"Shameless wench!" "Go." Madam Xie swept her sleeves and went inside. Turning back, she saw Madam Yang still standing there and quickly called out.

Madam Yang’s gaze fell upon Qi Yue, carrying a measure of scrutiny. "That one...

is that Madam Qi?" she inquired. "That is the wretched maidservant," Madam Xie replied.

Madam Yang gave an 'oh,' a slight, gentle smile playing on her lips. This faint smile made Madam Xie deeply uncomfortable; she felt anyone who saw this maidservant ought to show expressions of disgust.

"Look closely. A woman like that must never be approached," she advised.

Madam Yang merely smiled without speaking, turned, and walked in with her. The day’s free clinic concluded.

By the time they returned to Qianjin Hall, it was dark. Although tired, everyone wore smiles.

They set down their things, handing them to the disciples in charge of inventory for sterilization and counting, while others prepared to head to the nearby bathing area. Qi Yue had designed a shower system; craftsmen had fashioned showerheads.

Though a bit crude, they functioned perfectly—the same ones she used in her own residence now. In Qianjin Hall, the well water was routed through bamboo tubes and a small waterwheel to create a simple running water setup.

The disinfectant powder mixed by Liu Pucheng was kept nearby for easy daily handwashing. "For us doctors—not just while treating patients, but in daily life too—we must try to use running water for cleansing," she instructed.

Change begins in the everyday, starting with small matters. Qi Yue watched the disciples naturally approach the bamboo spouts, laughing as they washed their hands, as if they had always done so.

In that moment, she seemed to be transported back to her familiar modern work environment. "This is all money, money, money..." Hu San muttered from the side.

Qi Yue laughed heartily. "Some things in this world cannot be bought with money," she chuckled, turning to him.

"Don't worry about the money. Wealth scattered often returns.

When life is good, enjoy it to the fullest. Don't let the golden goblet face the moon empty; cook the sheep and slaughter the ox for merriment.

We must drink three hundred cups in one go..." As she spoke, her eyes brightened. "Teacher, Teacher!

How about I treat everyone tonight? Let’s go out to eat..." she announced loudly.

Madam Qi adored liveliness and the idea of treating others, constantly suggesting dinners and gatherings. The disciples in the courtyard stopped and looked towards Liu Pucheng.

A'Ru reached out and patted Qi Yue’s arm. "Eating out?

You mean drinking, don't you?" she whispered, glaring. "Don't even think about it.

A'Hao cooked pigeon soup." The fish soup had finally ended, only to be replaced by pigeon soup. Qi Yue’s face crumpled in dismay.

"Yes, it's too late, Madam should return. It's not proper for a woman to always eat out," Liu Pucheng walked over and said.

Qi Yue had always been obedient to Liu Pucheng's words and to kind intentions shown toward her. "Yes," Qi Yue replied, then immediately looked up.

"Then, is it alright if I go home and drink?" Liu Pucheng was rendered speechless, giving her an amused, helpless smile. Meanwhile, Hu San was again whispering to A'Ru.

"Why does Master love inviting people to dine so much? How much money must that cost?

It must be that lavish spending habit picked up in the Marquis's residence..." he mumbled. "You need to advise her.

She doesn't understand the cost of daily necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt. Don't you know?

A woman's future life..." "Shut up," A'Ru snapped, looking irritated. Hu San immediately fell silent.

"What do you know," A'Ru said, looking at him with a touch of weary amusement before sighing. "What?" Hu San asked, confused.

"If spending money can buy away loneliness, then however much it costs is worth it," A'Ru stated. Hu San understood.

Loneliness—it was because she missed the Young Lord. He also sighed.

The Young Lord's recent visit was something the Master still didn't know about. The Young Lord had forbidden anyone from mentioning it.

After Old Doctor An confirmed repeatedly that the Master would recover, the Young Lord hadn't lingered a moment longer. It was said he had ridden day and night for several days on the journey back, wearing out several horses.

He reached out and tugged A'Ru's sleeve. "What now?" A'Ru shook his hand off, glaring a warning.

"Why don't we tell Master that the Young Lord... not only rushed back thousands of miles to see her, but also left four people specifically to protect her...

That would surely make Master very happy..." Hu San whispered in a low voice. A'Ru waved him away, then glanced back toward Qi Yue.

Seeing her pulling out her personal notebook to ask Liu Pucheng a question, she realized Qi Yue hadn't noticed their conversation. "There is no turning back now, not with the Emperor's decree and the divorce papers signed, let alone with Madam involved..." A'Ru murmured.

"The Young Lord knows this too, which is why he acted this way. Letting her put this down now is the best thing for her.

It is better for one person to suffer alone than for two to suffer together." Hu San let out a long sigh. "Truly, even noble families have their own miseries," he said, with a hint of relief.

"Thankfully, none of us are..." This sudden outburst made A'Ru’s eyes widen, followed by a blush creeping up her face. "Hmph!

Who is 'us' with you!" she spat, turning and walking away. Hu San hadn't expected his innermost thoughts to spill out like that, and his face instantly flushed too.

Thankfully, no other disciples noticed. Morning light spilled into the courtyard.

Qi Yue was brushing her teeth when she heard a knock outside. "So early?

Is it an emergency consultation?" she asked around her toothbrush. A servant woman had already gone to open the door.

A moment later, she returned. "Madam, it is Madam Yang asking to see you," she said, presenting a visiting card.

Madam Yang? A'Hao took the card to look.

"Oh dear, Madam, it's that Madam Yang who loves matchmaking," she said in surprise. That madam...

Qi Yue gargled, spitting the water into the spittoon. "Tell her if there's an emergency, they should go to Qianjin Hall, and I will be there shortly," she instructed.

A'Hao hurried off to relay the message. Madam Yang, seated in the carriage, paused.

"I wasn't unclear; I have a matter to discuss with Madam Qi, not seeking medical treatment," she said with a smile. A'Hao glanced over, unable to discern her expression through the curtain.

"What is the matter?" she asked. Madam Yang was momentarily stunned by the question.

This maidservant... Even if she didn't know the proper etiquette between master and servant, shouldn't she know Madam Yang's standing?

How could she be so outrageously rude? But as an experienced matchmaker, accustomed to navigating the needs of both parties and familiar with every kind of desperation, she could tolerate this minor disrespect from a young girl, especially since she held her own status in reserve and would not stoop to arguing with such a lowly maid.

"It's a private matter, entrusted to me by someone, and I wish to meet Madam Qi," she said smoothly. "A private matter?" Qi Yue, upon hearing A'Hao's report, sounded surprised.

"We are strangers. What private matter could she possibly have with me?" "Then I shall send her away," A'Hao immediately offered happily.

She had disliked Madam Yang ever since she tried to arrange a match for the Young Lord! "Never mind, she wasn't entirely rude.

Ask her to come in," Qi Yue conceded. It was true they had met once before: Qi Yue had stood at the doorway and offered a slight nod, a gesture of greeting, to the wealthy-looking madam being helped in by her maid.

"I truly did not expect to meet Madam Qi again so soon," Madam Yang said with a smile. "Nor did I expect the title to have changed so quickly." Qi Yue smiled.

"Actually, we could have foreseen this meeting the first time we met," she laughed. Upon entering, Madam Yang briefly surveyed the room.

It was clean and tidy, not simple, yet far from luxurious. Several pots of lush green plants added a touch of charm, but the table overflowing with books and notebooks was the most captivating feature.

"I don't care for tea, so I haven't prepared anything fine, Madam must forgive the lack of hospitality," Qi Yue said, watching A'Hao serve tea. "I don't care for tea either," Madam Yang smiled, sitting down.

"Nor do I care much for water; a couple of bowls of soup with every meal is quite enough for me." Qi Yue sat down too. "Madam, please get straight to the point.

I need to get to work soon, so I cannot keep you company for long," she said directly. Madam Yang smiled.

"I received this instruction before I came. I didn't quite believe it, but now I see it's true—one must be direct when speaking with Madam Qi," she chuckled.

"No choice, simple is better. I have no time," Qi Yue replied, picking up her tea.

"It is like this." Madam Yang indeed dropped the pleasantries and began. "I am here to act as a matchmaker for Madam Qi." Qi Yue choked on her mouthful of tea.

News that Madam Yang had entered Qi Yue’s residence quickly reached the ears of those who were paying attention. Madam Xie hadn't intended to be one of those attentive parties, but unfortunately, as long as this wench remained in the city, she would tarnish the reputation of their Marquisate day by day.

Therefore, she had to humble herself and order someone to keep an eye on that woman’s household, lest they be caught off guard by any machinations from that maidservant, as had happened with Old Madam Liu. "What?" Hearing this news, Madam Xie put down her bowl while eating breakfast.

"What is she doing at that wench's place?" Madam Yang loved matchmaking. Could it be she was there to arrange a marriage?

Absurd! That was impossible!

Who would want the discarded wife of the Dingxi Marquisate? Madam Xie slammed her chopsticks down.

"Go ask what Madam Yang is doing there," she said, her brows furrowed. "I invited her over several times and she claimed to be busy—too busy to meet.

I think she's just idle!" Mama Su acknowledged the order and hurried out, though she wasn't sure where to begin asking. She certainly couldn't approach Qi Yue’s side; they wouldn't let her in, let alone answer questions.

She’d be lucky if they didn't serve her a basin of foot-washing water. She would have to start with Madam Yang.

Mama Su changed her clothes and arrived at Madam Yang’s residence. "Madam went out," Madam Yang’s maidservant reported, inviting Mama Su to sit.

"What a coincidence." "I didn't come looking for Madam," Mama Su said with a smile, pulling the maidservant down to sit. "I came looking for you.

That 'seal money' you mentioned last time—I’ve decided to invest a share." The maidservant instantly brightened up. After half an hour of conversation, Mama Su finally left Madam Yang's house.

Stepping outside onto the carriage, she glanced back at the Yang residence, a frown creasing her brow. After she had invested a considerable sum, the news the maidservant provided was hardly encouraging.

Madam Yang was indeed busy with matchmaking, but not for their family’s sake. She was arranging the remarriage for Wang Qian, the eldest grandson of the Wang Tongye family.

The Wang family seeking a new wife, and Madam Yang visiting Madam Qi Yue’s residence—how could these seemingly unrelated events be connected in a way that caused such unease? Could the successor the Wang family sought be...

Madam Qi Yue? How could that be?

The discarded wife of the Dingxi Marquisate! Why would the prestigious Wang family seek out an abandoned wife?

And one from the Dingxi Marquisate, at that—wouldn't that be a slap in the face to the Marquisate? At that very moment, Madam Yang was sitting opposite Wang Tongye and his wife.

"What did Madam Qi say?" Wang Tongye asked with a degree of urgency.