Shen Mianmian first kicked Hanrong out, after all, Hanrong was Jiang Yinjin's person, and she was afraid that Hanrong would do something bad.
As soon as Hanrong left, Chenmianmian took out all sorts of handkerchiefs and towels.
First, she selected several soft towels, folded them neatly, wrapped them in handkerchiefs, and tied them around her knees.
After tying it on, he tied another handkerchief on top to secure it, making sure it wouldn't fall off while walking normally, before carefully leaving the room and taking Hanrong to the Peony Courtyard.
Along the way, Hanrong hesitated several times before finally holding back her words.
Main courtyard.
Chen Mianmian was amazed; this place was so much bigger than her Mingyue Courtyard.
Both the courtyard and the furnishings of the house are luxurious and grand, clearly indicating that it is the residence of the matriarch of the household.
Chen Mianmian carefully stepped over the high threshold and entered the main hall.
But in the main seat sat a graceful and elegant middle-aged woman. The woman had very fair skin and a beautiful face. Even with the passage of time, her youthful beauty was still evident.
Shen Mianmian knew that this person was the wife of the Marquis of Anning and the mother of the heir, because the mother and son looked seven or eight parts alike.
Chen Mianmian knelt down and said, "This servant greets Madam and pays her respects."
Taking advantage of the moment she was kneeling, she quickly looked around the room and found that apart from the madam, there were only some favored maids and servants; the young master was not there.
On second thought, it makes sense: no one knows a son better than his mother. The lady knows how love-struck her son is. With her son around, she can't deal with that audacious, skinny guy.
Ding's expression was tense, and her eyes glared viciously at the beautiful woman kneeling on the ground.
The thought that this woman was a filthy, thin woman who had bewitched her son and caused him to disobey his parents time and time again filled him with rage.
Ding didn't speak immediately, but waited quietly, while making the skinny horse kneel down.
Kneeling on the ground, Chen Mianmian lowered her head—thankfully, they had tampered with her knees, otherwise her kneecaps would have been ruined!
After a long pause, Madam Ding coldly said, "Do you know why I summoned you here?"
In an extremely respectful tone, Chen Mianmian replied, "Madam, I am unaware. Please enlighten me."
Ding's sneer grew even louder, "You dare say you didn't know that the young master just came to ask me to elevate you to the rank of concubine?"
Chen Mianmian began to act.
She was first struck dumb, as if by a bolt from the blue, and then she looked up in astonishment at her stunning face, which was pale as a palm.
Then, she raised her right hand and said, "Heaven above, I, Chen Mianmian, swear to the heavens that I had no knowledge of the prince's visit to Madam! Moreover, I know my lowly status and dare not covet any other concubine position! I am willing to remain a lowly concubine for life! If I have told a single lie, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death! May I descend to the eighteenth level of hell after death, to be fried in oil every day and skinned alive every day! I beg Heaven to bear witness to my utmost sincerity!"
Everyone was taken aback!
This is the first time I've seen someone not even bother to defend themselves, but instead make a solemn oath!
"Sleepless—isn't that obvious? Ancient people believed in this the most, and she has a clear conscience, so why not post it? Knowing she'll suffer, why bother with the procedures? Wouldn't a quick resolution be better? Madam is so noble, how could we trouble her with such worries? Wouldn't it be better to spend this time admiring flowers and playing with birds than getting angry here?"
Ding was also surprised; everything before her eyes was beyond her expectations.
Madam Ding looked at Granny Li beside her, and Granny Li returned the madam's puzzled expression.
Granny Li looked at the kneeling woman and said fiercely, "Do you think you can sever all ties by making a poisonous oath?"
With tears welling in her eyes, Shen Mianmian said, "We can sign a document, and I will put my fingerprint on it, guaranteeing that I will remain a lowly concubine for the rest of my life and never be promoted to that position! Or, Granny, please help me think of a way. Anything is fine with me. If I ever desire another position, you can punish me however you wish!"
"..." Granny Li was also at a loss.
A shrewd glint flashed in Shen Mianmian's eyes as she added, "Or, you could send me to another residence and let me stay there for the rest of my life. I am willing to farm and weave to repay the kindness of the Madam and the Prince for saving me from that hellish place and bringing me to this compassionate and blessed place, the Marquis of Anning's residence."
"..." The crowd.
For a moment, the main hall was deathly silent.
Ding and Li Mama looked at each other.
Li Mama leaned down and whispered in the lady's ear, "Madam, from what I see, Concubine Shen doesn't seem to be lying."
Ding frowned, neither confirming nor denying.
Farewell Courtyard?
Ah, she also wanted to send her away, but if she did, the young master would definitely be heartbroken. It wouldn't be right to damage the bond between mother and son for the sake of a concubine.
The fact that the aunt has already taken the blame shows that she has accepted it.
As long as this skinny horse behaves herself, the Marquis of Anning's mansion won't be short of food.
Ding nodded slowly, seemingly lost in thought—yes, as long as one is honest and law-abiding.
Thinking of this, Madam Ding said coldly, "Can you guarantee that the young master's arrival just now had nothing to do with you?"
"I swear! Please, Madam, see for yourself!"
“Alright, I’ll give you a chance to prove your sincerity,” Madam Ding pondered for a moment. “I’ve been feeling restless lately, and someone said that as long as you sincerely copy the Great Compassion Mantra, you can feel relieved. Since you are sincere, then you can copy it.”
Chen Mianmian was secretly delighted—copying the Great Compassion Mantra? Sure! She was just getting tired of playing cards and didn't know what to do to pass the time. Learning calligraphy was a perfect solution!
Before transmigrating into the book, she had always wanted to learn, but she never expected to have the opportunity after transmigrating.
Thinking it over, Chen Mianmian respectfully kowtowed and then said devoutly, "Thank you, Madam, for giving me this opportunity. I promise that every word I say is sincere and respectful. I also hope that my sincerity will move Heaven and bless the Marquis and Madam with good health and long life, and bless the Marquis's mansion with prosperity and peace."
Everyone was astonished—no wonder she's called "Skinny Horse," she really knows how to talk!
Sleepyhead—I'm flattered! I'm just a level ten master of the "licking dog" skill, please excuse my poor performance.
Ding was also stunned, and the ferocity in her eyes lessened somewhat. "Make nine hundred and ninety-nine copies."
Everyone gasped – nine hundred and ninety-nine copies? How many years would that take to copy? Is Madam making Concubine Shen copy for a lifetime?
Chen Mianmian replied, "Yes, I will definitely copy it carefully," then paused, sounding hesitant, "However..."
Everyone—as expected! The skinny horse was waiting for the lady here! They knew no one would be willing to copy the Great Compassion Mantra nine hundred and ninety-nine times.
A cold smile curled at the corner of Ding's lips as she sneered, "But what? Speak."
She wanted to see how this skinny girl would try to argue her way out of trouble and turn the tide.
Shen Mianmian replied sincerely, "My lady, my handwriting is very ugly! But I promise to practice hard and I will practice every single character with care."
"..." The crowd.
Ms. Ding asked in confusion, "So you're trying to say that your handwriting is ugly?"
Shen Mianmian nodded, "Yes, Madam, I'm afraid you'll find it offensive."
“That’s not right. Aren’t you thin horses supposed to be proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting?” Ding asked.
A shrewd glint appeared in Chen Mianmian's eyes, but her expression remained sincere. "Don't laugh at me, Madam, it's like this. Our 'Slim Horse Training Base' uses a method of individualized instruction. After a girl is bought, she must first undergo an assessment."
The assessment is divided into several categories, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Only after talent is discovered will training be provided specifically for that talent. This saves on teaching resources and allows for a concentrated effort to develop special skills.
"I am unworthy; after I entered the palace, I was incompetent and lacked talent in any of the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—so they did not teach me any of them."
See, doesn't this explain why she doesn't know those things? She's a genius.
Everyone was shocked!
Ding forgot her disdain and looked surprised. "You weren't taught any of the arts? Then what do you have to please... cough cough, what talent do you have?"
Chen Mianmian replied, “Madam, the main feature of a slender woman like me is that I stand out from the crowd. Not only am I beautiful, but I also claim to pursue equality for all, freedom of marriage, and a lifelong commitment to one person. The instructor said that those wealthy gentlemen who have seen too many well-behaved young ladies often have no resistance to such a woman who speaks so boldly, and they will immediately fall in love with her.”
Look! It's round again!
Shen Mianmian felt that if she was the second genius, then no one was qualified to be the first genius.
Everyone was shocked once again!
Ding couldn't hold back any longer and hurriedly asked, "Is all that talk about monogamy you've told me false?"
Chen Mianmian nodded, "That's right, it's all fake, just rhetoric! Even a princess of a country wouldn't dare say that her husband wouldn't take concubines, how could I dare? I come from a humble background, and I know my own limitations! So I will never be promoted to the rank of concubine. I am the most, most, most, most dutiful person I can be!"
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