Chapter 22: The Work Comes to an End

Chapter 22 - Finishing Up

Was it aimed at her?

It was the Xie family!

Without time to ponder, Yan Sanhe hastily tied the bundle around her and silently pushed open the window. With a grimace, she hoisted herself over.

She couldn't perform acrobatic feats, but climbing trees was within her abilities. Her courage alone allowed her to leap from the second floor.

Yan Sanhe gritted her teeth, lowering her feet bit by bit.

When her hands could no longer bear the strain, they released their grip, and she landed with a thud.

"Ouch—"

Ignoring the pain, Yan Sanhe pressed against the wall and started walking northward.

This was an alley, devoid of any people. At its end lay a bustling main street.

Upon reaching the bustling street, there were options aplenty. Hiding in any alleyway, squeezing into a corner, or concealing oneself behind a tree would ensure safety.

Yan Sanhe had thoroughly investigated the inn beforehand precisely to avoid any persistent shadows from the Xie residence, as certain matters couldn't be explained to them.

She was swift in her escape, nearing the end of the dark alleyway.

Suddenly, she stumbled, freezing in her tracks.

At the entrance of the alleyway stood a man with one foot on the ground and the other on the wall, his arms folded across his chest, gazing at her calmly.

Yan Sanhe instinctively sensed danger. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she spotted several dark silhouettes rapidly approaching her from a distance.

Trapped like a turtle in an urn!

Yan Sanhe heaved a few deep breaths, let out an annoyed yet resigned sigh, and lowered her head.

Seeing that she had stopped moving, Xie Zhifei's lips curved into a slow smile.

How intriguing.

What could such a woman, who deceived, intimidated, leapt through windows, climbed walls, and even abducted and injured her own elder brother, possibly look like? Did she have three heads and six arms?

He straightened his bent leg and waved at Zhu Qing and the others who had just caught up behind the woman. Then, he strolled over, step by step, in a leisurely manner.

The person still kept their head down, dressed in male attire. Yet, their slender figure couldn't fill it out properly, making them appear rather out of place.

Xie Zhifei shook his head and laughed lazily.

"Don't say it!"

He was being utterly unserious.

"You pull off the disguise as a man quite well, but your chest... "

Yan Sanhe suddenly lifted his head, and his two sharp gazes pierced through like daggers.

"..."

The rest of the sentence got stuck in her throat.

Was it her?

That peculiar woman who had purchased medicine from the Myriad Remedies Hall.

Xie Zhifei's expression shifted abruptly.

It was him!

The man who had given her directions at the Myriad Remedies Hall.

Yan Sanhe's countenance also changed instantly.

What connection did he have with the Xie family?

Manager Xie panted as he rushed over, his face contorted as if he wanted to devour someone.

"Third Master, it was her who kidnapped and injured Eldest Master. Hmph, she even changed into men's clothing, but it's useless. I'd recognize her even if she turned to ashes."

Was she talking about the third son of the Xie family?

The one who was on the verge of dying from illness?

Yan Sanhe narrowed her eyes in contemplation.

This person had a tall and robust build, with every contour of their face exuding masculinity. Where was the slightest hint of sickness?

The Xie family was lying!

Just then, a moonlit glow fell upon Yan Sanhe, emphasizing the paleness of her face and lips. Yet, the coldness in her eyes was like icy rock, sending shivers down one's spine.

In his twenty years of life, Xie Zhifei had never seen such a gaze before.

His eyebrows lifted slightly as he suggested, "Young Miss, with your noble upbringing, why not come back to the Xie residence with me? We can have tea and conversation, wouldn't that be more pleasant than standing here in the cold wind?"

Yan Sanhe remained silent.

She detested two types of people above all else in her life: the flirtatious and the dissolute.

This man's smiling, lascivious gaze, paired with his casual comment about "this chest," screamed of both traits. It stirred a genuine aversion within her heart.

"Third Master, why waste time talking to her? Just bind her and take her away."

Third Master Xie glanced at Manager Xie before his eyes fell on the bundle behind Yan Sanhe.

"You're surnamed Yan?"

"..."

"How old are you this year?"

"..."

"Who else is there in your family?"

"..."

"My Third Master!"

The Chief Steward Xie could no longer bear to listen.

Although this woman was indeed attractive, Third Master should know his priorities and consider the situation! With the household in such a state of panic, he was still asking irrelevant questions!

"Chief Steward Xie."

Third Master Xie responded, "Do you understand the concept of cherishing beauty? Never mind, if you did, you wouldn't be an old bachelor at this age."

Chief Steward Xie: "..."

He swallowed hard.

Third Master Xie politely gestured, "Miss, please proceed!"

Yan Sanhe fell silent for a moment before walking straight past him.

Seemingly unfazed by being ignored, Third Master Xie smiled. He lifted his gaze at Zhu Qing and the others, silently conveying the words, "That's a wrap!"

...

Exiting the dim alley, Yan Sanhe realized that there were quite a few people lying in wait outside.

These individuals' attire and bearing were distinct from those of Xie Manor's guards; they appeared to be officials or servants of the court.

She gave a cold smile. "I won't be going to the Xie residence. Let Xie Daozhi come and see me!"

"You're still living in a dream!"

The chief steward, Xie, seemed to have risen from the dead. "Who do you think you are, daring to..."

"Listen to my words if you don't want misfortune to befall the Xie family."

Yan Sanhe gestured toward the inn behind her. "I'll be waiting for him there. You can send someone to keep watch, but don't make me wait too long. I'm not exactly known for my patience!"

With that, she turned away, her hands clasped behind her back, and walked back into the inn amidst the stunned gazes of all present.

Her audacity knew no bounds!

"Third Master!"

The more Chief Steward Xie looked, the angrier he became. He gritted his teeth and said, "Stop being a soft-hearted fool. Just break both her legs and drag her back."

Only then did Xie Zhifei fully understand the depth of this ruthless man's cruelty.

With a curious smile, he turned to Zhu Qing, who stood behind him, and said, "Tell Father and Eldest Master every detail when we get back. Let them decide what to do."

Zhu Qing nodded and swiftly vanished into the night.

Xie Zhifei took out an jade tablet from his waist and tossed it to one of his subordinates.

"Notify the owner of this inn that the Military and Horse Patrol is investigating a case. The inn is now requisitioned. Tell all guests to leave immediately, and their accommodations will be covered by Third Master of the Xie residence."

"Yes, sir!"

"Third Master, you actually believe her? She's just pretending to be possessed..."

"Xie Xiaohua, shut up!"

Xie Zhifei's usually amiable and charming face instantly turned cold.

"You use that pig's brain of yours and tell me, how many people in the entire capital can outsmart my father, dare to harm my elder brother, and still have the audacity to provoke Manager Xie to the point of near collapse?"

Manager Xie: "...."

Xie Zhifei continued, "Take a look at the inn she chose. Does it seem like she's short on silver?"

Manager Xie: "...."

"Third Master isn't afraid of her playing tricks."

Straightening his clothes, Xie Zhifei declared, "Third Master is afraid that every word she speaks is the truth."

A sharp tremor ran through Manager Xie's heart.

...

Zhu Qing left swiftly and returned just as quickly.

"Third Master, the Matriarch has come herself, accompanied by Father and Eldest Master. They'll be here shortly."

"Oh, really?"

Xie Zhifei stroked his chin thoughtfully, gesturing for Manager Xie to approach.

Manager Xie, feeling a bit guilty, hurried over. "Third Master?"

"Do you see? The Ancestral Matriarch is taking matters into her own hands."

Xie Zhifei's brows knitted together. "While we wait, recount to me in detail what this young lady said and did when she entered the manor."

This matter was not straightforward!

And neither was this young lady!