Qi Yue walked over with a smile. "Father, it is this daughter-in-law who was at fault," she said with a laugh, curtsying deeply.

The former Qi Yue would have been fortunate to speak to him so confidently; to even look up at him was remarkable.

Marquis Dingxi was astonished, but even more surprised awaited.

After Qi Yue finished speaking with a smile, without waiting for the Marquis's reply, she beckoned to a nearby maid, took the wine cup and jug, and poured herself a drink. "Father, this daughter-in-law will penalize herself with a cup of wine," she chuckled, truly draining it in one gulp. "You mustn't be angry; on such a joyous day, if you are angered, then this daughter-in-law would be greatly at fault." The surprise on Marquis Dingxi's face vanished, and he burst into hearty laughter. "Good," he laughed, saying "good" three times in succession.

With his laughter, the initially tense atmosphere instantly became lively. "And more," Qi Yue smiled, pouring another cup, raising it to everyone. "It is all my fault for making everyone stop eating.

Sisters-in-law, I offer my apologies to you too, and will penalize myself with a cup." She smiled and again drank it all down. "Sister-in-law has quite the capacity for wine," a male voice remarked with a laugh.

Qi Yue smiled as she looked over and saw a young man seated next to the Third Young Master. "Since two cups have already been had, let's make it a complete set.

Why don't we all drink one together? Three cups of wine for the vast mortal world, a pot of tea for a millennium of achievements," she said with a smile, pouring more wine. "A fine poem," Marquis Dingxi clapped his hands, repeating the lines, "Three cups of wine for the vast mortal world, a pot of tea for a millennium of achievements.

Excellent, truly excellent." His gaze upon Qi Yue was filled with absolute delight.

What in this world could be more pleasing to the eye than seeing a beautiful woman who is also clever and wise? "Sister-in-law can actually compose poetry now?" the young men seated around called out with laughter. "Poetry and all that nonsense, I don't understand such things.

You scholars shouldn't tease your sister-in-law," Qi Yue laughed.

Watching this version of Qi Yue, more than half the people present stared in stunned disbelief. "My heavens," the Second Miss whispered to the Third Miss beside her, clutching her collar, "She truly is reborn..." The Third Miss glanced shiftily behind Marquis Dingxi. "Was it the concubine who turned straw into gold?" she murmured hesitantly.

The Second Miss frowned. "That can't be, I never heard the concubine mention it," she muttered softly.

The two looked back at Qi Yue, seeing the woman smile faintly, so poised and graceful, possessing a flavor entirely different from what they were accustomed to seeing, hearing, and learning. "Could it really be true?" the thought flashed through both their minds simultaneously.

That story, already circulating in whispers around Marquis Dingxi—the one about the Eldest Young Mistress having walked the path to the Yellow Springs, drunk the Water of Oblivion, and been personally sent back by the Old Marchioness—was it more than just a story? "Come, listen to your sister-in-law, let us all drink a cup together," Marquis Dingxi said, raising his wine cup with a smile.

Taking his lead, everyone raised their cups and drank it down.

The atmosphere became even more joyous than before. "Eldest son's wife, please sit down," Marquis Dingxi said with satisfaction, nodding contentedly at Qi Yue.

Qi Yue curtsied with another smile before turning back to her seat.

As she sat down, she let out a slight sigh of relief, gently patting her chest.

Chang Yuncheng, sitting beside her, set down his cup and glanced at her sideways, his expression revealing neither joy nor anger.

The managing old woman withdrew in silence.

Concubine Liu stood there looking somewhat awkward, while Concubine Zhou subtly edged her out of the way by engaging Marquis Dingxi in conversation.

Concubine Liu retreated somewhat shamefacedly, resentment flickering across her face, yet daring not speak.

She quickly looked toward Madam Xie, whose expression was grave as she slowly turned her wine cup, lost in thought. "My Lord, here is the opera roster.

You must choose; Yue Niang has only just taken over, and she’s quite lost.

We can't afford any mistakes in public again," Concubine Zhou murmured quietly in Marquis Dingxi's ear, using the act of pouring his wine as cover. "You aren't helping her keep an eye on things either," the Marquis replied in an equally low voice, a smile playing on his lips. "She's just a child, she doesn't know anything, and I don't know anything either." "What do I know? Just a talkative secondary wife," Concubine Zhou shot him a look, pursing her lips into a small smile as she spoke quietly.

Under the combined glow of the lamps and the moon, Concubine Zhou’s demeanor held a unique charm that stirred the Marquis's heart. "How much you know, I know best," he chuckled softly, gently pinching the hand of Concubine Zhou that held the wine jug.

Concubine Zhou's face flushed slightly, and she playfully slapped him away. "We're almost holding grandchildren, and you're still as frisky as before," she whispered.

Mentioning the past, Marquis Dingxi felt a slight twinge of apology.

He hadn't visited Concubine Zhou’s rooms in quite some time.

Recalling those intensely passionate days, he patted Concubine Zhou's hand without speaking.

Concubine Zhou looked at him and smiled, a thousand unspoken words passing between them in that single glance.

Madam Xie, sitting nearby, filled her cup and tossed it back in one gulp.

Being unaccustomed to drinking, especially drinking so quickly, she couldn't help but choke slightly. "Madam, we cannot compare ourselves to these young ones; it is better to drink less wine," Concubine Zhou said softly, quickly using her handkerchief to wipe Madam Xie's mouth.

Madam Xie shot her a cold look, pushed her hand away.

Concubine Zhou was unconcerned, smiling as she rose and walked away.

Meanwhile, Chang Yunhong raised his wine cup, intending to toast Qi Yue, even pulling Chang Yunqi along with him. "With Elder Brother here, how can we ask Sister-in-law to drink?" Chang Yunqi restrained Chang Yunhong. "Elder Brother wasn't drinking, so I didn't expect Sister-in-law to have such a good capacity for wine," Chang Yunhong laughed.

Chang Yuncheng ate his food unconcernedly, paying them no mind as if he hadn't heard their words.

Qi Yue simply smiled at them.

A'ru whispered in her ear, introducing the Third Young Master and the Fourth Young Master. "Eat your food! If you drink too much wine, you won't be up tomorrow, and see how the tutor punishes you," Concubine Zhou said as she walked over with a smile.

Seeing her approach, Chang Yunhong stopped jesting and sat down obediently.

Chang Yunqi picked up his wine cup and quietly drank. "This is Concubine Zhou," A'ru whispered.

Qi Yue recognized the beautiful woman who had just offered her a subtle warning.

She immediately started to stand up.

Concubine Zhou reached out and gently pressed down on her shoulder to stop her. "I am not worthy of that formality," she smiled.

Concubines in the manor held lower status.

Although she was an elder, she could not compare to Qi Yue as the Eldest Madam.

Qi Yue understood this, so she smiled and remained seated. "Concubine Zhou," she acknowledged with a nod.

Standing closer, she could see the woman's features more clearly, and she inwardly praised Marquis Dingxi's excellent taste once again. "The Marquis enjoys listening to 'Luo Shui Bei.' Later, tell the troupe to perform that piece when they start," Concubine Zhou said kindly, her manner intimate and her tone familiar. "Yes.

Thank you, Concubine," Qi Yue replied with a smile.

Concubine Zhou looked at her with a smile, patted her shoulder, and walked away.

Although a few people were unhappy that evening, overall, the banquet was a great success.

Most people ate well and were entertained, and most importantly, the Eldest Young Mistress, by bringing liveliness to the atmosphere, provided countless topics for conversation.

After the moon worship and the opera concluded, Marquis Dingxi permitted the younger children to depart.

The young ladies and gentlemen rose and left.

Chang Yunhong, who had consumed a bit too much, swayed his head and declared, "This is that saying: three years without flying or chirping, but once it soars, it shakes the heavens; once it calls, it startles the world." The Second and Third Misses laughed at him. "It's just a cup of wine, look how dizzy you are," they chuckled, covering their mouths. "However, it seems Little Beggar—cough, Eldest Sister-in-law—has become much more approachable," the Third Miss added, stroking her small braid and tilting her head with a smile. "In a few days, I need to go out.

It should be fine to borrow that golden pearl ornament that Grandmother had made for her, shouldn't it?" "Go ahead and try," the Second Miss teased.

The sisters laughed softly and huddled together, murmuring secrets. "But it is strange, why has this Little Beggar suddenly become so much more talkative and cheerful?" Walking behind Chang Yunhong was the young master from the West Residence, Chang Yunsheng—"Three cups of wine for the vast mortal world, a pot of tea for a millennium of achievements." He mumbled the phrase repeatedly. "Who made that up? Could it really have been her idea?" he wondered aloud, grabbing Chang Yunhong again. "Is this Little Beggar perhaps exceptionally talented? Was she not born a beggar? Perhaps she was originally from a good family who fell on hard times and became a beggar?" Chang Yunhong stumbled from being yanked so suddenly. "How should I know? I'm not familiar with this Little Beggar.

Who knows who she was before or where she came from.

Ask Third Brother," he snapped, tossing his sleeves.

Chang Yunqi, who had been silently listening until now, grew agitated by the mention of him. "Just because you aren't familiar, does that mean I am?" he scoffed. "You should ask Eldest Brother." "Eldest Brother?" Chang Yunhong scoffed. "Eldest Brother probably doesn't even know this Little Beggar's name." His comment elicited laughter from everyone. "Don't believe me? Let's bet," Chang Yunhong huffed, lifting his chin toward a path to the side. "Who wants to go ask?" Everyone followed his gaze.

Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue had also separated, walking along a different path, one slightly ahead of the other.

Their maids and older female servants followed at a distance. "Hey, Heir Apparent." Qi Yue watched the man stride ahead, his shadow elongated under the moonlight.

She suddenly couldn't help but call out to him.

A'ru, walking beside her and cautiously supporting her due to the wine, was startled by her uncharacteristic greeting.

Chang Yuncheng seemed not to hear, his pace unwavering. "Heir Apparent," Qi Yue stepped away from A'ru and quickly jogged a few steps to catch up to him.

Only then did Chang Yuncheng turn his head to glance at her. "Um, I wanted to say sorry, and also thank you," Qi Yue said to him with a smile.

Being threatened into living under one's nose by someone one dislikes must be infuriating, regardless of the reason.

She admitted her actions in this matter were somewhat irritating. "I—" Qi Yue rubbed her hands, intending to tell him she would move back once this period passed, but before the words left her mouth, she saw Chang Yuncheng smile at her.

It had to be said, a handsome man's smile held considerable destructive power.

Qi Yue, this old woman, momentarily froze, feeling slightly unsettled. "You, don't bother," Chang Yuncheng said, looking down at the woman who barely reached his chest. "Whether you act aggressively, try to curry favor, smile, scold, or cry—none of it matters.

If you are repulsive, you are repulsive.

It is you as a person who is repulsive, not what you say or do." With that, he sneered coldly and strode away.

Qi Yue let out a breath.

This man's words were truly... "I take back what I just said," she shook her head, making a middle finger gesture toward Chang Yuncheng ahead.

You deserve to be disgusted by someone repulsive.

Yu Fang's new work, "The Eastern Bed," where the east wind blows and the war drums sound—who fears being a supporting female villain? Waking up, she transmigrated into the rebirth, family-feud novel she read last night, and of all things, she became a talentless, brainless, Mary Sue supporting character.

Within the unchangeable plot progression, she must find the opportunity for a counterattack and successfully push aside the female lead to claim her own position.