Chen Mianmian laughed and said, "So, I'm a miracle drug?"

"yes."

"Then you'll recover and show me?"

"Okay." Bai Qingzhou let go of her and struggled to get up.

Shen Mianmian was startled. "No! I was just joking. Illness comes like a landslide, but recovery is slow and gradual. You should take good care of yourself." With that, she forcefully shoved the man back onto the bed.

Bai Qingzhou looked at the woman, pursed his lips, and hesitated to speak.

Chen Mianmian asked, "What's wrong? Are you thirsty? I'll get you some water."

“Okay,” Bai Qingzhou said, “make some light tea. I’ve been lying down all day and I’m feeling dizzy.”

Afterwards, Chen Mianmian brewed a pot of light tea and brought it over. While the man was drinking the tea, she added a blanket for him and opened the window to increase the oxygen content in the room.

After everything was done, Chen Mianmian asked again, "What time did you have breakfast this morning? It's almost noon now, you must be hungry, right? Shall I have someone bring you some food?"

Bai Qingzhou put down her teacup, looked up, and saw a pair of dark, clear eyes filled with seriousness. "And what about you?"

"Me? I'll go check the front yard. You wouldn't believe how chaotic it was today! All those adults brought their families to the feast. The yard was almost overflowing. Luckily, the Princess's residence was experienced and sent over plenty of tables, chairs, and tableware in advance."

"You are not allowed to go."

"?"

Bai Qingzhou's tone was childish, but his expression was serious and earnest. "You're not allowed to go anywhere. You can only stay by my side! If the front yard is in chaos, then let it be in chaos. With so many adults and ladies, can't you even maintain a banquet? It's just a meal. After you finish eating, tell them to get out of here and not stay to cause trouble."

Chen Mianmian was taken aback, then burst out laughing, "What are you doing? Are you grumpy in the morning? So cute and fierce."

As a grown man, Bai Qingzhou felt both annoyed and amused when his woman called him "cute and fierce," even though he didn't know exactly what "cute and fierce" meant.

"I don't care, you've stayed with me all day, and you have to stay with me from now on."

"Yes, yes, I'll always be with you."

...

The Three Yuan Banquet, though seemingly chaotic, proceeded smoothly and successfully.

at night.

When Marquis Anning and Lady Ding came to visit the heir apparent, they told him about the Emperor's order for Eunuch Ji to personally deliver the imperial edict, which stunned Shen Mianmian and Bai Qingzhou.

Marquis Anning also said that Mr. Ouyang was very excited. Before the banquet was over, he came to ask about the Crown Prince's health and planned to visit him.

Marquis Anning guessed that Mr. Ouyang probably wanted to continue tutoring the Crown Prince and encourage him to strive for the top three honors next year.

Bai Qingzhou was initially quite happy, but the thought of achieving a triple crown made her feelings complicated.

It wasn't that he lacked ambition, but... he had a premonition that he had to hold onto Mianmian tightly, keeping her in his sight at all times, and never letting her out of his sight.

He knew his mind was unhealthy, but he had a strange premonition that she was going to leave.

Bai Qingzhou hesitated several times, but seeing his father and mother so happy and expectant, he couldn't bring himself to say it. Yes, the situation at the Marquis's mansion had just improved, how could he spoil everyone's mood at this time?

Moreover, for the sake of his aunt, he neglected his studies. Not only would outsiders find it incomprehensible, but even he, as an outsider, would likely find it incomprehensible. After all, the aunt rarely left the Marquis's residence; "Mianmian leaving" was merely his imagination.

Bai Qingzhou quickly came up with a solution—he would discuss it with Mr. Ouyang later and have him come to the Marquis's residence to teach. He wouldn't need to see Mianmian every day, but just the thought of the two of them living in the same mansion would put his mind at ease.

Thinking of this, Bai Qingzhou was filled with hope for the future again.

The family of three was overjoyed, while Chen Mianmian smiled in accompaniment, thinking to herself: In the original story, the Marquis of Anning and his family of three were typical cannon fodder, born to be tortured by the female lead, and did not have such a long career storyline, nor did they have any connection with the emperor.

Your Majesty... is it going to be rebelled against by Prince Jin?

Now, there's good news and bad news.

The good news is that since the Marquis of Anning's family has become associated with the Emperor, they won't be on the same side as Prince Jin, and they won't be implicated in the rebellion.

The bad news is that the Emperor and Prince Jin died together. Will the Marquis of Anning's mansion be implicated by the Emperor?

It's really... like being caught between a rock and a hard place, nothing I do seems right.

Why did Prince Jin rebel?

I'm completely baffled.

...

That night, Shen Mianmian stayed overnight at Qingfeng Courtyard. It was just the two of them, a lone man and a woman, and there was no passionate lovemaking, because Shen Mianmian was afraid that Fengchu would die because of her.

In the early morning, Bai Qingzhou resumed reading, while Chen Mianmian took a long detour before secretly sneaking into the Peony Courtyard.

Peony Courtyard

desolate.

When the servants saw that it was Concubine Shen who had come, they all guessed that Concubine Shen must be showing off and trying to put down the young mistress. They didn't dare to stop her, nor did they want to. After bowing to Concubine Shen, they left silently.

When Chen Mianmian entered the house, she saw Chuxue and Chuyu busy sweeping the floor and dusting the house. Since the young mistress lost power, the courtyard was still cleaned by servants from the Marquis of Anning's mansion, but the servants inside the house were no longer being taken care of.

Chu Yu and Chu Xue were shocked to see Chen Mianmian, and were so frightened that they almost screamed.

First Snow cried out, "Help! Someone help me!"

Chu Yu demanded, "What are you doing here again?"

Ignoring their fear, Shen Mianmian turned to look at Jiang Yinjin's door and said, "Is the young mistress awake? I need to speak with her."

The two women, terrified, immediately blocked the doorway. "What are you trying to do now? You kidnapped our young lady last time!" "Help! Help! Aunt Shen is going to kill someone!"

Just as the two were in a panic, the tightly closed door opened, and Jiang Yinjin appeared in the doorway, dressed neatly, looking at Shen Mianmian with a complicated expression.

First snow and first rain were stunned.

Jiang Yinjin withdrew her gaze and said to the two of them, "You may both leave."

The two were shocked. "Miss, no! There's something wrong with the Shen family."

Jiang Yinjin's face, which had still retained some warmth, instantly turned icy cold. "This is an order."

The two men were intimidated by the young lady's sudden change and had no choice but to obediently retreat.

In fact, Shen Mianmian was also startled, thinking to herself, "It's over! The talks must have fallen apart yesterday!" Oh well, this result was within her expectations. After all, it's possible for two people who have never met before to break up when they are forced together.

It seems she probably won't be able to go back to that house.

Thinking of this, Chen Mianmian sighed helplessly.

Seeing Chen Mianmian sigh, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, Jiang Yinjin then said, "Please come in."

His tone was relatively mild and polite.

Dejected, Chen Mianmian entered Jiang Yinjin's room, only to find that the room was well-ventilated, with fresh and clean air, and spotless and tidy.

"Please sit down." Jiang Yinjin pointed to the soft couch.

Chen Mianmian sat down, and seeing Jiang Yinjin about to pour tea, she hurriedly said, "No need to pour tea, I'll just say a few words and then leave."

Jiang Yinjin ignored her and still brewed tea, bringing it over and placing it on the small table in the center of the soft couch.

Chen Mianmian asked nervously, "How did it go? How did your talks go yesterday?"