Zhu Yuanmo’s heart stirred, his eyebrows just beginning to relax before furrowing again.

“Third Master’s health won’t allow him into this household…”

Young Master Pei cursed “You fool” in his heart. “Xie Wushi can’t enter this household, but he can enter those others.”

That’s right—they could go to their doors.

Seeing Yan Sanhe nod, Zhu Yuanmo finally let out a complete breath. “Third Brother, you personally make a trip to Third Master’s place right away.”

“Yes!”

“Be respectful in your attitude.”

“Elder Brother, don’t worry. I’ll treat Third Master like an ancestor.”

As soon as Third Master Zhu left, several maids and servants came in carrying food boxes.

Glancing at the sun’s position, it was already noon.

“Buyan, go call Huangqi and Ding Yi to eat.”

Yan Sanhe glanced at Zhu Yuanmo. “You should go eat first too.”

“Miss Yan, Second Brother and I will accompany you here…”

“No need.”

Yan Sanhe’s tone was firm. “I need to discuss some matters with them.”

Young Master Pei saw Zhu Yuanmo standing motionless and quickly nudged him with his elbow.

“Elder Brother Zhu, we’re discussing Master Zhu’s affairs. It’s been all morning—don’t some things need analyzing?”

Li Buyan had already walked out of the courtyard more than ten zhang, but her ears were sharp, and she heard Young Master Pei’s words clearly.

Analyzing?

You really think you’re somebody!

……

Five people, ten dishes, one soup. The soup even contained huangqi and white ginseng—the most qi-tonifying ingredients.

Yan Sanhe ate methodically. After finishing, she rinsed her mouth with tea before speaking.

“Mingting, let me tell you what I asked about this morning.”

Young Master Pei’s heart had been curious about what the three Zhu brothers had said all morning. Unexpectedly, Yan Sanhe brought it up proactively—he was both surprised and delighted.

It must be because the spirit medium thinks I, Young Master Pei, am someone worth consulting, so she’s proactively telling me.

Seeing his smug expression, Li Buyan knew this fool had misunderstood.

Was Yan Sanhe telling him?

No—she was telling Ding Yi, so he could report everything back to his master word for word.

Li Buyan’s peripheral vision swept toward Ding Yi. Sure enough, the young man sat upright and proper, staring at Yan Sanhe without blinking, as if frozen in place.

Yan Sanhe spoke in great detail, not missing a single word.

When finished, she lifted her gaze to fix on Pei Xiao: “What strikes you as wrong?”

Pei Xiao hadn’t expected her to suddenly ask. He was about to think carefully.

“Don’t think.”

Yan Sanhe commanded: “Quick, answer directly.”

Pei Xiao responded instinctively: “I’m also a legitimate eldest son, but no matter how lustful I might be, I’d never get involved with a cook’s daughter. Greasy and filthy.”

Yan Sanhe looked toward Huangqi: “What about you? What strikes you as wrong?”

Oh no, here comes this trick again!

Huangqi tensed up nervously, his scalp tingling.

“Even if my master took a liking to that cook’s daughter, as his personal attendant, I’d have to try to dissuade and stop him. I couldn’t let him act recklessly!”

Yan Sanhe looked at Ding Yi: “And you?”

Me?

I’m a loyal servant!

“If Third Master didn’t sleep at night and ruined his own health, I’d drop to my knees before him with a thud. If kneeling didn’t work, I’d cry. If crying didn’t work, I’d invoke the master, old master, old madam, and madam all at once.”

Ding Yi puffed out his chest, his face full of righteous conviction.

“Even if Third Master docked my monthly wages, I’d still have to dissuade him. That’s a servant’s duty.”

“Therefore—”

Yan Sanhe tapped her finger on the table: “There’s something wrong with the concubine son’s succession to power!”

No way!

Huangqi looked horrified: Master Zhu is that kind of person?

Ding Yi looked horrified: Master Zhu has that kind of ability?

Seeing Young Master Pei’s calm expression, Li Buyan kicked his foot with hers. “Why aren’t you surprised?”

Who am I?

Young Master Pei gave her a look and brazenly declared: “When I first heard Master Zhu was a concubine son who inherited power, I thought something seemed off. As expected, I was right.”

Ptui!

After-the-fact wisdom!

Everyone cursed him once in their hearts.

At that moment, footsteps approached.

The old steward walked to the doorway. Not daring to enter, he stood just outside the threshold to report: “Miss Yan, Second Miss has almost reached the Zhu residence.”

So fast.

Seemed she hadn’t married far away.

“Understood.”

Yan Sanhe stood up. Young Master Pei grabbed her sleeve, very proactively asking: “Should I do it?”

Yan Sanhe shook her head. “I’m curious about her. Come along. Huangqi, Ding Yi, you continue with this morning’s work.”

“Yes!”

As the words fell, Third Master Zhu entered the courtyard.

“Miss Yan, Young Master Pei.”

He practically leapt over the threshold. “Third Master isn’t at the Military Commissioner’s Office. They said he left early this morning for the Bu Family Army outside the city.”

“Bu Family Army?”

Young Master Pei looked toward Ding Yi. “Why did your master go to the Bu Family Army? Wasn’t last night’s matter already resolved?”

Ding Yi’s face fell miserably, thinking how would he know? Third Master hadn’t mentioned it at all.

Done for.

He’d truly fallen out of favor.

“What happened last night?” Yan Sanhe suddenly asked.

Only then did Pei Xiao realize he’d let something slip. He quickly covered: “Nothing much.”

“Speak!”

The young woman’s dark eyes were like an ancient well—besides being bottomlessly deep, they also emanated cold.

Pei Xiao most feared when Yan Sanhe looked at him with such eyes.

“Jade Bamboo Tower discovered Tartar spies connected with people from the Bu Family Army. I’m guessing he needs to investigate further.”

Hearing this, Third Master Zhu said: “Oh my, that’s a serious matter.”

“Quite serious indeed.”

Pei Xiao looked at Third Master Zhu. “Send someone to wait at the city gate. He’ll have to return to the city before dark. Don’t worry—he takes the Zhu family’s matters to heart.”

Third Master Zhu turned to glance at the old steward, who nodded and immediately went to make arrangements.

Yan Sanhe walked up to Ding Yi. “Ding Yi, is Zhu Qing the only person by his side?”

Wasn’t that obvious?

“Third Master ordered me to stay by Miss Yan’s side every step of the way.”

Just as Ding Yi thought Yan Sanhe was deeply moved by his words and would send him back to follow Third Master, Yan Sanhe smiled slightly and said something he’d never dreamed of hearing.

“Then from now on, you need to work even harder for me.”

Ding Yi: “…”

Li Buyan shook her head from the side.

That girl actually had another half-sentence she didn’t voice—

Once you’re done, you can go back early to protect your Third Master!