Early in the morning, Xiang Wan came to Hao Yuchun's bedside to take care of her. Her complexion had returned to normal, except for some bluish-gray bags under her eyes, as if she hadn't slept well. Her face was a little pale, but there were no other symptoms.

After observing for a while, Xiang Wan realized that her powder had no effect on Hao Yuchun, most likely because the system had removed it from her records. While making the bed, Xiang Wan quietly put away the purse she had left behind.

True to 007's nature of never letting anything slip by, Xiang Wan subconsciously assumed that the charm system would need to expend energy to remove the effects of the drug from Hao Yuchun. Therefore, Hao Yuchun's next move was self-evident.

Seeing Xiang Wan return safely, Hao Yuchun was stunned for a moment, but quickly regained her composure. Xiang Wan hadn't brought her any pastries, and she was currently preoccupied with the energy the Enchanting System had mentioned, so she had no intention of causing any more trouble for Xiang Wan.

Aunt Cui has been quite overwhelmed these past few days, mainly because she's preparing Hao Yuchun's dowry and looking for a suitable daughter for Hao Zheng. The former is easy enough; there are maids and servants in the mansion, so she can manage with a little work. What's giving her a headache is Hao Zheng. She doesn't know what's wrong with him, but whenever she mentions wanting to meet a girl, he immediately refuses.

It's only natural for a son to marry when he's of age. Seeing that Hao Zheng is almost of marriageable age, how could a mother not be anxious? He usually seems quite obedient, but when it comes to this matter, he's absolutely unyielding. At first, Aunt Cui thought he was just too playful and that a little persuasion would suffice. Who knew that later, whenever this topic was brought up, Hao Zheng would explode like a powder keg.

Hao Xuan usually didn't concern himself with the affairs of the inner quarters. When it came to his son's wedding, he only mentioned it briefly; the actual arrangements were handled by Aunt Cui. What was supposed to be a simple matter turned out to be impossible for her.

Aunt Cui was also a woman of high aspirations. After so many years without being promoted to the rank of official wife, she had hoped to elevate her status through this marriage and engagement of her daughter. But her son was disappointing, so what could she do? Her hair had turned white with worry.

“Master, the young master is an extremely filial child. I watched him grow up. How could he possibly disobey you? In my opinion, most likely, the young master's heart is…”

The old woman, Gui Mama, leaned down and whispered in Cui's ear, a knowing look in her eyes.

Aunt Cui had suspected this possibility before. She even questioned Shi Tou. Apart from occasionally going out to fool around with his cronies, Hao Zheng rarely went to brothels. How could he have a sweetheart?

Now that Aunt Gui has brought it up again, Aunt Cui has to think deeply. Perhaps, the person in Hao Zheng's heart is not someone she can openly tell her.

"This child is too stubborn. Even his personal servant didn't know, so how could we possibly know?"

"In my opinion, the young master is now at the age where he should experience the pleasures of sex. Why don't we arrange for him to have two maids to share his life with? Perhaps once he has tasted the pleasures, he won't argue with you anymore."

Aunt Cui asked doubtfully, somewhat uncertainly, "Will this... will it work? What if we anger him..."

"Don't worry, Master. We can pick a few with good colors and place them next to the young master, serving him carefully. In time, it will surely be as you wish."

Let's hope so!

Aunt Cui finally made up her mind, but she didn't trust outsiders and only wanted to choose from within the manor. So, Xiang Wan and a group of maids of similar age were summoned to Aunt Cui's courtyard.

There were about twenty people inside and outside the building, all around the age of budding youth, and their faces were reasonably good-looking. But if we're talking about good complexion, Xiang Wan was the first one.

The heroine in the erotic novels the system mentioned must have an appearance and figure that are outstanding, otherwise, she wouldn't attract so many men. But at this moment, Xiang Wan wished she were uglier. This feeling of being picked over like merchandise was truly suffocating.

After only one glance, Xiang Wan and another maid, Zi'er, were chosen. Aunt Cui didn't tell them what they were to do, only that they would serve the young master.

Having reached this point, Zi'er wasn't stupid; she understood the deeper meaning behind it and immediately agreed with great joy.

“Aunt Cui, I am Miss’s personal maid. It would be unreasonable to suddenly transfer me to serve the young master.”

Xiang Wan ignored them. The thought of the original owner being defiled by Hao Zheng filled her with resentment. She had long harbored the intention to make Hao Zheng pay, but not now. If she were truly placed by Hao Zheng's side, his maid would surely be beaten to death with him upon his death, and Xiang Wan would have to fake her death to escape. Returning to the Hao residence would be far too time-consuming.

"You lowly maid, how dare you talk back to your mistress? Do you have a death wish?"

Madam Gui spoke sharply and sternly, displaying a rather imposing manner. Xiang Wan, however, was not going to be fooled and retorted, "We are both servants, what right do you have to speak to me like that? The legitimate young lady is the rightful owner, how dare you, a vicious dog, bark like that?"

Before she could reply, Xiang Wan bowed to Aunt Cui and said, "Aunt, Miss is waiting for me to go back and prepare the meal, so I'll take my leave now."

With a flick of his sleeve, Xiang Wan glanced sideways at Gui's mother, then strode away, leaving the latter furious.

“Auntie, she doesn’t respect you at all. She has no manners whatsoever. Miss is a lady of a respectable family. How can we keep such an ill-mannered person around? If word gets out, people will think that you are intolerant of others and are deliberately targeting Miss.”

Aunt Gui applied eye drops with great effort, which gave Aunt Cui a headache.

Everyone knows that Hao Yuchun is now the head of the Hao family, and every lady and young lady has to give her respect. But she knows that the one with the truly extraordinary status in the mansion is Hao Yuchun.

Hao Xuan's doting affection for Hao Yuchun was so extreme that even a maid pulling out a single strand of her hair would be punished with a beating. Even though she held real power, she was certain that if anyone dared to lay a finger on Hao Yuchun, all her efforts over the years would be in vain within a day. She dared not, and could not, take that risk.

Perhaps sensing Aunt Cui's predicament, Granny Gui whispered a few words in her ear. Aunt Cui's eyes lit up, and she nodded repeatedly. Only then did Granny Gui straighten up, revealing a resentful smile.

In the evening, Hao Yuchun was feeling a bit listless. After washing up, she sent Xiang Wan back to rest.

After a long day of running around, Xiang Wan was quite tired and wanted to go back to her room as soon as possible to lie down and cultivate her inner strength. As soon as she opened the door, she noticed something was wrong; a faint fragrance filled the entire room.

Having studied medicine, Xiang Wan recognized it after just one sniff: it was a sleeping incense, and a rather low-quality one at that, mixed with herbs that induce drowsiness.

Xiang Wan walked to the bedside and pretended to faint. After a while, she heard someone push the door open and stand by her bed.

"Hmph, you brat, you got away last time. Let's see where you can run this time. Hurry up and do it, keep your voice down, don't alert anyone else."

Who else could that familiar voice be but Granny Shi?

They failed last time and quieted down for a while, but I didn't expect they still haven't given up.

Xiang Wan wanted to see what she was really up to by scheming like this.