Qi Yue was stunned by her question and laughed heartily.

Children’s thinking was indeed very divergent…

“Yes, yes, your father and your great-grandfather are both beautiful,” she laughed.

Wang Qiao’er glanced at Wang Tongye.

“My great-grandfather is so old, and you still find him appealing? Do you want to marry that badly?” she said in a soft, gentle voice, still maintaining that dignified demeanor, but what she said was really…

For a moment, Qi Yue thought the person standing in front of her wasn’t Wang Tongye’s great-granddaughter, but Old Master Liu’s great-granddaughter.

Such a sharp tongue.

Wang Tongye was greatly embarrassed, reached out to pull Wang Qiao’er, covered her mouth and made repeated “hey” sounds.

“Look, look what trouble you’ve caused Miss Qi,” he said, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

Qi Yue smiled and sat down.

“It’s fine, children naturally say whatever they think—it’s innocence,” she smiled.

This Wang Qiao’er had such hostility toward her probably because of Madam Yang’s matchmaking.

It was understandable. When children heard about their father remarrying, they would naturally resist and reject it.

“Miss Qi, it’s like this. When you were ill, I had an argument with Marquis Dingxi, so in a moment of impulse, I spoke publicly about forming a marriage alliance with you,” Wang Tongye said, becoming serious.

Qi Yue hadn’t heard about this. At that time, everyone was busy only caring about whether she could survive, and no one paid attention to what Wang Tongye said, so naturally no one told Qi Yue.

So that’s how it was.

“This matter was my presumption, so I asked a matchmaker to formally propose, otherwise it would damage Miss Qi’s reputation,” Wang Tongye said, then smiled again. “It’s good this way—Miss Qi has refused us, so it’s just our Wang family being presumptuous, and Miss’s reputation is preserved.”

Hearing this, Qi Yue finally felt relieved, and the slight awkwardness she had felt earlier dissipated.

That’s what she thought—how could the Wang family actually be interested in her? It was completely impossible.

“Master Wang, how dare you act so recklessly,” Qi Yue laughed. “What if I had agreed? What would you have done then? Actually marry me into the family?”

A flash of light passed through Wang Tongye’s eyes.

“Really, naturally really. How could one joke about such matters?” he said immediately, his expression serious.

Sometimes it was okay to joke, sometimes it wasn’t—Qi Yue laughed heartily.

“Speaking of which, I’ve caused you worry this time, Master Wang,” she said, not continuing this topic, becoming serious and standing to bow to Wang Tongye.

A trace of regret flashed in Wang Tongye’s eyes.

“Miss Qi, such words are too formal,” he said.

As they were talking, A’Ru came in from outside carrying a small box.

“Miss, the thermometer has been used and disinfected. Please put it away,” she said, then bowed to Wang Tongye.

Qi Yue nodded and reached out to take it, placing it on the table.

“I need to use the blood pressure monitor,” A’Ru said.

“In the cabinet over there,” Qi Yue said. “You take it—it’s used more in nursing.”

“No, there are too many people and too much commotion over there. It would be terrible if it got dropped or broken,” A’Ru said, going to the cabinet to get the blood pressure monitor.

Wang Tongye watched curiously.

“If this thing is so useful, why not make more?” he couldn’t help saying.

Qi Yue smiled and shook her head.

“They can’t be made,” she said.

A’Ru also turned around and nodded.

“Miss’s things are all unique in the world,” she said.

“Then these must be incredibly precious,” Wang Tongye said in surprise.

A’Ru nodded and left with the blood pressure monitor.

Wang Tongye continued talking with Qi Yue, asking how her recovery was going and whether she was still taking Old Physician An’s medicine.

As they talked, Wang Qiao’er slowly got up from her chair. Since she hadn’t spoken during this time, Wang Tongye stopped paying attention to her.

Wang Qiao’er stood in front of the table and reached out to grab the small box containing the thermometer that was placed to the side.

Qi Yue saw this and stopped talking.

“Qiao’er, put it down, don’t touch it,” Wang Tongye quickly scolded.

Wang Qiao’er had already opened the box with her hand.

“Wow,” she exclaimed. “Such beautiful crystal!”

She looked up at Qi Yue with eyes full of longing.

“Miss, may I look at it?” she asked.

“Yes, look at it, but don’t take it out. Children can’t play with this,” Qi Yue said.

Wang Qiao’er lowered her head to look at the box with a curious expression.

“Is it a hairpin made of crystal?” she asked.

“It’s not a hairpin, it’s used to measure body temperature,” Qi Yue answered with a smile.

Just then, a disciple came from outside.

“Master, is it convenient for a consultation?” the disciple asked, with an old woman following behind, somewhat hesitantly peering in.

Wang Tongye immediately stood up to take his leave.

“I came just to put Miss at ease, so I won’t disturb you further,” he said.

Qi Yue didn’t stand on ceremony either and stood up to see him off.

“Qiao’er, let’s go,” Wang Tongye called out, reaching out to pull Wang Qiao’er.

Wang Qiao’er was still looking at the thermometer, then responded while turning around, her hand lightly brushing as she moved, causing the small box to fall toward the ground.

Accompanied by a cry of alarm, the small box fell face-down on the floor.

Everyone in the room was stunned, staring blankly at the shattered thermometer on the ground.

Several drops of mercury that had rolled out glinted among the fragments.

It was broken…

Wang Tongye was furious and slapped Wang Qiao’er.

“Look what you’ve done!” he roared.

Wang Qiao’er burst into tears.

This crying brought Qi Yue back to her senses. She quickly grabbed some paper from nearby, and the disciple from outside also rushed in but stood there helplessly.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Qi Yue carefully collected the mercury and handed it to the disciple. “Find some soil and bury it deep.”

The disciple responded with a pale face and carried it out.

Wang Tongye was still angrily scolding Wang Qiao’er, who was crying loudly.

“It’s fine, it’s fine, the child didn’t do it on purpose,” Qi Yue quickly mediated.

“Breaking your things and then having you comfort us—I’ve gone too far,” Wang Tongye quickly stopped, his expression embarrassed and distressed. “I’ll leave now and come back later to apologize to Miss properly.”

He grabbed the still-crying Wang Qiao’er and pulled her along, striding away with a dark expression.

“She’s just a child, don’t frighten her,” Qi Yue called after them.

Wang Tongye had already stridden away.

Wang Qiao’er’s crying in the main hall drew everyone’s attention.

Liu Pucheng, A’Ru, Hu San, and others all came over.

“What happened?” everyone asked.

Qi Yue stood at the doorway, then looked back into the room.

The fragments of the thermometer glinted on the floor.

Broken, gone…

So it was like how she could never go back—everything would gradually disappear until there was no trace left.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Qi Yue turned back around, took a deep breath, and smiled broadly. “Sweep this up so the broken glass doesn’t hurt anyone.”

A’Ru was almost in tears, but hearing her words, she still nodded.

“Madam, where are you feeling unwell?” Qi Yue looked at the old woman who had come for consultation.

The old woman had been frightened silly by this incident and was somewhat unable to react when suddenly asked.

“Come, please sit here,” Qi Yue gestured invitingly.

When night fell, Qianjin Hall returned to quiet. Tonight was Qi Yue’s evening shift, and there were still no inpatients in the ward, so the evening shift was relatively leisurely.

Most of the disciples gathered together to review their lessons—some practicing suturing techniques, others studying anatomical diagrams.

Qi Yue stood at the doorway and glanced at the classroom.

“I’m going out for a walk,” she said, turning around.

A’Ru, who had been following behind her, was stunned.

“I want to walk alone,” Qi Yue said again.

A’Ru sighed, looking at her with a worried expression.

It was because of the broken thermometer, wasn’t it?

“Alright,” she nodded.

Qi Yue hadn’t expected A’Ru to agree so readily. This girl who had always been like a protective mother hen was actually willing to let her go out alone?

“A’Ru, what do you need to be busy with?” she couldn’t help asking.

A’Ru gave her a white-eyed look.

“It’s fine, if you want me to accompany you, I can spare the time,” she said.

Qi Yue laughed heartily.

The girl who had initially been cautious and strictly observed master-servant hierarchy now had an increasingly relaxed and casual interaction style with her.

Qi Yue waved at her and walked out.

“Watch over Miss. She’s in a very bad mood,” A’Ru said quietly after watching her leave.

Somehow two disciples in janitor uniforms approached, responded affirmatively, and followed her out.

The night market was even livelier in summer. Qi Yue walked through the main street to the riverside. A young woman walking alone like her was quite eye-catching, but after seeing her clearly, people’s gazes carried a measure of respect.

That’s Miss Qi from Qianjin Hall…

Those who recognized her quietly introduced her to those who didn’t.

The one who can perform surgical healing and inherited the divine medical skills of the legendary physician Bian Que…

Qi Yue paid no attention. The surrounding bustle was just background to her as she walked slowly.

“Miss Qi,” a voice called from behind.

The voice was unfamiliar. Qi Yue turned around and saw a man in the light of street lamps and river lanterns, wearing a dark robe, with regular features and extraordinary bearing.

Qi Yue felt he looked somewhat familiar but couldn’t remember for the moment.

“Are you calling me?” she asked, pointing to herself.

“Wang Qian,” Wang Qian said, nodding and bowing.

Qi Yue looked at him a few more times before recognizing him and smiled.

“I know about the matter, so I came especially to apologize to Miss. Great-grandfather is hiding at home, saying he can never face Miss again in this lifetime,” Wang Qian said.

Qi Yue sighed.

“It’s fine, don’t think too much about it. It’s just an object,” she said with a smile.

Wang Qian looked at her and bowed slightly again.

“This object held extraordinary meaning for Miss,” he said. “Yet it was destroyed by my daughter, who hides behind the excuse of childish innocence while Miss suffers inexpressible anguish.”

Qi Yue looked at him and sighed.

“Care to drink?” she said.

Wang Qian was stunned, thinking he had misheard.

Finding a spot along the riverbank where there weren’t too many people, Qi Yue sat down on the ground.

Wang Qian took a wine flask from his servant’s hands.

“Miss Qi, please,” he said.

Qi Yue reached out and took it.

Wang Qian had just picked up a wine cup and turned around when he saw Qi Yue already drinking directly from the flask.

“Hey,” he couldn’t help calling out.

Qi Yue ignored him, drank a mouthful, and looked at the river scenery.

“Wow,” she said, turning back with a smile. “Rich people’s wine is really different—much better than the cheap stuff that stingy Hu San brings back.”

Starlight, lamplight, and the shimmering reflections on the water cast shadows on this woman’s body and face, making her entire figure seem to sway.

Wang Qian looked away.

“When Miss is in a bad mood, anything would taste good,” he said.

Qi Yue turned to face the river and drank another mouthful.

“Actually, I’m really not angry because of your daughter, but rather feeling sad about losing this thing,” she said, letting out a long breath. “What in this world is eternal? Everything will be lost eventually. I can’t accept it, but I should have accepted it long ago.”

Someone sat down beside her. Qi Yue turned to look and saw that Wang Qian had actually sat down too, also holding a wine flask.

“If drinking can help Miss come to terms with it, then I shall naturally accompany you,” he said, drinking from his flask just as she had.

In the shadows of the night, the two guards following Qi Yue exchanged glances, both seeing worry, anxiety, and unease in each other’s eyes.

One gestured with his head, the other shook his head.

Drive this man away…

How to drive him away? Lord only told them to protect Miss’s safety, and this man poses no threat to Miss’s safety…

The two communicated with looks that both understood, then looked at the man again.

But this man might pose a threat to Lord…