Qi Yue was momentarily stunned by her question and let out a laugh.

A child’s mind truly wanders far and wide…

“Indeed, yes, your father and your great-grandfather were both handsome.” she chuckled.

Wang Qiao’er glanced at Wang Tongye.

“My great-grandfather is so old, and you still fancy him? Are you that eager to marry?” she said in a soft, gentle voice, maintaining her dignified demeanor, though the words she spoke were quite something…

For a moment, Qi Yue thought the person standing before her was not Wang Tongye’s great-granddaughter, but Old Master Liu’s great-granddaughter.

What venomous words.

Wang Tongye was extremely embarrassed. He reached out, grabbed Wang Qiao’er, covered her mouth, and repeatedly hissed, “Hey!”

“See? See? This Lady Qi has caused you trouble,” he said, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Qi Yue smiled and sat down.

“It’s fine, she’s just a child. Children say whatever is on their minds; it’s innocent,” she said, smiling.

This hostility from Wang Qiao’er must be because Madam Yang proposed the match.

That’s understandable; a child hearing that her father might be involved would naturally feel resistant and repulsed.

“Lady Qi, the situation was this: you were ill at the time, and I had a disagreement with the Marquis of Dingxi, so in a moment of impulse, I spoke publicly about seeking a match with you,” Wang Tongye said, his expression becoming serious.

Qi Yue hadn't heard about this matter; everyone was preoccupied then, only concerned with whether she would survive, so no one paid attention to what Wang Tongye said, and naturally, no one told Qi Yue.

So that’s how it was.

“I was presumptuous in this matter, which is why I came today to ask the matchmaker to speak on my behalf, otherwise, it would harm Lady Qi’s reputation,” Wang Tongye stated, then smiled again. “How about this: if Lady Qi refuses us, it will be deemed our Wang family’s one-sided wish, and the lady’s reputation will be preserved.”

Hearing this, Qi Yue finally felt relieved. The lingering awkwardness she felt dissipated.

It made sense; how could the Wang family genuinely fancy her? It was completely impossible.

“Master Wang, you dared to be so reckless,” Qi Yue laughed. “But what if I had agreed? Would you truly have married me?”

A flash of brightness crossed Wang Tongye’s eyes.

“Really, of course, really. How could such a thing be a joke?” he immediately replied, his demeanor solemn.

Sometimes it was a joke, sometimes it wasn't; Qi Yue laughed heartily.

“Speaking of which, Master Wang, I’ve worried you this time,” she said, letting go of that topic, her expression composed as she stood and offered Wang Tongye a respectful bow.

A flicker of regret crossed Wang Tongye’s eyes.

“Lady Qi, saying such things makes us strangers,” he replied.

As they spoke, A’ru entered from outside, holding a small box.

“Mistress, the thermometer has been used and sterilized; please put it away,” she said, then bowed to Wang Tongye.

Qi Yue nodded, reached out, and placed it on the table.

“We still need the blood pressure cuff,” A’ru mentioned.

“It’s in the cabinet over there,” Qi Yue directed. “You take it; we use it often for nursing.”

“No, that area is busy and chaotic; if it gets dropped or bumped and damaged, it would be terrible,” A’ru objected, walking over to the cabinet herself to retrieve the blood pressure cuff.

Wang Tongye watched with curiosity.

“Since this thing is so useful, then let’s make some more,” he couldn't help but say.

Qi Yue smiled and shook her head.

“They cannot be replicated,” she stated.

A’ru also turned around and nodded.

“Everything the Mistress possesses is unique in this world,” she affirmed.

“Then this is incredibly precious,” Wang Tongye exclaimed in surprise.

A’ru nodded and went out with the blood pressure cuff.

Meanwhile, Wang Tongye and Qi Yue continued their conversation, asking how her recovery was progressing and whether she was still taking Old Doctor An’s medicine.

While they talked, Wang Qiao’er slowly got up from her chair. Since she hadn't spoken during this time, Wang Tongye paid her no further attention.

Wang Qiao’er stood before the table and reached out to grasp the small box containing the thermometer that lay nearby.

Qi Yue noticed and stopped speaking.

“Qiao’er, put that down and don’t move,” Wang Tongye immediately commanded sternly.

Wang Qiao’er had already reached out and opened the box.

“Wow,” she gasped out loud. “What a beautiful crystal.”

She looked up at Qi Yue, her eyes filled with yearning.

“Mistress, may I look at it?” she asked.

“Yes, you may look, but don’t touch it. This child shouldn’t play with it,” Qi Yue cautioned.

Wang Qiao’er then lowered her head to gaze into the box, looking utterly astonished.

“Is it a hairpin made of crystal?” she inquired.

“It’s not a hairpin; it’s used to measure body temperature,” Qi Yue replied with a smile.

Just then, a disciple approached from outside.

“Master, is it convenient to see a patient?” the disciple asked, an elderly woman peering hesitantly from behind him.

Wang Tongye immediately stood up to take his leave.

“I only came to put the lady’s mind at ease, so I won’t bother you any longer,” he said.

Qi Yue offered no further courtesies and stood to escort him out.

“Qiao’er, let’s go,” Wang Tongye called, reaching out to take Wang Qiao’er’s hand.

Wang Qiao’er was still looking at the thermometer. She answered, then as she turned, her hand lightly brushed against the small box, causing it to tumble towards the floor.

Accompanied by a sharp cry, the small box flipped over onto the ground.

Everyone in the room froze, staring blankly at the shattered thermometer on the floor.

A few drops of mercury, which had rolled from somewhere, glittered faintly.

Broken… gone…

Wang Tongye became furious, raising his hand and slapping Wang Qiao’er.

“Look what you’ve done!” he roared in anger.

Wang Qiao’er burst into loud sobs.

The crying brought Qi Yue back to her senses. She quickly grabbed a piece of paper nearby, and the disciples outside rushed in, stopping where they were, unsure what to do.

“It’s alright, it’s alright,” Qi Yue carefully collected the mercury and handed it to a disciple. “Bury it deep in the earth.”

The disciple responded with a pale face and carried it out.

Meanwhile, Wang Tongye continued to berate Wang Qiao’er, and Wang Qiao’er wept loudly.

“It’s fine, it’s fine, she’s just a child and didn’t mean to,” Qi Yue quickly intervened to calm things down.

“Damaging the Mistress’s possessions, and then you have to comfort her—I have gone too far,” Wang Tongye quickly controlled his voice, looking embarrassed and distressed. “I must leave now; I will return later to offer the Mistress my apologies.”

With that, he seized the still-crying Wang Qiao’er and pulled her along, striding away with a grim expression.

“She is a child after all; don’t frighten her,” Qi Yue called after them.

But Wang Tongye had already walked away quickly.

Wang Qiao’er’s wails attracted attention in the main hall.

Liu Pucheng, A’ru, Hu San, and others all came over.

“What happened?” they asked one after another.

Qi Yue stood at the doorway, looking back into the room.

The fragments of the thermometer on the floor glittered faintly.

Broken, gone…

So, just like how she could never go back, everything would gradually disappear, leaving no trace.

“It’s nothing, nothing,” Qi Yue turned back, took a deep breath, and forced a smile. “Sweep this area up, don’t let anyone get cut by the broken glass.”

A’ru’s eyes were welling up with tears, but hearing her words, she nodded.

“Madam, what seems to be ailing you?” Qi Yue then addressed the elderly woman who had been brought in for consultation.

The old woman was so startled by the sudden commotion that she was momentarily dazed and didn't immediately respond when addressed.

“Come, sit over here,” Qi Yue extended a hand in invitation.

As night descended, Qianjin Hall returned to quiet. It was Qi Yue’s night shift, and there were no inpatients in the ward, so the evening was relatively leisurely.

The disciples were gathered together reviewing their studies, some practicing suturing techniques, others studying diagrams of human anatomy.

Qi Yue stood at the door, glancing into the classroom.

“I’m going out for a walk,” she said, turning.

A’ru, who had been following her, paused upon hearing this.

“I want to walk alone,” Qi Yue reiterated.

A’ru sighed, looking at Qi Yue with concern.

It must be about the shattered thermometer.

“Alright,” she nodded.

Qi Yue hadn’t expected A’ru to agree so readily. This maid, who usually clung to her like an overprotective hen, was actually willing to let her go out alone?

“A’ru, what are you busy with?” Qi Yue couldn't help but ask.

A’ru gave her a look.

“It’s fine, if you need me to accompany you, I can carve out the time,” she replied.

Qi Yue laughed heartily.

The maid, who initially maintained a cautious deference to their master-servant hierarchy, now shared an increasingly relaxed and casual rapport with her.

Qi Yue waved her off and walked out.

“Guard the Mistress well; she is in a very low spirits,” A’ru murmured to the two disciples dressed as general laborers who happened to be passing by and nodded in response as they followed after her.

The night market was even more lively in the summer heat. Qi Yue walked through the streets to the riverside. A young lady walking alone slowly like her drew much attention, but once people recognized her, their gazes carried a degree of respect.

It was Lady Qi of Qianjin Hall…

Those who recognized her quietly explained to those who didn’t.

The one who can perform abdominal surgery and inherited the divine medical skills of Bian Que…

Qi Yue paid them no mind; the surrounding bustle was merely a backdrop to her as she walked slowly.

“Lady Qi.” A voice called from behind her.

The voice was unfamiliar. Qi Yue turned back. A man stood illuminated by the street lamps and river lanterns—dressed in dark robes, his features handsome, carrying an air of distinction.

Qi Yue felt he looked somewhat familiar but couldn't place him immediately.

“Are you calling me?” she asked, pointing to herself.

“Wang Qian,” Wang Qian replied, nodding with a respectful bow.

Qi Yue looked at him a few more times before recognizing him and smiled.

“I know what happened. I came specifically to apologize to you, Mistress. My grandfather is hiding at home, saying he cannot face you again in this lifetime,” Wang Qian explained.

Qi Yue sighed.

“It’s nothing, don't overthink it. It was just an object,” she said, smiling.

Wang Qian looked at her and bowed slightly again.

“This object held extraordinary significance for you, Mistress,” he stated. “Yet it was destroyed by my daughter. Hiding behind the excuse that a child is blameless, you suffer inner distress that you cannot voice.”

Qi Yue looked at him and sighed.

“Want a drink?” she asked.

Wang Qian was momentarily stunned, thinking he had misheard.

Qi Yue found a spot by the riverbank where there weren't many people, and sat down on the ground.

Wang Qian took a wine flask from the attendant behind him.

“Lady Qi, please,” he offered.

Qi Yue reached out and took it.

As Wang Qian reached for a wine cup and turned his head, he saw Qi Yue tilting the flask up and drinking directly from it.

“Hey,” he couldn't help but exclaim.

Qi Yue ignored him, took a sip, and looked out at the river scene.

“Wow,” she said, turning back with a smile. “Wine from a rich family is certainly different. It tastes much better than the cheap stuff Hu San manages to get.”

The starlight, the lamplight, and the ripples on the river projected onto the woman’s face, making her entire figure seem to shimmer.

Wang Qian averted his gaze.

“The Mistress is in low spirits; everything tastes good when one is unhappy,” he commented.

Qi Yue turned back to face the river and took another drink.

“Actually, I’m not truly angry because of your daughter; I’m just feeling a bit sentimental about losing this thing,” she confessed, exhaling deeply. “What in this world is eternal? Sooner or later, everything is lost. It’s hard to accept, though I should have accepted it long ago.”

Someone had taken a seat beside her. Qi Yue turned her head and saw that Wang Qian was now sitting down as well, holding a wine flask of his own.

“If drinking can help the Mistress come to terms with it, then I, Wang, shall keep you company,” he said, imitating her by tilting the flask up to his mouth.

In the shadows of the night, the two guards following Qi Yue exchanged glances, seeing worry, anxiety, and unease in each other’s eyes.

One shook his head, the other nodded.

Chase this man away…

How? The Young Lord only commanded us to ensure the Mistress’s safety. This man isn't threatening her safety…

The two communicated through looks only they understood, then looked back at the man.

But this man might pose a threat to the Young Lord after all…