As soon as the carriage reached the city gate, snowflakes began drifting from the sky.

“Master, this year’s weather is truly strange. Just a few days after the winter solstice, it’s already snowed several times. Much colder than previous years.”

Zhu Qing draped a cloak over Third Master. “Master’s leg isn’t well. Wait inside the carriage.”

“No need.”

Xie Zhifei’s voice was low and hoarse, completely lacking the excitement from when he first left home.

They must have rushed back so quickly—the journey must have been very tiring. Had that girl lost weight?

Sister-in-law hadn’t had any trouble, had she? Had she and Geng Songsheng resolved their heartaches?

As he was thinking, he suddenly saw Zhu Qing lying on the ground, ear pressed to the earth, listening for a while. “Master, two carriages. They’re here.”

Xie Zhifei immediately panicked.

“Are my clothes wrinkled?”

“What about my hair?”

“Do I look poorly?”

“Master!”

Zhu Qing couldn’t watch anymore. “Calm down. Stay composed.”

Calm down, my ass!

Stay composed, my ass!

He’d been dreaming about this every night!

Xie Zhifei cleared his throat and looked up into the distance.

Far away, two carriages raced toward them.

Seeing the person waiting by the roadside, Ding Yi driving the carriage was so moved tears burst forth.

“Master, it’s Master come to meet us! Whoa…”

The carriage had just stopped.

Zhu Yuanzhao jumped down from the carriage, stumbling and staggering as he ran toward Xie Zhifei.

“Third Master, how is my mother? Is she still alive?”

“How did you know she…”

“Is she alive or dead? Hurry up and tell me!”

Zhu Yuanzhao shouted like a madman. Xie Zhifei’s eardrums ached from the shouting.

“Second Brother Zhu, the Madam… isn’t doing well.”

“Miss Yan, Miss Yan…”

Zhu Yuanzhao ran back like a madman. “My mother isn’t doing well, my mother really isn’t doing well, she’s not well…”

Yan Sanhe’s voice came from inside the carriage: “Get in. Head straight to the Zhu residence.”

Zhu Yuanzhao ran madly to his own carriage, extending his hand. “Young Master Pei, pull me up.”

A hand reached out from the carriage, pulling Zhu Yuanzhao up.

Ding Yi cracked his whip.

“Hyah—”

The two carriages raced past Third Master.

“…No way.”

Xie Zhifei looked at the distant carriages, his face full of gloom. “Here I am, a huge living person standing right in front of them…”

Zhu Qing kept his head down, suppressing his laughter.

“The situation must be dire.”

After his gloom passed, reason returned. Xie Zhifei made a quick decision: “Quick, catch up to them.”

…

Half a shichen later, three carriages arrived at the Zhu residence almost simultaneously.

The old steward had been waiting anxiously. Seeing Yan Sanhe first to descend from the carriage, he rushed over.

“Miss Yan, we’ve been waiting desperately for you. The Madam, she…”

“Prepare for the funeral.”

The old steward nearly fell headfirst in shock. His gaze swept to Second Master Zhu, his voice trembling.

“S-Second Master…”

Zhu Yuanzhao’s eyes reddened. “Do as Miss Yan says. The Madam still has eighteen shichen. If we prepare now, we’ll make it in time.”

Xie Zhifei had just been helped down from the carriage by Zhu Qing when he suddenly heard this statement. He was completely stunned.

“How do you know the Madam has eighteen shichen left?”

“Ah, it can’t be explained in a sentence or two.”

Young Master Pei rubbed his numb legs while stealing a glance at Xie Zhifei.

“Chengyu, what are you doing here so late at night?”

How novel!

So the person who welcomed you at the city gate was a ghost!

“I don’t have time to waste words with you.”

Young Master Pei, sporting a bird’s nest of disheveled hair and reeking terribly, said: “I’ve got to get busy.”

Li Buyan hadn’t washed her face in three days and was disgusted with herself. Seeing Third Master Xie standing there looking dashing and elegant, she felt extremely disgruntled.

She swaggered her arms as she walked before him, glaring at him.

Xie Zhifei was baffled. “Why are you glaring at me?”

Couldn’t speak.

She’d caught a chill—her throat was hoarse. Could only glare at you.

No other meaning—you’re dressed so flashily, it’s just offensive to look at.

Having glared, Li Buyan swaggered off with her arms swinging.

Xie Zhifei took a deep breath. Stay calm, stay composed. Don’t stoop to the level of this shit-stirring stick.

“Alright, stop dawdling. Get to work.”

At Yan Sanhe’s command, she headed toward the Zhu residence’s side gate.

The others didn’t dare lag behind and followed her.

Haven’t they seen me yet?

Xie Zhifei panicked. Forgetting about his leg injury, he tried to follow. But as soon as his right foot touched the ground, a piercing pain shot through—so painful he cried out “Ah!”

Everyone stopped and turned to look at him.

Yan Sanhe’s gaze moved from his face to his leg.

The leg was bent, only the toes touching the ground.

Her brow furrowed. “You’re injured?”

Young Master Pei immediately exploded. “Chengyu’s injured? Where, where?”

Li Buyan glanced over, her voice hoarse: “Seems to be the right leg.”

Ding Yi glared resentfully at Zhu Qing. “When I was around, Master never got injured.”

Huang Qi rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight. “Damn it, who did this? I’ll go avenge Third Master later!”

Everyone crowded around, surrounding Third Master in the middle.

They’re back!

The feeling of being one big loving family had returned!

Xie Zhifei’s mood improved, the leg no longer hurt. Looking at Yan Sanhe’s disheveled hair, his lips curved into a smile showing physical disability but strong will.

“Just a minor injury. You all go ahead and get busy. I’ll wait for you outside.”

Yan Sanhe turned to look at Zhu Qing. “When did this happen?”

Zhu Qing: “Reporting to Miss, it was three days ago.”

Three days ago, and his foot still couldn’t touch the ground—this was a minor injury?

Yan Sanhe really wanted to ask for details, but she had no time for questions. After a moment’s thought: “Zhu Qing, carry your master on your back.”

“No need, I…”

“You need someone to carry you anyway. Come into the Zhu residence with me.”

Yan Sanhe looked at him deeply. “If you really can’t hold on, come out for air.”

As if afraid he’d refuse, she quickly added: “The situation is somewhat urgent, and things are complicated. I need you to help me.”

Separation is bitter.

But without this bitterness, how could there be the joy of reunion? How could one understand your weight in my heart?

So you must come help me.

Xie Zhifei’s jet-black eyes held laughter, like a blooming flower, making his peach blossom eyes more beautiful than ever.

“Alright!” he said softly, looking at her.

This scene suddenly reminded Pei Xiao that he hadn’t had time to question this guy about liking the Sorceress!

Wait!

Looking at the current situation, it seemed the Sorceress also had a bit of feeling for him?

Am I seeing things wrong?

How could the Sorceress have this taste? Besides having a face slightly better looking than his, what could Xie Wushi compare to him?

Pei Xiao wiped the sleep from his eyes with his sleeve. When he lowered his hand, Li Buyan’s face appeared before him.

“What are you doing?” He instinctively stepped back.

“Young Master Pei!”

Li Buyan: “Everyone’s left. What are you spacing out for?”

Pei Xiao looked—sure enough, they’d all left.

“I’m standing outside letting the wind air out the smell on me. Is that not allowed!”

“Don’t mind you.”

Li Buyan walked toward the side gate, thinking: Five days and five nights without washing—who doesn’t have some smell?

Pei Xiao watched her back. Xie Wushi, the Sorceress—he forgot them all. Only one thought in his mind—

Who doesn’t mind him?

Does everyone not mind, or does she not mind?

This person really—why can’t she speak more clearly!

“Hey, slow down, wait for me!”