Qi Yue had no idea how lively the Marquis of Dingxi’s evening banquet was, nor did she care to know. Once again she slept until she naturally woke up, and after waking had clothes handed to her and food brought to her mouth. She no longer needed to prepare breakfast herself – A’Hao learned quickly, and even fried dough sticks could officially be served at the table this morning.

“Very good, very good, beautifully made,” Qi Yue praised.

A’Hao smiled until her eyes disappeared, unable to hide her small pride.

“I tasted it myself too – it’s even better than what they sell on the street,” she said.

“That’s right, A’Hao could open her own snack shop now,” Qi Yue said with a laugh.

“How could I? It’s all Young Madam’s skills,” A’Hao grinned widely.

After eating, Qi Yue stretched lazily. This time she didn’t hear any coughing sounds, which was somewhat unexpected.

“Where’s A’Ru?” she asked.

A’Hao was watering the flowers in the room.

“Elder Sister went out early this morning with a big bundle. She’s probably at the washing house?” she guessed.

Qi Yue made a sound of acknowledgment and didn’t ask further. She wandered around the room. The books on the shelf held no interest for her anymore – they were all in traditional characters and classical Chinese that she couldn’t get into. Not knowing what to do, she couldn’t help thinking of this time in the modern era, when rounds would be at their busiest…

“Young Madam, what is this?”

A’Hao’s curious inquiry interrupted Qi Yue’s wandering thoughts.

The urgent discussions about patients between colleagues before Qi Yue’s eyes and ears instantly dispersed. She looked down at the medical kit in her hands that had followed her from the modern world. The medical kit was placed on her bed beside her pillow under the covers. Every night, she would open it and touch the instruments and supplies inside.

“This? It should be something my grandmother left me. I’ve lost other memories, but seeing this feels very familiar, very familiar. That day before I hanged myself, I probably took it out, and then very likely after hanging myself, it protected me so I could meet the Old Marchioness on the road to the underworld…” Qi Yue answered smoothly without hesitation, while nodding, “Maybe the Old Marchioness I saw then was actually my grandmother…”

No wonder she’d never seen it all these years – it was so precious that Young Madam had been hiding it. A’Hao immediately composed herself and nodded, though she was more inclined to believe that Old Marchioness was the Old Marchioness of the manor.

Qi Yue looked at the medical kit again, put it back in the bed, and pressed it down securely with the brocade quilt.

Chang Yunqi originally didn’t want to come out, but since his father had gotten drunk last night, as a son he couldn’t reasonably not come pay his respects in the morning. Indeed, when he arrived, he was surrounded by several people.

“Third Brother, what happened to your mouth?” several sisters stared at him and asked.

Chang Yunqi’s mouth was red and swollen, and his voice was hoarse when he spoke.

“Drank too much,” he said with a bitter smile.

“Really useless. Just drinking a bit more and you’re in this state,” the Marquis of Dingxi was very displeased, feeling his son lacked his father’s character – getting into such a state just from drinking.

“Call a physician to take a look,” Madam Xie stopped the younger brothers and sisters who were giggling and laughing, instructing a nearby woman, “Qi-ge’er has been weak since childhood. All of you attending him should be more careful.”

Hearing these words, the Marquis became somewhat displeased and glanced at Chang Yunqi.

“It’s still a matter of upbringing. Going out to face wind, sun, and rain would toughen him up. Look at your older brother…” he said.

The young masters and misses all stood up with lowered heads, listening.

Madam Xie coughed.

“Why talk about this first thing in the morning? Besides, everyone’s constitution is different. Don’t wear the child out,” she said with displeasure.

“Like a sickly weakling – don’t know who he takes after,” the Marquis couldn’t help muttering after hearing this.

Chang Yunqi just kept his head lowered, his expression invisible.

“You all go about your business. Your father needs to go out, and I need to recite Buddha’s name,” Madam Xie said with a smile, helping the children out of the awkward situation.

The young masters and misses acknowledged, paid their respects, and filed out.

“Third Brother, could this be because you ate all of that?” Chang Yunhong pulled Chang Yunqi aside, and the two fell back a few steps, speaking in low voices.

Chang Yunqi said nothing, just coughed to make his throat more comfortable.

“You really ate it?” Chang Yunhong asked in surprise.

Chang Yunqi glared at him. This exclamation made the sisters ahead turn back to ask what he had eaten. Chang Yunhong waved his hand dismissively.

“I went back and heated it up. The taste wasn’t bad, just too spicy. Don’t know how it was made, but it’s really strange – the spicier it is, the more you want to eat…” Chang Yunqi said in a low voice.

“Really that good?” Chang Yunhong smiled with lowered brows, winking at Chang Yunqi, “It’s not because beauty makes food taste better, is it?”

Chang Yunqi snorted.

“Food from someone else’s bowl – no matter how good, it’s still leftovers. How could one swallow it?” he said with a cold smile at the corner of his mouth.

“But she hasn’t eaten it yet,” Chang Yunhong laughed quietly.

Though the brothers seemed to be talking about food, if any family member heard them, they would understand what they were really discussing and would certainly be frightened pale. However, the two brothers appeared casual, showing no restraint whatsoever.

They talked as they walked slowly, gradually separating from their siblings ahead. In the distance, they saw a maid standing by the roadside, holding a bundle and looking around anxiously. The two brothers paid no attention and continued talking as they walked.

The maid saw them approaching and quickly lowered her head, stepping aside.

“Third Young Master, Fourth Young Master,” she bowed respectfully.

The two brothers paid no attention and walked past while talking. Suddenly Chang Yunqi stopped.

“You… A’Ru?” he turned around and asked.

A’Ru looked up at him and bowed again, acknowledging.

“You…” Chang Yunqi paused briefly, turned around and came back, looking her up and down, making A’Ru lower her eyes slightly, “What is Sister A’Ru doing here?”

A’Ru had once been a senior maid before the Old Marchioness and was qualified to be called “sister” by the younger masters and misses of the household. But it had been a long time since she’d heard this address from any of the household’s young masters and misses.

“Third Young Master, I… I’m waiting for someone here,” she said with lowered head.

“Waiting for someone?” Chang Yunhong also came over, frowning as he asked, “Waiting for whom? What are you carrying?”

He looked at the bundle A’Ru held tightly in her arms.

Before A’Ru could answer, they saw five men emerge from a side passage, each carrying bundles, apparently preparing to leave.

A’Ru spotted them immediately and, without bothering to answer the two young masters, rushed over in a few steps.

“Sir, sir,” she called out.

The five men stopped and looked at this woman who had suddenly appeared, their faces showing confusion.

“Sirs, you’re going back to the Prince, aren’t you?” A’Ru looked at them with an excited expression.

The five men studied A’Ru. They were servants who traveled with the Prince and didn’t know many people in the household.

“I’m A’Ru from Young Madam’s service,” A’Ru quickly introduced herself.

After this statement, the five men’s faces showed recognition.

“Miss A’Ru, we’re in a hurry to travel,” one of the big men spoke, but his words were an impolite farewell.

“Sir, did the Prince send any message for Young Madam?” A’Ru asked somewhat anxiously.

The five men smiled, shook their heads, cupped their hands to her without saying more, and started walking.

A’Ru turned and followed them for several steps.

“Sirs, these are seasonal clothes and shoes that Young Madam made for the Prince. Please take them with you…” A’Ru held up the bundle and followed them, speaking in a trembling voice.

The five men didn’t even pause.

“The Prince doesn’t wear such things. He has plenty of clothes,” one of them said with some impatience.

“Please, sirs, for Young Madam’s kind intentions…” A’Ru jogged around to their front, holding up the bundle pleadingly.

“We’re rushing back. If we delay and violate military orders, do you want us to get beaten with military sticks?” Finally one of them lost his temper, glaring and shouting, pushing A’Ru aside with his arm, “I’ll tell you the truth – when we came, the Prince instructed that except for items Great Madam wants sent, we’re not to accept anything from anyone else. Are you trying to be a nuisance?”

A’Ru couldn’t withstand these rough men’s strength and was knocked to the ground, the bundle thrown out with clothes and shoes scattering.

Sitting fallen on the ground, A’Ru’s tears finally fell like broken beads.

“Hey, gentlemen, isn’t that too heartless? It’s just a few pieces of clothing, and besides, sister-in-law isn’t an outsider. Why be like this…” Chang Yunqi spoke up.

The five men stopped and looked toward the two young masters, bowing respectfully.

“Replying to Young Master, we truly dare not,” one answered honestly.

“Enough, Third Brother. You know Big Brother’s temperament,” Chang Yunhong quickly said, while smiling and waving to those men, “You’d better go quickly, lest you return late. Even if you came to wish Father birthday congratulations, Big Brother would still beat you without mercy.”

The five men bowed in thanks and strode away.

A’Ru lowered her head and frantically gathered up the bundle, hurriedly bowing to them before leaving.

Watching the maid walk away while raising her hand – certainly wiping tears – Chang Yunhong shook his head and sighed.

“Pitiful, so pitiful,” he said. After saying pitiful, he laughed again, shaking his head and clicking his tongue, “What a pity, what a pity.”

“Pity what?” Chang Yunqi laughed as the two continued walking.

“Pity that this flower withered before it could bloom,” Chang Yunhong laughed.

“You’re just talking nonsense,” Chang Yunqi laughed.

“Speaking of which, I remember that little beggar, when dressed up, actually looked quite good. Don’t know how these few years locked up there have worn her down – whether she still looks human. If she were to be someone’s concubine, she’d probably be treasured dearly, but instead she’s our big brother’s legitimate wife…” Chang Yunhong said while stroking his chin in mock contemplation.

Chang Yunqi laughed and punched him lightly.

After three years, a flower forgotten in a corner and left to fend for itself would probably wither before it could bloom.

Chang Yunqi glanced in the direction A’Ru had gone crying, then withdrew his gaze.

“Let’s go quickly,” he laughed.