"It is because she left early this morning?" he inquired.

A eunuch hastened to affirm this.

"So the people from Prince Sima's manor got into an argument with Lord Zhou, saying that Madam Qi is too irresponsible, how could she possibly leave at a time like this, and what's more, leaving all the treatments to Old Doctor An," the eunuch reported.

The Emperor hummed, said nothing more, and with a swift stroke, swept a mark across the memorial, tossing it aside before picking up another.

The eunuch, noting the Emperor's lowered gaze, hesitated before withdrawing.

Cai Chong, after much deliberation, decided against saying anything further. Just then, Li Tong entered with several more memorials, and the room settled into silence.

Chang Yuncheng pushed the fresh bowl of tea soup served by the assistant towards her.

"Would you care to try this?" he asked.

Qi Yue, seated opposite, looked at him and nodded.

"Certainly. I’ve already eaten, but I wouldn't mind having another taste if you insist," she replied, promptly picking up the spoon.

"It's hot," Chang Yuncheng quickly warned.

But it was too late; Qi Yue opened her mouth, fanning it with her hand.

"Water, water, cold water," Chang Yuncheng immediately offered, handing her a cup.

Qi Yue waved it away.

"Thank you for your concern, but I prefer things piping hot," she said, lifting the spoon again.

Chang Yuncheng smiled and gently held her hand down.

"They say you have a terrible temper, and you never believe it," he remarked. "Speak civilly."

"And are you prepared to speak civilly?" Qi Yue asked, meeting his gaze.

Chang Yuncheng smiled and nodded.

"Very well. I've said before, I am quite easygoing. If you speak properly, I will speak properly. If you launch into rambling nonsense about being cold or hot, or how fine the weather is, I will naturally entertain you," Qi Yue stated, setting down her spoon, leaning back in her chair, and watching Chang Yuncheng.

Chang Yuncheng kept his eyes fixed on her.

"You woman, you are always like this—chattering incessantly and always finding a way to be right," he laughed. "It always makes one want to give you a good thrashing."

"Not as if you haven't tried," Qi Yue scoffed.

"Tried? You were too weak; I only gave you a light push," Chang Yuncheng asserted, tilting his chin up.

"Oh, now you won't own up to it?" Qi Yue countered, mimicking his gesture by lifting her chin. "I remember perfectly well how arrogant you looked back then. That was when I truly wanted to beat you up."

Recalling the past, both were lost in their memories.

"It’s strange," Chang Yuncheng mused with a laugh, "I always feel like the first time I saw you was at the Hall of Precious Maidens, not at Marquis Dingxi’s residence."

Qi Yue couldn't help letting out a low whistle.

You’re right…

Their first meeting was indeed back then.

It was magical; at that time, she never imagined she’d end up with such an infuriating, swaggering bully.

Qi Yue’s lips curved into a smile.

Chang Yuncheng watched her and smiled too.

"You were so ugly, slow, and silly back then," he teased.

"Nonsense," Qi Yue said, raising her hand to brush back her hair—though regrettably, ancient hairstyles lacked the modern volume for a dramatic sweep. "I have always been beautiful as a blooming flower. Your eyesight must have been flawed, unable to recognize my beauty."

As she spoke, she emphasized her point by patting herself.

"Beautiful inside and out," she added.

Chang Yuncheng roared with laughter.

"Indeed," he chuckled. "And only more so as time goes on."

Qi Yue raised an eyebrow, giving him a look that acknowledged his good taste.

"Beautiful, and capable of saving lives," Chang Yuncheng continued, extending his palm. "Count how many people have benefited from your kindness and aid, how many surround you now, expressing gratitude, admiration, wanting to follow you—like the winter sun."

Qi Yue stared at him, eyes wide, before bursting into laughter again.

"Keep going, keep going," she urged, nodding. "Did you come up with those flowery phrases yourself, or did Fan Yilin write them down for you to memorize?"

Chang Yuncheng shook his head, still smiling.

"In any case, you shine brighter and brighter, Divine Physician Madam Qi. You will be even greater in the future," he declared. "Which is why..."

Qi Yue’s smile faded, and she looked at Chang Yuncheng, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Which is why you don't want to marry me anymore, do you?" she asked.

Chang Yuncheng watched, preparing his next words, but Qi Yue interrupted him again.

"Look at me," Qi Yue commanded, pointing at herself. "I am no longer that poor, parentless beggar girl from Marquis Dingxi's household. I have wealth, fame, and followers. I can even strike a Prince, and no one dares touch me. Even sons of noble houses like yours wouldn't dare contemplate such a feat, yet I, a mere woman, have achieved it. Look at who I am and what status I hold now."

Having made her point, she then pointed at Chang Yuncheng.

"And now, look at you," Qi Yue continued. "Once the epitome of success—heir to Marquis Dingxi, future Marquis, a promising young official favored by the Emperor—your pedigree, status, and future were limitless. Since when did you start suffering repeated demotions and punishments, until now you don't even hold the title of heir? Your position as the eldest son of Marquis Dingxi, that General title—gone. What is your rank called now?"

"Captain Chang," Chang Yuncheng supplied.

"Ah, yes, Captain Chang," Qi Yue picked up the thread. "So, now I am dazzling like the sun and stars, while you are yesterday's flower, setting in the west. And because of that, you feel you are unworthy of me? And with an air of noble righteousness, pitiable self-sacrifice, and pride, you tell me that for the sake of my greater happiness, you and I must part ways, each walking our separate roads?"

Chang Yuncheng laughed, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, watching her.

"You must be waiting for me to kneel down, crying and begging you to tell me how impossible it is for me to live without you," Qi Yue mocked, standing up. "Then you'll turn away with righteous indignation, your solitary figure tragically moving. Chang Yuncheng, stop dreaming! I have no time for these childish games! If you won't marry me, then forget it."

She turned to leave.

As she passed him, Chang Yuncheng reached out and caught her wrist.

"You woman, there is definitely something wrong with your brain," he said, stifling a laugh as he looked at her. "What nonsense were you just spewing for all that time?"

What nonsense? Classic tragic romance material...

"You woman, so peculiar and quirky," Chang Yuncheng sighed, shaking his head. "Besides me, I doubt anyone else would want you."

Qi Yue looked at him.

What does that mean?

"I mean, you are dazzling right now, very high-profile, and very valuable. So many people are watching you, plotting against you," Chang Yuncheng explained, shaking her wrist gently. "But you must remember, you are my woman. I am about to leave—for several years. You need to stay home and behave yourself, be faithful to your husband. If you dare betray me, you'll be dead."

Qi Yue gazed at him. The tight line of her mouth slowly curved, then broke into a wide smile, which she quickly contained.

"You phrase things so harshly. Whether a woman remains faithful has nothing to do with the woman; it depends on the man—whether he’s worth a woman’s fidelity," she huffed.

"I told you to be faithful, so just listen," Chang Yuncheng tugged at her. "You're getting more talkative."

Qi Yue giggled and leaned against his arm.

"Then why say you won't marry me? I came all this way to see my beloved, only to hear that suddenly—it’s enough to make me furious," she complained.

"I don't have time now; I leave tomorrow. I don't want you to marry under such rushed circumstances," Chang Yuncheng insisted. "You are a famous divine physician now; you can't just rush into marriage so hastily."

"So, you mean you'll come back to marry me after you’ve achieved great merit?" Qi Yue frowned, asking. "How long will that take?"

"What? You can't wait?" Chang Yuncheng frowned back, pulling her onto his lap. "Or do you look down on me that much? Do you think I’ll make you wait a lifetime? In Liaodong, we have no shortage of merit; it’s lying around everywhere, ready to be picked up."

Qi Yue laughed heartily and pinched his cheek.

"Look at your smug face," she roared with laughter.

Chang Yuncheng looked at her, harrumphing twice with a smile.

"However," he looked at Qi Yue and asked, "what did you mean by all those things you said earlier?"

Qi Yue tilted her head, feigning ignorance.

"What did you say about me being yesterday's flower, setting in the west?" Chang Yuncheng gently turned her face back, looking intently at her. "You... you actually think of me that way in your heart?"

Qi Yue grinned mischievously at him.

"No, no, never," she pouted. "A kiss?"

Chang Yuncheng held her face steady, not letting her lean in.

"Stop changing the subject. Explain yourself clearly," he insisted firmly. "You wicked woman, do you look down on me in your heart?"

Qi Yue stared at him with an expression of studied seriousness.

"A person is disgraced by themselves before others disgrace them," she recited, patting Chang Yuncheng's firm chest. "Young man, only you can look down on yourself; no one else ever will."

Chang Yuncheng stared, then burst out laughing.

"Stop spouting nonsense!" he chuckled, shaking her head playfully. "Speak like a normal person!"

Qi Yue groaned as he shook her.

"I've been doing surgeries all day and worked the night shift—my head is killing me! Stop shaking me!" she cried out.

Chang Yuncheng immediately released her, gently steadying her face with concern.

"You worked all night? Then why are you out? Go to sleep right now," he urged.

Qi Yue giggled and pressed herself against his chest.

"I missed you so much I couldn't sleep," she confessed.

She felt the vibration travel through his chest as he laughed deeply.

Chang Yuncheng said no more, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"This hesitation you had earlier—it was because of this, wasn't it?" Qi Yue inquired.

Chang Yuncheng hummed in agreement, nuzzling her hair.

"His Majesty gave me two choices," he explained. "One: defense of the capital, or two: defense of the garrison post in Liaodong. The capital is stable, but..."

"...But you would be utterly unproductive," Qi Yue finished the thought for him. Not just unproductive—for someone like Chang Yuncheng, stripped of his heir status, facing endless ridicule and scorn—no man would choose to live that way. "And Liaodong is different."

Chang Yuncheng lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

"Yes. Although it seems desolate and dangerous, historically a place for exile," he admitted. "But for my current situation, it’s the best opportunity."

Qi Yue nodded.

"It seems His Majesty is a benevolent ruler to you," she joked.

Chang Yuncheng smiled too.

"His Majesty has always treated me well," he confirmed. "This is a chance he deliberately gave me. However, my standing is not what it was; everything must start over from scratch. So, I might be gone for a very long time. I won't be able to see you, or be with you, perhaps not even exchange letters. I didn't know how to tell you..."

Qi Yue laughed.

"Silly boy," she said softly. "This is nothing. I told you, you're too dull; you can't talk like us clever people. I’ll just go with you."

"Absolutely not," Chang Yuncheng refused immediately. "It’s too dangerous there. Besides, I’m not like before; I can't command many troops to protect you..."

"Oh, stop it," Qi Yue huffed, pinching his cheek. "As if I can't survive without you! Who do you think I am? The Sun, a Divine Physician! So many people revere me, owe me favors, I just have to wave my hand, and I'll have followers everywhere..."

Chang Yuncheng laughed loudly.

"I don't need your protection; getting protection is just a matter of a word from me," Qi Yue continued. "That’s enough. Don't make such a fuss over something so minor; it’s embarrassing."

"But you are at the peak of your reputation here in the capital right now..." Chang Yuncheng stroked her hair, smiling faintly. "The Imperial Medical Academy relies heavily on you. If you abandoned all that to follow me..."

Qi Yue straightened up and looked at him seriously.

"Actually, I’m not that indispensable," she stated. "All this impressive skill I have, all the pharmacy breakthroughs—they aren't dependent solely on my existence. Without me, they would appear eventually, just sooner or later. The techniques and equipment for medicine, I’ve explained them once, and everyone grasped the concepts thoroughly. I barely visit the factories, and they run perfectly fine. Take Prince Sima’s ailment, for instance; I finished the surgery, and the rest requires nothing more from me... Or, if I wished, I could start up my operations just as successfully here in the capital or anywhere else."

She paused here and smiled at Chang Yuncheng.

"But Chang Yuncheng, you are unique, irreplaceable. If I lost you, there would be no replacing you," she concluded.

Chang Yuncheng gazed at her, and Qi Yue returned his look with a faint smile.

"That’s right, I am irreplaceable. So, for the rest of your life, you will stick close to me, whether it’s glory and wealth, mountains of knives and seas of fire, rich feasts or coarse gruel—you follow me," Chang Yuncheng asserted, then frowned. "And in the future, you can only say such sickeningly sweet things to me. Don't smile so readily at other men, don't say charming things to them; it's utterly infuriating..."

Qi Yue burst into laughter. Chang Yuncheng grabbed her head and kissed her deeply.

Thank you to book friends 110614140719140, Da Zhu Xiao Zhu, Fei Se Wei Meng, ￠Fang Fei Meng Xiang￠, Book Friend 130806092519456, Yi Zhen Qing Feng Ting Shuo You Gui, Kuang Ben De Yang Cong, Lan Yuan, Yi Jin Gong Yi, Jiang Mou Feng Huo, Nian Shao Qing Xian, Abazhuoma, Annie0220, Xia Xi, carollu0524, zgzheng_1976, and Jin Qin for the fragrant sachet rewards, and thank you to Qian Shan Xue Yi Yi for the Heshibi.

Thank you all~ Please continue to support my final push for Pink Tickets this month. There should be double points at the end of the month, so please support me then. Thank you all. RS