With Zhou Maochun’s outburst, everyone in the room jumped in shock. Who was this old man?

What sort of audacious rogue dared to curse the Marquis of Dingxi like that? “You…” Lady Xie was about to speak.

“Shut your mouth!” the Marquis of Dingxi snapped, pointing directly at her nose. Lady Xie was startled into silence by the harsh rebuke.

Before she could utter another word, the Marquis of Dingxi lunged toward the door, desperately grabbing the leg of Zhou Maochun, who had one foot already outside. “Minister Zhou!

Minister Zhou! Minister Zhou!” he called out repeatedly.

“Listen to me! You must listen to me!” Though advanced in years, Zhou Maochun still possessed considerable vigor, shaking off the Marquis’s grip with such force that the Marquis nearly lost his hold entirely.

“Shut the door! Shut the door!” the Marquis of Dingxi bellowed.

Under no circumstances could he allow Zhou Maochun to leave! The servants in the courtyard, unaware of the sudden chaos, were terrified by the Marquis of Dingxi’s ferocious expression and rushed to secure the main door, double-bolting it.

The quicker-witted among them even snatched up nearby implements, ready to swarm and attack at a moment’s notice. They had already been warned by the servants accompanying the Marquis from Yongqing Manor that the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence might need to be prepared for a fight at any time.

They had initially dismissed it as boasting, never expecting to see such intensity so soon. A tense yet excited crowd gathered, determined to showcase their utmost capabilities if a fight broke out—they were not useless simply because they guarded the residence in the capital.

Zhou Maochun’s face flushed crimson with fury. “What is this?

Are you planning to silence me by force?” he roared. “No, no, Minister Zhou, please don’t go!

Listen to me, this is a misunderstanding…” The Marquis of Dingxi clung to his arm, pleading, then spotted Chang Yancheng standing frozen nearby. “Why aren’t you stopping your father-in-law?!” Chang Yancheng remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the interior of the house.

Lady Xie had already stepped forward and, seeing Chang Yancheng, was overcome with surprise and joy. “Yancheng, you’re back?” She hurried over and seized Chang Yancheng’s arm, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

“When did you return? Are you tired?

Why didn’t you send word ahead?” “Mother,” Chang Yancheng choked out, looking at Lady Xie. Lady Xie responded with a smile, tears brimming in her eyes from emotion.

“Come, come, hurry inside and rest. Have you eaten?” she chirped in a flurry of words.

At that moment, Madam Huo from the Directorate of Transmission stood completely dumbfounded, observing the scene in the courtyard: on one side, the Marquis of Dingxi grappling almost embrace-like with an old man, while nearby servants and retainers stood menacingly with stools and brooms; on the other side, Lady Xie and the Heir Apparent reunited in a mixture of tears and laughter. What in the world was happening?

It all looked utterly absurd! “Mother, there’s no rush for food,” Chang Yancheng said, his eyes fixed on Lady Xie.

“Allow me to introduce someone to you first.” Lady Xie paused, startled. She watched as Chang Yancheng walked directly toward Zhou Maochun and the Marquis of Dingxi, who were still locked in their tug-of-war.

“You wicked boy, hurry up…” the Marquis began to shout. Before he could finish, Chang Yancheng bowed toward Zhou Maochun, though his gaze was fixed firmly on Lady Xie.

“Mother, this is my father-in-law.” Lady Xie’s expression changed drastically. She finally recalled the Marquis’s earlier words, momentarily eclipsed by the joy of seeing Chang Yancheng.

Why aren’t you stopping your father-in-law… Did Yancheng already have a woman he favored in the capital? And it seemed the Marquis of Dingxi knew about it too?

Lady Xie hesitated. If Yancheng desired that woman, she wouldn't entirely object—as long as it wasn't that lowly maidservant.

Madam Huo of the Directorate of Transmission finally heard the words clearly this time, her face registering sheer astonishment. Zhou Maochun raised his foot and delivered another kick to Chang Yancheng, simultaneously wrenching himself free from the Marquis’s grasp.

“Stop dreaming, you fool! This matter is not finished!

I won’t be ungrateful for the grand performance you father and son arranged for me!” he gasped, cursing. “If you want to marry my Yue Niang, dream about the next life!” He finished shouting and headed for the door.

The surrounding servants, confused by the mention of "father-in-law," hesitated whether they should assist their master in fighting or not, leaving them awkwardly blocking the path. The Marquis of Dingxi was horrified.

He started to go after Zhou Maochun again, but thinking he must first resolve the misunderstanding, he wheeled around and seized Lady Xie instead. “What nonsense are you spouting here!

What girl from the Rao family! Our Yancheng will not marry her!” he yelled, then turned back toward Zhou Maochun.

“Minister Zhou! Minister Zhou, look!

This is a misunderstanding. This foolish woman at home knows nothing; pay her no mind…” Lady Xie staggered from the sudden pull.

The phrase my Yue Niang echoed deafeningly in her ears. “Who?

Whose daughter is whose?” she shrieked. Before her cry died down, Madam Huo from the Directorate of Transmission hurried toward the door as well.

“Madam Xie, I shall take my leave first,” she stated, her expression sour and her voice stiff. “No, don’t go,” Lady Xie grabbed her arm, shouting.

Meanwhile, the Marquis of Dingxi recaptured Zhou Maochun. “Yue Niang is absolutely my daughter-in-law!

This will never change, Minister Zhou, you must believe me.” Lady Xie’s face was ashen. “No,” she cried.

“The daughter-in-law of my house is from the Rao family! That has been settled!” At this declaration, the courtyard fell silent momentarily, and everyone turned to look at Lady Xie.

“I think you two, husband and wife, should discuss matters amongst yourselves first,” Zhou Maochun scoffed, pushing past the Marquis of Dingxi toward the exit. “Indeed, Madam Xie, your family should settle this amongst yourselves first,” Madam Huo echoed, forcing a smile and pushing away Lady Xie’s hand as she, too, headed for the door.

The Marquis of Dingxi was boiling with rage. “No discussion needed!

I decide matters in my house!” he roared, quickly reaching Lady Xie and raising his hand. “You wretched woman…” Lady Xie didn't flinch, but no searing pain met her cheek.

Chang Yancheng stepped in between them, throwing an arm around Lady Xie’s shoulder, and took a heavy slap across the back of his head from the Marquis of Dingxi. “Yancheng!” Lady Xie cried out in alarm.

“You still protect this vile woman? Your own father-in-law is fleeing!” the Marquis cursed.

Chang Yancheng looked at Lady Xie. “Father, she is my mother,” he told the Marquis of Dingxi.

“No matter what, I cannot watch her…” Watch her being struck by her own husband… “Mother, I beg you,” he pleaded with Lady Xie, his voice full of pain. “Stop this commotion.” “Make one more scene, and I’ll divorce you!” the Marquis threatened, pointing at Lady Xie from behind, adding, “And we haven’t settled our old scores yet!” Lady Xie looked at them both and laughed, a cold sound.

“You twisted and turned, only to end up entangled with that lowly maid again…” she said. “Mother, if it’s not Yue Niang, I won’t marry,” Chang Yancheng said slowly, grasping her arm.

Lady Xie shook him off, sneering, and stepped back several paces. “Divorce me?” she lifted her chin and spoke in a sharp voice, pointing a finger at the Marquis of Dingxi.

“What’s so terrible about divorcing me?” Then she pointed at Chang Yancheng. “Chang Yancheng, I’ll tell you too, it’s not difficult to marry that woman…” If this had been said before, Chang Yancheng would have been thrilled, but at this moment, looking at Lady Xie, his heart sank into a depth where no bottom could be found… “First, hold, my, funeral, then, hold, your, wedding,” Lady Xie stated coldly, each word distinct.

Zhou Maochun and Madam Huo, who had reached the door and were struggling to undo the bolts themselves because the servants wouldn't cooperate, turned back in astonishment upon hearing those words. That woman is insane… “Then go and die!” Hearing the Marquis of Dingxi’s roar erupt from within the great door, Chang Yunqi quickly moved a few steps away.

“It seems we’ll have to take another turn outside before returning,” he said with a smile to the two servants behind him. The two servants looked awkward, attempting to smile but recognizing they shouldn't.

Chang Yancheng reached out, and one servant stepped forward. After Chang Yancheng whispered a few instructions, the servant acknowledged the order and ran off.

The great door was then pulled open. First, Zhou Maochun stormed out in a huff, followed closely by the embarrassed Madam Huo.

Chang Yunqi bowed his head in greeting, but neither of them paid him any mind, hurrying off in opposite directions. Qi Yue, inside, knew nothing of the upheaval.

She sat in the small kitchen for a long time before finally standing up. “The medicine is cold,” she murmured, touching the bowl to herself.

It was entirely stone cold. She then picked up the bowl, opened the door, and the young maidservant waiting outside, who had grown fearful from the long wait, finally let out a breath of relief.

“I-I-I’ll take it,” she stammered. Qi Yue smiled, shook her head without a word, and proceeded toward Madam Chen’s quarters, the medicine held steadily in her hand.

Madam Chen, resting in her room, heard voices outside. “What is it?” she asked.

“Is that A’ru speaking?” Cai Qing then walked in from the outer chamber. “Yes,” she replied, sounding hesitant.

“What’s wrong? Is it Yue Niang?” Madam Chen sat up quickly from the couch.

“It’s nothing, it’s just, just that she couldn't be found…” Cai Qing said quickly. Nothing?

Madam Chen was about to get out of bed. “What nonsense are you talking about, don’t listen to them.” Qi Yue’s voice drifted in from outside, tinged with a gentle laugh.

“I was just in the small kitchen out back boiling medicine for Auntie,” she chuckled, pulling back the curtain and stepping inside. “These two maids are making a fuss over nothing, blaming their own careless searching and scaring themselves.” Madam Chen finally relaxed, and Cai Qing patted her chest, reaching out for the medicine bowl.

“Let me do it,” Qi Yue said, offering a smile to Cai Qing. “I wanted a private word with Auntie.” Cai Qing paused, then understood, glanced at Madam Chen, who nodded subtly.

Cai Qing then ushered the other maids out of the room, and the door closed. “It’s cold,” Qi Yue observed, taking a small spoon to offer the medicine to Madam Chen.

Madam Chen took the spoon herself. “I can manage,” she said.

Qi Yue did not insist. “What did you want to tell me?” Madam Chen asked while drinking.

“There is something I always considered my own affair, so I did not tell Auntie. That was my fault,” Qi Yue said, looking at her.

Madam Chen paused slightly, looked up at her with a kind expression, and remained silent, slowly stirring the medicine bowl. “I used to not want to continue being married to Chang Yancheng.

Besides being somewhat unaccustomed to it, a large part of the reason was that they intended to take another wife,” Qi Yue said, managing a small smile. “Of course, Auntie, the reason you arranged for this other woman might also be partly my fault.

It was because I made you misunderstand that I wanted an annulment, which is why you made these arrangements,” Qi Yue continued. Madam Chen smiled faintly.

“Oh,” she replied simply, placing the bowl on the small table beside her. “Let’s not speak of past matters,” Qi Yue stated.

“Now, I just want to make it perfectly clear to Auntie, so there are no more misunderstandings.” “And what is that?” Madam Chen asked with a smile. “I love Chang Yancheng.

I will spend this lifetime with him, growing old together, never leaving or forsaking him,” Qi Yue said, also with a smile. The smile slowly faded from Madam Chen’s face, and she raised her hand to strike.

Qi Yue blocked the hand, unlike the previous two times, she did not allow the blow to land on her face. “Auntie,” she said, looking at Madam Chen.

“Although I do not know what exactly your motives are, I do know that you genuinely want what is best for Yue Niang, or rather, you want to give Yue Niang what you believe is best. But,” She lowered her head slightly, then raised it again.

“I am a person who does not easily tolerate having my life arranged for me, especially under the guise of acting for my own good,” she said with a wry smile. “This is a deep-seated flaw of mine.

I ask for your tolerance, Auntie.”