In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

The morning light streamed through the window, casting gentle dappled patterns on Xie Yige's face.

She opened her eyes, her throat still a little dry, but her head was no longer heavy. Yu Chun brought in warm water, and when she saw that she was awake, her expression froze, and she almost burst into tears: "Miss, you're finally awake!"

"Doctor Zhao said your fever has subsided," Yu Chun helped her sit up and carefully fed her water. "The most difficult night is over."

Just then, Xie Wanqing led Physician Zhao in.

Physician Zhao took her pulse and smiled. "Her pulse has stabilized. Madam Xie, your daughter is out of danger. I will prescribe some nourishing medicine, and with some rest, she will recover her strength."

Xie Wanqing breathed a long sigh of relief and held her daughter's hand: "Thank you, Dr. Zhao. Once Yige recovers, I will definitely bring her to visit and express my gratitude."

"Of course, of course." Doctor Zhao smiled and stroked his beard, then glanced at Xie Yige.

This young lady is so well-behaved and adorable. She's quiet and peaceful when she wakes up, with bright and clear eyes that make anyone who sees her feel happy. How wonderful it would be if his mischievous sons had a granddaughter like her!

After leaving behind the prescription and dietary instructions, Physician Zhao bowed and took his leave.

The Zhao residence.

Cui Yutang had been waiting in the hall for nearly an hour.

He sat upright in his chair, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of his teacup. The tea had long since gone cold, and he hadn't touched it.

Footsteps approached.

When Physician Zhao entered the hall and saw him, he paused in surprise: "Young Master Cui?"

Cui Yutang immediately stood up: "Thank you for your hard work, Physician Zhao." He paused, trying to make his voice sound calm, "How...is she?"

Physician Zhao looked at him, a knowing glint in his eyes.

Having spent decades navigating the treacherous waters of the palace, his eyes had long since become discerning; what hadn't he seen? This eldest son of the Cui clan of Qinghe, usually so aloof and self-possessed, was waiting here early this morning, his anxiety barely concealed.

"Madam Xie is out of danger," Physician Zhao said slowly, his gaze falling on the man's face. "You... came all this way just to inquire about this matter?"

Cui Yutang's breath hitched.

He suddenly realized his lapse in decorum and his overstepping of bounds. Inquiring about a young woman's illness—was this the behavior of a gentleman who upheld propriety? If word got out, it would damage her reputation.

"That's not the case." He lowered his eyes, his thick eyelashes concealing all emotion, and his voice returned to its usual calm. "Yu Tang came today to say goodbye. I will be returning to the capital soon."

He paused, then added, "Do you have any letters for me to take back to my grandmother?"

Physician Zhao looked at him with a complicated expression.

After a long while, he sighed deeply: "Please wait a moment."

He turned and went into the inner hall. About fifteen minutes later, he came out with a letter and handed it to Cui Yutang.

"The imperial examinations are approaching, and returning to the capital is a good thing." Imperial Physician Zhao looked at him, his tone carrying a deep meaning, "However... youth fades quickly, and some things, some people, once missed, may be missed for a lifetime. I hope you will not have any regrets in the future."

Cui Yutang took the letter, his fingertips tightening slightly.

Pity?

Does he even have the right to talk about regrets? A self-deprecating glint flashed in his eyes.

"Thank you for your guidance, Physician Zhao." He nodded and was about to take his leave when Physician Zhao suddenly frowned.

"Please sit here for a while longer," said Physician Zhao, then turned and went into the inner hall.

Less than fifteen minutes later, he came out carrying a bowl of dark, murky herbal medicine: "Drink this before you leave."

Cui Yutang frowned slightly as he looked at the bowl of medicine.

"Your complexion is not right," Physician Zhao said sternly. "Did you have a fever a few days ago? Although it has subsided, there are still some toxins left in your body. This bowl of medicine is a formula to strengthen your body and clear away the remaining toxins; you must drink it."

Cui Yutang recalled the bowl of cold-dispelling medicine that Baoyu had forced him to drink a few days earlier.

The Lantern Festival was bustling with crowds, a cacophony of scents... or perhaps, it was that long, passionate kiss in the alley that infected them both...

His ears felt slightly hot.

He took the medicine bowl, tilted his head back and drank it all, the bitterness spreading on the tip of his tongue.

Three days later, in the west courtyard of the Zhou residence.

Xie Yige sat by the window, wearing an overcoat, one hand supporting her chin, the other holding a purse, staring blankly out the window.

The pear trees in the courtyard were already mostly in bloom, their clusters of pure white blossoms bending their slender branches. A spring breeze swept by, and the petals fluttered down like a gentle snowfall. This year, spring arrived exceptionally early and unexpectedly in Donglin City; in previous years, the blossoms wouldn't be in full bloom until February or March.

"Miss," Yu Chun's voice sounded from behind, tinged with a hint of panic, "Ting Yu is here."

Xie Yige turned her head and saw Xie Wanrou's personal maid, Tingyu, hurrying in with Yuchun. Tingyu's face was pale, and her eyes were red and swollen.

Upon seeing Xie Yige, he seemed to have found a lifeline and knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Thank you, Madam!" Tingyu's voice trembled, choked with sobs. "Please, save my mistress... she... she's being driven to the brink of death by Madam!"

Xie Yige shuddered and almost knocked over the teacup beside him.

"What's wrong, sister-in-law?" she asked anxiously.

"Madam... Madam wants my wife to marry in place of her elder sister!" Tingyu cried, tears streaming down her face. "That notorious playboy from the Du family in the west of the city has taken a fancy to my wife's elder sister. She doesn't want to marry, so Madam wants our wife to take her place..."

"What?" Xie Yige suddenly stood up. Because she stood up so quickly, her vision went slightly black. Yu Chun quickly stepped forward to support her.

"But my sister-in-law and my brother have already exchanged betrothal gifts and are engaged! This is common knowledge throughout the city."

"The lady said... said that my wife is a concubine's daughter, of lowly status, and is not worthy of someone as handsome and virtuous as Master Zhou." Tingyu's shoulders trembled as she cried. "She wants to switch wives between the legitimate daughter and my wife..."

Xie Yige's fingers trembled with anger.

absurd!

"Yuchun," she took a deep breath, "go quickly and fetch my mother!"

After hearing the whole story, Xie Wanqing's face immediately darkened.

"Zhang Yinyin!" she spat out the name through gritted teeth. "What does she take my son for?!"

"Tingyu," Xie Wanqing stood up, her voice cold and hard, "lead the way. I'm going to your Xie residence."

"Mother," Xie Yige stood up as well, her expression resolute, "I'll go with you."

Xie Wanqing glanced at her daughter. She hadn't wanted her unmarried daughter to be involved in such sordid matters, but then she thought, her daughter was growing up and would inevitably have to face the conflicts within the household and even the family. Seeing more of the darker side of human nature would help her better protect herself in the future.

"Let's go together," she said to Yuchun. "Go get a cloak."

Xie Mansion.

Zhang Yinyin personally greeted them at the door, her face beaming with smiles, but her eyes darting around nervously. Standing beside her was Xie Wanrou's elder sister—Xie Qingcheng. Xie Qingcheng was dressed exceptionally beautifully today, wearing a bright red satin dress embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, her hair adorned with pearls and jade.

Xie Qingcheng was born with striking beauty, and today her eyes were even more radiant with spring-like joy.

"Future mother-in-law," Zhang Yinyin greeted with a smile, "what brings you here?"