On the return journey, they still rode in the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s carriage, and the atmosphere inside was even heavier than when they came.

After their brush with death, no one could breathe a sigh of relief. On the contrary, all three of them felt a heavy weight pressing on their hearts.

Xie Zhifei’s large hand fell on Pei Xiao’s neck. He decided it was better to say certain things sooner rather than later.

“Mingting, did you understand His Majesty’s meaning just now?”

“I’m not stupid, of course I understand. The Emperor told Yan Sanhe to leave the capital and never return, otherwise…”

His words paused as Pei Xiao’s heart was suddenly struck hard.

“You’re going to accompany Yan Sanhe when she leaves?”

Xie Zhifei nodded.

Not only did they have to leave, they had to leave as soon as possible. Best to do it within three to five days. Every day they delayed increased the risk of complications.

“Then what about me?” Pei Xiao asked.

“That’s exactly what I need to tell you next.”

Xie Zhifei forced a smile.

“Mingting, Yan Sanhe and I are ultimately two people, one life. But you and I are different. Uncle Pei and Auntie Pei raised you with great difficulty—you must repay both the debt of birth and the debt of raising.

You’re the eldest son who can inherit the Pei family business in the future, and with Huairen’s support, your official career won’t be lacking either. There’s no need for you to follow us and hide here and there.”

“Xie Wushi, what you’re saying means… you want me not to follow you?”

“There’s no need to follow. Between us brothers, these past twenty years together have been enough.”

“What do you mean twenty years? It’s clearly only been ten years.”

Pei Xiao’s face completely collapsed. “The one before was Xie Sanye, not you, Xie Wushi.”

Xie Zhifei smiled bitterly. “Xie Sanye is Xie Wushi, Xie Wushi is Xie Sanye. There’s no difference!”

“What do you mean there’s no difference?”

Pei Xiao was unexpectedly angry. “Xie Sanye is just a sickly invalid who never used his sweet mouth to coax me, never called me ‘ancestor,’ and never accompanied me to do this or that.”

“Pei Mingting.”

Yan Sanhe suddenly spoke. “Since you can’t bear to part, then let go of everything in the capital and come with us. If you’re by Xie Zhifei’s side, he’ll have someone to talk with and make him laugh. I’d be more than happy about it.”

“You…”

Pei Xiao glared fiercely at Yan Sanhe.

Only you know how to hit someone where it hurts most! As if I could leave even if I wanted to!

Get lost! I don’t want to deal with someone like you!

Pei Xiao stared straight at Xie Zhifei, his molars grinding audibly.

“Even if I agreed, Huairen would never agree. His left and right arms are us. This arm of mine is useless—you’re the main attraction.”

This was the truth, and exactly what Xie Zhifei was worried about.

Ever since he became close with Huairen, he’d been secretly helping him with various matters. He’d done good deeds, and naturally he’d also done bad ones.

After ten years, how many of Huairen’s secrets did he carry in his heart?

With secrets, what puts those in power most at ease is dead men. Though he and Huairen had been good brothers for over ten years—killing him was unlikely—whether he’d be allowed to leave was questionable.

His gaze shifted to Yan Sanhe.

Yan Sanhe met his eyes, her breathing becoming deep and prolonged. After a long while, she said softly, “First appeal to his emotions, then to reason.”

Good idea.

Xie Zhifei said gently, “Later, I’ll go find him!”

Pei Xiao: “He’s at the Imperial Mausoleum.”

“He went to guard the mausoleum?”

Xie Zhifei was surprised. “When did this happen? How did I not know?”

“You were off being a ghost in the underworld—how could you know? I was worried about you, you bastard, so I didn’t go see him off.”

Pei Xiao said irritably, “Now that I think about it, what’s the point of treating a bastard with such devotion? In the end, he goes off alone to enjoy himself outside, leaving me here in the capital in dire straits.”

Xie Zhifei: “…”

“Xie Wushi, if worst comes to worst, let’s just confess Yan Sanhe’s identity to Huairen.”

Pei Xiao’s tone softened. “With his protection, the Emperor wouldn’t dare do anything to Yan Sanhe.”

“Can’t tell!”

“Can’t tell!”

Two voices rang out almost simultaneously.

Pei Xiao was infuriated by their synchronicity. “Why can’t we tell him?”

Xie Zhifei’s gaze darkened. “I can’t bear to put him in a difficult position, caught in the middle.”

Yan Sanhe continued, “He’s the Crown Prince, not the Emperor. The farther we stay away from him, the better his position will be. Pei Mingting, wouldn’t you agree?”

Pei Xiao: “…”

Damn it.

He couldn’t refute that.

…

The Imperial Mausoleum.

Zhao Yishi stood alone by the window in old robes, hands clasped behind his back.

People say one day in the mountains equals a thousand years in the world. Only after entering the Imperial Mausoleum did he understand that time stood still here.

There were no endless memorials to read, no endless officials to meet—only solitude.

He felt like a lonely ghost, forgotten by everyone in this corner.

How laughable.

Just days ago, he was still the Crown Prince that ten thousand people in the world wanted to curry favor with.

At this moment, Shen Chong pushed open the study door and unrolled a portrait on the desk.

“Your Highness, come look quickly.”

Zhao Yishi walked over. His gaze fell on the portrait and his spine stiffened.

“Your Highness, three hours ago, Buddha’s light was discovered at Young Master Pei’s villa. Two hours ago, Jiang Shining presented this portrait before the dragon throne.”

Shen Chong continued, “Immediately after, Third Master, Young Master Pei, and Miss Yan were taken away by Jiang Shining.”

Zhao Yishi’s heart shook violently. “Taken where?”

Shen Chong: “To the southern palace.”

The palace?

Zhao Yishi’s pupils dilated with extreme shock.

Even he had never been to Father Emperor’s southern palace. Why would he take those three there?

“Your Highness, there’s one more thing.”

“Speak!”

Shen Chong glanced at the Crown Prince’s expression. “Reportedly, after His Majesty saw Miss Yan’s portrait, his hands trembled. He asked Jiang Shining several questions in succession.”

“What questions?”

“What is her name? Where is she from? How old is she this year? Who is her father? Who is her mother? When did she enter the capital?”

Zhao Yishi looked at the portrait beside him in astonishment.

The sovereign’s words were never spoken carelessly. Yet he asked six consecutive questions about Yan Sanhe. Why?

What was so special about Yan Sanhe?

“What’s their situation now?”

“Replying to Your Highness, there’s been no news yet.”

“Immediately send someone to find out.”

“Yes!”

After the door closed, Zhao Yishi paced back and forth in the study.

Since Father Emperor ascended the throne, he’d indeed become somewhat obsessed with women. Yan Sanhe’s face was certainly beautiful, but to summon her to the palace without even a moment’s wait…

No, that’s not right!

Zhao Yishi walked to the desk, his gaze falling on the portrait once more.

“Your Highness, news has arrived.”

Shen Chong returned. “Half an hour ago, Miss Yan and her party of three left the palace completely unharmed.”

Before Zhao Yishi could react, Shen Chong’s voice suddenly lowered. “Reportedly, of the three, His Majesty only spoke with Miss Yan alone.”

Miss Yan?

Yan Sanhe?

All expression froze on Zhao Yishi’s face, ethereal as an immortal. After a long moment, he asked again, “What did they say?”

“Replying to Your Highness, only one sentence was heard.”

Shen Chong stepped forward. “His Majesty said… your grandfather’s words were wrong. In the high halls of the court, there are demonic winds; in the distant rivers and lakes, there is life.”

Demonic winds?

Life?

Then it absolutely wasn’t about female beauty.

“Your grandfather”—these three words meant the Emperor had some familiarity with Yan Sanhe.

Zhao Yishi picked up the portrait, his gaze boring into the person depicted with such force it could burn a hole through the image.

“Shen Chong, in our Zhao clan, who has lived the longest?”

“The Old Prince behind Yusheng Tower.”

“Go there yourself and have him identify who the person in this portrait resembles.”

“Yes!”

Just as the words fell, the voice of the eunuch Wang Yin came from outside.

“Your Highness, Third Master Xie just sent word that he wishes to see Your Highness. He’s already three li away.”

Zhao Yishi’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Why has he come?

—

Thank you all for waiting!