The Zheng family case occurred in mid-seventh month.

This person disappeared in the eighth month.

The timing aligned perfectly, one after the other.

Yan Sanhe was meticulous: “Are you certain this Xu Erlang and the An Ran I asked you to find are the same person?”

Han Xu: “They should be the same person.”

Yan Sanhe: “Why are you so confident?”

Han Xu: “Once when drunk, this person said he was from the Tu tribe.”

Yan Sanhe countered: “That’s not enough proof—our Qi Kingdom also has Tu tribespeople.”

“He had a lover, a widow. The two had been secretly together for five or six years. Half of Xu Erlang’s money was spent on this widow.”

Han Xu: “Last night, I found that widow. She said that after Xu Erlang finished that business in bed, he would tell her various scandals about the Qi Kingdom’s royal family.”

Xie Zhifei habitually asked: “Where is the widow? Can we meet her?”

Except for Han Xu, the other three people at the table—six eyes in total—looked straight at Xie Zhifei.

Only then did Xie Zhifei realize how foolish his last statement had been.

Meet her?

That would likely mean another death.

“Third Master, that widow has already remarried. I promised her I wouldn’t let anyone disturb her again. I’m afraid I cannot comply.”

“Then forget it.”

Xie Zhifei: “Did the widow say whether Xu Erlang showed any unusual behavior before or after his disappearance?”

“Yes!”

Han Xu: “Xu Erlang told her he was going to do a big job. After completing this job and getting the silver, he would buy a large three-courtyard residence, add several servants, and let her live the good life of a household mistress.”

Xie Zhifei: “When approximately did Xu Erlang say this?”

Han Xu: “The widow couldn’t remember at first. I asked if anything major happened that year. She slapped her thigh and said it was several months before the Zheng family massacre.”

Xie Zhifei’s expression changed subtly.

Was there any need to keep asking? This Xu Erlang was definitely the Qi Kingdom’s master carpenter An Ran—no doubt about it.

But he still had questions: “After mixing in the capital all these years, didn’t Xu Erlang buy a residence?”

Han Xu: “He rented.”

Xie Zhifei: “Rented where?”

Han Xu: “The widow said she didn’t know. Usually he stayed at the shop, and he never let the widow come find him—he would always come to her house in the middle of the night.”

Xie Zhifei: “What did the widow say about Xu Erlang’s disappearance?”

Han Xu: “The widow cursed this heartless dog of a man—said after pulling off one big score, he patted his ass and abandoned her. She also said that men in this world are all dogs, and not a single one can be trusted.”

Xie Zhifei touched his nose: “…”

Master Han, you’re also a man.

Young Master Pei stroked his chin: “…”

Couldn’t you drop the “dog” part?

Han Xu: “Third Master, is there anything else you want to ask?”

Xie Zhifei shook his head: “Everything is clear now. Xu Erlang is An Ran.”

Pei Xiao: “He thought climbing up to Yu Shengyan would bring him success and prosperity. How could he know Yu Shengyan would have him killed to silence him after using him?”

Li Buyan: “No body found alive or dead—that means he was buried alive.”

Xie Zhifei: “He had no family in the capital, and the widow couldn’t possibly come forward. So he vanished without a trace, making others think he’d just run off again.”

Pei Xiao: “Looks like Yu Shengyan’s method of silencing people varies by person. For someone like Qian Chengjiang who had family, he used poison.”

Li Buyan: “This is called tailoring the dish to the diner.”

Yan Sanhe said nothing.

She gazed thoughtfully out the window, her eyes gradually becoming distant.

At this point, every link in the Zheng family case was connected. It could be said the truth had come to light.

Xu Erlang was the Qi Kingdom’s An Ran, the forger of those two pieces of evidence.

Yu Shengyan was the mastermind.

His twelve Embroidered Uniform Guards were responsible for the killings.

Qian Chengjiang, this Vice Minister of Works, was responsible for the cover-up.

But it wasn’t enough.

Xu Erlang was dead, his corpse buried on some unknown mountain. There was no way to prove Yu Shengyan had him killed to silence him.

So far, everything was still their speculation—not a single piece of solid evidence.

Where was the evidence?

Only with evidence could they overturn the Zheng family massacre verdict and prove it wasn’t Wu Guanyue and his son, but someone else entirely.

“Yan Sanhe?”

“Ah?”

Yan Sanhe came back to herself and looked at Han Xu: “What?”

Han Xu coughed: “Could you do me a favor?”

Yan Sanhe: “Just say it.”

Han Xu: “I’d like to stay here for half a month. Is that alright?”

“Sure!”

“Sure!”

“No way!”

“No way!”

Four voices rang out almost in unison.

Yan Sanhe looked puzzled. “Third Master, why not?”

“Young Master Pei.”

Li Buyan crossed her arms: “Come on, give us a reason.”

Xie Zhifei gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: “Men and women should maintain proper distance.”

Pei Xiao: “Right, we need to avoid impropriety.”

“Since it’s inconvenient, then I’ll…”

“It’s convenient!”

Yan Sanhe and Li Buyan shouted together.

Yan Sanhe: “Buyan, have Tangyuan clean up a courtyard. The bedding and pillows should all be new.”

“Got it! Tonight I’ll personally cook and make some good dishes for Master Han.”

Li Buyan walked up to Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao. “Third Master, Young Master Pei—join us!”

Who wants to join him!

Third Master and Young Master Pei screamed internally.

Xie Zhifei looked at Li Buyan’s retreating back and pressed his lips together. “Master Han’s stay, there should be…”

“Relatives are pushing marriage on me. I need to avoid them for a while.”

Han Xu spoke openly and frankly, not hiding anything.

“Third Master can rest assured about me. Years ago, Sanhe helped resolve my inner demons. I’m grateful to her and only wish her well.”

That was close, brother.

I almost wanted to fight you again.

A stone in Xie Zhifei’s heart finally settled completely. His peach-blossom eyes immediately lifted high, almost flying into his temples.

“About last time, I apologize to Master Han. Master Han is magnanimous—don’t hold it against someone petty like me. Mingting and I live next door. If Master Han can’t sleep at night, come find me for drinks. We’ll drink until we drop.”

He was straightforward, and Han Xu was even more so: “Excellent!”

To the side, nameless fire surged up inside Pei Xiao.

Xie Wushi, you dog of a man! Just because he has no ill intentions toward Yan Sanhe, you give in? And drink until you drop with him?

Drop dead!

What if he has intentions toward Li Buyan?

Just then, Li Buyan returned and grabbed Han Xu’s arm. “Leave them to discuss business. I’ll take you to see the courtyard.”

Han Xu looked at Yan Sanhe: “Should I go?”

Yan Sanhe: “Go.”

Pei Xiao watched their departing backs, grinding his teeth silently.

Three needles weren’t nearly enough—three hundred, three thousand needles were needed.

Men understand men. Xie Zhifei patted Pei Xiao’s shoulder. “Don’t overthink it. Come, let’s discuss the main business first.”

Pei Xiao looked at him darkly. Do I have the mood for that now?

He really didn’t have the mood.

Tangyuan led someone into the courtyard: “Young Master Pei, the steward from your estate is here.”

Pei Xiao’s mood was already sour from Han Xu’s interference. Hearing the household steward had come made him even more irritable: “What’s he here for? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“Young Master, the Master and Madam request that you return home today no matter what.”

Pei Xiao’s heart tightened: “What happened at home?”

“It’s good news.”

The steward smiled: “The Master and Madam have found a suitable match for you, Young Master. Today, the young lady’s father and eldest brother are coming to the house to have a look.”

“What did you say?”

Pei Xiao’s expression changed abruptly.