Chapter 5: The庚Matchmaking Slip

Chapter 5: Engagement Note

Yan Sanhe waited for the water to cool down before rising to wash up.

After cleansing herself of the day's weariness, she held the bundle close to her chest and curled up in a chair, gradually closing her eyes.

As sleep overtook her, she drifted into a dream.

In her dream, Yan Xing was still present.

Yan Xing taught her to read, shared fascinating tales from the five lakes and four seas, and brewed peach blossom wine from Peach Blossom Spring...

The dream was not long.

When Yan Sanhe awoke, she realized she had only slept for two hours.

Pausing in her thoughts, she gently set the bundle aside and tiptoed to the window, quietly pushing it open.

"!"

Yan Sanhe's pupils dilated abruptly.

In the courtyard, without his notice, seven or eight guards had appeared.

These guards were hugging their swords, curled up under the eaves, sound asleep with their eyes closed.

They were even armed with swords?

Yan Sanhe sneered silently.

...

Manager Xie was preoccupied with something and couldn't sleep well all night.

As the sky began to brighten, he got dressed, washed up, and decided to check on the master first since he had slept in the study the previous night.

Upon reaching the entrance of the yard, before he could step in, he lifted his head and caught sight of a person's back.

Manager Xie was on the verge of losing his mind.

Why is she here?

"Halt right there!"

Yan Sanhe was just as surprised by Manager Xie's unexpected arrival.

The Xie estate was vast, and it had taken her some time to locate Xie Daozhi's study.

Turning around with slightly raised eyebrows, Yan Sanhe showed no trace of embarrassment for being caught red-handed.

Manager Xie glared at her fiercely. "Miss Yan, this isn't a place you should be in. If you want silver, follow me!"

Yan Sanhe curved her lips but not only did she not follow, she instead strode confidently towards the study.

Every hair on Manager Xie's body stood on end, and he rushed over to grab her.

Just as he seized her arm, a sharp pain shot through his knee. Before he could figure out what was happening, he found himself kneeling on the ground.

"Yan Sanhe!"

Chief Steward Xie grunted in pain and scolded, "Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Aren't you curious who'll have to drink the bitter cup instead of the toast this early in the morning?" A gentle voice rang out from the entrance of the courtyard as a man walked in, dressed in a deep azure robe. He seemed like a bright, full moon.

Yan Sanhe lifted her eyelids slightly, taking a quick glance before averting her gaze.

Yet, the man's eyes remained fixed on Yan Sanhe.

He had never seen this young lady before. Which family did she belong to?

"Sir, why are you here so early in the morning?" Chief Steward Xie struggled to his feet and limped over to Xie Erli.

"I heard that Father rested in his study last night, so I came to check on him," Xie Erli replied.

After a moment's hesitation, Xie Erli asked, "And this is...?"

Chief Steward Xie broke into a cold sweat, anxiety gripping him.

On one hand, there was the master's instruction, and on the other, the eldest son and grandson, the future head of the Xie family – neither could be offended.

Quickly, he said, "She's just a distant relative begging for handouts. She's dissatisfied with the money she received yesterday. Master, you needn't bother. Leave it to this old servant to deal with."

Xie Erli looked at Yan Sanhe suspiciously. "Miss, if you think the money is insufficient, you can tell me."

"I have nothing to say to you."

Yan Sanhe couldn't afford any more delay. She turned around and faced the study door.

"Xie Daozhi, your biological father did indeed pass away from illness when you were one and a half years old. But four years later, your mother..."

The door swung open with a whoosh.

Xie Daozhi's face was cold, exuding a murderous aura.

"Arrest this woman! She's slandering a noble lady of the court with nonsense. Bind her hands."

"You won't even let me finish my sentence. What are you afraid of?"

Yan Sanhe's gaze sharpened abruptly, his tone carrying an icy sternness that deterred any rash actions.

"The name of your birth mother was Yang, with the single character Hui. She was born on the ninth day of the first lunar month. In the early years of Yonghe, she married Yan Xing, a renowned scholar from Shuidong in Anhui Prefecture, as his second wife. At the age of twenty-five, he became your stepfather."

Yan Sanhe unfolded the yellowed marriage contract in his hand.

"Everything is clearly stated here, in black and white. What more do you have to say?"

Xie Daozhi felt a buzz in his ears, rendering him deaf to everything else.

His aged face turned unnervingly pale.