Madam Chen looked at the woman before her, slightly dazed.

“Yue Niang, listen to me.

I will find you a much better match.

Don't listen to the Old Madam; you must not marry the heir apparent.” She spoke urgently, reaching out as if to grasp the woman’s hand.

No, not the woman’s hand—the girl’s hand.

The person before her had the same features, yet carried a hint of timidity, just as she had been ever since entering the estate, always looking down, never offering a bright smile.

She moved her own hand from her side to rest in front of her, deflecting the touch, lightly twisting the sash of her garment, refusing to speak.

“Yue Niang, listen to me.” Madam Chen grew desperate, on the verge of tears, and tried to grab her hand again.

This time, the woman recoiled with greater alarm, snatching her hand back as if to flee.

She glanced up at Madam Chen, her eyes evasive like a small rabbit’s, yet holding a stubbornness.

Madam Chen recognized that stubbornness.

Beneath the fragile exterior of such a girl lay a near-obsessive obstinacy.

She slumped, releasing her grip.

Round and round, they seemed to have come full circle, ending right back where they started.

“Aunt, you should rest well.

Didn't you want what was best for me? My happiness is what you wish for me.” Qi Yue said, rising to straighten the cushion behind her.

Madam Chen reached out and clutched her arm.

“What counts as happiness? Is marrying that Chang Yuncheng what you mean?” she asked, her voice trembling, struggling for breath.

“Yue Niang, why won’t you just listen to me?” As she spoke, tears spilled down her cheeks involuntarily.

Qi Yue sat back down, frowning slightly.

“Logically speaking, in your eyes, Chang Yuncheng should be an excellent match, shouldn’t he?” she inquired.

Putting aside his initial ill temper, his lineage, appearance, and status were undeniably excellent; why couldn't Madam Chen see that? “For a woman like me, who has been divorced— could there truly be anyone better than Chang Yuncheng?” She had always assumed Madam Chen had secured the imperial decree for her protection, fearing the slights from Chang Yuncheng and Madam Xie.

But if the matters leading up to the decree were also Madam Chen’s idea, then the intention was clearly to drive her out of the Dingxi Marquisate.

For a woman like Qi Yue Niang, was taking this step truly beneficial? “Yes, there is.” Madam Chen’s eyes lit up, gripping Qi Yue’s hand tightly.

“Listen to me, there really is someone better, and it will be soon.” Qi Yue smiled, patting Madam Chen’s hand.

“Aunt.

You still haven't understood.

What I mean is, the good life I want to live is my life, not the life you think I should be living.” She stated this, perhaps sensing Madam Chen’s confusion, and deliberately slowed her speech.

Madam Chen tightened her grip.

“Yue Niang!” she cried out, her expression growing anxious, before sighing as if realizing something, letting go and leaning back.

“Yue Niang, I know.

To you, I am nothing, and I have no right to control you.

But… What if I told you that all of this is for your father’s sake?” She looked up at Qi Yue.

There was no surprise on Qi Yue’s face.

“I know.

I probably wasn't just some ordinary beggar.” She nodded and continued, “I also know.

Auntie, you knew my father, or perhaps my relatives.” She paused here and gave a slight, wry smile.

“So, Auntie, in reality… it’s for my father, not for me?” she asked with a half-serious, half-jesting tone.

Madam Chen froze.

“I have no interest in knowing about my father, nor any interest in my background—I imagine it’s something shameful to uncover,” Qi Yue spread her hands.

“In any case, people must live their own lives.

Since those things are past, and those people are gone, and Qi Yue Niang was just a small beggar, then let her remain a small beggar forever.” Madam Chen stared at Qi Yue in astonishment.

How could someone hear this and remain so unmoved? Lineage, family, blood—were these not what people cared about most? Why this reaction from the woman before her? Surprise, terror, excitement, elation, joy, sorrow—nothing.

Absolutely nothing! Was this even human? Madam Chen was right; these were the reactions Qi Yue Niang should have had, and surely would have had.

It was just a pity that the person before her was not Qi Yue Niang.

Madam Chen watched the woman stand and turn, walking toward the door.

“What if,” she sat bolt upright, grabbing the bedclothes, and declared, “What if I told you I could bring utter ruin upon Chang Yuncheng, upon the entire Dingxi Marquisate?” Qi Yue’s body stiffened; her steps halted.

The air in the room seemed to congeal.

Madam Chen watched the woman slowly turn back.

She instantly regretted speaking those words.

She had just threatened her—threatened her daughter, her only flesh and blood… Madam Chen clutched her chest, watching the woman turn her gaze upon her.

“Then, I must truly thank the Old Marchioness, thank you, Auntie,” Qi Yue said with a slight smile, then her expression sobered, and she bowed deeply and formally to Madam Chen.

Madam Chen sank back onto the pillows, covering her mouth with her hand, tears streaming down like rain.

Meanwhile, at the Grand Scholar’s residence, upon hearing Madam Huo’s words, Madam Rao was gripped by a mixture of shock and fury.

“What? That…” she rose abruptly, losing her composure.

Madam Huo’s expression was equally complex.

Today’s events had truly been an eye-opener.

Having spent half her life in the capital, she had seen her share of strange occurrences, but none had delivered the shock of today’s revelation.

“This Dingxi Marquisate is truly absurd.

The husband and wife didn't even consult each other before arranging separate marriages for their children,” she shook her head, then addressed Madam Rao with a tone of earnest advice, “You should reconsider this marriage carefully.

Such elders in the family are truly…” She trailed off, letting the implication suffice.

Who didn't want to be cautious about this marriage! But they had no choice; the shame had already spread far enough! Madam Rao managed an awkward smile, unsure of how to respond.

As Madam Huo continued her earnest, rambling advice on choosing a spouse, especially emphasizing that Rao Yufang was fostered under her care and not a biological daughter, thus requiring utmost caution to avoid gossip, Madam Rao could only feel agitation, resentment, and depression, yet could only offer repeated thanks.

Finally seeing Madam Huo out, Madam Rao turned and headed straight for her husband's study, sinking into a chair and bursting into tears.

Scholar Rao put down the book he was reading with a sigh of helplessness, stroking his fine beard.

“What is it now? Why have you been crying constantly since arriving in the capital?” he inquired.

“If things are like this, you might as well return to Shandong.” Madam Rao put down her handkerchief.

“It’s all because of your niece!” she declared.

Scholar Rao frowned, then sighed again.

To speak ill of his niece felt contrary to duty, but to scold his wife, her conduct over the years had indeed been impeccable.

“I know.

I have wronged you,” he finally said, rising to pour a cup of tea and offer it to Madam Rao.

Seeing her husband offer her such respect, the feeling of grievance within Madam Rao lessened considerably, though she still dared not take the tea.

“It is good that you know,” she murmured.

“I know,” Scholar Rao sat beside her.

“The entire household knows you have been conscientious and dedicated to Yufang.

Now that she is properly married off, we can consider this matter settled.” Bringing up this topic agitated Madam Rao again.

“There is absolutely no way out for this marriage now,” she lamented.

“Our reputation, yours and mine, cannot be salvaged this time!” “What? Wasn’t everything settled?” Scholar Rao asked in confusion.

“What more does the Xie family want? We won’t skimp on the dowry.

In addition to the original items, we can add two more sets, ensuring they don't lose out on the increased betrothal gifts they offered.

We don't care about the money; it’s purely about face.” “If we have no face, what else is there?” Madam Rao exclaimed angrily, recounting what Madam Huo had told her.

“My Lord, tell me what to do! This is utterly humiliating!” Scholar Rao was equally shocked.

“Insolence!” He slammed the desk heavily, his usually refined expression marred by anger.

“This Dingxi Marquisate is pushing things too far!” “Pushing things… So what if they are? What can we do? We can only suffer it!” Madam Rao was both angry and helpless, pressing her forehead with her hand.

“That Editor Fang from the Hanlin Academy was such a good match initially.

Yes, his family was poorer, but with support from both our families, wouldn't his future prospects be far from poor? As long as the man is good and has potential, how hard could life be? The dowry alone could ensure she never worries about food and drink.

Why won't this child simply listen to us!” Outside the rear window, beneath the pomegranate tree, a small figure quietly turned, creeping out from under the foliage, and scurried away in a flash.

Under the wisteria trellis, Rao Yufang turned around.

“Is it really so?” she asked softly.

The little maid nodded.

“The Madam said it herself,” she whispered.

Rao Yufang focused her gaze.

Because she was confined, she wore no cosmetics; her eyelids were swollen and red from weeping, giving her a pitiful appearance.

“You may go,” she said, regaining her composure, handing the little maid a small handful of coins.

“Buy some fruit to eat.” The little maid curtsied happily, took the money, and ran off.

Rao Yufang sat down nearby, slowly stroking a vine.

“Miss,” a maid, seventeen or eighteen with narrow eyebrows and a long face, approached, glanced around, and murmured, “The Third Young Master has something to tell you.” Rao Yufang glanced at her.

“It’s about that Qi Yue Niang, isn’t it?” she asked, fiercely tearing off a slender branch.

“Tell him I already know.” The maid replied affirmatively.

“Miss, what should we do?” she asked quietly, sounding uneasy.

“I heard the adoptive father Qi Yue Niang recognized is a Medical Director at the Imperial Hospital.” “So what if he’s a Medical Director? Is his rank higher than Uncle’s?” she snapped, “He’s just a doctor.” Rao Yufang said impatiently, tearing the leaves and twigs in her hand into shreds and flinging them to the ground, then standing up.

The maid quickly acknowledged her.

“But, Miss, the Third Young Master said the Marquis of Dingxi is supporting Qi Yue Niang’s side.” She couldn’t help adding.

In the end, it was the men who held the final say.

If her uncle hadn’t made the final decision back then, how would Madam Rao have dared refuse the marriage proposal from the Dingxi Marquisate, instead arranging this match with that poor, ugly brute! With the Marquis of Dingxi exerting pressure, coupled with Madam Rao fanning the flames, this matter might collapse again… Rao Yufang paced back and forth a few times, ultimately unsure of what to do.

“Go tell the Third Young Master that he must handle this properly,” she finally said, irritated.

“Otherwise, he won’t have an easy time either.” The maid acknowledged this and hurried away.

The Marquis of Dingxi’s wife and Chang Yunqi were right: Qi Yue Niang endured three years of hardship to win Chang Yuncheng’s favor.

If she could do that, why couldn’t she? And she would do it even better! All she lacked was the right to endure, and that qualification was finally within reach; she absolutely could not let it slip away! Rao Yufang let out a quiet breath.