“He’s awake! Third Master is awake! Third Master has finally awakened.”

He opened his eyes. Before he could see everything clearly, someone hugged him tightly.

“My son, oh my son… you truly frightened your mother to death.”

Mother?

His mind was completely blank.

Mother and little sister were still in the great fire, their fate unknown. How could they have survived?

“A loving mother spoils the child. Let him go quickly.”

While wiping her tears, the woman reluctantly yielded her position.

A person walked before his eyes—the man wore plain, unadorned clothing and was even more handsome than his father, with gentle eyes and brows.

The man sat down at the bedside, carefully grasping his hand in his palm. He wanted to speak but seemed uncertain what to say.

After a long while, the man sighed and said one sentence.

“Third Son, as long as you recover your health, Father will agree to anything.”

Having said this, the man turned around and used his sleeve to wipe away tears.

He asked in a daze, “Who am I?”

Fresh tears fell from the man’s eyes, which he had just dried.

“Third Son, don’t frighten Father. Father can’t bear it. You are Father’s son, Father’s Third Son!”

I’m not your Third Son.

I’m a child of the Zheng family.

He closed his eyes, tears sliding down.

A small, cold hand reached over, gently wiping away the tears from the corner of his eyes. Without opening his eyes, he knew it was Yan Sanhe.

Xie Zhifei grabbed her hand and placed it over his own eyes, his voice carrying a hint of hoarseness.

“I never imagined it would be them.”

“Xie Zhifei, Imperial Physician Pei says your heart condition has flared up again, quite seriously. He also says there’s no medicine to cure this illness—you can only rest quietly. Your emotions can’t have major ups and downs; you must keep your mind calm and peaceful.”

Yan Sanhe leaned closer, speaking slowly:

“He requested to go to the villa. You weren’t awake, so I didn’t dare agree. Now that you’re awake, you need to make a decision—either come with us to the villa, or stay at the Xie manor to recuperate?”

“Go to the villa. If I don’t get clear answers, my heart condition won’t improve.”

Yan Sanhe removed her hand.

Xie Zhifei slowly opened his eyes. His vision was still very unfocused. After a good while, he could finally see the person before him clearly.

That person’s eyes held roiling emotions—worry.

“I’m fine,” he said.

“Do you know what else Imperial Physician Pei told me? He said if a heart attack is severe and the person faints, they might never wake up again.”

Yan Sanhe hesitated for a long while.

“Xie Zhifei, you know I never advise people, but this once, I want to advise you. I don’t dare gamble with your body.”

Foolish girl, one day when you know who I truly am, you won’t say such things.

Xie Zhifei affected a relaxed tone. “I won’t gamble with you either. I haven’t consummated our marriage yet—I can’t die.”

“Xie Zhifei!” Yan Sanhe couldn’t bear hearing the word “die.”

“Alright, alright, alright. I was wrong.”

Little Sweet Mouth made an untimely return to the world.

“I promise you, when you question them, I’ll definitely keep calm, definitely won’t get agitated, definitely won’t have another attack.”

Yan Sanhe didn’t speak. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe him—it was that the scene of his heart attack was carved into her mind like knife marks.

She was afraid.

Xie Zhifei grabbed one of her fingers and gently bit it between his teeth. “Yan Sanhe, the night is long and dreams are many. Let’s not delay any further.”

Even using his beauty as a weapon?

Yan Sanhe sighed inwardly, withdrew her finger, and turned. “Lu Da.”

Lu Da stepped forward. “Third Master, I’ll carry you.”

Xie Zhifei gave a muffled “Mm.” The thin veil of tender feelings that had been on his face when talking with Yan Sanhe faded cleanly away.

Usually, only Zhu Qing carried him.

“Lu Da, go call Zhu Qing over.”

Yan Sanhe gestured to Lu Da “don’t go yet.” “Zhu Qing is kneeling outside. What do you want him for?”

Xie Zhifei: “Just to ask him one question.”

Yan Sanhe: “Must you?”

Xie Zhifei: “I must.”

Yan Sanhe no longer insisted. She turned to glance at Lu Da.

Lu Da turned and left. Moments later he returned with Zhu Qing following behind.

Xie Zhifei’s deep eyes fixed on him. “I ask you: did you tell my father about Miss Yan’s identity?”

Zhu Qing shook his head.

Xie Zhifei: “What about other people?”

Zhu Qing still shook his head.

The heart that Xie Zhifei had been holding suspended settled slightly. He laughed coldly. “At least you’re not completely conscienceless.”

Zhu Qing’s body shuddered violently, then he lowered his head in shame.

…

In the study, a single lamp burned like a bean.

Pei Yu wore a face full of worry.

“How did your Third Master suddenly fall so gravely ill? When I examined his pulse a few days ago, he was still fine. What kind of shock did he receive?”

Xie Daozhi kept his face taut, saying nothing.

Seeing him like that, Pei Yu thought of the days he himself had been living lately and couldn’t help but sigh heavily.

“When children grow up, they’re beyond their parents’ control. Once their wings harden, who can they still fit in their eyes? They’re all unfilial beasts, all here to collect debts.

But then again, aside from her background being unsuitable, Miss Yan truly is exceptional in every other way. Even considering your Third Master’s health, you should take a step back.

Brother, listen to my advice: stop being so stubborn. As long as the children are healthy and safe, that’s better than anything.”

“Master.”

Ding Yi’s voice sounded outside the door. “Miss Yan says it’s time to depart.”

Pei Yu started. “So late—where are you going?”

Xie Daozhi, who had been silent for so long, finally stood. “I’m taking Third Son to the villa.”

“His condition…”

Pei Yu was halfway through his sentence when he angrily slapped the table.

“Look at young people these days—for the sake of a girl, they won’t even stay home. All day long it’s ‘villa, villa, villa’—what kind of decorum is this?”

Xie Daozhi walked to his old friend’s side and patted his shoulder. “Enough, curse less.”

“Eh?”

Pei Yu froze. “Why is your complexion so terrible too? Come, come, come, let me check your pulse.”

“What pulse? I’m just angry at that little beast.”

Xie Daozhi walked to the doorway, then suddenly turned around. “You were right. As long as the children are healthy and safe, that’s better than anything.”

“Exactly that reasoning.”

Pei Yu followed him out. Looking up, he saw Steward Xie standing ramrod straight.

Xie Daozhi raised his chin toward Pei Yu. “You go first. I need to give Steward Xie a few instructions.”

“Alright.”

What instructions to give?

Master and servant faced each other, one not knowing what to say, the other not knowing what to ask.

“Old Xie.”

After a long while, Xie Daozhi patted Xie Xiaohua’s shoulder. “Some words—remember to let them rot in your belly. That’s how you live longer.”

Xie Xiaohua’s heart tightened.

“Yes, Master.”

…

Going to the villa normally took less than half an hour riding hard, but Third Master’s health was poor and he couldn’t be jostled. They spent nearly a full hour on the journey.

Xie Zhifei was helped down from the carriage by Ding Yi. Looking up, he saw his old father standing several yards away, his gaze filled with worry as he looked at him.

Not a single person accompanied his old father.

“Mingting, go help my father.”

At this point, Pei Xiao’s mind was still in complete chaos.

He was no longer shocked that Zhu Qing was the mole. What shocked him was that it was actually Xie Daozhi who wanted to kill Yan Xi.

Why?

They were completely unconnected people!