Having not seen him for these days, this young man had lost a full circle of weight. There was still a book placed beside his bed.

“Young Master, why are you reading again? How can you recover your spirit like this…” Caijuan cried, going over to take the book in her hands while scolding the other maids. “How are you looking after Young Master? Didn’t I say he’s not allowed to read books?”

The maids lowered their heads looking aggrieved.

“Young Master said the county examination isn’t far off…” they said meekly.

Ancient imperial examinations?

“Health is the foundation of revolution. If you don’t take care of your body, how can you do well on any exam?” Qi Yue said, reaching out to touch Chang Yunqi’s forehead. “Stop pretending to sleep – it would be better if you were really sleeping.”

Feeling the woman’s soft hand on his forehead, Chang Yunqi was indeed startled into opening his eyes and hurriedly dodged away.

“So hot!” Qi Yue didn’t let him move, saying with a frown, “Why isn’t there a compress on?”

“Originally there was, but Young Master wanted to read…” a maid said quietly.

“Hurry and bring it,” Caijuan scolded.

A young maid quickly wrung out a towel and applied it properly to Chang Yunqi.

“It’s nothing, just wind-chill. These maids can’t keep their composure and have disturbed you,” Chang Yunqi said with closed eyes and a hoarse voice.

Qi Yue looked at him, naturally understanding his complex feelings at this moment, and sighed.

“I’m a physician – this is a physician’s duty,” Qi Yue said.

A physician’s duty… Chang Yunqi’s hands under the blanket clenched and relaxed.

“Thank you,” he said with closed eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Though they say mother and child are connected at heart, in this matter, you are you and she is she. Don’t overthink it,” Qi Yue said.

Chang Yunqi was about to say something when A’Ru hurried over with her medicine box, and Chang Yuncheng naturally followed as well.

Learning it was because of studying that injured his health, Chang Yuncheng gave Chang Yunqi a thorough scolding.

“It’s just a small county examination – what are you nervous about? Haven’t you always prided yourself on your good scholarship? A county exam reduces you to this state?” he said.

Qi Yue glared at him.

“Can’t you say nice things nicely?” she said in a low voice.

“No,” Chang Yuncheng answered simply and decisively.

The two stood very close together, and Qi Yue wrinkled her nose at him.

With Chang Yuncheng’s arrival, Chang Yunqi could no longer keep his eyes closed, so he saw this scene and slowly closed his eyes again.

Qi Yue examined his heart and lungs while A’Ru took his temperature. Soon the summoned physician also arrived. Now all the physicians in Yongqing Prefecture knew that Marquis Dingxi had a divine physician, so being called to diagnose illness made them both excited and anxiously reverent.

“Young Madam, could you please review whether this prescription is usable?” The physician who had taken the pulse and written a prescription held it out to Qi Yue with trembling hands.

How would she know? Qi Yue smiled helplessly.

She had said countless times that she truly couldn’t prescribe medicine, but saying it never convinced anyone and required more explanation. Too lazy to explain, she simply nodded and hummed in agreement.

I received the divine physician’s approval!

The physician joyfully handed over the prescription.

“Third Young Master is very weak and needs nourishing supplements, otherwise what should be a minor illness will greatly damage his vitality,” the physician said respectfully again.

Seeing Qi Yue nod again with a serious expression, the physician was so delighted his whole body itched, and he finally retreated unsteadily.

“Still not eating properly?” Qi Yue asked.

“No,” Chang Yunqi answered from the bed.

“Yes, he hasn’t eaten for several meals,” Caijuan said instead, glancing at Qi Yue with tears about to fall.

“Really useless, not even cherishing yourself,” Qi Yue scolded with wide eyes, then turned to tell the maids, “Go wait in the kitchen. I’ve made soup – in another half hour it’ll be ready. Bring it for Third Young Master to eat.”

Made soup? Chang Yuncheng’s eyebrow twitched. That’s my soup…

After repeatedly instructing Chang Yunqi to take good care of his health and not stay up late studying anymore, the Prince and his wife took their leave.

Daily banquet attendance was also physically demanding work, and having happily drunk several extra cups at Second Madam’s place recently, by the time they returned to their room, Qi Yue was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open.

Seeing Qi Yue yawning as she walked out, Chang Yuncheng called to her.

“I’ve already washed. It’s cold outside – don’t walk back and forth. You can wash here,” he said.

Qi Yue turned to look at him, yawning again without any image to maintain.

“I won’t share with you,” she said.

Chang Yuncheng watched with a dark face as she walked out.

After bathing, Qi Yue was extremely tired and quickly fell asleep. The maids extinguished the lights and carefully withdrew. Chang Yuncheng listened to the breathing from the other side and heard she was asleep. After much hesitation, he still put on clothes and came out.

The night-duty maid was called over.

“Go see if Third Young Master has finished the soup,” Chang Yuncheng said quietly.

The maid was somewhat puzzled but seeing the Prince’s stern face didn’t dare ask more, quickly bowing her head and leaving.

The maid knocked at Third Young Master’s courtyard gate and conveyed the Prince’s words.

The several maids in the room looked at the soup with much remaining and were panic-stricken.

“The Prince cares so much about Third Young Master – we can’t let the Prince think Third Young Master is disobedient,” Caijuan gritted her teeth and said. “We must make Third Young Master finish it all.”

The other maids nodded, with barely concealed emotion and determination.

“All finished?” Hearing the maid’s report, Chang Yuncheng was very surprised and somewhat incredulous. Was he really that hungry? Or was it really that delicious?

“All finished,” the maid said decisively. “Not a drop left.”

Chang Yuncheng made a sound of acknowledgment.

“That’s good,” he said glumly, closing the door.

The two maids looked at each other.

The Prince’s expression was one of relief, right?

It should be.

The next day, news that Third Young Master was ill and a managing woman had been dismissed spread throughout.

Madam Xie smashed several more teacups, partly because Qi Yue had given orders that those servants actually followed, and partly because she was angered by this managing woman’s behavior.

Regarding these few illegitimate children, to say she felt close would be absolutely impossible, but she definitely wouldn’t be foolish enough to deliberately mistreat them.

“Madam, I investigated – that woman was Concubine Zhou’s person,” Nanny Su hurried in from outside to report.

Madam Xie was startled, then understood, showing a cold smile.

“This cheap woman still hasn’t given up,” she shouted, pointing her finger. “Go tell the Marquis, tell him how vicious his treasured gentle beauty is, actually willing to harm her own child to slander me!”

“Madam, without evidence, how would the Marquis believe? You being clear about these matters and staying on guard is enough. Don’t go speak to the Marquis about this – it would only make him resent you,” Nanny Su said.

“How unreasonable – what would he resent me for!” Madam Xie said coldly.

Nanny Su looked at her somewhat helplessly.

“Third Miss, your temperament in this lifetime will never change – too rigid,” she suddenly said. Though her words were complaining, her face showed loving smiles. “Everything you think is written clearly on your face. No wonder First Miss and Madam both protected you.”

Madam Xie was stunned by being called “Third Miss,” and her expression softened.

“Why bring this up for no reason?” she said, reaching up to touch her face. The once smooth and tender skin had become somewhat loose. “Already old…”

“Old what old? As long as Old Madam lives one day, you’ll forever be a child,” Nanny Su laughed.

Madam Xie’s emotions calmed.

“How is Mother’s health?” she asked.

“Good. With Old Physician An watching over her, there’s nothing to worry about,” Nanny Su smiled.

“I understand. I won’t go tell the Marquis about this,” Madam Xie changed the subject, removing her hairpins and ornaments. “I know in my heart – just staying on guard is enough.”

Nanny Su nodded, helping her undo her hair.

“No matter how much that woman struggles for a while, she can’t turn things around. For us, she’s no longer a major threat. What’s most urgent now is the matter at home,” she said while combing Madam Xie’s hair with a fine comb.

Madam Xie closed her eyes slightly to rest while nodding.

“Second Madam has already arranged things with the Rao family. As long as we can guarantee Yufang’s status in our household, the Rao family will agree,” she said. “Best would be to petition the court for an imperial edict, just like Duke Baoshan back then, granting the title of left and right wives – it would be perfect for both our family and the Rao family.”

Duke Baoshan had once campaigned with the founding emperor and was separated from his wife Lady Guo, believing her dead, then remarried a Sun family daughter. After the dynasty was established and honors bestowed, wife Lady Guo found her way back. Since ancient times there was one husband one wife – this matter couldn’t be resolved. The first wife had the propriety of original marriage through hardship, the second wife had the affection of mutual support through difficulties. Making either one a concubine wouldn’t be reasonable. The two wives respected each other – one wanted to become a nun, the other wanted to commit suicide to fulfill the other. Finally the Emperor intervened, issuing an edict making both left and right wives with equal status. This matter was perfectly resolved to everyone’s satisfaction and was even made into opera lyrics, an essential piece whenever opera was performed.

“Duke Baoshan had great merit, and our family’s ancestors also established achievements. Now the Prince is also accomplished. No matter how you look at it, this Qi Yueniang’s background really can’t be justified. Originally it was Old Marchioness who strongly requested it, and the Emperor had no choice but to agree. Perhaps in the Emperor’s heart he also felt it very inappropriate. As long as the Marquis is willing to speak up – we’re not divorcing a wife, we’re preserving the Emperor’s golden words – the Emperor will surely consider us. Moreover, Second Madam has already asked her sister-in-law to appropriately mention this to Imperial Concubine Dong in the palace…” Nanny Su said quietly. “Imperial Concubine Dong is currently in great favor.”

Madam Xie’s expression became even more relaxed.

She truly hadn’t expected this matter would have so many people’s assistance. That Second Madam’s sister-in-law could speak with Imperial Concubine Dong showed the importance of marriage alliance connections. If they formed marriage ties with the Rao family, Chang Yuncheng’s future prospects would surely be limitless.

“The Marquis is lazy about taking initiative – convincing him really won’t be easy,” she said with a frown.

“There’s not no opportunity,” Nanny Su smiled. “The Prince will leave after New Year when spring comes. This departure will be for a year or two. Now the Prince is already twenty-five and still has no children – this is truly unfilial. Continuing the family line cannot be delayed any longer. Taking more wives and concubines, having many children – this is also a major matter the Marquis has on his mind.”

Madam Xie nodded.

“The Prince still hasn’t gotten close to that woman’s body,” Nanny Su whispered in her ear.

“No time should be wasted. I’ll speak with the Marquis tomorrow,” Madam Xie said.

Having finished removing her makeup, Nanny Su helped Madam Xie lie down on the bed while arranging the bed curtains with the maids.

“First Miss is coming tomorrow – how do you think we should receive her?” Nanny Su asked again.

Marquis Dingxi’s Concubine Huang had given birth to the eldest illegitimate son and daughter. The eldest son had died of epidemic disease several years ago while serving as magistrate of Pengcheng County, leaving no heirs. The eldest illegitimate daughter Chang Chunlan had married into the Liu family of Huangtian County under Yongqing Prefecture. The Liu family was also an official household, though this generation’s official fortune wasn’t very smooth.

When Little Madam Xie entered the household, this eldest illegitimate daughter was already grown and hadn’t been raised under her care, so there were no feelings between them. Marriage arrangements and such had all been handled by Old Marchioness.

“Just follow previous years,” Madam Xie said indifferently.

Nanny Su agreed and withdrew.