"Young Madam, this is no game; that isn't going back, that is death," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Isn't it precisely because your Young Madam is dead that I've come? If I were to die, perhaps I could go back too," Qi Yue continued to stare at the ceiling beams, her expression hinting at a desire to test the limits.

"Who can say for certain? This is not something to test; this is fate," Ah Ru tugged anxiously at her sleeve. "Fate is only once; it cannot be tested. You, didn't you yourself say that life is precious and one shouldn't casually speak of death? You lecture me, yet you don't listen to yourself."

Qi Yue snapped back to attention, laughing heartily, and quickly reached out to pull Ah Ru up.

"Yes, yes, exactly. It truly cannot be casually tested. This little life, it's a miracle I survived at all, who knows what stroke of luck brought it about," she chuckled. "I'm slapping my own mouth; it's my fault for speaking carelessly."

Ah Ru finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Young Madam, shall we go out for a walk?" she quickly suggested, afraid to linger in that room any longer.

Qi Yue shook her head and sat down inside the room instead.

"Let's sit a bit longer. Perhaps while sitting, I'll suddenly be able to return," she murmured to herself. "But if I return, will it be just the soul, or the body as well? If the soul returns, does this body die, or will the original Qi Yue Niang come back?"

As she muttered, Ah Ru, listening nearby, felt the hairs on her arms stand up, desperate to yank Qi Yue away from there immediately.

"Ah Ru, I truly want to go home," Qi Yue sighed, looking up at the high ceiling.

Ah Ru didn't know how to comfort her. She remembered when she first arrived at the Dingxi Marquis's Residence—how she dared not cry during the day, but hid under her covers at night, missing home. That home, though poor, where she might starve, was still home as long as her parents were there; a place that, no matter how tough or meager, felt blessed just to think about.

The Young Madam's home must be infinitely better than hers; she must miss it all the more...

Silence fell over the two women in the room.

A clear, profound sound of a qin drifted in.

Qi Yue, whose gaze had been distant, refocused, tilting her head to listen.

The music seemed both near and far, melodious and fluid, timeless and fresh.

Qi Yue couldn't help but stand up.

"Who is playing? Let's go see," she said.

Ah Ru, only too happy to move, followed her out.

As the courtyard gate opened, the music grew louder. Qi Yue followed the sound, turning past the Autumn Tung Courtyard, to find a bamboo grove ahead, like a shimmering screen. In a small pavilion before the grove, a man sat with his back to them, facing the bamboo, playing the instrument.

Qi Yue stepped forward, and Ah Ru held her back.

"It's the Third Young Master," she whispered.

Before the words fully faded, the music ceased, and the man turned around. It was indeed the Third Young Master.

"Yue... Eldest Sister-in-law?" He seemed genuinely surprised, rising to his feet.

"You play this too?" Qi Yue walked over with a smile, recalling that Chang Yuncheng also had a qin in his room. People in ancient times were so elegant, mastering the four arts—qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

With her use of the word "too," Chang Yunqi understood.

"Father enjoys this, so all of us siblings studied under famous masters. However, Eldest Brother is the best. This little brother is merely showing off," he laughed.

"Where is the showing off? It sounded wonderful," Qi Yue laughed, approaching. "I haven't heard music in ages. Play another piece for me."

Ah Ru tugged at her sleeve from behind.

Qi Yue shook her off.

"I'm nearly suffocating from boredom," she whispered to Ah Ru.

Ah Ru paused, her hand retreating awkwardly.

Chang Yunqi saw their movements and exchange, offering a slight smile without comment. He adjusted his robes, sat down cross-legged, stabilized the strings, and began to play once more.

Qi Yue sat down on the steps nearby. Listening to the long, deep notes wash over her, watching the bamboo grove that remained green even in autumn, she temporarily cast aside her jumbled thoughts. She didn't know how long passed until the music concluded with lingering echoes.

"That was beautiful," Qi Yue said, coming back to herself and applauding.

Chang Yunqi smiled.

"How long have you been learning? Is it easy to learn?" Qi Yue asked again.

Chang Yunqi looked at her.

"Have you truly forgotten everything from before?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Is there any reason to doubt it?" Qi Yue laughed.

Chang Yunqi's expression clearly showed disbelief.

"It's strange how in this world, nobody believes the truth, but everyone believes a lie," Qi Yue pouted at him.

"How is that possible?" Chang Yunqi shook his head.

"Why not possible? Anything is possible," Qi Yue laughed. Looking at the guqin before him, she couldn't resist standing up, walking over, and bending down to touch it lightly.

The strings produced a chaotic sound.

"This is a guqin, right?" she asked curiously.

"Yes," Chang Yunqi smiled.

"It must be very expensive," Qi Yue nodded.

Chang Yunqi didn't know how to respond and simply smiled.

"Are you all right?" he suddenly asked.

Qi Yue, who had been studying the instrument, looked up when she heard him.

"I am," she said. Seeing the genuine concern in Chang Yunqi's eyes—a kindness that was rare among the few people she had encountered since arriving here—she smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

Qi Yue's smile and thanks made Chang Yunqi slightly uneasy.

"You've improved; you actually know to say thanks now," he chuckled.

"I didn't say thanks before?" Qi Yue asked, following his words.

Ah Ru coughed lightly from behind, interrupting their conversation.

"Young Madam, we've been out long enough; it's time to return," she said softly.

"Return for what?" Qi Yue shook her head casually.

This remark held a different meaning for Chang Yunqi. Watching Qi Yue's expression, his demeanor darkened again.

"Did he really hit you?" he suddenly asked.

Ah Ru shot her head up like a frightened rabbit, while Qi Yue seemed momentarily confused.

"Who? Hit me?" she asked, glancing at Chang Yunqi before realizing and laughing, "No, no, you listen to their nonsense."

Chang Yunqi looked unconvinced.

"You? Which time were you bullied that you didn't say 'no'?" he shook his head.

Qi Yue Niang might have been like that, but Qi Yue was not.

"It really didn't happen," Qi Yue raised her hands and smiled.

"Young Madam, let's go back," Ah Ru raised her voice again, glancing at Chang Yunqi. "It's getting late."

Qi Yue looked up at the sky; it was just past noon, the sky wide and white.

"Let's go back," Chang Yunqi said with a smile, standing up first. "I should return as well."

Qi Yue murmured "Oh," clapped her hands, and stood up.

She walked alongside him.

"Your courtyard is nearby, isn't it?" she asked conversationally.

Chang Yunqi stopped and looked at her.

Qi Yue didn't understand and looked back at him.

"I believe you now," Chang Yunqi said with a soft laugh. "You really have forgotten everything before. You don't even know where I live. We picked out the courtyard together back then..."

Ah Ru coughed heavily from behind, cutting Chang Yunqi off.

Chang Yunqi frowned, glanced back at Ah Ru, and his expression turned grim.

"What? Now I'm not even allowed to speak with Yue Niang?" he asked Ah Ru. "Forget that she is now my sister-in-law; even the sibling bond we shared while living in the Old Madam's courtyard for a year—are we not even permitted to talk now?"

Ah Ru dropped to her knees, repeatedly kowtowing and saying she dared not.

"She didn't mean it like that," Qi Yue quickly smiled and reached out to help Ah Ru up.

Ah Ru kept her head bowed, refusing to rise.

Chang Yunqi snorted and walked off first. Only then did Ah Ru stand up.

"He's your own brother; don't be so nervous when we talk," Qi Yue whispered to Ah Ru. "Could it be that even here you don't allow..."

Ah Ru clamped her hand over Qi Yue's mouth in terror, shaking her head with wide eyes filled with fright.

Qi Yue smiled and remained silent, noticing that Chang Yunqi up ahead had stopped again.

"Eldest Sister-in-law, that grilled garlic you made last time was delicious. When can you treat me to it again?" he turned and said.

"Sure, no problem, anytime," Qi Yue replied with a smile. Then she frowned again—when had she ever treated him to barbecue?

As they spoke, four or five maids and matrons approached along the path. Seeing the three of them, they quickly halted, and upon hearing the words, they immediately lowered their heads.

Chang Yunqi strode up to them.

"Third Young Master," they greeted in unison.

Chang Yunqi, carrying his qin, strode away.

"Young Madam," the servants greeted Qi Yue in unison as she approached next.

Qi Yue acknowledged them with an "Mm," and Ah Ru followed closely with her head down, as the two of them walked in another direction.

Ah Ru seemed deeply troubled; she didn't speak again, no matter how Qi Yue tried to tease her along the way.

"You little child, your nerves are too tense," Qi Yue laughed.

Ah Ru kept her lips pursed, silent.

Just as Qi Yue was thinking of ways to amuse her, a maid came running from ahead.

"Young Madam! Young Madam!" Que Zhi called out in alarm.

"What is it?" Qi Yue asked quickly.

"Young Madam, it's bad!" Que Zhi was nearly in tears, stumbling to a stop before her, her legs unsteady. "The Heir apparent has brought two tongfang [concubine maids] back..."

Qi Yue was not unfamiliar with the term tongfang.

"They only have tongfang now? Weren't they supposed to have them as soon as they came of age? Your Heir apparent is already in his twenties, why only now?" Qi Yue whispered curiously to Ah Ru.

"One reason is that our Old Madam keeps a tighter watch on the Young Masters. Anyone daring to seduce the young masters is beaten to death, so the young masters in the household dare not keep women in their rooms before reaching maturity..." Ah Ru explained quietly.

Qi Yue nodded. With too many beauties in the household and a father like that as an example, strict control was the only option, otherwise...

"As for the Heir apparent, once he reached the age, the Old Madam did not permit him to have anyone," Ah Ru continued, glancing at Qi Yue.

Qi Yue pointed at herself, and Ah Ru nodded.

"The Old Madam has been very good to me," Qi Yue sighed with emotion, though she wondered if this kindness was a blessing or a curse for the original Qi Yue Niang. Regardless, the treatment was undoubtedly sincere and heartfelt.

"Young Madam, please hurry," Que Zhi scurried ahead, almost running, looking back anxiously when she saw Qi Yue walking slowly, and urged her on.

"What's the rush? It's not me rushing into the embrace of beauty," Qi Yue said leisurely, then looked at Ah Ru, "What are the rules for these tongfang? For instance, do I need to give my consent or anything?"

"The maids serving the Heir apparent are naturally the Young Madam's maids. Moreover, someone of that status requires the Young Madam to speak up, serve tea, and complete the formal presentation," Que Zhi interjected quickly. "Young Madam, please don't pretend to be magnanimous. The Heir apparent has only just returned, and he’s already taken tongfang maids. If this gets out, your reputation..."

"Be silent," Ah Ru snapped, her face turning serious. "Are you a mere maid to be interfering in matters between the Heir apparent and the Young Madam?"

Que Zhi still feared Ah Ru and lowered her head, daring not to speak.

"Oh, so I need to consent?" Qi Yue said, smiling.

"While that is the accepted rule," Ah Ru, seeing her smile so brightly, felt a bad premonition and quickly added, "but since the Heir apparent has brought them back, Young Madam, please do not disappoint him. They are just two maids."

Qi Yue murmured "Oh," nodded, and smiled without saying anything more.