After a brief pause, the Emperor laughed again. “Everyone must die; it is nothing strange,” he said lightly.

Lady Chen responded with an affirmation. “I have no other attachments, only one person I need Your Majesty to take special care of,” she stated.

The Emperor looked at her. “You have kin above and children below. What am I to you?” he asked with a smile. “Why should I look after her?”

Lady Chen’s expression was calm. “Because they cannot look after her. Only by relying on Your Majesty can she live honorably and at ease,” she replied.

The Emperor laughed heartily. “What you say is truly candid,” he chuckled. In this world, as long as one aligned with him, the supreme ruler, who among them did not live honorably and at ease?

“Chen Xue,” he murmured, touching his hand, straightening his posture, and saying, “Do you believe I owe you something?”

Lady Chen lowered her head and kowtowed. “Your subject dares not,” she said. “Your subject owes a great debt to the Old Madam of Dingxi Hou’s Estate. Upon the Old Madam’s passing, your subject vowed before her to look after this person. Now that your subject is about to die, I boldly come to seek Your Majesty’s grace.”

The Emperor smiled enigmatically. “What concern is your matter with your mother-in-law to me?” he shook his head. “It was not I who made you swear the oath to your mother-in-law.”

“Your Majesty, it was you who decreed the original betrothal, and it was you who granted the divorce. The domestic affairs of the Dingxi Hou’s Estate cannot be said to have nothing to do with you,” Lady Chen raised her head and spoke.

The Emperor was startled. “Such a thing occurred?” he seemed slightly puzzled.

“The Old Madam of Dingxi Hou’s Estate was deeply indebted to someone and insisted on marrying in her savior. However, fearing mockery for her legitimate grandson in the future, she personally came to the capital to petition the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager requested Your Majesty to grant the marriage,” Lady Chen explained.

The Emperor frowned in thought for a moment, then gained a glimmer of realization. “There seems to be such a matter. That Old Madam of Dingxi Hou told a wonderful story that moved the Empress Mother to tears; if I had refused to intervene, I fear the Empress Mother’s palace would have been flooded,” he recalled, smiling. Such things—a mere request to underlings to please the Empress Mother—were hardly significant matters; he naturally did not remember.

“Last year, it was I who petitioned Your Majesty through Consort Dong to grant the divorce for the Old Madam of Dingxi Hou, the very granddaughter-in-law who sought the marriage decree,” Lady Chen continued.

The Emperor frowned again, reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose. Women’s affairs counted as affairs! He truly couldn't recall it instantly...

“Oh, the jealous wife who objected to taking a new consort?” He pondered again, then remembered, chuckling with a hint of interest. “She actually divorced and left?”

“Your Majesty, is this a matter for joking?” Lady Chen said.

The Emperor leaned back against the Dragon Throne. “You truly let her go? Such a prominent household, everyone only dreams of entering, yet a woman dreams of leaving?” he laughed. “It’s fortunate I didn't bet...”

He trailed off, looking at the attendant eunuch standing by. “Otherwise, I would surely have lost,” he quipped.

“Indeed, indeed, Your Majesty, you mustn't do that in the future; you must give us a chance to win a few rounds,” the eunuch immediately chimed in with sycophancy.

The Emperor laughed heartily. This woman is interesting... Recalling the matter just now, he couldn’t help but nod. It seems she is a formidable character; she could indeed do such a thing. A subtle smile flickered in the Emperor’s eyes.

Lady Chen saw it and let out a breath she had been holding. “Therefore, Your Majesty, a woman like her will have a difficult second half of her life,” she said, kowtowing again. “I am about to die. My children have kin, connections, status, and position; I have no worries for them. It is only this Yue Niang that I truly cannot rest easy about.”

The Emperor stroked his chin, smiling, and said nothing. This woman is called Yue Niang, he wondered what her surname was... Seeing the Emperor's expression, Lady Chen breathed another sigh of relief.

“Your Majesty, I have brought her today to thank Your Majesty for your great grace. It is Your Majesty’s boundless favor that allows her, whether staying or leaving, to do so with dignity,” she stated.

The Emperor smiled and waved his hand dismissively. “I have other matters,” he said, rising to his feet. “Sister, since your health is poor, do not trouble yourself. Rest well.” With that, he turned and left.

“Your Majesty,” Lady Chen quickly rose and called out, but the Emperor had already exited through the side door.

The eunuchs naturally scrambled to follow, leaving Lady Chen alone in the vast palace hall. Lady Chen almost doubted whether she had truly seen the Emperor, whether what she had said had actually happened or if she was dreaming again.

“Miss?” someone called from outside.

Lady Chen snapped back to reality and turned, seeing the stout eunuch peering in at the doorway. “Eunuch Huang,” she called out, stepping forward.

The stout eunuch quickly hurried forward to offer support. Lady Chen stepped out and saw Qi Yue already waiting by the gate. Lady Chen offered her a smile. “Let’s go back,” she said.

Qi Yue saw that her expression seemed both pleased and displeased, unsure how the matter had resolved, so she reached out to support her. “Aunt, you must be tired. I will support you; your health is the most important thing,” she said. Nothing else mattered; as long as her health was good. Lady Chen understood, smiled at her, and said, “Good, let’s go,” pulling Qi Yue’s hand in return.

Just as they were leaving the palace gate, Lady Chen couldn't help but look back one last time. “Miss, since you are in the capital now, feel free to visit when you can,” the stout eunuch remarked.

Lady Chen smiled and nodded. Yes, she must come again, until she could close her eyes in peace.

Upon returning home, Qi Yue saw A’Ru had arrived. “Lord Zhou was not kept in the prison; he was taken out by the official in charge there,” A’Ru said happily. This was truly good news, and Qi Yue breathed a sigh of relief. “The Heir Apparent is not here,” A’Ru added. “But he left a message asking Madam to rest assured.” To ease her mind, he must have gone off to work alone.

Qi Yue hummed an acknowledgment, resting her chin on her hand, gazing into the candlelight, lost in thought. A’Ru and A’Hao dared not disturb her, quietly making the bed. The night passed without incident.

The next day, when Qi Yue intended to visit Lady Chen, Lady Chen had already left. “So early?” she asked in surprise, while simultaneously sighing. Everyone was busy, and so many people were involved because of this matter. Inherent habits were hard to change; perhaps this action, taken on a sudden impulse, had been wrong. If the border war had ended in a great victory, it would have been fine; this matter could be considered adding a flourish, and even if some were dissatisfied, it would be seen as harmless. But precisely because the border war had suffered heavy losses, anything now could be seized upon, especially something so out of line with her usual conduct.

Recalling the past—Yuan Bao being wounded in the arm by Chang Yuncheng, the entanglement with Wang Qingchun, Liu Pucheng being injured, her own injuries, and the public outrage stirred up by that family used by Concubine Zhou—all these incidents stemmed from her unusual methods of healing. Forceful, impatient, desperate; unwilling to integrate or change, terrified of ceasing to be herself. The previous stumbles, confined to small-scale medical matters, were ultimately resolved successfully. But this time, the scope touched not just the small area of Yongqing Prefecture, nor was it merely a medical issue.

Qi Yue let out a soft sigh. Was it wrong? In her mind flashed Qiao Minghua’s cold expression, the sight of the room filled with grieving, despairing wounded soldiers, and the agonizing, rolling figures on the battlefield. No, if she had to do it again, she would still do this. No, if she had to do it again, she would still act so forcefully and impatiently. What she could never do was hesitate while seeing the wounded and sick suffering and crying out before her. To calm the spirit and fix the resolve, swearing an oath to save all living beings from suffering. To treat all equally, as if they were one’s closest kin. To dedicate one’s heart to rescue, without feigning composure or posture. This life, she would live it this way! Since this current crisis originated because of her, she was willing to bear all responsibility. She had already shown Qiao Minghua hope; she had slowly influenced the disciples of the Qianjin Hall for so long. She was merely one person in a brief blink of life; Qiao Minghua and those disciples were the future, the hope. That was enough.

A’Hao, sitting nearby, watched Qi Yue’s shifting expression with unease. The carriage jolted as it hit a stone, bringing Qi Yue back to herself. “Have we arrived?” she asked, lifting the curtain to look outside. The streets were bustling with cheerful crowds. “Master said he is at the Zuixiao Tower,” Hu San said from outside. “Who could he be looking for? Don't let him waste money and get cheated,” Qi Yue frowned. She hadn't found Lady Chen that morning, nor Liu Pucheng. Hu San reported that Liu Pucheng had gone to find people to inquire about help. “Master, you forgot, Master’s master was once an Imperial Physician. Doesn't he still have a junior apprentice serving in the Imperial Hospital?” Hu San reminded her.

Not mentioning this would have been better; bringing it up made Qi Yue frown even deeper. That Imperial Physician, Liu Pucheng’s junior apprentice whose name she couldn't recall—though she had met him only two or three times—was clearly a smiling viper, someone who stabs you in the back. Presumably, Liu Pucheng knew this, otherwise why would he never mention this junior apprentice? Now that Liu Pucheng had gone to seek him out, wasn't he walking right into a trap? “Master, we’re here,” Hu San called out.

The carriage stopped in front of a restaurant. The building exuded grandeur, and the people entering and exiting were richly dressed. Qi Yue stepped out, intending to go in, when she heard an aged voice call her name from behind. She turned back, her face instantly lighting up with surprise. “Doctor An!” she exclaimed, quickly hurrying forward to greet the sight of Old Doctor An lifting the carriage curtain and smiling. “I went to Lady Chen’s residence looking for you; they said you had come out,” Old Doctor An explained, being carefully settled onto a wheelchair by two servants. “Perfect timing, you’re here. Let’s go in and talk,” Qi Yue said.

Hu San had already confirmed the room Liu Pucheng had booked and happily led the way ahead. “I have heard everything; don’t worry,” Old Doctor An said as they walked.

Qi Yue nodded, just about to speak, when she heard a man’s loud voice emanating from the room they were approaching. “...Tell me what kind of mess you’ve stirred up! How dare you call yourself Master’s disciple? I am ashamed for you! Kneel down! Return everything Master left you!”

Hearing this, Qi Yue’s brow furrowed, and her expression turned grim. Hu San immediately grew agitated. No one knew Liu Pucheng’s importance to Qi Yue better than him, and no one knew how protective Qi Yue was of her own. Regardless of who was inside, even if it were Liu Pucheng’s father, he had to rush in to protect him. Hu San kicked the door open without hesitation. “Master, what’s wrong?” he shouted, rushing inside.

The commotion startled Liu Pucheng and Dong Lin inside the room. Hu San burst in first, while Qi Yue paused at the threshold. Liu Pucheng held a cup of wine, his body bent, seemingly about to kneel. Hu San quickly reached out to steady him. “Hey, what sort of thing are you, speaking to my Master like that?” he yelled.

Dong Lin was so angry his nose seemed to be skewed. You call him Master? What was he to him? He turned to look at the woman at the door; her expression was placid, showing no sign of intervening. “Nephew-disciple, you really need to be more careful about the disciples you select? You can’t just accept anyone,” he said, his face darkening. “Grandson, who are you calling nephew-disciple!” Hu San was even less polite, pointing his finger at Dong Lin and cursing.

Liu Pucheng hurriedly made a soft sound to stop him. Dong Lin’s face turned green with rage. He looked again; the woman still showed no intention of stopping the altercation, even displaying a faint smile. Look, look, he was right after all, still arrogant even at a time like this—she’s truly inviting death! “Did I call him wrong? Calling him nephew-disciple is already elevating...” he said, angrily flicking his sleeve.

Before he could finish speaking, Qi Yue stepped aside. “Doctor An, slowly, allow me to push you in first,” she said.

Dong Lin froze, watching an elderly man in a wheelchair being wheeled in. “Doctor... Doctor An... Senior Uncle An...” he stuttered in disbelief. “Why are you here?”

Before Old Doctor An could speak, Hu San stepped forward. “Senior Brother, how can you let Master push you? I’ll push you,” he called out loudly.

Senior Brother? Master? Dong Lin’s eyes widened. Had he misheard?

Supplementary update 1RS