Xie Xizhu felt as if her heart was trapped by something, powerless...

At this moment, she was exhausted, and the feeling of fatigue surged into her heart like a tide, engulfing her.

She found it incredibly difficult even to utter a single word or think, as if every word and every thought was a huge drain on her energy.

So she simply gave up resisting and silently let Rong Ning lead her forward.

In just a few short steps, Xie Xizhu walked mechanically, like a mindless little wooden puppet being carried by Rong Ning.

Seeing that she was still in a daze, Rong Ning didn't disturb her. She poured her a cup of tea and then stopped talking.

The two of them had barely sat down when suddenly, a slight noise came from outside. Rong Ning was delighted, thinking it was A Ying returning.

However, as the footsteps drew closer, what came into view was not the figure she had expected, but Xie Chong leading a group of people in.

At this moment, Xie Chong stood at the other end of the courtyard, his gaze meeting that of Rong Ning and Xie Xizhu, who were sitting on this side.

Rong Ning's beautiful eyes were calm as still water, without the slightest ripple, as if nothing happening before her could stir her heart.

But the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, with a half-smile that seemed to hide a hint of provocation, as if she were deliberately trying to provoke Xie Chong.

Since receiving his grandfather's teachings that day, Xie Chong's perspective and way of thinking had subtly changed. Therefore, when faced with Rong Ning's clearly provocative words and actions, he remained completely unmoved and had no intention of responding.

He slowly withdrew his gaze and casually glanced at the crowd kneeling in the courtyard.

For some reason, this scene suddenly stirred up an indescribable feeling in his heart.

It feels absurd, so absurd it's laughable.

Keep in mind, this was only Rong Ning's second day at the Prime Minister's residence!

She first caused a disturbance in her grandmother's courtyard, relentlessly forcing her grandmother to punish her second aunt.

Now, they've caused this kind of trouble again. I imagine these girls, even if they manage to survive, will be in deep trouble.

Instead of walking directly through the kneeling crowd like most people would, Xie Chong slowly walked around the corridor until he finally came to stand before them.

He first nodded slightly to Xie Xizhu, and then respectfully bowed to Rong Ning, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Rong Ning glanced at him casually, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said, "Why did you come here? Perhaps you're here to plead for your sisters?!"

His words carried a hint of teasing and questioning.

Upon hearing this, Xie Chong quickly cupped his hands in a respectful bow and explained sincerely, "Your Highness has truly misunderstood me! I came here simply to check on the situation here. After all, you have worked tirelessly to teach the young ladies of your household manners; it must have been very tiring for you!"

Listen...and listen again...

These words certainly have a unique flavor!

Upon hearing this, Rong Ning couldn't help but chuckle. She calmly raised her hand, casually pointed to the side, and said with a smile, "In that case, Young Master Xie, please go and fetch a chair to sit down and watch..."

Not long after, Aying returned.

However, she wasn't the only one who returned; a nanny also came back…

Rong Ning had met her before; she was someone who served the Prime Minister's wife.

The old woman followed Ah Ying to Rong Ning, holding a book in her hands.

This should be the Xie family rules.

Rong Ning took a closer look and couldn't help but be surprised!

"My goodness... the Xie family rules are really strict!"

It must be as thick as a brick...

"To be honest, even the palace rules aren't necessarily this strict!"

Xie Xizhu gave a dry laugh twice and didn't reply.

Xie Chong, however, said calmly, "This is the result of a hundred years of work by the Xie clan, so it is naturally quite thick."

A century's worth of achievements?

They must have been so full and had nothing better to do to keep making the family rules thicker and more solid!

The old woman stepped forward and knelt before Rong Ning, saying slowly and deliberately, "This servant greets Your Highness. The Prime Minister's wife heard that the young ladies' words and actions were inappropriate and that Your Highness had made a fool of them. Therefore, she specially ordered this old servant to bring the Xie family rules for the young ladies to study. Please supervise them, Your Highness!"

ha……

The Prime Minister's wife is quite a character...

Seriously... they have absolutely no compassion for people...

Rong Ning glanced at the family rules, then at the group of delicate young ladies…

Oh dear... they're in for it!