Chang Yunchéng entered the room and saw Madam Xie applying a facial mask. "Mother, you went out?" he inquired.

Madam Xie hummed in acknowledgment, settled onto the kàng, and accepted a hand warmer from a maid, her face beaming. "Mother, what has made you so cheerful?" Chang Yunchéng rarely saw his mother so pleased, so he quickly asked, taking a seat himself.

Madam Xie smiled. "And that woman?" she asked, having something on her mind.

"I don't know. Reading in her room, perhaps?" Chang Yunchéng replied with a touch of indifference.

"Is she gossiping about me behind my back again?" Madam Xie scoffed. "No, she mentioned she was quite down about you forbidding her from paying respects and serving you," Chang Yunchéng relayed.

"Really? Would she feel down?

Wouldn't she be overjoyed?" Madam Xie asked doubtfully. Chang Yunchéng concealed his expression by taking a sip of tea, murmuring a vague affirmation that it was true.

"Mother called me here today to ask about her, then?" he set down his teacup and asked. Madam Xie laughed, indeed dropping the topic.

"Precisely. Why bring up such a mood-killer," she said.

"Let her do as she pleases from now on; I shall simply ignore her." Although the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law could never truly be good, perhaps with time things might slowly improve. It was certainly better than the current situation of arguing every time they met.

Chang Yunchéng hummed noncommittally, letting it pass. "Yunchéng, you are about to have a grand celebration," Madam Xie suddenly announced.

Chang Yunchéng was distracted, thinking about what the woman was doing in his study, and was startled by the mention of a "grand celebration." "What?" he asked, confused. Madam Xie’s face was wreathed in smiles.

"You are to be married," she chuckled. Chang Yunchéng's eyes widened.

Had his mother become confused from anger? Frightened, he stood up, immediately ready to summon a physician, but Madam Xie, both amused and annoyed, bade him sit down.

"Other men's wives are all daughters of distinguished families. Only you, thanks to that old hag, are stuck with this lowly maid, bringing ridicule wherever you go," Madam Xie lamented.

In truth, no one was laughing. When men gathered, who would discuss such a thing?

It was more likely they would boast about whose woman was prettier. If it came to that, Yue Niang wouldn't bring shame but perhaps envy...

Thinking this, he couldn't help but feel a surge of self-satisfaction. His woman, hehe...

"What are you smiling at?" Madam Xie asked, looking up sharply when she saw Chang Yunchéng grinning widely while she was speaking sadly. Chang Yunchéng quickly stifled his smile.

"Yes, no, I was just... " He struggled to find an appropriate response, knowing that the truth would certainly not do.

"...Mother is still concerned for me..." Hearing this, Madam Xie smiled again. "If I don't care for you, who will?" she sighed, ordering someone to fetch the osmanthus cakes brought by the Second Madam for the Heir to eat.

Chang Yunchéng let out a breath and secretly wiped away a bead of sweat. "Where was I?" Madam Xie had forgotten what she was saying due to the interruption.

Returning to her senses, she quickly continued, "You are to be married." Chang Yunchéng tasted the osmanthus cake. It was sweet; that woman loved these.

He was about to suggest taking some back for a late-night snack for her when he heard the statement again. "Mother, what exactly are you saying?" he asked with a laugh.

"I am already married." "That doesn't count. I want you to marry a true, proper wife—a wife I have painstakingly selected, a wife with whom you will live in harmony," Madam Xie said with a stern expression.

Chang Yunchéng set down the cake, realizing this was serious. Madam Xie picked up an official memorial from the side and handed it to him.

"Look here. Your father has finally done something a father ought to do," she said slowly.

Chang Yunchéng reached out and took it, his expression growing complex after reading through it. "Mother means that I am to..." he raised his head hesitantly.

"You are to take another wife," Madam Xie stated. Chang Yunchéng remained silent, holding the memorial.

By all accounts, it was normal for a man of his standing to have multiple women. Yet, for some reason, he felt a strange...

unease. "Mother, is this...

is this appropriate?" he asked after a pause. Madam Xie was slightly surprised not to see her son overjoyed, which made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

"How is it inappropriate? Is only that woman being your wife the correct arrangement?" she said, her face darkening.

"No, that's not what I meant," Chang Yunchéng forced a smile. "Don't worry, I have already chosen a suitable young lady.

Do you remember the Miss Rao I mentioned to you last time?" Madam Xie said with a slight smile, thinking her son must be beside himself with happiness that a real marriage—not that previous arrangement—was finally happening after so long. "Ah?" Chang Yunchéng looked up blankly.

She was indeed stunned, Madam Xie thought with a smile. "The one you personally escorted to the courier station," she said, her face clouding over again at the memory of how that woman insisted on tagging along, surely preventing Chang Yunchéng from having a more memorable experience.

Chang Yunchéng simply made an "oh" sound and didn't reply, unsure if he knew or not. "In any case, don't worry about it; just prepare to be the groom," Madam Xie leaned back against her bolster, sighing contentedly.

"But, Mother," Chang Yunchéng couldn't help but speak up, "what about that Yue Niang..." "Her? What about her?" Madam Xie suddenly sat bolt upright, her good mood always ruined by this woman.

"What does she have to do with this? Is she going to object?" "No, no," Chang Yunchéng quickly smoothed things over with a smile.

"How could she object? She will listen to whatever Mother says." Madam Xie pouted and slowly settled back down.

"Whether she listens or not, I don't care," she said. "As long as my daughter-in-law listens, that's enough.

She can do whatever she wants; even if she raises hell, I will pretend not to see. Let everyone maintain their own peace—that way, I am well, she is well, and everyone is well." Of course, her being well was true well-being, but as for that woman being well—dream on!

A daughter-in-law favored by the mother-in-law, and one despised—over time, who could possibly fare well? Hearing her speak like this, Chang Yunchéng slowly suppressed the words he was about to say.

If it were truly so... If Mother found someone she favored, she wouldn't keep finding fault with Yue Niang...

This arrangement might genuinely lead to happiness for all. He slowly relaxed his brow and smiled.

Seeing him smile made Madam Xie even happier. "Don't spread the word about this yet.

Your father wants to make a big announcement, but I managed to hold him back. We will announce it publicly once everything is settled, ensuring you have a grand wedding," she chuckled.

"Mother has taken great pains," Chang Yunchéng bowed low. Madam Xie nodded, looking at him with a touch of emotion.

Finally, this day has come. When Chang Yunchéng reached the study area, the young servants were about to pay their respects, but he waved them off.

He walked over quietly and, peering through the lattice window, saw the woman reclining in a rocking chair, casually crossing one leg over the other, holding a book in one hand and popping fruit into her mouth with the other. What an attitude...

Chang Yunchéng couldn't help but smile. He lifted his foot and stepped inside.

Qi Yue lifted her face from behind the book when she heard the sound, smiling at him with fruit pulp still clinging to her lips. Chang Yunchéng stepped forward, bent down, and kissed her.

"Hey, we're in the study," Qi Yue laughed, pushing him away gently. "Let me wipe your mouth," Chang Yunchéng chuckled, reaching out to hold her.

"Go on, go on. You promised to play the qin for me; I've been waiting ages," Qi Yue pushed him away.

Chang Yunchéng presented the osmanthus cakes in his arms as if showing off a treasure. "Mother sent these for you to eat," he said, grinning.

Qi Yue burst into loud laughter. Chang Yunchéng blushed from embarrassment at being laughed at, about to say something, when Qi Yue reached out and took the cakes.

"Thank you, Mother," she laughed, picking one up and tilting her head back to put it in her mouth. What a way to eat!

Chang Yunchéng glared. It wasn't wine!

Wait, even when drinking wine, a woman shouldn't eat like that! Where had this woman picked up these manners?

She looked rather bold, but it felt rather nice... "And thank you too, Husband," Qi Yue smiled at him again, offering a mock-serious bow.

"If it weren't for Husband's thoughtfulness, how would Mother grant me face?" "Slick talker!" Chang Yunchéng feigned disdain but couldn't help smiling. Qi Yue winked at him.

"Slick talker?" she repeated, pointing a finger at her own mouth. "I wasn't aware.

Are you sure?" Chang Yunchéng threw his head back and laughed, reaching out to pull her into his arms. This wicked woman—he simply couldn't get enough of her...

"Let me see if I'm a slick talker," he roared with laughter, lowering his head to kiss her. After a long, lingering embrace, they parted.

Qi Yue, breathless, leaned against his chest. "Entertain me—will it be qin music or person music?" she asked, reaching out to playfully tap something firm and taut against her body.

Chang Yunchéng laughed heartily again, holding her tightly. "Yue Niang, I will treat you well for my entire life," he murmured involuntarily.

Qi Yue snorted. "Try treating me poorly," she said, feigning coldness.

"This mistress will divorce you!" Chang Yunchéng slapped her soft backside with a muffled laugh. "Hurry up and play the qin.

If you don't serve well, don't expect Master to favor you," Qi Yue huffed, breaking free from his hold. "What nonsense are you spouting!" Chang Yunchéng laughed, patting her firm hip one more time before walking toward the qin table nearby.

The clear, resonant notes of the qin drifted out of the study, light and melodious, spreading outward. Maids and older women passing by on the path couldn't help but pause to listen.

"The Heir hasn't sounded this happy in ages." "Oh, how do you know if the Heir is happy or not?" "Of course! In the past, when the Heir played, the music always made people feel heavy-hearted.

This time, it sounds so light and cheerful—everyone feels happier just listening, which shows the Heir must be happy too..." "You little imp, you make such a convincing argument..." The maids gossiped and laughed as they passed, and even the flowers and grass seemed to lighten and rejoice. After dinner, Chang Yunchéng personally escorted Qi Yue to the Hall of the Thousand Treasures.

"When you finish your lecture, it will be time for dinner. Then we can go to Green Wind Tower to eat..." Chang Yunchéng explained.

Qi Yue nodded, stood up, kissed his forehead, and stepped out of the carriage, smiling. Chang Yunchéng followed behind her, and the couple entered the Hall of the Thousand Treasures one after the other.

Meanwhile, in the Heir's courtyard at the Residence of Marquis Dingxi, Chang Yinglan hurried over. "Miss Yinglan," the maid outside quickly saluted.

"Miss Yinglan, why have you come over?" Qiuxiang rushed out to meet her, startled by the girl's anxious expression and panicked demeanor. The Second Madam had always been unwell; surely nothing had happened to her...

"Is Sister-in-law here?" Chang Yinglan asked. Indeed...

Qiuxiang was frightened. "N-No, she went out.

But, Miss, don't worry, I'll go find... first, I'll look for another physician..." she stammered in her haste.

Chang Yinglan, however, paused. "What are you talking about?

What physician? I'm looking for Sister-in-law," she said.

Qiuxiang froze. "The Second Madam...

she's alright?" she asked tentatively. Only then did Chang Yinglan realize what she had been thinking and glared at her.

"She's fine. I need to see Sister-in-law on business," she clarified.

Qiuxiang immediately knelt to apologize. "Alright, alright," Chang Yinglan said impatiently.

"Where is Sister-in-law?" "She went out with the Heir," Qiuxiang replied. Chang Yinglan paused, looking unsettled.

"They'll probably eat out tonight..." Qiuxiang added as an afterthought. I see; it seems the couple is fine...

"They... they didn't argue, did they?" Chang Yinglan asked in a low voice.

Qiuxiang was made to smile by the question, unsure how to answer. "No, they are quite well.

This afternoon, the Heir was even playing the qin for the Young Mistress in the study," she laughed. Although the private matters of the Heir and his wife were not for general discussion, she genuinely wished everyone knew how harmonious the couple was.

Dinner and qin playing—it seemed the Heir was comforting the Young Mistress, who must have already learned about the situation... Chang Yinglan gave a soft "oh," sighed, and left dejectedly.

Qiuxiang asked if there was anything she should relay, but Chang Yinglan ignored her. Qiuxiang stood confused for a moment before dismissing the thought.

It seems we are only a dozen votes away from the next tier! I'm going all out, activating double updates to beg for votes!

Only four days left at the end of the month! RS