Knowing the Eldest Miss was returning today, the Second and Third Misses came over towards the Xie residence after their meal, only to be told that the Eldest Miss had already kowtowed and the Madam had sent her to see Concubine Huang.
It seemed all that involved visiting outside was just the matter of a single kowtow at this hour.
The Second Miss sighed.
“Let’s go then, we should head over there too,” she said.
“Father definitely didn’t see her,” the Third Miss also sighed, “Poor Big Sister…”
Snow began to fall. The two sisters shared an umbrella, with their maids and servants trailing far behind.
“Perhaps our futures won't be any better than hers,” the Second Miss said faintly.
At least the Eldest Miss’s birth mother had a decent relationship with Madam Xie, whereas the mothers of the two sisters were thorns in Madam Xie’s side.
“Sister worries too much. Father is still good to us. Big Sister’s situation is mainly… well… she’s simply not to Father’s liking in appearance. We know Father’s temper,” the Third Miss quickly explained, unsure if she was trying to convince the Second Miss or herself.
“It’s truly laughable. Even if it were the women, judging one’s own child based on looks? Big Sister is a bit ugly, so Father despises her. No matter how ugly, she is still his flesh and blood. Last time when Grandmother passed, he actually forbade her from attending the memorial rites… Isn’t that cutting off the Eldest Miss’s path back to her maternal family? Concubine Huang even threatened death, and thankfully Mother spoke up…” The Second Miss spoke, tightly wringing the handkerchief in her hand. Sighing again at this point, she continued, “…This is also why I respect Mother so much, even if it displeases Concubine Zhou. I just want a more comfortable life for myself in the future…”
Mentioning this, the Third Miss also sighed.
“It was because of Big Sister’s child… the matter of that child last time, it was considered inauspicious…” she said after a moment of hesitation.
The Second Miss understood her feelings; the Third Miss was unwilling to believe their father could be so heartless, after all, he was their reliance. She sighed, unwilling to continue the topic.
“Oh, right, you know Third Brother is ill?” she said.
The Third Miss nodded.
“I went personally this morning; his fever has broken,” she replied, then gave a small smile. “I just didn’t expect Big Sister-in-law would actually stand up for Third Brother.”
“Putting on a show is hardly difficult; who can’t do that?” the Second Miss said with a hint of disdain. “It costs her nothing.”
“I think Big Sister-in-law might actually be a decent person…” the Third Miss said hesitantly.
The Second Miss let out a short laugh.
“She’s probably struggling to secure her own position; how can you expect her to be our support in the future?” she laughed. “Just watch, a new person is about to enter the household…”
The Third Miss made a quiet sound and looked ahead.
Two figures were approaching side by side, also sharing an umbrella. The man wore a black and gold heavy cloak, the woman a bright red one. The contrast of black and red against the falling white snow was exceptionally striking.
“Eldest Brother, Big Sister-in-law,” the two sisters angled themselves to the side, bowing in greeting.
“Going to Mother’s?” Chang Yuncheng nodded in return, asking as he watched them.
“Yes, Mother said she’s been tired from recent social calls and is resting, so we didn't dare stay long,” the Second Miss replied with a smile, never once looking at Qi Yue or speaking to her.
The Third Miss glanced at Qi Yue, but after a moment’s hesitation, remained silent.
“Big Sister is back; she’s at Concubine Huang’s. We’re going to see them,” the Second Miss added to Chang Yuncheng.
Chang Yuncheng looked somewhat surprised.
“Big Sister is back?” He frowned. “Is she with Father? Why didn't anyone call me over?”
“Perhaps Father thought Eldest Brother has had too many social engagements lately and wants you to rest more. You’ll see her at the meal anyway,” the Second Miss said with a smile.
While the siblings chatted animatedly, the ignored Qi Yue showed no displeasure, listening quietly.
“We’re going to Mother’s,” Chang Yuncheng said, glancing at Qi Yue and frowning slightly when he saw her pull her hood down again.
“We’ll take our leave then,” the two young ladies said quickly, allowing Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue to proceed first before moving on.
“Since relatives are visiting the manor, we don't have to go out, right?” Qi Yue asked.
Chatting and laughing with complete strangers was already testing Qi Yue’s patience, and the key issue was they truly had nothing in common. What was more frustrating was that wherever she went, people treated her like a divine physician—this one wanted a pulse check, that one asked for medicine. Yet, Qi Yue knew neither skill, couldn't explain herself clearly, and dared not casually handle either request. In the end, Chang Yuncheng had to step in.
“She only knows how to diagnose and treat cuts, sword wounds, and things like internal injuries. If you have injuries like that, feel free to ask her,” he said.
The friends and relatives of the Dingxi Marquisate were naturally from wealthy and noble families. Few of them had the misfortune of encountering mere superficial injuries like the Magistrate’s son. Immediately, no one asked her about medicine, but this led to other remarks.
“How can she only know those things…”
“Aren’t those the sorts of flesh wounds only low-born people encounter…”
“Hahaha, you can’t blame Young Madam Qi. Who told her she came from such a low background…”
These comments were mostly circulated among the women, fueled by envy, jealousy, and the malicious joy of seeing others stumble.
“You’re so popular; everyone is trying to speak up for you, thinking you’re good and I’m not. It’s such a pity that a weed like me is growing in your super-fertilizer. It’s really depressing…” Qi Yue said with a smile.
You know how good I am now, right? Stop talking about divorce every now and then. Chang Yuncheng felt a slight touch of smugness before quickly regaining his composure.
“You’re the stinky cow dung!” He raised his hand and slapped her on the hip, saying this.
Qi Yue was startled by the sudden slap and jumped back three times.
“Little scoundrel,” she cursed back, knowing he wouldn't dare do anything improper in broad daylight.
Chang Yuncheng froze for a moment after the slap, his face reddening slightly.
He had originally meant to kick her. He was used to it in the border army; that’s how you dealt with ruffians—kicking their rear ends. He had switched to using his hand at the last moment…
One shouldn’t get physical with a woman, especially not in that area…
The feel of that area with his hand was quite nice…
Chang Yuncheng felt a gulp in his throat.
“As your sister-in-law, I must go pay respects to Big Sister at home. If you want to go out, you can go yourself,” Qi Yue glared at him, choosing not to pursue the improper touching, and quickened her pace forward.
Chang Yuncheng looked back. The maids and servants following immediately lowered their heads, acting as if they had seen nothing.
She didn't explode in anger like…
Looking at the woman walking quickly ahead, a smile surfaced on Chang Yuncheng’s face. Thoughtfully, he touched the tip of his nose with his finger.
So… perhaps he could touch it again…
Thanks to Chang Yuncheng’s presence, Qi Yue was fortunate enough to enter Madam Xie’s rooms quickly. After greeting her with Chang Yuncheng and paying respects, she sat quietly to the side, sipping tea and watching the mother and son talk.
“Don’t drink too much wine…”
“If you feel tired, come back early; you don’t need to entertain them…”
“Don’t eat strange things…”
Holding her teacup, Qi Yue almost thought she was watching her neighbor, an elder sister, sending her precious son off to kindergarten if not for the visual.
Chang Yuncheng’s gaze drifted to Qi Yue from time to time. Seeing her purse her lips and smile, he mostly understood her expression; knowing she was mocking him, his mouth instantly drooped.
Madam Xie wasn't focused on Qi Yue, but on her son. Naturally, she saw Qi Yue’s expression, which made her more anxious.
“Your father said yesterday… he hopes to hold a grandchild soon. He’s been erratic lately. Stay away from him these few days; don’t run into him and get scolded for no reason,” Madam Xie said, speaking to Chang Yuncheng but glancing at Qi Yue as she sighed. “Speaking of which, you’re already this old, and you still haven't… No wonder others gossip. Your father gets angry when he hears it…”
Can’t give birth, can you?
No matter how many tricks you have, my Cheng-er still listens to me.
Qi Yue understood Madam Xie’s expression and thoughts instantly. She pursed her lips and lowered her head.
Chang Yuncheng, however, showed a flash of pleasant surprise in his eyes.
Mother means she wants me to… soon?
Great, it seems Mother will finally accept Yue Niang.
“I understand,” he quickly replied, his tone laced with gratitude and guilt. “I apologize for worrying Mother.”
Sensing the joy in Chang Yuncheng’s tone, both Madam Xie and Qi Yue looked at him curiously, not understanding why he was suddenly so delighted.
This child has masochistic tendencies. Hearing that his father is unhappy and others are gossiping makes him feel great? This was Qi Yue’s inner thought.
Madam Xie, however, thought he was happy because he understood her hint about bringing in a new person.
“If there’s nothing else, you can go,” she said, having lost the patience to look at Qi Yue.
Qi Yue readily agreed and stood up to leave.
“Then I’ll go down too,” Chang Yuncheng quickly said. “Eldest Sister’s husband should be with Father; I’ll go see.”
Madam Xie stopped him.
“No, your Eldest Sister’s husband hasn't arrived,” she said, motioning for him to sit down. “…Whose house are you visiting today?”
While the mother and son spoke, Qi Yue had already walked out the door.
Chang Yuncheng watched the curtain fall before finally sitting down.
Qi Yue returned directly to her courtyard, waiting but seeing no elder sister come to pay respects.
“Go find out if she’s not coming?” she frowned, speaking to a young maid.
The little maid hurried off.
“Eldest Miss only comes back once every two years after leaving home, which is considered good enough. Her visits are always rushed; she only sees Madam and Concubine Huang. The other young ladies haven't met her privately either; they always see her together at Madam’s place,” Ah Ru explained from the side.
“You don’t need to explain to me; I don’t care,” Qi Yue said with a smile, looking at Ah Ru. “I meant, if she doesn't see me, while I have time, I’ll go to Qianjin Hall to see my students and wish them a Happy New Year.”
Not long after, the little maid ran back, accompanied by an unfamiliar maid. The new maid entered the room, kowtowed respectfully to Qi Yue, and explained that Concubine Huang had cried after seeing her daughter and her health had worsened again. All the young ladies were attending to her there. They requested that the Eldest Miss would pay her respects to the Young Mistress at lunchtime and asked for the Young Mistress’s understanding.
“What did she say?”
In Concubine Huang’s room, the Second Miss asked the returning little maid, while the Third Miss sat beside her, watching anxiously.
“The Young Mistress said nothing,” the little maid replied.
The Second Miss frowned.
“Then what was her expression?” she asked again.
Before the little maid could answer, a woman walked out from the inner room.
“She definitely won’t be happy; in my condition, it’s too disrespectful…” she said, her voice timid.
This was the Eldest Miss, Chang Chunlan. Following closely behind her was a little girl, about four or five years old. This girl wore a cloth covering her face, obscuring her mouth and nose, leaving only two large eyes visible. Her attire was peculiar.
Seeing this little girl, the brows of the Second and Third Misses involuntarily furrowed.
Although it was only a momentary frown, it was noticed by the little girl. She lowered her head and once again hid behind her mother, wishing she could merge into her body.