The atmosphere in the great hall became tense.

After his initial pause, the Emperor laughed again.

“Everyone must die – there’s nothing unusual about that,” he said indifferently.

Chen Shi agreed.

“I have no other concerns, only one person I need Your Majesty to kindly look after,” she said.

The Emperor looked at her.

“You have relatives above and children below – what am I to you?” he asked with a smile. “Why should I look after someone for you?”

Chen Shi’s expression remained calm.

“Because they cannot look after her – only by depending on Your Majesty can she live in comfort and freedom,” she said.

The Emperor laughed heartily.

“Your words are truly honest,” he said with amusement.

Anyone in this world who depended on him, the Son of Heaven, would naturally live in comfort and freedom.

“Chen Xue,” he said, stroking his hand and sitting up straight. “Do you think I owe you something?”

Chen Shi lowered her head and kowtowed.

“This subject’s wife dares not think so,” she said. “This subject’s wife received great kindness from the Old Marchioness of Marquis Dingxi and had no way to repay it. When the Old Marchioness passed away, this subject’s wife swore before her to care for this person. Now that this subject’s wife is about to die, I boldly come to beg Your Majesty’s gracious favor.”

The Emperor’s expression was between smiling and not smiling.

“Your affairs with your mother-in-law have nothing to do with me,” he said, shaking his head. “I wasn’t the one who made vows to your mother-in-law.”

“Your Majesty, you were the one who granted the marriage, and you were the one who granted the divorce. These household affairs of the Marquis Dingxi residence cannot be said to be unrelated to you,” Chen Shi said, raising her head.

The Emperor paused.

“Was there such a thing?” he seemed somewhat puzzled.

“Originally, the Old Marchioness of Marquis Dingxi had received great kindness and felt compelled to repay it, so she insisted on bringing her savior into the family. But she also worried that her legitimate grandson would be mocked in the future, so she personally came to the capital to seek audience with the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager asked Your Majesty to grant the marriage,” Chen Shi explained.

The Emperor frowned and thought for a moment before showing some recognition.

“It seems there was such a matter. That Old Marchioness of Marquis Dingxi told quite a story, moving the Empress Mother to tears. If I had said I wouldn’t intervene, the Empress Mother’s palace would have been flooded with tears,” he said with a laugh.

Such trivial matters of moving his lips to make subordinates handle things to please the Empress Mother – how could he remember such things?

“Last year, I asked Consort Dong to petition Your Majesty for grace, allowing the Old Marchioness’s daughter-in-law who had received the imperial marriage grant to divorce,” Chen Shi continued.

The Emperor frowned again, reaching up to massage his temples.

Women’s affairs were also considered affairs! He really couldn’t remember immediately…

“Oh, the jealous woman who wouldn’t agree to her husband taking a new wife?” After thinking again, he remembered and laughed with some interest. “She really divorced and left?”

“Your Majesty, what is there to joke about in this?” Chen Shi said.

The Emperor leaned back in his dragon throne.

“She really was willing to give it up? That marquis residence is such a high-ranking family – everyone only thinks of entering, yet there’s a woman who wanted to leave?” he laughed. “Good thing I didn’t bet…”

He looked at the eunuch standing nearby.

“Otherwise I definitely would have lost,” he said with a laugh.

“Yes, yes, Your Majesty. You can’t do this in the future – you must give us chances to win,” the eunuch immediately laughed in agreement.

The Emperor laughed heartily.

This woman was interesting…

Thinking of the earlier incident, he couldn’t help but nod.

She seemed to be a stubborn one who could indeed do such things.

A trace of amusement appeared in the Emperor’s eyes.

Chen Shi saw this and sighed with relief.

“So Your Majesty, for a woman like her, the rest of her life will truly be difficult,” she said, kowtowing again. “I’m about to die, and my children have relatives, family, status, and position. I need not worry about them, but this Yueniang – I truly cannot rest easy about her.”

The Emperor stroked his chin with a smile, saying nothing.

So this woman was called Yueniang – he wondered what her surname was…

Seeing the Emperor’s expression, Chen Shi’s heart relaxed again.

“Your Majesty, I brought her today to thank Your Majesty. It is Your Majesty’s great benevolence that allows her to live honorably whether she stays or goes,” she said.

The Emperor waved his hand with a laugh.

“I still have matters to attend to,” he said, standing up. “Sister, since your health is poor, don’t worry about such things. Rest well.”

Having said this, he stepped forward to leave.

“Your Majesty!” Chen Shi quickly rose and called out, but the Emperor had already exited through the side door.

The eunuchs naturally hurried to follow, leaving only Chen Shi alone in the vast palace hall.

Chen Shi almost doubted whether she had actually seen the Emperor, whether the conversation had really happened or if she was dreaming again.

“Young lady?” someone called from outside.

Chen Shi came to her senses and turned to see the plump eunuch looking in from the doorway.

“Steward Huang,” she called, walking toward him.

The plump eunuch quickly stepped forward to support her. Chen Shi walked out to find Qi Yue already waiting outside.

Chen Shi smiled at her.

“Let’s go home,” she said.

Qi Yue observed her expression, which seemed both happy and unhappy, unable to tell how the matter had gone. She reached out to support her.

“Aunt, you must be tired. Let me help you – your health is most important,” she said.

Nothing else mattered as long as she was healthy. Chen Shi understood this sentiment and smiled at her.

“Good, let’s go,” she said, taking Qi Yue’s hand in return.

As they were leaving the palace gates, Chen Shi couldn’t help but look back once more.

“Young lady, now that you’re in the capital, you can come visit whenever you like,” the plump eunuch said.

Chen Shi smiled and nodded.

Yes, she would come again, she must come, until she could close her eyes in peace.

Returning home, Qi Yue found A’Ru had returned.

“Lord Zhou isn’t staying in the prison cell – he was taken out by the supervising official there,” A’Ru said happily.

This was indeed good news. Qi Yue breathed a sigh of relief.

“The Prince isn’t here,” A’Ru added. “He only left word for you not to worry.”

To keep her from worrying, he had gone to handle things alone.

Qi Yue made a sound of acknowledgment, resting her chin on her hand as she stared at the candlelight in thought.

A’Ru and A’Hao didn’t dare disturb her, quietly tidying up and preparing the bed.

The night passed without incident.

The next day when Qi Yue went to see Chen Shi, she had already left.

“So early?” she asked in surprise, then sighed.

Everyone was rushing about, and this matter had involved so many people.

Established customs were inherently difficult to change. Her impulsive decision made on a whim had been wrong, hadn’t it?

If this border campaign had been victorious, her actions could have been seen as icing on the cake. Even if some questioned or disapproved, it would have been considered harmless. But with the heavy losses in this border campaign, anything could be scrutinized, especially something like hers that differed from past practices.

Looking back, there had been Yuan Bao’s arm injury from Chang Yuncheng’s blade, the entanglement with Wang Qingchun, Liu Pucheng’s injury, her own injury, and the family that Concubine Zhou had used to stir up public anger – all because of her unconventional medical treatments.

Forceful, impatient, urgent. Unwilling to integrate or change, fearing she would no longer be herself.

Previously, despite the stumbling and bumbling, these small-scale medical matters had ultimately been resolved satisfactorily. But this time, she wasn’t dealing with the small area of Yongqing Prefecture, nor simple medical matters.

Qi Yue sighed softly.

Had she been wrong?

Before her eyes appeared Qiao Minghua’s cold expression, the room full of wounded soldiers in sorrow and despair, the crying and writhing soldiers on the battlefield.

No, if she had to do it again, she would still act the same way.

No, if she had to do it again, she would still be just as forceful and impatient in her actions.

She could never bring herself to hesitate while watching the injured and ill cry out in pain before her.

“Calm the spirit and strengthen resolve, vow to universally save all sentient beings from suffering. Treat all equally, as if they were beloved relatives. Dedicate oneself wholeheartedly to rescue, without thought of merit or recognition.” This was how she had lived her life!

Since this matter ultimately arose because of her, she was willing to bear all responsibility.

She had already shown Qiao Minghua hope. She had gradually influenced the disciples of Qianjin Hall for so long. She was only one person, with a brief, fleeting life, while Qiao Minghua and those disciples were the future, the hope.

That was enough.

A’Hao, sitting nearby, watched Qi Yue’s changing expressions with great unease.

The carriage hit a stone and jolted. Qi Yue snapped back to attention.

“Have we arrived?” she asked, lifting the curtain to look outside.

The street was bustling with crowds, full of laughter and conversation.

“Master said he’s at Zuixiao Tower,” Hu San called from outside.

“What kind of people could he find? Don’t let him waste money and get cheated,” Qi Yue said with a frown.

When she couldn’t find Chen Shi that morning, she had also looked for Liu Pucheng without success. Hu San said Liu Pucheng had gone to find people to inquire and help.

“Master, you forgot – Master’s master used to be an Imperial Physician, and he still has a junior brother serving as an official in the Imperial Medical Academy,” Hu San reminded her.

Rather than reassuring her, this made Qi Yue frown even more.

That junior brother of Liu Pucheng’s – whatever his name was – though she had only met him briefly two or three times, she could tell he was a smiling tiger who would stab people in the back.

Liu Pucheng must know this too, otherwise why would he never mention this junior brother?

Now that Liu Pucheng had gone to find him, wasn’t this like delivering himself to be trampled on?

“Master, we’ve arrived,” Hu San called out.

The carriage stopped before a restaurant. This establishment was imposing, with well-dressed patrons coming and going.

As Qi Yue was about to enter, she heard an elderly voice calling her from behind. She turned around and couldn’t help but beam with joy.

“Old Physician An!” she exclaimed, quickly walking over to see Old Physician An lifting the curtain of his carriage with a smile.

“I went to Madam Chen’s house looking for you and was told you had gone out,” Old Physician An said, being helped by two servants into a wheelchair.

“Perfect timing – let’s go inside and talk,” Qi Yue said.

Hu San had already inquired about Liu Pucheng’s reserved room and happily led the way.

“I’ve heard everything – don’t worry,” Old Physician An said as they walked.

Qi Yue nodded, about to speak when she heard a man’s loud voice from the nearby room they were approaching.

“…Look what trouble you’ve caused! How dare you call yourself master’s disciple? I’m embarrassed by you! Kneel down! Give me back everything master left you!”

Hearing this, Qi Yue’s brow furrowed and her expression darkened.

Hu San immediately became anxious. No one knew better than him Liu Pucheng’s position in Qi Yue’s heart, and no one knew better than him how protective Qi Yue was of her own people.

Regardless of who was inside, even if it was Liu Pucheng’s father, he had to go in and protect him.

Without hesitation, Hu San kicked the door open.

“Master, what’s wrong?” he shouted as he rushed in.

Liu Pucheng and Dong Lin inside were startled by the commotion.

Hu San rushed in first, while Qi Yue stood in the doorway.

Liu Pucheng held a cup of wine with his body bent, as if he was about to kneel.

Hu San quickly reached out to support him.

“Hey, what kind of thing are you to speak to my master like that?” he shouted.

Dong Lin was so angry his nose seemed about to twist sideways. You keep calling him master – what does that make me?

He turned to look at the woman in the doorway, who had a calm expression and showed no intention of stopping this.

“Junior martial niece, you should be more careful in selecting disciples. Don’t accept just anyone,” he said with a dark expression.

“You little bastard, who are you calling junior martial niece!” Hu San became even more rude, pointing at Dong Lin and cursing.

Liu Pucheng quickly made sounds to stop him.

Dong Lin’s face turned green with anger.

Looking again at the woman who still showed no intention of stopping him, she even wore a faint smile.

Look, look – just as he thought, arrogant as ever. Still arrogant even at a time like this. She really wanted to die and no one could stop her!

“Did I call you wrong? Calling you junior martial niece is already flattering…” he said angrily, flinging his sleeve.

Before he could finish, Qi Yue stepped aside.

“Old Physician An, take your time. Let me push you in first,” she said.

Dong Lin paused, watching as an elderly man in a wheelchair was pushed in.

“An… Master An… Uncle An…” he stuttered, somewhat incredulous. “How did you come here?”

Before Old Physician An could speak, Hu San stepped forward.

“Senior Brother, how can you let Master push you? Let me push you,” he called out loudly.

Senior Brother?

Master?

Dong Lin couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed.

He hadn’t heard wrong, had he?