Madam Xie found her way to the Second Madam’s chambers. Although the Second Madam had become subtly irritable since the divorce proceedings, Madam Xie still took pity on her delicate health and kept her words from becoming too harsh.

"What is your family saying? Are you treating my family like a plaything?" Madam Xie said, her voice laced with anger.

The Second Madam lay beneath a thin quilt, her face utterly expressionless.

"Madam forgets, my surname is Chen, not Rao. They are not my daughters; how would I know?" she replied faintly.

"Not your daughters? Didn't you make the match in the first place?" Madam Xie slammed the table and shouted.

The maids and servants in the room bristled.

"Madam, our mistress is still ill," the elder servant woman said with indifference.

The Second Madam played along, coughing twice.

"Then, should I compensate you?" she asked, looking at Madam Xie.

Seeing the Second Madam’s bloodless face, Madam Xie felt a surge of frustration that choked her words.

What did the Rao family amount to? A hardened woman whose parents had died young—if you hadn't rushed to offer her up, we wouldn't have bothered with her!

Madam Xie swept out in a huff.

Meanwhile, Chang Yuncheng, reading the letter in his hand, was trembling.

Enjoying wine and revelry with Wang Qian...

Wine and revelry....

What kind of ghastly thing was this Wang Qian? Where had he appeared from?

Chang Yuncheng took a deep breath to steady himself.

She must be very unhappy, having lost what she cherished most...

Otherwise, why would she be drinking?

If someone could accompany her drinking, and make her happy, that would be... that would be the absolute best.

Chang Yuncheng slowly walked out of the room.

If she could be a little happier, as long as she was joyful, she could talk with anyone...

If she was happy, he, too, would share in her happiness.

Yes, I would be happy too, very... happy...

Outside, the cavalry was assembling. The guards on horseback watched Chang Yuncheng emerge step by step, their faces etched with astonishment.

W-what is it? Why does the Young Lord look like he wants to devour someone?

Chang Yuncheng swung onto his horse.

The image of that woman laughing while drinking flashed before his eyes...

Would she soon belong to someone else...?

As long as she was happy.

Chang Yuncheng tightened the reins.

As long as she was happy! If someone else could bring her joy, then I...

He repeated it endlessly in his heart, I will...

I cannot do it!

Chang Yuncheng suddenly roared, spurring his horse. The animal shrieked in alarm and bolted.

I cannot do it! I cannot do it!

Accompanied by Chang Yuncheng’s furious ride, the remaining guards naturally followed suit, drawing their swords and urging their mounts forward, screaming with all their might as they charged out.

Watching the blood-pumping squadron thunder out of the city gates, the guards on the wall were startled.

"Are the Eastern Barbarians attacking?" they asked one another.

Yongqing Prefecture had descended into the height of summer. After a clap of thunder, the rain began to pour down relentlessly, quickly emptying the streets.

This weather was perfect for the disciples' lessons. After finishing the lecture, leaving them to free discussion and practice, Qi Yue stepped out of the room and hurried toward the infirmary without bothering with an umbrella.

The infirmary housed a man injured by an ox horn. It was the fifth day after his surgery, and he was recovering well.

As she approached the door, Qi Yue heard someone weeping inside, causing her to pause.

"...Why are you crying? The child has been treated..."

"...We’ll have to sell the ox just to cover the medical fees, and I don’t even know if that will be enough... What will we do with the farm work now... The ox is gone, and I can’t work the fields... How will we survive..."

Qi Yue sighed, stopped, and turned to leave.

Learning that Qi Yue had waived the patient's surgical and inpatient fees, accepting only a token consultation charge, Hu San, the financial steward, rushed over in a state of high agitation.

"Master, I know you have a kind heart," he said with a pained expression. "But you don't know the cost of living when you're not managing the accounts! Since the renovations, we've been losing money, and heavily at that."

"Eh?" Qi Yue frowned. "Didn't I send A'ru to the bank for my money? Isn't it enough?"

Hu San stamped his foot.

"That’s your money, Master, your money," he insisted.

Hu San's shouting made Qi Yue’s ears ring.

"Alright, alright, I know, I know," she said with a wry smile. "But who told us our techniques are astonishing yet not widely accepted? Anyone willing to see us now is essentially advertising for us, or perhaps, they just dumped someone here they deemed incurable. Hu San, think about it—if they truly had money, they would have other options; they wouldn't come to us."

Hu San sighed as well.

Indeed. Only the poor, those with 'cheap lives,' would dare entrust themselves to Qianjin Hall for carving and opening up. For them, a cheap life meant the body and limbs received from their parents were worthless and disposable. But the rich and noble were different.

"So, what we need to do is not figure out how to profit off these poor people, but rather, how to expand the market and get more people to accept our methods of healing. Only then can we achieve both fame and fortune," Qi Yue said, turning her feather quill. "Besides, these current patients are our advertisements—live advertisements. It’s good enough that we aren't charging them an advertising fee. We should reduce their medical expenses as much as possible."

Hu San nodded slowly.

"Then I'll print more advertisements and place them in the homes of the wealthy this time," he said, his eyes brightening.

"Don't, absolutely not! Who goes door-to-door selling medical treatment? That’s inviting taboo offense; be careful they don't beat you," Qi Yue quickly stopped him. "Every journey begins with the first step; don't rush. Our skill is here; there will certainly be a time when it shines brightly and earns more recognition."

"Definitely," Hu San muttered, then suggested, "Perhaps we should go worship at the Great Buddha Temple?"

Qi Yue laughed heartily.

"Are you losing faith in your Master?" She tossed the quill at Hu San. "Hurry up and get busy."

Hu San ran off, chuckling.

After a full day’s work, Qi Yue collapsed into bed upon returning home.

My arms are so sore...

Qi Yue couldn't help but exclaim.

"Good, good, let me rub your arms," Chang Yuncheng said, reaching around from behind her to knead her limbs.

Qi Yue turned her head slightly, realizing she was leaning against him.

"Too light," she commented.

Chang Yuncheng immediately applied more pressure.

"Exhausted," Qi Yue shifted slightly to settle into a more comfortable position and said, "Why do I even bother being this tired?"

"Because it's interesting," Chang Yuncheng replied without hesitation. "It makes living spirited."

Qi Yue playfully wrinkled her nose, tilted her head up, and kissed his chin. Touching his skin, she suddenly froze.

Wait... something's wrong....

They had already... broken up....

Qi Yue felt instantly awkward. Continuing like this after breaking up felt a bit like hooliganism....

She quickly sat up and moved aside, but Chang Yuncheng grabbed her hand.

"Yue Niang, my arm was cut off. Please sew it back on for me," he pleaded.

Qi Yue gasped, looking at the hand holding hers—it was Chang Yuncheng's right hand.

At some unknown moment, blood was gushing out. She followed the arm up and saw that the severed limb was being held by Chang Yuncheng's left hand.

"Look, it’s severed," he said, presenting the half-arm to her.

Qi Yue let out a piercing scream and bolted upright.

The setting sun, like fire, stained half the room red. Outside, she heard a disciple shouting about needing white cloth for bandaging; the street was a cacophony of carriage wheels and voices.

Qi Yue clutched her chest, feeling shortness of breath, nausea rising in waves.

A dream?

It was just a dream...

Thank goodness, just a dream.

At that moment, a firecracker exploded loudly outside, causing her to cry out again in shock.

"What is it?" A'ru, who was outside, pushed the door open, and the sound of firecrackers erupted densely.

"What's happening?" Qi Yue covered her ears and shouted as well.

A'ru turned and left, returning moments later as the firecrackers faded into sporadic bursts in the distance.

"The Young Lord has achieved a new merit!" A'ru shouted excitedly. "The court announcement just arrived; the Marquisate is receiving imperial favor!"

Merit?

Qi Yue couldn't help but stand up, relief washing over her face. The young man had done well. Then, she froze instantly.

"Is he injured?" she asked urgently.

Injured? A'ru was startled.

"I'll go ask," she quickly turned and left.

Two laborers, who were ostensibly drying herbs but actually guarding Qi Yue's door, were summoned by A'ru.

"Is the Young Lord hurt?" she asked in a low voice.

The two laborers shook their heads.

"Not hurt?" A'ru was overjoyed and turned to leave.

The two guards stopped her urgently.

"No, we don't know," they said softly. "We only have a single line of contact with the Young Lord—just to report on the Madam’s safety or not. We aren't told anything else, and the Young Lord never replies to us..."

A'ru looked anxious.

"Hurry and ask someone you know in the Marquisate..." she urged, glancing at Qi Yue's room. "She is worried."

The guards agreed and hurried off.

For the Marquisate of Dingxi, this imperial commendation was like rain after a drought. Ever since that woman divorced, holding the imperial decree, the Marquisate had been constantly humiliated.

Unexpectedly, Chang Yuncheng achieved merit at this time, and the court personally bestowed rewards.

Such extraordinary honor was rare among the dukes and marquises of Great Xia; to sweep away the recent misfortune and restore the prestige of the Dingxi Marquisate, they intended to celebrate extravagantly.

The opera troupe was scheduled to perform for three days straight, the Great Buddha Temple was to receive a thousand gold worth of fragrant oil, and the banquets would last until three days later. Besides the firecrackers lining the route from the city gate to the Marquisate, a grand fireworks display was scheduled for the evening.

In short: they wanted the world to know what kind of Marquisate the Dingxi Marquisate was and how it was viewed by the court!

For the first opera performance, all the women, children, and elderly of the Marquisate turned out, arriving at the already packed square, basking in the envious gazes of the city populace.

Marquis Dingxi and Madam Xie led the procession, dressed in formal noble attire, along with the Prefect and other minor officials. They first bowed to the Emperor's decree and publicly accepted the imperial bounty. Although it was only silk brocade and silver coinage—less than what Madam Xie spent on incense oil once—this honor was rarely granted to a Marquisate.

Gongs and drums roared. The opera troupe knew exactly why they were there, choosing the liveliest plays to perform. They employed slapstick, flattery, tumbling, and fire hoop acts—whatever it took. In short, the entire Guanmiao Street was more festive than during the New Year.

Madam Xie sat at the forefront, feeling countless admiring stares, her heart blooming with delight, yet maintaining a facade of calm composure. Her gaze swept over those behind her—her illegitimate sons and daughters, all dressed in their finest attire.

This prosperity you enjoy today was all earned by my son, Madam Xie swept her gaze across her children with a hint of disdain. Wherever her eyes landed, the young ladies and gentlemen bowed respectfully, not to mention the concubines, maids, and old nannies.

This life of brocade-like luxury was all given to you by my son.

Madam Xie lifted her chin, and suddenly her gaze halted. Amidst the noisy crowd separated by the government runners, a familiar figure was pushing through.

Qi Yue's ears were filled with the din—the banging of gongs, the shouts of approval, the slapping sounds, the whistles. She struggled to push forward. She had first gone to the Marquisate, but finding no one there, she realized they must all be here, so she hurried over.

"Halt! Do not come closer," the runners blocked her with their sticks, shouting.

"I'm looking for someone," Qi Yue said quickly, craning her neck to look at the high stage, then meeting Madam Xie's gaze.

Madam Xie threw her a mocking smile.

You could have been sitting up here, enjoying the public's admiration, but you chose to abandon a good life.

At this moment, one high, one low; one above, one below—heaven and earth, the difference between cloud and mud.