Qi Yue jumped into the ward, shaking off the rainwater from her shoulders.

Old Madam Xie in the room was hurriedly helped to her feet by a maid.

“Yueniang, have you eaten?” she asked with a smile.

“Ah, not yet.” Qi Yue said, looking at Madam Xie lying on the bed.

Madam Xie was asleep, with a nasal feeding tube inserted, her mouth open, the tracheotomy tube visible in her neck, wearing a uniform patient gown. Where was even half the dignity of a marquis’s wife? She looked aged considerably.

This time she had truly suffered greatly.

“Still better than being dead.” Old Madam Xie said, also looking over with relief and joy.

Qi Yue said nothing, smiled, and stepped forward to examine her.

“With Imperial Physician Zhou and Old Physician An here, the recovery is truly excellent.” She laughed, clicking her tongue in praise. “I estimate the tubes can be removed in another seven or eight days.”

“It’s because you’re here. Without you, she would have been lying in the ground long ago.” Old Madam Xie said.

Qi Yue looked at Old Madam Xie, opened her mouth as if to say something, but didn’t.

“That’s right, without me, she would have died long ago.” She said. “Remember to remind her when she wakes up.”

Old Madam Xie couldn’t help but laugh.

This woman was doing it on purpose.

“Yueniang, she wronged you.” She put away her smile and said.

“I know she wronged me.” Qi Yue interrupted her. “So, let’s not say other meaningless words that don’t hurt or itch. Just remember to pay more for the medical fees – that’s the only practical thing.”

She put the stethoscope in her pocket as she spoke.

“You rest first. I’m on duty today. Have someone call me if there’s anything.” She said, turning to walk out.

Old Madam Xie could only watch helplessly as she left.

“Old Madam, please have some tea.” The maid carefully helped her sit down.

Old Madam Xie couldn’t drink any tea and waved her hand dismissively.

The door curtain rustled, and Chang Yuncheng stepped in. A large portion of his clothes was soaked by the rain.

“Grandmother, what’s wrong?” He looked up to see Old Madam Xie glaring at him with an unpleasant expression, was startled, and quickly looked toward Madam Xie.

She seemed fine…

“Not coming when you should come…” Old Madam Xie glared at him irritably.

“What?” Chang Yuncheng didn’t understand and asked.

“What were you doing?” Old Madam Xie asked.

“I had some official business to handle.” Chang Yuncheng said with a smile, sitting down while a maid knelt to wipe his wet clothes. “Did grandmother miss me?”

Old Madam Xie gave him a sideways glance.

“I don’t have time to miss you.” She said reproachfully, while frowning with some worry. “Why doesn’t Yueniang come to our room often lately… Is she not willing to care anymore…”

Chang Yuncheng lowered his head, waved his hand to dismiss the maid, and took the towel to wipe his clothes himself.

“With Imperial Physician Zhou and Old Physician An here, grandmother can rest assured.” He said.

Old Madam Xie looked at him.

“I’m reassured about Old Physician An, but this Imperial Physician Zhou… he looks unreliable no matter how I look at him…” She muttered. “You, you came back just in time. Miss Qi is on duty today. Go see her.”

Chang Yuncheng continued to lower his head, wiping his clothes.

“See her, for what.” He said quietly.

Old Madam Xie clicked her tongue.

“To ask about your mother’s condition, how the illness is progressing, what to pay attention to.” She said, glaring at him.

“Old Physician An has already explained all that.” Chang Yuncheng said.

Old Madam Xie was furious, took out her walking stick and knocked his hand.

“What wiping! Your clothes are wet – can wiping make them dry? Stop pretending to be a quail! Go ask quickly!” She glared and whispered sternly. “Your mother was cured by her – what others say doesn’t count!”

Chang Yuncheng looked at her somewhat helplessly and called out “Grandmother.”

Old Madam Xie glared and raised her walking stick.

Chang Yuncheng was somewhat awkwardly pushed out of the room, rain pattering down on him. He had to walk quickly to the eaves across the way, looking back to see Old Madam Xie glaring at him from the doorway, then closing the door.

Chang Yuncheng felt somewhat helpless.

“Prince.” Someone called from behind.

He turned to see a worker carrying a medicine basket.

The worker looked at him with some excitement.

“Protect her well. She’ll probably face more and more trouble in the future.” Chang Yuncheng said quietly.

The worker nodded. Since Chang Yuncheng’s return, these guards left behind as workers hadn’t had a chance to see him. Due to Madam Xie’s condition, they naturally wouldn’t disturb Chang Yuncheng either.

“Prince, rest assured.” He said solemnly.

Chang Yuncheng said nothing more, his gaze turning to the rain in the courtyard.

“Prince.” The worker didn’t leave but called quietly.

“If there’s nothing else, go about your business. Don’t let her know – this person is very stubborn.” Chang Yuncheng said without turning around.

The worker responded and walked away with the medicine basket, took a few steps, then returned.

“When news of your achievements came back, Miss Qi was extremely worried and tried every way to ask if you were injured.” He said quietly.

Chang Yuncheng turned to look at him. The worker bowed and walked away.

The rain pattered. Because of the rain, there were no patients seeking treatment, making everything seem very quiet. Chang Yuncheng stood there motionless.

Could wet clothes become dry by wiping?

Old Madam Xie’s words from earlier echoed in his ears.

What’s wet is wet – what use is wiping…

He lowered his head, looking at his damp clothes. Whether from the wind or body warmth, one spot seemed to have dried a bit.

Perhaps, it might still… be in time… or…

He gritted his teeth, turned around, and looked toward Qi Yue’s room.

“Old Madam, Old Madam, the Prince is moving!” The little maid standing by the window couldn’t help but shout excitedly.

“I’m not blind yet.” Old Madam Xie nearby glared. “Move over there, you’re crowding me. What are you looking at?”

The little maid covered her mouth and giggled, obediently moving aside.

“Oh my, he stopped again.” She whispered.

Old Madam Xie couldn’t help but tap the window with her walking stick.

“Oh, this useless one is driving me crazy…” She whispered. “What’s he doing now!”

“Old Madam, someone seems to be coming.” The little maid said, standing on tiptoes to look.

Six or seven people rushed through the rain mist, immediately stirring up the quiet hall with activity.

The disciples hurried to receive them.

“It’s an emergency!” they shouted, their voices carrying some joy.

An emergency at this time was truly timely rain.

Qi Yue ran out of her room upon hearing the commotion.

“What’s the situation?” she asked, then saw the man removing his rain hat. “Young Master Wang. Why are you here? Is it your…”

“A brother from the yamen.” Wang Qian said with a smile.

“From your place?” Qi Yue asked in surprise.

My goodness, that’s so far away, and in this rain…

Did he specifically bring him here?

“It wasn’t raining originally.” Wang Qian smiled and pointed outside. “It started raining halfway through. Since we were already halfway, it was better to come here than go back.”

Qi Yue made a sound of understanding, smiled at him, and focused on examining the patient.

“…It’s an external wound infection, requiring debridement again…” Qi Yue said.

“Yes, yes. We also felt something was wrong. The magistrate said Miss Qi is best at this, so we rushed here.” A man beside the injured person said, introducing himself. “I’m also a physician. But my skills are shallow – truly embarrassing.”

“Not at all. Everyone has their specialties. I’m just better at this particular thing. In other areas, I can’t compare to you.” Qi Yue laughed while arranging for surgery.

The physician was very surprised that this Miss Qi, who was supposedly domineering and said others were wrong if they didn’t follow her methods, was actually so modest and amiable.

Qi Yue led people to prepare for the debridement surgery.

“Are you going home or?” Qi Yue started to leave but stopped to ask Wang Qian.

“The rain is too heavy. I’ll wait for it to lighten up. Besides, since I brought the person here, I should at least stay to see the procedure finished before leaving.” Wang Qian said with a smile.

Qi Yue smiled at him.

“Go sit in my office. My maid just made some pastries and brought them over. Try some…” She said, pointing to her room. “However, the tea isn’t very good. You’ll have to make do.”

Wang Qian’s smile deepened, his eyes crinkling.

“You go ahead.” He said.

Only then did Qi Yue turn and leave.

The hall returned to quiet.

“Young Master Wang, please come this way. Shall I brew tea for you?” the guiding disciple said warmly.

“No need, I can manage myself.” Wang Qian said, removing his raincoat. “Find somewhere to hang this up – don’t dirty her room.”

The disciple responded and took it away.

Watching Wang Qian enter Qi Yue’s room, Chang Yuncheng, who had been hiding behind a pillar, finally stepped out slightly.

“No need, I can manage myself…”

He was really acting familiar…

Were they that familiar?

He clenched his fists and stared intently at the door.

So familiar… so natural and at ease… that person… wasn’t him… would never be him again…

Actually, the infected patient’s symptoms weren’t very severe, and Qi Yue’s surgery was completed quickly.

The rain had also stopped, leaving the courtyard fresh and clean. Several disciples carrying food walked by laughing and talking, and were stopped by Old Madam Xie.

“Where’s Miss Qi?” she asked.

“She just finished surgery and is probably about to eat.” The disciples replied, politely asking, “Old Madam, have you gotten food yet? Do you need our help?”

“No, no need.” Old Madam Xie waved her hand, walked out with her walking stick, and first tiptoed to near Qi Yue’s room.

“…I’ve been thinking about it since last time, what a coincidence that you made this braised pork today…”

A man’s gentle voice drifted out.

“Then eat more. If you want to take some home, I’ll give you a discount…”

Qi Yue’s laughter immediately followed.

Old Madam Xie bit her teeth. Thinking about it – that old fool Wang Tongye’s family background, even longing for braised pork, lying without fear of divine punishment!

How shameless!

Old Madam Xie cursed angrily in her heart, turned and walked away. After circling several times, she found Chang Yuncheng staring at the water flow in a daze by the washbasin in the courtyard.

This useless one… claiming to let go, but was this really letting go?

People live by their dignity, don’t they? How could one live well without being willing to give up face?

Old Madam Xie knocked him up with her walking stick.

“Come with me.” She said.

Chang Yuncheng was puzzled but was prodded by Old Madam Xie’s walking stick toward Qi Yue’s direction.

“Grandmother, stop making trouble.” He saw the direction and quickly stopped, saying quietly.

“What trouble?” Old Madam Xie said. “How is asking about your mother’s condition making trouble?”

Chang Yuncheng looked at her helplessly.

“Grandmother, this is too much bullying.” He said quietly, looking toward Qi Yue’s room.

Old Madam Xie pushed him forward.

“Miss Qi!” She called out loudly.

Now it was too late to leave. Chang Yuncheng was awkwardly pushed to the doorway, and Old Madam Xie lifted the door curtain and brought him in.

In the room, Qi Yue was eating, with Wang Qian sitting across from her, also holding chopsticks. Both looked over.

“Oh my, you’re eating. What bad timing.” Old Madam Xie said apologetically.

Qi Yue stood up.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. What’s the matter?” She said, casually asking, “Have you eaten?”

“Haven’t had time yet.” Old Madam Xie said. Before Qi Yue could say more, she looked at Chang Yuncheng. “Perfect, you can eat here too. After eating, you can ask about your mother’s condition.”

Without waiting for anyone’s reaction, she said:

“I just remembered, Doctor Liu wanted me to call him after eating. I completely forgot. I’ll go now.”

She turned and walked out, leaving the three people in the room staring at each other.