The next day, early morning.

Main courtyard.

After having breakfast, Madam Ding, accompanied by Granny Li, took a short walk in the courtyard to digest her food. As she walked, she asked, "Has Mianmian arrived yet? If she doesn't come soon, I'll send someone to look for her. Didn't she say she didn't know how to manage household affairs? The early bird catches the worm, let her learn as soon as possible."

Li Mama smiled and said, "Yes, Madam, don't worry, I'll go find someone in a bit."

She thought to herself, "This mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are quite a match, each with their own little schemes."

Does Madam want Concubine Shen to start learning early?

No, it's because I found it boring, so I went to find those two clowns to play with.

Is Aunt Shen incapable of managing household affairs?

No, such a clever girl, who understands people's hearts so well, how could she not be good at handling a few accounts? She just wants to be lazy.

Just then, conversations could be heard at the courtyard gate.

Ding Shi immediately became interested. "It must be Mianmian and the others who have arrived. Oh, right, yesterday Xiang Ning said that she did something in the mansion to lure those who had been bribed into a trap. We need to find out what she did today."

Reminded by the madam, Granny Li also remembered, "Madam is right, I'm curious too."

However, to their disappointment...

It wasn't the mistress and servant Shen Mianmian who arrived, but rather the young mistress Jiang Yinjin.

Upon seeing Jiang Yinjin's beaming face, Ding Shi and Granny Li's expressions instantly became unnatural.

Jiang Yinjin pretended not to notice the awkwardness, quickly stepped forward, and respectfully greeted her. Then she said, "I'm sorry to bother you, Mother. I've come today to ask you for permission to leave the manor to meet with my younger sister."

Madam Ding breathed a sigh of relief. "I heard your sister is getting married soon. You should definitely spend more time with her before she gets married. In the future, if you need to spend time with your sister, you don't need to tell me. Just go out."

"Thank you, Mother," Jiang Yinjin said a few more polite words before leaving with her maid.

A moment later, the person completely disappeared at the courtyard gate, and Ding finally breathed a sigh of relief. "I was so scared. I thought she was coming to apologize or ask for something."

Granny Li comforted her, "Madam, please don't worry. Auntie said that you shouldn't let your emotions get the better of you right now. Just tell Auntie anything you need to do, and she'll definitely be able to handle it."

“You’re right.” Ding was still anxious. “No, I have to get Mianmian here as soon as possible. I won’t feel at ease until I see her.”

Granny Li hurriedly sent her maid to Mingyue Courtyard to look for the person.

The maid returned quickly, but instead of finding anyone, she brought back a message: the young master, the concubine, Xiang Ning, and Guan Shui were fighting fiercely in the training ground!

Ding was startled and hurriedly went to the training ground with Granny Li.

...

Training ground.

When Madam Ding and Granny Li arrived, they didn't see a chaotic scene. Instead, they saw Shen Mianmian and Liu Xiangning standing to the side, looking worriedly at the center of the arena.

The ones who fought the fiercest were the Crown Prince and Guan Shui.

To be more precise, it is the crown prince.

Mrs. Ding was terrified. It was the first time she had seen her son's fierce expression. He was putting all his strength into every move. The moment the long stick brushed the ground, it carved a groove in the ground.

Guan Shui was born into the Death Squad and was extremely skilled in martial arts. Even so, he struggled to receive each of the young master's attacks with a ferocious expression.

Ding hurried over, "What exactly happened?"

The master and apprentice, who were concentrating on their work, then realized that it was the lady who had arrived.

Chen Mianmian panicked, "I've seen you, Madam, I don't know either! After returning from the Princess's residence yesterday, the young master has been much quieter. This morning after breakfast, he said he wanted to practice martial arts, and then... and then this happened..."

Ding was puzzled, "You've been quieter since you came back from the Princess's residence yesterday? Why are you quieter?"

"This..." Shen Mianmian didn't know how to explain it.

Liu Xiangning said, "Reporting to Madam, this servant will tell you. This servant guesses that because Prince Jin and the Heir Apparent look alike, and yesterday he kept looking at the concubine, the Heir Apparent was unhappy, right?"

"Ah, this..." Ding didn't notice, after all, she was shocked by the similar appearance of the two yesterday and didn't pay attention to who Prince Jin was looking at.

Chen Mianmian rubbed her aching temples—this time, she truly understood the downsides of being a femme fatale. With such a face, it was difficult to live a peaceful life!

She now rarely leaves her home and is about to get herself into two troubles.

One was Huo Rang, and the other was the Prince of Jin.

She suddenly missed her former face, which was pretty enough and made life relatively convenient.

Unlike now, when you have to wear a veil when you go out, if a man sees you, you're likely to be his object of interest.

It's better if the person's status is lower than the crown prince's, because they can't understand the crown prince's mentality.

If the person's status is the same as or higher than that of the crown prince, then the problem becomes more serious.

Looking at Shen Mianmian's stunningly beautiful face, Ding sighed and hesitated before speaking, "Ahem... um... Mianmian..."

How could Chen Mianmian, who is so sensible, put the "leader" in a difficult position?

He immediately replied, "Don't worry, Madam. I will definitely not go out unless absolutely necessary! Besides, I don't really want to go out anyway. I'm very happy to stay home and keep you company."

Madam Ding smiled and nodded, "That's good. If you like anything, just have the servants buy it for you."

After they finished speaking briefly, they looked worriedly towards the center of the training ground.

Liu Xiangning shouted: Stop fighting, let's rest for a while.

The two continued fighting.

Liu Xiangning called out again: "Madam is here, come and see Madam."

Guan Shui glanced back and then realized that the prince didn't want to stop, so she had no choice but to continue.

A while later...

"Madam," said Granny Li worriedly, "should we send someone to separate the young master and Guan Shui?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a steady male voice came from behind him, "No need, let them continue fighting."

Everyone was taken aback and hurriedly turned around, only to find that, without them noticing, Marquis Anning was standing behind them.

Chen Mianmian and the others hurriedly inquired after her.

Lady Ding asked in confusion, "My lord, it's not a day off yet, nor is it the day the results are announced. Why have you returned?"

In the past, it was rare for a marquis to return home before his day off.

Marquis Anning's gaze remained fixed on the two locked in fierce combat on the field, a resolute smile playing on his lips. "I had some free time today, so I took the opportunity to come back for a visit. I'll return as soon as the city gates open tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Your Excellency," Ding replied, slightly flustered.

Chen Mianmian smiled and said, "That's how it should be, my lord. What place is more appealing than a wife, children, and a warm bed? Whenever you have time, you should try to go home. That's the mindset a good man should have."

The Marquis is becoming more and more normal, the Lady is becoming healthier, and the Heir Apparent…

Shen Mianmian looked up at the man fighting in the training ground, her brows furrowed—this guy is getting more and more stubborn, what should she do?

After a while, Madam Ding could no longer hold back. She raised her voice and became forceful, "My lord, this can't go on. They've been fighting since after breakfast. Don't hurt them. Go and pull them apart!"

Marquis Anning originally wanted to watch for a while longer, but seeing his wife's distress, he had no choice but to rush over and separate the two.

Guan Shui breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that it was the Marquis. He could finally rest. The young master was too terrifying. He seemed to have endless strength. He could hardly hold on anymore.