A supplementary chapter to solicit votes! Lady Xie watched Qi Yue, a smug smile playing on her lips.
Kicking this woman out of the residence? That was far too kind to her!
So what if he didn't marry? This woman cared so much about Chang Yuncheng having other women; well, she had a lifetime ahead of her, plenty of opportunity to watch firsthand how this woman would descend step by step, from favored jewel to worthless imitation.
"Mother, you speak," Chang Yuncheng called out hurriedly, fearing Xie Shi would regret her words if he delayed even a moment. "Yue Niang can do anything." Qi Yue glanced at Chang Yuncheng.
"Qi Yue Niang, you claimed you have nothing to do with the Old Madam. Then go now to the Old Madam’s memorial tablet and declare your non-relation, curse her as an old hag so Yuncheng's mother can see you truly had nothing to do with her," Lady Xie said with a faint smile.
Just this one sentence—Chang Yuncheng looked at Qi Yue with delight. "Yue Niang, I will accompany you..." he quickly said.
Qi Yue lowered her head, sighed softly, and straightened her posture. Chang Yuncheng also rose happily, and Lady Xie watched him, a triumphant smile blooming.
What in this world was more satisfying than watching enemies destroy and despise one another? What was more humiliating than a chess piece one had painstakingly arranged turning to curse their manipulator?
Old hag, enjoy this moment! What a pity you died too soon!
You can't witness this! "In that case, I bid you farewell," Qi Yue stated.
Chang Yuncheng and Lady Xie froze. What?
"Yue Niang, what are you doing?" Chang Yuncheng reached out to grab her, shouting. Qi Yue looked at him.
"Your mother is right. I cannot claim I have nothing to do with the Old Madam.
Even if I don't know if she did those things you mentioned, or even if she did—to you, she is an enemy, unforgivably wicked—but to me, she was a benefactor, someone who showed me genuine kindness. How could I, for the sake of supposed love, supposed happiness, curse her and act so ungratefully?" She spoke, then smiled faintly.
"In life, some things can be abandoned, but some things absolutely cannot—like righteousness, like dignity." She raised a hand and gently patted Chang Yuncheng’s shoulder. "I don't blame you, Chang Yuncheng.
I suppose if it were you, you wouldn't do it either, would you?" she asked, giving him a deep look, then smiling faintly. "Since that is the case, it seems we were simply not fated to be together.
Farewell, take care of yourself." Chang Yuncheng stared at her, reaching to grasp her hand. "Qi Yue Niang, have you truly thought this through?" Lady Xie scoffed.
"Do you know what you are doing? What life awaits you once you leave here!" Qi Yue gave her a bright smile.
"No matter where I am, I can live the life I choose to live," she asserted. With that, she retracted her hand from Chang Yuncheng’s grip, gave him one last look, turned, and walked away.
"Fine, I will wait and see what kind of life you manage to live!" Lady Xie sneered coldly. Qi Yue’s steps did not falter as she moved toward the exit.
Chang Yuncheng moved to follow. "Yuncheng, you stop right there!
Don't be fooled by that woman!" Lady Xie shrieked. Chang Yuncheng halted.
"Mother, let me see her off," he managed to say, his voice dry. "She is not deceiving me." Then he left.
Lady Xie stared at the curtain and let out a sharp gust of air. Who was she trying to scare?
Divorce? Who would believe it!
To give up the status of the Young Mistress of the Dingxi Marquis Estate to become an abandoned wife! How could such a woman exist in this world?
"Serve tea!" Lady Xie called out, leaning back in her chair and sighing heavily. The feeling of having everything precisely under her control was exquisite!
Chang Yuncheng rushed out, finding Qi Yue already at the gate. "Yue Niang," he called from behind, his voice low and trembling.
Qi Yue turned back. "Yue Niang, we haven't even gone shopping yet..." Chang Yuncheng looked at her as he spoke.
Qi Yue looked at him and smiled faintly. "...We promised to eat vegetarian meals at the Great Buddha Temple...
and to go mountain climbing for an outing..." Chang Yuncheng continued slowly, his gaze deep as he looked at her. The words they had spoken that day—Qi Yue looked at him and let out a soft sigh.
"It doesn't matter. I can go with anyone," she said, turning back and stepping forward.
"Qi Yue Niang," Chang Yuncheng took a few steps closer and called out again. Qi Yue did not look back.
"Qi Yue Niang, from this moment on, I will only be good to you, I will cherish you, and I will never lie to you..." Chang Yuncheng began. Qi Yue’s frame shuddered, and she stopped.
"...Every promise I made to you, I will fulfill. Every word I speak to you will be sincere.
I won't scold you, I will care for you, and when others bully you, I will be the first to step in and help you..." "...When you are happy, I will share your joy; when you are unhappy, I will coax you into happiness. You are the most beautiful in my heart; you are the one I dream of.
My heart belongs only to you..." Qi Yue lowered her head and smiled. "Just idle talk.
It’s kind of you to remember, but don't take it seriously," she laughed, though she still didn't turn around. "Well then, goodbye." After saying that, she strode away, pausing no further, looking back not once, quickly disappearing beyond the courtyard gate.
Chang Yuncheng watched the retreating figure slowly close his eyes. He would not shed tears—not for a woman!
For such a heartless woman, why should he be sentimental! Women—the old ones go, new ones come, isn't that the way?
There are endless women; what was she? He slowly turned around.
In the soft spring sunlight, the man's tall silhouette seemed desolate, yet stubbornly erect. The atmosphere within the estate made many servants uneasy.
The door to the gatehouse was bolted shut. When someone outside began pounding, there was no answer, so the person started kicking the door.
"It's one of us! Open up quickly before the Young Mistress sees!
Otherwise, I'll have to force it open!" the person urged anxiously. With a creak, the door finally opened.
Seven or eight people were crammed into the small room. "Are you boiling dumplings?
Why are you all squeezed in here?" the newcomer cursed under his breath as he squeezed in and shut the door tight. "What news?" the people in the room pressed him.
The newcomer smoothed his hat and sighed. "The Young Master went to plead with the Marquis again, but the Mistress called him back.
The Young Mistress went too. We don't know how the discussion went," he relayed the latest update.
Everyone in the room sighed along with him. "The Young Mistress is so capable; she can surely persuade the Mistress," someone said with a flicker of hope.
"If she doesn't want to leave, no one can force her out." Everyone nodded; this they firmly believed. "But...
what if the Young Mistress wants to leave?" someone suddenly interjected. Then, absolutely no one could stop her!
Silence descended upon the room. "What nonsense are you spouting!" "Stop talking nonsense!" "How could the Young Mistress want to leave!" "Do you even know where this is?
This is the Dingxi Marquis Estate!" Immediately, the room erupted. Seven or eight hands reached out to strike the speaker, filled with indignation.
Yes, how could the Young Mistress truly wish to leave? Impossible!
Impossible! The unconscious Marquis Dingxi also knocked over the bowl of medicinal tea on the table with a crash.
"Let her go! Let her walk out!
Don't let her back in! Let’s see how many days she can cause trouble!" he roared.
The steward stood beside him, his expression sorrowful. "Why the long face?
I'm not dead yet!" Marquis Dingxi snapped, noticing him. The steward sighed.
"My Lord, you truly intend to let the Young Mistress leave?" he inquired. "Really!
Doesn't she want to play this game seriously? What?
Does she dare, but I don't?" the Marquis glared and barked, his chest heaving violently with anger. Threaten me?
What is there for Marquis Dingxi to fear? "Let's see what she can do outside!
With her troublemaking nature, without the Dingxi Marquis Estate, won't she be beaten to death by someone! Who else would give her face like we do!" He paced back and forth, shouting angrily, "Does she really think she’s some divine doctor?
So arrogant! Outside my household, what is she worth!
Let her go! Let her try walking out!
She's spoiled and doesn't know the immensity of Heaven and Earth!" The steward looked at him with pitying compassion. "My Lord, are you really opening the gates to let the Young Mistress leave?" he asked again.
The steward’s tone and funerary expression enraged Marquis Dingxi even more. "Are you deaf?
Open the gate! I want to see if she dares to go!" he yelled.
The steward sighed. "My Lord, if the gate is opened, then she truly will be gone..." he said, his voice catching with emotion.
This fellow was not only mourning but crying a eulogy! "Go!
If she doesn't go! I'll kick her out!" the Marquis cursed, raising his foot as if to strike the steward.
The steward flinched as if struck and seemed to wipe a tear from his aged eyes, replying with an "Yes, sir," and turned to leave. Marquis Dingxi watched the steward's retreating back, still simmering with resentment.
"Tell her, if she walks out, it won't be so easy to come back!" he shouted indignantly, flicking his sleeve. "Who is she trying to scare?
This Marquis was raised on threats! Playing this game with me!
Hmph!" When Qi Yue reached the main gate, she was followed by a large group of maids and older servants; their expressions were sorrowful, and A'ru and A'hao were weeping so hard they could barely stand. At the gate, another group of young servants and elderly retainers stood waiting.
The steward’s expression was solemn, and his clothes were noticeably new. The gate was not shut tight as it had been when Qi Yue first arrived; it was wide open.
Qi Yue took a deep breath. "Come, give me the bundle," she said, turning back.
A'ru and A'hao, who were clutching the bundle, immediately hugged it tighter and began to weep harder. "Let this servant escort the Young Mistress..." A'hao cried.
"Wait a moment," seven or eight serving women hurried over. The leader was Mama Su, her face a mixture of smugness and disdain.
Seeing them approach, the maids and servants present all lowered their heads. "What are you doing?
Don't you have duties? What are you all doing here?
Don't you want your positions anymore?" one of the women snapped coldly, pointing at the others. "All of you watch closely; we’ll settle accounts with whoever is lingering when we get back." The maids and servants instinctively shrank back.
"You all go back," Qi Yue instructed. "Thank you for seeing me off." The maids and servants then slowly withdrew, heads bowed.
A'ru and A'hao did not move. "What are you two doing?
Didn't you hear my words?" the woman shouted. "Never mind, they are showing loyalty and affection," Mama Su said with a slight smile, then looked at Qi Yue.
"Young Mistress, please forgive us, but they are staff of the Marquis Estate after all, and cannot leave the premises casually." A'ru and A'hao immediately moved to kneel. "That's enough.
You know I dislike seeing this; don't make my departure uneasy," Qi Yue said. A'ru immediately straightened up and pulled A'hao back.
Qi Yue reached out her hand. "Wait," Mama Su spoke again.
"Is there something else?" Qi Yue asked. "Forgive me, Young Mistress, but everything in the estate has been inventoried, so we must inspect what you are taking," Mama Su said with a polite smile.
Qi Yue retracted her hand, looked at her, and smiled. "You mean, I am not allowed to take anything that isn't mine?" she inquired.
Mama Su couldn't hide a look of disdainful amusement. "Naturally.
The Young Mistress has managed a household before; surely this old servant doesn't need to instruct you on propriety, does she?" she chuckled. Very well, Qi Yue nodded.
"Since that is the case, it means whatever is mine, I am allowed to take," she stated. Mama Su paused, a sense of foreboding instantly gripping her heart.
"I recall that I brought a dowry, did I not?" Qi Yue asked her calmly. Dowry...
What... dowry...