Fan Yilin sat in the Marquis Dingxi’s reception hall feeling very depressed, not even in the mood to maintain respect for his father-in-law, openly displaying his displeasure with a sour expression.

How annoying – why did they make him come too!

What was this about apologizing? What was there to apologize for! He was the victim, wasn’t he!

Being inexplicably kissed by a man, and then it was somehow his fault!

He should have been back at his own home by now, enjoying the comfort of his mother and several beautiful concubines, not sitting stupidly in this reception hall of some Marquis Dingxi’s household. Even more terrifying was that he would soon have to be examined by that ugly and fierce woman.

Thinking of this, Fan Yilin couldn’t help but cover his robes with his hands. Wei Jie had been “killed by examination” back then – would he meet the same fate?

“Yilin,” Wang Tongye called.

Fan Yilin sat dumbly in his chair, not hearing.

Seeing his son-in-law’s dull appearance, Wang Tongye was very displeased.

“Look, he’s definitely unwell,” he said to the Marquis Dingxi instead of calling again. “The family is all worried. He was making a fuss about leaving, but we thought it best to have the Young Madam examine him for peace of mind.”

Seeing other families’ children being disappointing was what the Marquis Dingxi enjoyed most.

“What a small matter – you came personally for this,” he laughed heartily with satisfaction. “This child does look a bit frail.”

Wang Tongye rolled his eyes. If I didn’t come personally, would you old fellow really let your daughter-in-law examine him willingly?

Besides, where was his Yilin frail? That was refined handsomeness! You’re just jealous because you can’t produce such a handsome son!

Look at your own crude, stupid Prince…

“The Prince and Young Madam have arrived,” a young servant announced from outside.

Wang Tongye composed himself. He couldn’t stoop to the level of a simpleton like the Marquis Dingxi. He must praise other people’s stupid, crude children, even if only superficially.

Fan Yilin stared dumbly toward the door. Thinking of what was about to happen made his heart fill with sorrow. Then suddenly his eyes brightened as two people approached side by side. The man was automatically ignored by Fan Yilin, his gaze falling on the woman.

In the winter, the woman wore a powder-azure brocade jacket and moon-white embroidered plum blossom pleated skirt, her hair in a simple chignon with a jade hairpin, walking with a smile, graceful and elegant.

Like a startled swan, graceful as a swimming dragon!

Fan Yilin suddenly sat up straight, his eyes bright as he stared at this woman approaching, and seeing her face clearly, became even more excited. What a beauty!

This was what the legendary Marquis Dingxi’s household should be like – beauties everywhere. That ugly woman must have been an accident!

Then he heard the servant’s announcement.

“The Prince and Young Madam have arrived.”

The beauty smiled as she entered the hall.

“Father, Lord Wang,” she said with a smile, curtsying.

What… what?

Fan Yilin jumped up in shock.

Wang Tongye also paused upon seeing the woman before him, then realized.

Of course – a woman whom the Old Marchioness of Marquis Dingxi’s household was willing to marry into the family despite shame and disregard for status must have exceptional qualities.

That night it was dark, she had been beaten, gone through a brawl, her face was injured and her appearance disheveled – comparing that to now, it wasn’t surprising they seemed like two different people.

“Yueniang, Lord Wang is still worried, so he wants you to examine Young Master Fan to see if there’s anything wrong with his health,” the Marquis Dingxi said.

Qi Yue looked toward Wang Tongye.

“Actually, you’d be better off finding a physician,” she said with a smile. “For example, Dr. Liu from Qianjin Hall is more capable than I am.”

Wang Tongye paused, then smiled.

“Good, no problem. Naturally we’ll go there after the Young Madam has examined him,” he said meaningfully.

Qi Yue was puzzled by his meaningful tone, then realized and laughed heartily.

“Lord Wang, there’s no need for that. You misunderstood. Dr. Liu and I each have our strengths – it’s not that I need you to give me face,” she said with a smile, then bowed to Wang Tongye. “However, I must still thank you for giving me such great face!”

These two mentions of “face” referred to different matters. The Marquis Dingxi didn’t understand, but Wang Tongye did.

His refusal to give face to those who came to apologize, while giving face to those families who didn’t come to apologize, was ultimately all to enhance Qi Yue’s reputation.

Wang Tongye also smiled and nodded at Qi Yue.

“This child is just honest, very straightforward, saying whatever comes to mind,” the Marquis Dingxi said. Though he didn’t understand what they were discussing, he knew to promptly praise his own child.

Honest? Would an honest child lead servants to besiege someone’s gates?

Wang Tongye laughed heartily.

“Let me examine him first then. Father, may I borrow your side room?” Qi Yue said, calling for A’Ru to fetch her medical bag.

The Marquis Dingxi nodded.

Only then did Qi Yue look at the young gentleman standing in the hall.

“Young Master Fan, this way please,” she said with a smile.

But she saw the young gentleman just staring at her dumbly.

Was he really ill?

Qi Yue frowned. Chang Yuncheng, who had been standing to the side, suddenly stepped forward and positioned himself in front of Fan Yilin, blocking his view.

“Eh?” Fan Yilin’s vision of the beauty suddenly disappeared, replaced by a black wall, and he immediately became anxious.

“Young Master Fan,” the black wall said coldly, “This way please.”

Fan Yilin came to his senses and saw the black wall’s unfriendly expression staring at him.

“What are you standing there for? Hurry and follow the Young Madam,” Wang Tongye said in a low voice, feeling increasingly embarrassed.

Qi Yue had already walked toward the side room. Fan Yilin hurriedly stumbled after her, and Chang Yuncheng, with a dark expression, hesitated before following as well.

Fan Yilin was somewhat dazed, sitting when told to sit.

“You… are you the Young Madam from that day?” he asked, staring at Qi Yue dumbly.

Qi Yue nodded with a smile.

“That’s right, Young Master Fan. We’ve met before,” she said with a smile.

“Yes, yes, we’ve met. My surname is Fan, given name Yilin, courtesy name Maozhu…” Fan Yilin said hastily.

Qi Yue made an “oh” sound with a smile.

“Then Young Master Fan, I need to examine…” she said, rolling up her sleeves.

Before she could finish, Fan Yilin startled and smoothly unfastened his robes, removing his upper garments in just a few moves to reveal his pale, tender torso.

“Young Madam, please proceed,” he said softly to Qi Yue, his handsome eyes hazy, with an expression of complete submission.

Qi Yue stood with raised hands, staring in shock. Too… too cooperative!

Chang Yuncheng could no longer restrain himself and stood up.

“Put it back on,” he said in a low, harsh voice.

Fan Yilin was startled back to awareness by this male voice and noticed there was another man in the room. He cried out in alarm and hastily covered his clothes.

“You, who are you? What are you doing here?” he demanded, glaring.

Had this man been invisible to him this whole time?

Chang Yuncheng’s face darkened, grinding his teeth.

Fan Yilin realized his mistake after shouting.

“Oh, the Prince,” he quickly put on a smile. “You came too – such trouble you’ve taken…”

“I see Young Master Fan is fine. No examination needed,” Chang Yuncheng said coolly.

“No, no, I’m not well. Very unwell,” Fan Yilin said frantically, holding his head as he sat in the chair. “I can’t go on – just standing for this while has made me dizzy.”

Soon A’Ru brought the stethoscope, and Qi Yue accepted it with a smile.

“Let me have a look,” she said, approaching. Seeing Fan Yilin about to undress again, she quickly smiled and stopped him. “This is fine.”

Fan Yilin was very disappointed.

“Can you see clearly this way?” he asked with concern.

Qi Yue smiled and used the stethoscope to listen at various spots on his chest.

Fan Yilin didn’t want to blink, watching the woman at such close distance. He couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

So fragrant…

“What fragrance does madam use? It smells so good,” he said with a silly grin.

Chang Yuncheng stepped forward, struggling to control himself from throwing this man out.

“Really? Thank you – my maid made it. I don’t know what it is either,” Qi Yue said with a smile, removing the stethoscope.

If it had been any other young lady, such words would have made her either flee in fright or blush. But this woman had no reaction at all, as if his words were the most ordinary thing…

Wasn’t it though? Complimenting someone’s perfume was nothing unusual.

“All done, nothing wrong,” Qi Yue said with a smile. “I estimate that day it was just a sudden blow to the chest, plus the shock of falling that caused temporary suffocation.”

Fan Yilin looked disappointed.

“Nothing wrong? How is that possible? I feel uncomfortable all over,” he said with a frown, seeming unable to rise from the chair. “Young Madam, please examine me more thoroughly. I’ll take off my clothes…”

Did this bastard think he was dead?

Chang Yuncheng stepped forward and lifted Fan Yilin from the chair.

“Young Master Fan, are you saying my wife misdiagnosed?” he said word by word, emphasizing ‘my wife.’

Fan Yilin finally awakened from his beauty-induced stupor.

Oh dear, flirting with someone’s wife right in front of her husband – this was a major error in his suave, romantic image.

How confused he’d been! Angering the husband meant no hope of seeing the little beauty again.

To think he, Fan Yilin, had made such a blunder – how embarrassing!

“No, no,” he said with a serious expression, straightening and stepping back several paces, bowing to Qi Yue. “Thank you, Young Madam.”

Qi Yue smiled and returned the courtesy.

“Since there’s nothing wrong, you should head back first,” Chang Yuncheng said, still blocking Qi Yue.

Qi Yue made an “oh” sound and walked out leisurely.

Fan Yilin maintained a proper demeanor, not even glancing sideways, only looking at Chang Yuncheng.

“Thank you, Prince. About last time, I sincerely apologize,” he said earnestly.

Chang Yuncheng looked at him expressionlessly. Hearing Qi Yue finish reporting the examination results to Wang Tongye and take her leave, he turned and walked out. Fan Yilin naturally followed.

What else was said, Qi Yue didn’t know. She returned to her courtyard and prepared to go to Qianjin Hall. As for Madam Xie’s house confinement order, with her face healed, she had automatically forgotten about it.

Just as she was about to leave, Chang Yuncheng returned.

“Oh, did Lord Wang and the others leave?” Qi Yue asked with some surprise.

She had thought they would stay for dinner and Chang Yuncheng would have to accompany them.

Chang Yuncheng made an “mm” sound – unclear if it was yes or no.

“Where are you going?” he asked with a frown.

To ask if they’d found a body for practice…

“To have a look at Qianjin Hall. I haven’t taught for several days,” Qi Yue said.

Chang Yuncheng made an “mm” sound and stood without moving.

“Want to come along?” Qi Yue asked casually.

Just being polite – how could Chang Yuncheng go to such a place? How boring.

“Fine,” Chang Yuncheng replied. His earlier depression had improved somewhat. Since this woman had invited him, he would reluctantly accompany her.

Qi Yue stood frozen in place.

“Actually, you don’t need to force yourself…” she said hastily.

Chang Yuncheng ignored her, picking up his heavy cloak and walking out first.

Serves you right! Qi Yue muttered to herself, watching the man’s retreating figure striding away. Then thinking of something, she pursed her lips in a smile and followed.