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The person hasn't changed, but the state of mind has altered drastically.

Yet, when she spoke, her manner remained straightforwardly direct.

“You’ve worked hard for so long; take a proper rest.

Go back to your own courtyard and recuperate fully,” Madam Xie said slowly.

“Yes, I was just about to discuss this with Mother,” Qi Yue replied with a smile.

Madam Xie raised an eyelid to glance at her.

“If you have something to say, why bother telling me? Aren't you the one who manages everything in this house?” she asked, her smile wavering between sincerity and mockery.

Qi Yue smiled, just about to speak, when a maid’s report drifted in from outside the door.

“Madam, the Heir Apparent has arrived.” What a coincidence, meeting again.

Qi Yue watched Chang Yuncheng step through the doorway and offered a faint smile in greeting.

Chang Yuncheng’s gaze swept past her, settling on Madam Xie.

“Mother, why did you summon me?” he asked, taking a seat casually.

“How were the steamed pigeons I sent over last night?” Madam Xie inquired with a gentle smile.

“They were a bit too sweet,” Chang Yuncheng replied.

Madam Xie then looked towards Mama Su.

“Remember to tell the kitchen staff,” she instructed.

The mother and son exchanged questions and answers, completely ignoring Qi Yue standing in the room.

Qi Yue pouted slightly.

“I was saying…” she began, preparing to speak without reserve.

Madam Xie looked at her first.

“Now that you are both here, it’s perfect,” she interrupted Qi Yue.

“There is something I need to discuss.” Both Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue turned their attention to her.

“That maid of yours, it’s time to take her in as a concubine.

After all, she was the first one to serve you.

She deserves the proper status,” Madam Xie said, addressing Chang Yuncheng.

Both Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue looked stunned.

“What are you saying, Mother?” Chang Yuncheng asked, frowning slightly, his eyes instinctively flicking towards Qi Yue.

Qi Yue knitted her brows for a moment—it always came back to a secondary wife or a concubine.

Women.

How tedious.

She quickly smoothed her expression back to tranquility.

“Qiuxiang,” Madam Xie stated.

Chang Yuncheng immediately looked somewhat uneasy.

“Her? What about her?” he said.

“What about her? What is there you cannot tell me? If you like her, naturally you can take her in.

How old are you, and you still have no heir?” Madam Xie sighed.

“I have no intention of taking her,” Chang Yuncheng shook his head, glancing involuntarily at Qi Yue again.

Seeing the woman standing there, watching their conversation with an amused smile—was she enjoying his predicament? “I merely planned to grant her an extra room to live in.” Madam Xie’s expression darkened.

She glanced at Qi Yue.

“Daughter-in-law, what do you think of this maid, Qiuxiang?” she asked.

“She’s quite good,” Qi Yue replied with a smile, looking at Chang Yuncheng.

“Very nice.” Chang Yuncheng’s expression remained unchanged; instead, a knowing smile touched his lips.

This woman truly was still the same—relying on her status, confident in the promise she held over him, ready to watch the show.

What spectacle was there to see? “Enough, Mother.

You’ve misunderstood,” he stood up and said.

“I only noticed she served well, and there are many empty rooms in the compound.

I just wanted the maids not to be crowded, nothing more.” Madam Xie looked up at him.

Her expression was one of shock.

While he was speaking, his eyes kept drifting to that woman...

Did he care about her?...

So...

“Even if it isn't her, you should add someone to your household,” Madam Xie’s expression deepened as she looked at Chang Yuncheng.

“Mother, I don’t wish to discuss this right now,” Chang Yuncheng replied.

“Then when do you plan to discuss it?” Madam Xie insisted, looking at him with unyielding resolve.

If it had been anyone else, Chang Yuncheng would have already stormed out.

Although the impulse surged within him, looking at Madam Xie, he forcefully suppressed it.

Qi Yue coughed lightly.

Seeing how awkward Chang Yuncheng looked, she stepped in to ease the situation.

“Mother, this matter is not urgent.

At the very least, we must choose someone who pleases the Heir Apparent,” she said, smiling gently.

“Then someone who pleases you, is that it?” Madam Xie directed a burst of resentment towards her, saying coldly.

“This has nothing to do with her,” Chang Yuncheng quickly interjected.

Qi Yue gave him a look—silly boy, when mother and daughter-in-law are speaking, you should never cut in, especially when the words are clearly meant to defend the wife.

Wait? This boy is defending me? Qi Yue paused again, surprised.

Madam Xie looked at Chang Yuncheng, her face ashen, her lips trembling slightly.

She desperately wanted to believe she had misheard—that her Chenger would speak up for this woman! But everything before her confirmed she hadn’t misheard! Her expression startled Chang Yuncheng.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” He hurried forward a few steps to ask.

Qi Yue raised a hand to touch her forehead.

Mama Su and A’Luan also lowered their heads beside her.

Madam Xie looked at Chang Yuncheng, then back at Qi Yue, who appeared perfectly unconcerned.

“Out,” she uttered the single word.

Chang Yuncheng froze, finally realizing Madam Xie was genuinely angry.

“Mother, you…” he started to question.

Madam Xie looked at Chang Yuncheng’s worried and bewildered expression.

Her son was fundamentally honest; he must have been misled by that woman behind the scenes.

She couldn't humiliate him publicly now; she would calmly explain it to him later; he would surely still listen to her.

“I’m tired now and don’t wish to speak.

Both of you leave,” Madam Xie took a deep breath, finally suppressing her boiling emotions, and said slowly.

Chang Yuncheng looked at his mother’s demeanor.

His mother disliked Qi Yueliang; he had seen her only a handful of times over the years, so naturally, she preferred not to talk to her much.

He nodded, ceasing his insistence.

“Alright, I will come back in the evening,” he said, turning to leave.

After a few steps, he noticed Qi Yue hadn't moved.

“Aren't you going? Stop angering Mother by staying here.” It wasn't me who angered your mother, Qi Yue glanced at him but said nothing.

“It is like this, I came to tell Mother that the daughter-in-law is young and inexperienced; the household matters should still be entrusted to Mother’s care,” she said.

Qi Yue knew Madam Xie was unhappy, deeply unhappy, right now.

Saying this was surely pouring oil on the flames, but she had no patience left to wait for Madam Xie’s mood to improve.

Moreover, Madam Xie’s mood would never be good as long as Qi Yue was present.

Madam Xie, still fuming, looked up at her, seemingly not grasping the meaning.

“What did you say?” she asked.

“I said about managing the household.

It should still be managed by Mother,” Qi Yue stated with a smile.

This declaration stunned everyone in the room.

When she had no power or support, she fought to take over the household; now that she has both, she relinquishes it? This young mistress’s thoughts were truly different from ordinary people...

Madam Xie laughed in fury.

“Do you think this is a game?” she looked at Qi Yue and sneered.

“If you want it, you take it; if you don’t, you cast it aside? What do you take me for?” Just as Qi Yue was about to reply, Chang Yuncheng strode over and forcefully gripped her wrist.

“Mother is unwell and said she is tired.

Are you deaf, or what?” His veins bulged on his forehead as he spoke word by word, clearly struggling to contain his rage.

With that, he dragged her towards the door.

The curtain was lifted and then dropped, obscuring a muffled thud from within the room—perhaps a teacup hitting the carpet.

Qi Yue was dragged out of Rong’an Courtyard, still held tightly by Chang Yuncheng.

Maids and servants lowered their gazes, avoiding eye contact.

“Enough, my hand hurts!” Qi Yue called out.

Only then did Chang Yuncheng release her.

“What nonsense are you causing now?” he demanded.

Was this woman foolish? Didn't she know Mother disliked her? Yet she insisted on stirring things up! “I wasn’t causing trouble,” Qi Yue rubbed her wrist and looked up at him.

“Like you, I am also fulfilling my promise.” Chang Yuncheng gave a cold laugh.

“What promise of mine are you fulfilling? Do you think I disagreed with Mother just because of you?” he challenged.

Qi Yue smiled at him.

“Whatever it is,” she said, “Since I have returned, I will adhere to what I said before: I will no longer manage the household, cause trouble, and I will live quietly and peacefully.” Chang Yuncheng looked at her without speaking.

“Also, actually,” Qi Yue looked up and smiled at him again, “If you like any woman, you are free to do as you wish.

That comment back then was just a joke.

You don't need to dwell on it.” Chang Yuncheng’s face instantly soured.

“Is that so?” he said slowly.

“Yes,” Qi Yue replied sweetly.

This woman was indeed different from before.

Chang Yuncheng felt a slight surprise in his eyes.

Yes, her previous smile held hints of provocation and curiosity, as if she were observing a rare specimen, or perhaps prodding a caged beast with a small stick now and then.

But now, she was smiling too, but the smile carried a distinct distance.

“Then I shall take my leave,” Qi Yue said when he remained silent for a long time.

She executed a slight bow and turned to depart.

“You…” Chang Yuncheng called out, taking a few steps to follow.

Qi Yue turned back.

“Oh, right.

Since both of us are upholding our promises, I hope…” She raised her hand, revealing the red mark encircling her wrist.

“That next time you will be more respectful.

I am not a dog or a cat.

This truly hurts.

If you don’t believe me, try it on yourself.” Chang Yuncheng stopped in his tracks, his face rigid with anger.

“Thank you,” Qi Yue waved her hand, gave a slight smile and a nod, and walked forward.

A’Ru bowed briefly to Chang Yuncheng and followed after her.

“Young Mistress, what if Madam refuses to let you step down from managing the household?” A’Ru asked quietly.

“What does her agreement or disagreement have to do with me?” Qi Yue laughed.

“I was just informing her.” A’Ru was momentarily stunned by her response, then realized that Qi Yue was turning a corner that didn't lead back to their current residence.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“To find my backer,” Qi Yue chuckled.

A’Ru looked thoroughly bewildered.

Upon hearing that Qi Yue requested an audience, Marquis Dingxi, who was admiring his newly acquired calligraphy and paintings in his study, immediately ordered her to be brought in.

“You’ve been exerting yourself these past few days; why not rest more?” Marquis Dingxi said with a hearty laugh.

“The daughter-in-law isn't actually tired,” Qi Yue smiled.

“The daughter-in-law knows the state of the illness and is confident.

It’s you, Father, who are blind to everything, constantly worrying—that is truly exhausting.” Look, look at all of you blind fools, laughing at me! Which of your families can produce a daughter-in-law like this? I’ll call you all ancestors! Marquis Dingxi burst into loud laughter.

“However, there is one thing I need to trouble Father with,” Qi Yue continued.

“What trouble? Don’t be modest.

Just say what you need,” Marquis Dingxi pretended to look displeased.

“It is this: although saving lives isn't tiring, this incident showed me my own shortcomings.

Because I haven't practiced in so long, my medical skills have grown rusty.

If Doctor Liu hadn't assisted, I might have made a complete fool of myself this time,” Qi Yue sighed.

“Furthermore, after this, there might be other instances where people seek medical help.

To avoid embarrassing Father and the household, I wish to study medicine diligently again.” “Good, good! Humble and eager to learn; learning knows no bounds.” Marquis Dingxi was a man of letters and deeply appreciated the pursuit of knowledge.

Learning anything was commendable, and medicine was certainly included.

He looked at Qi Yue with utter admiration.

What a pity she was born female! If she were a man, she might achieve something truly great! Performing advanced surgery! She could even aspire to be the Head Physician of the Imperial Hospital! “Therefore, regarding the management of the household, I think Mother should continue to bear the burden,” Qi Yue concluded.

“What burden? This should have been her duty all along.

Don’t you worry about it.

Go busy yourself with your studies,” Marquis Dingxi declared with a wave of his hand.

When the news reached Madam Xie, she swept a delicate vase off the table in front of her.

The sound of shattering glass scared the maids in the room into retreating hastily.

“Bear the burden? It shouldn't have been my duty before, and now it is again!” Madam Xie trembled, shouting hoarsely.

This was too much bullying! Is there any greater humiliation than this! “What if I refuse to manage it! Whatever this low-class servant says goes! Why should I obey!” She stood up, preparing to rush out.

Mama Su grabbed her arm.

“Madam, you cannot! If you tell the Marquis you won’t manage it, there are plenty of people waiting to take over!” she hurried to say.

That wretched concubine Zhou has likely been waiting for this very day...

That muddled Marquis Dingxi, easily swayed by a few honeyed words, might actually do it...

Perhaps this was exactly what that wretched Concubine Zhou schemed for...

Madam Xie slumped back into her seat, defeated.

Why? Simply because that Qi Yueliang had a fallback route, and she did not...

RQ