The nearest medical hall was one of the most renowned in the capital, called Heqi Tang. At this hour, many people were coming and going, creating quite a bustling atmosphere.

A youth of seventeen or eighteen hurriedly exited the medical hall with rushed steps. Upon closer inspection, one could notice his somewhat unnatural expression.

This young man was none other than Third Young Master Ji Chongyi of the Duke An’s household.

He had come to Heqi Tang to fetch medicine for his newly wedded wife, Qiao Niang.

While Duke An’s manor maintained its medicine chamber stocked with everything from precious century-old ginseng to common herbs—though not as comprehensive as major external pharmacies—normally, the family members did not need to seek medical attention elsewhere.

However, Qiao Niang harbored a delicate condition. Ever since she fell into the water several months ago, her monthly cycles have become irregular and prolonged, causing her great distress.

Since marrying into Duke An’s household, the sweetness and glory her husband brought her couldn’t offset the pressure from the ubiquitous disdain of the household members. She dared not even mention her ailment to her maids, as they were all assigned by the Duchess and would surely report back to their mistress.

Qiao Niang trusted only Ji Chongyi.

Having married Qiao Niang despite enormous pressure, Ji Chongyi naturally refused to let anyone look down upon his wife.

On just the second day after the wedding, Duchess An specifically sent an elderly servant to teach Qiao Niang proper etiquette and manners.

This move by the Duchess was undoubtedly a slap in Ji Chongyi’s face, leaving him embarrassed yet helpless, forcing him to silently endure.

Ji Chongyi understood clearly that while Qiao Niang possessed a pure kindness absent in noble ladies, she indeed couldn’t compare with those well-bred young ladies in terms of etiquette and propriety. Given this reality, he reasoned it would be best for her to learn properly—once she mastered the rules, at least the elders couldn’t criticize her on this front.

Unconsciously, Ji Chongyi had become even more sensitive than Qiao Niang herself to how others in the household treated her. Upon hearing her request, he naturally had to handle it personally.

He couldn’t trust her maids and servants, and he certainly couldn’t send his manservant to fetch such medicine for his wife.

Just as Ji Chongyi stepped down from the medical hall with the prepared medicine, a carriage hastily pulled up nearby.

The coachman, an exceptionally spirited young man, nimbly jumped down as soon as the carriage stopped and lifted the curtain to carry someone out from within.

Ji Chongyi instinctively paused.

While watching others was human nature, the face of the person being carried happened to be facing his direction, causing him to widen his eyes.

He recognized this person.

It was none other than the Second Young Master of Earl Dongping’s household—the elder brother of Miss Jiang Fourth, who had once been his betrothed.

After their engagement was broken, this Young Master Jiang had once cornered him in an alley and berated him as a blind fool.

There had been even harsher words, but Ji Chongyi preferred not to recall them.

Since choosing to be with Qiao Niang, he has endured too many reproaches. Though he still didn’t regret his choice, this didn’t mean he enjoyed being scolded.

In short, Ji Chongyi had a deep impression of Jiang Zhan, who had nearly become his brother-in-law.

Soon, a slender figure closely following Jiang Zhan caught his attention.

The young lady wore a white jacket with a red skirt. Even in her hurry, she couldn’t conceal her radiance—like a touch of crimson amidst verdant mountains, suddenly striking one’s eyes and heart.

Ji Chongyi was stunned once again.

He had seen this young lady before as well.

Almost without thinking, he remembered.

It was on his wedding day during the bridal procession, when he had carelessly glanced toward the roadside and saw the curtain of a blue-canopied carriage lifted slightly, revealing the young lady’s snow-white, magnificent countenance.

At that time, he had marveled at her beauty but understood such an encounter was like duckweed in the wind—there would be no chance of meeting again.

Ji Chongyi hadn’t expected to recall someone he’d only glimpsed once, perhaps this was the advantage that naturally beautiful people possessed which others couldn’t match.

“Miss Jiang, please don’t worry. Young Master Jiang appears to have merely fainted from exhaustion. He’ll be fine after some rest,” Long Dan consoled.

“Mm.” Jiang Si only responded faintly before the three quickly entered Heqi Tang.

Ji Chongyi was completely dumbfounded.

The young coachman had just addressed the young lady as Miss Jiang, which meant she was—

This sudden realization left Ji Chongyi with extremely complicated feelings, as the completely blurred image of the woman who had broken off their engagement suddenly became crystal clear.

So she was Miss Jiang Fourth, the one who had almost become his wife…

Realizing his momentary daze, Ji Chongyi shook his head vigorously, his expression turning unpleasant.

He was angry at himself for that brief trance.

It was merely a beautiful face, after all—a gift from heaven. He and Qiao Niang were truly in love, and Qiao Niang’s goodness was something other women couldn’t match.

He would never regret his choice.

Ji Chongyi dispelled the sudden apparition of that graceful figure from his mind and hurried back to Duke An’s manor.

Qiao Niang had been rather restless and immediately rose to welcome Ji Chongyi upon his return.

The elderly servant beside her coughed heavily, causing Qiao Niang to halt her steps and carefully attempt the walking posture she had been taught, taking tiny steps to meet him.

The image of the young lady’s elegant gait even in her hurry suddenly flashed through Ji Chongyi’s mind. Watching Qiao Niang’s awkward movements, his brows unconsciously furrowed.

Come to think of it, his sisters walked that way too, while Qiao Niang was completely different.

Ji Chongyi felt inexplicably stifled and said to Qiao Niang, “Walk normally, you’ll trip over your skirts at this rate.”

“But—” Qiao Niang glanced timidly at the elderly servant.

If she forgot these lessons, the servant would scold her later.

Ji Chongyi grew more irritated and turned to address the maids and elderly servants, “All of you, leave!”

After the servants withdrew, Qiao Niang finally relaxed, her eyes curving in a smile as she asked, “Did you get the medicine?”

Ji Chongyi gazed at her deeply and sighed, “Isn’t this much better?”

Qiao Niang’s smile faded as she said softly, “But if I don’t learn properly, people will laugh at me when we go out.”

Since marrying into Duke An’s household, she hadn’t attended a single banquet because the Duchess wouldn’t allow it, saying she would embarrass them with her lack of proper manners.

Qiao Niang naturally had her pride.

Ji Chongyi suddenly felt weary and sighed, “Then study hard and master it quickly. Have the maid brew this medicine, and remember to take it on time.”

Whether she learned or not, or learned well, at least she shouldn’t remain in this awkward state between refinement and rusticity.

“A’Yi, where are you going?” Qiao Niang was startled to see Ji Chongyi leaving.

Ji Chongyi forced a smile, “I’m going to study to read for a while.”

Watching Ji Chongyi’s departing figure, Qiao Niang could only manage a confused “Oh.”

But her response went unheard, answered only by the swaying of the beaded curtain.

At the Shunyi Prefecture Office.

Zhen Shicheng looked at the long line of people the yamen runners had brought in and felt a strong urge to quit.

He finally understood why his previous colleagues couldn’t last long in this position.