“Wow, this is incredible, the craftsmanship is superb.” Qi Yue carefully picked one up to examine it, shouting internally, This is valuable! She had once seen a gourd in her mentor’s collection, rumored to be a Qing Dynasty piece from Gansu, which was quite expensive. The one in her hands now was far older than the Qing Dynasty.

Seeing Qi Yue’s undisguised, exaggerated astonishment and delight, Chang Yuncheng couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride.

“Of course. These are treasures of the King of Qinghe. I went to great lengths to acquire them…” he said.

Qi Yue froze for a moment.

“You… intentionally went to ask for them?” she asked, confused.

“What nonsense,” Chang Yuncheng immediately denied, sounding slightly awkward. “I don't have the free time for that. They insisted on giving them to me. I don't care for these flashy trinkets. Just something to give the children during the New Year.”

“Don't, you don’t understand,” Qi Yue hurriedly placed the gourd back carefully. “This is worth a fortune.”

I know that, Chang Yuncheng thought, letting out a small sigh. Otherwise, why would that King of Qinghe only agree to give me these three after a whole day? See, you know what’s good.

“Oh, right, where are those gourds Hu San gave me the other day?” Qi Yue asked, suddenly remembering something, turning to look around. “Where did I put them? I can’t recall.”

Chang Yuncheng felt another breath catch in his throat.

“Didn’t see them,” he said, lowering his head to ladle another bowl of soup. He decided then and there that he would stuff those gourds, which he’d hidden under the bathing tub, into the outdoor stove fire under the cover of darkness and burn them completely.

“Hey, let me tell you, today was quite eventful,” Qi Yue said, putting the gourds away and sitting down with excitement.

“What?” Chang Yuncheng asked, looking at her animated face and feeling a warmth spread through him.

“You know, your elder sister’s life at her in-laws’ place is simply unbearable. I was absolutely furious when I saw it after returning from Qianjin Hall…” Qi Yue sat cross-legged, gesturing as she spoke.

“That is too much!” Chang Yuncheng slammed the table after listening. “I’ll go smash up the Liu family tomorrow! Do we even need the steward to ask? Ask what!”

“That won’t do. We must act with reason and evidence; even smashing things requires the other party to be at fault,” Qi Yue laughed, seeing how heartily Chang Yuncheng was eating, and couldn’t resist reaching out. “Give me a bowl.”

Chang Yuncheng glared at her. Ordering him around so casually, not even pouring him a cup of tea! This woman has no manners! He ladled a bowl and handed it to Qi Yue.

“It’s too sweet, eat less,” he advised.

Qi Yue took it with a smile and murmured her thanks.

“Don’t come back so late in the future,” she said.

Chang Yuncheng’s face darkened.

“…Traveling at night is dangerous, and it’s cold. If you drink wine and get a chill, you’ll get a headache,” Qi Yue continued.

Chang Yuncheng instantly switched back to a smile.

“I’m not some delicate lady,” he huffed, patting his chest a bit boastfully. “Look. Solid as a rock…”

Qi Yue looked up at him and spat out a laugh.

This smile and glance under the lamplight were exceptionally alluring, warming Chang Yuncheng inside and out, making his other thoughts unstoppable.

“Look here,” he said, undoing his outer garment once more.

Qi Yue looked up to see the man actually opening his robes to bare his chest. The mouthful of soup she was holding sprayed out.

“You wicked woman!” Chang Yuncheng exclaimed angrily, shaking his loosened clothes.

Qi Yue put down her soup bowl, laughing and apologizing repeatedly while getting up to push him.

“Go wash up, quickly go wash up,” she said.

Chang Yuncheng could only stomp off sullenly to bathe. After he was done, he pulled out one of the gourds Hu San had given him that day, opened the window, and startled the little maidservant dozing by the stove fire in the backyard, wrapped in her padded jacket.

“Burn this,” Chang Yuncheng whispered.

The little maidservant dared not ask questions, quickly taking it and shoving it into the stove. With a crackling sound, Chang Yuncheng satisfiedly closed the window.

When Chang Yuncheng came out, he saw that the lights were already out on Qi Yue’s side and felt a surge of impatience. He looked at his own side; although the brazier was lit, everything still felt icy. He stood in the room for a moment, then gritted his teeth and strode over to her side.

Qi Yue had already closed her eyes, preparing to sleep, but she opened them again upon hearing footsteps.

“What is it?” she asked as the man lifted the quilt and climbed in beside her…

“What are you trying to do now!” Qi Yue was startled and momentarily stunned. Being this close to a man late at night frightened her. She hastily pulled the quilt toward her, kicking out her leg. “Get off, get off!”

Chang Yuncheng caught her kicking foot. Qi Yue didn’t like to wear socks while sleeping; her small foot was soft and slippery, and he grasped it entirely in one hand. The slightly rough skin of his hand met the delicate skin of her foot, which was always kept hidden and protected from the sun—two contrasting textures made them both tremble slightly.

Chang Yuncheng’s breath immediately grew hot, and his hand tightened involuntarily, almost crushing the small foot in his grip.

“Yue Niang, do you want to right now?” he rasped softly.

This voice in the darkness was intensely stimulating. Qi Yue’s foot was too… intoxicating. This sudden kneading made her want to scream, but her body uncontrollably went weak. The man pulled her foot, and her leg was instantly thrown over his waist, pinning her down.

His heavy, solid body pressed down. The heat radiating through her thin inner garment was palpable against her skin. Qi Yue let out a muffled groan at this sudden weight, almost suffocating, but also snapping back to awareness.

“Chang Yuncheng, I don’t want to, get out!” she shouted sharply, her hands digging hard into his ribs on either side of his waist.

That is one of the most vulnerable spots on a person. Chang Yuncheng couldn't bear it and recoiled to avoid the grip. Qi Yue took the chance to flip out from underneath him.

“You wicked woman, can’t you stop causing trouble?” Chang Yuncheng grumbled in frustration.

“Are you even a man? Did you eat your words?” Qi Yue pulled the quilt close to her chest and roared quietly.

Chang Yuncheng was choked with anger.

“Don’t you want it?” he also roared quietly.

“Which of your eyes saw me wanting it!” Qi Yue was becoming frantic.

“Then why did you wait for me and smile…” Chang Yuncheng protested.

“Do you just hate seeing anyone being nice to you?” Qi Yue, wrapped in the quilt, kicked him again. “Does every woman who smiles at you mean you should sleep with her?”

“You’re just twisting things!” Chang Yuncheng shouted back, glaring.

Unfortunately, the woman was unfazed by his fierce look, responding by throwing a pillow at him.

“When you finally want it, don't regret it!” Chang Yuncheng managed to say a harsh parting shot after holding back for a long time, then turned and walked away.

“Oh, I’m so scared,” Qi Yue called after him resentfully, then touched her foot and immediately thought of the kneading just now, causing her whole body to heat up and weaken. She quickly pinched herself hard. I don’t want anything!

Outside the room, A’ru waved off Qiu Xiang behind her, and the two tiptoed away.

“The Young Mistress always acting like this isn’t ideal,” Qiu Xiang couldn't help but say quietly, her face flushed. Discussing marital matters as a young woman was always embarrassing.

A’ru sighed.

“This is already much better,” she said. “The Young Mistress is starting to care about the Heir, she just doesn’t dare admit it to herself yet.”

Qiu Xiang was quite confused. Isn't it normal for the Young Mistress to care about the Heir? What’s so great about this? A’ru couldn’t explain, nor could she; she extinguished the lamp and went to sleep.

The next day, seeing Chang Yuncheng leave with a sullen face without even eating breakfast, Qi Yue pursed her lips.

“The Heir has gone to his study, he didn't leave the residence,” A’ru informed Qi Yue quietly while serving breakfast. “I already sent someone to bring the Heir his meal.”

“Send what? Why send anything? We can’t spoil this bad habit of his,” Qi Yue huffed, viciously biting down on a scallion pancake.

A’ru glanced at the maids standing around or serving dishes, ultimately saying nothing more. Before she finished eating, a maid came to report that the Eldest Miss had arrived.

“Please let her in,” Qi Yue said with a smile.

Chang Chunlan entered, leading Yan’er, both with their heads bowed. Without saying a word, she immediately knelt before Qi Yue.

“I won’t speak any falsehoods. I see that the Young Mistress is a straightforward person. When I first came to the household, I deliberately avoided paying my respects to the Young Mistress; that was my mistake. I intentionally caused the Young Mistress embarrassment. I kowtow to apologize, not to beg for your forgiveness, but simply to say I am sorry,” she choked out while bowing.

Qi Yue quickly stood up to help her as soon as she knelt. She listened to her finish with a smile.

“Good, I understand, Elder Sister. Please rise quickly,” she said with a smile, helping her sit down and asking Yan’er if she had eaten.

Last night, afraid of disturbing the Heir and Young Mistress’s rest, Chang Chunlan didn't dare ask many questions. She only spoke a few hurried words before leaving. She returned and told Concubine Huang. The mother and daughter were so agitated they couldn’t sleep all night. As soon as dawn broke, they rushed over, not having time to think about eating.

“She has eaten,” Chang Chunlan looked at the bowls and chopsticks laid before Qi Yue, realizing she had interrupted her meal, and felt uneasy. Yan’er looked fixedly at the food on the table, not moving.

Qi Yue smiled.

“What food? It’s so early. Has Elder Sister forgotten the household rules?” she chuckled.

The household rule was that concubines could only eat after the Marquis, Madam, Heir, and Young Mistress had finished. Chang Chunlan lived in Concubine Huang’s courtyard; it was likely they hadn't even been served yet. Chang Chunlan lowered her head awkwardly.

A’ru waved her hand, and two maids came forward to add bowls and chopsticks. Chang Chunlan demurred for a moment before accepting them somewhat stiffly. Qi Yue had already called Yan’er to her side, asking what she liked while picking out food for her.

“Take this off; you don’t need to wear this here with your Auntie,” Qi Yue said with a smile, personally removing Yan’er’s face covering.

Yan’er looked at the maids in the room, lowering her head in fear. A’ru waved her hand, and the maids retreated. Only then did Yan’er dare to remove her face covering and begin to eat heartily.

Qi Yue stopped eating and observed her carefully.

Is she disgusted? Chang Chunlan kept her head down, afraid to look. Suddenly, she heard Qi Yue talking to the maid.

“…Eating is still affected by speech impediments…”

“Yes, Young Mistress, the little young lady’s articulation is unclear and her pronunciation inaccurate.”

“If the reconstructive surgery is successful, speech correction will also be necessary.”

Yan’er, eating, suddenly dropped her chopsticks and looked towards Qi Yue as she heard them speaking.

“Young Mistress, can you really fix my mouth?” she asked unclearly.

Qi Yue smiled at her, reached out, and patted her cheek.

“Of course, I can. But, Yan’er, are you afraid of pain?” she asked with a smile. “Because your Auntie will have to cut your mouth open with a knife and then stitch it back up.”

Yan’er shook her head.

“I’m not afraid. As long as Yan’er isn’t a rabbit anymore, as long as I can become a person, I’m not afraid of anything. As long as Yan’er is better, others won’t bully Mother anymore,” she mumbled indistinctly. “Mother won’t cry all the time either.”

Chang Chunlan covered her face and began to cry nearby.

“Good child, your Auntie will definitely cure you. Our Yan’er will surely become beautiful, so beautiful that others will be incredibly jealous,” Qi Yue said with a smile, reaching out to wipe away the rice grains and drool from her mouth—

Recommendation: Dong Chuang (The Son-in-Law) by Yu Fang.