You must bear the consequences of your own words.

Chenmianmian could only resign herself to being held.

Unlike the daytime embraces where he held her close, the opposite was true on the bed. He was on top of her, and she could even feel his deep and shallow breaths, burning hot.

His slender, pale fingers slowly slid down, parting her blouse...

...

Early morning.

After having breakfast, Bai Qingzhou bid farewell to Chen Mianmian and left the Marquis's residence with Guanshui.

Traveling light, his luggage and books had already been packed up by his servants and moved to Qingfeng Residence overnight.

Chen Mianmian had someone brew her strong tea and drank two pots of it to barely perk herself up—after tossing and turning for most of the night, she wondered again how Fengchu, who looked so delicate and frail, could have such good stamina.

Whether it's running, martial arts training, or sex.

His physical strength is completely inconsistent with his appearance; in fact, it could be said that they are inversely proportional.

We arrived at the main courtyard.

To my surprise, Jiang Yinjin was there.

"This servant greets Madam and Young Madam, and pays her respects." Chen Mianmian greeted them respectfully.

When Madam Ding saw Chen Mianmian arrive, she asked, "Has the young master left?"

"Reporting to Madam, the young master and Guanshui have been gone for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

"Did Your Highness rest well yesterday?"

"You got a good rest." Yeah, right! She'd been up most of the night, but she couldn't say it outright.

Mrs. Ding nodded. "What did you have for breakfast?"

Chen Mianmian began reciting the names of the dishes, and also mentioned how much porridge the prince had drunk, how many steamed buns he had eaten, and how much food he had eaten.

Ding nodded in satisfaction again.

Why are you satisfied?

Her concern was always about the young master's meals, but since this Shen woman entered the manor, the young master's appetite has been getting better and better. Although he can't eat as much as other young martial arts practitioners, his appetite is now about the same as that of an ordinary young scholar.

How could Madam Ding have imagined that her precious son could eat so much? It was because Shen Mianmian had told her that if she couldn't finish the designated meals, she couldn't stay at Mingyue Courtyard in order to get rid of Fengchu.

In order to stay, Fengchu held his nose and showed off, and in the end, his appetite was stimulated.

The conversation suddenly stopped because Qi Qi realized that something was off.

The two looked at Jiang Yinjin, only to see her sitting gracefully in a chair, holding a teacup in her delicate hands, slowly sipping her tea, seemingly focused on enjoying the tea and detached from the world around her.

But she is the legal wife. Normally, this conversation should be between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, not between a mother and her son's aunt.

Chen Mianmian lowered her eyes—Don't ask anymore! Asking again will only make things more awkward.

Ding lowered her eyes—she wouldn't ask anymore, she'd wait until Yin Jin wasn't around to ask. Alas, fate is truly cruel.

Jiang Yinjin put down her teacup and smiled, "With Sister Shen taking care of you, I can rest assured, Your Highness."

Shen Mianmian immediately adopted the posture of a standard concubine, "This servant thanks the young mistress for the praise. Serving the young master and the young mistress is this servant's duty. Please give me your instructions, young mistress, and I will do my best."

Jiang Yinjin's lips curled into a mocking smile, but her face still held a warm one. "I heard that yesterday you asked Guanshui to find a carpenter to make two sets of mahjong tiles?"

"Yes, one is for Madam, and the other is for you, Young Madam."

"Thank you for your trouble, little sister. I won't let you work for nothing. I'll definitely send you a generous gift later."

"Young Madam, you flatter me. This is what I should do."

After saying that, Shen Mianmian lowered her head—she guessed that her scenes should be over. Jiang Yinjin came early in the morning not to act opposite her, but probably to ask to go to the princess's residence.

Yesterday, Hanrong went to the princess's residence and learned that Princess Ruian had invited the lady and her today. She must have reported this overnight.

Sure enough, Ding coughed twice and asked, "I heard that Yin Jin has also learned to play mahjong from Shen?"

Jiang Yinjin smiled and said, "Yes, actually, I've wanted to learn mahjong for a long time so I could play with you, Mother. Unfortunately, there were problems with the accounts of the two shops I took over recently, and I've been busy with that and haven't had time to learn. Yesterday I finally had some time, so I went to learn from Sister Shen, and she taught me very diligently."

For a moment, even Madam Ding was tempted and wanted to bring Jiang Yinjin along.

But putting aside personal grudges, the princess invited Jiang Yinjin last time, but not this time.

"That's really good. Mahjong looks simple, but it's actually not easy. Practice more at home today, and when you're more skilled, you can join in and make up the numbers when Her Highness wants to play mahjong again."

Jiang Yinjin pursed her lips; she could tell that the madam didn't want to take her this time.

But she wouldn't listen!

I didn't bring her last time because she wasn't there, but I have to bring her this time!

Thinking of this, Jiang Yinjin continued, "I've already learned the rules of mahjong, and I'm just worried about not having any practical experience. When will you play mahjong again, Mother? I'll learn from you."

Shen Mianmian sighed inwardly—the female lead was truly wise all her life but foolish for a moment. Seeing that the lady's face was already pale, she was still forcing the palace. If it were her, she would have retreated to advance.

When can't you play mahjong? When can't you see the princess? You can't run away from the princess's residence.

Madam Ding was furious. She only resented her own family's inferiority, which made her speak less assertively; she also resented that the young master had not yet achieved official rank, making him feel inferior in front of a daughter-in-law from a prestigious family. Otherwise, she would definitely have questioned him: Am I your mother-in-law or is the princess your mother-in-law? Why do you look down on your mother-in-law when she plays mahjong, but shamelessly fawn over the princess when she plays mahjong?

Although Madam Ding may be gentle, she hasn't been the matriarch of the household for nothing all these years.

He immediately said, "Yinjin, you did a great job with the accounts for those two shops last time. I have two more shops with problems with their accounts, and I'm in a bit of a hurry. Could you please take a look at them for me?"

Chen Mianmian was stunned – Wow! Madam is going all out today! Didn't Jiang Yinjin previously look down on Madam for being improper? Then let Jiang Yinjin stay proper forever.

Jiang Yinjin froze on the spot, her virtuous face visibly paling. "Ah, this... this is... my daughter-in-law knows."

Seeing her daughter-in-law like this, Madam Ding softened and sighed, "Yinjin, you are a smart girl, I think you will understand. While managing the shop, practice mahjong some more, and I will give you what you want."

Jiang Yinjin blushed, "...Yes, Mother."

At this moment, she was filled with shame, because she had been reborn and should have trampled these shallow women underfoot, but in the end... she was being lectured in a sarcastic way.

True to her word, Madam Ding immediately mentioned two shops and asked Granny Li to fetch the account books, also instructing that the accounts from the past five years be checked.

Shen Mianmian clicked her tongue inwardly—two shops, five years' worth of accounts, that's no small feat. It seems the madam is truly angry this time.

What's that saying again? Even a clay Buddha has some temper.

Jiang Yinjin ordered her people to move the account books and left with Chuyu and Chuxue.

The hall remained quiet for a while.

Madam Ding sighed and asked, "Madam Shen, do you know why I asked the young mistress to do this?"

Without saying a word, Shen Mianmian immediately shook her head, "Reporting to Madam, this servant does not know. This servant guesses that it must be Madam's cultivation of the young mistress, after all, the young mistress has always liked the housekeeper."

Everyone else's public persona is ruined, but hers isn't; she's just a brainless, skinny girl!