Extra Chapter for Votes “What did you say?” Madam Xie asked, thinking she had misheard, placing the calendar tile down.

Mother Su was also startled. She hadn't thought she misheard; rather, Chang Yuncheng’s words were so unexpected that she couldn't quite believe them yet.

“Mother, your son does not wish to remarry,” Chang Yuncheng stated again, sweeping his robes as he knelt before Madam Xie.

“Why?” Madam Xie heard clearly, paused, and then inquired.

“Your son does not wish to,” Chang Yuncheng replied, head bowed.

Madam Xie looked at him and let out a cold laugh.

“Is it you who doesn’t wish to, or is it that woman?” she questioned.

“It is I who does not wish to,” Chang Yuncheng answered without the slightest hesitation.

Smash. Madam Xie threw a cup across the room.

Chang Yuncheng remained kneeling on the floor, unmoving.

“Mother, please calm your anger,” he said.

Madam Xie was about to speak when a maid outside called out that the Marquis of Dingxi had arrived.

“What’s all this commotion now?” the Marquis asked, frowning as he entered and saw the scene.

The maids hastily cleared away the shattered teacup and slipped out.

“You’ve arrived just in time,” Madam Xie announced. “Your dear daughter-in-law is getting anxious…”

“Mother, it is I, I who disagree. It has nothing to do with Yue Niang,” Chang Yuncheng quickly interjected, cutting off Madam Xie.

Madam Xie raised her hand and slapped him.

The Marquis of Dingxi was shocked. It was the first time he had ever seen Madam Xie strike her son; normally, just raising her voice made him squirm as if his skin were peeling, so her physical action meant she must be utterly furious!

“What on earth is going on? We are on the verge of great celebration, why the fuss?” he said, displeased.

Honestly, he had successfully secured the Emperor’s personal decree—a matter of such honor—yet there wasn't a single trace of joyful atmosphere inside or out! It was infuriating!

If others didn’t know the significance, fine, but shouldn’t those who did be beaming with joy and gratitude toward him?

Look at this... what was all this?

“Chang Yuncheng, though you are not my birth son, I have raised you for so many years, and yet I cannot see through even this simple intention of yours. I truly have lived in vain,” Madam Xie sneered, turning to the Marquis. “Your good daughter-in-law does not consent to Yuncheng taking another wife.”

The Marquis paused, stunned.

“What are you talking about? How could she object?” he asked, looking completely disbelieving. “Yue Niang is the most sensible girl!”

“Yes, yes, she agreed. It is I who disagrees,” Chang Yuncheng took over the conversation.

“You disagree?” The Marquis slammed his palm onto the table, glaring. “What business is it of yours! Is it your place to make decisions! Get out! If you dare cause any more trouble! I’ll break your legs!”

Madam Xie did not like hearing this. She could scold and beat her son however she wished, but no one else could.

“What are you shouting for! Didn’t I already say it? It has nothing to do with Yuncheng; it’s that slut Qi Yue Niang causing trouble!” Madam Xie also raised her voice.

“Mother…” Chang Yuncheng called out quickly again.

“You shut your mouth! Chang Yuncheng, try saying one more good word for that woman! I’ll divorce her immediately!” Madam Xie sharply warned.

Chang Yuncheng looked at her, opened his mouth, but said nothing.

The Marquis of Dingxi disliked this turn of events as well.

“Stop speaking nonsense. Yue Niang would never do such a thing; she is the most reasonable,” he said, frowning.

Madam Xie laughed coldly.

“My Lord, on matters like this, few women remain truly reasonable. Otherwise, why would my sister have been angered to death back then?” she remarked.

At these words, the Marquis’s expression shifted abruptly, his gaze darkening as he looked at Madam Xie.

He was usually a man of refined elegance, always advocating for gentle, spring-like demeanor; such shadowed expressions were rare for him.

“Xie Zhengmei!” he stated in a deep voice. “Are you implying that I caused my first wife’s death?”

The death of the elder Madam Xie was a sensitive secret in the Marquis of Dingxi’s estate. In truth, the elder Madam Xie was already frail, and her passing might have been natural, but it tragically coincided with the time the Marquis and Concubine Zhou—then merely a younger cousin—were meeting privately in the garden. The Xie family insisted the elder Madam Xie had died of anger. This was something the Marquis absolutely refused to admit!

Never mind that he denied any connection to Madam Xie’s death; even if there were a connection, it was the elder Madam Xie’s own narrow-minded jealousy that brought about her end. Was a man truly a man if he wasn't dissolute? If a woman were to die of anger every time her husband dallied, half the women in the world would be dead!

“Mother,” Chang Yuncheng said, startled by Madam Xie’s words.

Madam Xie had said this precisely to provoke the Marquis’s shame and anger. She wasn't flustered or rushed, merely scoffing with a faint smile.

“My Lord did not, perhaps,” she conceded. “However, My Lord will see shortly. Try it. The moment we finalize the engagement with the Rao family, your good, sensible daughter-in-law will threaten suicide.”

The Marquis gave a cold smile.

“Very well. I should like to see if she dares,” he said.

“And if she does dare?” Madam Xie inquired.

“Then I shall divorce her,” the Marquis stated without hesitation.

A woman could be indulged in anything—spoiled, mischievous, crude—it didn't matter. But the flaw of jealousy could never be tolerated. Never!

A jealous woman deserved to die, and it would have nothing to do with him!

The Marquis clenched his fists, his expression grim.

Hearing this, Madam Xie smiled and looked towards Chang Yuncheng.

Chang Yuncheng’s face turned slightly pale.

“Yuncheng, do you agree now? Do you want two wives, or just one?” Madam Xie asked with a smile.

Chang Yuncheng slowly lowered his head.

“Yes,” he replied with a hoarse voice.

Hearing the rustle of a curtain, accompanied by the joyful greetings of the maids in the courtyard, Qi Yue tied the neatly arranged books with a brisk knot.

Chang Yuncheng stepped into the room and looked over. Qi Yue looked back, and upon seeing his expression, she understood most of it.

“Kneeling for nothing again?” she teased.

“Yue Niang, believe me, I will treat you well, only you…” Chang Yuncheng approached, speaking hoarsely.

Qi Yue sighed and patted the books in front of her.

“Yuncheng, words like that are rather meaningless,” she said. “Besides, why should a perfectly good young woman marry into this house only to live as a widow? And if she doesn't live as a widow, what will you do?”

She looked at him as she said this.

Chang Yuncheng looked back at her.

“I have told you, I have standards; I cannot share a husband with another woman. No—that’s not quite right either,” Qi Yue stated.

Chang Yuncheng looked at her with a flicker of hope.

“Of course, you can have other women,” Qi Yue smiled, patting his shoulder. “As long as I’m not one of them.”

Chang Yuncheng suddenly grabbed her hand.

Qi Yue patted his hand away, freeing herself.

“Where are you going?” Chang Yuncheng called out as she walked toward the exit, quickly stepping forward to catch her arm again.

“Don’t worry, I’m not leaving just yet,” Qi Yue assured him with a smile. “Auntie sent someone to fetch me; she said she needed to speak with me. I’ll go see her.”

The Second Madam always stood with the main wife; she must want to persuade Yue Niang.

The Second Madam was gentler than the main wife, her words softer…

Chang Yuncheng released her arm, then quickly wrapped his around her waist.

“Yue Niang, you must trust me. I will never fail you,” he said gravely.

Qi Yue smiled looking at him.

“Yes, you won’t fail me,” she replied.

You won't have the chance...

The maids in the courtyard had no idea what had transpired. It seemed the Young Master and Young Mistress had argued inside just now, but to them, this was routine. No matter how fierce the fight, the two always reconciled afterward, and each argument seemed to strengthen their bond.

Qiuxiang, Quezhi, and Ah Hao were chatting and laughing in the courtyard. Seeing Qi Yue emerge, followed by A’ru, they quickly curtsied in greeting.

Qi Yue smiled and glanced at them in turn, noting that all three maids looked cheerful.

“Young Mistress, are you going out?” Quezhi asked.

“Yes, just for a moment,” Qi Yue replied with a smile. “You all carry on playing here.”

“We weren’t playing. The storeroom just received new fabrics, and we were discussing making a dress for the Young Mistress,” Quezhi quickly explained.

Qi Yue smiled.

“Good, then you all keep busy,” she said sweetly.

Quezhi and the other two giggled softly.

A’ru kept her head down, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall.

The two left the courtyard and walked straight toward the Second Madam’s residence.

The Second Madam had been growing impatient and was about to leave when she saw Qi Yue arrive, tears immediately springing to her eyes.

“Yue Niang, Yue Niang, don’t be afraid, I am here, I am here for you,” she wept.

A’ru, who had been holding back her own tears, immediately began to cry as well, but Qi Yue simply smiled.

“Mhm, I know, Auntie, don’t be sad. What did you need to tell me?” she said, laughing softly while patting the Second Madam’s arm comfortingly.

“What are your plans?” the Second Madam asked, getting straight to the point.

“No particular plans. If it works out, it works out. If it doesn’t, then that’s that,” Qi Yue replied, sitting down in a chair and speaking casually.

The Second Madam said nothing, turned, and retrieved a box from the cabinet beside the bed, opening it to reveal a piece of bright yellow paper.

“I don’t know if you need it or not, consider it a small token from me. Take this.”

What?

“An Imperial Edict,” the Second Madam explained when she saw Qi Yue’s puzzled look.

A’ru gasped and immediately dropped to her knees.

Qi Yue had seen in dramas that one must kneel upon the appearance of an Imperial Edict. She looked at the Second Madam.

“Do I need to kneel?” she asked.

The Second Madam smiled—a faint, scornful smile.

“You don’t have to kneel to it,” she whispered, passing the yellow paper directly into Qi Yue’s hand.

No kneeling was best. Qi Yue accepted it and unfolded it, momentarily stunned.

Then, a smile spread across her face, growing wider and wider until laughter broke free.

“I told you long ago, I, Qi Yue... my mother was blessed by Heaven, and all things prosper under her care!” She slowly rolled the paper back up, the smile on her face gradually solidifying. “I said that when I didn't want to leave this house, no one could drive me out; and when I want to leave, I will leave.”

She looked at the Second Madam, who watched her with a gentle smile.

“Auntie, I didn’t expect you could truly manage this for me,” Qi Yue said.

“For you, I can achieve anything,” the Second Madam replied, smiling faintly.

That sounds terribly melodramatic...

Qi Yue paused, looking at the Second Madam before her. The Second Madam’s eyes, usually dull from chronic illness, were wide open, fixed on Qi Yue, her gaze hazy, as if she were looking through Qi Yue and seeing someone else entirely.

If readers find this overwhelming, perhaps save up and read it all at the end of the month. RS