On the return journey, no one spoke. They traveled back to the separate residence in silence.

By the time they reached the residence, evening had arrived.

Li Buyan couldn’t wait and rushed over. “Quick, tell me what happened.”

Yan Sanhe pushed Pei Xiao forward. “Let Young Master Pei tell you.”

Before Young Master Pei could stand steady, Li Buyan reached out to grip his arm, pulling him inside.

Aiyaya!

This world had changed—changed to where women were even more forward than men.

Young Master Pei was secretly delighted inside but put on an unwilling expression on his face, turning his head to shout at Xie the Fifth:

“I’ll be right back. You all have some tea first to recover. When everyone’s together, we’ll discuss the major matters.”

Xie Zhifei smiled like he had a toothache, turned his head and asked Yan Sanhe: “Still discussing?”

“Discussing.”

Yan Sanhe glanced at both Xie Zhifei and Zhu Yuanmo, signaling them to enter the study to talk.

Actually, there wasn’t much left to discuss. Having investigated to this degree, many things were already clear.

The entire heart demon divided into two lines:

One was Zhu Xuanjiu’s line.

Because of Concubine Fu, Zhu Xuanjiu had harmed the legitimate First Master and Fifth Master, ultimately allowing the son of a concubine to ascend.

After ascending, he used Tianshi to pass the emperor’s birth date and time along with the seven-needle curse method to Yan Ruxian.

The other was Prince Zhao’s line.

Under the premise that Shen Duruo had fortuitously entered the Crown Prince’s residence, Prince Zhao set a poisonous scheme, threatening Shen Wei.

And Shen Wei, to preserve the Shen family and his four sons, repeatedly threatened his daughter Shen Duruo.

Shen Duruo had no choice but to take desperate risks.

The witchcraft doll was buried by Shen Duruo and discovered by Gu Aliu, who was responsible for tending flowers and plants at the Crown Prince’s residence. The birth date and seven-needle curse on the doll were indirectly provided by Zhu Xuanjiu.

This ultimately created a wrongful case, forcing the Crown Prince to hastily raise troops to pressure the palace. After his military defeat, he took his own life. It forced countless people in the Crown Prince’s network to journey to the Yellow Springs.

The causes and consequences of Prince Zhao’s poisonous scheme made sense—to ascend to the throne.

The causes and consequences of Shen Duruo becoming an accomplice also made sense—she was forced by her parents, owing them the grace of birth and rearing.

People like Gu Aliu could be hooked with silver—no need for causes and consequences.

“Logically, resolving the heart demon to this point should be about enough.”

Yan Sanhe tapped her fingers on the table several times. “But now there’s still one place where the causes and consequences don’t quite make sense.”

Xie Zhifei and Zhu Yuanmo’s scalps tingled.

Where else didn’t make sense?

Didn’t it all make sense now?

“Which place?” Zhu Yuanmo asked.

Yan Sanhe looked into his eyes. “Why did your father Zhu Xuanjiu commit evil deeds for Prince Zhao?”

Zhu Yuanmo was stumped by the question.

Yes, why would he do that?

The Zhu family never got involved in the open and covert struggles between imperial princes, because no matter who ascended, it had little impact on the Zhu family.

Getting involved not only brought no benefit to the Zhu family, but if the matter was exposed, there would be danger.

Moreover, Zhu Xuanjiu was someone who calculated ten steps ahead for every one he took.

He never placed himself in perilous situations.

Zhu Yuanmo looked at Yan Sanhe with some admiration. Her mind was truly meticulous as hair—he hadn’t thought in this direction at all.

“Miss Yan, what do you think it was for?”

“I can’t figure it out.”

Yan Sanhe was direct. “But there must be a reason here.”

How could there still be a reason?

There was no time!

Zhu Yuanmo harbored a bit of hope. “Can’t we try lighting the incense first?”

“Speaking of lighting incense…”

Yan Sanhe’s fingers tapped the table several more times. “I actually have another doubt.”

Xie Zhifei reflexively asked: “What?”

Yan Sanhe: “Can’t find the person to light the incense.”

Xie Zhifei froze.

Yan Sanhe looked at Zhu Yuanmo. “Will you light it?”

Zhu Yuanmo nodded.

But Yan Sanhe shook her head. “You can only represent your Zhu family’s line.”

Xie Zhifei suddenly understood.

He glanced toward the palace with lingering fear. “The person who can light incense for that line is only the one on the dragon throne.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanmo’s heart pounded wildly.

Have the emperor light incense…

This, this, this—how could it be possible?

A layer of cold sweat formed densely on his forehead. He gritted his teeth. “Miss Yan, what if—I’m just saying what if—the person who should light incense for this heart demon is that person?”

This “what if” was possible.

Because those crows were the wronged souls of those who died because of the witchcraft curse case.

The witchcraft curse case, at its root, was secretly planned by that person.

If he lit the incense and spoke the truth of those events from back then, perhaps the crows’ heart knots could be untied.

“If it really is him…”

Yan Sanhe smiled bitterly. “Then we should pray more to Buddha and hope for good fortune.”

The atmosphere suddenly became deathly still.

That bit of excitement from just forcing the truth out of Shen Wei scattered without a trace.

Xie Zhifei wanted to offer insincere comfort like “when the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road,” but found he couldn’t say it no matter what.

If the person to light incense really was that one, forget praying to Buddha or immortals—even praying to heaven would be useless.

“Master, Master…”

A hoarse voice approached from far away. It was Huang Qi, whom Yan Sanhe had been desperately hoping for.

Xie Zhifei stood up and headed outside. “I’ll go out first to look. You two come slowly.”

How could Yan Sanhe be slow? She quickly followed out.

At this time, Young Master Pei, Li Buyan, and the others heard the sound and also came out one after another.

Li Buyan was fuming, her expression looking like she wanted to fight someone.

Yan Sanhe didn’t need to think to know she was indignant on Shen Duruo’s behalf.

Huang Qi’s shadow rushed over from the distance.

Getting closer, even Yan Sanhe felt heartache.

This person was wrapped in two tattered cotton-padded jackets, his hair tangled in clumps. His entire face was dark and dry, his lips split with crack after crack.

Some cracks had scabbed over, others were still bleeding.

“Miss Yan…”

“Don’t speak yet. Take a hot bath, eat some hot food. Once you’re comfortable, it won’t be too late to talk.”

Yan Sanhe looked back at Zhu Qing and Ding Yi.

Zhu Qing quickly said: “I’ll prepare hot water.”

Ding Yi: “I’ll have Tang Yuan prepare hot food.”

“No need for Tang Yuan. I’ll cook myself.” Li Buyan rolled up her sleeves and headed for the kitchen.

Young Master Pei’s mind was firmly resolved to stay where he was, but his legs disobediently betrayed him. “I, I, I… will go help Hero stoke the fire.”

Xie Zhifei: “I have spare clothes at the residence. After washing, wear mine.”

Heavens!

So moved!

Wanted to cry!

Huang Qi turned his back to wipe tears. When he turned around again, he saw Zhu Yuanmo staring at him directly, his face full of anxiety.

“Master Zhu, great harvest.”

Zhu Yuanmo finally let out a long breath of relief.

…

After bathing and emerging in fresh clothes, he looked human again.

On the table, three dishes and a soup still steamed. Huang Qi said nothing and sat down to wolf down the food.

Pei Xiao watched this person’s eating manner, his heart aching faintly.

The food Hero Li cooked—he, Young Master Pei, hadn’t tasted a single bite yet, but it had cheaply gone to this fellow.

This world had not only changed for women but also for servants—they’d become unruly, even surpassing their masters.

Pei Xiao, when no one was looking, swallowed his saliva.

The time it took to drink a cup of tea, the food was eaten clean. Even the soup bowl showed its bottom.

Zhu Qing waited for him to burp, then brought over hot tea.

Huang Qi, seeing everyone staring at him eagerly, couldn’t be bothered to drink tea and opened his mouth:

“Miss Yan, I used that method you taught me and finally forced the old monk to tell the truth.”

“What truth?”

“In the past, the Xing family and the Zhu family did have a grudge.”