Chen Shi’s expression was somewhat complex. She clenched her hands and looked at the place where the Emperor had suddenly come and suddenly disappeared.

This little imp was still as mischievous as when he was small… truly don’t know who he takes after…

“His Majesty is not passing through here,” she said.

Qi Yue breathed a sigh of relief, feeling fortunate that she wouldn’t have to kowtow.

The little eunuchs quickly stood up. Chen Shi and Qi Yue got back into the sedan chair and headed outward.

Meanwhile, the Emperor was still resting his head on his hand, leaning sideways with his eyes half-closed, swaying gently with the sedan chair’s movement.

“Your Majesty, Madam Chen said she wouldn’t see Your Majesty, yet Your Majesty still specifically came here. After coming, you avoided her instead—why is that?” The eunuch who was most familiar with the Emperor’s temperament and needed to help the Emperor speak couldn’t hide his curiosity as he asked.

The Emperor let out a light snort through his nose.

“Won’t see me? Only a fool would believe that,” he said lazily, still propping his head with his hand and squinting. “This kind of trick might have worked on Imperial Grandmother back in the day, but playing it with me…”

He snorted lightly again, slightly opening his eyes as his body swayed with the sedan chair.

“…I came as she wished, but I also left, letting her see me yet not see me…” he said, the corners of his mouth turning up in a shallow smile. “Playing mind games with me is fine, but the result must make me happy, not make them happy.”

Anyone could try to fathom my thoughts, but if they think they can manipulate me in the palm of their hands, they’re wrong.

“Oh my, Your Majesty, this old slave is getting confused listening to this,” the eunuch asked with a somewhat bewildered expression.

The Emperor laughed and removed the hand that was propping his head, sitting up straight.

“Whether you old thing understands or not has nothing to do with anything—you won’t lack a meal,” he said with a laugh.

“With Your Majesty’s golden words, this old slave’s life is secure,” the eunuch said happily, finishing this task and flicking his whisk. “Your Majesty, which Imperial Consort shall we visit?”

The Emperor pondered briefly.

“Nowhere. I’m going to Imperial Grandmother’s place,” he said indifferently.

Indeed, he was stirred to old feelings by this Chen Shi after all. The eunuch flicked his whisk again and led the way forward.

Returning home, though Chen Shi’s emotions appeared the same as before, her eyes were somewhat listless.

Qi Yue, however, was very happy—one major task accomplished.

“I’m going to rest,” Chen Shi said. “Are you tired?”

Tired from what? They had carriages and sedan chairs.

“I’m going to the Li family to see the patient,” Qi Yue said. “I’m not tired.”

Chen Shi nodded.

“We don’t care about those few coins. Don’t demean yourself,” she said.

“How is this demeaning? Aunt, this is enjoyment,” Qi Yue laughed, then remembered something. “Oh, and I have something to do—I’ll be leaving in a few days.”

Chen Shi was stunned.

“Leaving? Where are you going?” she asked.

“Home,” Qi Yue said. She wouldn’t be foolish enough to mention the northern desert—Chen Shi would never let her go even if it meant her death.

“What home! This is your home,” Chen Shi grasped her hand.

Qi Yue smiled.

“Yes,” she said, not saying anything more.

Chen Shi looked at her.

“Yueniang, don’t act rashly. Listen to your aunt properly. Even if your aunt dies, I’ll definitely arrange everything well for you,” she said.

“Why talk about death and life when everything’s fine,” Qi Yue shook her head. “I know, Aunt. Don’t worry.”

How could she not worry…

“I’m going to see the patient first,” Qi Yue said. “Rest well—I’ll come back to have dinner with you.”

Watching this woman leave with such composure, Chen Shi felt somewhat powerless.

She couldn’t help but hold her head, and Cai Qing quickly supported her.

“Madam, are you alright?” she asked with concern.

“What could be wrong with me? I’m someone who’s about to die anyway,” Chen Shi murmured.

Cai Qing’s tears immediately flowed down.

Death wasn’t frightening—what was frightening was knowing the time of death, approaching bit by bit, like lying under a guillotine, watching the blade fall with open eyes but being completely helpless. Just thinking about this situation made her feel like going mad; she truly didn’t know how painful Chen Shi’s heart must be now.

“I don’t have much time left,” Chen Shi said. “Help me back—I need to think carefully about what to do.”

This little imp had been difficult to handle since childhood… now she’s become even more cunning…

Cai Qing responded and supported her. The master and servant walked along the path, their figures appearing even more frail in the vast mansion.

Qi Yue didn’t know that Chen Shi was rapidly burning herself out. She went out with A’Ru and A’Hao.

The two maids were extremely excited. A’Ru was reserved and didn’t ask questions, but A’Hao’s mouth didn’t stop the entire way.

What was the Imperial Palace like?

Was everything paved with gold?

What were the Imperial Consorts like?

This made Qi Yue just laugh.

“Hey, you’re at least a second-class maid from the Marquis’s mansion—don’t be so provincial,” she laughed.

“I’ve never been in the Imperial Palace,” A’Hao pouted.

Chatting and laughing like this, they quickly arrived at Elder Li’s house.

What a coincidence—before getting out of the carriage, they encountered Dong Lin again.

Dong Lin looked at Qi Yue with mixed feelings.

He naturally knew by now why Wu Shan couldn’t find Qi Yue’s whereabouts—because of Duke Deqing.

But this wasn’t strange. Although they had divorced from the Marquis Dingxi’s mansion, they had once been relatives after all, so living there wasn’t unusual.

Although the Li family said Duke Deqing treated this woman as an honored guest, while others might believe this, he didn’t. This woman was best at leveraging influence—previously leveraging the Marquis Dingxi’s mansion, now leveraging Duke Deqing. Sure enough, when he inquired, this Qi Yue wasn’t living in Duke Deqing’s main mansion at all, but in the old mansion. Further investigation revealed it was Li Tong who first invited her, and Li Tong invited her because of the young master of the Fan family. Who was the young master of the Fan family? Wang Tongye’s son-in-law. What was Wang Tongye’s relationship to this Lady Qi?

The matter immediately became clear.

This was clearly using a big flag as a tiger’s skin!

Of course, she very likely could actually cure Li Huaiqing, but that was also her master’s technique!

Thinking of this, Dong Lin’s heart burned with even more hatred.

This shocking achievement should have been his!

This biased master!

“Doctor Dong, what’s wrong with you?” Qi Yue took the initiative to greet him, looking at his pale face with concern.

“Nothing’s wrong—just worried about Elder Li’s illness,” Dong Lin took a deep breath and sighed, while showing joy at seeing her. “It’s good you came. You really cured Elder Li. Oh, right, you can’t throw a tantrum—that day was a misunderstanding…”

Qi Yue smiled slightly.

“I’m a doctor—how could I be angry about that?” she said.

Keep pretending, Dong Lin thought.

Having stayed at the Li family that day, he already knew about the Li family’s formal invitation and Qi Yue’s refusal to come, specifically requesting that Young Master Tong go instead. If this wasn’t being angry, what was?

He smiled.

“That’s good. You’ve just arrived in the capital and are a junior—you must be low-key and humble in everything…” he said earnestly.

Qi Yue nodded.

“Thank you, Uncle Master,” she said with a smile, bowing slightly.

Only now did she call him Uncle Master after meeting face to face—showing how rude she had been. Dong Lin snorted coldly in his heart.

“It’s good that you can come now. Come in with me to apologize to Elder Li…” he said.

Before he could finish speaking, a large group of people came out from the gatehouse. They rushed over as if seeing a living Buddha.

“Lady Qi, Lady Qi, you’ve come!” they said respectfully, ushering her inside. “Please, please come in.”

Not only did they interrupt Dong Lin’s words, but they also seemed not to see him at all.

This was really…

Qi Yue smiled and turned slightly to wink at A’Ru.

See that? This is style.

A’Ru understood her meaning and couldn’t help but purse her lips and lower her head with a smile.

Before even entering the door, news had already spread inside, and another group of people hurried over.

They specifically called Li Tong to stand with Young Master Li and others—something Li Tong had never dreamed of before.

“Lady Qi, last time was my fault,” Elder Li personally came to the door to receive her, going straight to the point and bowing. “I was wrong.”

Once he admitted his error, the others naturally couldn’t fall behind and all hurried to bow and apologize.

“It was all my son’s fault for not explaining clearly,” Li Tong’s father said a few more words than others because he had the qualification.

This qualification drew some jealous glances, and Li Tong’s father felt very good.

“Yes, it was my poor hospitality that caused this misunderstanding,” Li Tong, not knowing who pushed him from behind and whispered in his ear, quickly stepped forward and said.

“It’s nothing—misunderstandings, once cleared up, are no longer misunderstandings,” Qi Yue said with a smile, returning their courtesies. “You’re too kind. I also didn’t ask clearly enough.”

This divine physician really had a good attitude, especially compared to that detestable Zhou Maochun. Hopefully this woman’s skills surpassed Zhou Maochun’s—though that should be impossible, everyone thought while showing smiles on their faces.

“Please, please,” Elder Li personally made way.

After some modest declining, Qi Yue walked in with confident steps.

Soon the area by the door returned to quiet, and only then did the gatekeepers notice Dong Lin standing dumbfounded to the side.

“Oh my, Master Dong, you’re here,” they said hurriedly.

Dong Lin was so angry he wanted to vomit blood.

So you’re only noticing me now?

Really, what kind of situation is this!

“Please, please come in,” the gatekeepers said enthusiastically.

This would be the time to spit in their faces, then storm off with sleeves fluttering.

That woman would definitely do exactly that…

Really, Dong Lin was getting frantic—why did such a good opportunity fall to him instead!

What was going on?

It was just that Elder Li’s condition had improved, just that this woman might cure him—why treat her like they’d seen the Emperor?

Had everyone in the Li family gone mad?

Even Zhou Maochun wouldn’t deserve this treatment!

“Doctor Dong, you’re here.”

A voice came from behind—it was Official Gong.

Dong Lin turned around and indeed saw Official Gong walking over with an Imperial Physician.

“Official Gong, how is Elder Li?” Dong Lin asked quickly.

Because the Emperor had personally ordered Li Ge Lao’s treatment, the Imperial Medical Academy’s doctors took turns keeping vigil day and night. Last night hadn’t been his shift, so he didn’t know what happened afterward.

“Much better,” Official Gong said quickly, his face still showing surprise and joy. “Your martial nephew is really formidable!”

Yes, favorably taught by my biased master.

Dong Lin smiled and exchanged pleasantries.

“Lady Qi has already arrived,” the gatekeeper interjected.

Hearing this, Official Gong couldn’t even bother with courtesies anymore and hurried inside, leaving Dong Lin, who had only gotten halfway through his polite words, depressed again.

“Why did my martial nephew become so popular overnight?” he asked jokingly.

“You don’t know yet?” the Imperial Physician said quietly.

“What?” Dong Lin asked in confusion.

“Yesterday Lady Qi said she had business and refused to come, right?” the Imperial Physician said quietly, still feeling somewhat frightened thinking about it.

“Yes, that was really inappropriate of her…” Dong Lin nodded, beginning to speak with the reproach of an elder.

Before he could finish, the Imperial Physician covered his mouth.

Dong Lin’s eyes widened—he nearly suffocated.

“Shh,” the Imperial Physician glared and quickly shushed him, carefully looking around. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

How was that nonsense! He couldn’t even speak!

Dong Lin angrily pulled the Imperial Physician’s hand away.

“Lady Qi went to the palace,” the Imperial Physician said quietly. “The palace carriage came to pick her up personally.”

What?

So, did you think the Li family was treating her this way just because she might cure Elder Li?

“Your martial nephew is truly extraordinary—what fortune for your school,” the Imperial Physician said enviously, patting his shoulder before going inside.

Dong Lin stood dumbfounded outside the door once again.