Chapter 21: In Search of Someone

Chapter 21: Searching for Someone

The old matriarch's sudden decision caught the father and son off guard.

"Eldest Son!"

After some contemplation, Xie Daozhi reluctantly agreed, "You lead the search personally, but make sure it's discreet!"

There was no need to emphasize this; Xie Erli understood the gravity of the situation better than anyone else.

He turned and walked into the courtyard, whispering to the chief steward, "Quickly select a dozen skilled bodyguards to come with me."

"Yes!"

As the steward responded, someone outside shouted, "Third Master has returned!"

A few dozen paces away.

A man dressed in the attire of a martial official strolled leisurely, as if he were a noble young master admiring flowers and willows in spring, despite his attire.

Riding on an air of debonair charm!

As he saw his elder brother approaching, his almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of a dimple on one side of his cheek.

"I always say absence makes the heart grow fonder. It's only been two days, and you already miss me so much."

"Xie Zhifei!"

All the nonchalance on Xie Zhifei's face vanished in an instant.

His elder brother usually called him "Third Brother," or affectionately addressed him as "Ah Fei," using his full name only...

He didn't recall making any girl cry recently!

Xie Zhifei rushed forward obediently, but froze when he caught sight of half of his brother's face.

"Elder Brother, what happened to your face?"

"Let's not talk about that now. I need you to find someone for me immediately. His surname is Yan, and his given name is Sanhe. Bring him back to the mansion once you locate him."

Xie Zhifei propelled Chief Steward Xie forward. "Old Xie will accompany you; he's seen that person before."

"But isn't it just finding someone? Big Brother, you haven't even told us about your face..."

"My dear Third Master!"

Chief Steward Xie slapped his thigh. "That person is the one who injured Eldest Brother – she's a ruthless character!"

Xie Zhifei's expression turned cold. He turned to his trusted aide waiting at a distance and instructed, "Inform all our brothers to search the entire city for a woman named Yan Sanhe."

"Third Master, not a woman – a lady!"

Xie Zhifei raised an eyebrow at Chief Steward Xie.

A woman?

Injured Eldest Brother?

And... a ruthless character?

Ah, how intriguing!

...

Moments later, a dozen swift horses shot through the streets like arrows, racing towards Sweet Water Lane.

Sweet Water Lane was the most diverse and lawless area in the capital city, filled with people from all walks of life.

Xie Zhifei dismounted his horse, and instantly, a group of five or six small beggars gathered around the corner.

"Third Master, she went towards the Southern City Gate."

"She was riding a brown horse."

"And she had a bundle on her back."

"That horse was incredibly fast."

Upon hearing this, Manager Xie hastily tugged on his lord's sleeve. "She must have fled the city! Third Master, hurry and chase after her!"

"Chase!"

With that command, Xie Zhifei didn't rush to mount his horse. Instead, he pulled out a few taels of silver from his chest pocket and tossed them towards the young beggar.

"Take this to buy some wine!"

"Thank you, Third Master!"

"Third Master, this is the first time you've sought a girl."

"Have you taken a fancy to her, Third Master?"

Xie Zhifei's willow-shaped eyes narrowed as he cursed, "Scram—"

Beyond the city gates, they rode along the main road, dashing for fifteen miles without encountering a single soul, only cold gusts of wind filling their mouths.

Xie Zhifei sensed something amiss. He pulled on the reins, causing the horse to circle twice before coming to a halt.

He dismounted and approached Manager Xie, yanking the man off his horse. "Where does this woman come from in the capital?"

"The Yunnan Prefecture!"

"Yunnan Prefecture?"

Xie Zhifei's face darkened. "Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"I was in a hurry to find her, and there wasn't an opportunity!" The manager's face was more bitter than bitter melon.

Xie Zhifei waved his hand. "Turn back."

"Third Master, Third Master!"

The manager clutched onto him, on the verge of tears. "We can't turn back! The old madam has given her word – if we don't find this person..."

"She hasn't left the city."

"That's impossible. Clearly she..."

"Silence!"

Xie Zhifei grabbed Manager Xie's collar. "Yunnan Prefecture is leagues away from the capital. With only a small bundle on her back and no food or water, how could she have made the journey?"

Manager Xie was stumped.

"If I were her, I would have eaten and drunk my fill tonight, prepared ample provisions, and bought new clothes before setting out tomorrow morning."

"But... The southern gate guards clearly saw her leave the city."

Manager Xie's brows furrowed so tightly that a fly could have been crushed between them. "Could it be... She returned?"

"That's called a diversionary tactic."

Xie Zhifei smacked the back of Manager Xie's head. "All to avoid fools like you."

Manager Xie: "..."

Loosening his grip, Third Master Xie turned to his trusted aide. "Zhu Qing."

"Third Master!"

"Search every inn near the Southern City Gate. Don't let one slip by."

"Yes, sir!"

"Third Master!"

Master Xie's lips twitched. "If she was trying to avoid us, wouldn't she have just found some secluded corner to spend the night?"

"Old Xie!"

Third Master Xie wore an expression that said 'you're beyond help.'

"People can't just grow fat without brains. Try spending a cold night like that yourself."

Master Xie: "...."

Seeing the defeated look on Master Xie's face, a faint tremor stirred in Third Master Xie's heart. He realized that the woman's diversionary tactic indeed indicated her sophistication!

"Why did this person come to our home? And how did he hurt my elder brother?"

Upon this inquiry, Manager Xie's grievances surged forth uncontrollably.

"Third Master, you have no idea. From the moment I laid eyes on him, something seemed off. Who would wear only a single layer of clothing in the depths of winter?"

"Cut to the chase."

"That is the crucial point, Third Master."

Chief Steward Xie: "The moment she stepped into the Xie family, she addressed the master by his given name..."

...

"Miss, the hot water you requested is here."

"Here are ten catties of dried food, that's all the kitchen has."

"This robe was made anew by me before the new year. The fabric isn't the finest, but my mother's sewing skills are excellent."

"Many thanks!"

Yan Sanhe bestowed another two taels of silver, causing the attendant's grin to stretch wide.

With the door closed, Yan Sanhe moved to the window, propping it open. Gazing at a distant flicker of light, she felt restless.

Even if they traveled day and night, it would take an entire month to reach Yunnan Prefecture.

The seventy-seven-day agreement would undoubtedly be missed.

That was secondary.

More importantly, the letter wasn't the key to her grandfather's inner demon. Everything needed to start anew, which would only add to the delay.

Despite the multitude of worries weighing on Yan Sanhe's heart, her eyes burned with intensity, as if harboring a blazing flame within.

Humans have two sides: one good, one evil.

But in her mind, her grandfather's two sides were worlds apart, which was not ordinary.

Thought Yan Sanhe to herself, it was only a matter of time before she discovered the truth behind it all.

After a quick wash, she changed into the attire of a servant and tied her hair up high. Finally, she extinguished the lamp, curled up in a chair with her belongings hugged close.

Time was precious; everything was ready for tonight, allowing her to set off immediately upon waking tomorrow, without any delay.

Though the inn was modest, Yan Sanhe found it more reassuring than the Xie residence.

In the darkness, her breaths gradually became longer and deeper...

It was unclear how much time had passed.

Yan Sanhe suddenly snapped open her eyes, her gaze landing on the door latch. In the next moment, she rushed to the window, pushed it open, and peered out—beneath the pale moonlight, several dark figures were slowly encircling the building.