Chapter 33: Yama, the King of Hell

Chapter 33: The King of Hell

Xie Zhifei took the letter and quickly glanced through it. His almond-shaped eyes slowly curved upward, finally revealing a hint of a smile.

"Has Madam's health improved?" Zhu Qing inquired.

"She can now manage half a bowl of thin congee," replied Xie Zhifei.

Looking at Yan Sanhe, his gaze held a profound meaning.

"Despite that, she still reminded me to take good care of Miss Yan and not let her suffer any injustice."

"Not necessary!" Miss Yan coldly replied with just three words.

After traveling together for five days, Xie Zhifei had gained some understanding of Yan Sanhe's temperament.

As long as the subject of the Xie family was not brought up, she could maintain her cold demeanor without issue. But once the Xie family was mentioned, she became like a porcupine, bristling with defensive spikes.

At this moment, he should be as far away as possible.

"Fetch paper and ink."

Xie Zhifei calculated that it had been four days since he last sent a letter home, having been preoccupied with their journey.

Zhu Qing asked the innkeeper for writing materials. "Master, write a few more lines. When Lady receives the letter and feels joy, her ailment might just vanish."

"Master!"

Ding Yi stepped forward to grind the ink. "Don't only share good news, not the troubles. This mission of ours..."

"You talk too much!"

Worried that Yan Sanhe might overhear, Xie Zhifei hurriedly chided him. Still, he couldn't help but steal glances at her discreetly.

With that glance, his heart skipped a beat.

Yan Sanhe's dark eyes were fixed, completely oblivious to the steamed bun dropping from her hand.

Here it comes again!

This time, Xie Zhifei had learned from his previous experience. He stepped forward and waved his hand in front of her.

"Miss Yan?"

"Miss Yan?"

Miss Yan's eyes gradually reddened, as if she had been deeply wronged. A glimmer of moisture began to form within them.

But this grievance appeared swiftly and disappeared just as quickly.

In the next moment, she gritted her teeth fiercely, producing a clattering sound, as if she were forcefully tearing something apart.

Xie Zhifei was so startled that he held his breath.

Could it be that Ding Yi was right, and she was really possessed by a ghost?

In fact, Yan Sanhe had heard him calling her name, but her heart ached so much that it felt as if it had been forcibly split in two by a dagger. One half was disbelief, while the other was astonishment.

It was a heart-wrenching pain, unbearable and devastating.

She pinched herself hard, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Back to the Imperial Capital."

Xie Zhifei's jaw nearly hit the floor in surprise, "Y-You, what did you say?"

Yan Sanhe: "BACK! TO! THE! IMPERIAL! CAPITAL!"

Xie Zhifei's mind raced, "You already...?"

Yan Sanhe: "Uncertain."

Xie Zhifei: "Then going back is...?"

Yan Sanhe sneered, "Don't you want to give it a try?"

Xie Zhifei's heart suddenly picked up its pace.

How did she know what I was going to say before I even finished?

Yan Sanhe noticed the man's stunned stillness and went to fetch the package himself. Just as his hand touched the edge, the bundle was snatched away.

"Wait!"

Third Master Xie's expression turned tense. "What are your chances of success?"

Yan Sanhe replied, "One in ten."

"One in ten?!"

In the past five days, all the suppressed flames of anger, frustration, fury, and resentment within Third Master Xie ignited simultaneously.

"What if you're wrong? Wouldn't this back and forth just waste precious time?"

"What if I'm right?"

"..."

Yan Sanhe stepped forward, his gaze piercing into the other man's eyes. "Can you afford to take that risk?"

"..."

"Do the Xie family have the stakes to afford such a gamble?"

"..."

"And what about your ancestors, who cling to life and death? Can they afford to risk it all?"

"..."

On Third Master Xie's handsome face, even his pores seemed to cry out in desperation.

This was no mere living bandit; it was a living grim reaper.

"Um..."

Third Master Xie took a few deep breaths and decided to make one last desperate attempt.

"Could you perhaps enlighten me on what that one percent chance entails?"

"You don't need to know!"

Silence.

Third Master's handsome face flushed red instantly, as if it could smoke in the wind.

All his good temper, sweet talk, and the demeanor of an aristocratic young master...

Enough of that!

He thought to himself: No wonder the shrewd and cunning Xie Xiaohua lost his cool. Even Third Master wanted to kill someone at this moment!

...

On the official road, several handsome horses raced swiftly, kicking up clouds of dust.

The sun rose and set;

Strong winds blew, followed by rain.

For four consecutive days, the carriages and horses didn't stop, rushing towards the capital at full speed.

It wasn't until the luxurious and sturdy carriage creaked and two wheels shattered with a loud bang that they were forced to halt.

Yan Sanhe climbed out of the carriage, his face covered in dust but his expression composed.

"There's no need to fix it. I'll ride a horse."

Third Master Xie wiped the grime from his face and jumped down from the carriage.

"It won't take long to repair. It won't delay us much, we still have five or six hundred miles to the capital. And this damned weather looks like it's going to rain again..."

"Enough talking!"

Yan Sanhe snatched the reins from his hand, placed his foot on the stirrup, and mounted the horse, galloping away swiftly.

Third Master Xie: "...."

He spat out a mouthful of bloodied phlegm and licked his teeth.

"I've lived this long, but I've never come across a woman like her."

"Can she even be considered a woman, Lord?"

Ding Yi curled his lips. "If all women in this world were like her, I'd rather remain a bachelor for life."

"Enough nonsense!"

Though Third Master Xie grumbled, he was well aware of priorities. "Abandon the carriage, unhitch the horses, and ride. We mustn't waste any more time. Hurry!"

"Yes, sir!"

...

At the Xie Estate.

In the Zhen'en Hall.

Xie Erli stood at the entrance of the courtyard, pacing back and forth.

"Here, here, she's arrived."

Xie Erli's face lit up with joy as he hurriedly greeted, "Uncle Pei, you're here!"

Doctor Pei joked, "I've been running to your Xie family's residence these few days; my legs have lost a circumference. So, who's fallen ill this time?"

Xie Erli smiled wryly. "It's still the Matriarch. She mentioned discomfort in her chest this evening and retired early. Now, we can't even rouse her."

"I'll take a look."

"Please do!"

Doctor Pei entered the eastern annex and bowed to Madam Wu, who was guarding the bed. Madam Wu promptly vacated the space by the bedside.

Placing his three fingers on the Matriarch's wrist, Doctor Pei's expression gradually turned grave.

Madam Wu asked anxiously, "How is it?"

Doctor Pei remained silent, concentrating on his diagnosis for a while longer before nodding at Madam Wu, gesturing for her to step outside for a discussion.

The trio entered the outer chamber.

Bai Taiyi frowned and said, "Logically speaking, considering that Lady could walk around a few days ago, her condition shouldn't be too serious. But today's pulse..."

Wu opened her eyes wide. "What's wrong with her pulse?"

Bai Taiyi shook his head. "It seems to be more perilous than before."

"How can it become more perilous?!"

Wu gasped. "She was still chatting and laughing with us yesterday."

Bai Taiyi didn't know what to say. He could only comfort her. "With her age, it's common for her condition to fluctuate. Madam should prepare accordingly."

Wu blurted out, "What's the worst-case scenario?"

Bai Taiyi steeled himself to answer, "Better prepare everything that might be needed!"

Wu was struck as if by lightning, involuntarily taking a step back.

Dr. Pei, upon witnessing the situation, rushed to address Xie Erli, "I see no need to prescribe a new formula. Just continue with the previous one. If Master is still uneasy, you might as well invite another physician to attend to Madam Senior."

Xie Erli felt as if a thousand arrows were piercing his heart.

Doctor Pei was a renowned figure in the Imperial Medical Academy, having treated the Xie family for twenty years without a single misdiagnosis. There was no reason to seek another physician's opinion.

The seventy-seven days had passed. Was it truly the beginning of misfortune for the Xie family? Had Madam Senior been the first?

If that were the case, who would be the next in line?