Since the guests were men, they would be received in the outer courtyard, so the women in the inner courtyard were unaware of their arrival.
When Qi Yue woke up, it was still early. Chang Yuncheng had a habit of morning exercises, and although he was very careful, he still disturbed her. Moreover, today was the day of the surgery.
Sitting at her desk, she reviewed the surgical plan for the last time when A’Ru rushed in urgently.
“…Young Madam, Hu San came by just now,” she said.
“What happened?” Qi Yue was somewhat nervous. What was he doing here so early? Could there be some accident with the surgery?
“He said that Old Physician An from Shanning…” A’Ru began.
Hearing this, Qi Yue breathed a sigh of relief.
“He’s looking for trouble, isn’t he?” she interjected with a laugh. “Whatever, I’m relying on my position to bully others anyway, so I’m not afraid.”
“No,” A’Ru smiled. “Hu San said that person wants to become your disciple.”
“What?” Qi Yue stared in surprise, eyes wide. “Become my disciple?”
“Yes, Dr. Liu doesn’t know how to dissuade him either, so he had Hu San come and give you a heads-up, to let Young Madam be prepared,” A’Ru said, unable to hide her own surprise. “Young Madam, what does that Old Physician An want to do?”
“The secret formula,” Qi Yue said, setting down the papers in her hand.
“It’s about the illness of the old madam’s child…” A’Ru understood too.
“Yes, you see, when I told the truth, no one believed it,” Qi Yue laughed. “I already told him I have no secret formula, that this was the result of all the physicians working together, but he just won’t believe it. To obtain the secret formula, he figures he can only become my disciple. Really thinking too much.”
“What will Young Madam do?” A’Ru asked. “Will you take him as a disciple?”
Just as they were talking, a maid came in to relay the steward’s words.
“People from the eldest daughter’s husband’s family have come?” Qi Yue said, clicking her tongue twice. “What perfect timing, why did they have to come today of all days?”
“I just hope it won’t affect the little miss’s surgery,” A’Ru said worriedly.
“They wouldn’t dare!” Qi Yue snorted, then gestured with her hand and tossed her head. “Change my clothes!”
When Qi Yue arrived at the outer courtyard guest hall, Marquis Dingxi was in the middle of a great rage.
“Eat! Let them eat!” he shouted loudly.
“But we don’t have such things…” the steward said with difficulty.
“Father, what’s wrong?” Qi Yue asked.
“Yueniang, you’ve come. Wait a moment, the Liu father and son are still eating. After they finish eating, you can explain to them again,” Marquis Dingxi spoke gently to his daughter-in-law.
As they talked, Chang Chunlan also came over, but she didn’t dare enter the room, standing outside the door trembling with fear.
“What do they want to eat? Can’t the kitchen make it?” Qi Yue asked.
“They want to eat flatbread and pickled vegetables,” the steward said.
What?
“…What is this about?” Qi Yue laughed.
“They say that’s what their family eats, that they’re accustomed to simple food and drink and can’t enjoy the rich fare of our household. It’s easy to go from frugality to luxury but hard to go from luxury to frugality – if they eat our fine food and delicacies today, they’ll miss it when they return home and won’t be able to peacefully enjoy their poverty,” the steward said in a low voice.
Qi Yue laughed heartily.
“Is it because father said elder sister is suffering mistreatment at their house?” she asked with a smile.
Marquis Dingxi snorted from the side.
“That old fool is doing this on purpose! He eats simple food and drink! It would be more believable to say he’s vegetarian!” he glared and shouted.
Then he called to Chang Chunlan outside, “You come in! Does this old codger father-in-law of yours really eat flatbread with pickled vegetables at home?”
Such a way of addressing her father-in-law made Chang Chunlan panic. She naturally wouldn’t dare say such things, and didn’t know what to say either. Ever since hearing that her father-in-law and husband had come, she had been frightened out of her wits. Combined with her already fearsome father, it was already impressive that she could still stand here.
In matters of father-in-law and father quarreling, women naturally couldn’t speak.
Qi Yue quickly took over the conversation.
“Regardless of what he eats at home, since they’ve come, they’re our guests. The host should accommodate the guests’ wishes,” she smiled. “Father, don’t get angry.”
“I’m not angry. I just can’t stand that old fool’s pretense!” Marquis Dingxi huffed and sat down with a sweep of his sleeve.
Qi Yue gestured to the steward.
“We don’t have any?” she asked quietly.
“No, even what the lowest servants eat isn’t this poor,” the steward said in a low voice.
“Then the lowest servants’ homes should have it,” Qi Yue said.
The steward slapped his forehead – he’d been too flustered! Without another word, he hurried out.
Qi Yue pulled Chang Chunlan inside to talk, trying to help her calm down, but Chang Chunlan really couldn’t calm down.
“Look at your pathetic state! What’s there to be afraid of! You’re the one who’s been wronged, not the Liu family!” Marquis Dingxi said irritably.
Chang Chunlan was trembling even while standing.
A light cough came from outside – Old Master Liu had arrived.
Marquis Dingxi turned his head and stopped talking.