The journey to Shan Ning Prefecture would take two days, and as dusk settled, they arrived at their overnight stop.

The servants who had scouted ahead had already made arrangements, and the local official, having been notified, came personally to greet them.

Qi Yue rubbed her lower back as she alighted from the carriage, taking in the sight of the posthouse before her. This must be the ancient equivalent of a government guesthouse—high-hanging lanterns, grey bricks, and dark tiles, projecting an air of solemn grandeur.

"Young Madam," A'ru whispered a reminder.

Qi Yue snapped back to attention just in time to see Chang Yuncheng striding toward the inner gate, surrounded by four or five officials.

"Where is Miss Rao?" she asked, looking back.

Rao Yufang had just stepped down and approached, lowering her gaze upon hearing the summons.

"Let's go," Qi Yue said with a smile.

Rao Yufang nodded, pulling her hooded cloak down to conceal half her face.

The minor clerk at the posthouse stole glances at the two women, attended by their servants. What beauties… Truly, the family members of a Marquis’s estate are like heavenly beings…

Qi Yue found everything novel. Noticing that most rooms displayed lit lamps, she observed that there seemed to be quite a number of guests.

"Hurry along! What are you staring at!" Chang Yuncheng had appeared before her at some point.

Qi Yue frowned and looked up at him. Just as she was about to retort, Chang Yuncheng reached up and snatched the hat from behind her head, pulling it down over her eyes.

"What are you doing!" Qi Yue protested, reaching up to pull the hat off.

"It's so cold, keep it on," Chang Yuncheng warned in a low voice.

"Cold, my foot…" Qi Yue was caught between laughter and tears, but before she could finish, Chang Yuncheng pulled her hand down and tugged her forward.

"My wife is delicate…" Chang Yuncheng explained quietly to those nearby.

The surrounding officials laughed heartily, all praising the heir apparent for his tenderness toward fair ladies.

Tenderness? Did he possess such kindness? Qi Yue pursed her lips, using her free hand to lift the brim of the hat slightly so she could see where she was going.

"Miss…" the maid following Rao Yufang whispered a reminder.

Rao Yufang then lifted her foot to follow. Ahead of them, Chang Yuncheng, holding Qi Yue’s hand, had already separated them from the surrounding entourage.

"This is Miss Rao from the Rao family; make proper arrangements for her."

Chang Yuncheng's voice drifted back from the front.

The Rao family? The officials paused. Anyone who could be addressed simply as "the Rao family" and still have connections with the Marquis of Dingxi’s household could only be the Rao family from Shandong!

Those who had assumed the entourage consisted merely of the heir apparent’s beautiful wife and concubines immediately changed their demeanor, and several personally stepped forward to pay their respects.

A faint smile touched Rao Yufang’s lips beneath her hat as she returned their greetings. When she looked up again, Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue had already entered a room.

Her steps faltered for a moment.

"Miss Rao, this way, please," an official eagerly guided her.

The direction was the opposite of the room Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue had entered.

Rao Yufang lowered her head and walked lightly. After a simple wash, dinner was served.

At this hour, the local officials would certainly be hosting a banquet for Chang Yuncheng; they must have gone out to dine.

"Nanny Gui, do we still have any of the preserved meat we brought from home?" Rao Yufang inquired.

The older woman overseeing the maids unpacking their bedding immediately replied.

"We do, Miss. Knowing how you favor it, we set aside a small jar, separate from what we sent to the concubine's quarters," the woman said with a smile.

"Bring it out," Rao Yufang instructed. "And have someone take a taste over to the Young Madam."

The woman paused, then understood, nodding with a smile.

"Baojuan, come here and help Miss with her hair." She called out.

A young maid quickly approached.

Rao Yufang sat before the mirror, carefully penciling her brows and applying powder…

That Young Madam was already a beauty; no amount of makeup could surpass her… It would be better not to wear any at all.

Rao Yufang carefully wiped the makeup away.

When she arrived with her attendants outside Chang Yuncheng's quarters, the guards recognized her and did not stop her.

"Miss Rao?" The maids and servants waiting outside were quite surprised.

"Is the Young Madam having her meal? I am alone as well, so I came to keep her company," Rao Yufang told the approaching servants with a smile.

The servants smiled.

"Thank you, Miss…" One plump matron laughed, "However, our Heir Apparent is also here. Perhaps…"

Rao Yufang froze. The Heir Apparent was present? Why hadn't he gone to the banquet? If he was here, it would be improper for an unmarried young lady like herself to enter…

But…

Rao Yufang hesitated before turning. Isn't it better if he is here?

"This is preserved meat made by my mother; Auntie also loves it, so I wanted the Heir Apparent and the Young Madam to try some." Rao Yufang used her turn as an opportunity to take the small jar from the servant behind her, then smoothly turned back, smiling at the matron, "Please trouble the nanny to take it inside."

"Meat?"

Qi Yue paused her chopsticks, looking at the jar in the servant’s hand.

"Yes, it was made by our mistress. Miss enjoys it very much," the young maid chirped happily.

Chang Yuncheng, seated nearby eating, seemed not to have heard any of this.

"Then please thank her," Qi Yue said, gesturing to take the jar, and smiled, "Has your young lady eaten yet?"

"Not yet, she's still outside," the maid quickly replied.

Still outside?

"Then please come in quickly and join us!" Qi Yue called out cheerfully.

A'ru, who was serving food nearby, coughed, but it was a step too late; the maid had already responded affirmatively and turned to leave.

Before long, footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Miss Rao has arrived," a servant announced.

A'ru’s expression shifted slightly. How could this Miss Rao be so ill-mannered? She actually came in. She couldn't help but look at Chang Yuncheng.

Chang Yuncheng also appeared somewhat surprised, frowning.

Rao Yufang walked in. Inside the room, she had removed her cloak, wearing only a simple, elegant skirt and jacket.

"Heir Apparent, Young Madam," she said, bowing her head in greeting.

Chang Yuncheng grunted, while Qi Yue smiled and beckoned her to sit.

"I thought the Heir Apparent had gone out to eat, and the Young Madam was alone, so…" she said, sitting down with a hint of unease.

"Yes, yes, I thought so too…" Qi Yue said casually, but she stopped short when Chang Yuncheng kicked her under the table.

Qi Yue turned to glare at him.

Chang Yuncheng ignored her, stood up, and said, "You two continue eating," before gracefully exiting.

Finally feeling at ease, Qi Yue happily picked up her chopsticks.

"Eat quickly, the food here is really good," she said, gesturing to Rao Yufang.

Rao Yufang watched Chang Yuncheng leave, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face.

"I… I must have interrupted the Heir Apparent’s meal. I should go back and eat…" She stood up, looking apologetic.

"Oh, he’s finished eating," Qi Yue laughed. "Sit down quickly. What fun is there in eating alone."

Chang Yuncheng, halfway out the door, paused upon hearing this. That stubborn woman, I thought she didn't know! Alone wasn't fun, so I stayed specifically to keep her company… But the moment I sat down, she gave me that sour look, as if I were deliberately trying to disgust her…

Chang Yuncheng pursed his lips and strode out.

To A'ru’s relief, Rao Yufang did not become more audacious; after eating a simple meal, she quickly excused herself.

"Young Madam, this Miss Rao seems a little… improperly behaved," she whispered to Qi Yue while helping her remove her hairpins.

Qi Yue rubbed her shoulders, aching from the day's jostling, and smiled.

"People all possess the desire for beauty," she said. "Never mind young girls; even someone my age can't resist taking a second look. Especially a young lady who rarely gets to go out—it’s understandable that she lost her composure from having a rare chance to feast her eyes."

A'ru didn't understand a word.

"What's understandable?" Chang Yuncheng asked as he walked in, inquiring about the conversation.

A'ru quickly bowed and stepped back.

"Being moved by a handsome man," Qi Yue laughed, turning from the mirror to wink at him.

The lamplight was dim, the bronze mirror gleamed, reflecting the woman before it, making her even more radiant.

Chang Yuncheng shifted his gaze unnaturally, sat down, and had not truly heard what Qi Yue had said.

"Hey, it’s getting late," Qi Yue said, walking over.

Chang Yuncheng looked up at her.

"Surely you didn't only request one room?" Qi Yue asked, frowning as she observed his expression.

Chang Yuncheng smiled. This foolish woman…

"Do you think it would be appropriate for me to ask for two rooms?" he countered.

It was not the family residence; they were traveling, at a posthouse—it would look bad for husband and wife to occupy separate rooms.

Qi Yue suddenly realized this too. You care about appearances, yet you fear nothing else?

She pursed her lips and signaled for A'ru to withdraw.

"You are tired too, go rest early. We have to ride again tomorrow morning," she instructed.

A'ru nodded.

"The Heir Apparent is being kind; don't deliberately provoke him," she said softly while helping Qi Yue shake out her long hair.

Qi Yue gave her a look that implied, You suspect me again?

A'ru withdrew with her maids.

Silence descended upon the room.

"Change," Chang Yuncheng commanded, holding out his hand.

"Dream on," Qi Yue huffed. "Don't you have hands of your own?"

Chang Yuncheng’s face darkened, and he reached out himself.

Qi Yue ignored him, frowning as she surveyed the room. Fortunately, in ancient times, there was the custom of servants keeping watch overnight, so there were small beds set aside for them.

"I'll sleep here, and you…" she said, pointing to a bed as she turned to speak.

When she turned, she gasped in shock. Chang Yuncheng was already down to just his trousers.

"You—you—there are still people in the room! What are you taking your clothes off for!" Qi Yue stammered, turning her face away.

Chang Yuncheng strolled casually past her, taking out his inner garment and slowly putting it on. Strange. This woman is shy, yet at the same time, she has a certain frankness—it’s both amusing and… comfortably easygoing.

"Exhibitionist," Qi Yue muttered, gathering her own clothes and placing them by the couch, preparing to draw the curtain to change.

Chang Yuncheng sat down beside her.

"Hey, I’m taking the bed. You’re a man, show some decorum, alright?" Qi Yue said, quickly reaching out to push his shoulder. "Get up."

As she pushed forcefully, Chang Yuncheng happened to be leaning onto the couch, and his loss of balance caused him to tumble over.

Qi Yue was startled, reaching out with her other hand to grab the curtain for support, but instead, she pulled the curtain down entirely.

The woman lunged forward and landed right on top of him. Chang Yuncheng was equally startled. The curtain blocked the light in the room, plunging the space into darkness.

"Why did you lie down…" Qi Yue grumbled, bracing herself on her hands to get up. Before she could rise, a pair of large hands encircled her waist.

This shock was far greater than the stumble just moments before.

Qi Yue cried out, pinned against Chang Yuncheng’s chest.

"Calm down!" she couldn't help but shout, straining to break free. "You must calm down, don't start thinking wild thoughts…"

With those words, Chang Yuncheng flipped over, pinning her beneath him.

Qi Yue felt dizzy and suffocated. Before she could register what was happening, his mouth, breathing hot air, captured hers in a kiss.

Damn it!

Qi Yue’s mind went blank! She should have known something would happen when a single man and woman were alone in a room!