Qi Yue’s voice continued in the room. “What nonsense about obeying the husband upon marriage, what kind of damned rule is that?

This is assault, this is enduring humiliation, this is an insult! They strike my elder sister, and we are the ones shamed, yet we go begging them?

Hah! Even their own people don’t treat them as human, isn’t that just blatant self-abasement?

Divorce her? I bet they wouldn’t dare.

If they can’t give a single coherent reason, I’ll smash their entire Liu family!” Inside the room, both Lady Xie and the Marquis of Dingxi stared dumbfounded at the woman before them. What was she saying?

Smash the Liu family? Strangely, the Marquis of Dingxi suddenly felt a surge of excitement.

That crude word, smash—somehow, it sounded rather… rather thrilling? “Such grand confidence!” Lady Xie scoffed, looking at Qi Yue and straightening her posture.

“You speak so boldly, but life isn't lived on words alone. You have no idea why your elder sister holds such a position in the Liu household, do you?” Qi Yue certainly did not.

How could the daughter of a Duke or Marquis family—even a concubine’s daughter—be treated so poorly that even a mere servant woman could shove her around? “Because she is inauspicious,” Lady Xie said with a faint, chilling smile.

She watched as the woman before her finally showed a flicker of shock. Inauspicious.

This single word could plunge a person into the abyss forever, incapable of rising again. No matter how noble one’s birth or lineage, it could not withstand this declaration of heavenly condemnation.

Did she think that having the Marquis of Dingxi Estate as her backing meant she could act recklessly and tyrannically? When your face is smashed on the ground, let’s see how you pick up the pieces!

Lady Xie smiled coldly. What kind of earth-shattering secret did she think this was!

What kind of rubbish! “So they say she’s inauspicious and that’s that?

Are they the heavens?” Qi Yue sneered. Lady Xie also let out a derisive chuckle.

“They didn't say it; it really was heaven saying it,” she replied, laughing. “Your elder sister gave birth to a little beast…” Qi Yue couldn’t help but let out an explosive laugh.

“What are you laughing at!” Lady Xie felt agitated by the laughter. For some inexplicable reason, her previously resolute heart suddenly felt a pang of unease… “Yue Niang, you haven’t seen it.

It’s truly humiliating; I’m too ashamed to face the Liu family myself,” the Marquis of Dingxi sighed, interjecting with genuine remorse and dejection etched on his face. Firstly, he had never expected to have such an plain-looking daughter.

This was a profound slap in the face to the Marquis, who prided himself on refinement—a failed creation, constantly reminding him of his own failure. But that wasn’t the end of it; this failed creation had brought him an even greater nightmare.

“She gave birth to a little harelip!” the Marquis declared, filled with disgust, resentment, and sorrow. The Second and Third Young Ladies instinctively glanced toward the Eldest Young Lady, realizing that knowing this, perhaps that woman would finally stop caring… What else could she do?

Yet, the Eldest Young Lady showed no trace of despair or misery; instead, she was calm. A calmness born from having already accepted reality.

The Second Young Lady sighed, her feelings complex. She secretly hoped to see this woman’s bold talk collapse in self-ridicule, proving her actions were merely a moment of hot-headed grandstanding.

Yet, simultaneously, she didn't wish to see this outcome. To see one’s own kind suffer invoked sympathy; though she was certain she wouldn't suffer the same fate as her elder sister, knowing she had a family who would stand up for her unconditionally must bring immense solace.

“My Lord Marquis,” Qi Yue smiled. “I thought it was some major crisis.

Just this?” This wasn't a major crisis? The Marquis of Dingxi and Lady Xie stared at her.

This thing they were so ashamed of, and she could smile like that? The Marquis looked faintly embarrassed.

Lady Xie certainly noticed and was about to speak with a smug, cold sneer when Qi Yue continued. “This isn't a heavenly curse, not inauspiciousness.

It’s an illness,” she said, smiling. “A very simple illness.” Illness… The Marquis of Dingxi froze; Lady Xie, who was about to speak, also stopped short.

“But she was born with it…” the Marquis couldn't help but say. “This part is congenital.

Although there’s no definitive certification for the cause, most can confirm it as a polygenic hereditary disease. Speaking of which, we don't have any children like that in our family, do we?” Qi Yue inquired.

“Certainly not,” the Marquis immediately replied emphatically, not fully grasping the preceding technical jargon but certain about the concluding question. “Then that confirms it even more.

This kind of sickness is often inherited. Since we don’t have it in our family, perhaps the Liu family has had a child like this before.

This gives them even less reason to call your elder sister inauspicious,” Qi Yue stated calmly. The Marquis of Dingxi shot up from his chair, his expression agitated.

“Yue Niang, are you telling the truth?” he asked, his voice trembling. Qi Yue nodded.

“I have examined this child,” she added. This statement caused everyone inside and outside the room to gasp again in surprise.

The Second Young Lady looked at the Eldest Young Lady—no wonder she was so composed; so that was why… “Actually, it’s not severe. It’s a unilateral Grade I cleft lip, not reaching the base of the nose…” Qi Yue continued, shaking her head slightly.

“What a pity…” Hearing her say ‘what a pity,’ everyone’s hearts tightened again, though their individual feelings varied greatly. Lady Xie’s hands, resting on her lap, clenched tightly.

A pity… meaning it couldn't be cured, right? “…If this had been treated with surgery a few months after birth, she would look completely normal now….” Qi Yue remarked.

“They delayed it too long…” “So it still can’t be cured then?” Lady Xie couldn't help but ask. Qi Yue looked at her, her smile broadening.

“I am very sorry,” she said, and seeing the uncontrollable surge of delight on Lady Xie’s face, she grinned widely. “I can cure it.” The delight on Lady Xie’s face instantly froze, then shattered like a falling stone.

That vile servant! That vile servant!

She dared to deliberately toy with me! “My dear girl, if you can cure it, why say sorry?” The Marquis wiped the sweat from his face, chiding gently.

“You scared me half to death.” The Eldest Young Lady could no longer hold back. Ignoring her father’s displeasure, she rushed into the room and immediately knelt before Qi Yue.

“Young Madam, I beg you, save Yan’er. I am willing to be your servant, to pull your cart, or even repay you after death…” she wept, kowtowing.

Qi Yue quickly reached out to help her up. “Elder Sister, please don’t do this.

We are family. Even if you hadn't asked, I intended to treat her,” Qi Yue assured her.

“Thank you, thank you.” Chang Chunlan looked at Qi Yue, grasping her hand tightly as if it were the last straw, her voice choked with emotion. Thank you… “My Lord Marquis, shall we still send someone to pursue the steward?” A young servant asked from outside, seeking instructions.

The Marquis of Dingxi had long shed his earlier anxiety. Although indignation remained, his demeanor had hardened.

“Pursue him? Of course, we will,” he huffed.

This declaration startled Qi Yue and the three Young Ladies, who had just stepped out, causing them to turn back. “Tell the steward that if that Liu man does not provide a proper explanation, this matter is far from over!” the Marquis stated with intense hatred.

That old wretch surnamed Liu had humiliated him for so many years; now it was time to settle the score properly! That saying was absolutely true: retribution is just delayed, not denied.

The time for the Marquis of Dingxi to hold his head high had finally arrived! In fact, for the past half year, he had been steadily regaining his stature, all thanks to his daughter-in-law.

The Marquis looked at his daughter-in-law, now being embraced by his daughters as they walked out, and he could barely hold back tears. Grandfather, Father, you can finally see clearly now.

No, Mother, your judgment was indeed incredibly sharp! “I need to go light incense for Mother,” the Marquis could no longer restrain himself and walked out.

The heavy curtain dropped, concealing the rigid, solitary figure of Lady Xie inside. She sat there, motionless.

The festive red candles and the blazing hearth failed to bring any warmth to the room; the chill radiating from Lady Xie slowly permeated the entire chamber, turning it into an ice cave. Why!

Why! Sister, open your eyes!

Lady Xie turned her head to the side, a faint, shimmering moisture welling in her eyes. “We can discuss everything else tomorrow.

For now, go back and rest with Yan’er. I need to prepare for this surgery, and Yan’er’s body also needs conditioning, so don’t rush, Elder Sister.” After speaking for quite some time to finally soothe Chang Chunlan, Qi Yue returned to her courtyard.

The night was already deep. “Oh?

The Heir Apparent hasn't returned yet?” She looked around the room, feeling something was missing, then suddenly realized. “Not yet,” Qiu Xiang replied while helping remove her heavy cloak.

“It’s so late. He didn't mention he wouldn't be coming,” Qi Yue frowned, peering outside through the window.

“Could he have drunk too much and stayed over at someone else’s place?” Qiu Xiang smiled faintly and shook her head. “I do not know, Young Madam.

The water is ready; please wash up,” Ah Hao announced, entering. Qi Yue nodded.

After washing, A Ru had already prepared the bed. “Young Madam, it’s late.

You should rest early,” she said softly. Qi Yue glanced towards Chang Yuncheng’s neighboring sleeping quarters.

“It’s still early. I plan to prepare the teaching materials for tomorrow,” she said.

“You all rest first.” A Ru also glanced at Chang Yuncheng’s bedroom, smiled faintly, and answered before withdrawing. Qi Yue lit a lamp, spreading paper and brushes on the table.

It seemed a long time passed before she heard the lively sounds in the courtyard. She couldn't help but stand up quickly.

“The Heir Apparent is back,” the maids announced sequentially as the door opened and Chang Yuncheng strode in, wrapped in the night’s chill. “Why so late?” Qi Yue walked over and asked, sniffing hard.

There was no scent of wine, and she relaxed slightly. Chang Yuncheng looked slightly surprised to see Qi Yue actively approach him.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” he asked. Qi Yue made an ‘oh’ sound and pointed toward her side of the room.

“I was reading,” she said quickly, adding, “I certainly wasn’t waiting for you.” Upon saying that, she froze. Chang Yuncheng also paused, then broke into a smile.

“Oh,” he drew out the sound. Qi Yue’s face instantly flushed crimson.

“Hey, I really was reading! I’m busy, not wasting time talking nonsense with you,” she snapped with a light laugh, waving her hand, and turned to leave.

“Young Madam,” two maids entered, pushing the door. “The late-night snack you prepared for the Heir Apparent has arrived.” Qi Yue jumped.

“Whoa, whoa, don’t talk nonsense, that’s too exaggerated!” she hurried to say, glaring at Chang Yuncheng. “I didn’t prepare any late-night snack for you!

Which one of you used my name…” Chang Yuncheng reached out, grabbed her arm, and drew her toward his side. “Too much chatter,” he said, his expression set, his lips pressed together, not looking at Qi Yue at all, and casually steered the woman along.

“Let go! What are you doing, grabbing and pulling like this!” Qi Yue quickly slapped him twice and broke free, taking a few quick steps to put distance between them.

The two maids, faces flushed, put down the snack, curtsied quickly, and retreated. Chang Yuncheng shrugged off his cloak and shoes, sat cross-legged onto the kang, and stretched his neck.

“Hey, here’s a little something for you,” he suddenly said, pulling a box from under his cloak and placing it on the table. What?

Qi Yue turned to look. Seeing a rectangular brocade box, she hesitated, then, seeing the man already holding a bowl to eat the snack, she moved closer.

“Wow,” she exclaimed upon opening it. “What a beautiful gourd!”