Chapter 2: Entering the Imperial Capital

Chapter 2: Entering the Capital

The rain grew heavier.

Not a single lamp illuminated the four alleys, only high walls on either side, their dark outlines looming eerily in the night.

Yan Sanhe held his umbrella steady, his steps equally composed.

As that person had said, after passing through the four alleys and walking for another quarter of an hour, the vermilion gate of the Xie Estate shimmered in the glow of lanterns.

On either side of the entrance stood two stone lions, ferocious and majestic.

Yan Sanhe tucked away his umbrella and ascended the steps one by one. Upon reaching the top, he delicately grasped the door knocker.

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

After a brief wait, the heavy vermilion gate creaked open a crack, revealing a square-faced man with an abundance of wrinkles on his features.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Xie Daozhi!"

"Impudent! You dare to address my master by name? Be off, be off, be off... Hurry up and leave!"

Yan Sanhe exerted more force, pushing the gate back open into a wider gap.

Startled by her strength, the square-faced man took a proper look at her under the light of the lantern by the entrance.

In just a few moments, he had her figured out.

"What business do you have with my master?"

"A matter of great importance."

Just keep on exaggerating!

With a square face, he curled his lips, unable to hide the sarcasm in the corners of his mouth.

This figure, this appearance—she's probably the favorite of one of the gentlemen in the mansion. As Old Wang, who has guarded the Xie family's gate for decades, I've seen my fair share of such women.

Each one of them thinks they can wedge their way into the Xie family with their good looks. Aren't they ashamed?

"The Xie family's status is not something even a concubine from outside these walls can aspire to, let alone you. Miss, you seem intelligent..."

"Shut up!"

Yan Sanhe's gaze was icy, her pupils darkening several shades.

Old Wang was taken aback at first, then let out an inward gasp.

Not good!

No woman who tries to climb into bed with a man would dare call him by name or tell him to be quiet.

Before him stood...

Could it be that she carries another man's child?

Old Wang summoned a servant boy and whispered some instructions. The lad dashed off, disappearing in an instant, only to return moments later, panting heavily.

"I didn't catch your name," the servant said.

"Tell Xie Daozhi that my surname is Yan, as in 'calm seas and clear rivers' Yan," Yan Sanhe replied, his voice even more serene than the night itself, his hands clasped behind his back.

...

The wait lasted a full hour.

Unable to withstand the cold, Old Wang had retreated into the warmth of his house.

Yan Sanhe stood beneath the eaves, listening to the pitter-patter of raindrops. His expression was somewhat dazed.

Footsteps approached, and a servant led a middle-aged man forward. The man was slightly plump with a protruding belly and an oily complexion.

This appearance suggested that he was likely the steward of the Xie household.

Steward Xie walked up to Yan Sanhe and gazed at her face for a long while before haughtily saying, "Follow me."

Yan Sanhe held up her umbrella and followed silently.

It had only been a few days since the 15th day of the first lunar month, so the lanterns in the estate had yet to be taken down. As they walked, she admired the lanterns along the way.

Yan Sanhe was secretly alarmed, not by the grandeur and wealth of the Xie residence but by the fact that she hadn't seen a single servant on their path.

This was highly unusual.

The only explanation was that Xie Daozhi already had an inkling of who she might be.

"We're here."

Steward Xie pointed ahead, "Wait inside."

Yan Sanhe didn't rush inside but leisurely strolled around the courtyard under her umbrella before stopping in front of Manager Xie.

She put away her umbrella and lifted her gaze.

Manager Xie's heart skipped a beat.

What kind of girl had such a pair of eyes?

Her dark eyes were shrouded in a chill, and her pupils remained still as she looked...

Too eerie!

A corner of Yan Sanhe's lips curled up slightly as she softly said, "I trouble you."

Was she only here to say those two words after wandering for so long?

Manager Xie's face turned ashen.

But Yan Sanhe had already turned and entered the inner chamber.

In the inner chamber, the lights shone brightly.

  Every detail, every arrangement, conveyed to Yan Sanhe one unyielding truth —

  This was the residence of a paramount cabinet minister, a man whose power reached the heavens.