Chapter 40: The Master

Chapter 40 - The Master

Yan Sanhe opened his eyes, gazing at the intricately patterned canopy above him for a long moment.

He turned his head to the side.

Beside him sat a maid with a round face, engrossed in her sewing.

"This is where? And who are you?"

The maid put down her sewing and replied with a smile, "Miss, my name is Tangyuan. This is the Tranquil Contemplation Pavilion."

"How many days have I been asleep?"

"You've been sound asleep for three full days, Miss."

Three days?

Yan Sanhe sat up abruptly, pulling back the covers to examine herself.

"It was I who assisted the lady in changing her clothes, they were thoroughly soaked through and through."

Tangyuan, having spoken, stepped out and upon re-entering carried with him a medicine bowl. "My lady," he said, "it is time to take your medicine."

Yan Sanhe was taken aback. "What kind of medicine is this?"

"This is a medicinal prescription from Doctor Pei to alleviate wind-cold illness."

"Remove it, I shall not partake of the medicine!"

Yan Sanhe threw back the covers and was about to rise from bed.

Tangyuan hastily set down the medicine bowl and reached out to intercept.

"Third Master has expressly instructed me to take good care of Miss. If she refuses to take her medicine, wouldn't that put us, the servants, in a difficult position?"

Do you also listen to the empty talk of frivolous and wayward individuals?

Yan Sanhe: "Where is Xie Zhifei? Ask him to come and see me."

"Third Master will be returning from the office soon. I'll send someone to guard the secondary gate right away."

May she leave the residence?

That would imply that Old Lady Xie's situation has completely stabilized.

"No need!"

Yan Sanhe could no longer stay and promptly got out of bed.

"Where's my bag?"

"It's right here. The clothes inside have been washed and aired. As for the silver notes, I didn't dare touch them."

Tangyuan tied up the bundle and handed it over.

"It's best for Miss to wait for Third Master's return before you depart. Although he has a good temper, but... "

"I don't need to inform him."

Yan Sanhe finished dressing herself. "Thank you for taking care of me these past few days. It must have been exhausting!"

"Tangyuan, Tangyuan!"

There was no way Tangyuan could stop her as Yan Sanhe strode out of the chamber.

Outside, the air was calm, and the sun shone brightly, indicating it was already afternoon.

She shielded her eyes from the sunlight, contemplating what to do now that the matter with the Xie family had come to an end. She should...

Just as her thoughts began to form, a familiar voice pierced her ears.

"Oh my, my dear young lady, how can you say such things?"

Manager Xie came running, wailing and crying, and plopped down before Yan Sanhe, prostrating himself. He stretched out his arms and clung tightly to her legs.

Yan Sanhe: "..." Was this fatty insane?

Could Manager Xie, the fatty, not be driven mad?

Third Master left a warning before his departure: should that young lady step out of the Xie family's residence, he would personally break her legs.

Aside from Third Master, there was still the master above him, and above the master, an even elder matriarch.

If the matriarch were to learn that he had failed to keep the young lady from leaving, and then experienced a fleeting moment of lucidity...

"Madam, oh Madam!"

Manager Xie's heart was bitter, and his wailing even more so.

"Have mercy on me, a bachelor who has yet to marry in my half-century of life! If you leave, I cannot live either!"

Yan Sanhe replied coldly, "I care not for your life or death!"

"What kind of thing is that to say?!"

Manager Xie gritted his teeth in resentment.

"Though my lowly life may be worthless, it is clear that the lady is not so heartless. Why suffer such inner conflict and speak contrary to your true feelings?!"

Hypocrisy is utter nonsense!

Yan Sanhe immediately lost his temper. "Let go!"

"No way!"

The plump fellow clung onto him tighter than he would his life's savings, exuding a fierce determination as if daring the other to step on his corpse.

Just then, someone called out, "The master has returned."

...

Xie Erli approached and glanced at Manager Xie and Tangyuan.

"Both of you, leave first."

"Yes!"

After the two had departed, Xie Erli got straight to the point. "Miss Yan, stay in the Xie Estate."

Yan Sanhe was puzzled. "Why should I stay at the Xie residence?"

Xie Erli's approach to solving problems was rooted in facts and rationality.

"Let's put aside all the grievances for now. Let's just discuss the reality of your current situation, Miss."

"What's wrong with my situation?"

"You're the last remaining member of the Yan family, and you're seventeen years old – not too young, but not too old either. It's the right time for marriage. A woman's marital prospects depend not only on her looks but also on her family background."

Xie Erli paused for a moment.

"The Xie family's status isn't the highest, but it's certainly not low. If you were to remain in the Xie family, I can assure you that your future husband would be no ordinary man."

Yan Sanhe finally understood the underlying message.

The Xie family felt indebted to her and was seeking ways to compensate!

"You do think quite far ahead for me."

"I wish I could ponder even deeper."

Xie Erli let out a deep sigh.

"Miss, I won't hide it from you. Later, Grandfather Yan appeared in my father's dream and called him 'child,' indicating that he has let go. Why don't you also put the past behind you?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Sanhe's expression changed involuntarily.

Grandfather came to her in a dream?

"The elder lady and my father have discussed it. If you're willing, you can acknowledge a foster relationship and become a legitimate young miss of the Xie family;

if not, you can say that you're an orphaned relative of the elder lady, seeking refuge with the Xie family."

A hint of compassion shimmered in Xie Erli's eyes.

"Regardless of your choice, the Xie family will be your support. When the time comes for you to marry, we'll provide the dowry, and you'll have everything a legitimate daughter of the Xie family would possess."

Yan Sanhe, unaccustomed to such developments, fell into a habitual silence.

Xie Erli was uncertain about her thoughts and, after some consideration, spoke up again.

"I won't dwell on such mundane matters. If Miss returns to Yunnan Prefecture, Lady Elder and Lord would undoubtedly be thinking of you day and night.

"Lord might be able to endure it, but Lady Elder is at an advanced age. How could Miss bear to be so heartless towards her?"

Without mentioning her plight as a lone figure struggling through adversity, he emphasized the elderly couple's concern, tugging at people's heartstrings while preserving her dignity.

Yan Sanhe, however, sneered.

"The Master of the Xie Family has quite the gift for persuasion. It's a pity he doesn't pursue a career as a lawyer."

"Indeed, what a pity!"

Xie Erli replied with a warm smile.

"But if it means having another sister call me brother, wouldn't it be worth my effort to speak more or even beg humbly for your favor, Miss?"

...

The Qian'en Hall.

Madam Xie fidgeted, feeling restless.

"San, why hasn't there been any news yet? She can't possibly refuse, right?"

"Grandmama!"

Third Master Xie lounged with his legs crossed, his eyes half-lidded.

"You have to trust Big Brother's abilities. If he can handle me, Yan Sanhe would be a piece of cake."

"But you're incomparable, what kind of character do you have?"

Madam Xie wiped away her tears. "That girl is so much like him. Both have high spirits and arrogant temperaments."

In fact, they have terrible tempers!

Xie Zhifei added silently in his mind.

"Well, if I truly can't convince them, then I'll risk my old reputation for it."

Madam Xie grumbled, "People like that actually have the softest hearts. A little pleading and coaxing might do the trick."

Others might yield to pleading and coaxing, but would this person?

Hmph!

Not necessarily!

Third Master lounged in his seat, covering his mouth as he yawned. He had been busy with household affairs a few days ago and was now preoccupied with official business. He was sleep-deprived!

"First Master is here," someone announced.

Madam Xie's eyes lit up. "Quick, invite him in."

Xie Erli walked in.

"How did it go?" the matriarch asked before he could even sit down.

Xie Erli shot a glare at the Third, who remained unperturbed, his posture as slovenly as ever.

"Miss Yan has presented several requests."