Fan Yilin sat in the Marquis of Dingxi's reception room, feeling utterly vexed, not even bothering to maintain a veneer of respect for his father-in-law, his displeasure clear on his drawn face.

How utterly annoying, why did he have to come too!

Telling him to apologize, what was there to apologize for! He was the victim here, wasn't he!

For being kissed against his will by some man—and it was somehow his fault!

He should be home right now, being soothed by his mother and several beautiful concubines, instead of sitting there like a lump in the Marquis of Dingxi's drawing-room, and worse, knowing he was about to be examined by that hideous and fierce woman.

The thought made Fan Yilin involuntarily cover his chest with his robes. Thinking of Wei Jie’s fate that year—would he suffer the same end?

"Yilin." Wang Tongye called out.

Fan Yilin sat frozen in his chair, not hearing a thing.

Seeing his younger son-in-law's vacant stupor, Wang Tongye was deeply displeased.

"See? His health must be poor." He stopped shouting and instead addressed the Marquis of Dingxi, "The family is worried sick. He insisted on leaving, but we felt it best to have the Young Mistress take a look first, for reassurance."

Watching other people's offspring prove disappointing was precisely what the Marquis of Dingxi enjoyed most.

"Such a trifling matter, and you came yourself." He laughed heartily, smugly, "The boy does look a bit frail."

Wang Tongye rolled his eyes internally. If he hadn't come personally, would that old scoundrel truly allow his daughter-in-law to examine anyone willingly?

Besides, how was his Yilin frail? He was clearly refined and handsome! You're just jealous because you couldn't father such a handsome son, aren't you? Look at your thick-witted heir apparent...

"The Heir Apparent and Young Mistress arrive," announced the page boy from the doorway.

Wang Tongye composed himself. He couldn't stoop to the level of a fool like the Marquis of Dingxi; he would praise the other man’s clumsy son, even if only superficially.

Fan Yilin stared blankly toward the entrance. The prospect of what was coming filled him with sudden despair, then his eyes suddenly brightened as two figures approached side-by-side. Fan Yilin automatically ignored the man; his gaze locked onto the woman.

In the winter chill, the woman wore a beizi of five-colored pink and blue over a skirt of pleated moon-white silk embroidered with plum blossoms. Her hair was pinned up in a single intricate bun, adorned with a jade hairpin. She walked in, smiling gracefully.

Like a startled swan, graceful as a swimming dragon!

Fan Yilin bolted upright, his eyes shining as he fixed them on the approaching woman. Seeing her face clearly, his excitement became uncontainable. What a beauty!

This was more like the legendary Marquis of Dingxi residence—a place teeming with beauties! That ugly woman must have been an anomaly!

Then he heard the page boy’s announcement again.

"The Heir Apparent and Young Mistress arrive."

The beauty stepped into the hall with a smile.

"Father, Lord Wang." She offered a curtsy with a pleasant smile.

Wh-what?

Fan Yilin sprang up, shocked.

Wang Tongye also froze for a moment upon seeing the woman, but quickly recovered.

Of course. A woman the Old Madam of the Marquisate would insist on marrying, setting aside social standing just to avoid public shame, must possess extraordinary qualities. That night, after being beaten and going through the melee, her face was bruised and her appearance utterly disheveled. It wasn't surprising that she looked like a completely different person compared to now.

"Yue Niang, Lord Wang is still worried, so he wishes for you to examine Young Master Fan's health," said the Marquis of Dingxi.

Qi Yue turned toward Wang Tongye.

"Actually, it might be better if you called a proper physician," she said with a laugh. "Doctor Liu from the Hall of a Thousand Gold is far more skilled than I."

Wang Tongye paused, then smiled.

"Very well, no problem. After the Young Mistress has seen him, we will naturally proceed with that," he replied, his tone laced with deeper meaning.

Qi Yue was momentarily taken aback by the implication, then quickly recovered, letting out a hearty laugh.

"Lord Wang, you needn't go to such lengths. You misunderstand. Doctor Liu and I have different specialties; it's not a matter of granting me face," she said cheerfully. As she spoke, she bowed slightly to Wang Tongye, "However, I must thank you, my Lord, for the tremendous respect you have shown me!"

These two mentions of 'face' referred to two different things. The Marquis of Dingxi didn't grasp it, but Wang Tongye did. The reason he hadn't shown face to those who came to apologize, but had shown face to those who didn't, ultimately served to bolster Qi Yue's standing.

Wang Tongye also smiled and nodded at Qi Yue.

"This child is truly honest, very straightforward; he says what’s on his mind," the Marquis of Dingxi interjected, knowing he needed to chime in with praise for his own family, even if he didn't understand the conversation.

Honest? Does an honest child lead servants to besiege someone's main gate?

Wang Tongye chuckled.

"Then I shall examine him first. Father, may I borrow a side room here?" Qi Yue said, instructing A'ru to fetch the medical kit.

The Marquis of Dingxi nodded.

Qi Yue finally turned her attention to the young gentleman standing in the hall.

"Fan? Young Master Fan, please come this way," she said with a gentle smile.

But the young man merely stared at her blankly. Could he really be ill?

Qi Yue frowned. Chang Yancheng, who had been standing quietly nearby, suddenly strode forward and positioned himself directly in front of Fan Yilin, blocking his view.

"Eh?" The beautiful vision before Fan Yilin vanished instantly, replaced by a towering black wall, causing him immediate distress.

"Young Master Fan," the black wall said coldly, "Please, this way."

Fan Yilin snapped out of his daze, noticing the stern, unfriendly expression fixed on him.

"What are you waiting for? Go with the Young Mistress!" Wang Tongye hissed, growing more embarrassed by the second.

Qi Yue was already walking toward the side room. Fan Yilin followed clumsily, one foot tripping over the other. Chang Yuncheng, his face grim, hesitated for a moment before following as well.

Fan Yilin was quite dazed; when motioned to sit, he sat down.

"You... are you the Young Mistress from that day?" he asked Qi Yue absently.

Qi Yue smiled and nodded.

"Yes, Young Master Fan, we have met," she replied gently.

"Yes, yes, we have met! My name is Fan, Yilin, courtesy name Maozhu..." Fan Yilin hastily rattled off.

Qi Yue softly acknowledged him with an 'oh.'

"Then, Young Master Fan, I need to examine you..." she said, beginning to roll up her sleeve.

Before she finished speaking, Fan Yilin, with surprising speed and agility, unfastened his outer garment and, in three quick motions, exposed his pale, tender upper body.

"Young Mistress, please proceed," he murmured to Qi Yue, his handsome eyes glazed over, projecting an air of utter submission, as if awaiting her pleasure.

Qi Yue froze, hand raised, dumbfounded. He was... too compliant.

Chang Yancheng could no longer restrain himself and stood up.

"Put it on," he commanded in a low voice.

The sound of the male voice shocked Fan Yilin back to reality. Only then did he notice the other man in the room. He gasped, quickly covering his chest.

"Who—who are you? What are you doing in here?" he demanded, glaring. Had this man not seen him at all until now?

Chang Yuncheng’s face darkened, and he clenched his jaw.

Upon shouting, Fan Yilin remembered himself.

"Ah, Heir Apparent," he quickly plastered a smile back on, "You have arrived too. What trouble you to come..."

"I see nothing wrong with Young Master Fan. No examination is needed," Chang Yuncheng stated flatly.

"No, no, I am ill, very ill," Fan Yilin quickly protested, clutching his head and sinking back onto the chair. "I can't stand. I feel dizzy just standing for a moment."

Moments later, A'ru arrived with the stethoscope, which Qi Yue accepted with a smile.

"Let me take a look," she said, stepping closer. Seeing Fan Yilin preparing to disrobe again, she quickly stopped him with a smile. "This much is sufficient."

Fan Yilin looked genuinely disappointed.

"Can you see clearly like this?" he asked with concern.

Qi Yue smiled, moving the stethoscope around his chest, listening intently.

Fan Yilin couldn't bear to blink, unable to tear his eyes away from the woman at such close range. He couldn't help but take a deep breath.

So fragrant...

"Wife, what perfume do you use? It smells wonderful," he chuckled flirtatiously.

Chang Yuncheng took a step forward, having to exert extreme control to prevent himself from physically tossing the man out.

"Is that so? Thank you. My maid made it; I don't know what it is," Qi Yue replied with a smile, removing the stethoscope.

If it were any other young lady, such words would elicit fear or blushing, but this woman remained utterly unfazed, as if his comments were the most mundane thing imaginable... Were they not? Complimenting someone's scent shouldn't be a big deal.

"That's all. You're fine," Qi Yue concluded cheerfully. "It was likely a sharp blow to the chest that day, combined with the shock of the fall, causing temporary asphyxiation."

Fan Yilin looked thoroughly crestfallen.

"Fine? How can that be? I feel unwell all over," he said, frowning, acting as if he were too weak to rise from the chair. "Young Mistress, perhaps you should examine me more thoroughly. I'll remove my clothes—"

Did this scoundrel think he was invisible?

Chang Yuncheng strode over and hauled Fan Yilin up from the chair.

"Young Master Fan, are you suggesting my wife misdiagnosed you?" he articulated, emphasizing the word 'my wife.'

Fan Yilin finally snapped out of his infatuation with beauty.

Oh dear, to proposition a wife right in front of her husband—that was a grave error in the otherwise dashing image he was trying to project. Foolishness! If he offended the husband, his chances of seeing the little beauty again would vanish. To think that he, Fan Yilin, had committed such a blunder—how embarrassing.

"No, no," he said, his expression suddenly earnest, standing straight and stepping back a few paces, bowing deeply to Qi Yue. "Thank you, Young Mistress."

Qi Yue returned the bow with a smile.

"Since you are well, you may leave now," Chang Yuncheng stated, still standing guard in front of Qi Yue.

Qi Yue made an 'oh' sound and gracefully walked out.

Fan Yilin's demeanor was upright and proper; he didn't even glance sideways, fixing his gaze only on Chang Yuncheng.

"Thank you, Heir Apparent. I sincerely apologize for the incident last time," he said earnestly.

Chang Yuncheng remained impassive. By the time he heard Qi Yue conclude her consultation with Wang Tongye and take her leave, he finally turned to walk out, and Fan Yilin naturally followed.

Qi Yue didn't hear what was being discussed further. Once she returned to her courtyard, she planned to head to the Hall of a Thousand Gold. As for the house arrest Madam Xie had mentioned, she had completely forgotten about it as soon as her appearance was restored.

Just as she was about to leave, Chang Yuncheng returned.

"Oh, Lord Wang and the others have left?" Qi Yue asked, slightly surprised. She had assumed Chang Yuncheng would have to stay and entertain them to dinner.

Chang Yuncheng hummed an affirmative sound, though it sounded noncommittal.

"Where are you going?" he asked, frowning.

To check if the practice corpses had been prepared...

"I'm going to check on the Hall of a Thousand Gold; I haven't lectured in days," Qi Yue replied.

Chang Yuncheng hummed again and remained standing still.

"Want to come along?" Qi Yue asked casually. Just a polite gesture; Chang Yuncheng would never go to a place like that—how tedious.

"Fine." Chang Yuncheng answered. His recent vexation eased slightly. Since the woman had invited him, he supposed he could condescend to accompany her.

Qi Yue stopped dead.

"Actually, you don't have to force yourself..." she quickly said.

Chang Yuncheng ignored her, picked up his heavy cloak, and walked out first.

Serves me right, Qi Yue muttered to herself. Watching the man stride away, then thinking of something else, she pursed her lips into a smile and followed.

Thank you, thank you for the votes; I am overwhelmed with undeserved gratitude. RS