Caught off guard, Shen Ning was suddenly pushed into the carriage. She quickly raised her hand to cover her head to avoid being bruised and bleeding.

"stand up!"

Being bumped into like that and pinned down, Shen Ning also got angry.

"oops!"

Behind him came the woman's gasp, and then the weight pressing down on him was removed.

Shen Ning quickly stood up and looked back. Mo Lin was standing at the edge of the carriage, holding a beautiful woman by the collar.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch! Be gentle! Don't you know how to be gentle with a woman?"

The woman feigned displeasure and looked at Shen Ning with seductive eyes: "Don't be afraid, young lady. I'm not a bad person. Someone was chasing me just now, and I offended them in my haste. Are you hurt, young lady? Would you like me to blow on it for you?"

Her frivolous behavior and flirtatious speech clearly indicate that she is a courtesan.

Shen Ning calmed down a bit; her body wasn't in much pain anymore, but she was in a bad mood. She raised her hand and said, "Mo Lin, let her go."

Mo Lin obediently let go, and the woman, now free, tried to move closer to Shen Ning. However, she had barely moved when she heard Shen Ning's cold voice: "Get down."

"don't want!"

The woman pouted and simply sat down on the carriage floor, pulled a handkerchief to cover her face, and began to cry pitifully: "My life is miserable. I was sold into a brothel by my parents when I was young. I was never fed or clothed. Every day I was forced to learn skills. My hands were beaten until they bled, my feet were covered in blisters, and I laughed until my mouth cramped."

"I'm groped by those filthy men all day long. I finally saved up enough money to buy my freedom, but as soon as I did, I was sold to a pig-like man. If I don't run away, I'm afraid I won't survive tonight."

She wiped away her tears, looking pitiful: "Young lady, you look like a lady from a wealthy family. Please have pity on me and take me in."

Seeing that Shen Ning remained unmoved and indifferent, she crawled to her knees at her feet, looking up at her: "This servant can do everything, serve tea and water, warm the bed and fold the quilts, and can also play the zither and sing songs, if only..."

She suddenly blushed, her gaze darting away, her words trembling with shyness: "If you have any other needs, young lady, I can do them too... You can do whatever you want to me."

Shen Ning: "......" Having lived two lives, this is the first time I've been teased by a woman.

That's really something new.

He raised his hand to press down his wildly twitching eyelids: "I don't need any maids, and I don't have any special hobbies. Get out of here now, or I'll have to take action."

Seeing that she couldn't persuade him, the woman became angry. She rummaged through her bosom for a while and finally found a document, which she slapped into Shen Ning's arms: "I don't care, this is my indenture. Take my indenture and I'll be yours."

"......"

This is the first time I've seen someone forcefully sell their own product.

Shen Ning unfolded it and glanced at it: "Wang Xiaoya!"

"Ah!!" The woman, who was still throwing a tantrum, instantly broke down and rushed over: "No, no, no, I am Tao Ji, Tao Niangzi of Cuifang Tower, not Wang Xiaoya."

Shen Ning didn't dodge at all; she easily snatched the indenture back.

After receiving the indenture, Tao Ji regretted it. She stared at the three words on it with bitterness and hatred, wishing she could burn them through with her gaze.

Finally, she steeled herself and stuffed the indenture into Chen Ning's arms again, tilting her head back to reveal a smile that was more like a grimace: "From now on, I am your only Wang Xiaoya. When we're outside, please call me Tao Ji."

Doesn't such a beautiful woman like her have any pride?

Shen Ning was speechless. When did she say she wanted her?

He tossed the indenture back to her, then casually tossed her his purse as well: "Get down, don't force me to take action."

Tao Ji grabbed the purse and shook it, her eyes instantly sparkling: "How did you know, Miss, that my pockets are emptier than my face? You're such a kind person."

After saying that, he suddenly leaned forward and kissed Shen Ning on the face, then scurried away like a slippery eel.

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss. I will remember you."

The person was gone, but Shen Ning remained petrified.

She was just kissed?

"Young Miss?"

After not hearing any sound for a long time, Mo Lin worriedly lifted the curtain to look inside, only to see Shen Ning wiping her face with a handkerchief, showing no emotion.

"Go to Chunfeng Street."

Chunfeng Street is not a red-light district, but a commercial street in the east of the city. The east wind is associated with spring, hence the name.

The Shen family's two best shops were on Chunfeng Street, where high-ranking officials and powerful figures from the capital lived. They sold luxury items that ordinary people could never afford in their lifetime.

The Shen family owned one shop that sold pearls and hairpins, and another shop that sold medicinal herbs, displaying all sorts of rare and exotic products.

This wasn't the Shen family's most profitable shop, but it was their flagship store. She had painstakingly managed and maintained it, all so that one day her younger brother could achieve academic success and enter officialdom with greater prestige.

But after her rebirth, she thought differently.

These shops were all written into her dowry and have now been taken to the Wei family.

Since Shen Shu doesn't understand business and the Wei family is unpopular, if she were to undermine the business, it wouldn't be long before the shop would be transferred back to her.

Since all she can hold onto is money, she'll hold onto it tightly.

The carriage stopped at the street corner. Shen Ning simply lifted the curtain to take a look and saw that the shop was already closed. She was satisfied.

"Let's go back."

As soon as she entered the house, Liu Ying greeted her: "Miss, the Prince Qi's mansion has sent an invitation."

Prince Qi is the current emperor's cousin, and his title is hereditary. Although they are not as close as blood brothers, he is of noble status and works in the Imperial Clan Court. He is considered one of the imperial relatives who are highly valued by the emperor.

The invitation was sent by the King of Qi's mother, the old Queen, and it was ostensibly for a flower appreciation banquet.

Shen Ning had met the old princess, but given her current status, the old princess's invitation to appreciate flowers should not have been sent to her.

Could it be Princess Chang Le?

Being invited by the old princess is undoubtedly an affirmation of Shen Ning's status. This is a banquet that can enhance her prestige, and she will be more respected when she goes out to socialize in the future.

But this pie that fell from the sky wasn't so delicious.

"Bring me the treasure books from the storeroom."

Whether you can eat the pie placed in front of you depends on your skill.

After selecting a gift and preparing a suitable set of clothes, Shen Ning also inquired about the banquet at the Qi Prince's residence. With everything prepared, she arrived at the Qi Prince's residence just in time.

"Are you Miss Shen? The Princess Consort specially sent me to fetch you. Please come with me."

Shen Ning nodded: "Thank you, Aunt."

Shen Ning followed her and actually arrived in front of Princess Qi: "Shen Ning greets Princess Qi."

Princess Qi was in her thirties. Her appearance was not stunning, but she possessed a dignified and noble air. She first looked Shen Ning up and down several times, and seemed to be satisfied with her, before saying, "Get up."

"I've heard about what happened between you and your sister. After all this time, have you recovered?"

Shen Ning: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am much better now. It's just that this family scandal has made you laugh."

Princess Qi: "You seem to have figured it out?"

Shen Ning: "The matter is settled, it doesn't matter whether you understand it or not, you have to look forward."