"I'll probably be back after I've eaten. Make yourself at home here; don't be reserved," she said.

Qi Yue snapped back to reality, confirming that Madam Chen had indeed changed the subject. She quickly nodded in assent.

It seemed she wouldn't need to go to Madam Chen's house with her, which was fine by her. She hadn't planned on staying long anyway, and it saved her the trouble of dealing with the people there.

Madam Chen remembered something else and passed a small tablet over.

Qi Yue reached out and took it. It was a piece of nanmu wood, engraved with the words "Duke Deqing Chen."

"If you see anything you like, just present this tablet," Madam Chen instructed.

Wow, Qi Yue whistled internally. Indeed, the families of the high-ranking officials in the capital were something else.

"Very well, thank you, Aunt," Qi Yue smiled, accepting the favor without ceremony and offering a direct thank you.

Madam Chen was visibly pleased.

"Don't be polite; it is only proper," she laughed, clapped her hands, and departed.

Proper? What is proper? Is it proper for me to take whatever I want without paying?

Qi Yue shrugged.

"Should we still send the greeting gifts we prepared with the Second Madam?" A Ru asked in a low voice.

Thinking she should meet the family upon arriving at Madam Chen's, Qi Yue had prepared gifts, only to discover Madam Chen maintained two separate households.

"No need," Qi Yue shook her head. "That would imply we were eager to see them. Don't put them in an awkward position."

A Ru nodded.

"So, what are we doing today?" Ah Hao rushed over to ask.

Looking at her bright eyes, Qi Yue couldn't help but smile.

"Naturally, as you wished, we're going shopping," she declared.

Meanwhile, Madam Chen entered the residence of Duke Deqing. News from the previous day had drawn relatives from near and far, and a large family reunion, complete with tearful embraces, naturally ensued.

"Now that you're here, don't leave again," cried Madam Chen Fang, the wife of Duke Deqing, clutching Madam Chen's hand. "I'm seventy-one years old; I could close my eyes and pass away tomorrow. Every extra moment I see you is a moment gained."

As the posthumous child of the main branch of the Chen family, Chen Xue had lost her mother—who was elderly and frail—when she was only seven. Chen Xue had been raised entirely by her fourth branch aunt, Madam Chen Fang, treating them like mother and daughter. Duke Deqing had two biological daughters, and Chen Xue was raised as a third, which was considered adoption externally, although no formal ceremony had been performed.

Of course, the fourth branch was now the main line of the Chen family, as Chen Ning, from this line, had been granted the title of Duke Deqing, continuing the glory of the Chen clan.

Hearing this, Madam Chen's eyes also welled up, but she couldn't help but laugh.

"I won't leave," she affirmed, sitting beside Madam Chen Fang. "Auntie, you are still hale and hearty; don't speak such things."

The others in the room chimed in their agreement, which brought joy back to Madam Chen Fang.

"Your brother mentioned you brought a woman back? Who is she?" Madam Chen Fang asked, squinting as she glanced around the room, not spotting any strangers.

Recalling the unique treatment mentioned by Third Master Chen, everyone looked on with anticipation, wondering why she hadn't been brought along.

"She's out amusing herself," Madam Chen said with a faint smile. "She dislikes meeting people, so I didn't have her come over; it would only make her uncomfortable."

The entire room stared in astonishment.

How dare she suggest that meeting them would be an imposition on this woman?

However, given Madam Chen Xue Niang's standing in the household, no one dared to voice an opinion. The conversation quickly shifted to lighter topics, and half the day passed. When it was time for the meal, everyone dispersed, with Madam Chen Fang retaining only Chen Xue's brother and sister.

"Even if you prefer staying over there, this is still your home. The rooms have all been prepared," Madam Chen Fang said, on the verge of tears again. "I don't have many days left..."

Madam Chen quickly took her hand to comfort her.

"Yes, Auntie, I've come back to stay with you," she murmured softly.

"What do you intend to do now that you've returned?" Second Master Chen, who had been silent until now, suddenly inquired.

This was Madam Chen's full brother, about fifty years old. Due to poor health, he had retired early and generally avoided social interactions.

"She has returned because she wishes to; this is her home," Madam Chen Fang snapped, clearly displeased with Second Master Chen's questioning.

Second Master Chen merely watched Madam Chen, seeming to probe the depths of her heart.

"I wish to enter the palace," Madam Chen did not shy away from the request, looking at her brother frankly. "Second Brother, arrange for me to go into the palace for a visit."

"Xue Niang, the last time you spoke so recklessly, it was only because the Empress Dowager protected you that our Chen family escaped annihilation. What do you plan this time?" Second Master Chen's brows furrowed, and he scolded her in a low, stern voice. "The Empress Dowager is no longer here!"

Madam Chen smiled at Second Master Chen.

"Brother, I was young then. Now I am a person halfway to the grave. How could I still behave so wantonly?" she spoke with soft refinement.

Her words left Second Master Chen feeling wistful; hadn't decades passed in the blink of an eye...

He looked at his sister, who was now of grandmotherly age, and sighed.

"It is best if you think that way," he conceded, visibly relieved.

Madam Chen Fang also breathed a sigh of relief and patted Madam Chen's hand.

"Xue Niang has always been the most sensible child. Otherwise, why would the Empress Dowager have been so fond of you?" she sighed. "Let bygones be bygones."

"Yes, I feel I won't live much longer either, so while I can still move about, I wish to visit the Empress Dowager in the palace one last time. It would not be in vain for the kindness she showed me as if I were her own," Madam Chen murmured softly.

Second Master Chen scrutinized her for a moment before finally nodding.

"Very well, I will make arrangements for you," he promised.

Madam Chen smiled and bowed her head in thanks.

"Enough, enough, we've been talking for ages. Quickly, set the table!" Madam Chen Fang said cheerfully.

The maids, servants, and wives who had been waiting longingly entered, and the room instantly bustled with activity.

At the same time, a certain restaurant in the capital was equally lively. In the center of the main hall, the storyteller gestured wildly, drawing thunderous applause from the audience. Amidst the cheers, a sudden commotion erupted.

"Young Master..."

A scream interrupted the merriment. A person tumbled down the stairs in a heap. Before anyone could clearly make out who it was, a swarm of pageboys and servants surrounded the fallen figure.

"He's not breathing!"

"Someone's been shaken to death!"

Shouts burst from the crowd, and the scene immediately devolved into chaos.

"Make way! I'm a physician!"

Amidst the confusion, someone shouted loudly. The good breeding of the capital's residents manifested immediately; upon hearing this, they cleared a path instantly.

Hu San forgot about the assortment of small trinkets hanging on him, dropping the box full of items onto the ground, and rushed over.

The pageboys surrounded a man lying motionless on the floor. Sudden traumatic asphyxiation—though he hadn't practiced medicine for some time, as the most direct disciple of the divine physician Madam Qi, he wouldn't disgrace his master's name. Hu San knelt down, raised the man's head to straighten it, pulled out his tongue, began chest compressions, and then leaned down...

The crowd fell into a moment of silence, which was immediately followed by a deafening roar.

Fan Yilin coughed, expelling a breath, and opened his eyes to see a man's face inches from his own, and a mouth... the stench from the man's breath was unmistakable.

He sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes wide as he recognized the person before him.

"It's you again!" he shrieked, rolling his eyes and fainting once more.

"Assault!"

The hall erupted in a noisy clamor, mixed with the cheers of onlookers, becoming as turbulent as boiling water.

This time, Hu San was luckier than before. Because Ah Hao had wanted to hear the storyteller, she was leaning on the railing of the third floor and happened to witness the scene. Her timely, piercing scream allowed Qi Yue to rush out immediately and rescue Hu San, who was about to be soundly beaten by Fan Yilin's pageboys.

"He's a physician! He's saving someone!" Qi Yue yelled, shielding Hu San behind her.

The pageboys stared at the woman who had suddenly appeared—a round-collared robe the color of withered yellow, hair styled in a yuanbao bun adorned with golden diancui butterfly ornaments studded with pearls. Her eyes were bright, her demeanor elegant, and her presence captivating.

These servants lived by what they saw and heard, and they instantly knew the woman before them was no ordinary person. They stepped back a few paces, maintaining a respectful distance, yet still diligently encircling the area, unwilling to let the audacious culprit escape.

"What physician? Where did you find a physician? Is this how a... physician acts?" the lead pageboy shouted sternly.

"Sudden traumatic asphyxiation," Hu San quickly explained from behind. "He fell from the stairs. My chest compressions just now were effective; his breathing has resumed."

Qi Yue gestured for the pageboys to listen to Hu San.

"What sudden asphyxiation and compressions..." the pageboy glared. "Stop spouting nonsense... Haven't you asked which family we serve, you dog-eyed..."

Yes, stop talking nonsense and hit him quickly.

The surrounding crowd urged the fight on, and even the storyteller stood atop a stool, ready to record the detailed events for future narratives.

But before the beating could commence, the pageboy's words were cut short.

Qi Yue waved the Duke Deqing Chen tablet she held in front of the pageboy’s eyes.

"Which family do you serve?" she picked up where the pageboy left off.

"Our own people, our own people," the pageboy's expression instantly shifted to a smile.

The crowd of onlookers immediately booed.

"Disperse, disperse, nothing to see here," everyone waved their hands and turned away.

Life in the capital was fast-paced; time was precious and shouldn't be wasted casually.

This tablet works that well? Qi Yue was surprised. Indeed, status and entourage offered protection everywhere.

"We are physicians," she stated again, putting the tablet away, and looked towards the person being shielded by the pageboys, whom she couldn't see. "Quickly let me examine if your master is injured."

"He just stumbled, he's actually fine..." the pageboy hesitated before saying, while still bowing to Hu San.

"Your servant was ignorant; please do not hold it against me," he said respectfully.

This deference was not for Hu San, but for the Duke of Chen.

Qi Yue nodded and walked past him.

"That's not entirely true. A simple fall can cause asphyxiation. I once saw a young master choke after falling from his horse—it was caused by an almost unnoticeable kick from the horse..." she said as she walked.

I wonder what impact caused this unlucky fellow's condition...

The pageboy stared blankly as the woman walked past, while the man remained motionless.

Who is the physician?

At that moment, Qi Yue also froze.

"Young Master Fan?" she looked at the man lying on the ground and cried out in surprise. "How is it you again?"

Fan Yilin slowly regained consciousness, met Qi Yue's eyes, and looked utterly incredulous.

"Here, slap me a couple of times," he instructed the pageboy beside him.

The pageboy looked at him blankly.

Fan Yilin was completely serious.

Obeying his master's command was the pageboy's primary duty, so he immediately raised his hand and slapped Fan Yilin across the face.

Fan Yilin cried out in pain.

Qi Yue and the others were startled.

"Young Master Fan," she quickly stepped forward and knelt down.

Fan Yilin looked at Qi Yue, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Madam Qi," he pushed himself up from the ground with his hands, then, remembering something, rolled his eyes. "I can't take it... I'm dying..."

And then, with perfect accuracy, he collapsed into the arms of Qi Yue, who had extended them.

It wasn't a dream; the softness and delicate fragrance of the woman instantly filled his senses.