Chen Mianmian explained, "These are called mahjong tiles. They can be made of wood, carved into small squares, and then various symbols are drawn on them. Then four people can start playing."

Bai Qingzhou understood, picked up the blueprints again, and looked them over. "You want to find someone to run errands? Take the blueprints and have the carpenter outside the manor make it?"

"Could we invite the carpenter directly to the Marquis's residence? That way, I can supervise the work at any time... Don't worry, I certainly won't easily meet with outsiders. I understand the rules of a grand mansion, so I want someone to run errands for me, to help me deliver samples back and forth, and I can monitor the work at any time."

“Okay, I plan to have Guanshui come to your place during the day for the next ten days.”

Chen Mianmian looked up. "Judging from your tone, you're not coming for the next ten days?"

Bai Qingzhou put down the blueprints, looked down at the woman's stunningly beautiful face, and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm at Qingfeng Courtyard. Didn't I ask the Minister of Rites to help me register for the preliminary examination today? Scholar Ma introduced me to a teacher. In the next ten days, the teacher will come to the Marquis's residence and stay at Qingfeng Courtyard to teach me exam techniques."

He felt that the woman was becoming more and more beautiful.

He remembered that when they first met, he thought the woman was very beautiful... Of course, everyone else thought so too. The moment the woman appeared, all the women present paled in comparison, and all the men present had their eyes glued to her face.

But he swore that since they were truly "together," he not only didn't lose interest in her after getting her, but actually grew to like her more and more and thought she became more and more beautiful.

This must be what they mean by "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

She already possessed the beauty of Xi Shi, and he had the eyes of a lover; now she should be considered the most beautiful of all Xi Shi.

Chen Mianmian asked in confusion, "You left Guanshui with me, but what about you? Who will take care of you?"

Bai Qingzhou was both amused and exasperated. "I have hands and feet, why should I need to be served? Besides, there are other servants in Qingfeng Courtyard."

"Okay, thank you," Shen Mianmian said, feeling guilty, and then explained, "Actually, I didn't need to trouble you. Hanrong could have done it, but I thought it wasn't safe for Hanrong, a young lady, to deal with those rough carpenters every day."

Why do you feel guilty?

Because Han Rong is Jiang Yin Jin's person, they're afraid Han Rong will cause trouble during the mahjong game production process.

Just as Bai Qingzhou was about to speak, a wave of drowsiness washed over him, and he couldn't help but let out a small yawn.

Chen Mianmian hurriedly let go of him. "I'm sorry, I forgot you didn't sleep all night yesterday, and you've been running around all day and got drunk. I'll talk to Guanshui about my matter tomorrow. You should go to sleep."

“…I’m going to take a shower.” Bai Qingzhou.

Chen Mianmian asked doubtfully, "You're already like this, and you still want to make love? Do you even have the stamina?"

There was another half-sentence left unsaid—"Don't let her die; she can't explain herself."

Bai Qingzhou's face flushed red instantly. "No... I was afraid that the smell of alcohol on me would disturb your sleep."

Chen Mianmian smiled and said, "I'm not as delicate as you think. Let's not talk about it anymore. Go wash up and go to bed. Starting tomorrow, study hard and make progress every day."

"Study hard and make progress every day? What a unique slogan."

"Stop talking nonsense and go wash up."

"yes."

Afterwards, Chen Mianmian called over the maid who was keeping watch outside to bring water. After washing up, the two lay down on the bed and prepared to go to sleep.

The room inside the canopy bed was dimly lit, with only a small oil lamp on the small table outside the bed.

Shen Mianmian turned her head and accidentally saw the boy smiling. "Are you in a good mood today?"

"Um."

"Because of the successful registration for the children's examination?"

"That's one thing, there's another one."

"??"

"secret."

"..." Shen Mianmian's lips twitched. "Okay, goodnight."

"Mmm." How could Bai Qingzhou say that another happy thing was that she didn't use that fake, sweet tone to talk to him all night, but communicated with him with her true feelings, which he liked very much.

He liked it, but dared not say it.

He knew she must have forgotten for a moment, or that it was too late and she was off guard, which was why she used that tone. If he reminded her, she would be more on guard.

A wave of drowsiness mixed with dizziness washed over Bai Qingzhou, and she could no longer hold on. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Before falling asleep, her last thought was still about how she could keep speaking to him in that tone.

He is patient and can wait.

...

The next morning.

After having breakfast, Bai Qingzhou left Mingyue Courtyard to go to the front courtyard to fetch her teacher.

Guan Shui stayed behind and first asked the steward for permission to use an empty storage room next to the gatehouse so that the carpenter could make things for Aunt Chen there.

When the steward heard that it was Concubine Shen who needed help, he agreed without hesitation.

Guan Shui didn't delay; he immediately ran out of the mansion and invited a good carpenter back.

The carpenter entered the Marquis's residence with his tools, settled down in the storeroom, and after receiving the blueprints and understanding the requirements, immediately began work.

It took a day and a half to complete a set of mahjong tiles.

One hundred and eight mahjong tiles, perfectly square and uniform in size, were not only polished but also coated with a quick-drying glossy oil.

Guan Shui delivered the mahjong set to Mingyue Courtyard and then left to settle the payment with the carpenter, and also to see the carpenter out of the mansion.

Inside the room.

Chen Mianmian took out a mahjong set from the wicker box and played with it in her hand. "It feels pretty good, but the design is rather simple. There's nothing I can do about it, given the time constraints. I'll design a better one when I have more time."

Hanrong leaned closer and asked curiously, "Auntie, what is this?"

Chen Mianmian smiled and said, "This is called mahjong. It's a game for entertainment and requires four people to play. Come on, let's go to the main courtyard and call Madam and Granny Li. The four of us will play together."

The clever Hanrong instantly understood what Aunt Shen was trying to do—she was probably trying to curry favor with the Madam.

She hesitated, wondering whether she should tell the young mistress about this.

But... in truth, deep down, she hoped that the madam would like Concubine Shen, so that Concubine Shen's life would be better.

Shen Mianmian gave Hanrong a deep look, her lips curving into a smile, but she didn't say anything. "You have to study hard. This is gambling. Although we play small stakes, if you play well, you can earn more money in a month."

Hanrong was startled when she heard it was about gambling. "This...no...I can't, I don't have any money!"

Shen Mianmian rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Whether you're capable or not depends on your opponents. Our opponents are Madam and Granny Li. Are you so young that you're not as smart as them? Cough... Of course, Madam isn't that old either. Oh well, never mind. The money you lost in the first ten days is on me. You can keep the money you won."

"Oh, this...isn't that inappropriate?"

"Just consider it as helping me please my wife."

"..." Hanrong bit her lip, almost crying—Auntie, why did you have to say it? If you hadn't said it, I would have pretended not to know and wouldn't have told the young mistress.

Hanrong suddenly remembered something else, "Auntie, I have a worry."

"you say."

"Would Madam and Granny Li be willing to play?"

Shen Mianmian nodded, "She will definitely agree, don't ask why." Of course, it was Bai Fengchu, the number one spy by the lady's side, who told her.