My sincere wishes for peace and prosperity for Ya'an; there have been too many recent disasters and misfortunes. May the world find calm, the winds blow favorably, and the nation rest secure and peaceful.

Having not seen him for days, the young man had lost a noticeable amount of weight, and a book lay beside his bed.

"Young Master, why are you reading again? How can you possibly recover your strength if you keep this up?" Caijuan wept, stepping forward to take the book. She then berated the maids nearby, "How are you tending to the Young Master? Didn't I expressly forbid him from reading?"

The maids lowered their heads, faces etched with grievance.

"The Young Master says the County Examination is not far off..." they mumbled hesitantly.

The ancient Imperial Examinations?

"Your body is the foundation of all endeavors. If your health isn't sound, how can you expect to excel in any test?" Qi Yue remarked, reaching out to touch Chang Yunqi's forehead. "Stop pretending to sleep. It would be better if you were truly asleep."

The woman’s soft hand rested on his forehead, startling Chang Yunqi awake. He hastily flinched away.

"He's burning up!" Qi Yue didn't let him move, stating, frowning, "Why isn't the compress on?"

"It was on, but the Young Master insisted on reading..." a maid whispered.

"Hurry and fetch it!" Caijuan commanded sternly.

The young maid swiftly retrieved a towel from the side and pressed it to Chang Yunqi's forehead.

"It's nothing, just a common chill. These maids are too high-strung and disturbed you," Chang Yunqi murmured, his eyes closed and voice husky.

Qi Yue looked at him, naturally understanding the complexity of his feelings at that moment, and sighed softly.

"I am a physician; this is simply my duty as a physician," Qi Yue stated.

A physician's duty... Chang Yunqi clenched and then relaxed the hand hidden beneath the quilt.

"Thank you," he said, eyes still shut. "I apologize."

"Though it is said that a mother and child share a heart, in this matter, you are you, and she is she. Do not dwell on it too much," Qi Yue advised.

Before Chang Yunqi could say more, A'ru hurried in with the medicine chest, and Chang Yuncheng naturally followed.

Upon learning that his illness stemmed from over-exertion while studying, Chang Yuncheng sternly lectured Chang Yunqi.

"It's just a minor County Examination, what are you so anxious about? Haven't you always boasted of your scholarship? How can a mere County Examination reduce you to this?" he demanded.

Qi Yue shot him a glare.

"Can't you say kind words more pleasantly?" she murmured quietly.

"I cannot," Chang Yuncheng replied crisply and decisively.

The two stood quite close, and Qi Yue playfully nudged his nose.

With Chang Yuncheng present, Chang Yunqi could no longer feign sleep, so he opened his eyes just in time to witness this small interaction. He slowly closed them again.

Qi Yue listened to his heart and lungs, A'ru finished taking his temperature, and soon the summoned physician arrived. By now, all the physicians in Yongqing Prefecture knew that the Marquis of Dingxi harbored a Divine Doctor, so their summons were filled with both excitement and profound trepidation.

"Madam, do you think this prescription is acceptable?" The physician, having taken the pulse and written the prescription, tremblingly asked Qi Yue for review.

She inwardly smiled; she had explained countless times that she truly couldn't use medicine, but no one ever believed her. After spending effort to explain, she grew weary and simply nodded with an affirming 'Mmm.'

I have received the Divine Doctor's affirmation!

The physician joyfully handed over the prescription.

"Third Young Master is quite frail; he needs some nourishing sustenance. Otherwise, what should have been a minor illness could severely deplete his vital energy," the doctor added respectfully.

Then, seeing Qi Yue nod with an expressionless face again, the physician was so overjoyed his skin tingled, and he stepped out somewhat awkwardly.

"Aren't you going to eat properly?" Qi Yue inquired.

"No," Chang Yunqi replied from his bed.

"Indeed, he hasn't eaten several meals," Caijuan interjected, tears close to spilling as she looked at Qi Yue.

"Truly hopeless, not even caring for yourself," Qi Yue admonished sternly, then turned to the maids. "Go, wait in the kitchen. I have a soup simmering; it will be ready in another half an hour. Bring it for the Third Young Master to eat."

Simmering soup? Chang Yuncheng's brow twitched—my simmering soup...?

After repeatedly urging Chang Yunqi to rest well and forbidding him from studying late, the Heir Apparent and his wife finally took their leave. Attending banquets daily was exhausting work, and coupled with a few extra cups of wine recently at the Second Madam’s place, Qi Yue was so tired her eyes could barely stay open upon returning to their chambers.

As Qi Yue yawned and headed out, Chang Yuncheng stopped her.

"I’ve already bathed. It's cold out; don't keep walking back and forth. You can wash here," he offered.

Qi Yue turned to him, yawning dramatically again without any concern for propriety.

"I’m not using it with you," she declared.

Chang Yuncheng watched her leave, his face darkening slightly.

After bathing, Qi Yue was utterly exhausted and fell asleep quickly. The maids extinguished the lamps and quietly withdrew. Chang Yuncheng listened until he confirmed the breathing from the other room indicated deep sleep. After a moment of hesitation, he pulled on his robe and stepped out.

The maid on night duty was summoned.

"Go check if the soup simmering for the Third Young Master has been finished?" Chang Yuncheng asked in a low voice.

The maid was slightly confused but dared not question further, seeing the set expression on the Heir Apparent’s face, and quickly bowed before leaving.

The maid knocked on the Third Young Master’s courtyard door and relayed the Heir Apparent’s inquiry.

Inside the room, the maids stared at the significant amount of leftover soup with looks of alarm.

"The Heir Apparent is so concerned for the Third Young Master; we cannot let him think the Third Young Master is disobedient," Caijuan said through clenched teeth. "We must ensure the Third Young Master finishes it all."

The other maids nodded in agreement, their faces showing evident emotion mixed with resolute determination.

"All finished?" Chang Yuncheng sounded surprised, tinged with disbelief, when the maid returned with the answer. Was he really that hungry? Or was it truly that delicious?

"It's all gone," the maid confirmed decisively. "Not a drop left."

"Oh," Chang Yuncheng responded quietly. "That's good then." He closed the door.

The two maids exchanged a look.

Did the Heir Apparent’s expression show satisfaction?

It must have.

The next day, news spread that the Third Young Master had been ill and a managing woman servant had been dismissed.

Madam Xie smashed several more teacups—partly because the servants actually obeyed Qi Yue’s orders, and partly out of fury over the managing woman’s conduct.

Regarding these several children born of concubines, while she certainly couldn't claim affection for them, she wasn't foolish enough to deliberately mistreat them.

"Madam... I investigated. That woman belonged to Consort Zhou's faction," Mama Su rushed in from outside to report.

Madam Xie started, then instantly understood, a cold smile gracing her lips.

"This slut still hasn't given up," she hissed, pointing a finger. "Go tell the Marquis; tell him how vicious the beauty he cherishes truly is, daring to harm her own son just to frame me!"

"Madam... is there proof? Why would the Marquis believe it?" Mama Su countered. "You know these things in your heart; just be wary. Don't go to the Marquis with this, or you might drive a wedge between you."

"That's absurd; what wedge could he possibly drive between us!" Madam Xie scoffed.

Mama Su looked at her with a hint of helplessness.

"Third Miss, alas, you will never change your temper in this lifetime; it is too sharp," she suddenly remarked. Though her words sounded like a complaint, her face held a look of gentle affection. "You write everything plainly on your face. No wonder the Eldest Miss and Madam must protect you."

Being called Third Miss, Madam Xie was momentarily stunned, and her expression softened.

"Why bring this up now?" she said, reaching up to touch her face, where the once smooth, supple skin had begun to loosen slightly. "I'm already getting old..."

"Old? As long as Old Madam is here, you will always be a child," Mama Su smiled.

Madam Xie’s agitation subsided.

"How is Mother's health?" she inquired.

"Good. Doctor An the Elder is looking after her; there’s nothing to worry about," Mama Su replied cheerfully.

"I see... I won't tell the Marquis about this matter," Madam Xie stated, changing the subject, as she unfastened her hair ornaments. "I understand; I just need to guard myself."

Mama Su nodded and helped her undo her hair.

"No matter how much that woman scrambles, she won't regain power anytime soon; she’s no major threat to us now. The most crucial matter is the situation here at home," she said, using a fine-toothed comb to brush Madam Xie’s hair while she nodded, eyes half-closed in repose. "Second Madam has already reached an agreement with the Rao family. As long as they can guarantee Yu Fang’s status in our household, the Rao family will consent."

"The best outcome would be to petition the Imperial Court—just as Lord Baoshan was recognized back then—to grant titles of Left and Right Madams. It would be a happy resolution for both our family and the Rao family."

Lord Baoshan, having fought alongside the First Emperor, was separated from his wife, Madam Guo, and presumed dead. After establishing the dynasty and receiving honors, Madam Guo reappeared. Since the rule was strictly monogamous, the situation was unresolvable. The first wife held the bond of the knotted hair and coarse grain; the second wife shared the hardship and mutual support. For either to be made a mere concubine was unreasonable. The two wives respected each other; one wished to become a nun, the other to commit suicide to fulfill the other’s wish. In the end, the Emperor himself intervened, decreeing them the titles of Left and Right Madams, establishing them as equals. This matter was perfectly resolved and became a popular theme in opera, a required piece whenever any performance was staged.

"But Lord Baoshan had great merit. Our family ancestors also rendered service. Now the Heir Apparent shows promise. No matter how you look at it, Qi Yueliang's background is indefensible. It was the Old Marchioness who pleaded so hard that the Emperor had no choice but to agree; I fear even in the Emperor's heart, he found it quite inappropriate. If the Marquis speaks up, we are not divorcing the wife, thus upholding the Emperor's decree, and the Emperor will surely show us some consideration. Furthermore, Second Madam has already asked her sister-in-law to subtly pass a word to Consort Dong in the palace..." Mama Su whispered, "Consort Dong is quite favored these days."

Madam Xie's expression softened further.

She truly hadn't expected so many people to be assisting with this matter. The fact that Second Madam’s sister-in-law could speak to Consort Dong showed the strength of marital alliances. If they secured an alliance with the Rao family, Chang Yuncheng’s future prospects would be limitless.

"The Marquis is too indolent to take the initiative; persuading him is truly difficult," she frowned.

"There are still opportunities," Mama Su smiled slyly. "The Heir Apparent will leave after the New Year, staying away for perhaps a year or more. He is already twenty-five and has no heir; this is truly unfilial. Spreading the lineage cannot be delayed any longer. Taking more wives and concubines to bear many children—this is a matter close to the Marquis's heart."

Madam Xie nodded.

"The Heir Apparent has still not taken that woman near him," Mama Su whispered close to her ear.

"There is no time to lose; I will speak to the Marquis tomorrow," Madam Xie decided.

With that, she had removed her makeup. Mama Su helped Madam Xie onto the bed and began drawing the mosquito net with the maids.

"The Eldest Miss is visiting tomorrow; how should we receive her?" Mama Su inquired again.

The Yellow Concubine of the Marquis of Dingxi had borne the legitimate eldest son and eldest daughter. The eldest son had died of pestilence several years ago while serving as the Magistrate of Pengcheng County, leaving no heirs. The legitimate eldest daughter, Chang Chunlan, married into the Liu family of Huangtian County, under Yongqing Prefecture. The Liu family were also official gentry, though their fortunes in this generation were not prosperous.

By the time the younger Madam Xie entered the household, the legitimate eldest daughter was already grown and had not been raised under her tutelage, so there was little affection between them; her marriage arrangements had been made by the Old Marchioness.

"Just treat her as we have in previous years," Madam Xie said dismissively.

Mama Su acknowledged and withdrew.