That evening, Madam Xie waited for a long time but heard no commotion from Chang Yuncheng’s courtyard.
“Why didn’t he give that woman a hard time?” Madam Xie was very puzzled.
Chang Yuncheng indeed hadn’t given that woman a hard time. When he returned, he directly asked why she hadn’t gone to pay respects to Madam Xie in the morning.
Qi Yue explained properly that because Yan’er’s surgery was approaching and only the most important anesthesia issue remained, she had gone to Qianjin Hall early in the morning to inquire about it. It wasn’t that she deliberately avoided going to Madam Xie’s place—she simply couldn’t spare the time.
Chang Yuncheng made an “oh” sound and his expression relaxed.
“You should have told mother, so she wouldn’t misunderstand.” He said, reaching out his hand.
Qi Yue placed her hand in his and leaned into his embrace.
“Yes, I forgot. It was my fault. I’ll remember next time.” She laughed, then gave Chang Yuncheng a quick kiss.
Chang Yuncheng’s face flushed red on one side.
“Good that you remember, otherwise mother will think you’re being perfunctory with her, lacking sincerity.” He said awkwardly.
“Those who are sincere will see my sincerity.” Qi Yue laughed.
Chang Yuncheng felt there was something odd about these words, but looking at the woman pressed against him, he couldn’t think about anything else.
“So, is it alright now?” He asked in a low voice, rubbing her waist.
Qi Yue could tell what he was asking from his expression and giggled.
Chang Yuncheng’s eyes immediately lit up.
“Not yet.” Qi Yue shook her head with a smile.
Suddenly raised laughter rang out in the room. Outside, Qiu Xiang and A’Ru quickly waved for all the maids to disperse.
Early the next morning, in Rong’an Courtyard, Madam Xie still didn’t let Qi Yue, who had come to pay respects, enter the room.
“This wretched servant is truly like a lingering ghost!” She pressed her fingers to her temples and said hatefully.
Nanny Su brought her tea.
“Madam, why not let her come in?” She said quietly.
“What? Do you want to curry favor with her too?” Madam Xie asked with a snort.
Nanny Su smiled.
“Miss, you’re too angry to think clearly and don’t understand this woman’s little tricks.” She laughed, “She’s doing this solely to please the Prince. The more you refuse to see her, the more wronged she appears before the Prince. Gradually, the Prince will think that you’re… being unreasonable and deliberately making things difficult for her.”
“He wouldn’t dare!” Madam Xie put down her hand and raised her eyebrows.
Nanny Su looked at her and sighed.
“Madam, are you unable to think of this or unwilling to think of it?” She said, “Just now the Prince’s expression was clearly somewhat displeased, and he kept looking outside…”
Madam Xie’s expression darkened as she exhaled.
“Now, we shouldn’t stoop to her level. Doesn’t she want to establish proper conduct? Then let her do it. Whether or not to let her establish it is your business, Madam, but how well she does it is her business.” Nanny Su knew she understood in her heart, so she continued with a smile, “Before Miss Rao enters the household, what we need to do is keep her waiting. If you ignore her, she naturally won’t have opportunities to make a fuss, and the Prince naturally won’t pay attention to her either. This prevents the Prince from being won over by her. When Miss Rao enters the household, no matter how much she struggles, what can she accomplish?”
Madam Xie nodded.
“The Marquis’s memorial has been written.” She smiled at Nanny Su—this was the only thing that could make her happy this New Year.
Nanny Su was also pleased.
“It shows that the Buddha knows of Madam’s devotion.” She chanted Buddha’s name.
“That Miss Rao has good family background and good looks. Once she’s married in, the Marquis will know what a true lady from a great family is like.” Madam Xie laughed with a snort, “He’ll realize how embarrassing it is to dote on this wretched servant. When he discovers he’s been disgraced…”
The result was predictable.
Nanny Su nodded.
“So, Madam, there’s no need to get angry with that woman. When she comes to curry favor, let her come. Whether it’s good or bad, don’t you have the final say?” She smiled, “This way she won’t bother the Prince.”
Madam Xie nodded.
At lunchtime, Chang Yuncheng naturally came to accompany Madam Xie again.
“Call your wife over.” Madam Xie said to Chang Yuncheng, who was about to personally select dishes for her.
Chang Yuncheng was stunned and didn’t react immediately.
“You’re a grown man, not a child anymore. Now that you have a wife, she should naturally do these things.” Madam Xie said, then smiled slightly, “I just don’t know if having her do this would disrupt proper conduct.”
Only then did Chang Yuncheng understand, and he was immediately overjoyed.
“How could it? This is the proper conduct she should have.” He said hastily, quickly urging a maid to call Qi Yue over, afraid that if he spoke slowly, Madam Xie might change her mind.
Seeing him like this, Madam Xie’s face couldn’t help but darken. Nanny Su quickly exchanged glances with her, and only then did Madam Xie lower her eyes without saying anything.
“She wants me to come eat?” Qi Yue was very surprised to hear the maid’s words, then smiled at A’Ru, “Wonder what method she’s thought up to deal with me now.”
A’Ru didn’t know what to say.
“Young Madam must endure.” She could only say.
“Fine, no problem. I’ve been a resident doctor—what can’t I endure?” Qi Yue laughed.
A’Ru shushed her, fortunately the other maids paid no attention to her words.