Chang Yunchang stood in the Qianjin Hall, his face grim, which only darkened further when he watched Qi Yue walk out without even glancing at him, her head bowed low.

A'ru, rushing after Qi Yue, kept her eyes open and saw the scene unfold.

"Young Master," she called out loudly, quickly halting her steps to alert Qi Yue.

Qi Yue stepped out the door as if she hadn't heard a thing.

A'ru looked at Chang Yunchang's expression and immediately dropped to her knees in fright.

"Young Master, the Young Mistress, perhaps... perhaps she's simply upset..." she stammered, bowing her head.

Chang Yunchang didn't spare her a look. He strode out, then spotted the woman standing by the doorway, motionless, gazing at the street.

The street was unusually crowded, almost entirely hung with lanterns of every conceivable shape, even in broad daylight.

Qi Yue had never seen so many lanterns during the day; the most she'd seen was at the New Year temple fair, and even then, they were clustered in one specific area.

A couple laughed as they passed by. The man carried a small child on his shoulder, holding aloft a fist-sized rabbit lantern—small, yet exquisitely lifelike.

Qi Yue's gaze followed them, and a smile naturally curved her lips.

A'ru watched, terrified, as the Young Master approached Qi Yue. Her heart leaped into her throat. Then, to her shock, the Young Master stopped, walked past Qi Yue without a word, and quickly disappeared into the bustling crowd.

"The Mid-Autumn Festival here is quite lively," Qi Yue remarked from inside the carriage, watching the vibrant street outside.

Though material possessions seemed scarce compared to modern times, the atmosphere was something modern life couldn't replicate.

"It's nothing much," A'ru replied cautiously, watching Qi Yue's face. "Hanging lanterns, admiring the moon, a family meal. Wealthier families might even hire an opera troupe."

Qi Yue hummed an acknowledgment, resting her chin on her hand and leaning against the window to look out. This beautiful figure leaning against the window quickly drew attention from the people on the street. Some dissolute young men pointed and grinned lewdly in their direction; a few even attempted to approach, only stopping short when they caught sight of the crest emblazoned on the carriage.

"How... how do you celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival?" A'ru asked hesitantly after a moment.

Qi Yue finally showed some spirit, retracting her hand and sitting up properly. A'ru seized the opportunity to lower the carriage curtain.

"Us? Well," Qi Yue mused, "we get holiday leave for the Mid-Autumn Festival, but most of the time we're on shift. Even when it lines up with the eleven-day break, we rarely go out to play. Work is too exhausting; we’re too lazy to bother. And if you do go out, it’s just crowds everywhere. So, I usually hole up at home for a few days. Nothing special, just eating and sleeping, or sometimes going to sing. Ah, I’m a karaoke queen, haha! I’ll sing for you sometime."

A'ru stared, wide-eyed, not understanding a single word. However, Qi Yue’s demeanor had clearly improved since leaving the Qianjin Hall. A'ru smiled and nodded, feigning interest.

Upon returning home, although still a bit subdued, Qi Yue mustered the energy to go pay her respects to Madam Xie. Even though she could no longer practice medicine, she couldn't leave this household; to live comfortably, she still needed to make an effort.

When she arrived at Madam Xie's courtyard, she was, as always, refused entry. Madam Xie no longer bothered to conceal her distaste for her daughter-in-law.

This aversion was understandable. An arranged marriage where her excellent son was forced to wed such a wife—what mother-in-law would be pleased?

However, by the time she left, the real Qi Yueniang would presumably be dead and wouldn't return, resolving this mother-in-law's internal conflict. Then you'll have to endure a little longer, I suppose. I can’t just think about myself; I have to consider those around me, I must protect myself and ensure my own comfort.

Qi Yue slowly turned to leave the Rong'an Courtyard. After only a few steps, she saw a procession approaching down the road: several old maids carrying a sedan chair, followed by seven or eight maids holding a large blue umbrella, escorting a woman seated in the chair who moved slowly forward.

"That's the Second Madam," A'ru said with slight surprise.

"Second Madam?" Qi Yue didn't recognize her.

"She is the mistress of the West Residence, the Young Master's aunt," A'ru quickly explained in a low voice. "Her maiden name is Chen; she is the daughter of the Duke of Anyang in the capital."

As the mistress and servant spoke, the approaching party drew near, allowing Qi Yue to get a clear look at the woman in the sedan chair. She appeared to be thirty-six or thirty-seven, with fair skin and gentle features. She wore a cyan head wrap and a dark blue, long-sleeved robe with a right-over-left closure. Apart from a cluster of snow-blue velvet flowers pinned in her hair, she wore no other adornments. The entire impression was one of extreme plainness—even the stewardesses attending Madam Xie, who was older, dressed more colorfully.

She reclined slightly in the sedan chair, her eyes half-lidded, presenting an almost sickly fragility. She hadn't noticed Qi Yue until the maids accompanying her recognized her and halted.

Second Madam Chen opened her eyes upon sensing the pause.

"Auntie has come," Qi Yue said with a smile before performing a curtsy.

Under the autumn afternoon sun, the woman stood gracefully smiling. Second Madam Chen paused, startled, then abruptly sat up straight.

"Yue Niang," she exclaimed, a mix of surprise and delight in her tone, signaling the sedan chair to descend and holding out her hand. "I ran into you! I heard you have recovered completely. Let Auntie have a good look."

The woman’s voice was soft, her manner kind, and most importantly, her expression showed not a trace of pretense—it was genuinely heartfelt.

Since arriving here, Qi Yue had never encountered such an expression and hesitated, momentarily stunned.

Qi Yue's pause left the woman's hand awkwardly suspended in the air for a moment before she coughed lightly into her sleeve and drew her hand back.

"Second Madam, our Young Mistress suffered an illness and has forgotten some things and people," A'ru quickly explained. "She is a little... unfamiliar with people." Second Madam Chen smiled faintly.

"I heard about that. Is it true she doesn't recognize people?" she asked with a smile, inquiring if a doctor had been called.

This question was still concerned, but it was entirely different from the emotion that had flashed across her face moments before. Now, it sounded like the customary, polite inquiries of anyone else.

Qi Yue wondered if she had simply imagined the earlier reaction.

"Thank you for your concern, Auntie. We have seen the doctor; he said I just need to rest well, and it will naturally improve with time," Qi Yue replied with a smile.

Second Madam Chen looked at her, nodded slowly, and leaned back against the chairrest.

"Is your mother in?" she asked.

Qi Yue understood immediately and smiled, stepping aside.

"Yes, she is. Please come in quickly, Auntie," she said cheerfully.

Chen bowed with a polite smile. The old maids lifted the sedan chair, and the party proceeded inward.

Qi Yue stood watching. She saw several people emerge from the Rong'an Courtyard upon hearing the news to welcome her. After setting down the chair, Mother Su personally took Elder Chen’s hand to escort her inside. Throughout the entire process, Chen did not look back toward Qi Yue once.

"Young Mistress, let's go," A'ru prompted.

"A'ru, was I very familiar with this Auntie before?" Qi Yue asked as she turned and began walking slowly.

"Not at all," A'ru replied. "After the Second Master passed away, the Second Madam fell gravely ill and never quite recovered. Due to her status as a widow and the need for quiet recuperation, she rarely goes out. When you married, the Second Madam only sent a congratulatory gift; she didn't come herself, and there was very little contact afterward."

Then that’s strange, Qi Yue thought. Why did the Second Madam show such intimate warmth in that first glance? But never mind; the affairs in this household are a tangled mess, let them be.

The mistress and servant exchanged a few words, dismissing the topic.

The Mid-Autumn Festival arrived as scheduled. Since this was Qi Yue's first festival celebrated in ancient times, she felt a spark of interest.

Early that morning, she first went to the ancestral hall of the Marquis of Dingxi's residence to perform the rites of homage. Here, Qi Yue encountered the Second Madam again. As a junior member, Qi Yue stood behind her, merely nodding and smiling as a greeting, saying little. After the rites were complete, she excused herself, and in the evening, she did not attend the family gathering, only sending the children to eat and admire the moon.

Though she had seen her that morning, the sheer number of people had made Qi Yue dizzy, and she certainly hadn't managed to catalog everyone. Besides the Marquis of Dingxi, Madam Xie, and Chang Yunchang, she recognized only the stewardesses, the maids, and the Third Young Master.

The evening banquet was set up in the small garden behind the Rong'an Courtyard, which had a small opera stage—spacious enough for enjoying music, admiring the moon, and dining. A long table was set, and the entire family, regardless of gender, seated themselves according to generation and seniority. As she was taking her seat, Qi Yue was naturally positioned diagonally across from the young masters and ladies. Her gaze naturally landed on the Third Young Master, whom she had met briefly. Just then, the Third Young Master looked over, and she offered him a polite smile.

Chang Yunqi looked surprised, hesitated for a moment, and then smiled back.

Following the Marquis of Dingxi's seating and the pronouncement of auspicious words, the banquet officially began. Courses of food, wine, fruits, and refreshments were served in a steady stream.

The concubines of the Marquis of Dingxi were not entitled to seats. Concubine Zhou, Concubine Song, and Concubine Liu stood behind the Marquis and his wife, serving dishes. Concubine Zhu, being pregnant, only sat briefly before excusing herself.

Just as everyone was enjoying the meal, the Marquis of Dingxi suddenly slammed down his chopsticks. Everyone jumped, startled, wondering what had happened, and looked over.

The Marquis turned his head. Concubine Zhou was quick-witted enough to retrieve a spittoon, and the Marquis spat heavily into it.

"What is this? Are you blind, serving this to me?" he roared, turning around while wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.

Concubine Liu, still holding her chopsticks, looked terrified and was about to kneel.

"This servant didn't see it clearly and picked it up when I turned it over," she stammered.

Everyone else set down their chopsticks, watching nervously.

Madam Xie glanced sideways.

"The Marquis does not eat coarse vegetables. Why was this garnish served?" she asked in a deep voice.

The kitchen stewardess standing nearby immediately knelt, trembling with anxiety.

"That... that old servant, that old servant was confused," she kowtowed, saying.

Madam Xie narrowed her eyes at her, seeming to pause in thought.

"Which one are you? Where is Madam Dong?" she inquired.

Madam Dong was the previous kitchen manager, one of the people Qi Yue had recently dismissed. This woman was newly promoted.

Qi Yue smiled and stood up.

"Replying to Mother, Madam Dong no longer manages the kitchen. This is the newly appointed Stewardess Yuan," she stated.

"When you change staff, you should properly brief them. How could she not know the Marquis's preferences and serve this dish?" Madam Xie said sternly.

When Qi Yue stood up, the Marquis of Dingxi paused.

"It's the Eldest Daughter-in-law?" he asked, slightly surprised. "Why are you managing affairs now?"

The Marquis generally ignored domestic matters. He had seen Qi Yue twice recently, but as a father-in-law, it was improper for him to speak much with his daughter-in-law, so he had only nodded. Furthermore, Madam Xie had intended to keep quiet about it. He knew Qi Yue had recovered her health but was unaware that she had taken over the management of the household from Madam Xie.

Honestly, they give me such trouble. And Madam Xie, using this moment in front of the 'Big Leader' to undermine me! Acting innocent about changing staff...

Qi Yue had no time to investigate the Marquis's temperament before she looked up toward the main seat. The man was impeccably maintained, exuding an innate, noble aura. As her gaze shifted slightly, she noticed a beautiful woman standing behind the Marquis of Dingxi, who formed a word with her lips directed at Qi Yue.

Qi Yue froze for a fraction of a second, then pursed her lips into a smile.

At this moment, large tallow lamps hung high around the banquet, and the moonlight overhead was growing bright. Qi Yue was wearing the powder-blue, cinched, cross-collared waistcoat trimmed with green that A'ru had meticulously chosen. A'hao had styled her hair into an intricate, dazzling coiffure, adorned with gold and jade hair ornaments left by the Old Madam. With powdered cheeks and bright red lips, under the dual illumination of lamps and moon, her smile was radiant, sparkling brilliantly.

The Marquis of Dingxi was instantly mesmerized, and his severe expression softened.

"My Lord, she has only just recovered and has been confined to her courtyard for so long. She is young and new to managing these things. Naturally, she reviewed the menu, but the dish was served without listing which seasonings—ginger, scallions, or garlic—were included. How could she possibly know?" Concubine Zhou said with a smile, then flashed another smile at Qi Yue and beckoned. "Come, quickly apologize to your father."