Chapter 47: Hosting a Banquet

Chapter 47: Hosting a Guest

Is it still comfortable?

Xie Zhifei's temples throbbed with anger.

"Miss Yan has quite unique interests!"

"Indeed she does!"

Yan Sanhe shrugged off the large hand on her arm and descended with a cold expression.

Thanks to this debauched fellow, her curiosity about the comfort of coffins was once again quashed.

"Tangyuan, let's go!"

"Miss Yan!"

Xie Zhifei, preoccupied with the troubles at the Ji residence, hurriedly followed after them, managing a well-timed smile.

"In such a vast capital, encountering each other is a sign of fate. Why not have a meal together?"

...

Yan Sanhe looked at him.

Xie Zhifei steeled himself and said, "There are some things that are difficult to express gratitude for directly. If Miss doesn't honor me with your presence for this meal, I... "

Yan Sanhe: "Do you have something to discuss with me?"

Xie Zhifei: "..."

Did she truly possess the ability to see into the future? Every time he didn't finish his sentence, she seemed to guess his intentions.

Xie Zhifei decided to be straightforward. "Miss has guessed correctly. There is indeed something I wish to inquire about."

"Let's find a place, then!"

Xie Zhifei: "..."

He had initially anticipated a lengthy persuasion, but she agreed so readily?

Thought Third Master Xie, This is quite unusual!

...

Third Master Xie's preferred venue for hosting meals was the Spring Breeze Pavilion.

After the servant had served all the dishes, Xie Zhifei looked up, and both Zhu Qing and Ding Yi, with their keen sense of propriety, took their leave.

Tangyuan, however, hesitated and didn't move.

According to propriety, she should leave, but Young Miss Yan is, after all, a young lady, and Third Master is a man. The Xie family's rules dictate that boys and girls should not sit together once they reach the age of seven...

"Tangyuan, you may withdraw as well!"

Yan Sanhe was aware that there were outsiders present, so she couldn't bring herself to mention the matter regarding Xie Wanku's search for her.

"Yes!"

The door closed, leaving a man and a woman seated across from each other.

At first glance, the man was handsome, and the woman was beautiful – what a picturesque sight.

Upon closer inspection...

The light in the man's eyes conveyed curiosity, while the woman's eyes exuded an icy aloofness that kept others at bay.

Xie Zhifei picked up his teacup.

"In this cup, I offer tea as a substitute for wine, to express my gratitude for..."

"Cut to the chase!"

Yan Sanhe disliked the way the Xie family tended to beat around the bush when speaking.

Like this particular Xie scoundrel before him, who was clearly anxious inside but tried to maintain a nonchalant facade, revealing nothing but hypocrisy.

After several exchanges, Xie Zhifei finally grasped the essence of this person's character: If you have business, speak up; if not, stay away.

"Yes, it is."

He no longer beat around the bush.

"The lid of Madam Ji's coffin did indeed crack. I have some connection with the Ji family and wish to inquire on their behalf. Who is the expert you mentioned, and how can they be found?"

"Do they believe in such things?"

"At this point, it's better to believe than to dismiss it outright."

"At what point?"

"Oh?"

"At what stage of misfortune has the Ji family reached?"

Xie Zhifei was candid with her. "The calamity of having their clan wiped out and their home confiscated."

The matter has dragged on for too long, implicating future generations.

Yan Sanhe sighed inwardly. "I cannot reveal the identity of the mastermind, but I do know the mediator's name."

Xie Zhifei asked, "Who is it?"

Yan Sanhe replied, "A man named Li Buyan."

"Li Buyan?"

Xie Zhifei habitually praised, "What a wonderful name. It sounds like the person must be learned."

Yan Sanhe lowered her gaze.

She felt a pang of guilt on behalf of Li Buyan.

Xie Zhifei inquired, "How can we find this person?"

"I haven't seen him since I left Yunnan Prefecture," Yan Sanhe said.

Xie Zhifei: "Then where does he live?"

Yan Sanhe pondered for a moment. "Fugong County, Yunnan Prefecture."

Upon hearing it was Yunnan Prefecture, Xie Zhifei immediately stood up and pulled open the door.

"Tell the Ji family to head for Fugong County in Yunnan Prefecture and look for someone named Li Buyan."

Ding Yi: "Yes, Sir!"

Xie Zhifei: "Instruct them to hurry, we can't afford any more delays."

Ding Yi: "Don't worry, Sir."

With a weight lifted from his mind, the exhaustion from staying up all night digging graves overwhelmed Xie Zhifei. He leaned lazily back into his chair.

"These dishes are quite famous in the capital; you won't find them in Yunnan Prefecture. Try more of them."

Xie Zhifei had little appetite and didn't bother with his chopsticks.

Yan Sanhe ate in silence, absorbed in her own thoughts.

Xie Zhifei, accustomed to her demeanor, sipped his warm tea while stealing glances at her from time to time.

After a few glimpses, he sensed something was amiss.

She answered all his questions, revealing everything without reserve, but it seemed almost too obedient for her usual self.

Where were the thorns on this person?

"Yan Sanhe."

She looked up at him.

Xie Zhifei had intended to ask, "You didn't deceive me about Li Buyan, did you?" The words were on the tip of his tongue when his gaze fell upon the mushrooms she had picked out on her plate. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"Why aren't you eating the mushrooms?"

"Isn't it allowed?"

"Why aren't you eating?" Xie Zhifei abruptly leaped up from his chair, his face dark with inquiry.

Yan Sanhe found the situation perplexing. "Why should I eat?"

Xie Zhifei slammed both palms onto the table and leaned forward, fixing Yan Sanhe with an unwavering gaze. "Tell me, when did you stop eating?"

"Is Third Master Xie interrogating a prisoner?" Yan Sanhe's irritation was evident as she raised her delicate eyebrows and stood up slowly, her tone icy. "May I ask what crime I have committed?"

Xie Zhifei: "..."

Yan Sanhe: "Tangyuan."

The door opened, and Tangyuan hurried in. "Miss?"

Yan Sanhe replied, "Go settle the bill."

Tangyuan: "???"

Didn't Third Master promise to treat us? Why is Miss Yan now footing the bill?

"Indeed, it's better to pay for yourself."

Yan Sanhe glanced at the wayward Xie with a hint of indifference, "No one would dare to criticize your choices in food or drink."

Xie Zhifei: "Yan Sanhe, that's not what I meant."

Yan Sanhe: "Then what did you mean?"

Xie Zhifei was left speechless.

Human hearts are like deep lakes, their depths unfathomable.

What is revealed on the surface can be seen by others; what lies hidden beneath the water is unseen and often unspoken.

Seeing the tension between the two, Tangyuan hastily left the private room to settle the bill.

The meal had become unbearable. Yan Sanhe paused at the door.

"Are children from humble backgrounds not entitled to choose what they eat or don't eat?"

Xie Zhifei slumped into his chair, supporting his forehead with both hands, his expression a mix of pain and regret.

Zhu Qing, standing outside the door, hesitated for a moment before finally approaching her master.

"Lord, perhaps you overreacted today. Miss Du has refused many dishes before, and you never said anything."

"I'm talking about that?" Xie Zhifei slammed the table.

Confused, Zhu Qing asked, "If it's not about that, then what is it?"

Lord doesn't wish to discuss it with you;

Lord doesn't wish to discuss it with anyone!

Xie Zhifei sneered. "How many days have the men destined for Yunnan Prefecture been on their journey?"

Despite Zhu Qing's confusion as to why her Lord would suddenly inquire about this, she answered with solemnity, "It's been almost half a month."

"Then it's soon!"

Xie Zhifei's breathing grew heavier, as if he were holding something back. Yet, on his incomparably handsome face, there was nothing but composure.