Madam Xie looked upon Rao Yufang, dressed in a pale pink, floral cross-collared changao and draped in a light blue, trimmed, fleece-lined cloak. Her gentle elegance brought a genuine comfort to Xie Shi’s eyes.
“It was on the way, which saves your aunt the worry. She is in poor health, and with the New Year approaching, there is much to attend to at home,” Madam Xie said with a soft laugh, taking Rao Yufang’s hand and leading her to stand beside her, as she looked toward the direction from which Chang Yuncheng was approaching.
Rao Yufang followed her gaze and first saw Chang Yuncheng. Just as she was about to shyly avert her eyes, she noticed the woman accompanying him, and her expression faltered slightly.
That woman… was she the Young Mistress?
She couldn't help but focus her gaze.
Qi Yue had chosen to dress very simply today because she was heading out to give a lecture and didn't wish to appear too ostentatious in front of the disciples at Qianjin Hall; her hair was also simply pinned up.
This woman’s attire and grooming were plainer than that of a maidservant. Rao Yufang was momentarily taken aback. Hadn’t they said she was a beauty?
At that moment, Qi Yue used her free hand to pinch Chang Yuncheng’s waist.
“You scoundrel,” she muttered under her breath.
Chang Yuncheng didn't turn around, but countered by swatting at Qi Yue’s mischievous hand with his own.
“Dare to cause trouble, and see what happens,” he hissed back quietly.
This rascal was truly unbalanced and capable of anything…
He wasn't afraid of losing face, but she certainly was!
Qi Yue ground her teeth in frustration but immediately composed herself.
I’ll deal with you later... A faint smile played on Chang Yuncheng’s lips as he finally came to a stop before Madam Xie and the others.
Rao Yufang dared not look further and lowered her head to avoid contact.
“Mother,” Chang Yuncheng called out with a smile, simultaneously releasing Qi Yue’s hand.
“Mother,” Qi Yue murmured, dipping her head slightly.
Madam Xie wanted to laugh upon seeing her son, but looking at Qi Yue, she found herself completely unable to do so, resulting in a rather peculiar expression.
“You’ve arrived. This is your… sister,” she said, decisively turning to Rao Yufang as she introduced her to Chang Yuncheng.
Where had a sister sprung from?
Chang Yuncheng glanced over with some confusion.
Rao Yufang bowed deeply.
“Young Lord,” she greeted him softly.
Chang Yuncheng nodded slightly in return, then looked away from her.
“Mother, Yue Niang heard that maternal grandmother is unwell, so she wishes to go and see if there is anything she can do to help,” he said to Madam Xie, his brow alight with obvious pleasure.
Both Madam Xie and Qi Yue were startled by his words.
Qi Yue stared wide-eyed at Chang Yuncheng, stunned by his vivid imagination.
Madam Xie, however, was shocked that her son intended to bring this woman across the threshold of the Xie family gates.
It must be that this woman overheard something and deliberately insisted on clinging to him!
Such a vile servant girl!
The atmosphere chilled instantly. Chang Yuncheng was surprised; why… why did his mother’s expression differ so much from what he had anticipated?
Could it be that even Qi Yueniang couldn't earn a sliver of approval from his mother?
Rao Yufang sensed the tension and looked up, perplexed, only to finally get a clear view of the Young Mistress standing before her, which caused her to reveal a look of surprise as well.
Simple makeup on plain attire, cloud-like hair loosely tied, powder light and blush faint—an ineffable grace, utterly captivating.
Indeed… a true beauty…
Rao Yufang could only sigh the word in the end.
“Your maternal grandmother has requested the former Chief Imperial Physician to take her pulse,” Madam Xie stated faintly, forcing down her resentment.
This was, after all, her son’s concern for his grandmother; she couldn't openly reprimand him and wound his filial piety, but she would certainly deal with him later.
Her son was simply too guileless, unaware of the serpentine cunning of this woman.
“It’s better to have one more person look,” Chang Yuncheng said with a smile, relieved that his mother hadn't outright refused, “as it might prove helpful.”
“I think it would be better if that Chief Physician or someone similar examined her…” Qi Yue couldn't help but interject from the side.
Before she could finish, Chang Yuncheng turned to her, his gaze carrying a clear warning.
Qi Yue swallowed her words. Fine, if you think highly of me, don't blame me if you’re disappointed later.
“Very well, it’s getting late, you should go now,” Madam Xie said, not wanting to look at this woman for another second, wishing she would leave immediately. But the thought that leaving meant leaving with her son made her desperately wish they would stay.
However, arrangements for the visit were made; they couldn't just not go.
It was all this vile servant girl’s doing!
Madam Xie shot Qi Yue another hateful glare.
Qi Yue naturally noticed the hostility in her eyes and pouted. As if I care about your precious son.
“This is the sister of the Rao family, your aunt and uncle’s kin. From here to the post station at Shanning Prefecture, and then back to the capital—you must see to her care on the journey,” Madam Xie instructed Chang Yuncheng, pulling Rao Yufang closer.
Ah, someone from the Rao family. Only then did Chang Yuncheng understand where this sister had come from.
Seeing his gaze turn toward her, Rao Yufang’s heart quickened, and she lowered her head to bow again.
“I trouble the Young Lord for the escort,” she managed.
She had spoken in front of him once before; even if they hadn't met face-to-face, he must still remember her voice…
To Rao Yufang’s disappointment, Chang Yuncheng never uttered the words, “Oh, this is the sister.”
“Certainly, I understand. Please rest assured, Aunt,” Chang Yuncheng replied, bowing again to Madam Xie. “Then we shall depart.”
He didn’t spare Rao Yufang another glance and turned, walking away.
Rao Yufang bade farewell to Madam Xie and headed toward her carriage. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the Young Mistress playfully shove Chang Yuncheng, and Chang Yuncheng, in return, caught her hand to steady her personally as he helped her into the carriage…
Was this flirting in broad daylight?
In front of so many people?
There wasn’t a trace of the supposed aversion or dislike in his manner.
A slight bitterness bloomed in Rao Yufang’s heart.
It made sense; what man wouldn’t adore such a stunning beauty?
She settled into her carriage, and the curtains were drawn, obscuring the view.
Four carriages, accompanied by more than a dozen riders and attendants, departed from the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence.
Madam Xie remained standing until the carriages were out of sight before finally turning back.
“This woman is truly calculating in a thousand different ways…” she murmured.
A-Ma Su sighed softly.
“Yet she has such a flawless excuse, and the Young Lord is genuinely concerned for the Old Madam…” she whispered.
Madam Xie paused her steps.
“We cannot wait any longer; we must hasten the entrance of the new bride,” she declared, exhaling sharply. “Go, summon the Marquis back. Tell him his formidable daughter-in-law is out of the house; he no longer needs to hide.”
A-Ma Su suppressed a smile and agreed.
“Chang Yuncheng, I truly don’t know how to treat your grandmother’s illness. I can’t take a pulse or anything,” Qi Yue glared at him in the carriage, warning him. “You bragged on my behalf; don’t blame me if you lose face later.”
Chang Yuncheng ignored her, leaning against the carriage wall to rest his eyes.
“I have many things to attend to. How many days will we be gone?” Qi Yue asked again.
Chang Yuncheng remained unresponsive.
“So, this counts as me helping you, then?” Qi Yue changed tactics.
Chang Yuncheng opened his eyes and looked at her.
“Me helping you?” he retorted.
“Isn’t it you helping me?” Qi Yue countered.
“It is enough that you understand what is in your heart,” Chang Yuncheng stated, folding his arms, then closing his eyes again.
Understand what?! Forcing people to accompany him on a family visit early in the morning against their will—is that ‘helping’? Qi Yue was furious again.
There was no point in talking to him; this boy simply didn't understand plain language!
Qi Yue decided to use the writing materials A’ru had brought, setting up the small table and beginning to sketch and write.
Chang Yuncheng cracked open an eye, observed Qi Yue deeply absorbed in her work, allowed a faint smile to touch his lips, stretched slightly, and adjusted himself onto a soft bolster before closing his eyes again, lulled by the faint, lingering fragrance.
When Chang Yuncheng awoke, the carriage had stopped. He shot up, startled, realizing he had actually fallen asleep.
“Where are we?” Qi Yue was asking the curtain outside.
“There is a place for changing, Young Mistress,” a servant woman called from outside.
“Changing?” Qi Yue blinked. “A restroom stop?”
Chang Yuncheng pursed his lips; this woman could say anything…
He leaned over and nudged Qi Yue.
“Come on, get down,” he instructed.
“I can get down myself,” Qi Yue replied, turning to glare, raising her hand to swat away the hand Chang Yuncheng had extended.
Chang Yuncheng withdrew his hand.
“Missed me,” he chuckled heartily.
Qi Yue raised an eyebrow and deliberately reached out to strike.
Chang Yuncheng dodged, and Qi Yue missed again.
Chang Yuncheng’s laughter grew louder.
Hearing the merriment erupting from the carriage, Rao Yufang, who was approaching, paused involuntarily.
“Miss Rao,” A’ru spotted her and bowed in greeting.
“I was tired from the journey. This is tea I brewed myself with water I brought. Please allow the Young Lord and Young Mistress to refresh themselves,” Rao Yufang said with a gentle smile.
The young maid behind her hastily presented a purple clay teapot.
A’ru accepted it with a polite bow of thanks.
At that moment, the carriage curtain was thrown back, and Chang Yuncheng jumped down, closely followed by a warm sleeve which hit his back before falling to the ground.
Rao Yufang quickly lowered her head and retreated a few steps to give them space.
Chang Yuncheng strode past her without a word.
When Rao Yufang looked up again, she saw Qi Yue alighting from the carriage.
“What an absolute brute,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her hand dismissively.
“Young Mistress,” Rao Yufang quickly greeted her with a formal bow.
Qi Yue paused, recalling that this sister was a relative of the Second Madam, Chen Shi…
“Hello,” she said, a touch of warmth entering her tone. “Were you uncomfortable riding?”
Rao Yufang nodded with a smile.
“This is my first time traveling so far from home,” she admitted.
“It must be unsettling?” Qi Yue laughed, with a hint of understanding.
Rao Yufang nodded, pleased with the easy atmosphere between them.
“This is the tea I brewed. Young Mistress, Young Lord, please give it a taste,” she offered.
A’ru presented the teapot for Qi Yue to inspect.
Qi Yue nodded and said, “Thank you very much.”
Rao Yufang was about to say more when she heard Chang Yuncheng let out a heavy cough from across the way.
“Why are you dawdling!” he called out.
Rao Yufang flushed, feeling both awkward and flustered. Was it because she was holding up the Young Mistress?
“We’ll chat later. I need to use the facilities first,” Qi Yue said with a smile, patting Rao Yufang’s arm as she walked toward him.
“What are you shouting for!”
Rao Yufang heard her call out as she walked away and was even more astonished.
How dare she speak to the Young Lord with such an attitude?
Was it due to her low birth, or perhaps the prestige granted by the imperial decree of marriage?
This coarse and arrogant temperament—no wonder the Marchioness disliked her so much.
Rao Yufang looked over and saw Qi Yue brush past Chang Yuncheng. Whatever was said, Chang Yuncheng's expression grew unmistakably displeased.
With that sort of demeanor, it would be strange if anyone was pleased...
Perhaps sensing her scrutiny, Chang Yuncheng’s gaze snapped sharply in her direction.
Rao Yufang startled and lowered her head in panic. After a moment of hesitation, she abandoned the thought of speaking further with Qi Yue and retreated to her own carriage. Once inside, she slightly lifted the curtain and watched as, not long after, Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue approached, one in front of the other, still talking and… touching each other as they walked...
Qi Yue kicked Chang Yuncheng lightly on the leg. He didn't dodge, and Qi Yue laughed, then sprinted ahead a few steps like a rabbit.
Chang Yuncheng, initially grim-faced, allowed a soft smile to bloom as he watched the woman who had struck him and then bolted away.
Interacting with women was certainly different from dealing with men… but, it was rather entertaining, actually…
It wasn't as boring or stifling as he had imagined; it was almost no different from being with his old comrades, though, yes, there was a difference—he couldn't truly hit them hard; it had to be mere pretense...
Rao Yufang dropped the curtain, blocking the sight of his smile.
If only one day that smile would be directed at her…
She involuntarily raised a hand to cover her face; it felt hot enough to burn.
That day, she thought, could not be far off.