As the night deepened, the Dingxi Marquis’s residence settled into silence. Mother Su had dried Madam Xie’s hair.

“Is she asleep?” Madam Xie inquired. Mother Su nodded.

“She was completely worn out, ate two whole bowls of food earlier,” she murmured softly. Madam Xie let out a breath through her nose.

“If only her own parents were here, how could she suffer such hardship,” she stated flatly. “That’s why a child without a mother is like straw, so pitiful,” Mother Su, fully aware of Madam Xie’s thoughts, sighed in agreement.

They completely forgot that there was one person who was also a child without either parent, a person whom in their eyes was not pitiable at all, but only hateful. Silence held the room for a beat.

“Did you find out anything from questioning her?” Madam Xie asked. Mother Su shook her head.

“Miss Rao is, after all, a young lady of status; she won’t talk. Those maids and servants are also holding firm, only saying they miss their maternal grandmother and want to visit her,” she reported.

Madam Xie shook her head. “She is still young.

Even if she misses her grandmother, the Rao family wouldn't just let her travel alone with seven or eight guards and attendants, especially going all the way to Quanzhou, involving boats and carriages.” She mused, tracing her prayer beads for a moment. “No need to rush.

Being a young lady of standing, she values her reputation. Let’s wait a while and then inquire discreetly.” Mother Su paused, carefully arranging the pillow.

“Does the Madam mean to have Miss Rao stay over?” she asked. “Look at her state, can she even leave?” Madam Xie shook her head.

“She’s utterly lost, even lost her travel permit. Luckily, we know each other.

Though her family is ill-mannered, out of respect for the few pairs of shoes she made for me, I cannot just watch her leave in this condition.” Mother Su smiled and helped Madam Xie lie down. “The Madam truly has a kind heart, sharp tongue but soft inside,” she chuckled.

But the very next morning, Rao Yufang sought to take her leave. Mother Su tried in vain to persuade her to stay.

“What? Can my word not keep you here?” Madam Xie asked, standing under the eaves.

Rao Yufang looked at her, eyes brimming with tears, then lowered her head to curtsy. “It is precisely because of the Madam’s good name that Yufang cannot stay,” she managed to say, her voice trembling.

Madam Xie watched her, saying nothing. Rao Yufang ultimately said nothing more, only bowing again.

“Yufang has troubled you greatly; I will forever remember the kindness shown to me by the Madam,” she said before turning to leave. Mother Su was unsure what to do, looking back at Madam Xie.

Madam Xie took a few steps forward. “Why can’t you stay?

When it comes down to it, others might not be able to stop you, but can we not stop you here?” she declared. “Who would dare argue?

If your Rao family wants to argue, they should first sort out the matter of that marriage contract from back then!” Rao Yufang’s back stiffened. “Madam, please say no more; Yufang cannot bear it…” She finally broke down crying, covering her face.

“If I say you can bear it, then you can,” Madam Xie walked down, taking her hand. “Go back inside and eat.” Outside the courtyard wall, Chang Yunqi turned around, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Meanwhile, in the capital city, Qi Yue was just sitting down to breakfast. “I’ll go out shortly, first to find the Heir Apparent, and then…” she was saying to A’ru and A’hao.

Before she finished speaking, footsteps approached from outside, accompanied by a servant woman’s greeting. “The Madam has arrived.” The door curtain was lifted, and Madam Chen walked in.

Qi Yue quickly stood up, observing that Madam Chen’s expression was as cold as it had been yesterday. Since Madam Chen had pulled her into the carriage yesterday and brought her home, apart from that slap, Madam Chen had not spoken another word to her, leaving Qi Yue’s attempts at conciliation entirely rebuffed.

“Auntie,” Qi Yue addressed her. “How am I your auntie?” Madam Chen looked at her coldly.

As long as she spoke, that was a start. Qi Yue forced a smile.

“Cousin-Aunt,” she said sweetly, “I left in a bit of a hurry that day, I didn’t properly tell you…” “Why didn’t you tell me to my face?” Madam Chen challenged her. Well, obviously, because if she had said so, Madam Chen would never have agreed to let her go… Qi Yue walked over, taking her arm and shaking it gently.

“You knew exactly how I would react, yet you still did it?” Madam Chen shook off her hand and snapped. “Because I love him, so I absolutely had to go find him,” Qi Yue replied with a smile.

Madam Chen froze. She hadn't expected someone to voice such a thing so directly.

For a moment, she was speechless, a torrent of emotions surging within her. Love him?

Love him! After going through so much trouble to finally break free, she dares to say she loves him!

Madam Chen raised her hand. Smack.

A sharp sound echoed. The air in the room stilled.

Qi Yue hadn't anticipated it at all; the smile was still on her face, but half her face felt searingly hot, and her ears were ringing. A’ru and A’hao instantly moved forward, shielding Qi Yue behind them.

Having followed Qi Yue for so long, they regarded her as their superior. Now, even if it were the Marquis of Dingxi standing before them showing ill will toward Qi Yue, they would rush forward.

“Madam Chen, please speak calmly,” A’ru interjected, her gaze toward Madam Chen now filled with vigilance. Qi Yue came back to herself, her mind clearing.

She patted A’ru and A’hao, signaling them to relax. “Yes, Cousin-Aunt, a mother worries when her child travels a thousand li.

I caused you worry with my actions; that was my fault, I scared you,” she said, taking Madam Chen’s hand again. Madam Chen looked at her.

“So you admit you know I acted for your own good?” she asked, her voice trembling. “I know you were worried about me,” Qi Yue responded.

In her agitation, Madam Chen didn't fully grasp the nuance of her words. A’ru glanced at Qi Yue.

She hadn't said, I know you meant well for me. “Then will you listen to me?” Madam Chen pressed.

Qi Yue smiled, taking Madam Chen’s arm. “Cousin-Aunt, please sit down and eat first.

After we eat, you can discipline me,” she said with a gentle laugh. Madam Chen looked at her and shook her head.

“I don’t have time to discipline you now,” she said, reaching out to smooth Qi Yue’s temple hair. Qi Yue was taken aback; how did that sentence sound so… “You listen to me, stay here obediently at home, and I will find a way to resolve this trouble you’ve gotten into,” Madam Chen instructed.

This was precisely what worried Qi Yue the most. Although Zhou Maochun had been cheerful on the journey, the reality was that this matter was likely very serious.

It was clear they had been set up by villains. For someone to dare target Zhou Maochun, a trusted official close to the Emperor, suggested that the opponent was powerful, and there were certainly many pushing the plot forward.

No matter how capable Zhou Maochun was, he was merely an Imperial Physician, without parents, without even a single apprentice—in essence, a solitary man, lacking any support from family or friends. His only reliance was the Emperor.

If he lost the Emperor’s favor, eliminating him would be frighteningly simple. Madam Chen’s family was a Duke’s residence.

If she were willing to step in, things would improve considerably. Chang Yuncheng would no longer be fighting alone.

“Cousin-Aunt,” Qi Yue exclaimed with surprised delight, then immediately worried, “Will this bring trouble upon your household?” Madam Chen gave her a look. “If you promise to listen to me, it won't bring trouble,” she stated.

This was a double entendre. If Qi Yue listened to her, she wouldn't have gone to the northern frontier, and thus, this trouble wouldn't have occurred.

Qi Yue shook her arm and called out, “Cousin-Aunt.” Madam Chen took a deep breath and turned to leave. “Cousin-Aunt?” Qi Yue called out in confusion.

“I am going to the palace now,” she announced. Qi Yue was once again astonished into silence.

“Now?” she questioned. Madam Chen spoke as if the Imperial Palace were her own home, accessible at will… This, this was too much… But perhaps it was true.

“Has Cousin-Aunt eaten yet?” she couldn't help but ask. “Whether I eat or not is meaningless now,” Madam Chen glanced at the dining table and said faintly, giving Qi Yue another stern warning.

“If you disobey me and run off again this time, even the Immortals won’t be able to save you.” With that, she strode out. In Qi Yue’s line of sight, only the swaying door curtain remained.

“Mistress, then what shall we do…” A’ru asked softly. Qi Yue pondered for a moment.

“Do this: send Hu San to find the Heir Apparent, tell him his wife will find a way, and instruct him not to worry either,” she ordered. A’ru nodded.

“Also, inquire about the Old Master’s condition,” Qi Yue instructed. A’ru acknowledged and hurried out.

Quiet returned to the room. Qi Yue sat down, gazing at the full spread of food.

“Eat, eat until you’re full to have strength,” she murmured, pausing her chopsticks before reaching out to pick up a dish. While waiting for her companions, she had managed to write out two-thirds of a chapter.

This could count as today’s bonus chapter, but it seems the bonus chapter isn’t sparking enough interest in votes. Is it the plotline?

RS