Madam Wei’s eyes were deep-set.

Though calmed by age, her gaze was sharp and couldn’t be concealed. It was as if she could see right through a person with a single glance.

After entering the room, Wei Ting strode over, head held high, a smile still playing on his lips.

"Grandmother, your grandson has come to pay his respects."

Upon seeing Wei Ting, Madam Wei’s expression grew even tighter. She was still displeased about his public request in the morning court yesterday to marry a Miss Ji.

Unfazed by her cold expression, Wei Ting tried to coax her. "Grandmother, who angered you? I’ll go tie them up right now and give them a good beating, so they’ll never dare be so presumptuous again."

"Who in this family other than you would dare be so presumptuous?"

Gazing at her handsome, decorated grandson, Madam Wei’s voice was like a cold wind sweeping through ancient woods, devoid of any warmth.

"What is it that you see in Ji Wu?"

Wei Ting answered crisply, without a moment’s thought. "I’m fond of her because she’s well-read and sensible, handles matters with propriety, and is gentle and charming."

"Handles matters with propriety?"

Madam Wei sneered. "Would someone who ’handles matters with propriety’ chase you relentlessly in the army and give birth to a child before marriage?!"

The reason Wei Ting had claimed the child as his and proposed marriage in court was not only to reduce the obstacles in his path to marrying Ji Qingwu.

Another reason was Madam Wei herself.

The old woman was staid and traditional, having lived her entire life by the rules. If she knew the child belonged to someone else, she would never allow Ji Qingwu to enter the Wei Family’s doors.

His expression was gentle. "Grandmother, you don’t trust my judgment? You haven’t met Ji Qingwu. If you were to truly meet her, you would definitely be satisfied."

Madam Wei’s tone was resolute. "If Ji Wu wants to enter the Wei Family’s doors, I will not agree to her marrying in, unless she is carried in as a concubine."

Hearing this, Wei Ting sighed inwardly but kept his composure. "Grandmother, how could the Ji Family possibly agree to let one of their young ladies become a concubine in our Wei Family? The Empress Dowager in the palace would agree even less."

"So you do know that her Ji Family is closely allied with the Empress Dowager?"

Madam Wei chided, "If you were truly thinking of Liru in the palace, you shouldn’t be getting involved with a woman from the Ji clan."

Wei Ting was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, "How could I not be thinking of my sister?"

Seeing him lower his gaze at the mention of Princess Consort Wei, Madam Wei felt a pang of regret.

Wei Ting pleaded in a dejected tone, "I’ve finally found someone I want to marry. Grandmother, please grant my wish just this once."

Seeing his stubbornness, Madam Wei, who knew his temperament well, thought about how he seemed as carefree as a clear breeze and a bright moon, but had in fact been headstrong and sentimental since he was a child.

Thinking of past events, Madam Wei couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. She finally relented, "Bring this renowned Ji Wu to see me another day."

A light suddenly sparked in Wei Ting’s lowered eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved up again.

Having not seen her grandson for many years, Madam Wei felt a surge of affection.

"You’ve returned from the Northern Border. It was a long and arduous journey, and you haven’t even had a proper night’s sleep at home. Go back and rest."

The nanny entered again and whispered something in Madam Wei’s ear.

Just as Wei Ting reached the door, he sensed Madam Wei’s aura darken considerably. Her old eyes felt like they were about to burn a hole through his back.

"Get back here!"

Madam Wei’s tone was severe. "Nanny Pan, repeat what you just said to him."

"Yes, Madam."

Nanny Pan raised her voice. "The Ji Family’s Fifth Missy went out to stroll the streets today, dressed flamboyantly and surrounded by many young masters fawning over her."

"The balm and rouge cases from the cosmetics shops she visited are now being marketed as items used by Miss Ji, and they’re already selling for exorbitant prices."

At the thought of this scene, Wei Ting’s brow furrowed and his face darkened.

He knew she acted boldly, but for her to do this after returning to Lin’an, to be so openly coveted by so many people...

Wei Ting said, "Once she marries into the Wei Family, I will keep her in line."

Disappointment was written all over Madam Wei’s face. "Are you certain you want such a woman for a wife?"

Wei Ting’s expression was grave, but he still nodded.

After he left the courtyard, Madam Wei suddenly seemed to have aged several years.

She murmured to herself, "Could it be that those past events truly hurt him so deeply that he found such a vulgar, foxy woman just to spite me?"

Nanny Pan said, "Don’t overthink it, Madam. The General has been in the army for many years; you could count the number of young women he’s met on one hand. It’s possible he was temporarily blinded by Fifth Missy’s beauty."

Madam Wei sighed. "You don’t need to comfort me. The reason I agreed is because I saw the determination in his eyes. Once he’s made a decision, not even I, his grandmother, can persuade him."

Afterward, Madam Wei removed the decorative band from her forehead and allowed Nanny Pan to help her to bed to rest.

As she walked slowly, she asked again, "Have the Scripture and prayer beads for tomorrow’s offering to the Bodhisattva at Hanshan Temple, as well as the tributes for fulfilling a vow, been prepared?"

"They were prepared long ago. Please rest assured, Madam."

*

After her trip out on the town, Ji Qingwu didn’t forget to check on the progress of the medical hall currently under renovation.

When Mi Zhenchuan saw her, he didn’t dare to believe his eyes at first. Only after she spoke a few words did he recognize her.

"Fifth Missy, today you are truly..." The usually eloquent Manager Mi found himself at a loss for words.

He only felt that she was so dazzlingly beautiful that one dared not look at her directly, for a single glance could give rise to improper thoughts.

Mi Zhenchuan deliberately averted his gaze, turning his head to the side. "Fifth Missy, per your instructions, all areas have been opened up except for the third floor."

Ji Qingwu was long accustomed to the various stares she attracted. Her expression was normal as she said, "Manager Mi, for the cabinets, use metal ones where possible instead of wood. Wood is susceptible to dampness and mold, which is bad for storing medicinal herbs."

In his heart, Mi Zhenchuan admired how meticulous Fifth Missy was.

Just then, two men suddenly pushed open the door and barged in.

The young man in front didn’t speak, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. The person behind him took a step forward. They looked like a master and a servant.

"Isn’t this a restaurant? Why is it such a mess?" the older man said.

Judging by their attire, they looked like Lin’an locals, but their accents suggested otherwise when they spoke.

Mi Zhenchuan said, "This restaurant has already closed down. If you’re looking for a meal, please find another place."

The young man’s gaze met Ji Qingwu’s for a moment. His eyes were silver-gray with a hint of deep blue.

Upon seeing her dressed as she was, his eyes remained calm, showing no trace of any stray thoughts.

Ji Qingwu quickly averted her gaze, and the two men left soon after.

’If they were long-term residents of the city, how could they not know that the largest restaurant in Lin’an has already gone out of business?’ With his distinct features, Ji Qingwu guessed that he must be from Xijin.

’I just don’t know what brings them to Lin’an. I haven’t heard of any envoys from Xijin visiting recently, and the fighting at the border is tense...’

Ji Qingwu gave a few more instructions, planning to head home with Lan Zhi.

Just as she stepped out the door, she saw a furtive figure.

The moment it saw her, it ducked its head back out of sight.