“She said something that I don’t know how to interpret.”

Pei Xiao recalled, “She said that even without the old matriarch’s coffin lid refusing to close as a cause, just based on that heart-shaped lake at the Ji manor, dismissal from office would have been an inevitable result sooner or later.”

“That statement isn’t hard to interpret.”

Xie Zhifei let out a breath of relief. “She saw that the heart-shaped lake was too extravagant and deduced that Ji Lingchuan wouldn’t be clean in his official dealings.”

“If that’s the case, let’s split the work into two tracks.”

Zhao Yishi said slowly, “You two handle Yan Sanhe’s side and cooperate fully. I’ll handle everything else. How about that?”

Working on both fronts simultaneously—this was the most prudent approach.

Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao nodded in unison.

“Whatever you need me to do, have Zhu Qing notify Shen Chong directly.”

Zhao Yishi stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, his voice carrying a faint weariness. “Pei Mingting.”

“Why are you suddenly calling me by my full name? It’s frightening!”

Zhao Yishi turned around, looking at Pei Xiao’s somewhat surprised face, speaking word by word:

“Regarding the Ji family matter, I will do everything in my power. But if the outcome… don’t blame me!”

It was like a heavy axe striking at Pei Mingting’s heart—his expression changed instantly.

His acquaintance with Zhao Yishi was truly a chance encounter.

When he was seven years old, he accompanied Ji Lingchuan to a banquet at the Zhang manor. The adults at the feast were terribly boring, and he didn’t know many people, so when no one was paying attention, he slipped away from the table.

The Zhang family’s rear garden was very large, and on a fence in the garden hung several freshly skinned rabbits.

Rabbit meat was so fragrant!

He had always been bold, so he found a secluded spot, gathered a pile of dry kindling, propped up the rabbits, and started roasting them.

This roasting unexpectedly attracted a beautiful young master. The young master was truly handsome—fair skin, large eyes, refined and elegant.

Pei Xiao thought to himself that no matter how good-looking he was, he couldn’t let him ruin Young Master Pei’s fun.

So he smeared some oil from the rabbit onto his hand and wiped it across that beautiful young master’s face.

“Hahaha, now you’ve smelled the rabbit meat too. When someone asks later, I’ll say you’re my accomplice.”

Who knew that beautiful young master wasn’t afraid of his threats at all and even shamelessly negotiated terms.

“Fine. The four legs are mine, the rest is yours. Otherwise…”

“You’re really an amateur—what’s good about rabbit legs? The head is the best part.”

This sealed the agreement.

Once the meat was roasted, one gnawed on the head, the other on the legs, eating until their mouths were dripping with oil.

After eating, the beautiful young master pulled out a handkerchief, wiped his mouth, wiped his hands, and said with elegant composure, “You go ahead. Leave this to me.”

My goodness, not only was he good-looking, but he was quite loyal too—knowing to help clean up the mess.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Zhao Yishi,” he answered.

“I’m Pei Xiao—Xiao as in smiling face.”

“Is your father Pei Yu?”

“How did you know?”

“I’ll tell you next time.”

“Better think about what we’ll eat next time—that’s what really matters.”

“We could try roast chicken.”

“It’s settled then.”

After walking a few steps, he turned back. “Zhao Yishi, lend me your handkerchief.”

Zhao Yishi looked at his oily mouth, showing a trace of disgust on his face, but still pulled out the handkerchief.

“Throw it away after you wipe.”

He agreed with a sound, wiping his mouth while running off in high spirits.

Returning to the table, the feast wasn’t over yet. The stage was already performing, and he listened to the opera with his uncle for a while before leaving the Zhang manor.

His mind was on that sickly little Fifty at the Xie manor, so he had his uncle take him to the Xie residence.

After fooling around in little Fifty’s room all night, he returned home the next day, only to run into his father at the door.

His father had been called out for emergency treatment the previous night and had been busy all night before returning.

“Father, who was sick?”

“The legitimate eldest son of the Crown Prince’s manor.”

“How did he get sick?”

“After attending a feast at the Zhang manor, he came back with vomiting and diarrhea. Even the Emperor was alarmed and ordered the Jinyiwei to thoroughly investigate the Zhang manor’s feast.”

“What did they find?”

“They said they found a pile of rabbit bones in the rear garden.”

He felt as if struck by lightning—his heart stopped beating.

“It’s not a big deal. The Imperial Grand Heir said he was craving rabbit meat, so when no one was around, he made a fire and roasted some to eat. Who knew it wasn’t cooked through, which is why his stomach went bad.”

“Did he, did he, did he have an accomplice?”

“What accomplice? If there really was an accomplice, would the Emperor have let them off? They would have been arrested and severely punished long ago.”

He let out a long breath of relief—his heart started beating again.

“Father, what’s the Imperial Grand Heir’s name?”

“His name is Yishi.”

Oh my!

Hahaha!

The six-year-old Pei Xiao’s eyelids both jumped at once.

Zhao Yishi, you’re really damn loyal and righteous!

This brother, Young Master Pei is keeping for life!

Once Young Master Pei decided on something, there was nothing he couldn’t achieve.

Just like when he befriended Xie Fifty—it only took four words: persistent pestering.

If we had to add four more words, it would be: utterly shameless.

As luck would have it, when the Emperor was looking for study companions for the Imperial Grand Heir, he immediately urged his father to compete for the position.

Seeing that this good-for-nothing eldest son finally wanted to make progress, how could his father refuse? He quickly brought generous gifts and pulled Ji Lingchuan along to the Zhang manor.

And so, Young Master Pei became the Imperial Grand Heir’s study companion.

Later, the duo became a trio.

Later still, the trio became an iron triangle.

Life is short!

He, Young Master Pei, couldn’t bring peace through literature or stability through military might. In this lifetime, he only wanted to help Zhao Yishi ascend to the highest position, then fool around with Xie Fifty.

Living off others and waiting for death!

Still living off others and waiting for death!

Forever living off others and waiting for death!

…

Yan Sanhe was starved awake.

“Buyan, I need to eat. I have no strength left.”

Li Buyan came over, reached out an arm and scooped her up, then shouted outside, “Tang Yuan, your mistress is about to starve to death—hurry up.”

The food had been kept warm on a small clay stove all along. Tang Yuan set everything out in no time.

Li Buyan scooped up the person and placed her in a chair, then stuffed chopsticks into Yan Sanhe’s hand. “Eat. I’ve already eaten.”

Yan Sanhe took the chopsticks. “How long did I sleep?”

“Three hours!”

“What time is it now…”

“Past the hour of Zi.”

“I’m exhausted!”

After saying this, Yan Sanhe began eating.

Though she claimed to be starving, she ate slowly and methodically, chewing each bite carefully and swallowing slowly, not rushing at all.

Tang Yuan watched and took note, then deliberately asked, “Miss, is the food not to your liking?”

Li Buyan saw that Yan Sanhe’s mouth was full, so she smiled and said, “This is just how she eats.”

“I’ll go make the miss a pot of hot tea.”

“No need.”

Yan Sanhe chewed and swallowed her food. “Go deliver a message—I want to see Third Master.”

“At this hour?”

“Don’t be afraid, just go.”

“Yes!”

Once she left, Li Buyan propped her cheeks up with both hands, watching Yan Sanhe with a smile. “That girl kept staring at you just now.”

Yan Sanhe frowned. “What’s so interesting about eating?”

“I’d like to know too.”

Li Buyan tilted her head. “I’m even more curious about why you’re calling Third Master here so late.”