Chen Mianmian began to go through the plot:

In the novel, the time-traveling woman disrespects Jiang Yinjin, and Jiang Yinjin incites the madam to confront the time-traveling woman. The prince is caught in the middle between his mother and daughter-in-law, and the two cannon fodder also develop a rift.

She managed to defuse the situation.

Secondly, taking advantage of a lull between the two cannon fodder, Jiang Yinjin gave two women to Fengchu, triggering a further battle between the two cannon fodder.

Because the previous step was resolved, this plot point did not occur.

Third, Jiang Yinjin incited the time-traveling woman to engage in business and even entrusted the largest business of the Anning Marquis's mansion to her in order to further sow discord between the time-traveling woman and the heir and his wife.

She also managed to resolve this situation.

Fourth, after the prince and the time-traveling woman broke up, he encountered a courtesan who looked somewhat similar to the time-traveling woman and redeemed her from her servitude.

She resolved this situation.

Fifth, the Crown Prince's cousin arrived and became his concubine.

This step has not yet occurred.

Sixth, because of the prince's cousin, the time-traveling woman completely broke down, secretly left the Marquis's mansion, and eloped with a man.

Chen Mianmian paused for a moment—could Jiang Yinjin creating an opportunity for her to meet Huo Rang be the plot point corresponding to the extramarital affair?

The current situation is that Jiang Yinjin has memories of one lifetime, and she knows the plot of both lifetimes. In other words, the plot she is going through has not happened in this world, but it is Jiang Yinjin's thought process.

She didn't control the plot, but rather Jiang Yinjin's thought process, predicting her movements.

Thinking of this, Chen Mianmian slowly nodded—that should correspond to this plot.

Does that mean the problem has been resolved?

I guess so.

Chen Mianmian got up and slowly walked around the room, her eyes lowered as she continued to think, pondering another matter.

She turned around, and her gaze accidentally fell on the bed, or rather, on a certain object on the bed. Suddenly, an idea struck her.

He came to the table, skillfully ground the ink, and began to paint.

...

Jiang Yinjin had no time to waste. After obtaining permission from her wife, she sent someone to the Zheng family that afternoon to invite Ding's sister and her daughter, Zheng Ruier.

Ding's younger sister, Little Ding, was naturally willing to accept the invitation from her elder sister.

Among the Ding sisters, the eldest sister was the most beautiful, so she married the Marquis of Anning. The younger brothers and sisters of the Ding family naturally revolved around the eldest sister, and also sought the protection of their brother-in-law, the Marquis.

Those who have daughters all want to marry their daughters to the heir of the Marquis of Anning's family, so as to strengthen family ties.

Unfortunately, the Bai family looked down on the Ding family's daughters and instead arranged a marriage with the Jiang family, a family of scholars, specifically with Jiang Yinjin, the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

The person sent by Jiang Yinjin was the clever and cunning Chuyu. When Xiao Dingshi heard that she was the young mistress's trusted maid, she dared not neglect her and hurriedly brought Zheng Ruier out to greet her personally and invited her to the main hall.

The tea and snacks served were of the highest quality, and Chu Yu was given an expensive gift, all in an attempt to secretly find out what was going on.

Chu Yu accepted the gift and then hinted that she would speak to Chu Yu in private.

Once the servants were gone, Chu Yu, feeling indebted to them, secretly betrayed her mistress, telling Xiao Ding that the young mistress had persuaded the madam that as long as the young lady was willing, she could enter the manor as a concubine and become the eldest son of the Marquis's family.

The mother and daughter were stunned when they heard this.

Madam Ding hesitated. After all, even a concubine was still a concubine, and as a mother, she couldn't bear to see her precious daughter become someone else's concubine.

However, Zheng Ruier, who had secretly loved her cousin for many years, started making a fuss. She insisted on becoming a concubine, saying that her brothers needed help and that if she became her cousin's concubine and had children, the Anning Marquis's Mansion would definitely help the Zheng family in the future.

Xiao Ding finally relented and decided to send Chu Yu back first, then discuss it with the head of the household later.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Ruier started making a fuss again, and kept giving Chu Yu meaningful glances, hoping that she could help.

Chu Yu naturally followed the trend and subtly said: "Madam was originally unwilling, but now she has agreed because she was persuaded by the young mistress. If the Zheng family really has this intention, it is best to strike while the iron is hot. Otherwise, once Madam calms down, it is uncertain whether she will agree again."

Upon hearing this, Madam Ding became anxious and immediately packed her things, taking Zheng Ruier to the Marquis of Anning's residence.

...

In the afternoon, nearing dinnertime.

After finishing her work, Chen Mianmian sat at the table, resting her chin on her two little hands, staring blankly into space.

She was wondering whether she should wait for Fengchu to come back for dinner, or eat by herself.

If he eats by himself, will Fengchu be angry when he comes back and finds that he wasn't waiting for him?

She wasn't afraid of Fengchu getting angry, but when Fengchu was angry, he wouldn't argue; he would just stare at her with his clear, delicate eyes, looking at her with a mournful expression.

He didn't say anything, just stared at her until she felt guilty.

Suddenly, Hanrong's voice came from outside the door, "Auntie, are you busy?"

Shen Mianmian turned the paper with drawings on it over and covered it with other papers before saying, "I'm not busy, come in."

Hanrong pushed open the door and entered. "Auntie, news came from the main courtyard that Madam Zheng and Miss Zheng are visiting. They would like you to come to the main courtyard for a reunion dinner."

Shen Mianmian was stunned, then turned around abruptly. "What? Madam Zheng and Miss Zheng? What Miss Zheng?"

“Madam Zheng is the lady’s younger sister, and Miss Zheng is the young master’s cousin,” Han Rong hesitated for a moment before whispering, “Forgive me for being so talkative, but Miss Zheng’s name is Zheng Ruier. She has liked the young master since she was little. Every time she comes, she pesters him. Many people in the Marquis’s mansion know this.”

Sleepyhead—Yes, I know that too!

When she was following the plot before, she also came across the storyline of her cousin becoming a concubine. But according to the novel, it should have happened a few months later. Why is it starting now?

On second thought, it makes sense—because she disrupted Jiang Yinjin's plans, so the plot got messed up too.

Chen Mianmian blinked and murmured, "My esteemed concubine."

Hanrong asked, puzzled, "What did you say, Aunt?"

Chen Mianmian smiled and said, "What I mean is, if Miss Biao were to become a concubine, she would be a noble concubine, after all, she is the madam's own niece."

Hanrong was stunned, then her nose tingled and tears almost fell.

She harbored some resentment, resenting her aunt for not letting the heir help her fight for it. Given the circumstances, if the heir had fought for it, her aunt might have become a noble concubine as well.

Now that the concubine is a good concubine, if the cousin becomes a noble concubine, wouldn't the concubine be overshadowed?

Chen Mianmian stood up. "Let's go."

Hanrong was taken aback. "Leave?"

"Aren't we going to have dinner in the main courtyard?"

"But... Auntie, aren't you going to dress up a bit?"

Chen Mianmian turned her head to look at her beautiful reflection in the bronze mirror, and casually struck a pose, "I'm so beautiful, do I need to dress up?"

"..." Hanrong—Although Auntie is indeed stunningly beautiful, it just feels strange for Auntie to say it herself.

So Hanrong followed her aunt out of Mingyue Courtyard and went to the main courtyard.

.

The main courtyard was bustling with activity.

The young master has been invited, as has the young mistress, and their servants have followed, along with Madam Ding and her daughter, and their accompanying servants.

Just as she was about to enter the room, Granny Li saw Consort Shen arrive and greeted her with a smile, "Consort Shen, you've arrived? Please come in quickly, Madam has been talking about you."

Chen Mianmian exchanged polite greetings with Granny Li, then stepped over the high threshold and entered the room.

Looking up, she saw the young woman sitting next to Jiang Yinjin.

The woman wore a long pink silk dress, over which she wore a sheer veil of the same color, making her voluptuous figure appear graceful and elegant.

She has a slightly round, fair face, upturned phoenix eyes, a slightly pointed nose, and tightly pursed lips.

Overall, it's quite good-looking, but she's clearly a spoiled and feisty girl.

As Shen Mianmian sized up Zheng Ruier, Zheng Ruier also looked at the rumored "skinny horse," but when she saw Shen Mianmian's unparalleled beauty, she was stunned, and then jealousy and anger welled up in her heart.

She turned her head and asked, "Cousin, is this the 'skinny horse' you brought back from Jiangnan?"