Qi Yue was stunned.

How did things suddenly turn sour again?

“If you have any opinions, say them – speak up so everyone can discuss it.” She slapped away Chang Yuncheng’s hand. “Don’t be so disrespectful.”

“I have no opinions.” Chang Yuncheng said flatly. “Pack your things and come back.”

Having said this, he gripped Qi Yue’s arm and started walking.

Qi Yue grabbed the table firmly and refused to move.

“Cut that out – I’m not going to live in that dump of yours.” She shouted.

Chang Yuncheng turned to look at her with a cold smile.

“A dump?” He repeated, increasing the pressure of his grip. “Whether you live there or not isn’t up to you.”

With a slight tug, Qi Yue was pulled toward him.

What was wrong with him now?

“What’s gotten into you?” Qi Yue stumbled forward against him, having to brace herself against his body, asking anxiously and angrily, “The most annoying thing about you is this – if you’re thinking something, say it! Making people constantly guess is so irritating! What can’t you say? I’m not a mind reader! Stop being so dramatic in front of me!”

“No.” Chang Yuncheng remained flat, looking at Qi Yue with a slight smile.

That smile again! That sinister smile!

“Fine, then tell me – what do you want?” Qi Yue took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions as she asked.

“I don’t want anything.” Chang Yuncheng smiled, turning to walk outside, naturally keeping Qi Yue firmly in his grasp.

In the courtyard, A’Ru and the other maids were frozen in shock.

“Prince.” A’Ru stepped forward to block Chang Yuncheng’s path. “You… the Young Madam hasn’t rested properly yet…”

Que Zhi was startled. Heaven above, had A’Ru gone mad? Daring to block the Prince?

As she stood there in shock, A’Hao, who usually hid whenever she saw people, also ran over and stood beside A’Ru. Though she didn’t speak, her actions expressed her intention to block him.

Well, ever since coming to serve this Young Madam, nothing they encountered was normal anyway.

Que Zhi sighed and stepped forward to join them.

Seeing the three maids blocking his path, Chang Yuncheng showed no anger and smiled slightly.

“Pack her things. Your Young Madam hasn’t rested properly, so hurry back so she can rest well.” He said, then lifted his foot to step forward.

“I’m not going to your place, Chang Yuncheng! Isn’t this what you always wanted? Damn it, you got your wish and now you’re going crazy!” Qi Yue’s feet slipped as she pushed against Chang Yuncheng’s arm and shouted.

Chang Yuncheng stopped abruptly and took a deep breath.

“Damn it…” He repeated, nodding. “Good, very good…”

He turned to look at the struggling Qi Yue.

“What? Don’t want to go?” He asked with a half-smile, flexing his other hand. “Should I help you?”

Qi Yue immediately recalled being carried over his shoulder that time – he really would dare, and she couldn’t afford to lose face like that.

“Prince, what exactly do you want?” She exhaled and softened her tone.

“Nothing much.” Chang Yuncheng smiled and said nothing more, turning to stride forward.

If he was determined to go, the three maids couldn’t really stop him. They could only watch helplessly as the furious Young Madam was dragged away by the Prince.

“Um…” Que Zhi looked at the two maids still standing there dazed and spoke up to remind them, “Should we… pack up?”

A’Ru sighed.

“This… this… the Prince personally came to bring the Young Madam back – this is a good thing.” Que Zhi smiled again.

Though the atmosphere didn’t seem like a good thing at all…

But this really was clearly a good thing! Previously the Prince wouldn’t even let the Young Madam enter the courtyard. No matter how hard she tried to get in, she was always driven out. But look at now – the Prince personally came to drag the Young Madam back…

In just half a year, the relationship between the Prince and Young Madam had truly transformed in a gratifying way.

But clearly her feelings weren’t shared by the others.

“Sister A’Ru…” A’Hao looked at A’Ru with worry.

“Looks like the Young Madam will have more troubles.” A’Ru said with a sigh, waving her hand. “We’ll take it one step at a time.”

What troubles could there be?

To be personally dragged into his courtyard by the Prince – she’d be laughing in her dreams! And yet she was troubled! It was simply… not knowing good fortune when blessed with it.

When this news spread, many people’s first thought was exactly this.

Some were happy, some worried. Besides Qi Yue’s exasperation, Madam Xie felt the same.

“Madam, don’t worry. The Prince had no choice…” Nanny Su carefully consoled her.

Madam Xie rested her head on her hand against the kang table, seeming to have a terrible headache, her long nails digging purplish marks into her forehead.

“No need to deceive myself anymore.” She said, still hanging her head with eyes closed. “I shouldn’t have let that woman move into his courtyard in the first place. Sister-in-law was right – a man and woman alone together… and that woman is so full of tricks. Cheng-ge’er has never been around women, how could he…”

She couldn’t continue, her long nails breaking the skin on her forehead.

Nanny Su exclaimed and quickly pulled her hand down.

“That’s not it, Madam. The Prince is only doing this out of respect for the Marquis.” She said hurriedly.

“Even so.” Madam Xie straightened up, still frowning deeply. “My heart still isn’t at ease…”

“So the matter with Miss Rao needs to be handled quickly.” Nanny Su said with a smile.

Mentioning Miss Rao, Madam Xie’s expression improved considerably.

Now that was a girl she was satisfied with…

“Has the Marquis really gone into hiding?” She asked.

Nanny Su nodded.

“He took Su Mei from Concubine Zhu’s side. He said he’ll be back in a couple days, and you’ll need to worry about New Year preparations.” She said quietly.

That heartless, ungrateful, and cowardly man!

Madam Xie clenched her fists tightly.

“Hide from what? What’s there to hide from? So what if he divorced her?” She said angrily.

“Madam, he can’t divorce her now without proper grounds. The Marquis won’t report it to the court.” Nanny Su said quietly while pouring tea to help calm her. “Madam, this matter is urgent. The Prince has just gained the Emperor’s favor – everything must be handled carefully. This woman’s matter may seem small, but if it becomes big and is exploited by those with ulterior motives, it could be disastrous for our Prince…”

Madam Xie exhaled and slumped back against the pillow.

“This woman is truly strange – why can’t we do anything about her…” She murmured.

Such a perfect opportunity handed to them on a silver platter, yet she still managed to slip through.

Could it really be… divine assistance?

This person was completely unreasonable. Qi Yue gritted her teeth as she looked at Chang Yuncheng in the room, angrily taking back her earlier words.

There wasn’t much to pack in the room. Qi Yue had only been away for three days, so everything remained as it was. The maids tidied up briefly before hurrying out.

“What exactly do you want?” Qi Yue said.

Chang Yuncheng leisurely reached for the sword on the wall to polish it, ignoring her.

“You’re absolutely baffling!” Qi Yue couldn’t contain her temper, stepping forward angrily. “Haven’t you always wanted to avoid seeing me, telling me to get lost? Now isn’t it just as you… oh.”

She suddenly understood.

“Oh… I get it now…” She drawled.

Chang Yuncheng turned to look at her.

Qi Yue slapped her forehead, realizing her mistake!

Aiya, she’d really made a huge error – at her age, too impulsive.

Men and their pride – they could dump others, but being dumped was the ultimate humiliation! This mentality was the same everywhere, in every era.

Of course he wanted her to get lost, but the prerequisite was that he wanted it, not that she initiated it!

Qi Yue clicked her tongue inwardly. She’d originally thought this man, while often contradictory in his reasoning, was at least sensible about major principles. She hadn’t expected…

His pride was hurt? He was furious? Now he had to oppose her on everything?

Fine, fine. I’m not in a hurry – let’s keep dragging this out.

Chang Yuncheng watched the previously furious woman suddenly break into a smile and couldn’t help but shiver.

This wicked woman… what devilish scheme was she plotting now…

He snorted and lowered his head to continue polishing the sword.

But the woman said nothing more, as if her anger had instantly dissipated into thin air.

“A’Ru, I’m going out. Get things ready.” She turned toward the door, then looked back. “Prince, I’m going out for a bit – that should be allowed, right?”

Chang Yuncheng put down the sword.

“Where to?” He asked.

You busybody! Qi Yue cursed internally while maintaining a pleasant demeanor.

“I’m going to check on Qianjin Hall.” She replied amicably. “Physician Liu was already injured and has been exhausted these past days. I’m worried and want to check on him.”

Chang Yuncheng nodded.

“Good, go ahead.” He said.

Pah, what an attitude, really thinks he’s somebody important. Qi Yue spat inwardly and turned away.

A’Ru and the other maids had already entered. After helping her change clothes, she came out to find Chang Yuncheng standing outside in his great cloak.

Was he going out too? But Qi Yue couldn’t be bothered to ask – she didn’t want to talk to this person at all right now.

Since she didn’t ask, Chang Yuncheng didn’t explain either. Seeing her come out, he walked straight outside.

A carriage was already waiting at the second gate, along with seven or eight guards holding clubs and looking spirited. Seeing Qi Yue approach, the steward hurried over attentively.

“Young Madam, everything’s ready. See if there are enough people… Prince, are you going out too?” He said with a smile, halfway through before noticing Chang Yuncheng behind Qi Yue and quickly bowing.

Qi Yue laughed at his words – it wasn’t like she was always going out to fight!

Helped by A’Ru into the carriage, before she could settle in properly, she saw Chang Yuncheng getting in too.

“Hey, hey, what are you doing?” Qi Yue quickly put up her hand to block the door and glared at him. “There are plenty of carriages at home – surely you won’t compete with me over this too? Prince, we’re both adults. Let’s not play childish games.”

Chang Yuncheng pushed her hand aside and sat down.

“So you should stop making a fuss too.” He said.

“Who’s making a fuss? Prince, from beginning to end… fine, I started the trouble initially, but I also apologized…” Qi Yue exhaled and looked at him.

Chang Yuncheng raised his hand.

“Let’s go. To Qianjin Hall.” He called out.

The carriage swayed gently as it began moving.

Qi Yue said nothing more, knowing it was useless and too tired to bother. She turned to look outside through the fluttering curtains.

In silence, they arrived at Qianjin Hall. Getting out of the carriage, Qi Yue was startled.

There were so many people at Qianjin Hall! At first glance, she almost thought they were being mobbed again.

“Fellow villagers, fellow villagers, we mainly treat injuries and trauma here. If you have other ailments, please go elsewhere – don’t wait here and delay your treatment…” Four or five disciples called out loudly.

But none of the people crowding the entrance showed any sign of dispersing.

“It’s fine, we’re willing to wait. We only feel at ease having Physician Liu examine us.” People said in a jumbled chorus.

Qi Yue breathed a sigh of relief and exchanged glances with A’Ru, both smiling.

“As I always say – results determine everything.” She sighed.

“But without the process of hard work, there would be no results.” A’Ru said quietly with a smile.

Qi Yue laughed and pointed at her.

“Well said. A’Ru is becoming more of a wise woman.” She laughed.

A’Ru looked as if she was used to being teased by her.

Chang Yuncheng stood behind them, his expression calm.

Their guards and carriage quickly attracted attention from those at the entrance. The disciples who looked over immediately beamed with joy.

“Master, you’re here!” They called out loudly as they ran over.

This call of “Master” instantly stirred up excitement among the crowd.

“It’s the Young Madam of Marquis Dingxi’s residence!”

“It’s the divine physician!”

“She’s the one who brought that hunter back from the dead!”