The Xing family’s retaliation was despicable.

Once, Zhu Liuyao was invited to examine a burial site for a wealthy household in Yixing in the south.

The burial site had serious problems. Zhu Liuyao made major adjustments using the luopan compass. Three months later, that household’s only son suddenly went mad and jumped into a river, drowning.

Half a year later, the daughter-in-law hung herself from the rafters with a bedsheet at night.

Two lives within a year—that family felt something was suspicious and found a renowned feng shui expert nearby.

The expert examined it and said the burial site had been adjusted incorrectly.

That family wouldn’t accept it. They traveled a thousand li wearing mourning clothes to make trouble at the Imperial Observatory.

The matter became too big and quickly reached the palace.

The Late Emperor was furious and wanted to remove Zhu Liuyao’s official hat on the spot.

The dignified Imperial Observatory Director—doing private feng shui consultations was one thing, but to actually make errors causing deaths was simply a disgrace to the court.

When walls fall, everyone pushes. When drums are broken, everyone beats them.

Just as everyone watched this spectacle coldly, Empress Xiaoren stood up and said a few words for Zhu Liuyao.

First, the emperor and empress had deep affection.

Second, the empress never interfered in court affairs, making this intervention truly rare.

The emperor temporarily set the matter aside, ordering the Imperial Observatory’s Deputy Director to lead several people to Yixing to investigate thoroughly.

This investigation revealed it wasn’t that Zhu Liuyao had adjusted the burial site incorrectly, but that someone else had tampered with it.

The truth came to light, and Zhu Liuyao escaped disaster.

“Later, the old master made another special trip to Yixing and stayed by that household’s burial site for three days before discovering the methods used to tamper with the burial site were the Xing family’s methods.”

The old steward: “Only then did the old master understand—this was the Xing family’s retaliation for his previous interference with the Liang family matter.”

Zhu Yuanmo frowned. “Such a major incident occurred, yet I knew nothing about it.”

“That household made trouble at the Imperial Observatory, so few people in our residence knew. “

The old steward: “The old master also issued a gag order, commanding those of us who knew not to reveal a single word, or we’d be expelled from the residence. So… forget Master not knowing—even the young master might not know much.”

Zhu Yuanmo: “What happened afterward? How did that family settle down?”

“When the master went to Yixing the second time, he found another auspicious burial site for that family and compensated them five thousand taels of silver. Only then was the matter resolved.”

The old steward looked at Yan Sanhe. “Miss Yan, this is the entire sequence of events.”

The sequence of events matched perfectly with what the old monk had said.

Zhu Liuyao had been softhearted and ruined the Xing family’s formation array.

The Xing family then secretly tampered with a burial site Zhu Liuyao had examined.

The noble person was Empress Xiaoren.

As for afterward…

Yan Sanhe pondered: “When the Xing family’s retaliation failed, they employed other underhanded tactics.”

Xie Zhifei continued: “Your Zhu family claims to be from the orthodox famous school? Then I’ll corrupt your children, making them walk the heterodox evil path.”

Young Master Pei stroked the bit of stubble emerging on his chin. “And they actually succeeded in corrupting one.”

Li Buyan propped her chin on her hand. “No wonder the Xing family line died out. Their methods were truly despicable—all playing dirty behind backs. Quite vicious.”

Zhu Yuanmo said through gritted teeth with a cold laugh: “The patriarch said that with righteousness in the body, evil cannot invade. It’s because his own thoughts were improper to begin with.”

No one had anticipated Zhu Yuanmo would say such words.

Correct.

How old was Zhu Xuanjiu when he encountered the Xing family woman? Any other child fundamentally wouldn’t have listened.

But he listened, remembered, and even used it.

“Now the truth of how Zhu Xuanjiu learned those heterodox evil methods is completely revealed.”

Yan Sanhe sighed. “No wonder the old monk would say ‘ancestors create evil karma, descendants repay debts—this too is cause and effect.'”

Everyone’s gaze turned to her.

Yan Sanhe said calmly: “The Xing family taught heterodox evil methods to Zhu Xuanjiu. Zhu Xuanjiu used heterodox evil methods to harm Geng Songsheng. Geng Songsheng was taken as a disciple by the old monk. The old monk is from the Xing family—repaying ancestral debts.”

Li Buyan made an “oh” sound. “I understand now. This is equivalent to drawing a circle.”

Young Master Pei: “From the starting point back to the ending point.”

Xie Zhifei nodded. “…Truly karmic cycle!”

“Old steward, regarding this matter, I still have one doubt.” Yan Sanhe asked again.

Now when Zhu Yuanmo heard Yan Sanhe say the word “doubt,” his scalp no longer tingled repeatedly as before. Instead, he pricked up his ears to listen carefully.

Zhu Jing: “Miss Yan, please speak.”

Yan Sanhe: “Why would Empress Xiaoren intervene to help your old master?”

This Xing family scheme was quite poisonous.

If Empress Xiaoren hadn’t stood up to say those few words, Zhu Liuyao would not only have been disgraced but would have handed over the Imperial Observatory’s power.

The foundation created by ancestors destroyed in one stroke—the Zhu family wouldn’t have had the following decades of unlimited glory.

“To be honest with Miss Yan.”

The old steward: “The old master also discussed this matter with this old servant. He said there’s no such thing as causeless effects in this world.”

Zhu Liuyao was correct.

The higher one’s position, the less casually they speak. Every word and action has deep meaning.

Yan Sanhe: “Did your old master guess the reason?”

The old steward shook his head.

Before Yan Sanhe’s expression could darken, he added: “…But I roughly guessed a bit.”

Yan Sanhe urged: “Speak quickly.”

“Before the old master’s final days, he called the young master to the secret realm and made all final arrangements. But on the day the old master truly passed, he still called the young master alone to his side…”

That night, he stood guard outside.

For some unknown reason, the door wasn’t closed tightly. The father and son’s words seeped out through the crack bit by bit.

One sentence—after hearing it, he was extremely shocked.

“Fourth son, we owe Empress Xiaoren a debt. In the future, no matter what, you must help the Crown Prince smoothly ascend the throne.”

Why did Zhu Jing find this shocking?

First, because the Zhu family only ever remained loyal to the emperor alone, while the Crown Prince was merely an heir apparent.

Second, the old master called the young master over again on his deathbed to instruct him once more, showing this matter wasn’t small.

After these words, everyone’s hearts skipped a beat.

Zhu Yuanmo collapsed weakly into the grand master’s chair.

His grandfather had instructed him to help the Crown Prince smoothly ascend the throne. Not only had he not helped the Crown Prince, he’d secretly aligned with Prince Zhao.

This…

This was betraying trust, ingratitude, failing kindness—great unfilial conduct!

“Why?”

Zhu Yuanmo pounded the table forcefully, grinding his teeth. “Why would he do this?”

Just then, Yan Sanhe suddenly cried out: “I understand now! I understand! I understand!”

How could Zhu Yuanmo still sit still? He struggled to stand and rushed before her.

“Miss Yan, what do you understand?”

“Wait a moment.”

Yan Sanhe stood, pushing him aside. “I need to go outside and walk. I need to calm down, must calm down.”

“Miss Yan!”

Zhu Yuanmo was just about to follow when Xie Zhifei reached out to stop him. “Elder Brother Zhu, don’t disturb her.”

“I…”

“If she says she understands, then she definitely understands.”

Xie Zhifei patted his shoulder. “Let her think it through properly.”

Zhu Yuanmo’s heart was frantically anxious. He looked to Young Master Pei for help: Young Master Pei, do you understand?

Young Master Pei touched his forehead: Elder Brother Zhu, you overestimate me.

Zhu Yuanmo wasn’t resigned. He looked at Li Buyan.

Li Buyan shrugged: Counting on me—are you stupid?

Zhu Yuanmo looked at Zhu Qing. Zhu Qing silently lowered his head. He looked at Ding Yi. Ding Yi turned around.

Before Zhu Yuanmo could look his way, Huang Qi consciously squatted on the ground.

Zhu Yuanmo’s final gaze fell on Third Master Xie.

Third Master picked up his teacup, leisurely took a sip, and said calmly: “My brain gets muddled at night.”