When Chang Yuncheng strode over quickly, he could see from afar that his courtyard was crowded with people, while more maids and women continued running over from all directions with excited faces.

Chang Yuncheng’s face turned livid.

“Move it! I’d like to see what you little hoof can do to me!” Jiu Zhi took the lead, holding a large bundle in her arms, stepping up to the platform and shouting at Qiu Xiang and others blocking the door.

Behind her were women carrying tables and maids holding boxes, all with subtle expressions.

“Try it! If you can step one foot into my courtyard, I… I…” Qiu Xiang was facing such a public confrontation for the first time. Compared to Jiu Zhi, who had never been properly looked at by anyone since childhood, she was far inferior in both cursing and acting shamelessly—embarrassed, angry, and anxious.

“Oh my, you dead hoof, is this your courtyard? What kind of green onion are you!” Jiu Zhi shrieked. “Really shameless!”

Qiu Xiang misspoke in her haste and also blushed. Seeing Jiu Zhi leading those women pushing through, she simply reached out to shove her.

“Anyway, this isn’t your courtyard. All of you get lost,” she shouted.

“Everyone be quick about it. Young Madam is still waiting to arrange the room. Young Madam and the Lord are tired from going out. We servants, since we’re honored by Young Madam’s regard, can’t just eat without working,” Jiu Zhi called out, waving her hand while using her shoulder to resist Qiu Xiang.

Some woman behind them echoed her call, and those carrying the table started pushing through with shouts.

Naturally, Qiu Xiang’s side wouldn’t stand for it. Five or six maids blocked together, and at the door began a tug-of-war of pushing, shoving, advancing, and retreating.

The onlooking maids and women all became excited, with the younger ones simply stamping their feet and clapping.

“Who do you think will win?” they chattered and laughed.

“What do you think?”

A male voice sounded behind them.

“I think Sister Qiu Xiang’s side,” a little maid answered casually, then turned to look and immediately went ice-cold all over, collapsing to the ground trembling. “Lord…”

This cry of “Lord” immediately terrified everyone around, and they all fell to their knees.

The fierce battle between Qiu Xiang and Jiu Zhi’s sides was in full swing. Everyone was so absorbed that none noticed the onlookers had all knelt down, leaving only one tall man with an iron-blue face standing out conspicuously.

Jiu Zhi’s hand grabbed Qiu Xiang’s hair, while Qiu Xiang’s hand clutched Jiu Zhi’s collar. The two were tearing at each other when they heard a male voice roar angrily. Before they could react and look, they felt their bodies lighten, then found themselves suspended in air, dizzy and in severe pain. When they came to their senses, they had been thrown to either side of the steps below.

Jiu Zhi was pressed against Qiu Xiang’s leg, while Qiu Xiang was pressed against Jiu Zhi’s arm.

“Lord,” Qiu Xiang was the first to see clearly who had come and immediately burst into tears.

Lord? Still dizzy and aching all over from the fall, Jiu Zhi immediately perked up, hurriedly smoothing her hair and standing up. Indeed, following Young Madam brought benefits—she had grown up in this household for sixteen years and this was her first time seeing the Lord’s face.

Unfortunately, by the time she looked over, the Lord hadn’t even left her a shadow.

Chang Yuncheng threw them aside, kicked away the remaining maids and women with several feet, and strode through the main gate amid a chorus of “ouch” sounds.

The courtyard showed no sign of that woman. Chang Yuncheng strode around the rockery, following the bluestone path straight into the room.

The sound of the door banging open startled the person sitting on the daybed reading.

“You’re back,” Qi Yue put down her book and looked up with a smile, greeting the man standing in the room looking left and right.

Before her words finished, Chang Yuncheng, having accurately located her, stepped forward in one stride. The next moment his hand grabbed Qi Yue’s collar, lifting the seated Qi Yue up with one hand.

“Now, immediately, get out,” he said word by word.

This stinking man really has such a temper! Qi Yue was suddenly grabbed by the collar by this big hand, and the tight collar of ancient clothing immediately made her somewhat breathless.

“Chang Yuncheng,” she reached out to grab his hand, blinking her large almond eyes at this husband so close to her. “Are you sure you want to treat me like this?”

No crying, no shouting, not even a change in expression, let alone any fear or terror in her eyes. It was as if she was still sitting properly while he was talking to her with a smile.

This woman…

“I’m sure,” Chang Yuncheng said with a cold smile through gritted teeth.

“Fine then,” Qi Yue patted his hand. “Let go. I’ll get out right now and never appear again to avoid polluting Your Lordship’s eyes.”

Saying this, she called loudly for A’Ru.

“Don’t pack anymore. We’re leaving right now. I suddenly feel unwell—probably my old illness acting up again. I’d better go back and recuperate. I won’t be able to go out for ten days to half a month,” she said, using force to pry open Chang Yuncheng’s hand.

Chang Yuncheng was stunned, then immediately understood her meaning.

That injured person hadn’t fully recovered yet and still needed this woman to check on him. Today that old physician had even cried—who knows if it was from shame at being unable to treat the patient.

“You,” he looked at her through gritted teeth, somewhat amused, “are you threatening me?”

Someone actually dared to threaten him? And it was a woman at that?

In his moment of shock, his grip loosened. Qi Yue broke free and casually patted her clothes twice. Hearing his question, she looked up at him, pursed her lips in a smile, didn’t answer, and slowly picked up the small… fan nearby, swaying as she walked out.

This look up, this glance, this smile—utterly charming and captivating. However, falling on Chang Yuncheng’s eyes at this moment, there was no appreciation whatsoever, only pure provocation.

He reached out with his long arm, grabbed Qi Yue’s arm, and dragged her back before she had taken more than a few steps.

“Since you’re asking for a favor, you should have a better attitude,” Qi Yue said with a frown.

This boy practiced martial arts and had tremendous strength. Qi Yue felt her arm was clamped like an iron vise, pain spreading throughout her body.

“You also know that when asking for favors, one should have a good attitude,” Chang Yuncheng looked at her with a mocking smile playing at his lips.

“Yes, is my attitude not good? I haven’t run off and innocently injured someone’s arm,” Qi Yue looked up at him and said straightforwardly.

The two stared at each other like this, neither willing to look away first.

This man is too tall…

Qi Yue moved her neck and was the first to concede defeat.

Chang Yuncheng felt somewhat satisfied, but then became ashamed and annoyed at this satisfaction.

When had he, Chang Yuncheng, ever felt pleased about a woman giving in first? Simply… Chang Yuncheng’s face turned iron-blue as he roughly released Qi Yue’s arm.

“Relying on others’ power—if you’re really capable, get out of here,” he said with a cold laugh.

Qi Yue turned to look at him, seeing the mockery and derision on his face clearly and truly.

This Qi Yueniang first relied on Old Madam’s influence to stay in Marquis Dingxi’s mansion, and now came to rely on his influence to gain a foothold. Speaking of it, she was quite contemptible.

Qi Yue smiled.

Only a fool wouldn’t use available influence.

Besides, even a dog doesn’t get summoned and dismissed at will. Even if she really wanted to leave, it would be because she wanted to leave, not because they wanted her to leave.

Ridiculous. Whether Qi Yueniang wanted to leave or not was none of Qi Yue’s concern. Anyway, she, Qi Yue, absolutely wouldn’t leave. No matter what, she would guard that roof beam and wait for the bus back home to arrive.

Mockery, derision, dignity, humiliation—what did any of that matter? Besides, who was disgusting whom and who was humiliating whom was still uncertain.

Chang Yuncheng’s expression grew even uglier seeing her demeanor. His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at her intently.

“I heard… you died once?” he suddenly asked.

Qi Yue glanced at him sideways.

“Yes, Your Lordship even knows I died once?” she replied indifferently.

Chang Yuncheng snorted a laugh through his nose, slowly circling around her like a hunting dog sizing up prey.

“Making such a big commotion—isn’t it just so people would know?” he also replied indifferently.

“Yes, I’m very satisfied. So many people know now,” Qi Yue said with some impatience. “Alright, Lord, if there’s nothing else, go comfort your maids. As for me, I’m in a hurry to tidy up my room. Look what a mess this has become—really improper.”

Chang Yuncheng was so angry he laughed.

“You also know it’s improper,” he said.

Qi Yue ignored him, waved her fan at him, and walked out.

“A’Ru, Jiu Zhi, where did you disappear to? Are things packed?” She lifted the curtain and came out, standing under the eaves with raised eyebrows and shouting.

The maids including Qiu Xiang had already entered the courtyard and were still blocking the door, while Jiu Zhi and others didn’t dare make trouble anymore after the Lord arrived. Both sides remained quiet, communicating with glances, though the difference in momentum was clear.

Qiu Xiang and others looked at Jiu Zhi’s side with faces full of hatred and restored superiority and disdain, while Jiu Zhi and others lowered their heads with anxious expressions. Several women quietly retreated into the crowd.

No crying, no cursing—except for the initial bang when the door was kicked open, things weren’t developing as expected…

Everyone carefully peered inside and pricked up their ears to listen.

Qi Yue’s shout came out at this moment, and everyone froze without reacting.

What did she mean by this?

Seeing no one move, Qi Yue covered her mouth with her fan and coughed heavily.

Chang Yuncheng inside the room frowned so deeply his brows nearly knotted. His gaze turned toward the door. Through the soft silk curtains, he could see the woman’s graceful silhouette. From her figure, she appeared slender as if a weak willow supported by the wind. This was the beggar girl that the entire mansion didn’t even bother mentioning?

In his memory, that vague figure standing behind Old Marchioness, head lowered and shoulders hunched, seemed like she could die just from being looked at too much…

Looking at the woman before him now, where was there any trace of timidity or fear? Every movement, every word and smile—she was clearly a shameless person!

As he frowned, Qi Yue’s cough sounded again outside, heavier this time.

A cold smile appeared at Chang Yuncheng’s lips.

When Qi Yue coughed for the third time, the door curtain moved and Chang Yuncheng walked out.

Seeing the Lord emerge, tears flowed down Qiu Xiang’s face again.

“You,” Chang Yuncheng’s voice was somewhat stiff as he spoke, his gaze sweeping over the maids at the door, “help… Young Madam pack.”

Crash—that was the sound of tables and stools carried by the women outside falling to the ground.

“Lord,” Qiu Xiang cried out in disbelief.

Under the eaves, the man stood tall and elegant while the woman’s figure was graceful. In the afternoon sunlight, what a dazzling pair they made—too bright to look at directly.