Knowing that First Miss was returning today, Second Miss and Third Miss came to Madam Xie’s side after eating, only to learn that First Miss had already kowtowed and Madam had sent her to Concubine Huang’s quarters.

It seemed at this hour it was just a matter of kowtowing outside.

Second Miss sighed.

“Let’s go then, we should go over too,” she said.

“Father definitely didn’t see her,” Third Miss also sighed. “Elder Sister is truly pitiful…”

Snow began falling from the sky. The two sisters shared an umbrella while servants and maids followed at a distance.

“Perhaps in the future we won’t be better off than her,” Second Miss said flatly.

At least First Miss’s birth mother had a decent relationship with Madam Xie, while their two birth mothers were precisely thorns in Madam Xie’s eyes.

“Sister is overthinking. Father is still good to us. Elder Sister’s main issue is… is…” Third Miss hurried to argue, not knowing whether she was trying to convince Second Miss or herself. “Her appearance really displeases Father somewhat. We’re not unaware of Father’s temperament.”

“How ridiculous. Women aside, but to judge his own children by appearance – Elder Sister may be somewhat ugly, but Father finds her revolting. No matter how ugly, she’s still his flesh and blood. Last time when Grandmother passed away, he actually prevented her from coming to pay respects… Isn’t this cutting off Elder Sister’s lifeline in her natal family? Concubine Huang threatened to die, and fortunately Mother spoke up…” Second Miss said, wringing the handkerchief in her hands fiercely. Speaking of this, she sighed again. “…This is also why I greatly respect Mother and am not afraid of Concubine Zhou disliking me… I’m just trying to secure a comfortable future for myself…”

Mentioning this matter, Third Miss also sighed.

“Last time, wasn’t it because of… Elder Sister’s child… the child’s matter, it was inauspicious…” she hesitated a moment before speaking again.

Second Miss understood her feelings – she still couldn’t believe their father could be so heartless. After all, Father was their support. She sighed, unwilling to continue this topic.

“By the way, did you know Third Brother is ill?” she said.

Third Miss nodded.

“I went personally this morning – the fever has broken,” she replied, then smiled. “I just didn’t expect Big Sister-in-law would actually stand up for Third Brother.”

“Putting on an act doesn’t matter – who can’t do that?” Second Miss said with some disdain. “It’s no loss to her anyway.”

“I think Big Sister-in-law might actually be quite good…” Third Miss said hesitantly.

Second Miss laughed scornfully.

“She can barely protect herself – do you still hope she’ll be our future support?” she laughed. “Just watch – a new person will be entering the household soon…”

Third Miss shushed her, looking ahead.

Two people walked toward them side by side, also sharing an umbrella. The man wore a black and gold cape, the woman a bright red cape. Black and red plus the snow white falling from the sky looked particularly pleasing to the eye.

“Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law.” The two sisters stepped aside and bowed respectfully in greeting.

“Been to see Mother?” Chang Yuncheng nodded in acknowledgment while asking.

“Yes, Mother said she was tired from recent social obligations and was resting, so we didn’t dare stay long,” Second Miss replied with a smile, never once looking at Qi Yue or speaking to her throughout.

Third Miss did glance at Qi Yue once but hesitated and ultimately didn’t speak.

“Elder Sister has returned and is at Concubine Huang’s place. We’re going to see her,” Second Miss continued to Chang Yuncheng.

Chang Yuncheng was somewhat surprised.

“Elder Sister returned?” He frowned. “Is she with Father? Why didn’t anyone call me over?”

“Perhaps Father thought Big Brother has had many social obligations these days and wanted you to rest more. You’ll naturally see her during meals anyway,” Second Miss smiled.

The siblings chatted animatedly while the ignored Qi Yue showed no dissatisfaction, listening quietly.

“We’re going to Mother’s,” Chang Yuncheng said, glancing at Qi Yue. Seeing she had removed her hood again, he frowned slightly.

“We’ll take our leave first,” the two misses quickly said, letting Chang Yuncheng and Qi Yue pass before taking their steps.

“Since family relatives have come, we don’t need to go out, right?” Qi Yue asked.

Chatting and sitting with complete strangers already tested Qi Yue’s patience, and the key issue was having no common language. More helplessly, wherever she went, people treated her as a divine physician – this one wanting pulse diagnosis, that one asking about medicine. The problem was Qi Yue couldn’t do either of these things. Explanations didn’t work, and she didn’t dare respond carelessly. In the end, Chang Yuncheng had to rescue her.

“She only knows how to treat blade and axe wounds – suturing wounds, performing surgery. If anyone has such injuries, feel free to ask her,” he said.

The friends and relatives of Marquis Dingxi’s manor were naturally wealthy and noble households. Few were unlucky enough to encounter external injuries like that magistrate’s son. Immediately no one asked anymore, but there were other comments.

“How does she only know these things…”

“…Aren’t only those lowly people likely to encounter such bloody injuries…”

“…Hahaha, can’t blame Young Madam Qi – who told her to have such a lowly background…”

These words mostly circulated among the women, primarily reflecting attitudes of jealousy, envy, hatred of others’ success, and mockery of others’ lack.

“Your popularity is really good – everyone’s defending you, thinking you’re good and I’m bad,” Qi Yue laughed. “This rotten seedling flower growing on your super manure is really such a waste and so demoralizing…”

Now you know how good I am – don’t keep talking about divorce…

Chang Yuncheng felt slightly smug, then came to his senses.

“You’re the stinking manure!” He raised his hand and slapped Qi Yue’s bottom.

Qi Yue was startled by his sudden action and the location he slapped.

“Little scoundrel,” she turned to scold him. In broad daylight, she knew he wouldn’t dare go too far.

Chang Yuncheng was also stunned after slapping, his face reddening slightly.

This… he had originally intended to kick. Having gotten used to the frontier army, dealing with those troublemakers was always kicking their butts. At least he had changed from foot to hand at the last moment…

You couldn’t put hands and feet on women, especially in such places…

That place felt really good…

Chang Yuncheng’s throat bobbed involuntarily.

“As the sister-in-law, I must stay home to accompany Elder Sister no matter what. If you want to go out, go by yourself,” Qi Yue glared at him, not pursuing this improper matter further, and quickened her pace forward.

Chang Yuncheng looked back to see the following maids and servants quickly lower their heads in an “I saw nothing” manner.

She didn’t explode and make a scene…

Looking at the woman walking quickly ahead, Chang Yuncheng couldn’t help but smile and thoughtfully touched his nose.

So… perhaps he could touch again…

Thanks to Chang Yuncheng’s face, Qi Yue was fortunate to quickly enter Madam Xie’s room. After following Chang Yuncheng in greeting, she sat quietly aside drinking tea while watching the mother and son talk.

“Don’t drink too much…”

“If you feel tired, come back early – no need to socialize with them…”

“Don’t eat random things…”

Qi Yue held her teacup – if she weren’t watching with her eyes, she’d really think this was her neighbor’s older sister sending her precious son to kindergarten…

Chang Yuncheng’s gaze frequently fell on Qi Yue. Seeing her pursed-lip smile, he basically understood this woman’s expressions by now and knew this was mockery. His mouth immediately drooped.

Madam Xie wasn’t focusing on Qi Yue but on her son, naturally also seeing Qi Yue’s expression, making her even more agitated.

“Your father said yesterday he wants to hold a grandchild soon. He’s always fickle – stay away from him these days so you don’t encounter him and suffer needlessly,” Madam Xie said. Though speaking to Chang Yuncheng, her eyes glanced at Qi Yue while sighing. “Speaking of which, you’re already so old yet still… no wonder others gossip and your father gets annoyed…”

Can’t give birth, can you?

No matter what schemes you have, my Cheng-ge still listens to me in the end.

Qi Yue saw through Madam Xie’s thoughts at a glance, pursed her lips, and lowered her head.

Meanwhile, Chang Yuncheng’s eyes flashed with surprise and joy.

Mother’s meaning was that she wanted him to soon…

Wonderful! It seemed Mother would finally accept Yueniang after all.

“I understand,” he said quickly, with some gratitude and some guilt. “I’ve worried Mother.”

Noticing the joy in Chang Yuncheng’s tone, both Madam Xie and Qi Yue couldn’t help but look at him curiously, not understanding why he was suddenly so happy.

Does this child have masochistic tendencies – hearing his father is unhappy and others are gossiping makes him feel great? This was Qi Yue’s internal commentary.

Madam Xie thought he understood her hint about adding a new person, which was why he was happy.

“Nothing important – you go busy yourself,” she said, too lazy to look at Qi Yue anymore.

Qi Yue readily agreed and stood up to leave.

“Then I’ll also go down,” Chang Yuncheng quickly said. “Is Brother-in-law with Father? I’ll go see.”

Madam Xie stopped him.

“No, your brother-in-law didn’t come,” she said, having him sit down. “…Whose house are you visiting today?”

While mother and son talked here, Qi Yue walked out the door.

Chang Yuncheng watched the door curtain fall and finally sat down.

Qi Yue went straight back to her courtyard, waiting left and right without any sister coming to greet and pay respects.

“Go inquire whether she’s not coming,” she said with a frown.

The young maid hurried off.

“First Miss rarely returns – once every two years is already good. Her visits are always hurried, only seeing Madam and Concubine Huang. She’s never met the other misses individually – they all meet together at Madam’s place…” A’Ru explained nearby.

“No need to explain to me – I don’t mind,” Qi Yue laughed, looking at A’Ru. “I mean, if she’s not seeing me, while there’s time, I’ll go to Qianjin Hall to check on my students and wish them Happy New Year.”

Soon the young maid ran back, bringing with her an unfamiliar maid who respectfully kowtowed to Qi Yue upon entering. She said that because Concubine Huang had cried upon seeing her daughter and her health wasn’t good again, several misses were attending to her there. First Miss would pay respects to Young Madam during lunch, hoping Young Madam would be understanding.

“What did she say?”

In Concubine Huang’s room, Second Miss asked the returning maid while Third Miss also looked over nervously.

“Young Madam said nothing,” the maid replied.

Second Miss frowned.

“What was her expression then?” she asked again.

Before the maid could answer, a woman emerged from the inner room.

“She definitely won’t be happy – I was too rude…” she said in a timid voice.

This was First Miss Chang Chunlan. Behind her closely followed a four or five-year-old girl whose face was covered with cloth, concealing her mouth and face, leaving only two large eyes visible. She was dressed quite strangely.

Seeing this little girl, both Second Miss and Third Miss involuntarily frowned.

Though it was just a momentary frown, it fell into the little girl’s eyes. She lowered her head and hid behind First Miss again, wishing she could grow into her body.