It had only been four months, really, and the path beneath her feet felt familiar, yet everything she saw struck her as profoundly strange.

More and more maids and servants gathered along the way, their expressions alight with excitement as they watched Qi Yue approach step by step.

None of them spoke to her or offered a formal bow; they simply watched, their eyes shimmering with brilliance.

As the servants gazed at her, Qi Yue returned their look, equally silent, offering only a smile.

A Ru, walking beside Qi Yue, felt a complex swirl of emotions, but she lacked Qi Yue’s composed demeanor and couldn't help but lower her head to mask the unusual stirring within her.

Soon, they reached the lane leading to Madam Xie’s courtyard.

Qi Yue looked up at Chang Yuncheng ahead, recalling how this path was one they had traversed most often together—going to pay respects, followed by him entering the room while she stood for punishment outside….

As she lifted her gaze, Chang Yuncheng turned back, and their eyes locked.

This was likely the first time they had truly looked at each other since the divorce agreement.

For a moment, both were stunned into silence.

“Yue Niang,” Aunt Zhou’s voice rang out from ahead.

Qi Yue smiled faintly, shifting her gaze past Chang Yuncheng to look toward the woman.

The procession of maids and servants clustering around Aunt Zhou, at first glance, resembled Madam Xie’s retinue.

Aunt Zhou, her eyes wet with tears and her expression agitated, stepped forward to receive her.

“If I have to lay eyes on this woman, I won't take this case,” Qi Yue stopped short, stating calmly.

Aunt Zhou instantly froze, staring at Qi Yue in disbelief.

“Yue Niang, it truly wasn't me who harmed you, you must believe me…” she cried out, choked with sobs.

Chang Yuncheng had already raised a hand.

“Take her away,” he said in a deep voice.

The steward, appearing from nowhere, personally led a group forward.

Before Aunt Zhou could properly turn to withdraw with dignity, she was seized by the arms by the servants and dragged away without a word.

The crowd of maids and serving women behind, who had arrayed themselves like the plumage of peacocks, stood rooted to the spot, dumbfounded.

Aunt Zhou, who had enjoyed immense prestige since her return, suffered such a public humiliation upon meeting the Young Madam.

Being dragged away by servants was entirely different from being escorted by the serving women.

The Young Madam… was still as sharp as ever; with one sentence, she could reduce someone to ashes if she chose.

The maids and matrons immediately cried out and scattered.

Only then did Qi Yue lift her foot and step forward, quickly passing Chang Yuncheng to enter Madam Xie’s courtyard.

Marquis Dingxi, who had been lurking nearby, wiped a bead of sweat from his brow.

Thank goodness he hadn't stepped out; what if she had said that very sentence to him…? Though, perhaps not… It was all his and his mother's fault; I was misled, it has nothing to do with me… Marquis Dingxi looked resentfully in that direction.

“My Lord.” The steward materialized behind him, startling the Marquis so badly he nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Here, here, how is this place kept! Look how dirty and messy it is…” He immediately feigned composure, pointing randomly behind a rockery and shouting.

The steward looked at the rockery, which didn't even have a single weed, and nodded respectfully.

“Yes, My Lord, it is the old servant’s negligence,” he replied.

Marquis Dingxi then patted down his wrinkled clothes—rubbed by the stone—and stepped out.

“My Lord, Aunt Zhou wishes to see you,” the steward reported.

“See me for what? Tell her to stay far away.

If she dares let Yue Niang see her again, send her back to the estate,” the Marquis snapped, his face grim and authoritative.

Only when the Young Madam was present did the Marquis seem to possess an anchor, radiating such spirit… The steward felt a pang of sorrow; alas, that Young Madam was gone forever.

Qi Yue stepped into Madam Xie’s courtyard.

Counting the time since she had crossed over and lived in the Dingxi Marquisate, it was no short period, but visits to Madam Xie’s rooms could be counted on one hand.

Chang Shulan, Chang Huilan, and Chang Yunqi, having received word, came out to greet her in the courtyard.

“Eldest Sister-in-Law,” Chang Huilan was the first to call out, unable to restrain herself.

That single address, “Eldest Sister-in-Law,” made everyone’s emotions complex.

Qi Yue smiled and nodded to her.

“Long time no see; are you all well?” she asked lightly.

Chang Shulan and Chang Huilan nodded, tears welling.

Chang Yunqi also offered her a slight smile.

“Yue Niang,” he said.

Qi Yue had already walked up to him, turning at the sound of his voice to look at him.

“How does this feel?” he inquired.

Feel? To Chang Shulan and Chang Huilan, that word sounded jarring.

A divorced woman returning to her former husband’s home—what could she possibly feel! But Qi Yue looked at Chang Yunqi, observing the faint smile on his face, and was suddenly taken aback.

This feeling… A divorced woman, cast out, now stepping back into her ex-husband's house, invited back with respect, standing tall, while the woman who once treated her with arrogance now awaited her judgment of life or death… Though it sounded uncharitable, this feeling was undeniably exhilarating! However… Qi Yue looked toward Chang Yunqi.

Chang Yunqi met her gaze, smiling faintly without looking away.

I will avenge you… Revenge… “You…” Qi Yue’s heart skipped twice, and she started to speak, but regaining her composure, she stopped herself.

A maid already held back the curtain.

Chang Yuncheng also stepped up behind her.

“Please,” he murmured.

Seeing Chang Yuncheng look over, Chang Yunqi’s gaze toward Qi Yue did not waver in the slightest.

Chang Yuncheng followed Qi Yue into the room.

There were few servants inside—only Nanny Su and A Luan.

Upon seeing her enter, they stood up, their expressions fraught with complexity.

Joy? They had never imagined feeling such an emotion facing this woman… Sorrow? Yet, this was Madam Xie’s only chance to live… Why! Why did it have to be this woman! Nanny Su knelt on the ground, bowing low in sorrow, unsure if she mourned Madam Xie’s illness or mourned this situation.

Qi Yue ignored them.

A Ru skillfully opened the medical box, handing over gloves, masks, and other necessary tools one by one.

Qi Yue approached to observe Madam Xie first.

Madam Xie was still in a deep sleep, emitting soft, blowing sounds as she breathed, clearly struggling for air.

“Oxygen saturation is very low…” Qi Yue stated.

A Ru nodded and began taking the blood pressure while Qi Yue picked up her stethoscope.

They busied themselves with their respective tasks.

“Wheezing, stridor, diminished breath sounds in the right lung… audible coarse rales in the trachea…” Qi Yue quickly recited, frowning, then reached out to palpate Madam Xie’s neck.

The sudden pressure caused Madam Xie’s breathing to become even more labored; she let out a few choked sounds and opened her eyes.

Her gaze moved vaguely, finally settling on the woman standing before her.

Who is that… Madam Xie’s hazy eyes focused abruptly, then widened in shock.

“You!” she managed a dry croak, spitting out a single, hoarse word.

Her hand, which had been hanging limply by her side, shot up to clutch Qi Yue’s wrist.

Qi Yue was startled and met Madam Xie’s eyes.

“You’re awake? Good, I have a few questions for you…” she said.

Nanny Su and Chang Yuncheng rushed forward immediately.

“Madam, Madam.” “Mother.” The cry of "Mother" drew Madam Xie’s attention away from Qi Yue.

“Yun…” She tried to call out, but no sound emerged.

Her mouth opened dryly, reaching toward Chang Yuncheng, tears welling up.

Chang Yuncheng grasped Madam Xie’s hand, burying his face as he sobbed.

Qi Yue gave A Ru a look, and the two stepped back a short distance.

“Mother, you are ill, I have returned to see you,” Chang Yuncheng explained, looking up.

Madam Xie could not speak, simply weeping while looking at him, clutching his hand tightly.

“The Madam wakes briefly several times a day, and the periods she wakes are becoming shorter these past few days.

It seems mother and son are truly connected; the Madam knew you were back…” Nanny Su wept from the side.

Chang Yuncheng once again buried his face, crying out “Mother.” Madam Xie became agitated, struggling for breath.

“Don’t agitate her, don't let her get emotional,” Qi Yue urged, moving forward and reaching out to adjust Madam Xie’s position.

Nanny Su immediately stopped crying, and Chang Yuncheng raised his head.

Madam Xie looked at Qi Yue again, her expression growing more frantic.

She released Chang Yuncheng’s hand, pointing at Qi Yue with wide eyes, emitting guttural roars.

“Mother, you are sick, so I asked her to come treat you,” Chang Yuncheng said again, gripping her hand firmly.

Madam Xie refused to listen, struggling violently, grabbing whatever she could near the bed and hurling it at Qi Yue, her eyes blazing with fury.

The room instantly descended into chaos.

“What’s wrong? What is it?” Marquis Dingxi, who had been hiding, rushed in, demanding loudly.

To prevent Madam Xie from becoming overly agitated, Qi Yue and A Ru stepped aside.

“What is going on?” The Marquis dared to take charge, walking to the bedside.

Seeing Madam Xie still struggling, he suddenly exclaimed in pleasant surprise, “She’s awake?” He was thrilled and looked toward Qi Yue.

“Yue Niang, you truly are a miracle doctor!” he said, excited and tinged with placation.

Qi Yue smiled.

“Don’t; it has nothing to do with me yet.

I haven't even started treatment,” she replied, smiling again and raising an eyebrow.

If one insisted on a connection, perhaps it was only that she was angered… “Then if you are a miracle doctor, your arrival scared the illness away,” the Marquis said, forcing a smile.

One cannot strike a smiling face, Qi Yue thought, looking at the overly pleasant Marquis Dingxi, feeling a complicated mix of emotions.

She simply turned her head and ignored him.

The Marquis, having received no positive response, dared not speak further.

All this commotion worsened Madam Xie’s condition; she was gasping for breath, on the verge of expiring in the next moment.

But the word “Get…” was articulated clearly.

Madam Xie struggled to sit up, and Nanny Su tearfully supported her.

“What are you doing? Yue Niang is here to treat you,” the Marquis chastised.

“Mother,” Chang Yuncheng also called out as he entered, his tone laced with entreaty.

Madam Xie ignored them both, staring fixedly at Qi Yue, her face growing paler.

“…Die…” she gasped out the word with difficulty, “…Die… I… rather… die… than… let… her… see…” She would absolutely not accept favor from this woman! She would never let this woman succeed! Such backbone.

Qi Yue smiled, raising her thumb toward Madam Xie in a gesture of approval, then shook her head.

“Go,” she said, turning and walking out.

A Ru followed closely behind.

“Yue Niang, Yue Niang!” Marquis Dingxi cried out anxiously.

He turned and saw Chang Yuncheng still kneeling by Madam Xie’s bed, and angrily kicked him.

“Hurry up and chase her back!” Chang Yuncheng flinched from the kick but did not move.

Madam Xie, breathing heavily, glared at the Marquis, wildly reaching for things nearby to throw at him.

Ultimately, she couldn't draw breath and collapsed back into Nanny Su’s arms.

“Imperial Physician!” The room instantly fell into disarray.

In the end, they had no choice but to summon Imperial Physician Zhou.

When Chang Yuncheng rushed out, Qi Yue was already at the doorway.

This time, servants lined the path to see her off again.

“Yue Niang,” Chang Yuncheng called out.

Qi Yue turned back and looked at him calmly.

“I have troubled you again,” Chang Yuncheng said from behind her.

Qi Yue glanced back and smiled.

“That is no trouble at all.

I respect the patient’s choice; this is better for the patient.

Healing requires trust in the doctor first, and besides, the Imperial Physician is certainly more capable than I am,” she stated.

Because she no longer cared, it was no trouble, perhaps… Because they were no longer kin, only a patient, it was no trouble…