Everyone was stunned—the young mistress is back?

Bai Qingzhou looked at Chen Mianmian with a puzzled expression, asking with his eyes—Jiang Yinjin isn't at the Marquis's residence? Why are everyone's expressions so strange when she's back?

Shen Mianmian then remembered that Fengchu was unaware of the major events that had occurred in the Marquis's mansion while he was studying. She whispered, "Don't be anxious. I'll tell you when we get back."

Bai Qingzhou nodded, but was surprised to find that ever since the maid came to report that the young mistress had returned, her mother and Granny Li's faces had been tense.

A short while later.

Accompanied by Chu Yu and Chu Xue, Jiang Yinjin arrived at the main courtyard and entered the hall.

Looking over, Chen Mianmian saw that Jiang Yinjin was wearing a light lotus-colored brocade dress, her black hair was tied up, and she wore a jade hairpin and some simple hair accessories. With her dignified and delicate face, she looked like a graceful lady who had stepped out of a painting.

Unlike the awkward and tense crowd, Jiang Yinjin had a smile on her face and her eyes were gentle and humble, as if nothing had happened.

"Your daughter-in-law greets Mother and the Prince," she said gently, then looked at Bai Qingzhou's puzzled expression and explained, "It's like this. When I went back to my parents' home, I was caught in a heavy rain and caught typhoid fever. At that time, I learned that Mother was also not in good health, so I decided to stay at my parents' home to recuperate, so as not to pass on my illness to Mother when I returned. Today, I heard that the Prince has returned from the exam, so I immediately came back to celebrate."

Bai Qingzhou wondered—why was Jiang Yinjin so much kinder this time? Had she lost her former sharpness and become more subdued?

"I see. How are you feeling now? Have you recovered from your illness?"

Jiang Yinjin nodded and lowered her eyebrows. "Your Highness is too kind. I have already recovered."

Bai Qingzhou nodded and then said nothing more.

Ding and Li Mama looked at each other, neither of them having any good ideas. Helpless, Ding said, "It's good that you're back. Were you tired from the journey? If you are, you can go back and rest first."

She thought to herself: With Yin Jin not here, everyone can talk more freely.

Jiang Yinjin replied, "Mother, your daughter-in-law is not tired."

"Ah, well... then... please sit down."

"Yes, Mother."

Jiang Yinjin found a seat and sat down, her face still beaming with a smile.

The warm and cheerful atmosphere in the hall just moments ago suddenly turned awkward.

Ding asked Bai Qingzhou what he ate every day at Qingfeng Residence, what time he went to bed, what time he got up, and what he studied every day.

Bai Qingzhou answered them one by one.

Seeing that it was about time, Madam Ding said, "Alright, I'm tired too. If you don't have anything else to do, you can all go back and rest."

"Yes, Mother/Madam." The group rose from their chairs and left the hall and main courtyard one by one.

After leaving, Jiang Yinjin smiled and congratulated Bai Qingzhou again before leaving with Chuyu and Chuxue to return to her Peony Courtyard.

...

Seeing the figures of the three, Bai Qingzhou, disregarding her intimate conversation with Mianmian, anxiously asked, "Mianmian, what happened while I was away? And why is she in our Marquis's residence?"

As he spoke, he pointed at Liu Xiangning.

Chen Mianmian was both amused and exasperated. "Yes, during the four months that Fengchu spent in the 'ivory tower,' the Marquis's mansion had indeed undergone tremendous changes. 'This matter began when you sent Guanshui to deliver a letter to me, saying that Xiangning had been sold to a brothel. It's a long story, we'll talk about it later.'"

Afterwards, the group returned to Mingyue Courtyard.

The four servants dismissed the servants, closed the door, and began to tell the story of the princess solving the case, the lady's heart ailment, Xiang Ning imparting the secret method, the lady getting her wish, the marquis miraculously recovering, and all the way to Guan Shui and Xiang Ning getting together.

Xiang Ning blushed and complained, "No! We're not together!"

Chen Mianmian gave Xiang Ning a deep look—the prince has returned, it's time to find an opportunity to marry Xiang Ning off.

With Xiang Ning married, she will have one less thing to worry about and can focus on researching how to publish her book.