Chang Yuncheng glanced at her, then reached out to lift the carriage curtain.

“To West Street,” he said.

A’Ru acknowledged with a soft “Yes,” and the coachman, having heard, cracked his whip and adjusted the direction.

Qi Yue simply closed her eyes to rest.

Chang Yuncheng said nothing further; the clamor of the street permeated the carriage body, only emphasizing a sense of… loneliness.

“Young Master, Young Mistress, we have arrived,” A’Ru said softly from outside.

The carriage slowed to a halt.

The curtain was drawn aside, and Chang Yuncheng stepped down, adjusting his robes.

“I’ll head back first. I’ll send the carriage back for you later,” Qi Yue said.

Chang Yuncheng smiled.

“No,” he stated.

Qi Yue’s brow furrowed again.

“Chang Yuncheng, can we not be so awkward?” she leaned forward, lowering her voice. “You show me respect, I show you respect. Can’t we just coexist peacefully, without encroaching on each other?”

“Fine,” Chang Yuncheng nodded.

“Then I’ll go back first, and the carriage will pick you up shortly,” Qi Yue said with a smile toward him.

“No,” Chang Yuncheng replied readily.

Qi Yue extended her hand, barely restraining the urge to grip the lapel of his outer garment.

“Are you insisting that I walk back by myself?” she ground out.

“You can follow me. I’ll buy a few things, and then we’ll return,” Chang Yuncheng said, his expression placid. “It will be quick.”

Qi Yue looked at him, then straightened up.

“Then hurry up,” she instructed.

Chang Yuncheng smiled at her and turned to leave. Just as A’Ru moved to lower the curtain, he turned back again.

“Oh, do you want to step down and take a look?” he inquired.

Qi Yue pursed her lips, considering it. Sitting was getting a bit dull...

Qi Yue rose, and A’Ru quickly reached out to steady her. Watching her step down and turn away, Chang Yuncheng let out a soft sigh of relief, then immediately tightened his features again, walking ahead alone.

This was Qi Yue’s first time strolling through an ancient street. This street seemed to be akin to a modern commercial avenue, lined with shops, bustling with people, a cacophony of cries, laughter, bargaining, and the mix of string and wind instruments drifting from taverns and tea houses—a vibrant, heated wave washing over her.

A few old women carrying rice wine and meat walked past them.

“Is the New Year approaching?” Qi Yue, overhearing their chatter mention the year-end festival, paused momentarily.

“Yes, it’s the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month today,” A’Ru replied.

“When I first arrived, it was...” Qi Yue began to say.

A’Ru glanced ahead, where Chang Yuncheng stood before a corner shop, a shop assistant eagerly pushing wares upon him.

“It was the fourth month,” she finished quietly for Qi Yue.

Qi Yue tucked her hands into her sleeves and walked slowly forward.

“It’s been over half a year,” she murmured in reflection.

A’Ru looked concerned. Spotting a general store nearby displaying a dazzling array of trinkets, she tugged Qi Yue’s sleeve.

“Young Mistress, look at this butterfly pendant…” she said, pointing.

Qi Yue’s attention was indeed caught. She looked up to see butterflies woven from rope, tied in intricate patterns, hanging down—exquisitely made. Seeing their attire, the sharp-eyed shop assistant immediately plucked one down and presented it.

“How much for this?” Qi Yue asked.

“Not expensive, not expensive. It would suit the young lady’s outfit perfectly, look stunning hanging there, only eight wen…” he touted.

Eight wen? Qi Yue had no idea of the value, so she looked to A’Ru.

Before A’Ru could speak, a hand reached over from behind.

“We’ll take it,” Chang Yuncheng stated.

The attendant behind him immediately presented the coins. The shop assistant called out his confirmation loudly.

“We didn’t even haggle,” Qi Yue remarked, glancing at him.

“What is there to haggle about?” Chang Yuncheng countered, tossing the pendant toward A’Ru.

A’Ru caught it swiftly.

“Isn't that just eating while others starve…” Qi Yue huffed.

“I wouldn’t dare claim such a thing,” Chang Yuncheng replied.

The street was crowded, and despite the attendant’s presence, accidental bumps were inevitable. The two found themselves unconsciously walking closer together.

Chang Yuncheng slowed his pace.

“You’re foolish. If you don’t haggle when buying things, the vendor will call you an idiot,” Qi Yue scoffed.

Chang Yuncheng let out a derisive laugh.

“If he calls me an idiot, does that make me one?” he countered.

Qi Yue turned to look at him. When this woman couldn’t win an argument, she always got that expression. Chang Yuncheng’s lips curved slightly, his gaze fixed forward, avoiding her eyes.

“What is it you need to buy? Quickly now,” Qi Yue said irritably, stepping ahead.

A’Ru hurried to follow.

The slight smile on Chang Yuncheng’s face vanished, and he quickly suppressed it, quickening his steps to catch up to her.

“Cheese? There’s cheese here?”

“What’s this? Let me try…”

Before long, Qi Yue’s mouth was full, both hands occupied, her expression relaxed, her eyes and brow alight with smiles.

“This is Mijin cake…” Chang Yuncheng took it from the attendant’s hand and offered it to Qi Yue.

Qi Yue quickly handed the fish pouch she held in her right hand to A’Ru, reached out, and took the fresh cake, taking a decidedly unladylike, large bite.

“Mmm, very good,” she nodded repeatedly, her face beaming.

She really does have an appetite... And I heard she also cooks quite well? Chang Yuncheng watched her.

“Hey, what were you planning to buy anyway?” Qi Yue asked, having eaten half the cake and suddenly remembering, looking at Chang Yuncheng.

He had been following her the whole time; he didn’t seem to have anything specific he needed to seek out? It was almost as if he were accompanying her on a stroll... The thought flashed through Qi Yue’s mind, sickening her momentarily, and she shook her head quickly to clear it.

Chang Yuncheng looked momentarily lost at being asked, instinctively looking around.

“Oh, that,” he said, pointing.

Qi Yue followed his gaze and saw it was a shop selling the Four Treasures of the Study.

“I didn’t realize you were a scholar-general,” she commented, with a hint of impatience. “Go on now, hurry up. I’m waiting to go back.”

Chang Yuncheng’s face immediately darkened.

That wretched woman...

He turned and strode into the shop.

“Young Master, what can I get for you?” the assistant greeted enthusiastically.

Chang Yuncheng entered, but his peripheral vision remained fixed outside, watching as the woman had already turned her attention elsewhere, standing before a different stall... She didn't even care to step inside to see what he was buying? Did she truly not care at all?

Chang Yuncheng involuntarily tightened his grip on his hand...

“Hey, hey, Young Master, be careful not to drop it…” the assistant raised his voice, finally succeeding in drawing the customer’s focus back to him. He quickly seized the opportunity, plastering on an eager smile. “How about this?”

Chang Yuncheng looked down at his hand, realizing he was holding a piece of ink stick.

“What is this?” he frowned, asking.

The assistant was aghast; did that mean his previous lengthy explanation was wasted?

“This is…” The customer was the provider of sustenance; he must be revered. He swallowed, preparing to start over.

Finally having finished his flowery description, he looked up only to see the gentleman once again gazing outside.

What was so captivating outside? The assistant couldn't help but follow his gaze. Ah, what a lovely young lady, wearing a deep red jiaolingpao embroidered with peonies, cloaked in a phoenix-feathered cape, her hair styled in tongxinbin, adorned only with a string of pearl flowers, looking up at a hollowed-out, carved incense burner she held aloft, her bright smile blooming.

The young assistant was momentarily stunned as well.

Chang Yuncheng saw this, and immediately slammed the ink stick down on the counter.

“How much?” he demanded sharply.

The assistant jumped, thinking the master was rejecting the item, but when he heard the question, he quickly rattled off the price. Chang Yuncheng waved his hand and walked out, his attendant immediately paying and collecting the item.

“Let’s go,” Chang Yuncheng said, striding past the two conversing—mistress and servant—without a word.

Qi Yue tossed the bronze ball in her hand, then followed.

Right up until they alighted from the carriage, she never asked Chang Yuncheng what he had bought.

“I’m tired,” Qi Yue told A’Ru as she stepped down.

A’Ru nodded.

“Me too. This is good; we can sleep well when we return. This whole afternoon and evening, we can recover,” she said.

They walked off speaking. Chang Yuncheng stood to the side, watching as Qi Yue, seemingly forgetting there was one more person, let out a breath and followed them.

After only a few steps, they saw a maid running toward them in haste.

“Young Master, Young Mistress, it’s bad news.” She looked deeply anxious. “The Madam is returning to Shanning.”

What was bad about that? Qi Yue was confused; besides, what was Shanning?

Chang Yuncheng’s expression changed instantly; he swept past the maid and hurried toward Rong’an Courtyard.

“Shanning is the Madam’s maternal home,” A’Ru quickly explained to Qi Yue in a low voice.

Qi Yue murmured an “Oh,” and stifled a yawn.

“Going to her parents’ home? That’s fine, what’s so terrible about that,” she commented.

A’Ru smiled faintly.

All the maids had followed Chang Yuncheng, and no one else was present here.

“One cannot simply return to their maternal home without an invitation from family; doing so on one’s own is... is absolutely forbidden,” she explained.

There were rules like that? Qi Yue murmured an “Oh.”

“So restrictive,” she muttered, then fell silent.

“Young Mistress, shouldn't we go take a look?” A’Ru prompted.

“‘We’?” Qi Yue laughed. “Let’s not throw oil on the fire.”

Saying this, her eyes brightened; she had something more important to attend to.

“Let’s go find the Marquis,” she chuckled with a hum.

“Young Mistress, please don't go. That would be most inappropriate. The Marquis admitting his mistake like this—can’t we just let this matter rest?” A’Ru pleaded anxiously.

This girl thought she was only seeking rectification. Qi Yue smiled at her without saying anything more.

However, when she inquired after the Marquis, she learned he had already gone out.

This man... he was hiding? She was truly impressed by him... A dignified Marquis stooping to such behavior... Qi Yue was speechless; there was simply no way around it.

“Can he hide forever?” Qi Yue shook her head, resolving to return to her courtyard. “Let’s go for a walk, then sleep.”

While she returned to her quarters in frustration, Chang Yuncheng had already knelt down to block Lady Xie.

“Mother, what is it? Did I do something wrong? Tell me, and I will change,” he pleaded, his face anxious.

Lady Xie looked down at him from above.

“Very well, then tell me: do you listen to me, or do you listen to that woman?” she asked slowly.