The distant capital city was bathed in the same night darkness, yet the streets teemed with a brightness rivaling daylight. The capital’s nightlife was notoriously extravagant and dazzlingly opulent.
“Master, Master, look at that…” A small, thin man wrapped in a threadbare padded robe and an old hat couldn't help but point toward a shopfront along the roadside. Inside the main hall, a landscape painting adorned the walls, complete with a waterfall cascading from the second floor, producing a rushing sound.
The man had never imagined an inn could be decorated this way, his mouth agape in astonishment.
Beside him stood a similarly thin, middle-aged man, also clad in ragged robes and a worn hat, who widened his eyes at the sight.
“Shoo, shoo, you filthy beggars, what are you staring at.” The shop assistant at the door waved them away impatiently, driving off the two figures who clearly looked like poor country folk.
“We are not beggars,” the thin man retorted, his face flushed with shame and anger. “We are doctors…”
The shop assistant spat on the ground.
The thin man tried to argue further, but the gaunt man beside him pulled him back.
“Don’t cause trouble; let’s go,” he said, tightening his leaky padded robe and pulling his hat lower to conceal his face before stepping ahead and walking away with his head down.
After walking a few paces and hearing the assistants still mocking the beggars behind them, he couldn't restrain himself, stopping and turning back for one last look.
Beggars! One day, he would buy up this entire establishment and make them all kneel and call themselves beggars!
“Master,” the thin man who had walked ahead called back, confused.
The man retracted his gaze.
The pair, hunched over, moved through the busy streets. After several inquiries, they arrived before a large doorway.
“Are you sure this noble official agreed to take us in?” Approaching the gate, the thin, middle-aged man paused and asked in a low voice.
“Yes, Master, that official definitely said so back then, and he even gave me this calling card,” the thin man quickly replied.
The gaunt man retrieved the card from his sleeve and held it up to the dim light of the streetlamp by the gate.
Dong Lin, Clerk of the Imperial Medical Academy of Great Xia.
“Good. What is there to fear? We’ve already been ruined to this extent; what’s one more ruin—just a single life,” the middle-aged man muttered, steeling himself before lifting his foot and knocking on the door.
The rhythmic knocking brought the lights in the courtyard to life.
Guided by a young servant, the two finally reached a room. Maidservants lit the lamps one by one, and the warmth inside made them both feel subtly uneasy.
They removed their hats, and under the lamplight, they were revealed to be the Master and disciple Wang Qingchun, unseen by most for a long time. However, compared to their past selves, their expressions were now heavy, and they looked utterly wretched, especially when compared to the person they were meeting.
A voice from outside announced the master’s arrival, accompanied by the rustle of a curtain as someone entered. The two turned their heads.
“Your Excellency…” Seeing the newcomer, Wu Shan couldn't help but be overcome with tears, bowing repeatedly. “Do you… do you still remember me…”
In contrast to his bowed posture, the man standing taller in the lamplight looked down with a hint of arrogance.
“You? Of course, I remember you,” he said slowly.
Hearing this, Wu Shan was ecstatic and couldn’t resist looking back at his master.
“Master, I didn’t lie to you, did I? See, His Excellency really remembers us…” he choked out.
Wang Qingchun gazed at the man, then suddenly swept aside his sleeve and dropped to his knees with a thud.
“Your Excellency, please deliver justice for this humble citizen! I have been framed by the Qianjin Hall and have nowhere left to turn,” he cried out in sorrow and indignation.
Wu Shan followed suit, kneeling and bowing his head.
The official maintained his proud, condescending gaze for a moment before slowly raising a hand.
“Get up. I know everything,” he stated. “Since you have nowhere to go, I will provide you a path.”
Saying this, he beckoned a young servant.
“Take my calling card, find Official Song at the Imperial Medical Academy, and arrange some work for these two,” he instructed.
Wang Qingchun and Wu Shan lifted their heads in disbelief.
Were they saying… they were going to enter the Imperial Medical Academy?
“Go on. Even if you can only do odd jobs once you’re inside, it’s still a livelihood to get by. You’ll have to bear with it a little,” the man said with a touch of indifference.
Bear with it? This ‘indignity’ was enough to make them faint from shock!
Wang Qingchun finally confirmed he hadn't misheard and was instantly overcome with ecstatic joy.
“Thank you, Your Excellency, thank you, Your Excellency,” he could only repeat, bowing repeatedly.
Heaven above, he was now connected to the Imperial Medical Academy! The Imperial Medical Academy! The highest status a doctor could possibly attain!
And he had achieved it so easily?
In that case, should he perhaps also thank the Qianjin Hall and that young madam?
Leaving Dong’s residence, Wang Qingchun couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh wildly on the street.
Yes, he absolutely would! He would! Properly! Thank the Qianjin Hall and that young madam!
After breakfast, Qi Yue was dragged once again by Chang Yuncheng to pay respects to Madam Xie.
“How can I make you understand?” Qi Yue frowned as she spoke. “It’s not about me bowing low that will make your mother like me; pushing it like this will only make her unhappy.”
Chang Yuncheng pulled her along, his own brow furrowing at her words.
“Mother,” he turned back to say.
Qi Yue looked at him, uncomprehending.
“If you won’t even call her Mother, how can you expect her to like you,” Chang Yuncheng said grimly, looking at her.
“It’s not that Mother doesn’t like you, but that you fundamentally don’t like Mother,” Chang Yuncheng continued.
That was true, but she saw no need to like someone who didn't like her in return.
“I—” Qi Yue opened her mouth to speak.
Chang Yuncheng stopped her.
“Yue Niang, Mother can be a bit sharp-tempered, but her heart is very soft,” he said earnestly, gripping her hand. “Once, when Mother was ill, I—I did some mischievous things and was beaten by Father. On my way running, crying, I bumped into her, grabbed her hand, and called out ‘Mother.’ Just that one calling out of ‘Mother’ moved her so much… she never let go of my hand again, truly taking me as her own. In truth, she didn’t have to; my maternal grandmother repeatedly advised her to stay firm, but she insisted.”
As Chang Yuncheng spoke of the past, his voice trembled slightly with emotion and excitement.
Qi Yue listened quietly.
Was Little Madam Xie only married because of Chang Yuncheng? Not for reasons like those in other novels or dramas—not for the sake of the family lineage, or because she harbored secret desires for her brother-in-law? Was it simply to protect a child who had lost his own mother?
Qi Yue murmured an acknowledgement.
“Alright, I understand,” she said, looking up seriously and nodding at Chang Yuncheng.
Chang Yuncheng smiled and gripped her hand tighter once more.
Arriving at Madam Xie’s residence, they encountered the three young ladies and two young masters coming to pay their morning respects right at the entrance.
It was the first time they had been assembled so completely, and the doorway immediately became lively.
“How are your preparations coming along?”
This was Qi Yue asking Chang Yunqi about his studies.
“No problem at all, Sister-in-law. Otherwise, how could I live up to the special examination meal you prepared,” Chang Yunqi laughed.
Seeing that his expression had relaxed back to the easy manner he used when speaking to her, Qi Yue smiled and nodded.
“Good then. If you don’t pass the exam, you’ll have to throw up what you ate of mine,” she said playfully threateningly.
Her words were a bit too much—the young ladies quickly covered their mouths to stifle their laughter, while Chang Yunqi and Chang Yunhong burst into loud chuckles.
“Sister-in-law, I’m taking the exam next year too,” Chang Yunhong leaned over and said.
“No problem. It’s all on me. I’ll make sure you both enter the examination hall plump and rosy,” Qi Yue laughed.
More laughter followed.
“Yan'er has been obedient recently. I weighed her yesterday; she gained two catties,” Chang Chunlan reported.
“Is that so? That’s wonderful. Keep it up, and let’s aim for another four catties before the surgery,” Qi Yue smiled.
“Is it soon?” Chang Chunlan asked nervously.
Qi Yue nodded.
The Third Young Lady immediately clasped her hands with Qi Yue, laughing excitedly.
“Eldest Sister, we’ve finally waited for this,” the Third Young Lady said, tears welling up.
The Second Young Lady paused awkwardly, then stepped forward too.
“I heard Yinglan say that Sister-in-law is an excellent cook. When you have time, could you teach us a few of your signature dishes?” she asked.
“Of course,” Qi Yue replied with a hearty laugh.
Seeing her agree so readily and without any trace of resentment on her face, Chang Shulan finally felt a weight lift from her heart.
“Sister-in-law has worked hard. I don’t have much I can do to help, but I’m free sometimes, so I embroidered this handkerchief for you. Please don’t dislike it, Sister-in-law.” She untied an embroidered brocade handkerchief from her waist and offered it.
This was a gesture of goodwill, Qi Yue laughed merrily.
“Thank you, thank you. I was just about to ask the maids to make a few more,” she said, taking it and tucking it into her waist sash.
The siblings gathered around Qi Yue, chatting and laughing merrily, leaving Chang Yuncheng somewhat sidelined. However, he showed no displeasure; instead, he looked somewhat smugly satisfied.
In the past, although the relationships between these brothers and sisters seemed harmonious on the surface, they were inwardly distant. It was astonishing to see them all now showing genuine willingness to befriend this woman.
Perhaps her relationship with Mother would be the same? As long as she treated Mother well, Mother might also come to understand her better.
Chang Yuncheng was full of confidence in this possibility.
The commotion outside naturally reached Madam Xie’s ears inside the room. She put down her prayer beads and looked out through the half-open window, nearly holding her breath.
What were her children—who were always respectful and cautious in her presence, adhering strictly to her wishes—doing now!
They were clustered around that woman, chatting and laughing, every face openly displaying flattery!
Flattery!
Did they think she was already dead?
They were slapping her face right before her eyes!
“Make them all get out of here,” Madam Xie angrily threw the string of prayer beads to the floor.
The beads broke, scattering across the ground.
The maids and servants inside the room were frightened, kneeling instantly, not understanding why Madam Xie had suddenly lost her temper.
A Luan was the first to react, rushing out and waving toward the door where the others stood.
The young ladies and lords, clustered around Qi Yue, were about to step in when they saw the scene and looked confused.
“Sister A Luan, what’s wrong?” the Second Young Lady, Chang Shulan, asked.
A Luan managed an awkward smile toward them.
“Young Master, Young Madam, Young Ladies, Young Masters, please return first,” she said quietly.
Everyone was surprised by this and exchanged glances.
“What’s wrong with Mother?” Chang Yuncheng asked.
It wasn't a scheduled time for resting, nor was it time for chanting prayers.
Could she be feeling unwell?
He strode forward, intent on entering.
“Young Master,” A Luan quickly stopped him, giving him a meaningful look. “You really shouldn’t go in.”
The curtain to the room was lifted again, and a maidservant emerged.
“Young Ladies and Young Masters, please go back. The Young Master and Young Madam may stay,” she announced.
Since that was the instruction, the other young ladies and lords inquired about their mother’s well-being outside, bowed, and retreated.
Chang Yunqi looked at Qi Yue with concern, about to say something, when Chang Yunhong pulled him back.
“Big Brother is here; you don't need to worry so much,” he whispered.
Chang Yunqi smiled, glanced back one last time, and then moved away.
“Mother, is it that…” Chang Yuncheng hurried into the room.
Qi Yue hesitated behind him, a sudden premonition telling her that something unpleasant was about to occur.
Madam Xie sat on the kang, not even lifting her eyelids as Chang Yuncheng rushed in.
“Mother…” Chang Yuncheng called out.
Madam Xie raised a hand, interrupting him.
“Go, take this, and make the Young Madam kneel in your courtyard,” she cut him off, deliberately not addressing him, pointing instead to a brocade cushion beside her.
Chang Yuncheng froze.