Seeing that Jiang Yinjin insisted, Shen Mianmian gave in.

She never had a rebellious streak before, and now she's even more Zen.

Seeing that Jiang Yinjin was in a dilemma, Chen Mianmian said, "The Emperor must have something important to discuss with you. It's important to keep things in mind. We can talk about it later."

Jiang Yinjin chuckled, "What important business could he possibly have with me? It's nothing more than sharing a bed to produce a crown prince."

"Ah, this..." Shen Mianmian was embarrassed. Why did she feel that after "transmigrating" back, she, a modern person, was even more conservative than the ancient people? Was it because she was getting older? However, she didn't seem to be a very open-minded person when she was young.

After making her decision, Jiang Yinjin raised her voice and said coldly to the person outside the door, "Go and tell His Majesty to come to Kunning Palace at 7:00 PM sharp."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After receiving the order, the palace maid outside the door went to report back.

Throughout the entire process, Jiang Yinjin did not allow any palace servants to enter; the large room remained empty except for the two of them.

Chen Mianmian stared in disbelief, "Xu Shi (7-9 PM)? Right on time? This..."

Thinking to herself: This doesn't look like the empress serving the emperor in bed at all! It's clearly the emperor serving the empress! Are the customs in the Southern Chu royal palace really that unique?

Jiang Yinjin scoffed and said in a low voice, "Just a tool."

"!!!" Sleepy.

Jiang Yinjin glanced out the window and, seeing that it was still early, began to tell Chen Mianmian, "Although Prince Jin is not mediocre, he is not a prodigy either; he is above average. He is able to sit on the throne and deal with Prince Qin now entirely because of me, and he knows that."

He knew the benefits I brought him, and he knew what I wanted. We understood each other without saying a word, and we were quite good partners. In the beginning of our marriage, I was averse to sex, only sleeping with him once or twice a month, but I didn't get pregnant.

So recently, I set a new rule: every month, the imperial physician will calculate the auspicious days based on my menstrual cycle, which are the seven to twelve days after my period ends. During these six days, the Emperor must come to Kunning Palace every day to have sex with me.

Of course, from the day my period begins, the Emperor cannot favor any concubine; he must conserve his yang energy for seven days for my use. After twelve days, he can do as he pleases.

Chen Mianmian was stunned—she had never seen such an arrogant empress before! From the first day of her period, the emperor had to abstain from sex until the appointed time to provide child-making services. Only after the service period was over could he favor others.

She had been wondering before that even though it was a novel with a strong female lead, the female lead wasn't the main character, but rather the supporting character, Princess Ryan, was.

Now we realize that it wasn't that Jiang Yinjin wasn't a leading lady, but rather that the time hadn't come yet!

Now she's a true leading lady!

Jiang Yinjin sneered, "Also, I've given instructions to the other concubines. They can do whatever they want to vie for the emperor's favor. They can loosen their belts, but their bellies must stay tight. Anyone who dares to get pregnant before I do, let alone the death of both mother and child, I have plenty of ways to have their entire family executed. Fortunately, those younger sisters are all very obedient."

"..." Chen Mianmian - Compared to her life and pregnancy, who dares to be disobedient?

Seeing that Shen Mianmian hadn't spoken for a long time, Jiang Yinjin realized that she had accidentally acted too harshly. Afraid of frightening her, she immediately changed her words and said in a soft voice, "Do you know, when I heard the news of your 'departure,' I was devastated for a long time."

Chen Mianmian said, "...I'm sorry, I should have said goodbye to you, but it was all too sudden, and I didn't even expect to be able to leave."

Jiang Yinjin chuckled and said to herself, "Before, I mistakenly thought you were Zhong Yuwei and did many things to hurt you. Not only did you not resent me, but you also helped me in every way. I felt extremely guilty and dreamed of repaying your kindness. Who knew that you would just leave like this."

My life goal suddenly disappeared, and my life became instantly lost. During that time, I even had suicidal thoughts... But I have to thank Lord Bai. He was neither angry nor annoyed, and firmly believed that I would come back, even if it took a lifetime.

Looking back now, perhaps his unwavering belief was passed on to me, making me believe that you would return. So, I regained my purpose in life, and devoted myself to advising the Emperor and recruiting talented individuals.

My thoughts at the time were simple: When you first transmigrated into the book, I had nothing and needed your help. Before you returned, I was determined to possess supreme power to repay your kindness. You protected me before, and I will protect you from now on.

After hearing this, Chen Mianmian opened her mouth, but then hesitated and didn't know what to say. Finally, she sighed and whispered, "Actually... there's no need for that. I'm not as selfless as you think. I didn't actually help you back then. I only helped you by chance to achieve my own goal. You don't need to remember my favor."

Jiang Yinjin glared at him. "You're going to ruin the life goal I finally found?"

Shen Mianmian was both amused and exasperated. "Fine, fine, I'm selfless, I'm a saint, so please repay my favor. It's a free contribution, why not take it?"

Jiang Yinjin chuckled, "You're such a weirdo. Do you know how many people are trying to curry favor with me right now? And you're taking credit for it?"

Chen Mianmian didn't want to continue this topic; it was all so awkward to talk about such things as personal relationships.

Suddenly, she remembered something. "Oh right, do you know whose body I've transmigrated into? I don't have any memories of this person. Can you help me think of a way to leave the palace? I... I want to go find him."

Jiang Yinjin, who had been in high spirits, instantly became unhappy upon hearing that the man had no interest in her and was going to find another man. "Is he in such a hurry? He's waited seven years already, what's wrong with making him wait a few more days?"

Chen Mianmian said helplessly, "I'm going to find him, it's not like I'm not coming back. Life is so long, can we really never see each other again?"

Jiang Yinjin's anger turned to joy. "Just now, I had someone investigate. The person you were wearing this time is named Ning Furong. She's from Kaiyang, and her father is a clerk in the county government. Last year, she passed the exam and entered the palace as a female official, but because she was upright, she offended Chief Eunuch Sun, so she was harmed by a few ignorant eunuchs. Don't worry, I won't let those eunuchs get away with it."

Chen Mianmian nodded—Ning Furong has probably already been strangled to death, and it is only right that the murderer pays for his crime in blood.

Suddenly, Jiang Yinjin was startled, "Wait! It's actually..."

Shen Mianmian asked, puzzled, "What?!"

Jiang Yinjin's expression changed. "It seems that Lord Bai is the magistrate of Kaiyang County!"

Chen Mianmian was also stunned—this time the original owner was from Kaiyang, and Qingzhou was the magistrate of Kaiyang? Could it be an arrangement in the dark?

"Is there a mirror here? I want to see my face." She suddenly had a bold guess.

“Yes,” Jiang Yinjin stood up, “Wait a minute, I’ll go get you a mirror.”

Soon, the dignified empress ran off like a little maid to fetch a bronze mirror the size of two of a woman's palms.

Chen Mianmian took the bronze mirror and looked in—and saw a girl who looked about seventeen or eighteen years old. The girl had an oval face, her eyebrows were neither thick nor thin, her eyes were large and deep-set, her nose was high and straight, and her lips were slightly thick.

This is... isn't this exactly what she looked like during her freshman year of college?

They're exactly the same!

Could it be... that everything is truly fate?!