The Second Miss and Third Miss no longer looked at the little girl—more precisely, they deliberately ignored her.

“If you go, you won’t be lacking in propriety, but what will mother think when she finds out?” the Second Miss said. “Mother dislikes her so much, yet you’re getting close to her. Isn’t this adding to mother’s troubles?”

Chang Chunlan sighed and sat down. The little girl behind her stood close, head lowered, silent and motionless.

“When the in-laws are displeased, even someone like me has difficult days, let alone someone like her who doesn’t even have a natal family to rely on… I didn’t think much of it before, but now I find her truly pitiful. Second sister, third sister,” she said with a sigh, “we’re all women—we should be more considerate of her.”

The Third Miss nodded with some agreement.

The Second Miss shook her head.

“Why didn’t brother-in-law come?” she changed the subject.

When this question was asked, a look of anxiety appeared on Chang Chunlan’s face.

“He… he had matters to attend to and couldn’t come,” she said, lowering her head.

The Second Miss regretted asking this question. Brother-in-law Liu Chengyang had a dull personality, which really didn’t suit Marquis Dingxi’s refined tastes, so the marquis didn’t like him. Moreover, the originally noble Liu family had fallen on hard times—the old master had offended the emperor and been stripped of his official position, which implicated his descendants’ career prospects. Liu Chengyang had simply remained a child student until now, unable to even pass the xiucai examination, making him even more reluctant to visit his father-in-law’s home.

“He must be studying hard for the examination.”

“The county examination is coming up. Second brother is so learned, he’s sure to pass this time,” Chang Chunlan said with a smile.

“Yes, his scholarship was already good to begin with, and now for the sake of the concubine, he’s really pushing himself this time,” the Third Miss said, sighing. “He’s exhausted himself to illness.”

The word “concubine” made the First Miss and Second Miss fall silent, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere.

The Third Miss realized her topic was inappropriate and gave an embarrassed smile.

“It’s all my fault. Meeting you all during the New Year, instead of being happy, I’ve made everyone sigh and lament,” the First Miss said, sighing again. “No wonder father doesn’t like me—I’m truly an unlucky person.”

The atmosphere in the room became even more stifling. From inside came the sound of Concubine Huang’s coughing. Chang Chunlan quickly got up to go in, with the little girl naturally following behind.

The Second Miss and Third Miss exchanged glances and smiled bitterly.

“Why did eldest sister bring… her along too?” the Second Miss asked in a lowered voice, pointing toward the inner room.

The Third Miss knew what she was referring to. She glanced toward the inner room, then quickly looked away as if she had seen something inauspicious, and shook her head at the Second Miss.

Compared to the gloomy atmosphere here, Qianjin Hall was filled with joy.

“Thank you, Master,” a disciple said, receiving a red packet from Qi Yue’s hands and bowing respectfully.

“Happy New Year,” Qi Yue smiled, picking up another packet to hand to someone else. “Great fortune and prosperity.”

“Thank you, Master,” that disciple said happily yet somewhat shyly, bowing in salute.

Liu Pucheng watched with a smile nearby, when he suddenly saw Qi Yue walking over with a smile.

“What? I get one too?” he laughed.

Qi Yue extended her hand toward him.

“Teacher, you’re my elder—where’s my red packet?” she smiled.

Liu Pucheng laughed heartily and indeed pulled one from his sleeve to place in Qi Yue’s hand.

“Happy New Year, great fortune and prosperity,” he said, mimicking Qi Yue’s words.

Qi Yue respectfully bowed in thanks.

“Alright, alright, the red packets have been distributed. Now let’s check homework,” Qi Yue said, clapping her hands at the chattering, laughing disciples.

The disciples immediately took out their suturing practice leather pieces.

“Oh no, I forgot to bring mine,” Que Zhi said.

“You’re always with me—I can check yours anytime,” Qi Yue laughed, taking the leather piece handed over by Hu San, who had pushed through the crowd to be first.

“Well then, I’ll do some suturing practice right here. The young madam is busy at home anyway, so I won’t trouble you further,” Que Zhi said with a smile.

Qi Yue hadn’t expected her to be so studious. She hadn’t seen her practice much, yet she dared to do suturing on the spot. With some curiosity, she smiled and nodded.

Que Zhi then looked at the other disciples.

“Which of you brothers will lend me a piece of leather and some needle and thread?” she said.

This single call of “brothers” made half the disciples go weak in the knees, scrambling frantically to get her supplies.

A’Hao pursed her lips to the side.

“She’s doing it on purpose,” she whispered to A’Ru.

A’Ru smiled knowingly.

“She just likes to show off—nothing more than that,” she whispered back.

Sure enough, Que Zhi’s on-the-spot suturing won a chorus of amazement from the other disciples. Even Qi Yue praised her with satisfaction, making Que Zhi beam with pride.

“Sister A’Ru, your suturing skills are even better, aren’t they?” Hu San said with a pout, then quickly put on a smile for A’Ru.

A’Ru gave him a look.

“Not particularly,” she answered simply.

Hu San laughed awkwardly.

“Well, A’Ru is the best at everything else anyway…” he continued.

A’Hao watched him with bright eyes.

“Anyway, Sister A’Ru is the best at everything,” she picked up his words.

“Right, right,” Hu San said, nodding like a pecking chicken, having found a kindred spirit.

A’Hao laughed behind her hand, and her laughter made A’Ru blush slightly.

“Go stand farther away,” she glared and whispered sharply.

Hu San laughed and agreed repeatedly, indeed hurrying away.

“Sister A’Ru, he really listens to you,” A’Hao laughed even harder, hugging A’Ru’s arm and whispering.

A’Ru’s face grew redder, and she glared at A’Hao.

After Qi Yue finished checking the disciples’ practice and praised them thoroughly, the atmosphere in Qianjin Hall became even more festive.

“There’s more good news,” Liu Pucheng said during a break when he invited Qi Yue to rest and have tea.

Qi Yue’s eyes lit up. Without saying anything, she pointed to both sides.

Liu Pucheng smiled and nodded.

Qi Yue let out a “wah” and jumped up in celebration.

“How much money?” she asked eagerly.

“We’re still negotiating. It might be a bit higher than the usual price…” Liu Pucheng said.

“No problem, no problem,” Qi Yue smiled. “Let me know when you’ve agreed on the price.”

Liu Pucheng nodded.

This news made Qi Yue unable to sit still.

“I’ll head back first then,” she said, hurrying off. “I need to make a floor plan to see how to arrange everything. Those tools, beds, and such all need to be made quickly. It would be best to open right after the New Year… There’s also training needed—emergency and clinic nurses. Oh my, so much to do! I’m going back first…”

Liu Pucheng watched the girl hurry away in a fluster, smiling.

What should he do?

Liu Pucheng thought for a moment, then took out needle, thread, and leather from under his desk. Squinting his somewhat dim eyes, he began to slowly suture.

When Qi Yue entered the gate, Chang Yuncheng was coming out with a dark expression.

“What are you running around for during the New Year?” he said irritably, swinging the horse whip in his hand back and forth.

Qi Yue paid him no attention.

“I’m heading out,” Chang Yuncheng had to say himself.

“Lord, take care,” Qi Yue smiled.

The smile was reasonably sincere, so Chang Yuncheng grunted in acknowledgment.

“I’ll be back before dinner,” he added.

Qi Yue was mentally calculating how to organize and arrange things and draw up floor plans. Hearing this, she grunted in response.

“Why aren’t you leaving yet? Will you still make it in time for lunch? How rude,” she said, looking up at the sky.

Chang Yuncheng’s face darkened. He shot the woman an irritated look, cracked his whip, and the horse charged forward. The young servants and attendants behind him hurried to keep up.

“Young Madam, the Lord was specifically waiting for you,” Que Zhi whispered with a smile.

“Waiting for me? Did he have something to say?” Qi Yue asked, puzzled. She turned to look at Chang Yuncheng and his group, now distant. He hadn’t said anything, had he?

Que Zhi giggled.

Her laughter made Qi Yue suddenly realize, and her face grew hot.

How could that be! This man was unpredictable, like wind and rain—abnormal to begin with.

“Hurry, hurry, don’t delay the family banquet. There are relatives visiting today,” Qi Yue said, striding ahead quickly.

Seeing her slightly flustered appearance, Que Zhi and A’Ru exchanged glances.

“The Lord and Young Madam are getting along better and better,” Que Zhi smiled.

Though A’Ru agreed in her heart, knowing she was the only one who knew the Young Madam’s secret, she didn’t want to discuss the Young Madam’s affairs with others, especially such intimate matters.

“Come on, let’s hurry. There’s still plenty to be busy with,” she said, changing the subject.

Que Zhi secretly pursed her lips, smiled, and nodded, hurrying to follow.

The lunch banquet was set in Juchun Pavilion. When Qi Yue arrived, quite a few people were already seated in the room, including two unfamiliar faces—one young, one older. These must be Concubine Huang, who had been ill and hadn’t left her quarters, and her daughter Chang Chunlan. Qi Yue walked over with a smile and called out “Mother.”

Madam Xie couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge her, pretending not to see her and continuing to speak with the heavily dressed Concubine Huang.

Ignoring the surrounding gazes, Qi Yue calmly took a seat to the side, her eyes falling on the First Miss across from her.

One glance startled her. Wasn’t this First Miss only twenty-four or twenty-five years old? How did she look like she was in her thirties?

As for her appearance, she couldn’t be called beautiful—especially not in the Marquis Dingxi’s manor, where beauties were as numerous as clouds—but she wasn’t ugly either. Just ordinary.

“Young Madam,” she stood up, head lowered, seeming uncomfortable under Qi Yue’s scrutiny.

“Please sit quickly. Elder sister must be tired from the journey, and it’s cold too. Please sit down,” Qi Yue smiled.

Chang Chunlan hesitated. The Second Miss beside her tugged at her sleeve from below. Chang Chunlan, who had been about to say something, sat down.

“Elder…” Qi Yue was about to make small talk when Madam Xie spoke first.

“Yesterday’s food was too rich. I have no appetite and won’t be joining you for the meal. I’ve also invited a theater troupe. You sisters should enjoy yourselves properly. The marquis won’t be coming, so you can be at ease,” she said, standing up. “The food here is all prepared for you young people. You’re used to medicinal cuisine, so don’t eat randomly.”

This was directed at Concubine Huang, who smiled and nodded.

“I should return as well. I’ve never been out this long before—my body can’t handle it,” she said weakly.

Everyone then rose to see off Madam Xie and Concubine Huang.

“There’s even a theater troupe?” Qi Yue asked with a smile. Before she’d finished speaking, she saw the three misses, who had just sat down, standing up again.

“Young Madam, we ate late this morning and aren’t hungry now. We’d like to go see Third Young Master. We’ll take our leave first,” the Second Miss said.

Qi Yue was momentarily stunned, then smiled.

“Go ahead,” she replied readily.

Seeing her smile, the First Miss and Third Miss hesitated for a moment, but were pushed by the Second Miss. They all bowed again and withdrew.

The originally lively room suddenly became quiet. In the vast room and at the banquet, only Qi Yue remained seated.

This was really… quite embarrassing…

The attending maids and servants couldn’t help but lower their heads.

“Too much,” A’Hao whispered.

These few misses were clearly doing this on purpose.

“Such a waste,” Qi Yue said, looking at the array of delicacies and clicking her tongue twice. She picked up her chopsticks to eat while having wine poured.

“Not bad, not bad. Mother still cares for the younger sisters very much—these dishes are all top quality,” she said with a smile, then asked, “Where’s the theater troupe? Didn’t you say there was one? They haven’t left too, have they?”

The servants broke into a sweat and quickly stepped forward to say they hadn’t left.

“Then summon them—let the performance begin,” Qi Yue smiled, gesturing to the servants and maids. “Don’t just stand there either. A’Ru alone can serve me. The rest of you get small stools and sit down. A’Hao, distribute these dishes to everyone. Let’s all eat and watch the performance together. It’s the New Year—let’s have a proper celebration.”

At this point, she winked and grinned.

“It’s coming from the public coffers, so let’s not waste it.”

The servants had come to understand their young madam’s temperament to some extent and knew she meant what she said. They all thanked her and did as instructed. The little maids who heard the news also boldly came running over, some standing, some squatting. The lucky ones got a plate of food, while the unlucky ones only managed to grab a handful of fruit.

The gongs and drums clashed on the stage as the performance began. Juchun Pavilion was suddenly filled with lively celebration.