“Third Master, please follow this servant.”

“Eunuch Wang, is this the only building at the Imperial Mausoleum? How is it so simple?”

“Third Master may not know—those who guard the Imperial Mausoleum have either committed errors or bear sins. How could they deserve to live in fine houses?”

What sin does Huairen have? Isn’t it just that he’s better looking than the Emperor, a bit smarter, and more capable in his actions?

Looking at the buildings around him, Xie Zhifei felt very uncomfortable and remained silent the entire way.

“Third Master, we’ve arrived.”

It was an ordinary courtyard. Dusk was approaching, but no lamps had been lit in the courtyard yet. That person stood quietly under the eaves, merged with the darkness.

Zhao Yishi also saw Xie Zhifei at this moment, and a thunderclap seemed to sound in his heart.

“Why has your hair turned white?”

On the way here, Xie Zhifei had already prepared an excuse. “With Father and Old Ancestor passing one after another, in my heart…”

“Xie Chengyu!”

Before he could finish, Zhao Yishi stepped forward. “With me here, what do you have to worry about?”

“I…”

“Never mind your father—just considering our friendship over all these years, would I stand by and do nothing about the Xie family or you?”

Zhao Yishi’s tone was stern.

“You settle your heart firmly. Continue being your Third Master Xie properly. I’ve said before—as long as I have good days, the Xie family will have good days. Even an heir apparent keeps his word.”

These words made Xie Zhifei’s heart ache.

To be fair.

Though Huairen appeared to be a refined gentleman, he actually had ruthless methods in the shadows. But toward him and Mingting, he’d always protected them openly and covertly.

In just a few short days, it had become half his lifetime. He could no longer summon the ambition to pursue high office, wealth, and glory.

Xie Zhifei lifted his robe and knelt on one knee.

“What are you doing?”

“Your Highness, I’ve come to ask one thing of you.”

Your Highness?

Zhao Yishi’s brows furrowed. The hand he’d been extending to help him up slowly withdrew.

“Speak. What do you ask of me? Besides not being able to restore your official position immediately, everything else is negotiable.”

“I wish to leave the capital.”

“What did you say?” Zhao Yishi was shocked and stepped back half a step.

“I wish to hand over everything in my charge, leave the capital, and from now on be a free spirit, living out my remaining years in freedom.”

Zhao Yishi stood stunned for a long time, then suddenly smiled. “Is it for Yan Sanhe?”

“She’s one reason. The other reason… is because of my father.”

Zhao Yishi’s expression changed slightly. “What about your father?”

“In my heart, my father was always a hero. I never imagined that in the matter of the Zheng family… I know that those who accomplish great things must sacrifice some things to gain others, but whenever I think of the hundred and eighty members of the Zheng household, I have nightmares every night.”

Xie Zhifei fell silent for a while.

“His death is also a thorn lodged in my heart—I can neither pull it out nor swallow it down.

The last words he said to me before he left: ‘Third son, Father only hopes that from now on you’ll have fewer hardships and more joy, and be able to live to a ripe old age. Then it will all be worth it—everything will be worth it.'”

Xie Zhifei’s eyes grew hot.

“He truly treated me, his third son, well. Yet the things he did were truly ruthless. Your Highness, whenever I think of these things, my heart can never settle.”

Zhao Yishi sighed silently.

“Even so, there’s no need to resign. During the three years of mourning, just go out and travel around. I’ll have Mingting accompany you. He’s the best at comic relief. After three years, you can both return to the capital to help me.”

Xie Zhifei’s heart was moved, but he still shook his head.

“Yan Sanhe doesn’t like the capital. Once the Zheng family heart demon is resolved, there’s nothing and no one to tie her to the capital. She’ll soon leave with Li Buyan. Your Highness also knows how deeply I care for her…”

“For one woman, disregarding your elderly mother and siblings at home, disregarding your own future, disregarding the depth of brotherhood.”

Zhao Yishi’s gaze gradually turned cold. “Xie Zhifei, have you fed all your learning to the dogs?”

Xie Zhifei lowered his head without speaking.

“Chengyu.”

Zhao Yishi spoke earnestly.

“Since ancient times, those who abandon family and career for a woman never end well. The tender feelings between men and women are only temporary pleasures. After a long time, even a celestial beauty becomes ordinary.

What truly allows us men to establish ourselves are the ambitions in our chests, the power in our hands, the status at our feet. With these things, why worry about not finding another Yan Sanhe?”

“Your Highness, no amount of power means more than sleeping in one bed. No matter how high the status, it’s still just three meals a day. When we close our eyes, it’s all gone—we can’t take any of it with us.”

Xie Zhifei raised his head and spoke from the heart:

“I’m truly weary of days filled with strife, constantly wearing a mask I can’t even distinguish as real or fake myself, calling various people brothers while speaking nothing but lies. Your Highness, Chengyu is tired.”

“You’re not tired. You’ve been bewitched by a woman.”

Zhao Yishi crouched down. “Let me ask you—how much do you know about Yan Sanhe? Where is her ancestral home? Who are her parents? Does she have siblings?”

I know everything.

But I can’t tell you.

Huairen, your position is already so difficult. Only by taking Yan Sanhe far away can I avoid putting you in an impossible position.

Xie Zhifei didn’t dare meet Zhao Yishi’s eyes and lowered his head. “I love her as a person.”

“Xie Chengyu.”

Zhao Yishi flew into a rage. “What kind of magic potion has Yan Sanhe fed you that you can even say such foolish words?”

Xie Zhifei was struck speechless and could only bow down. “Chengyu begs Your Highness to grant this request!”

“You…”

Zhao Yishi looked at the person at his feet, his eyes full of disappointment.

After a long time, he stood up, his tone softening somewhat.

“There’s no rush in this matter. I’ll give you half a year to consider carefully…”

“Your Highness, there’s no need to consider. My mind is made up.”

Xie Zhifei raised his head. “Within three days, I’ll transfer all matters in my charge to Mingting. Though he seems frivolous, as long as…”

“You can’t even wait half a year?”

Zhao Yishi practically ground out these words through clenched teeth.

Xie Zhifei’s forehead touched the ground again. “I beg Your Highness to grant this request!”

Grant it?

How could two such simple words erase the thought and effort he’d invested in this person over ten years?

He’d fallen to guarding this godforsaken mausoleum for speaking on behalf of Xie Daozhi, yet this person wanted to abandon him for a woman?

In his extreme anger, Zhao Yishi actually smiled faintly.

“Chengyu, you and Mingting are the people I trust most.”

Hearing these words, Xie Zhifei couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath. He straightened up and met Zhao Yishi’s eyes openly and honestly.

“Your Highness, if Chengyu leaks even one word, may I be struck by five thunderbolts and die a terrible death!”

…

“Crack—”

The teacup shattered, and Wang Yin and all those serving the Crown Prince fell to their knees.

Zhao Yishi looked at these people, feeling nothing but extreme disgust in his heart. He angrily shouted, “All of you get out!”

Everyone hastily withdrew, fearing that being even a moment slow would invoke the Crown Prince’s wrath.

The courtyard became empty. Zhao Yishi could clearly hear his own heart beating—thump, thump—fierce and rapid.

Something was very wrong!

Xie Chengyu always did things methodically. Even if he decided to retire, he would handle matters one by one with perfect clarity. He would never be so rushed as to insist on three days.

“Someone come.”

A shadow guard descended from above. “Your Highness.”

“Go meet Shen Chong on the road and have him come see me with all speed.”

“Yes!”

—