A chill ran down the spines of Qi Yue and A Ru in the room.

Chang Yunqi stood still, rooted to the spot.

Silence descended upon the interior.

“If only the Heir Apparent were here, he would surely know which scoundrel had the malice to do this,” A Ru murmured, wiping her tears.

“One can only hope,” Qi Yue sighed.

“Yue Niang,” Chang Yunqi called out.

Qi Yue looked at him.

“Why don’t you suspect him at all?” Chang Yunqi looked up at her and asked.

Qi Yue froze for a moment before realizing what he meant.

Right, why hadn't I suspected him even slightly? Logically, every master in the Dingxi Marquisate could be a suspect in this matter.

“You trust him that much?” Chang Yunqi gazed at her, his expression complicated.

“I just don’t think he is that kind of person,” Qi Yue said after careful consideration.

“You think he is that kind of person?” Chang Yunqi looked at her and smiled, though the smile held a hint of mockery. “Gone for three years, not a word, returning with no attempt at reconciliation, and kicking you out the door with one foot—why are you so certain this is a man who wouldn't harm you?”

This was no longer an appropriate conversation between a sister-in-law and her brother-in-law; A Ru looked panicked, the Heir Apparent was outside.

“Third Young Master,” she quickly tried to interject in a low voice.

“That’s not the same thing,” Qi Yue quickly said, cutting A Ru off. “I only think that if he wanted me dead, he would do the deed himself rather than use someone else as a proxy. It doesn't mean I think he’s a good person.”

“But you actually suspect everyone in our family, including me, don’t you?” Chang Yunqi inquired.

This child truly was just a child, and quite cunning too.

“How could you think that?” Qi Yue laughed in feigned surprise. “How could you think that?”

Chang Yunqi offered a slight smile.

“You should lie down again. You just took medicine; the doctor said you need more rest,” he said, dropping the previous line of questioning.

Qi Yue nodded.

“Thank you, Third Brother,” she managed.

A Ru helped her lie down. Hearing the rustle of the bead curtain, Chang Yunqi left.

Qi Yue let out a breath.

“Youthful infatuation,” she murmured to herself. “This is youth, youth is truly wonderful.”

“Young Madam, what are you saying? Are you that old?” A Ru, having heard her mutter, whispered back with a hint of amusement.

“I’m truly older than you all,” Qi Yue glanced at her.

A Ru understood her meaning.

“Not old in A Ru’s eyes,” she said, drawing the curtain closed.

Chang Yuncheng’s high-pressure, ruthless policy quickly yielded results; he obtained useful information that very night, and Qi Yue knew it by the time she woke before dawn the next day.

“They say a servant from the household came to see this wretched slave—a maid, but because it was dark, they couldn’t see clearly. This person will be hard to find,” he reported.

Chang Yunqi, sitting nearby, let out a derisive scoff upon hearing this.

“Startling the snake in the grass, naturally you won’t find anyone,” he remarked.

“Shut your mouth. In this world, there is no such thing as ‘cannot be done,’” Chang Yuncheng sneered, striking the table with his large hand. “If an act was committed, traces will remain, and if one wishes to look, one can always find them. Nothing happens without reason; it is merely a matter of grievance or favor.”

“Well said,” Chang Yunqi countered with a cold laugh. “This certainly isn't favor; let’s discuss the grievance then. Who in this household holds a grudge against her is perfectly clear.”

“Get out,” Chang Yuncheng glared at him and commanded.

“Heir Apparent, I know that in the future everything in this manor will be yours, but for now, it is not,” Chang Yunqi said, leaning back in his chair.

Chang Yuncheng smiled, looking at him.

“Very well, Third Brother, after a few years apart, you’ve grown capable,” he chuckled.

“I wouldn't claim capability, merely having more connections than some people,” Chang Yunqi returned the smile.

“Since we’re talking about connections,” Chang Yuncheng smoothed his robes, lowered his crossed legs, and looked at him, “Your feelings for your Eldest Sister-in-law are quite deep. You’ve only been here a short while, and you’ve run over here twice, both times causing trouble precisely when both you and I are present. What a coincidence.”

“She is both my Elder Sister-in-law and a sister; the benevolent see benevolence, the affectionate see affection, and the merciless see heartlessness,” Chang Yunqi replied.

Good, the vicious see viciousness, a fine retort. Qi Yue applauded inwardly, but discussing these endless matters now was a waste of time.

She coughed, and the two men in the outer room ceased their conversation.

“Are you feeling unwell again?” Chang Yunqi hurried over to ask.

Chang Yuncheng remained motionless.

“Heir Apparent,” Qi Yue had no choice but to call out.

Chang Yunqi paused outside the bead curtain.

“Speak,” Chang Yuncheng’s voice came through the curtain, still without him rising.

“Heir Apparent, I know I was wrong, please don’t be angry, let me go back. I dare not stay here anymore,” Qi Yue called out, her voice fragile and pleading.

“Go back? The doctor said if you’re no longer dizzy or nauseous, you can return,” Chang Yunqi quickly said.

Qi Yue was overjoyed and moved to sit up in bed.

“Third Brother, you should return now,” Chang Yuncheng said from outside.

“Alright, alright, I’m fine now, I can go,” Qi Yue quickly responded.

Chang Yuncheng lifted the curtain and smiled at Qi Yue.

“We are leaving, not you,” he stated.

At these words, everyone in the room gasped.

A Ru immediately dropped to her knees.

“Chang Yuncheng, have you no humanity!” Chang Yunqi stepped forward, grabbing his collar and roaring in anger.

Chang Yuncheng raised his arm and effortlessly shoved Chang Yunqi away.

“Someone, take the Third Young Master downstairs to calm down. How unbecoming of the Heir Apparent to shout and scream at the slightest provocation,” he ordered.

Two men responded and entered from outside.

Chang Yunqi was furious enough to explode, but he was helpless against the strength of the soldiers, who seized him by the arms and dragged him out.

The sounds of his angry cursing soon faded in the courtyard; no one knew how they managed to silence him.

This man was equally tyrannical and fierce towards strangers and family alike.

“Do you also wish to go downstairs and calm down?” Chang Yuncheng asked, looking at A Ru, who was kneeling on the ground, weeping.

A Ru fiercely pressed her lips together, not daring to let a single sob escape.

“Chang Yuncheng, are you serious?” Qi Yue looked at him in disbelief, tears already welling in her eyes.

“I’m not one to speak falsehoods,” Chang Yuncheng chuckled. “Moreover, I keep my word. Each matter stands on its own—your suffering is separate from my forcing you out.”

“Chang Yuncheng, when I return, I absolutely won’t bother you. I’ll just stay at Qiutong Courtyard and stop managing the household,” she pleaded desperately, grabbing his sleeve. “I won’t manage anything, I won’t ask for anything, as long as I can stay there, I promise to be quiet and peaceful.”

This was a life-threatening situation; she couldn't stay here another day.

I want to go home, I want to go home!

Chang Yuncheng roared with laughter, reaching out to brush against the beauty’s face, which was inches away.

Qi Yue shuddered from the sudden intimate contact and instinctively flinched, but remembering her hope, she painfully held still.

Whatever, it’s not my body anyway.

“Regret it now?” Chang Yuncheng laughed.

Qi Yue gritted her teeth, forcing a look of sincere remorse onto her face as she looked at him.

“Too late!” Chang Yuncheng burst into laughter, flicked his sleeve, turned, and strode away.

“Heir Apparent—”

“Chang Yuncheng!”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Chang Yuncheng paused at the doorway and looked back. “I’ll arrange for people to stay behind to ensure this place is utterly safe. Not only can no one harm you, but you won’t even be able to die if you wished to.”

“Chang Yuncheng, don’t you regret this!” The door slammed shut, sealing off the sharp female voice and the sound of a chair being hurled against the wood behind them.

The group rode off swiftly in a chaotic rush.

The wind whipped cold rain down, and the once bustling street instantly emptied of all figures.

A man rushed into a pharmacy, completely soaked through.

“Doctor, Doctor!” he shouted loudly.

Behind the counter stood only two young clerks.

“Esteemed guest, how may we assist you?” the clerks asked in low, flat voices.

It was the rule of the pharmacy; they could not be as enthusiastic as clerks in other shops, as that would be disrespectful.

“Where is the doctor? My mother is ill, hurry and come see her,” the man called out anxiously.

“What an unfortunate coincidence, the doctor is out on a house call,” the clerk said apologetically.

“What? Out on a house call too?” the man widened his eyes. “How can he also be out? I’ve run to several places and they all said they were out! What is happening today? Has every doctor in the city been called away?”

The clerks could only offer apologetic smiles.

“Esteemed guest, we do not know. Someone came to request the doctor early this morning, and well, he hasn't returned since they left,” they explained helplessly.

“Which residence? I’ll wait there,” the man said irritably.

The expression on the clerks’ faces shifted to one of deeper sympathy.

“It is the residence of the Prefect. You may wait there,” they informed him.

The man instantly looked stricken.

The rear compound of the Yongqing Prefecture Prefect’s office, like other official yamen complexes, was divided into working quarters in the front and living quarters in the back. Although there was a long-standing rule against extravagant upkeep of government offices, the residential area of the Yongqing Prefect’s Yamen was lavishly maintained, no less grand than the estates of wealthy families in the provincial capital.

However, in this opulent rear compound, a cloud of gloom hung heavily. Wails and cries of pain echoed from one room, while throngs of maids and servants rushed in and out.

The room was packed: the Prefect pacing back and forth, women weeping hysterically, and a group of doctors of varying ages. If an outsider had seen this, they would surely have mistaken it for a gathering of physicians, as why else would every renowned doctor in Yongqing Prefecture be present?

“How is he looking?”

“I don’t think he will make it…”

“The horse’s hooves have already damaged the viscera…”

The doctors whispered among themselves.

“Have you finally come up with a solution?” the Prefect suddenly roared.

The gathered doctors were startled into silence, none speaking for a moment.

“Speak,” the Prefect demanded, staring at them.

Finally, one spoke up.

“My Lord, the young master is likely beyond saving,” he reported.

March 8th? Ha, happy festival to all you comrades. I’ve given myself half the day off today, slept a bit, and now I’m back to writing.

If this isn't well written and has made everyone uncomfortable, thank you all for bearing with me.