When dawn was just breaking, the gates of the Chen residence, which had only closed at midnight, were knocked on again.

Qi Yue, who hadn’t slept at all, was called by A’Ru and came out after simple washing and grooming.

Zhou Maochun was pacing back and forth in the room, his face full of anger.

“Yueniang, I only learned yesterday why you wanted a divorce.” He said angrily.

A’Ru and A’Hao both looked curious and confused.

Qi Yue smiled.

“Did adoptive father meet Madam Xie?” She asked while personally pouring tea.

She knew what had happened yesterday without asking.

With Madam Xie’s temperament, besides the Old Madam Xie, she probably understood her best.

“She’s simply a madwoman.” Zhou Maochun cursed. “Yueniang, why should we go to such a family?”

“Yes, it’s truly troublesome.” Qi Yue also sighed.

Seeing her understand this way, Zhou Maochun put away his cautious and tactful thoughts and straightforwardly told her about yesterday’s events.

“This is clearly targeting you.” He said angrily. “Though I’ve never married and have no parents, I don’t know about these messy things, but thinking about it, I know that with such a mother-in-law, no matter how well Chang Yuncheng treats you, this life can’t be lived.”

Qi Yue sighed again.

So that was it. She had thought Madam Xie was firmly opposing this marriage, but hadn’t expected she had already found a replacement.

Seeing Qi Yue silent, Zhou Maochun felt sorry for her.

“But Yueniang, don’t worry. We’re not afraid of her either. With your adoptive father here, I’ll support you. What do you want to do?” He said loudly.

“Adoptive father, honestly, I really don’t know what to do.” Qi Yue looked at him and smiled.

“Yueniang, what’s wrong with that Madam Xie? Why is she so… so… opposing you? You saved her life back then.” Zhou Maochun said, then waved his hand. “But saving someone’s life doesn’t count for much. There are plenty of ungrateful people.”

“Actually, I think Madam Xie isn’t really targeting me as a person anymore.” Qi Yue said. “To be precise, she’s targeting this matter, this thing that went against her wishes from the beginning…”

She then told Zhou Maochun about the origins of this marriage arrangement and the relationship between Chang Yuncheng and Madam Xie.

Zhou Maochun made an “oh” sound, understanding.

“Yueniang, then this matter has no solution.” He said seriously.

Qi Yue spread her hands at him.

“Yes, everyone actually understands this in their hearts.” She said.

As they spoke, noisy sounds came from outside the door.

Zhou Maochun frowned.

“Some people don’t understand.” He snorted.

Before he finished speaking, the Marquis Dingxi burst in.

“Oh Yueniang, don’t listen to your adoptive father’s nonsense. This matter is absolutely fine. No problems at all.” He shouted hurriedly, waving his hand. “We’ll hold the wedding immediately.”

“What about your crazy daughter-in-law?” Zhou Maochun scolded irritably.

“Let her get lost. I’ve already written the divorce papers. I’ll throw her out right now.” The Marquis Dingxi answered readily.

Zhou Maochun slammed the table.

“Then what kind of marriage is that!” He shouted.

How could they not get married?

The Marquis Dingxi was confused.

“Oh, right. Divorcing her isn’t enough. I’ll have to trouble my in-law to request an imperial decree so Yueniang can enter the door with proper ceremony.” He clapped his hands, grabbing Zhou Maochun’s arm.

Zhou Maochun angrily shook him off.

“What about your son? Divorce his mother and still expect him to happily come marry a wife? Do you think your son is a sparrow? Are you arranging a marriage or making enemies? Are you deliberately trying to harm my daughter?” He shouted.

In his urgency, Zhou Maochun used dialect. Both the Marquis Dingxi and Qi Yue looked at him in confusion.

“What’s a sparrow?” The Marquis Dingxi asked studiously.

Zhou Maochun angrily kicked him away.

While they were making a commotion, someone hurried in from outside.

“Miss Qi, Miss Qi, quickly. His Majesty requests your presence.”

What now? Qi Yue felt somewhat helpless.

The Marquis Dingxi was overjoyed.

“Yueniang, remember to tell the Emperor when you enter the palace. This is perfect timing.” He said hurriedly.

“Is my daughter unable to get married? Must she chase after and demean herself like this?” Zhou Maochun shouted in great anger.

While they were arguing, Qi Yue hurriedly redressed and left.

“Yueniang, remember!” The Marquis Dingxi didn’t forget to chase after her and shout, causing the palace eunuch to look over in confusion.

Zhou Maochun quickly pulled him back.

Watching Qi Yue’s carriage disappear, Zhou Maochun finally let go of the Marquis Dingxi. Not wanting to say another word to him, he left.

“In-law, in-law, we really can’t delay any longer. Whatever it is, we’ll discuss it after the marriage.” The Marquis Dingxi chased after him shouting. Only when he saw Zhou Maochun’s carriage leave did he stop reluctantly.

Look at Qi Yueniang – personally summoned by the Emperor!

Having such a daughter-in-law would bring such prestige to the family!

The Marquis Dingxi couldn’t help but feel proud, but then became even angrier.

It was all that败家娘们 Madam Xie’s fault!

Today, no matter what, he had to throw her out!

The Marquis Dingxi immediately urged his return home. Just as he reached the front gate, he saw a carriage stopped with a middle-aged woman getting out.

“We’re from Scholar Rao’s mansion…” The servant woman was speaking to the gatekeeper, holding a calling card.

The Rao family!

The Marquis Dingxi immediately flew into a rage and jumped from his carriage.

“You’re not allowed in!” He shouted.

The servant woman and Rao Chen Shi were startled, seeing this refined, prosperous-looking man with a vicious expression charging over, thinking they’d encountered a villain. Only when they heard the gatekeepers bow and call “Marquis” did they realize this was the Marquis Dingxi.

“Marquis, there’s something we should sit down and discuss.” Rao Chen Shi said.

“Discuss what? Our family has nothing to discuss with yours.” The Marquis Dingxi said bluntly.

Rao Chen Shi hadn’t expected to be turned away at the front gate and was so angry her face flushed red.

“What do you mean nothing to discuss? The fine things your family has done – are you trying to deny responsibility now?” She said angrily.

“Done what? Done what?” The Marquis Dingxi glared. “I don’t know anything. Marriage is by parents’ command. I’m the father and I don’t know about it – what does it count for? Leave quickly, leave quickly. This matter ends here. Stop making trouble. My family will be holding a wedding in a few days.”

With that, he turned and went inside.

Watching the gate slam shut before her eyes, Rao Chen Shi felt her vision go dark. She trembled all over, pointing at the gate, but in the end couldn’t say a word and turned to get in her carriage.

The carriage sped through the street.

Chang Yunqi lowered the second-floor window and withdrew his gaze.

“It seems my father has already torn off all pretense with your family.” He said.

Across from him sat a woman in a cloak covering her face. Hearing this, she raised her head.

“My family’s reputation isn’t so easily torn.” Rao Yufang snorted.

Chang Yunqi smiled and sat down at the table, pouring himself tea.

“But my former sister-in-law’s reputation is truly formidable now.” He said slowly. “Not only does she have the backing of the Imperial Medical Academy, which moves among the palace inner courts and powerful nobles, she also has the backing of Duke Deqing Chen’s family, the Emperor’s closest minister. And she herself has recently gained imperial favor. His Majesty has entrusted her Qianjin Hall with military and political matters that he never allowed others to touch before. Though it seems to be the seemingly unimportant matter of military medicine, this is also unprecedented.”

Rao Yufang bit her lower lip.

“What my father loves most in his life is his reputation.” Chang Yunqi shook his head. “Anything involving reputation, he absolutely cares about – whether it’s good reputation or…” He looked up at Rao Yufang and smiled slightly. “Bad reputation…”

Rao Yufang looked at him and gracefully stood up.

“Thank you for Third Young Master’s guidance.” She smiled slightly. “I will certainly let your father see what reputation is about.”

With that, she pulled her hood over her head and left.

Behind her, a maid hurried to follow, glancing at Chang Yunqi before leaving.

Chang Yunqi smiled slightly at her, putting a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture.

The maid smiled shyly and nodded imperceptibly.

Only Chang Yunqi remained in the room. He slowly finished the last sip of tea.

“Next, it’s up to the Rao family.” He said to himself with a smile. “Big brother, this is all I can help you with. Good luck.”

With that, he threw a piece of silver on the table and left casually.

This time entering the palace, Qi Yue didn’t see the Emperor in the hall where he handled state affairs, but in the rear palace, and he wasn’t alone.

“So this is the divine physician Miss Qi.”

A beauty rose gracefully from a beauty couch, looking at Qi Yue with surprise in her eyes – not because of the divine physician title, but because of her age and appearance…

“Beauty Liu says she’s unwell. The usual female physicians have seen her many times without improvement. Take a look.” The Emperor said, his gaze passing over Qi Yue, squinting slightly.

Treating illness. Qi Yue sighed inwardly but couldn’t say anything. She remembered the Emperor had given her the title of female physician.

Observation, listening, questioning, pulse-taking – she had become much more skilled at these in recent days. Staying with Liu Pucheng, Old Physician An, and Zhou Maochun was like reading three hundred Tang poems – even if you couldn’t compose poetry, you could improvise.

After completing the familiar examination, Qi Yue also used her modern methods to check, but couldn’t see anything wrong.

Of course, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to say this directly.

“Nothing serious. Continue the usual treatment.” She said.

Beauty Liu was very happy, shyly tugging at the Emperor’s sleeve.

“Your Majesty, this concubine said it was nothing, but Your Majesty still wasn’t at ease.” She said happily.

The Emperor nodded.

“Now I’m at ease.” He said, withdrawing his hand. “Rest well.”

With that, he stepped outside.

The eunuchs understood and loudly announced the imperial departure.

Beauty Liu was shocked.

“Your Majesty.” She quickly stood and called out. “Your Majesty, this concubine has prepared hometown dishes. Doesn’t Your Majesty like them?”

The Emperor didn’t stop or turn back, just waved his hand.

“I don’t care for them lately. You eat them yourself.” He said, already stepping out the door.

Beauty Liu chased a few steps, knowing it was irreversible, and stamped her foot in frustration.

Qi Yue still stood in place, momentarily unable to catch up with the situation.

“Oh my, Miss Qi, hurry up. There are several more ladies His Majesty wants you to examine.” The eunuch who had left came back to call her.

Qi Yue quickly bowed to the beauty and hurried out.

The Emperor stood outside the hall door, looking at a cluster of brilliant flower beds before the palace. Only when Qi Yue approached and bowed did he continue walking.

“Your Majesty, this commoner woman is not capable of treating the palace ladies’ ailments.” Qi Yue couldn’t help saying.

“Is it that you don’t want to, or that you can’t?” The Emperor said.

“I can’t.” Qi Yue said.

The Emperor turned to look at her.

“Miss Qi, your spirits aren’t very good.” He suddenly said.

Qi Yue couldn’t help touching her face. Though she had applied makeup, it probably still couldn’t hide it.

“Didn’t sleep well.” She smiled and said, then bowed. “I’ve disturbed Your Majesty.”

“What matter could make the divine physician so worried?” The Emperor asked again.

Well…

Qi Yue naturally would answer “nothing, nothing.”

“Is it nothing, or you don’t want to tell me?” The Emperor didn’t turn back, walking leisurely while speaking leisurely.

This person really was…

Qi Yue felt somewhat frantic inside.

Watching them walk and talk, a lagging eunuch couldn’t help nudging the eunuch beside him.

“Hey, which lady is His Majesty going to see?” He whispered. “Why is he walking in circles around Wende Palace?”

The eunuch beside him glared at him.

“A few more steps won’t kill you!” He whispered.

The eunuch stuck out his tongue and said nothing more.

“Water and soil not agreeing with you?” The Emperor laughed, turning back to look at the woman with lowered head. “Truly worthy of being a physician…”

Qi Yue pretended not to understand this sarcasm and laughed along.

Only then did she realize she seemed to have been walking for a long time. The palace was indeed large – did the ladies all live so far apart…

“Your Majesty, which lady…” She began to ask.

Before she finished, the Emperor interrupted.

“No need to examine anyone. You may go.” He said.

Qi Yue sighed with relief and, without asking anything, quickly took her leave.

Watching the Emperor stand in place for a moment before turning away, Cai Zhong beckoned a young eunuch.

“Investigate.” He said quietly. “Everything about Miss Qi recently.”

The young eunuch responded and left immediately.

Unaware that she was being watched by eunuchs and secret guards, Qi Yue rode home. She had just arrived and hadn’t caught her breath when A’Ru rushed in.

“Something terrible has happened!” She shouted with a pale face.

Qi Yue and A’Hao were startled.

“Sister, weren’t you at the medicine factory with brother-in-law? Did something happen at the factory?” A’Hao asked quickly.

“No, no.” A’Ru shook her head, looking at Qi Yue. “Rao Yufang is dead.”

What?

Qi Yue and A’Hao looked at her, not comprehending.

“The Rao family’s young lady, Rao Yufang, is dead.” A’Ru said again, grabbing Qi Yue’s arm. “The Rao family has surrounded the Marquis Dingxi’s mansion!”

How could this be?

Qi Yue couldn’t believe it.

But one thing was certain – this had truly become a dead end!