Shameless despicable servant!

“Let’s go,” Madam Xie flicked her sleeves and went inside.

Looking back and seeing Madam Yang still standing there, she quickly called out.

Madam Yang’s gaze fell on Qi Yue with a somewhat appraising look.

“That one is Miss Qi?” she asked.

“That’s the despicable servant,” Madam Xie replied.

Madam Yang made an “oh” sound, her face bearing a somewhat sly smile.

This sly smile made Madam Xie feel very uncomfortable. She felt that anyone who saw this despicable servant should show disgust.

“Look clearly—this type of woman must never be approached,” she said.

Madam Yang smiled slyly without speaking and turned to follow her inside.

After finishing a day of free medical care, it was already dark when they returned to Qianjin Hall. Though tired, everyone was beaming with smiles. They put down their things and handed them to the disciple in charge of storage for disinfection and counting, while others prepared to go to the bathhouse on the side to wash.

Qi Yue had designed showers and had craftsmen create showerheads. Though crude, they didn’t affect usage, and her own residence now used the same system.

The well water at Qianjin Hall was channeled through bamboo pipes and a small water wheel to create a simple running water system. The disinfectant powder prepared by Liu Pucheng was placed nearby for everyone’s daily hand washing.

“We physicians—not just as physicians, but in daily life too—should try to wash with running water whenever possible,” she instructed.

Change starts from daily life, from small things.

Qi Yue watched as the disciples naturally walked to the bamboo pipes, laughing and chatting as they washed their hands, as if they had always done this. For a moment, she seemed to return to the familiar modern work environment.

“All of this is money, money, money…” Hu San muttered on the side.

Qi Yue laughed heartily.

“There are some things in this world that money cannot buy,” she turned to smile at him. “Don’t worry about money. ‘When wealth is scattered, it returns again. When life is good, one must enjoy it fully. Don’t let the golden goblet sit empty under the moon. Roast sheep and slaughter cattle for joy, and drink three hundred cups at once…'”

Her eyes lit up as she spoke.

“Teacher, teacher, how about I treat everyone tonight? Let’s go out for dinner…” she called out loudly.

Miss Qi loved excitement and hosting others, always suggesting meals and gatherings.

The disciples in the courtyard stopped and looked at Liu Pucheng.

A’Ru reached out and patted Qi Yue’s arm.

“Dinner? You want to drink, don’t you?” she said quietly, glaring. “Don’t even think about it. A’Hao has stewed pigeon soup.”

The fish soup had finally ended, only to be replaced by pigeon soup. Qi Yue’s face wrinkled up.

“Yes, it’s too late. Miss should go home. Don’t always eat outside—it’s not good for a woman,” Liu Pucheng came over and said.

She always obeyed Liu Pucheng’s words, those words and intentions that were good for her.

“Yes,” Qi Yue said, then looked up again. “Then, it’s okay if I drink at home, right?”

Liu Pucheng was amused by her helpless smile.

Here, Hu San once again pulled A’Ru aside to mutter.

“Why does Master love treating people to meals so much? That must cost so much money. It’s probably the habit of spending lavishly formed at the marquis mansion…” he muttered. “You need to advise her. She doesn’t know how expensive daily necessities are, but don’t you know either? A woman’s future life…”

“Shut up,” A’Ru said impatiently, glaring at him.

Hu San immediately closed his mouth.

“What do you understand,” A’Ru said, seeing his expression, then smiled helplessly and sighed.

“What?” Hu San asked, confused.

“If spending money can buy away loneliness, any amount is worth it,” A’Ru said.

Hu San understood. The loneliness was because she missed Lord, wasn’t it?

He also sighed. Master still didn’t know about Lord’s visit that time. Lord had forbidden anyone to speak of it, and after Old Physician An repeatedly confirmed that Master would recover well, Lord left without staying a moment longer.

It was said that on the way here, he traveled day and night without rest, running several horses to death.

He reached out and tugged at A’Ru’s sleeve.

“What now?” A’Ru shook off his hand and glared in warning.

“Why not tell Master that Lord not only traveled thousands of miles to see her, but also left four people specifically to protect her… This would surely make Master very happy…” Hu San said in a low voice.

A’Ru waved him off and looked toward Qi Yue, seeing that she was pulling out a notebook she carried with her to ask Liu Pucheng questions and hadn’t noticed their conversation.

“By now, there’s no chance to turn back. It’s the Emperor’s golden decree, and the divorce papers have been signed, not to mention there’s also the madam…” A’Ru said quietly. “Lord knows this too, which is why he acts this way. At this point, letting her let go is best for her. One person suffering is better than two people suffering.”

Hu San sighed deeply.

“Even wealthy households have their own sorrows,” he said, with some relief. “Fortunately, we are not…”

This sudden statement made A’Ru’s eyes widen, then her face turned red.

“Bah! Who’s ‘we’ with you!” she spat and turned away.

Hu San hadn’t expected to blurt out his inner thoughts, and his face also flushed red. Fortunately, no other disciples noticed.

Morning light streamed into the courtyard. Qi Yue was brushing her teeth when she heard someone calling at the gate.

“This early? Is there an emergency?” she asked, the toothbrush still in her mouth.

A servant woman had already gone to open the gate and returned shortly.

“Miss, it’s Madam Yang who wants to see you,” she said, handing over a calling card.

Madam Yang?

A’Hao took it to look.

“Oh my, Miss, it’s that matchmaking Madam Yang,” she said in surprise.

That madam…

Qi Yue gargled and spat the water into the spittoon.

“Tell her if there’s an emergency, go to Qianjin Hall. I’ll be there shortly,” she said.

A’Hao hurried off to relay the message. Madam Yang, sitting in her carriage, was stunned.

“Perhaps I didn’t make it clear. I have business with Miss Qi, not here for medical treatment,” she said with a smile.

A’Hao looked her over, though she couldn’t see her expression clearly through the curtain.

“What business?” she asked.

Madam Yang was stunned again.

This girl…

Even if she didn’t know the rules between master and servant, she should know her own status, shouldn’t she? How could she be so rude?

But having been a matchmaker for so long, being accommodating to both parties, and having seen all sorts of situations, she could tolerate this little rudeness from a young girl. Moreover, maintaining her dignity, she wouldn’t stoop to the level of such a small servant.

“Some private matters. I’m here on someone’s behalf, wanting to see Miss Qi,” she said gently.

“Private matters?” Qi Yue said in surprise after hearing A’Hao’s words. “She and I are complete strangers. What private matters could there be?”

“Then I’ll chase her away,” A’Hao said happily.

She had long disliked this Madam Yang, especially since she had come to arrange matches for Lord!

“Never mind, she hasn’t been discourteous. Please invite her in,” Qi Yue said.

Speaking of which, the two had met once before. Qi Yue stood at the door and nodded slightly to the well-dressed woman being helped by a maid as she entered—this counted as a greeting.

“I really didn’t expect to meet Miss Qi again so soon,” Madam Yang said with a smile. “And I didn’t expect the form of address to have changed so quickly.”

Qi Yue smiled.

“Actually, when we first met, I could already imagine today,” she laughed.

Entering the room, Madam Yang glanced around. It was clean and tidy, not exactly simple, but far from luxurious. The room had several pots of lush green plants that added some charm, and besides these, the most eye-catching thing was a desk full of books and notebooks.

“I don’t like drinking tea, so there’s no good tea prepared at home. Please excuse the inconvenience, Madam,” Qi Yue said, watching A’Hao bring tea.

“I don’t like drinking tea either,” Madam Yang smiled as she sat down. “I don’t even like drinking water. Having an extra bowl of soup during meals each day is enough.”

Qi Yue also sat down.

“Please speak directly about your business, Madam. I have to go to work shortly, so I can’t keep you company for long,” she said directly.

Madam Yang smiled.

“I was already instructed about this before coming. I didn’t believe it then, but now I see it’s true—when talking with Miss Qi, one must be direct,” she laughed.

“There’s no help for it. It’s better to keep things simple. I don’t have time,” Qi Yue said, sipping her tea.

“It’s like this,” Madam Yang indeed stopped being polite and began speaking. “I’ve come to arrange a marriage for Miss Qi.”

Qi Yue choked on her tea.

News of Madam Yang entering Qi Yue’s home quickly reached the ears of interested parties.

Madam Xie originally didn’t want to be such an interested party, but helplessly, as long as this despicable servant remained in the city for one day, she would damage their marquis mansion’s reputation for one day. So she had no choice but to condescend to have people watch that woman’s house, to avoid being caught off guard by that despicable servant’s antics, like what happened with Old Madam Liu.

“What?” When she heard this news, Madam Xie was having breakfast and put down her bowl. “What is she doing at that despicable servant’s place?”

Madam Yang loved matchmaking. Could she have gone there to arrange a marriage?

How absurd! That was impossible! Who would want their Dingxi Marquis mansion’s cast-off wife!

Madam Xie slammed down her chopsticks.

“Go ask what exactly Madam Yang is doing there,” she said with raised eyebrows. “I’ve invited her several times and she says she’s busy, too busy to see me. I think she’s just idle!”

Nanny Su responded and hurried out, though she didn’t know where to inquire.

She certainly couldn’t go to Qi Yue’s place—they wouldn’t let her in, much less allow her to ask questions. She’d probably be served a basin of foot-washing water at best. She could only approach from Madam Yang’s side.

Nanny Su changed clothes and went to Madam Yang’s house.

“Madam has gone out,” said a servant woman close to Madam Yang, inviting Nanny Su to sit. “What bad timing.”

“I’m not here to see Madam,” Nanny Su smiled, pulling the servant woman to sit down. “I’m here to see you. About that loan-sharking business you mentioned last time—I’m thinking of investing.”

The servant woman was immediately delighted and talked for a long time before Nanny Su left the Yang house.

Getting into her carriage and looking back at the Yang house, she couldn’t help but frown.

After spending her own money generously, the news that servant woman told her wasn’t particularly good.

Madam Yang was indeed busy with matchmaking, but not busy with their family’s matches. Instead, she was arranging a second marriage for Wang Qian, the eldest grandson of the Wang family and son of Wang Tongye.

The Wang family’s remarriage, Madam Yang going to Qi Yueniang’s door—these originally unrelated matters being connected made one uneasy.

Could the second wife the Wang family wanted be… Qi Yueniang?

How was that possible? She was their Dingxi Marquis mansion’s cast-off wife! How could the Wang family’s status accept a cast-off wife! And one from Dingxi Marquis mansion at that—wouldn’t this be slapping Dingxi Marquis mansion in the face?

At this moment, Madam Yang was sitting before Wang Tongye and his wife.

“What did Miss Qi say?” Wang Tongye asked with some urgency.