After lunch, the master and servant took the rattan trunk to the main courtyard.

Why was Shen Mianmian so certain that his wife would like mahjong?

Because Fengchu had told her that although the lady appeared calm and experienced, she was actually playful at heart, and sometimes after handling household affairs, she would secretly seek out various forms of amusement.

So why did Fengchu tell her this?

It was because the lady had assigned five shops to Jiang Yinjin to manage. Fengchu was afraid that she would be angry because of the lady's unfairness, so he specially explained: The lady gave Jiang Yinjin the shops not because she trusted Jiang Yinjin, but simply because she wanted more time to play.

Shen Mianmian found Fengchu really funny. Jiang Yinjin was the principal wife, while she was a concubine, and a concubine who refused to be a noble concubine. According to the rules, she could not manage the Marquis's property.

Besides, what's the benefit or fun of taking care of that thing? She definitely doesn't want it.

However, after learning the "truth," the lady also understood two things:

First, why is the Marquis so powerful and capable, while the Phoenix is ​​so weak and naive? It turns out that it's because of the Lady's genes.

Second, why is it that in novels, the dignified lady of a marquis's mansion is completely manipulated by the female protagonist? It's not entirely due to the female protagonist's halo; the lady also needs to look for the reasons within herself.

soon,

The two arrived at the main courtyard.

The main gate was not closed, but slightly ajar.

Even so, neither the master nor servant of the Sleeping One could easily enter without permission.

Standing at the door, Hanrong called out, "Is anyone home?"

A maid came out and, seeing Consort Shen and her servant, hurriedly greeted her, "This servant greets Consort Shen. May I ask if you have come to see Madam? Were you summoned by Madam?"

Chen Mianmian said, "Madam did not seek me out; it was I who presumptuously came to see Madam."

The maid understood. "Please wait a moment, Madam. I will go in and inform her."

"Thank you for your hard work." Chen Mianmian nodded with a smile.

How the maidservant went to inform the emperor while secretly marveling at Aunt Shen's beauty is a story that will not be told.

Upon hearing that Chen Mianmian had arrived, Madam Ding sneered, "Heh heh, if it weren't for Qingzhou being busy with his studies, I would have dragged him here right now and shown him whether I was the one who provoked that skinny horse. It was clearly that skinny horse who was courting death and took the initiative to provoke me."

Granny Li was both amused and exasperated, thinking to herself—what on earth is Concubine Shen thinking? Why would she choose the path to hell when there's no way to heaven?

If she's still mentally sound, seeing that the prince protecting her isn't there, she shouldn't be hiding silently in Mingyue Courtyard with her tail between her legs. Why did she take the initiative to come here?

Thinking about it, she sighed silently—no, she had to stop the madam, otherwise the young master would definitely not be happy if the madam did anything to the skinny horse.

The Crown Prince has finally set his mind on working hard, so we can't let some trivial matter change his mind.

Just as Granny Li was about to offer some advice, she heard the madam coldly say to the maid, "Go tell her that I will not see her."

"Yes, Madam." The maid received the order and went to report.

At the entrance of the courtyard.

The maid returned and said respectfully, "I'm sorry, Madam Shen, but the Madam does not wish to see you."

Shen Mianmian was taken aback. "Is Madam busy?"

“This…” The maid pondered how to answer.

Seeing that no one was around, Chen Mianmian took out a tael of silver and stuffed it into the maid's hand, saying, "You don't need to tell me any secrets, just tell me the surface phenomena. That won't count as betraying your master."

One tael of silver was a second-class maid's monthly salary. The maid couldn't resist the temptation and accepted it. She quickly said, "Madam isn't busy, but she seems to be sulking and says she won't see you. That's all I can say. Please don't ask any more questions, Madam. If you do, I won't know anything more."

After saying that, as if afraid that Aunt Shen would ask more questions, she turned around and ran away, leaving Shen Mianmian and her servant outside the main courtyard gate.

Shen Mianmian gasped, pinching her delicate chin, and asked in confusion, "This is strange. As far as I remember, I've never offended Madam. Every time I see Madam, I either swear a solemn oath immediately or kneel down right away. I'm practically the epitome of acting like a grandson and being submissive. Why won't Madam see me?"

Hanrong lowered her head guiltily, secretly guessing—could it be...the young mistress?

Shen Mianmian also muttered, "Could it be that the young mistress did something behind the scenes?"

Hanrong felt even more guilty and was extremely upset.

Chen Mianmian's eyes flickered, then she walked to the side of the courtyard gate and waved to Hanrong.

Hanrong hurried over, "What are your orders, Aunt?"

Chen Mianmian squinted, her originally round almond-shaped eyes now appearing crescent-shaped like fox eyes due to the half-closed gaze. Between her thick eyelashes, her bright eyes peeked out, revealing a cunning glint.

Hanrong was stunned. She didn't know what a fox spirit looked like. If there really were fox spirits in the world, they must be like her aunt.

When she is innocent, she is as pure as the moon; when she is alluring, she is as alluring as a fox.

Chen Mianmian said, "Here's what we'll do. I'll hide here. You go knock on the door and say you have urgent business with Granny Li. Don't forget to give them some benefits." As she spoke, she took out a few copper coins from her pocket and stuffed them into Hanrong's hand.

"Send less, sending too much will seem fake, and they'll realize that I'm the one who contacted Granny Li."

"Yes, Auntie." Hanrong took the copper coin and ran to call for someone.

The maidservant, seeing that it was Hanrong looking for Granny Li, gave her face and went in to look for her.

While accompanying the madam, Li Mama saw a maidservant looking for her outside the door. Upon hearing that it was Hanrong requesting an audience, she immediately guessed what was going on.

But he still informed his wife and went to the courtyard gate.

Outside the door.

When Hanrong saw Li Mama come out, she anxiously whispered, "Auntie! Auntie! Li Mama is here!"

"Alright!" Shen Mianmian picked up the wicker box and went over.

Before Li Mama even left the courtyard, she saw Hanrong with her shifty eyes. As soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw Aunt Shen carrying a rather large box and approaching with a big smile on her face.

Granny Li felt a pang of regret—if only Concubine Shen had a better background! "This servant greets Concubine Shen. What brings you here?"

Chen Mianmian smiled and said, "That's how it is. When I was in Jiangnan, I learned a kind of card game from a traveling performer. It was really fun! A few days ago, I remembered it and asked the young master to make it for me. I brought it to you as soon as it was finished today."

Granny Li was taken aback, and looked down at the box in Aunt Chen's hand. "Is that the treasury in this box?"

"Yes, I guarantee it will be absolutely fun!"

"..."

Granny Li frowned, staring at the rattan box in the woman's hand, then at the woman's pleasing smile, hesitating.

Finally, Granny Li whispered, "Madam, please don't be resentful that Madam won't see you. It was the young master who came yesterday and instructed that Madam is not allowed to see you for the next ten days."

Chen Mianmian's fawning smile froze on her face. "What? The young master won't allow it?"

“It’s absolutely true, I heard it with my own ears yesterday,” Li Mama explained. “Of course, the young master meant well; he was trying to protect you.”

Chenmian almost ground her molars to dust—that damned young phoenix, he's good for nothing but ruining things, he's the best at causing trouble, he's ruined her big plans!