Chapter 30: Perilous Shadows

Chapter 30: Perilous

These events took place before Yan Sanhe was born; her father told her about them in bits and pieces later on.

Not once did Grandfather mention a single word about it.

A parent mourning the loss of their child, with white hair...

Yan Sanhe could imagine the pain her grandfather must have felt as letter after letter reached him, bearing the news of his sons' deaths.

Yet he didn't fall apart. He continued to read, paint, and traverse the mountains and rivers of Yunnan Prefecture with his steps.

From this, it was clear that his heartache wasn't tied to them.

If not them, then who?

Could it be that despicable guest who had led to the downfall of the Yan family?

But if it were him, why would it be so difficult for Grandfather to speak of?

This grudge was clearly etched in the hearts of the Yan family and Grandfather.

It was the first time in Yan Sanhe's life that she sensed the kind old man had a multitude of hidden depths, as if there were ten thousand layers of skin separating them.

Each layer hid a secret.

Old Man, where do you truly hide your secrets?

Xie Zhifei hadn't gone far. With his arms crossed, he observed Yan Sanhe from a short distance with an air of nonchalant leisure.

She leaned against the wall, and the night breeze stirred her single-layered robe, but she didn't shiver from the cold at all.

Why was that?

Third Master Xie was utterly dumbfounded.

Was this girl simple-minded or something?

How could she not feel the chill?

...

At the Xie Estate.

The moment the imperial physician left, Xie Daozhi couldn't bear lying still and struggled to get out of bed.

Housekeeper Xie hurried forward to support him, "Master?"

Xie Daozhi pushed away his hand, weakly asking, "Has Eldest Young Master returned?"

"Just arrived at the estate."

"Ask him to come here."

"Yes, sir!"

moments later, Xie Erli stood before Xie Daozhi.

"Father?"

"Did you let Third Brother go along?"

"Yes."

Xie Daozhi hesitated for a moment.

"It's not enough to just have Third Brother involved. Our family needs to take action as well, or else..."

Thinking about the Ji family's affairs, Xie Erli asked, "Father, how should we act?"

"I haven't figured that out yet."

Xie Daozhi buried his face in his palms. "My mind is in chaos."

"Father, don't worry too much. The situation is already like this, so we must look forward."

Xie Erli tried to reassure him, "Tomorrow there's an early court session, so please..."

"Something terrible has happened, Master."

The Chief Steward Xie abruptly pushed open the door and announced, "Madame's fever has flared up."

Xie Erli was greatly alarmed. "Where's Physician Pei?"

"He's already left."

"Why did her fever suddenly worsen?"

"She was fine just now."

Xie Daozhi slapped the bed rail. "Fetch Physician Pei again with the invitation."

Chief Steward Xie replied, "Yes, sir!"

"Father, you rest first. I'll go see how Madame is doing..."

"Eldest Son!"

Xie Daozhi grabbed his son's hand, his face pale. "Tell me, could this be retribution coming upon us?"

Xie Erli felt a chill run down his spine.

"I don't think so. There are still a few days left, right?"

"How can one be certain about such mystical matters?"

Xie Daozhi spoke with a sense of resignation, "What if it happens earlier than expected?"

Xie Erli: "..."

For a long while, neither father nor son spoke. They could only hear the sound of their own hearts beating —

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

...

The first light of dawn gradually illuminated the surroundings.

Yan Sanhe massaged her numb legs, waiting for the sensation to return before stepping out of the alley.

The city gates were yet to open, but the carriages bound for departure had already begun lining up.

She positioned herself at the end of the queue.

Not far away, Xie Zhifei stroked his chin, asking, "Tell me, should Third Master either push his luck or resort to some underhanded tactics?"

Zhu Qing wore an expression that pleaded, "Master, please spare me."

Ding Yi pondered seriously for a moment before responding, "Resort to underhanded tactics, I think. Master's skin is already thick enough, and it hasn't seemed to work!"

Third Master Xie pointed at Ding Yi with a stern finger and then turned to Zhu Qing, saying, "Dock his monthly stipend for a month."

Zhu Qing replied promptly, "Yes, Sir!"

Ding Yi: "..."

Third Master Xie ignored Ding Yi's pained expression and was about to step forward when the corner of his eye caught sight of Manager Xie lumbering towards him with his plump legs.

"What's happened?" he asked, his demeanor shifting.

Manager Xie's anxiety was evident on his face.

"Third Master, the Old Lady fell ill upon her return, and Physician Pei said it's critical," he reported.

"What do you mean by 'critical'?"

"Physician Pei used a lot of scholarly language that I didn't quite understand. But Eldest Master said you should hurry up," Manager Xie relayed.

A thud echoed in Third Master Xie's chest. "Are you implying that…?"

Manager Xie nodded solemnly.

Xie Zhifei stood rooted to the spot, his face as still as water. It seemed the misfortunes of the Ji family had also begun with an illness.

"Did Eldest Master have any other message?"

"First Master advises Third Master to be cautious in all matters."

Xie Zhifei's eyes widened, and he promptly responded, "Zhu Qing, Ding Yi?"

Both hurried forward. "Master?"

Xie Zhifei said, "Prepare for departure."

Ding Yi pointed at Yan Sanhe's retreating figure. "And her? What about her?"

"You were the one who suggested using unconventional means, weren't you?"

Xie Zhifei replied, "I'm following your advice."

Ding Yi: "...."

Ding Yi: What about my monthly salary that was deducted then?

Xie Zhifei briskly walked up to Yan Sanhe, pulled out his identity badge, and held it out before her.

"The Military and Civilian Marshals' Office is conducting an investigation."

His voice was hoarse, but every word rang clearly to everyone at the city gate.

"Yan Sanhe, you'll come with me."

"..."

Yan Sanhe was taken aback, and before he could react, his arm was already seized by a large hand.

"Apologies for the inconvenience!"

Xie Zhifei pulled Yan Sanhe out of the queue and all the way to the city gate, where he flashed his identity badge at the guards stationed there.

Upon recognizing that it was Third Master Xie, they promptly moved the heavy vermilion gate aside.

Zhu Qing drove the carriage through the gate and then called out "Whoa!" to halt the horses, parking the carriage by the roadside.

Xie Zhifei pointed at the carriage. "Get in."

Yan Sanhe remained still, his gaze descending upon the ghostly talons on his arm, his eyes laced with a piercing look.

"So urgent, has someone from your Xie family met with some misfortune?"

Initially, Third Master Xie had some doubts about the old matriarch's illness, wondering if it was merely a coincidence.

Upon hearing this, Third Master was on the verge of exclaiming, "Damn it all to hell!"

He managed to restrain that impulse just in time. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he replied calmly, "Indeed, you seem to possess the insight of a soothsayer!"

Yan Sanhe was taken aback.

She had initially intended to casually probe the reason behind Third Master Xie's urgency, but to her surprise, she had actually uncovered something.

"It's not time yet, and it has nothing to do with your grandfather."

"How can you be so sure? Are you that expert yourself?"

Yan Sanhe looked at him without saying a word.

Xie Zhifei suddenly realized that she had spoken foolishly.

Yan Sanhe was the very granddaughter of Yan Xing, the legitimate heir's direct descendant. If she hadn't met with any misfortune and was still speaking to him in such an arrogant manner, how could the Xie family hope for better?

"Regardless of whether there's a connection or not, this matter is urgent.

I know you don't have a high opinion of the Xie family, but as you can see, I hold an official position. With me accompanying you on this journey, it will save you worry, trouble, and effort.

More importantly..."

Xie Zhifei spoke calmly, "You bear the Yan surname. Logically, you should be the first one to suffer misfortune. Aren't you afraid of how it might unfold? Yet, you still dare to come alone?"

Yan Sanhe: "..."

It's evident that the bond between you and your grandfather runs deep. Consider this: if anything were to happen to you, his rest in peace would be disturbed even within his grave!

Yan Sanhe: "..."

"Well then, I present you with two options. You may either choose to climb into the carriage on your own accord, or you can opt to be bound and lifted into it."

Xie Zhifei offered a charming smile, his almond-shaped eyes tilting upward like blooming peach blossoms.

Yet, every word he spoke exuded an unmistakable intensity.