"I'm giving you an extra chapter because you like my books… hehe…" That line has a nice ring to it; I'll jot it down to use later… If someone notices it, I’ll write another bonus chapter then, haha… When Qi Yue finally sat down at the dining table, Chang Yuncheng was nearly finished eating.

Since it was breakfast, the table was set with small dishes and bowls: braised meat with preserved vegetables, steamed fish, clear soup with shrimp roe, small steamed buns, finely shredded egg, and a large bowl of meat congee.

It wasn’t quite to her taste, and Qi Yue frowned slightly.

“Have them bring me plain congee, and also prepare some smashed cucumber and radish,” she instructed.

Qiuxiang started to move, but Aru smiled and stopped her.

“I’ll go,” she said. “I know what the young mistress likes to eat.”

While Qi Yue waited for her meal, she watched Chang Yuncheng.

The more she stared, the more uncomfortable Chang Yuncheng became as he ate.

“If you have something to say, just say it,” he put down his bowl and chopsticks, his face grim.

“Nothing at all,” Qi Yue reached out toward him. “Go on and eat. One should not speak while eating or sleeping, after all.”

Chang Yuncheng picked up his chopsticks, but Qi Yue continued to watch him, seemingly scrutinizing whether the chopsticks he used were somehow different from others.

Chang Yuncheng put down his chopsticks, pushed his bowl away, and walked out.

*Now I can eat in peace…. *

Qi Yue picked up her chopsticks. Qiuxiang bustled forward, eagerly refilling her rice bowl.

“Young Mistress, just try some of this shrimp roe…” she urged.

Qi Yue tasted it with a gentle smile.

“Qiuxiang.” Chang Yuncheng’s voice drifted in from outside the room, carrying a subtle undertone of displeasure.

The legitimate master was right here, yet now that he had stepped out, not a single attendant had followed him.

Chang Yuncheng stood under the eaves, looking at the disorderly group of maids and servants outside the main door, which only worsened his foul temper.

“What are you all doing?” he barked.

The maids standing in the courtyard rushed over.

“That… the plaque… the older maids said it wouldn't look good…” she stammered timidly.

It was right after Qi Yue Niang had been sent away to the estate that the plaque, bearing the name she suggested and inscribed by the Marquis himself, had been taken down and re-framed by Chang Yuncheng…

These people truly had sharp eyes and quick hands…

Was this his courtyard or that woman’s?

Chang Yuncheng couldn’t help but glance back. Through the carved lattice window, he saw the woman laughing as she ate, flanked by two or three maids who were serving dishes and refilling her bowl, their laughter occasionally ringing out.

One should not speak while eating or sleeping?

After eating, Qi Yue took a short stroll in the courtyard before heading indoors to begin her reading.

Chang Yuncheng sat inside the room, drinking tea.

“Aren’t you busy?” Qi Yue inquired.

Chang Yuncheng glanced up at her.

“Have you finished dealing with yesterday’s matters?” Qi Yue asked again.

“Didn’t you quit managing the household? The people who harmed you have been found; what are you still worrying about?” Chang Yuncheng replied indifferently.

Qi Yue smiled.

“Am I not worrying on your behalf?” she said.

Chang Yuncheng snorted and lowered his head.

“Aren’t you bored staying at home day after day?” Qi Yue paced a few steps in the room, then recalled something else. “With such beautiful weather, why don’t you go out and have some fun?”

Chang Yuncheng gripped his teacup and paid her no mind.

Qi Yue pouted, then let him be. She walked straight into her own room and settled down with her book.

Knowing Qi Yue intended to read, Aru did not come in to attend to her. Seeing that Qi Yue was alone, Qiuxiang naturally dared not enter. The room was quiet, with only the two of them present.

Chang Yuncheng drank cup after cup of tea, finally sensing that the woman over there was sneaking glances at him.

If I don’t speak, I’ll suffocate you….

He reached out again to pour another cup of tea.

“Hey, you just finished eating. Drinking tea like that isn’t good for your body,” Qi Yue said, rubbing her eyes as she looked toward Chang Yuncheng.

Those words written in classical Chinese, arranged vertically, were dense and hard to decipher. Her eyes were starting to strain. Relax a little.

“Only you know everything,” Chang Yuncheng put down his teacup. Since she had made a gesture of goodwill, he should grant her some face…

Qi Yue stretched her neck lightly.

“Pour me a cup of tea while you’re at it, thank you,” she said casually.

This woman was ordering him around! Chang Yuncheng snorted. He glanced toward the courtyard door, where several maids were standing in the sun, speaking in low voices.

It was only a simple request to call for a servant, but she hadn't summoned the maids to attend her; instead, she asked him to…

She was doing this on purpose, trying to find an excuse to talk to him.

Chang Yuncheng hesitated for a moment, then, with a degree of reluctance, picked up the water pitcher and poured the tea. His steps were stiff as he walked over, one by one.

“Thank you,” Qi Yue took the cup and smiled at him.

Chang Yuncheng averted his gaze, staring at the opposite side of the low kang table…

Should he sit or not…

If he sat, wouldn't he be giving this woman too much leverage?

Qi Yue took a few sips and set down her teacup, noticing Chang Yuncheng was still standing there.

“Young Master, you should go attend to your business. I will read for a while…” she said.

Before she could finish speaking, Chang Yuncheng abruptly spun around and strode away, his speed stirring up a gust of wind.

Qi Yue quickly reached out to smooth down the pages of her book, hearing the heavy sound of the door curtain being slapped shut.

“What is it now?” she sighed, shaking her head.

Aru lifted the curtain and entered.

“Young Mistress, did you anger the Young Master again?” she asked.

“Am I that idle?” Qi Yue laughed, shaking her head. “I know he doesn’t like seeing me, so I try not to speak more than necessary. Besides, what do you mean, again? Aru, you’re blaming the wrong person.”

“But, the Young Master left just now with a very dark expression… What… what did you say to him?” Aru inquired, her face full of disbelief.

“Nothing much. I just told him to go attend to his duties. My manner was very polite and courteous,” Qi Yue said, looking at Aru with a smile. “What’s with that look? It’s as if I’m the type to deliberately stir up trouble.”

Aren’t you? Aru laughed, unsure whether to cry or laugh.

“Forget it, let him be. He can do as he pleases,” Qi Yue waved her hand dismissively.

Aru remained standing nearby.

“Young Mistress, the Young Master, he stayed deliberately in the room to keep you company, didn’t he?” she said after a pause.

Qi Yue gave a dry laugh.

“I can’t bear such attention,” she replied. After a moment of silence, she asked, “Does A’jin have a family?”

Aru’s expression dimmed.

“No, she was like me. We were bought from outside. I don’t know where her parents are anymore,” she murmured softly.

Qi Yue fell silent.

“Young Mistress, I will go burn more paper money at her grave,” Aru suggested.

Qi Yue sighed.

“Burn an offering for me as well. After all, it happened because of me…” she started, but Aru interrupted her quickly.

“Young Mistress, it was Concubine Zhou’s black heart. It has nothing to do with you; please don't overthink things,” she said urgently.

Qi Yue smiled.

“Don’t worry, I won’t take the blame for things that aren't my fault,” she laughed. “Go get some rest. Since the room is finally quiet, I need to use the time to read.”

Aru nodded and quietly withdrew.

When Chang Yuncheng arrived at Madam Xie’s residence, Madam Xie immediately noticed his poor complexion and felt a wave of relief.

She had worried all night. Only after a servant secretly reported that they slept separately did she feel somewhat reassured, and at the same time, gratified—she knew her son was living honorably.

“It must be difficult for you, living with that woman…” Madam Xie sighed. “But it’s not a good time to tell your father now; he’s full of frustration and has nowhere to vent it. We should just lie low for a while.”

Chang Yuncheng hummed in assent.

“Mother, don’t be angry. This household should naturally be managed by you,” he said.

Madam Xie knew he was still thinking about the day she had lost her temper. This comforted her further.

However, this statement also reminded Madam Xie that the woman had directly thrown off her duties in front of the Marquis of Dingxi, causing even now, when she managed the household, people assumed it was because the Young Mistress had abandoned the task to her—a great loss of face.

“That bitch finally got what she deserved. The old shrew never dreamed that the two people she tried so hard to protect would end up tearing each other apart,” Madam Xie burst into loud laughter at this point. “It just goes to show that man’s plans are no match for heaven’s will.”

She took a deep breath, and as her laughter faded, her face filled with sorrow and resentment.

“Your mother, wherever she is now, might find some solace. If that slut hadn't shamelessly seduced your father back then, your mother wouldn't have been so severely agitated, leading to an illness beyond cure. It’s just a pity we kept that lowly life of hers…”

Hearing his mother mentioned, Chang Yuncheng’s expression grew slightly melancholic.

“Sometimes, living is a greater torment than death,” he said slowly.

Madam Xie nodded, a glint of cold light flashing in her eyes. She needed to quickly promote a few new ladies while the Marquis of Dingxi’s heart was cold toward that woman, so that the woman would live out her life in a family temple, without any hope.

Following this thought, Chang Yuncheng couldn't help but think of that woman.

He only realized it after he left the room: that woman had deliberately forced him out, hadn't she?

She spoke of being open-minded, of forgiveness, of letting bygones be bygones—clearly, she was still sulking. This kind of tantrum was just another way to make him relent and coax her with sweet words.

“Yuncheng?” Madam Xie’s voice brought him back to the present.

Chang Yuncheng realized he had been drifting off and suddenly felt awkward.

“What were you saying, Mother?” he asked.

Madam Xie scrutinized him, not thinking much of it.

“You still haven’t rested well; your complexion is terrible,” she sighed, then smiled at Chang Yuncheng. “I think, since we can’t avoid her, perhaps you should go stay at your maternal grandmother’s house for a few days?”

Chang Yuncheng froze slightly.

“It’s been a long time since you returned; it’s time you visited your maternal relatives anyway. That way, you can also avoid that woman for a few days. Once you return, and once your father has calmed down, we will find an opportunity to make that woman roll out,” Madam Xie said with a smile.

Chang Yuncheng looked at Madam Xie, and for the first time, he felt reluctant to agree readily.

“What if the woman wants to go too?” Nanny Su, who had been standing by silently, couldn't help but interject.

“She dares!” Madam Xie scoffed.

“Madam, what is there she doesn't dare to do…” Nanny Su sighed.

Dare to perform an autopsy, dare to look directly at a dead person, dare to approach the father-in-law when the mother-in-law ignores her, dare to speak up about anything, dare to borrow any influence—shameless, heartless, and cold-blooded…

Madam Xie clearly recalled this as well, and her expression grew weary.

“Then it’s better to keep her under my watch. If I let her go out alone with you, you are too straightforward; you can’t guarantee that treacherous slut won’t play some trick…” she muttered.

What kind of wicked trick could that cunning slut play that she thinks might attract me? Chang Yuncheng found the corner of his mouth involuntarily curling into a faint smile; he was surprisingly eager to see what happened next. RQ