Qi Yue stood up and walked over to sit beside Chang Yuncheng on her own.
Old Madam Xie’s expression became even more unpleasant.
“Did I tell you to sit?” she suddenly shouted. “How utterly rude!”
Qi Yue was startled, and Chang Yuncheng also stood up with an ugly expression.
This old lady certainly had strong lungs—where was any sign of illness?
“Grandmother,” Chang Yuncheng called out.
“Look at your worthless appearance!” Old Madam Xie glared and scolded him. “A grown man—when an elder is talking to his wife, what business is it of yours!”
Chang Yuncheng was left embarrassed and speechless by the scolding.
Qi Yue couldn’t help but laugh. This was indeed a Xie family member—never hiding joy or anger. It seemed Madam Xie had truly inherited her mother’s character.
“All of you, get out,” Old Madam Xie directly waved them away.
Chang Yuncheng glanced at Qi Yue and saw that this woman showed no sign of panic or unease on her face. Instead, she seemed somewhat amused, as if watching excitement that had nothing to do with her.
For her, did these displays of anger and joy no longer matter?
Chang Yuncheng took a deep breath.
“Grandmother, Yueniang has excellent medical skills. Let her take your pulse,” he said.
“Are you crazy?” Old Madam Xie asked, beckoning him over.
Chang Yuncheng was puzzled but still walked over as instructed.
Old Madam Xie grabbed his hand and looked him up and down.
“Let me see if you’re still my grandson Chang Yuncheng,” she said. “Why are you saying such strange things this time?”
Chang Yuncheng’s face immediately darkened.
Qi Yue couldn’t help but lower her head and laugh.
“Grandmother, I’m not joking,” Chang Yuncheng said with some suppressed irritation. “If you don’t believe me, go ask around in our Yongqing Prefecture, and you’ll know.”
Old Madam Xie gave a bland snort.
“I don’t have that kind of free time,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “If you came to see me, then see me properly. Let’s have a good talk, just us grandparents and grandchild. If you have other thoughts, you can leave right now.”
When she said “other thoughts,” her eyes were looking at Qi Yue.
Clearly, the mastermind behind these “other thoughts” was naturally Qi Yue.
Somehow, seeing Chang Yuncheng’s complex expression, Qi Yue suddenly felt some sympathy. The so-called “caught between a rock and a hard place”—this was probably exactly his situation now.
“Grandmother, Prince, I’ll take my leave first. The bumpy journey has left me somewhat unaccustomed to travel, and I’d like to rest. Grandmother has already arranged a place for me, thank you for your consideration,” she said with a smile, bowing as she spoke.
This statement was also an explanation to Chang Yuncheng. Chang Yuncheng looked at her.
Qi Yue raised her head and smiled slightly at him.
Chang Yuncheng looked away.
“Then go quickly,” Old Madam Xie said, a flash of disdain in her eyes. She watched Qi Yue withdraw, then looked at Chang Yuncheng and raised her hand to hit him.
“Grandmother,” Chang Yuncheng frowned and protested.
“Look at your worthless appearance—have you never seen a woman before?” Old Madam Xie glared and said, raising her hand again to poke Chang Yuncheng’s forehead.
Chang Yuncheng dodged to the side.
“Grandmother, how old am I now?” he said with some helplessness, though his expression was quite gentle.
“No matter how old you are, you’re still my grandson,” Old Madam Xie said, turning to speak to a nearby maid. “Go, invite the madams, young madams, and misses back. That eyesore is gone. Let our family talk properly.”
Chang Yuncheng’s brow furrowed and never relaxed. Laughter came from outside, and the women who had withdrawn upon learning that Qi Yueniang was coming to pay respects returned. The room became lively again. He couldn’t help but look toward the door. Through the women entering one by one, he seemed to see that woman’s lonely departing figure.
When dinnertime came, no one came to invite Qi Yue. A’Ru stood at the door with a very ugly expression.
“Is this the Xie family’s way of treating guests?” she was about to go out and argue.
Qi Yue reached out and held her back.
“You’re right—this is exactly the Xie family’s way of treating guests,” she laughed.
“Young Madam,” A’Ru couldn’t hide her anger. “Let’s leave. We won’t eat their food.”
“You’re wrong. The food we eat isn’t theirs—it’s… the Prince’s,” Qi Yue laughed, pressing her to sit down. “If we leave, we won’t be slapping the Xie family’s face, but the Prince’s face.”
A’Ru naturally understood this point after hearing it.
“Although the Prince was inconsiderate in dragging me here, but… the crime doesn’t warrant suffering this kind of treatment,” Qi Yue laughed.
A’Ru looked at her, her expression softening.
“Young Madam, it’s wonderful that you can think of the Prince this way,” she said.
Somehow, hearing A’Ru say this, Qi Yue couldn’t help but blush slightly.
“This isn’t really thinking of him—any normal person would think this way,” she said, standing up and turning her back to A’Ru under the pretense of exercising.
As they spoke, servants from the Xie family came to deliver food.