Just as Young Physician An was feeling indignant, Qi Yue and Chang Yuncheng finally arrived home safely.

It was already dark. Qi Yue, who had slept in the carriage the entire journey, took a comfortable bath and rolled around on the soft arhat bed, stretching out comfortably in a spread-eagle position.

“What kind of behavior is this!” Chang Yuncheng had finished washing long ago. Hearing that she had returned from A’Ru’s side after bathing, he hurried over. Seeing such an unseemly posture, he immediately scolded with a stern face.

Qi Yue rolled her eyes at him, changed to a beautiful side-lying position, and was about to imitate the seductive poses from TV dramas when she noticed Chang Yuncheng’s strange look. She quickly sat up properly and pulled her clothes tight.

Chang Yuncheng felt both annoyed and embarrassed.

Previously, whenever he looked at other women a few more times, they would practically strip on the spot. This damned woman…

But it was also normal – this damned woman simply wouldn’t let him get close…

Thinking of the only two times he had gotten close, when she struggled beneath him like a small beast, it was quite stimulating…

Chang Yuncheng felt his anger surge up, his throat bobbing.

“Hey, hey, go out quickly. I want to read for a while.” Qi Yue immediately saw his expression was wrong and became fully alert, waving her hand while calling for A’Ru outside.

A’Ru responded and came in.

Chang Yuncheng cursed “damned woman” angrily, but was reluctant to leave. He turned around and picked up a book to avoid the maid seeing his condition.

Qi Yue chatted idly with A’Ru. After reading for a while, Chang Yuncheng calmed down. Seeing Qi Yue talking while carefully observing him, he felt somewhat amused, somewhat exasperated, and somewhat bitter.

“Speaking of which, those physicians in Shanning Prefecture are probably already enjoying their face-slapping days,” he suddenly said.

Qi Yue and A’Ru’s conversation was interrupted.

“You mean Physician An will become an innocent target?” Qi Yue laughed.

This woman sometimes had a quite clear mind and could follow his thoughts – she didn’t seem so stupid after all.

“It’s normal for physicians not to take patients. This time encountering you has become an unprovoked disaster,” Chang Yuncheng said. “The An family must be cursing you right now.”

Coincidentally, Qi Yue suddenly sneezed.

“You jinx!” She quickly covered her nose and glared at him.

“Scared now?” Chang Yuncheng laughed with some pride.

Scared now? This woman would definitely say she wasn’t scared, and her lack of fear was because of her identity as the young madam of Marquis Dingxi’s manor protecting her…

“Scared? What do I have to be scared of…” Qi Yue laughed.

Chang Yuncheng also smiled. Say the next line, say that line…

“When you’re in the martial world, how can you avoid getting stabbed? Either you get stabbed or I get stabbed. Rather than me getting stabbed, better you get stabbed. Whoever has the ability doesn’t get stabbed. If you get stabbed, you can only blame your bad luck.” Qi Yue sat cross-legged, shaking out her half-dry hair while reciting this rapid-fire passage. “If he resents me, I can’t help it. In emergencies, expediency rules – he had to take the bullet. Besides, if he stubbornly believes he’s being face-slapped because of me and therefore hates me…”

She looked at Chang Yuncheng.

“What then?” Chang Yuncheng asked.

“With such character, then I didn’t slap his face wrongly,” Qi Yue smiled.

“How is it not wrong? If you were Physician An, wouldn’t you hate being treated like this? That Physician Wang also slapped Qianjin Hall’s face, didn’t he? Look how badly you dealt with him. Aren’t you afraid Physician An will do the same to you?” Chang Yuncheng sat down, feeling the bedding was softer than his own side. Finding it comfortable, he couldn’t help pulling over a nearby pillow to lean against.

Qi Yue frowned and glared at him, protesting his sitting down, grabbing the pillow and not letting go.

Chang Yuncheng easily pulled it away with a gentle tug.

“You can go out,” he said to A’Ru.

Having another person in the room was really annoying and uncomfortable.

A’Ru hesitated and looked at Qi Yue.

“Come on, what kind of person do you think I am?” Chang Yuncheng said lightly.

If you dare to have another bestial outburst, I’ll castrate you…

Qi Yue snorted, signaling A’Ru to leave.

A’Ru retreated, glancing back at the room before closing the door. In the nighttime room, the married couple sat facing each other on the bed, one occasionally shaking her long hair, the other looking at her with a gentle expression. It appeared warm and tranquil.

The only regret was that perhaps neither person in this scene felt what A’Ru was feeling.

“How can it be the same? The nature is completely different. Besides, I didn’t say anything wrong. I just pointed out those physicians’ inner thoughts. If Physician An directs his resentment at me, I’d really look down on him as a coward,” Qi Yue said with a laugh. “Besides, can a few words from others really make someone a quack? Physicians still rely on real skill. Not one bit can be faked. If he steadily treats patients and continues curing them without saying a word, that would be a resounding rebuttal.”

Chang Yuncheng looked at her, watching this woman express her inner thoughts simply and clearly, finding it pleasing to the eye.

“Of course, human hearts are complex. If he wants to use other means against me, I won’t fear him either. To shrink back from fear of making enemies and being retaliated against is impossible for me. At worst, it’s just one life. I’d rather die standing than live kneeling,” Qi Yue continued.

Rather live standing than die kneeling…

Chang Yuncheng looked at her with an examining expression, making Qi Yue feel uncomfortable.

“What?” she asked warily, moving slightly away.

“Why are you so… tough?” Chang Yuncheng asked, changing his supporting hand.

“Why? What why?” Qi Yue asked in confusion.

“Don’t you find it tiring to be like this?” Chang Yuncheng asked.

“Tiring? I’m used to it. Isn’t everyone like this…” Qi Yue laughed, then stopped mid-sentence.

Not… everyone is like this…

Women here don’t hold up half the sky, don’t need to fight like men in the outside world for survival…

“Used to it?” Chang Yuncheng looked at her, repeating the question with an examining expression.

“Ha, ha, of course,” Qi Yue laughed dryly, trying to appear relaxed as she leaned against the pillow on the other side. “Do you think being a beggar means food and drink come to you without fighting for them? No one cares who you are, male or female, old or young. If you’re not tough and fierce, you’d starve to death long ago…”

“Yueniang, you don’t need to live like that anymore,” Chang Yuncheng suddenly said, looking at her.

Qi Yue was startled by his words. Seeing his gentle expression and deep gaze, she couldn’t help but laugh dryly again.

“And you never will again. You don’t need to be so… insecure…” Chang Yuncheng continued, finding an appropriate word to describe his meaning.

Insecure…

Without support…

Only oneself…

Can’t be afraid… even if afraid, must pretend not to be afraid…

Qi Yue’s expression became slightly flustered. Just when Chang Yuncheng thought this woman would avoid his gaze, she looked up at him again.

“Thank you,” Qi Yue smiled slightly.

She understood what he meant, and instead of avoiding or pretending not to understand, or stubbornly arguing back, she faced it directly for the first time. Chang Yuncheng felt wildly joyful inside, becoming somewhat flustered himself.

“Not talking about the past, just looking at the present, you’re actually quite good. You’ve helped me so much. That you can do this really surprises me,” Qi Yue laughed. “Maybe I can really try to believe what you say.”

“I was always good,” Chang Yuncheng said, turning his head away.

Qi Yue smiled.

“Hey, have you never been praised by anyone?” she asked. “You’re always praising yourself.”

Chang Yuncheng was startled by her question.

Praise…

“Young Master broke the vase…”

“Young Master didn’t learn the teacher’s book…”

“Young Master fought with people again…”

“Such an annoying child…”

“He looks so dull and stupid…”

“Children without mothers are naturally dull and stupid…”

“You rebellious son, look what you’ve done! Kneel down!”

Those distant memories were suddenly all brought up.

“I’m not flattering you. You’re really capable – daring to try new things, having an inclusive heart. For a man, this is very important. Not everyone can do it,” Qi Yue laughed. “It would be even better if your temper improved a bit.”

Chang Yuncheng became even more uncomfortable.

This woman, suddenly being like this was really hard to get used to…

“Good brother! Let’s get along harmoniously from now on…” Qi Yue laughed.

“Who’s your good brother! You damned woman…” Chang Yuncheng stood up with a stern face. “Time to sleep.”

With that, he strode away.

It was already time to sleep, how late it was… Qi Yue pursed her lips, blew out the bedside lamp, hugged the blanket and flopped down.

Chang Yuncheng entered his bedroom and also flopped onto the bed, covering his head and face with the blanket to block the inexplicably uncontrollable smile.

On a day before New Year, thank-you gifts sent in Great Aunt’s name from the Xie family entered Marquis Dingxi’s manor with great fanfare. Only then did Marquis Dingxi and Madam Xie learn of such events at the Xie family.

Listening to the Xie family servant woman continuously speak words of praise without repetition, expressing enthusiastic, sincere gratitude, Marquis Dingxi was so delighted he couldn’t stop grinning.

Speaking of which, his relationship with his father-in-law’s family had always been poor.

When Great Madam Xie was alive, because of her poor relationship with his mother, the protective mother-in-law also didn’t give him a good face. When Great Madam Xie died, the Xie family made a huge fuss. Finally, his mother agreed to let Little Madam Xie marry in as a second wife to appease them, but the two families’ relationship didn’t improve – instead became more awkward. Except for proper etiquette during festivals, the two families basically didn’t meet, let alone praise and thank each other face-to-face.

When people who originally hated and despised you suddenly smile at you with respect, flattery, and gratitude, this feeling… was fantastic!

Could this be the face-slapping feeling his daughter-in-law mentioned?

Let you be arrogant, let you be domineering – finally the day comes when you bow your head before me!

Compared to Marquis Dingxi experiencing the satisfaction of face-slapping, Little Madam Xie felt pain.

Since the Xie family people entered the door, her face hurt so much she nearly had a stroke.

“Madam, this isn’t Old Madam’s intention. This isn’t – this is only Great Madam’s intention. Please don’t be angry…” Nanny Su carefully helped Madam Xie calm down while speaking urgently.

Madam Xie took several deep breaths, her whole body still trembling uncontrollably.

“I know,” she gripped the brocade handkerchief in her hand tightly, her face iron-blue. “I know this is that Gu woman’s deliberate act. Rather than saying she’s grateful to that wench, it’s better to say she came to humiliate me. After all these years, she finally has this opportunity.”

And this opportunity…

“It’s all that wench’s fault!” Madam Xie could no longer suppress her rage, sweeping everything on the kang table to the floor. “Why doesn’t she die! Why doesn’t she die!”