The late hour had fallen by the time they departed the Wang family compound; the cluster of youngsters who had been gathered at the gate were long gone, leaving the night wind to sweep over a quiet, almost placid scene, as if nothing untoward had transpired.
Upon returning to the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence, everyone waited anxiously at the main gate. The steward had even mustered all the guards, fully armed, and when the Marquis of Dingxi and his retinue finally appeared at the street corner, a collective gasp broke out among them.
“What are you all standing around for?” The Marquis of Dingxi held his head high, trying hard to project stern composure, but the smile that involuntarily split his lips betrayed his efforts, shattering the facade of effortless calm.
Beyond his spoken words, every gesture and expression screamed, Come worship me, welcome me back! I am so incredibly pleased with myself!
The steward naturally understood his master’s heart, rushing forward in a few strides.
“My Lord, you were too reckless! How could you do such a thing….” he exclaimed loudly, as if the Marquis had just returned from slaying demons and vanquishing evil.
Simultaneously, he made a gesture behind him.
Instantly, all the servants and guards erupted in a disorganized chorus, echoing nothing less than, My Lord, you are too mighty! My Lord, that was too dangerous! My Lord, please never do that again!
“My Lord, in the future, let us handle such matters. You are the head of this house; your mere presence is enough to shield us from wind and rain. Forcing you to go out personally would dishonor us,” the steward choked out.
“What nonsense are you speaking? I merely went to negotiate with the Wang family. What is the Wang family? They are not tigers or vicious beasts, ha ha ha ha ha…”
The Marquis waved his hand, finally unable to suppress his laughter, and swayed cheerfully as he entered.
Trailing behind him, Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue could only lower their gazes.
Lady Xie stood in the courtyard watching them enter, her mood complicated. Her son was safe, the Marquis’s residence was unharmed—these were the results of her prayers. But that woman…
Why must that troublesome woman always be tied to her son and the Marquis’s residence?
It was only because of her that they managed to avert disaster every time!
Lady Xie clenched her fists tightly and walked towards Chang Yuncheng.
“Let’s eat first,” she said with concern.
The Marquis of Dingxi laughed heartily.
“No need. We already ate at Magistrate Wang’s place,” he announced with a clear note of boasting.
Lady Xie and the others were even more astonished to hear this. After such a conflict, the Wang family still hosted them for dinner?
The Marquis of Dingxi relished the look of shock on everyone’s faces, feeling an unparalleled sense of release across every pore.
It turned out that being in the spotlight felt this good!
Qi Yue stood in the rear. For the first time, she didn’t feel like laughing at the Marquis’s comical smugness. She turned her head toward Chang Yuncheng, who was being held by Lady Xie. When Chang Yuncheng arrived, and the Marquis of Dingxi suddenly appeared alongside him, she had felt a shock deep in her heart, and beneath the shock, a bittersweet sensation—a sourness that wasn't painful, but strangely warm...
Here, finally, someone would stand up for her, would risk everything for her sake?
This time, the members of this household wouldn't hide; instead, they stepped forward to defend her.
Did they consider her family now?
Did she finally have family here?
“Father,” Chang Yuncheng suddenly called out.
The Marquis of Dingxi, who was busy basking in the comforting attentions of the eager maids who had rushed over upon hearing the news, paused at his son’s call.
There was nothing unusual about Chang Yuncheng calling him Father, but this time, the sound felt strangely different.
Chang Yuncheng said no more, merely bowing low.
“Father has labored hard. Please retire early,” he murmured.
The Marquis, preoccupied with enjoying the flattery of the beauties around him, casually waved a hand, signaling his son could depart.
“Father.”
Another person called out Father.
This time it was Qi Yue.
Chang Yuncheng, who had just looked up, turned toward her with a slight stiffness in his expression.
This was the first time this woman had addressed him as Father since that incident with the doctor’s wager...
The Marquis looked over. He hadn’t paid much attention to the changes in his daughter-in-law’s address. He might be stern with his son, but he certainly couldn’t wear a sour face for his daughter-in-law.
“You should go rest quickly too. That injury on your face…” he said with concern.
“Thank you, Father,” Qi Yue smiled at him, though this smile certainly couldn't be described as devastatingly beautiful.
“What are you saying?” The Marquis laughed heartily. “We are family, why thank me? Go on, go on now.”
Qi Yue bowed low again, and then turned to bow to Lady Xie.
“Do you know your error?” Lady Xie asked coldly, not allowing her to rise.
Chang Yuncheng opened his mouth to speak, but Qi Yue answered first.
“I know I was wrong,” she replied.
This answer stifled the volley of reprimands Lady Xie had prepared, leaving her breathless.
Chang Yuncheng’s expression toward Qi Yue softened even more.
“I shouldn’t have acted rashly on my own. I should have returned to seek Father, Mother, and the Heir Apparent. Otherwise, things wouldn’t have escalated like this,” Qi Yue continued.
Lady Xie’s intended question—What exactly was wrong with you?—had to be swallowed down once more.
“Is that all? This is about your unchaste conduct…” she sternly rebuked.
“Enough, it’s fine if you know you were wrong. You’re still injured, just go down now,” the Marquis interrupted, speaking from the side.
“My Lord!” Lady Xie turned back to the Marquis, frowning.
It was improper for the father-in-law to interrupt when the mother-in-law was disciplining her daughter-in-law, but the Marquis of Dingxi just laughed.
“Everyone is tired today. We can discuss anything tomorrow,” he declared, waving his hand.
Since the Marquis had spoken, Lady Xie could not argue further. Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue bowed and withdrew.
Watching her son and that woman retreat together, Lady Xie felt an overwhelming agitation.
“My Lord!” She turned back to the Marquis, who was basking in radiant smiles surrounded by his women, and demanded, “Have you finished writing that memorial?”
Qi Yue and Chang Yuncheng returned to their courtyard, which naturally dissolved into a flurry of chaos.
“Don’t worry about it; the swelling should go down in a couple of days…” Qi Yue said, smiling. “Why are you crying? It’s fine even if your face is scarred, and besides, it isn't scarred…”
Aru, Ahau, and Quezhi dabbed at their eyes with tears.
“Alright, you can all leave now,” Chang Yuncheng said with a frown when he emerged after washing, seeing the room still crowded with maids.
His maids quickly and obediently withdrew. Aru, Ahau, and Quezhi hesitated.
“Go on,” Qi Yue said with a smile, adding a soft instruction to Quezhi, “You rest for the next few days and don’t stay on duty. You were hurt by that old brute’s kick, weren’t you?”
Quezhi rubbed her waist, nodding full of grievance.
“It hurts quite a bit,” she said. “Sister Aru took a look already. She said I just need to apply some medicine and rest well, so don't worry, Young Mistress.”
Ahau shot her an exasperated look. How could a mere servant speak like that? Even if she had to cut off her own head, she wouldn't admit the injury was worse than a mere ‘bowl-sized’ scar!
“Then go rest quickly, and tomorrow I'll ask Physician Liu to prescribe some medicine,” Qi Yue said cheerfully.
Quezhi didn't refuse, thanking her profusely before she and the other three maids retired.
Silence descended upon the room.
“Today…”
Qi Yue paused for a moment, then looked up to speak to Chang Yuncheng, only to find he was speaking at the same moment.
They both paused, startled, then stopped.
“Thank you for today,” Qi Yue then smiled.
Chang Yuncheng looked at her swollen face and the way she smiled, and couldn't help but speak testily.
“What are you thanking me for? ‘Sorry’ is useless, but ‘thanks’ is useful?” he said gruffly, sitting down nearby. “Just be smarter next time.”
Qi Yue hummed in acknowledgment.
Another silence settled between them.
“Anyway, since you and Father managed to arrive, I... um... I feel very—” Qi Yue started again, seeming to summon some resolve, and stood before Chang Yuncheng. “I, Qi Yue... Madam, I am not the type to feign ignorance when I know the truth. I have noted your kindness and loyalty, and I will certainly—”
Chang Yuncheng watched the woman before him, who seemed poised to beat her chest and make grand vows, and his mouth twitched involuntarily.
This despicable woman really thinks she can treat him like a man!
“You are feigning ignorance when you know the truth!” He reached out and firmly gripped Qi Yue’s arm. “Why do you think we protected you? For your gratitude? What rubbish! You are my woman; you are the Young Mistress of the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence! What is there to overthink? No man would let his woman be bullied!”
Qi Yue looked at him, at the man whose strong, powerful hands gripped her arm tightly.
She blinked slowly in understanding.
Fine. She’d thrown caution to the wind. What was there to fear? She was already dead once; what more could she lose? She might as well be this man’s wife. At worst, she’d be betrayed in love again. Which modern person could claim to be modern without having been hurt by romance two or three times!
“Alright, then, let’s go to sleep,” she said, gritting her teeth, and reached up to place a hand on Chang Yuncheng’s shoulder.
One seated, one standing, their eyes met.
“What?” Chang Yuncheng didn't react immediately, asking, “What?”
“Sleep!” Qi Yue answered brusquely, and promptly lifted her leg to sit directly on his lap.
She was practically an old woman already; she might as well commit.
Chang Yuncheng stared at the woman before him, whose face was swollen, giving her uneven eyes, now wearing a look that suggested she might eat him alive. He was speechless, caught between shock and sheer astonishment.
They remained frozen in this position for a moment.
“You... in that monstrous state, who—who would sleep with you!” Chang Yuncheng was the first to react, his face flushing crimson as he spoke.
Qi Yue sprang off his lap as if shocked by electricity. Though her own face was red, she let out a breath of relief and spat out, “If you don’t want to, then don’t!” She fled toward her own room like a runaway, slamming the lamp out as she went.
Chang Yuncheng remained seated in his chair, seemingly unable to process the sudden turn of events.
What did that wicked woman mean?
Was she attempting a 'repayment in kind' for saving her life, as depicted in old plays?
What did this wicked woman think of him!
He stared grimly at the room where the lamp had just been extinguished.
Maybe I should…
He stood up, took a few steps, but finally pulled back his feet, turned around, and went back to his own side.
Hearing his footsteps finally recede, Qi Yue, biting her quilt, let out a sigh of relief. At the same time, she couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile, snuggling into her covers to find a comfortable position before closing her eyes and falling into a peaceful sleep.
While the Wang family and the Marquis of Dingxi’s household—the primary parties in the night’s events—slept soundly, countless others across the city were sleepless.
Wang Tongye heard the report that the Prefect had arrived before dawn. Though he didn't want to see him, he couldn't refuse.
The Prefect, clearly having not slept all night, looked haggard as he hastily bowed to Wang Tongye in the main hall.
“So early, what is the matter?” Wang Tongye asked, frowning as he regarded him.
Recommended Reading: Gui Fu (The Noblewoman) by Mu Shui You
A single thought arises, and a thousand mountains and rivers appear; a single thought is extinguished, and the seas turn to fields.
The moment Ye Nanxi awoke in the coffin, she witnessed a scene that would influence all her future choices.
She had never seen a man utter such an intensely affectionate phrase with such utter coldness.
Consequently, when faced with the prospect of returning to the grand ancestral home, she unhesitatingly chose refusal, yet mutual destruction was far from her desire…