Xie Manor.

The mourning hall.

Xie Zhifei’s body swayed and collapsed downward, startling both Xie Erli and Xie Buhuo beside him.

“Third Brother?”

“Third Brother?”

The two men supported him from left and right.

Xie Erli touched Third Brother’s forehead and quickly shouted, “Young Master Pei, go get your father quickly—Third Brother has a fever.”

Pei Xiao was helping outside the courtyard. After exchanging a glance with Huang Qi, he rushed into the mourning hall.

“Eldest Brother, let Xie Wushi return to his room to rest for a while. Going day and night like this—even an iron man couldn’t bear it.”

“This…” Xie Erli hesitated.

Only three grandsons remained in the Xie family. If visiting guests saw so few people in the mourning hall, there would be gossip.

“Elder Brother Xie, tend to the living first!”

Pei Xiao shouted at Steward Xie beside them, “What are you standing there for? You support his left side, I’ll take the right.”

“Yes!”

The two men supported him from left and right into the inner room.

Xie Zhifei lay on the bamboo couch. After being fed a cup of cold tea, he finally recovered a bit of strength.

“Just now… my soul felt like it wasn’t in my own body.”

His vision had gone black, his head dizzy and confused as he collapsed. He could hear what everyone around him said, but his body just wouldn’t move and he couldn’t speak.

“Ai ya!”

Xie Xiaohua slapped his thigh. “Third Master’s birthday is coming soon.”

Only when Pei Xiao was reminded by this did he understand.

This month was Ghost Month. Xie Zhifei was a ghost fetus—ghost fetuses had shallow souls. By the fifteenth of the seventh month, they needed to have sutras chanted for them, prayers said, and their souls anchored.

“Xie Xiaohua, though your master and old matriarch are both gone, the things that must be arranged still must be arranged.”

He set his face stern. “I’ll arrange the monks and Daoists. The manor’s affairs are entrusted to you.”

“Young Master Pei, rest assured. This old servant will arrange everything properly, just like previous years.”

Pei Xiao lowered his head, looking at Xie Zhifei with heartache. “This year you’ve had many troubles and your health isn’t great. I’ll have those monks and Daoists chant for an extra hour.”

Xie Zhifei: “Can they also chant for Yan Sanhe?”

Pei Xiao was about to say what use would chanting for her be, when he suddenly remembered that Yan Sanhe’s birthday was also the fifteenth of the seventh month, and then thought of that incense stick burned down to almost nothing…

“Alright, I’ll arrange it!”

“Don’t mention what just happened to her.”

“I’ve got my own affairs keeping me too busy—where would I find time to tell her such things?”

Pei Xiao touched Xie Zhifei here and there—everything seemed fine—before finally relaxing.

“You rest for a full two hours. I’ll keep watch at the mourning hall.”

Even at the doorway he wasn’t reassured. He pointed his finger at Xie Zhifei. “Remember—two hours.”

“Xiaohua, call me after two hours.”

“Don’t worry, Third Master.”

Xie Zhifei was truly exhausted. In the time it took Xie Xiaohua to pour a cup of tea, he had fallen into a deep sleep. He didn’t know how long he’d slept when suddenly his foot stepped into emptiness and he jerked awake.

Upon waking, his mind was very unsettled. He kept feeling that something was about to happen.

“Xiaohua.”

Hearing the call, Xie Xiaohua hurried in. “Why is Third Master awake?”

“I was startled awake.”

Xie Zhifei covered his eyes with his hand, his voice weary. “Get me one of those Diamond Sutras, those talismans and such that Young Master Pei carries on him.”

“What does Master need them for?”

“To anchor my soul.”

…

The separate residence.

The bedroom.

Li Buyan watched Yan Sanhe’s breathing become long and steady. After staring for a good while longer, she closed the door and left.

As the footsteps faded away, Yan Sanhe slowly opened her eyes. As her gaze shifted, it was three degrees colder than frost.

The doubts in this entire matter seemed to be increasing. She had to sort through them one by one.

**Doubt Number One:**

Li Buyan said that during the assassination attempt at Spring Breeze Tower, not only did that arrow miss, but she also caught sight of the assassin’s fleeing figure.

That day when Yan Xi was shot and killed, Zhu Qing and Li Buyan and the others were inside the room. They gave chase but were a step too late—that was understandable.

But what about Shen Chong?

What about the Crown Prince’s other two guards?

These three men were clearly standing guard outside the courtyard.

With Shen Chong’s abilities, when that arrow shot out from the darkness, the breaking sound it made through the air—he not only should have immediately detected it, but should also have been able to identify from which direction the arrow was shot.

After shooting one arrow, the assassin would certainly wait to see if the arrow pierced Yan Xi’s heart before withdrawing and leaving. If it didn’t hit the target, they might even shoot a second arrow.

This waiting time would have been enough for Shen Chong to give chase.

Yet he said he didn’t even catch sight of a shadow. Why was this?

**Doubt Number Two:**

The large sum of silver Xie Daozhi used to bribe Yan Xi, to have Yan Xi lie—there was no disbursement from Xie Manor’s public accounts, no disbursement from Second Master Xie’s side. So where exactly did it come from?

**Doubt Number Three:**

Between Xie Daozhi and the Crown Prince, why did Yan Xi choose Xie Daozhi and betray the Crown Prince?

Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would be the supreme ruler—this entire world would be his. So how many bargaining chips would Xie Daozhi have to offer to make Yan Xi risk lying?

**Doubt Number Four:**

After Xie Daozhi’s death, where were those death warriors he had raised?

Death warriors cultivated at great expense—were they just released like that?

Yan Sanhe’s gaze slowly became vacant.

Was there a possibility—

That Xie Daozhi was the chief culprit who killed the Zheng family and Old General Zheng, but not the only one—rather, he was one of them?

Behind him, was there another person hidden?

Someone who made Xie Daozhi willingly take all the blame upon himself and calmly go to his death?

At this thought, Yan Sanhe sat bolt upright, her face deathly pale.

She had been severely frightened by the deduction her own mind had produced.

…

Duanmu Palace.

Crown Prince Zhao Yishi removed his outer garments, washed his hands in the basin, took the towel Wang Yin handed him to wipe them, then sat down at his desk.

Shen Chong pushed the door open and glanced coldly at Wang Yin.

Wang Yin quickly closed the door and left.

“Your Highness, the Zheng family wall will be completed in three days. The Ministry of Rites sent someone today to ask—when does Your Highness plan to depart for the Imperial Mausoleum?”

Seeing Zhao Yishi frown, he added, “I’ll have them extend the three days to seven days. How about that?”

Zhao Yishi waved his hand. “No need. Just three days. We’ll leave after celebrating Chengyu’s birthday.”

Shen Chong: “What birthday gift is Your Highness preparing this year? I’ll go arrange it.”

Zhao Yishi smiled. “That fellow is quite vulgar—silver will do.”

Shen Chong: “Then… the same amount as last year?”

Zhao Yishi: “This year hasn’t been easy for Chengyu. Double it.”

Shen Chong: “Yes!”

Zhao Yishi picked up his tea cup and glanced lightly at Shen Chong. “What has Miss Yan been doing these past few days?”

Shen Chong stepped forward and said in a low voice, “Your Highness, Miss Yan went to the western suburbs again today.”

Zhao Yishi silently finished half a cup of tea before speaking. “Shen Chong, do you know what kind of woman in this world is most distasteful?”

Shen Chong shook his head.

“One kind is too foolish, the other is too clever.”

Zhao Yishi rose and slowly walked to the window.

The window was half-closed. A faint scent of osmanthus blossoms wafted toward him.

“In my youth, following at the Late Emperor’s side, he often said one phrase: A woman without talent is a virtue. Miss Yan is still too clever. Extreme wisdom brings injury, deep emotion shortens life. In all things, moderation is best.”

Shen Chong kept his head lowered, not daring to speak.

After a long silence, Zhao Yishi slowly turned around.

“Tell them—don’t compete for Xie Daozhi’s vacant position in the Cabinet. Let everything be decided by His Majesty.”

“Yes!”

“As for Miss Yan…”

Zhao Yishi hesitated for quite a while. “Just keep a distant watch for now!”

“Yes!”