Old Master Liu had lived this long and had never encountered such a shameless person! And it was a woman!

Marquis Dingxi watched the old man’s expression and finally let out a burst of uncontainable laughter. Amidst the laughter, Old Master Liu swept his sleeve and turned to leave.

Liu Chengyang glanced around; he couldn't push past Chang Yuncheng who was blocking the way. Besides, this brother-in-law of his was notoriously ill-tempered and might actually strike him.

And Father hadn't said anything about him dragging Yan’er along... He quickly hurried to follow them out.

“Wait a moment.” Qi Yue called out again, “Old Master Liu, you forgot something.” Old Master Liu’s steps halted. Qi Yue took a few quick strides, picked up the letter of divorce from the floor, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it to Liu Chengyang.

“Take it,” she said. Liu Chengyang’s face flushed crimson; he didn’t know whether to take it or not.

Old Master Liu let out a cold sneer, about to speak, but Qi Yue cut him off first. “Don’t worry, we won't impose on your household,” she said, her face devoid of a smile as she looked coldly at Old Master Liu.

“Once I have performed the surgery on Yan’er, we will personally visit to deliver the dissolution papers.” Old Master Liu stared at her, his chest heaving violently. “You may leave now,” Chang Yuncheng said flatly, gesturing toward the door with a finger.

“Show them out!” A servant boy outside immediately shouted loudly. Whether startled by the shout or enraged, Old Master Liu stumbled as he stepped over the threshold.

Fortunately, Liu Chengyang hastily supported him, preventing a fall. “Fine, let’s go!” Old Master Liu’s face was ashen, and he cast one last hateful glance back at the three of them before saying in a dry voice.

He shook off Liu Chengyang and strode away rapidly. But his bearing was no longer as upright as a pine tree and as majestically stable as when he first arrived.

Watching the father and son flee in disarray, Marquis Dingxi couldn't help but double over with laughter. The old fool, he brought this upon himself!

Deserved it! How could it be such a coincidence?

Was it truly such a coincidence? Marquis Dingxi couldn't help but press Qi Yue for details.

“It truly was a coincidence,” Qi Yue smiled. “I’m hardly a mind reader of Old Master Liu’s.

Knowing his high regard for Old Doctor An, I sought him out beforehand. One can only say that even Heaven couldn't bear watching him humiliate Father like that, causing him to name Doctor An specifically.

If he had mentioned some other physician, well, there would have been nothing I could do.” These words brought Marquis Dingxi immense comfort. Did you hear that?

This was Heaven’s providence, proof of Marquis Dingxi’s profound virtue and auspicious fate! “Don’t cry, your sister-in-law is right; we are not returning to that Liu family,” he said, standing up and looking at Chang Chunlan and her daughter, who leaned on each other.

“However, it’s not that they won’t let us back; it’s that we choose not to go! Stay here with peace of mind until Yan’er is healed.” Chang Chunlan, clutching Yan’er, knelt and called him Father, weeping.

“Get up, get up,” Marquis Dingxi said, feigning impatience. Qi Yue reached out and helped her up.

“After all this, we won't do the surgery today; let’s wait until tomorrow,” she said. She saw Chang Chunlan downstairs and then took her leave from Marquis Dingxi.

“When did you get entangled with this An fellow?” Chang Yuncheng asked. He and Qi Yue were walking together toward Marquis Dingxi’s study.

“Yesterday,” Qi Yue replied with a smile, recounting the events of that time. Chang Yuncheng laughed, unsure what expression to wear when looking at her.

“You... you really are…” He didn't know what to say.

Qi Yue smiled at him. “I truly am favored by Heaven, and everything proceeds auspiciously,” she laughed.

Chang Yuncheng roared with laughter. “But you certainly know how to seize an opportunity,” he chuckled, raising a hand to pat Qi Yue’s head.

Qi Yue tried to dodge but failed. “If they insist on offering me a pole, wouldn't I be letting myself down if I didn't climb?” she retorted, glaring at him.

“Stop patting my head, you little squirt!” Chang Yuncheng laughed heartily and reached out to pat her head again. “Who’s little?!” he countered with a laugh.

Sister, I am twenty-eight this year! You’re only twenty-four!

Qi Yue grumbled inwardly, then her cheeks couldn't help but flush. Four years older...

This... this old cow eating young grass isn't quite right, is it...

Chang Yuncheng noticed the woman’s sudden blush, feeling slightly bewildered. But looking at her neck, delicately fair with a rosy hue under the sunlight, his heart suddenly warmed.

He glanced around; seeing that they were headed to the study, not many maids were following them. “You’re not small at all,” he murmured, leaning close with a low, smiling voice, simultaneously taking Qi Yue’s hand.

“What?” Qi Yue hadn't understood, looking up at him. She saw the man smile faintly.

“You can see for yourself tonight,” he whispered, leaning in closer again. The aging young woman, Qi Yue, instantly burned red.

“You shameless thing!” she cried, raising a hand to pinch his cheek. Chang Yuncheng naturally evaded her grasp and stood up straight, laughing loudly.

Qi Yue struck his shoulder a few times but couldn't help but laugh herself, her face still flushed. Chang Yuncheng did not enter the study with her.

He didn't know what Qi Yue had arranged with Old Doctor An, but she returned shortly after. “Why are you back so soon?” Chang Yuncheng was quite surprised, but couldn't help smiling.

“No need to rush, you can’t run away; I’ll show you tonight...” Qi Yue, who was sipping tea, choked immediately upon hearing that. “You little scoundrel!” She put down her cup and lunged at Chang Yuncheng.

Luckily, the maids were accustomed to not entering when the couple was alone in the room, otherwise they surely would have flushed and retreated in haste now. Chang Yuncheng caught the woman who had thrown herself into his arms tightly, laughing all the while.

“If you can’t wait, I’ll show you now,” he laughed, effortlessly lifting her up. Qi Yue reached out to pull his face; who was afraid of whom?

“Show me, then,” she declared defiantly. This impudent woman was like a little tigress, and Chang Yuncheng’s body grew hot, his gaze darkening.

“Good,” he croaked, and carrying her, he headed toward the bedroom. “My Lord Heir,” the maid Qiuxiang’s voice came from outside.

“Go away!” A man’s annoyed voice, disturbed in the room, echoed out. “My Lord Heir, the Madam is not well,” Qiuxiang had to say again.

Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue hurried over. Everyone was already gathered in Madam Xie’s room.

But they were all standing outside; Madam Xie only allowed Chang Yuncheng in, not even Qi Yue. “It’s good that my daughter-in-law is here to see this...” Marquis Dingxi said unhappily.

“I told you I’m fine, are you wishing for my death?” Madam Xie shouted, struggling to sit up in bed, her voice hoarse and her breathing uneven. Chang Yuncheng hastily tried to soothe her.

“Truly unreasonable!” Marquis Dingxi huffed and stormed out. Seeing him emerge, the children in the courtyard immediately gathered around.

“It’s nothing, she’s an adult, she just choked on a preserved fruit!” Marquis Dingxi said. “Go back, all of you.” He walked straight past them.

Choked on a preserved fruit... The young ladies and gentlemen of the Chang family exchanged glances, barely suppressing their smiles.

Inside the room, Madam Xie, upon hearing that Marquis Dingxi had told the children the reason for her indisposition, coughed violently and hoarsely ordered everyone outside to clear out. Mama Su quickly ushered the others out and told everyone to retreat.

Qi Yue naturally moved to leave as well but was stopped by Mama Su. “Young Madam, are you leaving too?” she asked.

Qi Yue paused. “Ah, I’ll go in for a look,” she quickly said.

Madam Xie remained lying facing away, and Chang Yuncheng sat by the bed; the room was very quiet. “Mother, let me take a look,” Qi Yue asked softly.

“No need,” Madam Xie said hoarsely, facing inward. “I won’t die.” Qi Yue hit a cold wall.

She looked at Chang Yuncheng, who gave her a reassuring look. Though Madam Xie had her back turned, she could still sense the subtle exchange of glances between the two, making her increasingly irritated.

“Yuncheng, you should return. Yue Niang can stay here,” she said.

Qi Yue and Chang Yuncheng were both momentarily taken aback. It was proper for a daughter-in-law to tend to her sick mother-in-law.

Qi Yue nodded, and Chang Yuncheng’s expression softened. “Mother, I’ll stay here too,” he said quietly.

Madam Xie hummed indifferently, still facing inward. “What, you can’t bear to be separated even for a moment?

It’s just that I am ill now, with medicine and vomiting, which must spoil your pleasure,” she said faintly. Chang Yuncheng’s face reddened at those words, more from confusion than anything else.

What did Mother mean by that? Qi Yue nudged him, giving him a meaningful look.

Chang Yuncheng understood, hesitated for a moment. “Then your son is unfilial.

Mother, rest well,” he said with a bow, and retreated. The night deepened.

Lanterns in the Rong’an Courtyard were gradually extinguished one by one. The night-duty maids and servants took their posts, and the rest withdrew.

Since Madam Xie was unwell, there were many more maids and servants in the courtyard tonight. Qi Yue had been standing for quite some time.

Seeing Madam Xie motionless in bed, she let out a soft sigh and moved to sit on a stool. Just as she settled down, Madam Xie in bed made a sound.

“Mother?” Qi Yue immediately stood up and hurried closer, whispering, “What do you need?” “Water,” Madam Xie grunted. Qi Yue quickly retrieved water from the nearby brazier and brought it over.

But Madam Xie fell silent again. Qi Yue called out softly a few times while holding the water.

“What is it?” Madam Xie suddenly snapped. “Can’t a person sleep?” The maids outside peered in stealthily, unsure what was happening.

Qi Yue let out a helpless sigh. “Yes.

Your daughter-in-law was wrong,” she said softly, setting down the cup and tucking the quilt around Madam Xie. “Stand further away, don’t hover over me like a hungry ghost,” Madam Xie said with her eyes closed.

Qi Yue bit her lip, replied with an “Yes,” and indeed stepped back. Silence returned to the room, and the maids withdrew their gazes, resuming their posts.

The night was deep. Qi Yue leaned against a screen, dozing with her eyes closed, when suddenly someone nudged her.

She quickly opened her eyes. “Young Madam, you should go and rest in the other room for a while,” Mama Su whispered.

Qi Yue looked toward Madam Xie’s bed. “The Madam is already asleep; I’ll watch her.

You go get some sleep,” Mama Su repeated softly. Madam Xie indeed seemed fine; she even had enough energy to shout curses.

Letting Qi Yue stay here was merely about putting on a show. “Then I’ll go and doze off.

I have Yan’er’s surgery tomorrow,” Qi Yue whispered. “Mama, wake me up later, and I’ll take over for you.” “It’s alright, I’m watching.

Young Madam, please go sleep well,” Mama Su said with a faint smile. She beckoned a young maid to lead Qi Yue away.

Watching Qi Yue settle down on a small cot across the room, the lamp was extinguished, and the smoke curling from the incense burner by the bedside was faintly visible in the moonlight. Mama Su watched this side, a subtle smile appearing on her face.

Sleep, sleep well.