Chapter 56: It Was Her

Chapter 56: It's Her

Yan Sanhe gathered her long hair into a bun, secured it with a golden hairpin, then straightened her attire and bowed as she stepped out of the enclosure.

It was already evening, yet the brightness outside still caused her eyes to squint momentarily.

Two officials from the Ministry of Justice led the way, guiding her all the way to the entrance of the office.

Many people stood outside the door. Yan Sanhe scanned their faces one by one until her gaze finally rested on a particular individual.

Her lips curled up, and she opened her arms wide.

The person leaped forward, flying into an embrace.

They held each other tightly.

At the bottom of the steps, Pei Xiao nudged Xie Zhifei with his toe and frowned. "Are they allowed to be so affectionate? No respect for their positions at all, this is chaos."

Xie Zhifei ignored him and turned to glance at Zhu Qing. The image of himself embracing Zhu Qing flashed through his mind, causing him to shiver involuntarily.

It was quite a mess.

"Since he's out, hurry up and ask him!" Pei Xiao nudged him again.

Xie Zhifei mustered up his courage and climbed a few steps, clearing his throat softly.

Yan Sanhe released Li Buyan and turned his head to look at Xie Zhifei.

Xie Zhifei's expression instantly fell apart.

The face before him was covered in bloodstains, with bruises on the forehead and the corner of the eye. Although the hair was tied up, a few strands had become matted with blood.

Looking down, the clothes were spotted with blood.

Xie Zhifei didn't suffer from angina, but for some reason, his heart ached so much that cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Xie Zhifei was furious. "A young lady like you insisted on being reckless?"

"San'er!"

Xie Daozhi barked sternly, "Hurry and help your sister into the carriage! The whole family is waiting!"

Sister?

Yan Sanhe knew that this was said for the benefit of the officials from the Ministry of Punishments, but she sneered inwardly.

Who would want to be the sibling of this spoiled brat?

"Hurry up and get in the carriage!"

Xie Zhifei's tone remained sharp. She turned her head and scolded Pei Xiao, "What are you standing there for? Go fetch your father, now!"

Pei Xiao wished he could grab a stick and beat this jerk to death.

"I've already done my part once, and you want me to do it again? Am I your damn servant? Zhu Qing, go!"

Before Pei Xiao could finish his sentence, Zhu Qing had already spurred his horse forward.

Xie Zhifei saluted the two officials from the Ministry of Punishments. "I would be grateful if you could convey my message to Minister Xu."

The duo promptly bowed in return. "Please, Third Master, speak your words."

"Minister Xu has taken great care of my foster sister. I will never forget this kindness!"

A faint smile graced Xie Zhifei's lips. "I will repay this debt in due time."

"..."

The two men were at a loss for words, only managing to glance at Xie Daozhi, but they could only see his back as he strode away.

After delivering his warning, Xie Zhifei turned around with his hands behind his back, about to depart, when he sensed Yan Sanhe's gaze upon him.

Their eyes met. Yan Sanhe didn't avert his gaze but instead narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of confusion in his expression.

What was there to be confused about? Didn't he know that Third Master was fiercely protective?

Xie Zhifei's gaze turned cold, and he turned away without another word.

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The carriage wheels rolled over the greenstone paving, emitting a creaking sound with each turn.

Inside the carriage, Yan Sanhe and Li Buyan held each other's gaze steadily, neither of them choosing to break the silence first.

For over two months, one in the south and one in the north, neither of them had expected to meet again at the entrance of the Ministry of Punishments.

After a long while, Li Buyan chuckled. "Did you miss me?"

Yan Sanhe nods in response.

Li Buyan tilts his head and asks, "What are you thinking?"

Yan Sanhe points to his chest with his finger.

For someone not given to many words, this is the most expressive gesture he can make. Li Buyan hums in approval, indicating his satisfaction.

"I've taken care of all the arrangements for your grandfather's funeral," he says.

She rested her chin in her hand. "The moment the coffin lid closed, the cloudy sky suddenly allowed moonlight to shine through. The moon that night was breathtakingly beautiful."

Despite the bloodstains on her face, Yan Sanhe still managed a captivating smile.

"It's a good omen," she said.

"I think so too. What did you dream about?" asked Li Buyan.

Yan Sanhe briefly recounted her dream to her.

Upon listening, Li Buyan whispered, "After reciting the next incantation, you should know who you are."

"Let's hope so. But..."

Yan Sanhe nudged her toes with hers. "If we take too long, things might become complicated."

"I have faith in you," Li Buyan assured, sitting down beside Yan Sanhe and touching her arm lightly.

"Quickly, tell me what exactly it was that our grandfather couldn't let go of;

Also, how did you end up in the Ministry of Punishments?

Oh, and what's the story with your foster sister?"

Yan Sanhe: "..."

Which question should I answer first?

...

At the Xie Estate.

At the side gate.

Manager Xie stood on his tiptoes, craning his neck to look down the alley. When he spotted a carriage approaching, a smile lit up his face as he called out to Xie Erli, who was standing on the steps.

"It's here, it's here, they're back."

Xie Erli felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Quick, fetch a brazier."

The carriage rolled slowly closer.

Xie Erli stepped forward to assist Xie Daozhi down from the carriage, taking the opportunity to whisper, "Mother couldn't keep it hidden and is in a terrible state. She's ordered us to wait here."

Xie Daozhi's voice was low and controlled. "Mother mustn't see her like this. Just say she's been a bit startled and needs to rest at Jingsi House first."

Xie Erli's heart skipped a beat. He turned his head to look at the other carriage, stunned, surprised, and extremely furious.

"I'll personally speak with Mother about this."

After a moment's thought, Xie Daozhi added, "When Uncle Pei arrives later, send him off and then come to my study with Third Brother."

"Yes."

Xie Erli watched his father ascend the steps, masking all emotion on his face. He then turned to Yan Sanhe.

"You've had a hard time, Miss."

"Not at all!"

Yan Sanhe's voice remained steady. "It's simply a way to repay your kindness for taking care of me these past few days."

"What do you mean by that, Yan Sanhe?" Xie Zhifei overheard the conversation, and the anger he had just barely suppressed flared up again.

"Repay? Who asked for repayment?"

"Third Brother!" Xie Erli growled.

Xie Zhifei was fearless, except when it came to his elder brother.

At Xie Erli's roar, the fire in Xie Zhifei's demeanor dimmed slightly, but his expression remained grim.

Seeing the situation, Manager Xie hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Young Master, let the lady put out the brazier first. It'll help rid her of any ill fortune."

Yan Sanhe replied, "I don't believe in such things!"

Manager Xie wore a troubled expression. "Miss might not believe it, but Old Lady does. Upon hearing that something happened to you, she didn't even touch her lunch and has been waiting anxiously till now."

Yan Sanhe wondered if this fatty Xie was deliberately exploiting her soft heart by mentioning the Old Lady.

Well, let's just do it then!

Yan Sanhe lifted her right foot and stepped over the fire pit.

As soon as her foot touched the ground, Manager Xie shouted, "Great luck and complete safety! All is well!"

...

After crossing the fire pit, the group accompanied Yan Sanhe back to Quiet Contemplation Pavilion.

Tangyuan had been waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Yan Sanhe's state, she couldn't stop wiping away her tears.

Xie Erli's face darkened. "Why are you crying? First, take Miss to bathe and change her clothes."

Tangyuan choked back her sobs. "Yes!"

Yan Sanhe paused in the courtyard. "Let's not rush. I have something to say."

"Miss Yan!"

Xie Erli guessed what she was about to say and hastily interrupted.

"That food and drink were never a favor; it's your rescue of my sister today that is an immense kindness to the Xie household. Miss, you can always consider the Xie residence as your own home."

Yan Sanhe didn't know how to respond, so she simply glanced at Li Buyan, who was following from a distance.

Xie Erli followed her gaze.

Who was this person?

Xie Zhifei quickly explained, "Big Brother, she's Miss Yan's maid."

Xie Erli furrowed his brow slightly.

Could a maid possess such a composed demeanor?

At that moment, Li Buyan stepped forward and cleared his throat. "So... the aggrieved party is here?"

The aggrieved party?

What aggrieved party?

The people in the courtyard exchanged puzzled glances.

"The aggrieved party of the broken coffin," Pei Xiao realized she was referring to him and hurriedly jogged over. "Yes, yes, I'm here!"

Li Buyan looked at him. "You're looking for me to find out who can dissolve curses?"

Isn't that obvious?

Pei Xiao nodded repeatedly.

Li Buyan's lips curved slowly as she extended her hand and pointed gently.

"It's her," she declared.

All eyes followed her pointing finger, their vision reddening, their breaths hitching, and their minds ablaze with a fiery confusion.

Yan Sanhe?

How could it be her?

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