When Qi Yue returned home, Chang Yunchang was sitting impatiently inside the room.

“Go and make soup,” he stated directly.

“There’s soup for dinner; I already saw,” Qi Yue replied, washing her hands in the copper basin held by the maid.

“I want you to make it, for a midnight snack,” Chang Yunchang said.

“We’re about to eat dinner, and you’re already talking about a midnight snack,” Qi Yue laughed, drying her hands.

“Just go if I tell you to. Why ask so many questions?” Chang Yunchang said.

This bratty man’s temper had been rising ever since she had actively sought reconciliation.

Qi Yue shot him a sidelong glance.

“What do you want to eat?” she asked.

Seeing her so compliant and not arguing further, Chang Yunchang was a little surprised. The pretense of seriousness on his face couldn't help but soften into a smile, which he quickly controlled.

“Make whatever you are best at,” he said.

Qi Yue let out a soft laugh.

“I’m good at quite a few things…” she remarked.

Chang Yunchang couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“You woman, you truly have a thick skin,” he said, wrinkling his brow.

“Nonsense, what do you mean thick skin? This is confidence,” Qi Yue chuckled, playfully tapping the tip of his nose. “Wait right there.”

As night fell, Chang Yunchang stepped into the Rong’an Courtyard of the Xie household, reaching out to take the food box carried by the young maid behind him.

“Do you know what words should and should not be spoken?” he murmured quietly.

The young maid quickly nodded her head.

“Yes. Yes, the Young Master finished the midnight snack in the study,” she replied.

Chang Yunchang waved his hand dismissively.

The young maid quickly retreated, and the maids and servants from this side had already come out upon hearing the noise.

“The Young Master is here.”

Madam Xie put down her prayer beads and smiled at Chang Yunchang.

“Why have you come at this hour?” she asked.

“I haven’t been home for the last few days, and by the time I return, Mother has already retired for the evening, so I came especially today to inquire after Mother’s well-being,” Chang Yunchang said with a smile. He sat down casually in his usual spot, kicking off his shoes.

A young maid brought over a foot warmer and placed it under his feet.

“What is this?” Madam Xie looked at the food box on the table, inhaling the emanating fragrance.

“A late-night snack,” Chang Yunchang settled in, opened the box, and personally presented it. “I came specifically to share it with Mother.”

Madam Xie smiled.

“I’m old now and can’t handle anything too rich,” she said with a laugh. “You eat it.”

“Mother, it’s not rich at all; it’s turnip and tofu soup,” Chang Yunchang chuckled, pouring a bowl and handing it to her. “Just try a taste.”

Turnip and tofu?

What was so special about this soup that required such effort to make?

Madam Xie looked over and saw large chunks of tofu and silver shreds of radish. A few sprinkles of chopped cilantro garnished the milky, cool broth.

“Oh my, this soup looks beautifully clear,” Nanny Su exclaimed happily, sniffing it. “Mmm, it doesn't have that murky quality of turnip.”

“Let me taste,” Madam Xie said, picking up the soup ladle and taking a slow sip.

Chang Yunchang watched her with some tension.

Madam Xie nodded, offering him an appreciative smile.

“Not bad,” she said.

Chang Yunchang smiled with relief, lifting his own bowl and drinking quickly.

“You child! Eat slowly!” Madam Xie laughed.

The mother and son talked as they ate, finishing everything Chang Yunchang had brought.

“Oh dear, I’ve eaten too much tonight,” Madam Xie laughed, surprised herself. “This soup is excellent. Ask which kitchen maid made it; she will be rewarded later.”

Nanny Su responded with an ‘Yes,’ glancing at Chang Yunchang.

“Mother, don’t worry about it. I will reward her; consider it my filial piety—no need for Mother to spend any money,” Chang Yunchang said with a smile.

Both Madam Xie and Nanny Su laughed.

The maids cleared the food box and withdrew.

“That woman has been bothering you again recently, hasn’t she?” Madam Xie asked.

That woman? Chang Yunchang paused for a moment.

“No. She’s quite well,” he said quickly.

Madam Xie glanced at Nanny Su, her eyes conveying, See? My son won't let me worry; he refuses to speak the truth. Nanny Su nodded in agreement.

“Pay her no mind,” Madam Xie said. After a brief pause, “Yunchang ah, do you remember Miss Rao from your aunt’s house before the New Year?”

Chang Yunchang frowned.

“Which one?” He couldn’t recall immediately.

“The young lady from the Rao family in Shandong, whom the Young Master graciously delivered to the old madam’s house when he was passing by on his travels,” Nanny Su clarified.

Chang Yunchang uttered an ‘Oh’ and remembered.

“What do you think of that young lady?” Madam Xie asked with a smile, picking up a shoe pattern lying nearby. “Look, she sent this to me.”

These ladies often exchanged such items to display their needlework skills.

Sewing was similar to needlework, but that woman’s most skilled needlework was done on a person’s body—truly chilling… and stimulating.

A smile touched the corner of Chang Yunchang’s mouth.

Seeing his smile, Madam Xie was overjoyed and exchanged a look with Nanny Su.

“That young lady…” Madam Xie began to say.

“The Marquis is here!” a maid called from outside.

Madam Xie and the others quickly stood up to greet him. The Marquis of Dingxi entered, rubbing his hands together, wrapped in a large cloak.

“Why have you come at this hour?” Madam Xie asked.

Chang Yunchang bowed respectfully to the Marquis of Dingxi.

“Why shouldn’t I come?” the Marquis retorted, glaring. “This is my home; I can go wherever I please.”

Madam Xie pouted.

“Concubine Zhu is due to give birth in a few days. Aren’t you going to check on her?” she asked.

Seeing them begin to converse, Chang Yunchang requested leave to depart.

“Why should I look at her? That’s women’s business,” the Marquis said, taking the tea offered by the maid as he looked at Chang Yunchang. “Don’t be running around so much. Now that you’re finally home, spend more time with Yue Niang.”

“Cheng Ge doesn’t go out at all; it’s that woman who is always running out,” Madam Xie immediately interjected.

“Yue Niang is opening a pharmacy; it’s normal for her to be busy,” the Marquis stated.

Watching the two about to start bickering again, Chang Yunchang bowed once more and stepped out.

Wind whipped snow against his face; the young maid quickly held an umbrella for him.

Chang Yunchang walked back into the room. Qi Yue was still sketching and writing. A stack of papers lay on the table; she greeted him when she saw him return.

“What are these? So frightening?” Chang Yunchang walked over, picked up a sheet, and frowned as he spoke.

Qi Yue peeked over.

“Oh, a diagram of orbicularis oris muscle laceration,” she said.

Orbicularis… what was that?

“And this one?” Chang Yunchang picked up another sheet.

“Alveolar groove mucosal incision,” Qi Yue answered.

Where did she learn these incomprehensible terms? Chang Yunchang dropped the paper and flipped through the others on the table.

“Ah! Stop looking, you’ll be too scared to sleep tonight,” Qi Yue laughed.

“Scared?” Chang Yunchang scoffed. “I’ve slept among piles of corpses; you think these few drawings will frighten me?”

“That’s different,” Qi Yue laughed, gathering the drawings on the table. “The flesh and blood we deal with can be quite different from a straightforward dead body.”

Chang Yunchang shook the paper he held, still looking with interest.

“It can actually be stitched up? So simple—why didn’t anyone else think of this?” he remarked.

Qi Yue smiled.

“It’s not that simple. Think about it: what happens if you sew clothes badly?” she asked.

“Crooked,” he replied. If human skin isn't sewn well… Qi Yue gestured with her hands.

“Just say you’re very skilled, no need to beat around the bush so much,” Chang Yunchang snorted, tossing the drawings back onto the table.

“Young Mistress,” a frantic voice from A’ru sounded at the door, “Someone from Qianjin Hall says there is a critical emergency case.”

The Marquis of Dingxi and Madam Xie, who were about to rest, were called up.

“Look at her—a perfectly good Young Mistress, and look what she’s become?” Madam Xie mocked coldly.

“It’s a matter of life and death,” the Marquis said, frowning as he looked at Qi Yue. “An emergency this late at night… must she go out? Can’t they bring it here?”

“Father, it’s a severe trauma case that cannot be moved,” Qi Yue explained with a smile.

Only then did the Marquis nod.

“Go, and take plenty of people with you,” he said.

The guards by the side gate were already positioned, holding torches that cast bright flames.

“You don’t need to come; there are so many people, I can manage with them,” Qi Yue said as Chang Yunchang arrived wearing his cloak. “If you go, you’ll just be sitting outside, making the Qianjin Hall people uncomfortable.”

Chang Yunchang stood still.

“If you don’t, I won’t be comfortable either,” Qi Yue added.

Chang Yunchang finally raised his hand to touch the tip of his nose and grunted a muffled sound.

Qi Yue turned around, gently patted her chest, and let out a breath of relief.

The side gate of the Marquis’s residence opened, and a contingent escorted a carriage as it moved out into the night, heading toward the streets.

“You all wait in the main hall. I need to perform a surgery in the back; ensure no one disturbs us,” Qi Yue instructed.

The guards responded in unison with an ‘Yes.’

Qi Yue glanced at them again, then followed A’ru into the inner hall.

“This way.”

As soon as they entered the inner hall, Hu San, who was standing in the corner by the wall, rushed to beckon them over in a low voice.

Qi Yue and A’ru quickly followed. Passing through a small door, they arrived at the back street, where Liu Pucheng and four disciples were already waiting. No one spoke; with a wave of the hand, Liu Pucheng, Qi Yue, and A’ru got onto a nearby donkey cart, and the group vanished into the back street.

Since the Lunar New Year had not yet completely passed, the festive atmosphere lingered strongly, but this particular location exuded no joy. In the dark night, two lanterns covered with white paper swayed in the cold wind, appearing particularly eerie.

Upon arriving here, the disciples noticeably tensed up, huddling close to one another, ducking their heads and crossing their arms as they walked quickly.

A’ru unconsciously pressed closer to Qi Yue.

Hu San, walking in the middle of the disciples, suddenly reached out and poked the disciple in front of him, startling that disciple into a yelp, which in turn made the others jump.

Liu Pucheng turned back and glared at them; the disciples quickly huddled together again.

“What are you doing!” the disciples turned and scolded the culprit in low voices.

Hu San craned his neck, looking around furtively.

“I keep thinking I hear someone crying…” he whispered.

This statement instantly made the hair on the back of the disciples’ necks stand up.

“Shut up, shut up,” they hissed in low voices.

Hu San clamped a hand over his mouth.

The donkey cart stopped, and Qi Yue dismounted.

“Donkeys are not allowed near here. Madam Qi, please walk from here,” Liu Pucheng said.

“Why can’t the donkey cart come closer?” Hu San couldn't help asking.

Liu Pucheng hadn't spoken yet when Qi Yue smiled at him.

“Because donkeys, oxen, and the like can see things people cannot… so they are afraid they might disturb these…” she whispered, suddenly stopping her steps. “What is that?”

Her sudden exclamation made Hu San cry out in alarm and nearly throw himself onto the disciple beside him, who also cried out in fright.

The disciples huddled together.

“Madam Qi,” Liu Pucheng turned back, speaking with a hint of reproach.

Qi Yue covered her mouth and suppressed a low laugh, quickening her pace to catch up with Liu Pucheng. A’ru hurried to follow them. Hu San raised a hand and slapped his own mouth.

“Serves me right for asking too many questions,” he muttered to himself, watching his master walk further ahead before hurrying to keep up.

Liu Pucheng stood before the door and knocked softly. Qi Yue curiously surveyed the surroundings. Sensing A’ru behind her breathing unevenly, she smiled and turned back to comfort her.

“Don’t be afraid,” Qi Yue began to speak but immediately let out a low gasp.

“Master, you’re teasing me again!” Hu San said, not falling for it this time.

Qi Yue looked to her left, raised a hand to her mouth, her wide eyes framed by the white lantern hanging under the eaves, indicating genuine alarm.

Hu San felt a chill run down his spine and stiffly turned his neck to follow Qi Yue’s line of sight.

In the pitch-black night, a white robe drifted slowly toward them.

“Mother!” Hu San shrieked and scrambled behind Liu Pucheng.

“A woman?”

A male voice came from behind the white robe, which trembled slightly, revealing the dark-clad man behind it.

Dressed entirely in black, the figure was already indistinct in the night, and holding up a conspicuous white robe made the person behind him even more overlooked.

“Little Coffin Brother,” Liu Pucheng nodded in greeting to the newcomer.

The person stopped under the lantern light. As Qi Yue observed this newcomer, the newcomer was also assessing her.

To avoid attention, Qi Yue’s face and head were wrapped in a black scarf, exposing only her eyes. Wrapped in a large cloak, she appeared all the more alluringly feminine.

“A woman?” Coffin Zi said again, confirming his sight was correct, a look of astonishment on his face.