For the additional chapter request, I will grant it, but this is a one-time occurrence, as two chapters is already pushing the limit, hehe. Mama Su watched Qi Yue.

"Thank you, Mother, for the reminder." Qi Yue smiled at her. "Otherwise, I might have forgotten; I still have quite a few of my things to take with me." She stressed the words 'reminder' and 'my things.' Who would want to remind her!

Mama Su looked at her, her expression slightly stunned. Dowry?

She actually dared to mention it! When Madam Xie heard what Mama Su said, she burst into angry laughter.

"She’s trying to pull a fast one!" she scoffed. "Has she forgotten how she got in here?

What does she have in this house! She came in naked, and I should have let her roll out naked; a dowry!

Bah! Shameless!" Of course, Qi Yue had no intention of demanding her dowry at that very moment.

After warding off Mama Su, she gathered her belongings and stepped out the door. A’ru and A’hao, held back by her warnings, stood crying by the door.

The steward personally escorted her out. "Young Mistress," he called.

It was already evening; the sun was setting, casting a fiery red glow. Qi Yue squinted at the sunset, then turned to him with a smile upon hearing his voice.

"Steward, we shall meet again," she said with a soft laugh. Looking at the young woman’s bright face illuminated by the sunset, the steward felt a familiar stinging in his eyes.

"Young Mistress, this old servant will see you off," he stated, bowing deeply. "Thank you," Qi Yue returned the bow with a smile toward the elder.

"Thank you for your kindness." She had deliberately put on new clothes—the greatest courtesy and gesture for seeing someone off. "It was not in vain that I came to this household and met people like you," Qi Yue mused, glancing back at the two maids weeping by the doorway and the stable boys standing in neat rows watching her.

She raised a hand, cupped her fists in a gesture, and said, "We shall meet again." With that, she stepped forward. Yuan Bao, who had been squatting by a corner wall, scampered over, looking somewhat shy and awkward.

"You're going to help me with my luggage?" Qi Yue asked with a smile. Yuan Bao, face flushing, reached out.

Qi Yue said no more, handing her luggage to him. Who is this child?

The steward paused, momentarily confused. "Yuan Bao, take good care of the Young Mistress," A’ru called out, running after them.

Yuan Bao turned and nodded in acknowledgment. He is A’ru’s brother, the steward recalled, sighing and nodding his head.

Just as Qi Yue took a few steps, four or five maids and matrons appeared from another side, leading a carriage. "Young Mistress, accommodations have been prepared.

Second Madam sent us to take you," the leading matron announced after bowing. The Second Madam?

Both Qi Yue and the steward were momentarily taken aback. "No need; I have already found a place to stay," Qi Yue replied.

"Please thank Second Madam on my behalf." As she finished speaking, another carriage arrived from the opposite direction, accompanied by three or four serving women. They must have been passing by the gate...

the steward thought, watching the carriage stop. A large character, 'Wang,' was prominently displayed on the carriage.

Wang! The steward narrowed his eyes.

The Wang family! "Madam Qi," a respectable-looking woman with a kind demeanor stepped quickly from the carriage, bowed to Qi Yue with a gentle smile, and said, "I am from Lord Wang's residence.

My surname is Zhou. Here is my calling card." The steward's eyes narrowed again.

Madam Qi... the form of address had changed...

A sudden wave of sorrow washed over him. Nearly everyone inside and out knew that once the Young Mistress left today, she would never return.

The tragedy was that the two masters still thought the Young Mistress was merely throwing a tantrum to strong-arm them! Was it impossible for them to see that this Young Mistress was a person of such immense pride?

A person this proud, once words were spoken and a decision made, would never look back. Qi Yue was also slightly taken aback.

Was this... someone coming to seek medical advice?

"Is Lord Wang perhaps in need of something?" she inquired, taking the card to examine it. Yes, it was indeed Wang Tongye’s card, confirming the visitor's authenticity.

"Not at all. Lord Wang heard that Madam Qi was leaving today and worried that Madam Qi might be unprepared.

A woman traveling alone faces inconvenience with everything from clothing to food and lodging. Therefore, he specially prepared a residence for Madam Qi to settle into first before making further arrangements," Madam Zhou stated with a smile.

Wang Tongye heard about it? That quickly?

Qi Yue was surprised, but she supposed that those involved in official circles kept their ears open and eyes sharp; such matters would not escape their notice. "I have already found..." Qi Yue said, smiling.

"His Lordship insisted that Madam Qi not refuse. This is a bond forged through conflict.

Madam Qi is dignified, clear about grievances and merits, and forthright—acting decisively when necessary..." Madam Zhou continued, smiling. Though the words seemed rambling, Qi Yue understood: Wang Tongye was offering her face, giving her standing.

She laughed heartily. Indeed, how could she leave in disgrace?

How could she be someone who endured insults without striking back? "Very well!

'Laughing up to the heavens as I leave; how can men like me be mere common weeds!'” Qi Yue exclaimed, nodding toward Yuan Bao. "Yuan Bao, put the things in the carriage." Yuan Bao obeyed instantly, without hesitation.

Madam Zhou smiled and gestured for her to enter. The steward and the maids and matrons from the Second Madam’s side stood frozen as the carriage rolled away down the street.

She was gone... The Young Mistress had left...

"What? The Wang family came to collect her?" The news reached inside, startling the Marquis of Dingxi and Madam Xie.

"Is someone in the Wang family ill?" Madam Xie immediately declared, looking towards the Marquis. "She came only to treat an illness out of respect for our family's standing, Your Lordship.

Go tell the Wang family to pay this woman no mind in the future..." The Marquis of Dingxi nodded. The steward, overhearing, could bear it no longer.

"Madam," he spoke up. "Someone from Lord Wang's side explicitly stated they knew the Young Mistress was leaving today and came specifically to greet her." He stressed the word 'leaving,' his voice laced with a certain sorrow as he looked at Madam Xie.

Madam Xie froze. What did he mean?

"Are you saying the Wang family knows..." The Marquis of Dingxi stood up abruptly, feeling a booming sensation in his head. Of course they knew!

This was an imperial decree—which official wouldn't be cunning? No tremor in the court would escape their notice, especially since the Emperor clearly intended to make him lose face over this matter...

"If they know, they know! What am I afraid of!

This kind of wifely behavior would not be tolerated in any household!" he shouted in anger. What did that woman say?

What was that about 'Laughing up to the heavens as I leave; how can men like me be mere common weeds!'? What did she mean?

"Is she implying I am the foolish wife of Kuai Chen?" the Marquis of Dingxi slammed the table and roared. "Does she think this is her journey west into Qin?

She is divorced! Kicked out!

She is the discarded wife of my Dingxi Marquis residence! A shameless thing!" "Let the whole world know, and see how she manages the fallout!" Madam Xie sneered.

The steward looked at the two of them, sighed again, and lowered his head, saying no more. "However, why did the Second Madam also concern herself with her?" Madam Xie pondered this question, frowning.

"Didn't we agree to ignore her, let her fuss, and leave her hanging until she understood the severity of the situation?" "Madam, I just heard that the Second Madam gave the Young Mistress four maids and two matrons, following her with bags and bundles," Mama Su rushed in from outside to report. Both the Marquis of Dingxi and Madam Xie were stunned.

"What does she mean by that?" the Marquis asked. "Someone has to play the bad cop, and someone the good cop," Madam Xie speculated.

Her sister-in-law had always been soft-hearted; it wasn't unusual for her to act this way. The Marquis snorted.

"Ignore her. If she dares to act like this, she must bear the consequences herself.

Go tell the Second Madam not to meddle with that woman; let her climb onto the stage herself and figure out how to get down!" he commanded. Mama Su acknowledged and glanced at Madam Xie.

Madam Xie waved her hand, and only then did Mama Su leave. Meanwhile, the Second Madam, having heard that Qi Yue had been escorted away by the Wang family, remained in quiet contemplation.

"Madam, perhaps we should let the Young Mistress..." Cai Qing whispered beside her. The Second Madam smiled.

"Still calling her Young Mistress?" she remarked. Cai Qing slapped her own cheek.

"Look at me, I deserve a slap," she laughed. "Let Madam Qi stay in our residence?" "It’s fine.

Since Lord Wang is being considerate, we should accept his favor. Moreover, it’s better that he knows; in the future..." The Second Madam stirred her medicine bowl as she spoke, then paused.

"...he might be of some use." As they were talking, Mama Su arrived and delicately relayed the wishes of the Marquis and Madam Xie with a smile. The Second Madam downed the medicine in one gulp, not even needing a sweetmeat afterward.

She took a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her mouth and looked up at Mama Su. "Is that any of your business?" she said.

Mama Su started. What?

"The Marquis and Madam committed such an ungrateful and heartless act. You defy the Old Madam's dying wish, treating her as if she were not your own mother.

I, however, will continue to treat the Old Madam as my mother, and I will certainly treat Yue Niang kindly," the Second Madam stated coldly. Mama Su was utterly dumbfounded.

Was she dreaming? How could she hear such absurd words?

It was the Marquis’s wife’s idea that led to today’s events! It was thanks to her connections that this imperial edict was even sought!

How could it be that the Marquis’s wife was ungrateful and heartless? Looking at the frail Second Madam before her, Mama Su suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

This matter seemed vastly different from what they had imagined... These affairs of the Dingxi Marquis Residence were already inconsequential to Qi Yue.

The residence Wang Tongye arranged was located on the busiest East Main Street, adjacent to Qianjin Hall on the left and the Prefectural Yamen on the right—a quiet spot amidst the bustle, extremely safe and convenient. The small courtyard featured three main rooms and two side rooms.

The furniture wasn't new, but everything was spotless and carried a lived-in warmth. Qi Yue, who had never been picky about accommodations, instantly liked it.

"Please thank Lord Wang for me," she said happily. Yuan Bao refused to let the Wang family's servants touch Qi Yue’s bundles, carrying and strapping them onto his back by himself as he took them inside.

"Everyone, go about your duties," Madam Zhou said with a smile. The three matrons, two maids, and two stable boys who had followed bowed in acknowledgment, some heading towards the kitchen, others towards the gatehouse, settling in naturally as if they were home.

Qi Yue watched, astonished. "This, truly, is unnecessary," she said with a smile.

"Madam Qi must have someone to attend to her," Madam Zhou insisted, pointing to two maids who stepped forward. "This one is Cui Zhi, and that one is Ning Bi." "I appreciate your kindness," Qi Yue said with a smile.

"But right now, I wish to be alone for a while. Too many people mean constant socializing and conversation; it’s ultimately uncomfortable." Madam Zhou fell silent after hearing this.

Indeed, how could she have forgotten what Madam Qi was currently going through! Divorce!

Any other woman would be either distraught or completely hysterical at this moment, yet Madam Qi was behaving so utterly normally—so normal that those around her had forgotten what the occasion truly was. "Yes," Madam Zhou quickly bowed.

"Then let Cui Zhi stay, along with one matron and one man to guard the gate." Saying that, she did not allow Qi Yue to refuse further, taking her people and departing. Qi Yue said no more, just nodding and expressing her thanks.

"Don't crowd around Madam Qi unnecessarily; let her have her space a bit..." Madam Zhou whispered to Cui Zhi outside the gate, instructing her, "...but you must also stay sharp and watch Madam Qi closely..." This seemingly contradictory instruction was perfectly clear to a maid accustomed to life in grand households. Cui Zhi nodded.

"Don't worry, Mama. I heard that Madam Qi was previously..." She made a gesture near her neck, lowering her voice.

"I won't be as foolish as those maids from the Dingxi Marquis residence..." Madam Zhou nodded in satisfaction and left by carriage. Cui Zhi entered and saw Qi Yue standing under the eaves, calmly observing the courtyard.

She immediately lowered her head. "This servant will go organize the lady's luggage," she requested.

Qi Yue nodded. "Thank you," she said, accepting the offer without demur.

Cui Zhi said she dared not refuse and went inside. In the courtyard, Yuan Bao was using a broom to idly sweep the clean ground.

The boy absolutely refused to leave. That was fine; letting him stay would ease A’ru’s worries too.

"Yuan Bao," Qi Yue called out, "Bolt the door, please." Yuan Bao responded with an "Yes," happily dropping the broom and closing the door. Night gradually descended, shrouding the heavens and earth.

(To be continued)