Guests continued arriving in an endless stream at the Xie residence entrance. Yun Chu was too lazy to continue greeting guests. She let Yuan Shi handle it, then took the two children to the rear courtyard.

The two little ones were especially happy, circling around Yun Chu and constantly calling her “Mother.”

Meanwhile, Xie Jingyu led Chu Yi to sit down in the banquet hall. Servants brought the finest tea.

Chu Yi said casually: “I heard long ago that Old Madam Xie passed away and Lord Xie fell ill from excessive grief. This prince sees that Lord Xie seems quite well after all.”

Xie Jingyu said respectfully: “Originally I was too ill to get out of bed. My wife helped request a retired imperial physician to take my pulse and prescribe medicine. After taking the medicine, I improved greatly.”

Chu Yi’s fingers paused.

She… cared so much about this man that she actually went to request an old imperial physician for him?

He felt somewhat stifled and asked casually: “Which physician was it?”

“Doctor Qin.” Xie Jingyu answered. “Doctor Qin has exceptional medical skills. I’ll probably recover completely very soon.”

Hearing this, Chu Yi’s brow furrowed.

He might not know all the civil and military officials specifically, but because his two children were born weak, he knew clearly which imperial physicians were in the Imperial Medical Bureau, what each physician’s surname was and what they specialized in. He also knew the physicians and barefoot doctors on every street and alley in the capital inside and out, not to mention those retired imperial physicians who had honorably left their posts…

He had never heard of a retired imperial physician surnamed Qin.

He temporarily set aside his doubts and said: “Today is the Xie family eldest daughter’s joyous day. It seems the Xie family is… missing someone?”

Xie Jingyu’s expression stiffened.

The person missing from the Xie family was naturally Xie Shiwei, his disappointing second son.

On this joyous occasion, he didn’t even want to mention that rebellious son.

“How could someone be missing on such a wonderful occasion?” A smile appeared on Chu Yi’s face. “This prince has specially brought Second Young Master Xie back for Lord Xie.”

“What?!”

Xie Jingyu’s expression changed drastically. He stood up abruptly.

This action attracted the attention of several nearby guests, who thought something had happened.

“Why is Lord Xie so agitated?” Chu Yi said at his leisure. “This prince knows the Xie family has been searching for Second Young Master Xie’s whereabouts. Just now my people happened to spot him, so I thought to send Lord Xie a great gift.”

When he had Chengxu investigate the Xie family’s affairs, he discovered that the Concubine He who made Xie Jingyu disregard propriety had inexplicably died.

Following this Concubine He thread of investigation, he actually uncovered a shocking secret.

That Concubine He was actually the legitimate granddaughter of Lord He, the Minister of Revenue who had been guilty of embezzlement and perversion of the law over twenty years ago.

And the Xie family’s eldest son, eldest daughter, and second son were very likely also He family descendants. However, for now he temporarily hadn’t found evidence yet.

“Come, Lord Xie. Follow this prince to bring Second Young Master Xie back to the residence.”

Hearing Chu Yi’s words, Xie Jingyu’s body swayed.

After the old matriarch died, Xie Shiwei had secretly fled. At that time, countless people in the capital gossiped about the Xie family. The Xie family seemed to become like rats crossing the street.

So many days had passed, and people had finally forgotten about the Xie family’s affairs… If Brother Wei returned to the residence now, he would definitely be immediately arrested, and the old matriarch’s death would be brought up again… If Brother Wei’s crimes were confirmed, the Xie family would forever be nailed to the pillar of shame.

“Oh, there’s one more thing.” Chu Yi’s voice was heavy. “The major embezzlement case in the Ministry of Revenue that shocked the capital over twenty years ago—surely Lord Xie, as a Vice Minister of Revenue, has heard of it?”

Xie Jingyu was still processing the matter of Xie Shiwei and hadn’t recovered his senses when he heard another matter that made his brain explode.

“I heard that He family descendants recently came to the capital.” Chu Yi fixed his gaze on Xie Jingyu. “Has Lord Xie seen anyone from the He family?”

Xie Jingyu’s head spun. He nearly fell from his chair.

“No, no.” He couldn’t catch his breath. After a long pause, he said, “This official doesn’t know what Your Highness means.”

“The conversation has reached this point, yet Lord Xie still plays dumb before this prince.” Chu Yi smiled. “Concubine He—her original surname is He. Am I correct?”

Xie Jingyu only felt a fishy sweetness in his throat, then began coughing violently. He covered his mouth with his hand, felt warmth in his palm, looked down—he had coughed up a mouthful of black blood.

This morning when he got up, his body had already improved considerably. Now he felt not an ounce of strength in his entire body and wanted nothing more than to faint.

But he knew he couldn’t faint.

“Your, Your Highness!” Xie Jingyu forced himself to hold on. “This official, this official…”

He desperately wanted to say something but didn’t know what to say.

Since Prince Pingxi had come to his door, it meant all the evidence was there. Whatever explanations he gave would be futile.

Wait!

He suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

Prince Pingxi came to discuss this matter while the Xie family was holding a celebration, rather than bringing government officials to investigate. This meant there was still room for maneuvering.

As if seeing hope, he immediately said: “Whatever orders Your Highness has, please speak freely. This official is willing to dedicate himself utterly!”

Chu Yi rubbed his thumb. After a long pause, he said: “Lord Xie has been in mourning for quite some time now. The old matriarch must have felt Lord Xie’s filial piety. This prince has some matters requiring Lord Xie to handle. Lord Xie should prepare yourself.”

Xie Jingyu froze in shock.

Since ancient times, there had always been a saying: of all virtues, filial piety is foremost. When parents died, one observed three years of mourning; when grandparents died, one observed one year, called “ding you.”

Officials during mourning periods could not attend court. Many capable people had their careers delayed because of this. He had always worried that after observing one year of mourning, there would no longer be a place for him at court.

He hadn’t expected Prince Pingxi to actually have him handle affairs now.

Prince Pingxi was an imperial prince. Having him end mourning early to handle affairs was called “seizing affection”—only officials of high position and authority who were deeply trusted by the Emperor could receive such treatment. What virtue or ability did he possess…

However, Prince Pingxi had seized upon the Xie family’s weakness and wanted him to work for him. Having him end mourning early was also to cultivate a trusted subordinate.

He, Xie Jingyu, was after all that year’s top scholar, full of talent—he just had never been put to good use.

Now the court had already vaguely divided into three factions. So what if the Crown Prince’s faction was most prosperous? If he followed Prince Pingxi, he would definitely help Prince Pingxi ascend to that position.

“This humble official is willing to serve Your Highness and follow you to the death!”

Chu Yi nodded, a trace of mockery floating in his eyes.

He would arrange a lucrative position for Xie Jingyu, a lucrative position in the Ministry of Revenue—work that involved handling silver, dealing with at least several hundred thousand taels of silver daily.

He didn’t believe Xie Jingyu could resist such great temptation.

The Yun family, from top to bottom, were all upright and incorruptible. If they learned their son-in-law had taken court silver, they would only understand more clearly that both parties were not on the same path, and would only more quickly have Yun Chu divorce Xie Jingyu…

Chu Yi was about to speak of Xie Shiwei’s matter.

Chengxu hurriedly approached and whispered in his ear: “Your Highness, the Yun family people have found their way to Lihua Xiang.”

Lihua Xiang was where Xie Shiwei was temporarily being held.

His people handled matters extremely efficiently. That the Yun family could find Lihua Xiang so quickly could only mean the Yun family had been sending people to watch Xie Shiwei all along.

After Xie Shiwei fled from the Xie residence, he lived under bridges and ate slop. Since the Yun family was secretly watching but didn’t extend a helping hand, what did this indicate?

It indicated the Yun family no longer considered the Xie family as in-laws.

Chu Yi smiled lightly: “Release Xie Shiwei.”

He wanted to see what exactly the Yun family was planning. He didn’t mind lending a hand.