“Young Lord.” Seeing Chang Yunchéng, she called out hastily.

“Elder Sister, why are you back? Is Yan’er…?” Chang Yunchéng inquired.

“It’s fine, she just woke up, Yuèniáng is watching her. I…” Cháng Chūnlán hesitated before saying, “I came back to fetch some things.”

Chang Yunchéng noticed the unusual look on her face, but since she didn't elaborate, he didn't press the matter, simply nodding in silence.

“Young Lord, please, please don’t blame Yuèniáng. It’s all because of Yan’er’s situation that she’s often out worrying, and hasn't properly attended to Mother, thus neglecting her duties as a daughter-in-law. So, so…” Tears welled up in Cháng Chūnlán’s eyes as she spoke, “It’s all my fault, it’s the trouble Yan’er and I have brought upon her… Please, don’t blame her…”

Tears began to fall again as she spoke.

Chang Yunchéng’s expression grew complicated.

“Elder Sister, what are you saying?” he asked.

Cháng Chūnlán knew he didn't wish to discuss it further. Her younger brother had always been a man of few words, let alone when it came to private family matters.

“Second Brother, you are a good man, and Yuèniáng is a good woman too. Good people deserve good lives. To find someone who truly suits your heart in this lifetime—that is a blessing cultivated over several reincarnations,” she sighed, her voice choked with emotion.

Suits his heart…

Was this woman the one who suited his heart?

That terrible temper!

“Elder Sister, please hurry with your tasks and don't overthink things. This has little to do with Mother, or about serving or not serving,” Chang Yunchéng stated.

Cháng Chūnlán looked at him, wanting to speak but stopping herself, ultimately saying nothing more.

“Yes, I understand,” she replied.

Chang Yunchéng nodded once more before striding away.

Chang Yunchéng did not ride his horse; the Qiānjīn Hall wasn't far from where he was. As he neared, his pace naturally slowed.

The two young servants behind him grew anxious, wondering if he was going to change his mind again.

“Is she really that wonderful in your eyes?” Chang Yunchéng suddenly turned back and asked.

The two servants were momentarily stunned by the question.

Chang Yunchéng then laughed, shaking his head—what was he even asking? How could these servants speak frankly about their master?

“Young Lord, the Young Mistress is truly kind, she treats all of us very well…” one servant ventured hesitantly.

“Yes, yes, she especially gives us courage…” the other quickly chimed in.

Chang Yunchéng’s expression darkened slightly.

“Of course, of course, but that’s ultimately because of you, Young Lord,” the first servant hastily added.

Chang Yunchéng suddenly burst into loud laughter. Passersby on the street were startled, about to curse him for being mad, but upon seeing his noble attire, they quickly swallowed their words and scurried away along the walls.

The two servants became even more fearful.

Why the sudden laughter? He was accustomed to the Young Lord’s scowls; laughter was far rarer.

Everyone in the household, from top to bottom, seemed to adore her…

Even if he were gone, surely she would manage to stay safe even if she stirred up trouble.

It was just Mother…

Chang Yunchéng checked his laughter and let out a soft sigh.

At the Qiānjīn Hall, things had returned to normal—patients seeking treatment, others collecting medicine.

Chang Yunchéng stepped inside and startled a handyman who was about to shout a greeting.

“Quiet,” Chang Yunchéng cut off the handyman’s shout, then asked concisely and directly, “Where is she?”

In the ward, the curtains were drawn back, allowing the morning sunlight to stream in. A disciple was misting disinfectant into the corners. As he stepped away, Āhǎo entered carrying a bowl of water.

“Young Mistress, the salt and sugar water is boiled…” she said.

Qí Yuè, who was sitting by the bedside listening to the patient’s heart and lungs, removed her stethoscope upon hearing this.

“Yàn’er, let’s have some water,” she said.

Yàn’er, lying in bed, was awake. The anesthetic had worn off, and she was enduring the pain and discomfort of her wounds. Tears welled in her eyes, but firmly holding onto Qí Yuè’s well wishes, she didn't cry out.

“Young Mistress, let me do it,” Āhǎo offered.

“No need, I’ll do it. You watch how I do it first,” Qí Yuè said, taking off her gloves. “Fetch the syringe.”

Āhǎo quickly responded.

“…Your body is depleted of qi right now, so we’ll start with some salt and sugar water. After noon, you can have some milk… Has Yàn’er ever had milk before?”

Qí Yuè slowly fed her with the syringe while speaking.

Yàn’er managed to swallow two full syringes mouthful by mouthful. Although she barely had to open her mouth, swallowing was quite painful. Qí Yuè nodded, satisfied yet feeling pity.

“Disinfectant and cotton swabs,” Qí Yuè requested.

Āhǎo quickly brought them over from a nearby table and watched as Qí Yuè bent down to gently wipe Yàn’er’s lips with a swab dipped in the medicated solution. Fearing the wiping, Yàn’er squeezed her eyes shut, her whole body tensing, letting out muffled whimpers of suppressed pain.

“Yàn’er is so brave!” Qí Yuè praised, and after finishing, she kissed Yàn’er’s forehead.

Yàn’er opened her eyes, tears streaming down, but they were tears of happiness.

“Good, now it’s reward time,” Qí Yuè smiled, sitting by the bedside. “Auntie will tell you a story, alright?”

Yàn’er nodded.

“…Once upon a time, there was a farm. On the farm, a mother duck was incubating her eggs. The weather was lovely—tall trees, a deep pond, and sunlight scattered on the water like gold…. The duck mother was exhausted, but she was happy watching the eggs crack open one by one… one, two, three… the little ducklings wobbled to their feet, covered in down…. Oh dear, why is this little duckling so ugly….”

Not only Yàn’er but even Āhǎo beside her was completely engrossed in the story.

Ārú, who had come out of the room on the other side after resting, spotted Chang Yunchéng standing at the ward door. She opened her mouth to greet him but stopped herself, covering her mouth and slowly retreating.

She bumped into Quèzhī who was walking past.

“Sister, what’s wrong?” Quèzhī asked, confused.

Ārú shushed her and pointed towards the outside.

“The Young Lord is here,” she whispered.

Quèzhī’s eyes immediately lit up.

“The Young Lord is here!” She immediately started towards the door. “Let me go take a look…”

“Look at what?” Ārú grabbed her, her expression stern. “You haven’t slept all night, go get some rest now.”

“But I just woke up…” Quèzhī pouted, pointing toward the bed.

“Then go back to sleep. You’re on duty tonight,” Ārú stated firmly, pushing her back onto the cot.

Chang Yunchéng watched the room’s interior, listening to the faint sounds of weeping.

“…Young Mistress, the little duckling is so pitiful…” That was Āhǎo wiping away tears.

Yàn’er in the bed was already covered in tears.

“Oh dear, why are you crying so much… It’s my fault, my fault…” Qí Yuè laughed, quickly taking a white cloth to wipe Yàn’er’s face. “I’ll tell it faster…”

“Don’t!” Yàn’er urgently tried to speak. “Tell it slower… I like listening…”

Qí Yuè quickly shushed her, and Yàn’er fell silent.

“Don’t open your mouth, don’t open your mouth! If the wound splits, you’ll suffer terribly,” she said, patting her chest.

Yàn’er blinked at her, indicating obedience.

“…So the Ugly Duckling left the old grandmother’s house and swam here and there in the water. But because it was so ugly, no other animals would play with it….”

“…Those big birds were so beautiful… The Ugly Duckling had never seen such beautiful birds before…. It watched the flock fly away, flying so high. The Ugly Duckling chased after them, circling on the water… Oh, these beautiful, happy birds… He dreamed of being as beautiful as them… but how could that be possible? She was so ugly….”

“…What? You say I am beautiful?” The Ugly Duckling was startled. He thought they would drive him away or peck him with their beaks…”

“…Everyone gathered around to watch, shouting, ‘Look, that beautiful swan! It is the most beautiful swan in the world!’…”

“…The Ugly Duckling felt overwhelming happiness, but he wasn't arrogant at all. He remembered how he had been persecuted and ridiculed, and yet now he heard everyone calling him the most beautiful of all the beautiful birds…”

“…When I was just an Ugly Duckling, I never dreamed I could be this happy…”

Qí Yuè patted Yàn’er’s shoulder and smiled.

“Our Yàn’er is about to become a swan.”

Yàn’er’s tears flowed again, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Alright, now you sleep and let your body recover quickly!” Qí Yuè said after gently massaging her back and feet.

Yàn’er nodded and obediently closed her eyes. Since the anesthesia wore off, the child hadn’t been able to sleep due to the pain, but she tried hard to sleep, her hands clenched tightly under the covers. Sleep, sleep. When I wake up, I will be the most beautiful swan in the world…

Qí Yuè massaged her shoulders and moved her neck to stretch her body.

“Young Mistress, you should go rest. I’ll watch here…” Āhǎo said, then turned around and gasped.

Qí Yuè quickly shushed her and looked over as well.

Chang Yunchéng was standing outside the door watching her.

“Young Lord…” Āhǎo bowed her head in greeting.

Qí Yuè averted her gaze, ignoring him.

“Then I’ll go rest for a bit. If anything happens, find Doctor Liu,” she said, stepping out and walking past Chang Yunchéng.

Seeing Qí Yuè approach, Ārú turned back and promptly hauled Quèzhī up again.

“Go, go,” she said.

“Leaving again? Didn’t you say I should sleep?” Quèzhī protested, already being dragged by Ārú.

“Sleep for what? You’ve slept for half a day,” Ārú retorted, pulling her out.

Quèzhī was caught between laughter and tears, watching Qí Yuè step inside.

“Young Mistress, you should rest quickly,” she quickly interjected.

Qí Yuè nodded, and Ārú dragged Quèzhī out.

“Hey? Young Lord, you…”

As soon as they were out, Quèzhī spotted Chang Yunchéng walking towards them, her eyes brightened. She quickly bowed and called out.

“Hurry up, it’s time to prepare the medicine,” Ārú pulled her away before she could finish.

Chang Yunchéng stepped into the room, Qí Yuè standing with her back to him.

“If you want to argue, I don't have the energy right now, and I’m too lazy to talk. Of course, if you do have the energy, I don’t mind getting physical,” Qí Yuè said, waving a hand dismissively.

Chang Yunchéng walked up and embraced her tightly.

Qí Yuè expected him to apologize, but he said nothing, only holding her fiercely, burying his head in the crook of her neck.

“Even though I’m weak, I’ve already mentally thrown you over my shoulder,” Qí Yuè commented.

The man behind her remained silent, just holding her tight, as if letting go meant losing her entirely.

He used to like holding this woman, always thinking it was an instinctual need. But now he understood—he liked holding her because it felt warm…. Holding her, even if the world outside was ice and snow, felt as warm as spring.

Warmth. That feeling was reminiscent of the hazy memories of early childhood, being cradled in his mother’s arms.

Recommended: Mù Shuǐ Yóu’s The Lady.

A single thought arises, and ten thousand mountains and rivers appear; a single thought vanishes, and the sea and land shift into chaos.

The moment she awoke inside the coffin, Yè Nánxī witnessed a scene that would influence every choice she made from then on.

She had never seen a man deliver such an emotionally rich sentence in such an emotionally vacant manner.

Therefore, when faced with the prospect of returning to her husband’s grand ancestral home, she chose to refuse without hesitation. Yet, mutual destruction was not what she desired either… RS

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