Ding was so shocked that her face turned pale and she trembled so much that she dared not speak.

Princess Ryan glanced at her and laughed. "What, can't bear it? One is your own son, and the other is a bought prostitute. If one of them has to die, who do you want to die?"

Ding understood the logic, "But...it's not that...serious, is it..."

"Do you think it's serious that Huo Rang framed Qingzhou? Do you think it's a trivial matter that Shen's handkerchief appeared in the Xuanping Marquis's residence? Ah Xuan, do you know why the Anning Marquis likes you, and why I like you?"

"...This humble woman does not know."

Princess Ryan gave her a deep look. "Because you weren't born into a treacherous and powerful family, you haven't experienced these cruel realities, you don't know the dangers of the world, and you still retain a bit of ignorance and kindness."

"..." Ding obediently shut her mouth. She was also afraid that her ignorance would harm her son. She thought to herself: Perhaps this is the survival rule of noble families?

However, I still feel sorry for that girl. She made mahjong tiles for her and tried her best to make her happy, saying that... she was about to lose everything.

She hoped that Shen could withstand the princess's test, but at the same time she felt it was unlikely, after all, the other party was Young Master Ruyue.

But at this moment,

A palace maid's voice came from outside the door, "This servant requests an audience with Your Highness the Princess."

Princess Ryan recognized Mingzhu's voice and her eyes turned cold. "Come in."

Ding's heart tightened. Mingzhu and Caihua were palace maids who served the princess before she left the palace. Later, they followed the princess to the princess's residence. They did not perform daily services, but only served the princess.

Mingzhu's arrival so late must be because of Ruyue Gongzi's matter.

A moment later, Mingzhu entered and found Ding Shi there. She hesitated, unsure whether to report it.

Princess Ryan said, "Just say it."

"Your Highness, Young Master Ruyue has returned and said that Madam Shen has not shown any signs of amiss."

Ms. Ding was pleasantly surprised.

Princess Ryan asked疑惑地, "Did Ruyue describe exactly what happened?"

Mingzhu then gave a detailed report: "When Young Master Ruyue entered the guest room, Madam Shen had not yet rested. Afterwards, Young Master Ruyue lifted the curtain and, following the words the princess instructed him to use, said he wanted to have a chat with Madam Shen. Before the young master could finish speaking, Madam Shen pushed him away and then ran out barefoot, calling for her maid as she ran."

When we were dismissing the people, we accidentally forgot one person: Shen's maid, Hanrong. Shen had told Hanrong to rest, and since our men saw she was asleep, we didn't take her with us to avoid any complications. Hanrong was woken up by Shen and ran out of her room. Seeing that the operation was impossible, Young Master Ruyue said goodbye to Shen and left.

Princess Ryan was astonished. "Push Ruyue away? In this world, is there any woman who could push Ruyue away?"

Ding was so nervous that she secretly clenched the hem of her clothes, but at the same time, she was overjoyed.

Mingzhu nodded, "Princess, please forgive me. I was also shocked at the time. I questioned the young master, and he confirmed that Shen pushed him away without even thinking, without any struggle or hesitation."

Ding's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

He couldn't help but sigh – he never expected that the Shen family would be such a lucky star. Since the Shen family came, Qingzhou was no longer as stubborn and withdrawn as before. He was much more composed in his dealings with people, and he could even practice martial arts and take the imperial examinations. Now he was no different from any other young master from a noble family.

Shen knew how to advance and retreat, and how to please others. Not only did she please the princess, but even the picky princess couldn't utter a single word of dissent.

What a pity... what a real pity...

If Shen were not a prostitute, even if she were a commoner or a farmer's daughter, as long as her background was innocent, she would have found a way to fulfill Qingzhou's wish.

She wasn't that concerned about her background, after all, she herself wasn't of high status.

She knew that the Marquis didn't care that much about her background, otherwise he wouldn't have made her his principal wife in the first place.

The Marquis insisted on the marriage between Qingzhou and Yinjin because he did value the Jiang family's background, but more so because his own son was too useless. He thought that marrying a virtuous wife would help maintain the glory of the Marquis's mansion and give hope for the next generation.

Who knew...

It can only be said that things didn't go as planned.

After listening, Princess Ryan pondered for a moment, then waved her hand and said, "I understand. Go and rest now. Also, tell Ruyue to get some rest as well."

"Yes, Your Highness, this servant takes her leave." Mingzhu left respectfully.

Inside the room, only the princess and Lady Ding remained.

Princess Rui'an looked at Ding Shi, who was trying not to laugh and whose face was flushed from holding it in, and tugged at the corner of her mouth. "If you want to laugh, then laugh. At worst, I'll get angry, drag you out and beat you up, and then we'll still be good sisters."

Ms. Ding: "...No, thank you..."

Princess Ryan chuckled twice, turned her head to look at the courtyard scenery outside the window, and said lightly, "This Shen family is quite interesting."

Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "Ah Xuan, what was that Shen woman's name again?"

Ding hurriedly replied, "Her name is Mianmian, Chenmianmian."

Princess Rui'an frowned. "Is a name so casual? But that's normal." After all, she wasn't born into a prestigious family. "I don't like calling people by their surnames or aunts, so I'll just call her Mianmian."

Ding was secretly delighted—Shen had passed the princess's test. Generally, princesses only address people they admire or trust by their names.

Suddenly, she wondered if she should also change her form of address. Shen Shi... oh no, it's Mianmian, who has also passed her test.

Another place.

Guest room.

After soaking her feet, Chenmian lay in bed, half-asleep and lost in thought.

At first glance, the man was indeed breathtaking, but upon reflection, he seemed unremarkable, perhaps not as handsome as the Phoenix Chick.

The Phoenix Chick's disadvantage is that it's small. If it grew up and matured according to its facial features, it would definitely be incredibly beautiful and elegant, no less than that man... no, it would be even more handsome than that man!

Shen Mianmian has these thoughts without any subjective bias; she genuinely believes that if Fengchu were a bit taller and more mature, he would be handsome!

Lost in thought, I fell asleep.

...

In contrast to the peaceful and uneventful life at the princess's residence, the other residence was a scene of dire straits.

In a secluded woodshed of the Marquis of Xuanping's residence.

"You slut! You little bitch, how dare you seduce the Second Young Master! I'll beat you to death!"

"Ouch...it hurts so much...please stop hitting me! Young Madam, I was wrong, I will never dare to do it again, please have mercy, it hurts so much." Liu Xiangning curled up in the corner, hugging her knees tightly, lowering her head to carefully protect her face, and turning her back to outsiders.

Second Young Mistress Zhou Miaoyin, attended by maids and nannies, sat in a corner, her eyes cold and her expression ferocious as she watched a burly nanny whip a woman.

The old woman beat and cursed, "Spare me? You slut, when you went out to seduce men in the middle of the night, why didn't you think of asking for mercy? You worthless wretch, I'll beat your filthy skin to a pulp!"