Bribes for extra chapters... The night deepened. Many of the lamps in the Dingxi Marquis's residence were gradually going out; the night watchmen in the front and back courtyards huddled deeper into their padded coats, beating their (wooden clappers) and calling out as they passed.

But the courtyard belonging to Chang Yunchang remained brightly lit. Despite a sudden influx of maids, the space felt even quieter than usual. Qi Yue stood inside Chang Yunchang's room. "Is this the third or fourth time I've been in here?" she murmured, looking around the space. Chang Yunchang stood to the side, his face taut; he clearly wasn't in a good mood and naturally offered no reply. Qi Yue didn't really expect one. Her gaze drifted to the large bed, where the bright red mandarin-duck quilt lay side-by-side, arranged as if for a wedding night. This Dingxi Marquis was truly.... "Well, you can't blame me for this," Qi Yue sighed, turning to Chang Yunchang with a look of faint helplessness.

Chang Yunchang sat down on a nearby chair, his expression blank, though the slight clench of his hands on the armrests betrayed that his internal state was far from the calm exterior he projected. "Let's take things one step at a time. I'll figure something out," Qi Yue said, pacing a few steps before looking back at the bed. "So, where should we sleep?" Chang Yunchang’s body stiffened abruptly. "It might be impolite to say this, but I am a woman, and I should take the main bedroom. It’s right next to the washing room, which would be convenient for my ablutions," Qi Yue continued. She turned to observe Chang Yunchang's strange expression as she spoke. "You... disagree?" Chang Yunchang looked up at her. In the lamplight, her features were serene, as if she were merely commenting on the weather. His hands tightened involuntarily on the chair's arms. "I disagree," he stated firmly. A pang of regret followed the words, but seeing the woman before him furrow her brow—a break from her usual distant demeanor—he felt a strange sense of satisfaction. "This is my sleeping chamber. Why should I yield it?" Chang Yunchang leaned back against the chair. "Sleep here if you want; if not, don't." Qi Yue watched him for a moment, then raised her hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I can’t afford to provoke you, so I’ll keep my distance. I really don't have the energy to deal with any of you right now," she said, calling out for A'ru.

While the couple stood inside looking at the bed, Qiuxiang remained in the main hall, still as if she were invisible. She had narrowly escaped disaster this time. The Dingxi Marquis had intended to sell her off, just like the two unfortunate tongfang (bed-warming maids) before her, but she was spared because the Young Madam spoke up on her behalf. "This maid isn't that sort; she's capable and clever. With so many maids already squeezed together, having an empty room to spare for her will make things more comfortable for the others. It’s not just for her sake; that girl doesn't harbor any improper thoughts," the Young Madam had told the Marquis. The Marquis had sent someone to relay these words to Qiuxiang verbatim. No improper thoughts—she had no thoughts left at all. Qiuxiang kowtowed on the floor, screaming internally. The Dingxi Marquis rarely made decisions, but once made, few could sway him. That she survived this ordeal was truly thanks to the Young Madam's grace... Qiuxiang looked over, her gaze fixed on Qi Yue. She saw Qi Yue seemingly finishing her inspection of the room, after which the couple exchanged a few more words—though they didn't sound pleasant at all...

As soon as Qi Yue called for A'ru, Qiuxiang hurried over. "Young Madam, Sister A'ru has gone to arrange quarters for Quezhi and Ah-hao. Shall this servant prepare your washing things?" she asked in a soft, careful voice, tinged with nervous deference. While speaking, she didn't spare a glance for Chang Yunchang; in her eyes, no one existed but the Young Madam now. "I can wash myself. Please help me smooth out the Luohan couch over there," Qi Yue told her kindly. Qiuxiang froze in place, momentarily stunned. What...?

The rising steam enveloped Qi Yue in the bath tub. A'ru stood nearby, gently drying her washed hair. Seeing that Qi Yue hadn't spoken for a long time, A'ru glanced over with concern. Qi Yue was leaning back against the edge of the tub, eyes closed, apparently asleep. "Young Madam, you mustn't sleep here," A'ru quickly reminded her.

Qi Yue snapped back to attention, got out, and slipped into her underclothes. Only Chang Yunchang remained in the room, sitting by the table, holding a book. The damp, clean fragrance of the woman after bathing drifted through the space, and Chang Yunchang frowned slightly over the pages of his book. Though his eyes were fixed on the text, he could clearly see the woman—wearing a white silk garment edged with peach-pink—walking slowly with her waterfall of unbound hair. He watched as she spoke softly to the maid, and soon the maid withdrew, closing the door softly behind her. Finally, only the two of them were left in the room.

Chang Yunchang felt his body finally relax. He stood up and walked toward the washing room. Everything seemed ordinary, except for the addition of a bathtub—one was empty, the other was filled with scalding water. But the air was permeated with a scent that didn't belong to him; it was the smell of a stranger intruding upon his territory. For so many years, his personal space had never held another person’s scent... It was deeply unsettling!

When Chang Yunchang emerged, the lamp in the other section of the room had been extinguished. Since the partitions had no solid door, he could see the shape beneath the quilt on the Luohan couch—a small form lying on its side. As if sensing his gaze, the person turned over. Chang Yunchang withdrew his eyes, his heart suddenly pounding. Realizing this panic, he mentally cursed himself. Bah, what is there to be flustered about? I’ve seen women before!

He strode over and abruptly slammed the partition door shut, then turned and blew out the lamp. The room plunged into absolute darkness. Chang Yunchang lay on his own bed, wide awake. The events of today were too shocking: that maid had died, and she was murdered by his master, Concubine Zhou... The one intent on killing Qi Yue was Concubine Zhou... He previously held no particular impression of either the concubine or Qi Yue, but at this moment, he suddenly recalled an incident from long ago. He had been passing by the Old Madam’s courtyard and saw Concubine Zhou holding Qi Yue’s hand, saying something to her while smiling so sweetly. That intimacy caught Chang Yunchang where he stood; that very same affection was something he remembered seeing on his mother's face—though his mother's image was now blurred, that specific smile always surfaced in his mind when he thought of her...

Chang Yunchang shot upright in bed. He listened intently. He could hear the other person’s steady breathing through the partition door, devoid of any sobbing or distress. To think that the person he considered family tried to take his life...

Chang Yunchang threw off the covers, stepped out of bed, and opened the partition door. The uniform breathing carried across the still darkness opposite him. This is her own fault! Who told her to be someone brought in by the Old Mistress? She deserves her bad luck... Chang Yunchang stood frozen for a moment, then raised his hand, closed the door, turned around, and walked to the desk to pour some water, slowly taking a sip. In that situation, with everyone shouting that he was the murderer, she alone had seen what others ignored... Did this woman truly trust him that much...? Chang Yunchang involuntarily tightened his grip on the teacup. A person died today, and she had knelt there watching for so long. Watching so intently, otherwise, she wouldn’t have noticed the discrepancy in the cause of death... She was a woman, and someone she knew and trusted had died. She must be terribly frightened...

Chang Yunchang slowly finished his water, then walked back and opened the partition door again. "Big Brother..." A woman's sigh drifted softly into the room. The suddenness of the sound, combined with his recent thoughts, made Chang Yunchang's scalp prickle. "What is the meaning of this?" Qi Yue’s voice floated from across the way. Chang Yunchang’s posture relaxed, only to be replaced by annoyance. "What are you yelling about in the middle of the night!" he couldn't help but hiss quietly. The sound of rustling blankets came from the other side. Having adjusted to the dark, Chang Yunchang could see Qi Yue rolling over to lie on her side, looking across at him. "Big Brother, you know it's the middle of the night," she replied, tinged with exasperation. "That door—if it’s so much fun, can’t you play with it enough during the day?" Chang Yunchang was instantly enraged. Before Qi Yue could finish, she added, "Or perhaps you have... some improper habits?" she speculated. "Like enjoying spying on women while they sleep?" The only answer was the violent slam of the door. "Ungrateful wretch!" followed by a muffled roar.

Qi Yue frowned. What ungrateful wretch? This man was utterly baffling. Still, at least the other side finally quieted down. She rolled over onto her back, staring up at the dark ceiling, and let out a slow breath. Could a person simply die like that? Die without a sound? Did she even know why that person had died? Perhaps it was better that she didn't know.... These people, the people of this Marquisate, who already had enough to eat and were secure for a lifetime—weren't they satisfied? What were these people truly thinking in their hearts? Qi Yue reached out, grabbed the quilt, and slowly pulled it over her face.

Qi Yue woke naturally as the morning light began to filter through. She got out of bed, instinctively reaching for her head, squinting to locate the washing room. She bumped her head on the partition before remembering she had moved to a new place. That man.... Qi Yue cautiously peered toward the other side. The door to the main sleeping chamber was wide open. She hesitated for a moment before walking over. The bed coverings were tossed aside; no one was there. "Chang Yunchang?" she called out. No answer came. "Shizi Ye?" she called again. The room remained silent. He must be a soldier; he probably went out for martial practice early this morning.

Qi Yue breathed a sigh of relief and headed straight for the washing room. The moment she stepped in, she saw a man standing with his back to her, completely naked, dumping a bucket of water over himself with a shua sound. Qi Yue cried out instinctively and squeezed her eyes shut. "You pervert! Would it kill you to answer when I call?" she snapped angrily. "I didn't hear you," Chang Yunchang replied languidly, pouring another bucket of water over himself before turning around. Qi Yue, still with her eyes shut, quickly retreated out of the room.

When Chang Yunchang emerged after his leisurely wash and dressing, Qi Yue was seated in a chair, glaring at him with obvious displeasure. A'ru and Qiuxiang were tiptoeing nearby, making the bed and tidying up. The room door was open now, and the winter morning light brightened the space. Seeing Qi Yue's taut expression, Chang Yunchang’s mouth twitched into an involuntary smile. "...It's like this again. Who exactly has the improper habits?" he remarked. Qi Yue knew exactly what he meant. She stared at him for a moment, then let out a breath, regaining her composure. Watching her expression, the smile on Chang Yunchang's lips faded as well. "I know you're not used to this. I'm not used to it either," Qi Yue said. "But right now, if I were to go to your father and insist on moving out, you’d probably get a sound thrashing..." Chang Yunchang, who had lowered his head with a sullen look, couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from twitching upwards when he heard this. Compliments wouldn't work on the master... "Of course, you getting beaten isn't the main issue. The primary thing is, after beating you, your father would feel he'd avenged me, and he still wouldn't let me move out. Instead, I’d have to expend energy spinning up a whole host of evasive excuses. I just don't have the mental capacity to deal with any more of your family’s drama right now..." Qi Yue sighed, looking troubled. Chang Yunchang's smile vanished instantly. This... impudent woman... RQ