He decided to get up and leave immediately!

"Sit," Wang Qian said, gesturing with a smile toward the chair beside him.

Chang Yuncheng glanced at him, adjusted his robe, and sat down.

Since the guest had taken a seat, they couldn't very well ask him to leave, so Qi Yue called for A'ru.

A'ru emerged from the inner room, paused in surprise to see another man in the room, and recognized him.

"Go to the mess hall and get another portion of food. The Heir Apparent hasn't eaten yet," Qi Yue instructed.

A'ru acknowledged with a prompt 'Yes, ma'am.'

Qi Yue stopped her again.

"Charge it to the Heir Apparent’s account," she said with a pleasant smile, turning to Chang Yuncheng, "Perhaps the Heir Apparent would treat us?"

Chang Yuncheng merely grunted in response.

A'ru left.

"Then I should have asked for an extra portion to take back earlier," Wang Qian remarked with a slight smile.

Chang Yuncheng genuinely did not want to join in, but he also felt that refusing would put Qi Yue, who was trying hard to ease the atmosphere, in an awkward position. He forced a weak smile, yet immediately regretted it, thinking that his forceful entry was already making things difficult for her. What kind of hero was he, persisting like this? His smile froze again. He still wanted to bolt, reasoning that for her sake, he needed to put distance between them, lest he constantly remind her of the past—the past that held not a shred of joy.

"Heir Apparent?"

Wang Qian’s voice sounded close to his ear.

Chang Yuncheng snapped back to attention and looked at him.

Wang Qian nodded toward Qi Yue.

Only then did Chang Yuncheng notice Qi Yue looking at him intently.

"How is it? Has your mother stopped needing the phlegm suction again?" Qi Yue inquired.

"Oh, no. That… the suction device, it works quite well," Chang Yuncheng replied.

"That’s good, though it must be uncomfortable for her," Qi Yue nodded.

"Anything new and fascinating?" Wang Qian interjected from the side.

Qi Yue smiled at him.

"Well, that’s not something I can mention right now," she chuckled, gesturing toward the meal before him with a look of mock disgust, "I’m afraid it would ruin your appetite."

Wang Qian laughed and picked up his chopsticks to eat.

Chang Yuncheng stared at the wall; Qi Yue disliked calligraphy and paintings, so almost nothing adorned the bare surfaces.

A'ru brought in the food, and Chang Yuncheng began to eat quietly.

He remained silent, and Qi Yue found it difficult to speak either; naturally, Wang Qian also refrained from conversation.

This was perhaps the first meal since Qi Yue arrived in this era where silence was maintained while eating—it certainly made the process swift.

"Then I shall take my leave," Wang Qian said with a smile as A'ru cleared the dishes.

Qi Yue curtsied to him.

"Thank you," she said.

"I should be thanking Madam Qi for the meal," Wang Qian countered cheerfully.

Qi Yue watched him shake his head and smile, the look of someone who knew they weren't fooling her. He had traveled so far, seeking her expertise when other physicians wouldn't dare treat his case—it was, after all, a matter of courtesy. It wasn't bad; even enemies forged through clashes of will, and loyalties cemented in combat, made for a fine existence.

Wang Qian smiled and said no more, raising his hand in a final gesture.

"Heir Apparent, farewell," he added, addressing Chang Yuncheng.

Chang Yuncheng raised his hand in return but offered no words.

After seeing Wang Qian out, Qi Yue turned, ready to check on the newly admitted patient. Chang Yuncheng stood rooted in the main hall.

"After I finish the surgery, I won't be of much practical help anymore. With Imperial Physician Zhou and Elder Physician An here, you needn't worry," she walked over and said to Chang Yuncheng.

Chang Yuncheng grunted an acknowledgement.

A stretch of silence settled between them.

"Well, I must get back to work," Qi Yue stated, walking past him.

Chang Yuncheng watched her pass, unable to stop himself from speaking.

"He... he's not bad," he stammered out.

The moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to strike himself. What on earth had he just said!

Qi Yue stopped and turned around.

"No, he’s not better than you," she said.

Chang Yuncheng’s breath hitched instantly. What—what had he just heard?!

"You actually wanted to hear me say that, didn't you?" Qi Yue continued, then burst into laughter as she looked at him.

Chang Yuncheng’s mind went blank with a thunderous roar, his breath catching again. His ears burned with heat, and he wished desperately to vanish from that spot. In front of this woman, all he ever managed was humiliation!

"Oh, you," Qi Yue pursed her lips into a slight smile, shook her head, and without another word, turned and walked away.

I am a joke!

Chang Yuncheng raised a hand and punched his own chest hard.

Following that incident, Chang Yuncheng practically vanished from Qi Yue's vicinity, regardless of how much Old Madam Xie pleaded.

"Grandmother, can a person behave like this?" Chang Yuncheng asked Old Madam Xie, "She is a person, not an object to be claimed at will and discarded when inconvenient, only to be picked up again when regretted. Grandmother, we cannot bully people like this."

Old Madam Xie sighed and sat down. How could she not know…

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.

"Let her live her life peacefully. Forgetting those agonizing past events is the best repayment we can offer her," Chang Yuncheng stated.

Old Madam Xie looked up at him and smiled faintly.

"Are you truly willing to let go?" she asked.

"What use is unwillingness?" Chang Yuncheng replied.

Old Madam Xie glanced at Madam Xie, who was asleep nearby.

"Yuncheng, do not resent your mother," she murmured softly.

Chang Yuncheng managed a smile.

"Grandmother, how could I," he assured her.

Old Madam Xie reached up and stroked his head.

"You've grown up without me noticing," she laughed, making a small gesture with her hand. "You were so tiny then; when I tried to pat your head, you looked utterly displeased."

Chang Yuncheng smiled faintly.

"When your mother is well enough to leave the hospital, I will take her back home with me," Old Madam Xie announced.

Chang Yuncheng froze.

"Grandmother…" he started to protest.

Old Madam Xie raised a hand to stop him.

"You won't be home, and with her temper, after this recent illness, I simply cannot feel secure leaving her in your care," she explained. "While I still have a few years left, I want her to stay with me."

"Grandmother, how can you possibly take on caring for Mother?" Chang Yuncheng stood up. "I have already submitted a request to the Emperor to resign my post; as soon as Mother is completely recovered…"

"You are foolish," Old Madam Xie scolded, her eyes wide. "After all these years, you still don't understand your mother’s nature? Taking care of her like this, doing what you think is best for her—that’s what will hurry her death!"

Chang Yuncheng’s expression became awkward.

"What is it she strives for? Isn't it just saving face?" Old Madam Xie sighed. "You go. Focus on achieving distinction and merit; that is better medicine than anything else."

Chang Yuncheng assented.

"Then I will trouble you, Grandmother."

"Trouble? Yue Niang herself said that relatives are debt collectors. I must have owed your mother a great deal in my previous life," Old Madam Xie said, laughing.

Chang Yuncheng couldn't help but laugh too.

"I must have owed Mother a great deal of money as well," he chuckled.

The thought brought the image of that woman’s smile to his mind, and his own smile turned sharp with melancholy. In a past life, he must have owed her a great, great deal of money, too…

Two days later, Old Madam Xie announced their discharge.

"Perhaps stay a few more days? The time is rather short," Qi Yue said, sounding slightly surprised.

"It’s inconvenient. Besides, didn't you say yourself you couldn't be of much help, and that Imperial Physician Zhou and Elder Physician An are sufficient?" Old Madam Xie replied, her expression distant.

That was true; Qi Yue tapped her quill pen thoughtfully and nodded. Imperial Physician Zhou had been invited by Chang Yuncheng, so naturally, they could stay at home.

"Yes, returning home is fine too. If anything arises, feel free to contact me anytime," she said with a smile, calling out to a disciple outside, "Have them process your discharge papers."

She hadn't even tried to keep them; she clearly held some affection for Yuncheng, so why…?

Old Madam Xie let out a muffled, slightly displeased hum.

"Is there anything else?" Qi Yue asked when she saw the elder woman sitting motionlessly.

"Yue Niang, the debt we owe you this time…" Old Madam Xie hesitated before speaking.

"A debt of gratitude is one thing, but remember not to owe any money!" Qi Yue cut in smoothly with a laugh.

Old Madam Xie gave her a wry, helpless smile.

"Furthermore, I am truly delighted that we could treat your family this time," Qi Yue said, leaning back in her chair, twirling the quill and smiling at Old Madam Xie.

"Delighted? When things nearly spiraled into grave trouble, you're delighted?" Old Madam Xie was puzzled, looking at Qi Yue, before a sudden realization dawned. This entire ordeal might actually be a fortunate opportunity; if Madam Xie learned of the circumstances upon waking… She instinctively sat up straighter.

"Yue Niang, you and…" she began, intending to ask something.

Qi Yue interrupted her.

"Of course, I'm delighted!" she laughed, arching an eyebrow at Old Madam Xie, "You know your daughter’s temperament, don't you? She is a person of fierce integrity, someone who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and enmity…"

Gratitude is due, but it would never override profound hatred…

Old Madam Xie fell silent. It was true; if it came down to repaying a debt of life to the very person Madam Xie despised, she would unhesitatingly return the favor of being saved. She would rather die than…

"Hey, you absolutely must tell her exactly how I saved her, how I almost got accused of malpractice because of her, and that life—I gave up another person’s life for hers…" Qi Yue leaned forward, bracing her hands on the desk.

Old Madam Xie blinked.

"But that other person wasn't… wasn't already doomed to die…" she stammered.

Qi Yue’s eyebrows shot up as she straightened her expression.

"Perhaps if I had focused completely, I might have saved them," she said, her face stern.

Old Madam Xie stared, unsure how to respond.

Qi Yue burst into laughter, then let out a breath, her face animated as she leaned toward Old Madam Xie.

"The thought of your daughter waking up and realizing all this—Tsk, tsk, tsk—it brings me such exquisite satisfaction!" she laughed, slapping the desk lightly and leaning in closer. "Old Madam Xie, is there anything in this world more agonizing than receiving the life-saving grace of someone you utterly despise?"

To hate someone to the death, yet owe them rebirth; to wish them gone, but owe one's own existence to them; the desire for annihilation clashes with the inability to forget the kindness received. When these two extreme emotions merge within one person—that person…

Old Madam Xie let out a heavy sigh. She truly was pitiful…

"You have a truly lucky life," she finally said, looking at Qi Yue.

"It is Heaven granting favor," Qi Yue smiled slightly, accepting the compliment without modesty, and tossed the quill pen lightly in her hand. "Besides, life is what one makes of it. Some people live better and better lives, like myself. Others…"

Live increasingly miserable lives, like Madam Xie.

"That's a matter of character; nothing can be done about it," Qi Yue chuckled, then seemed to force control over herself. "Forgive me, as a healer, I should possess a parent's heart, but seeing her so miserable and near death—I shouldn't laugh, hahahahahaha…"

It had to be admitted, this woman’s tongue was sharp enough to wound at times! No wonder Madam Xie always ended up half-dead from anger when confronting her.

Old Madam Xie rose, her face dark, and walked out.