Then, Shen Mianmian realized she was worrying unnecessarily—in the original text, why did the lady trust Jiang Yinjin? Because Jiang Yinjin was upright!
Once Jiang Yinjin becomes improper, what trust will the madam have left?
If the madam, that fickle woman, were to waver, she would remind her: "The young mistress is addicted to mahjong every day; she's unreliable! The young mistress's words cannot be trusted!"
Of course, Shen Mianmian also had a small wish, although she knew that this wish was even more unreliable and difficult to achieve, she still secretly hoped that... the female lead could let go of her hatred.
He died tragically in his past life, and now he seeks revenge—logically, there's nothing wrong with that.
Asking someone to let go of their hatred is no different from advising someone to be magnanimous without asking why, but... she still couldn't bear to see the people from the Marquis of Anning's mansion die.
It doesn't matter if she dies. She wasn't a character in the book to begin with, and she didn't want to live in the book. Her life was useless to her. But what about them?
—Give it a try and see if the original female protagonist can lose herself in frivolous pursuits and, incidentally, let go of her hatred.
Thinking of this, Chen Mianmian perked up her spirits and said, "Alright! When does Young Madam have time? This servant will teach Young Madam!"
Chu Yu and Chu Xue were also stunned—the young mistress wanted to learn mahjong? Wasn't the young mistress the one who despised things that undermined willpower and wasted youth?
...
In the afternoon.
Bai Qingzhou returned and went straight to the main courtyard.
He thought Mianmian would be here too, but he was disappointed to find neither his mother nor Mianmian there.
Upon learning that her mother had gone to the princess's residence and Mianmian had returned to Mingyue Courtyard, Bai Qingzhou was not surprised. After all, her mother and Princess Ruian had been on good terms for a long time, and Princess Ruian would invite her mother to keep her company whenever she was bored.
Then, he quickened his pace and went to Mingyue Courtyard.
Meigetsuin.
As soon as I approached the courtyard gate, I heard the woman's delicate shouts as she wielded her stick.
Each word was spoken with utmost seriousness.
Bai Qingzhou took two quick steps and arrived at the courtyard gate.
But then they saw a woman wearing a white training uniform, practicing with a stick earnestly.
She didn't wear her hair in a bun; her long hair was braided and hung down to her waist, the braid swinging gracefully with her movements.
The woman's face was covered in fine beads of sweat, which shimmered in the afternoon sunlight, making her already stunning beauty even more unique and unparalleled.
Bai Qingzhou knew she was beautiful, but at this moment, her beauty had surpassed all his words and language, even filling his chest and making his heart pound with emotion, unable to bear the weight of his admiration and affection for her.
Upon seeing Bai Qingzhou return, Chen Mianmian immediately put away her stick, panting, "You're back just in time, Guanshui, I need to talk to you!"
"..." Bai Qingzhou.
Someone instantly became unhappy, and pursed their lips in displeasure.
Guan Shui asked curiously, "What does Auntie want with me?"
Chen Mianmian was still a little out of breath, so she took a deep breath to steady herself. "Do you remember the last time you asked the carpenter to make mahjong for me? Are you busy later? If you're not, go and find that carpenter again, and make two sets of mahjong tiles using the same method as before."
"Yes, I'll go right away." Guan Shui didn't ask any more questions and turned to carry out the task.
Looking at Guan Shui's retreating figure, Chen Mianmian felt that this was how a loyal servant should be.
She is hardworking, capable, obedient, and good-looking.
According to Fengchu, Guanshui looks thin, but he is actually very skilled in martial arts.
Bai Qingzhou's mood worsened—the first person he thought of when he returned was her, but instead of speaking to him immediately, she was staring at other men.
Chen Mianmian withdrew her gaze and then saw Bai Fengchu with a stern face. She threw down the stick and said, "Oh my, we finally got rid of Guanshui. No one will disturb our time together. I miss the young master so much today."
"..." Bai Qingzhou felt utterly pathetic; the woman had only said one comforting word before his anger subsided.
This won't do.
Having secretly calmed down, Bai Qingzhou kept a straight face and pursed her lips, afraid that she would give herself away if she opened her mouth.
Unfortunately, he thought he was acting very well, but Shen Mianmian had already seen through his eyes.
Shen Mianmian took the boy's arm and rested her head on his shoulder. "Your Highness is so cold. I'm so scared. I'll have nightmares tonight."
Bai Qingzhou's heart skipped a beat. She pursed her lips again, deliberately keeping her tone icy, "And then?"
"And then?" Shen Mianmian didn't expect the boy to answer like that, so she raised her eyes, blinked, and lowered her voice, "And then, can the young master hold me to sleep tonight?"
Whoosh!
Someone's face turned bright red.
Sleepyhead—no, is it really necessary? Haven't they already slept together? Why are you still acting so innocent? Blushing at the slightest touch?
Bai Qingzhou quickly turned her face away, not wanting her to see her blushing, and said, "Let's go inside and talk."
"……oh."
The two entered the room.
They sat on the soft couch, one on the left and one on the right.
Chen Mianmian picked up a palm-leaf fan and fanned herself.
Before she could speak, the boy asked her, "Aren't you in pain anymore? Weren't you in pain this morning?"
While fanning herself, Chen Mianmian laughed and said, "It's alright. I had my maid rub it for me for a while, so it doesn't hurt much anymore. I had nothing to do this afternoon, so I practiced with a staff. I really enjoy practicing martial arts."
Bai Qingzhou looked at the woman, but he couldn't tell if it was because she was wearing training clothes or because she hadn't styled her hair into an elaborate bun. At this moment, she was relaxed and graceful, her slender arms waving a fan, exuding a unique kind of carefree spirit of a martial arts heroine.
It seems that only at this moment is she truly herself.
Shen Mianmian asked in confusion, "Why are you staring at me?"
"It's nothing," Bai Qingzhou guessed that the woman was too tired from practicing martial arts and didn't have the energy to pretend anymore. So he quickly changed the subject to prevent the woman from discovering that she had "gone the act" and putting on an act again. "Why did you suddenly ask Guanshui to make mahjong tiles? What was your intention?"
Chen Mianmian continued fanning herself, her hair fluttering gently in the breeze. "Today, Madam received an invitation from Princess Ruian and took a mahjong set to play with the princess. I'm guessing that she probably won't be able to bring that set back, so we'll have to make another one."
The other deck of cards is intended for the young mistress. She came to learn how to play cards with me today, and we only explained the rules. Once the deck is ready tomorrow or the day after, I'll play a few rounds with her and her two maids.”
Bai Qingzhou asked in surprise, "What are you going to teach her?"
Chen Mianmian asked with great interest, "Why don't I teach her?"
Bai Qingzhou sighed helplessly, "Mianmian, you're just too kind. Jiang Yinjin is an enemy, not a friend. Why aren't you on guard against her?"
Chen Mianmian was so surprised that she threw down her fan, leaned closer, and stared at the boy's face. "So you could tell?"
Bai Qingzhou frowned unhappily, "In your eyes, am I that stupid? Putting aside the fact that the relationship between a wife and concubine can never be truly harmonious, just think about it: after I married her, I was with you every day. Do you think she would tolerate you? Can't you learn to protect yourself?"
Shen Mianmian was amused, but as she laughed, a sudden pang of sadness struck her heart—she had transmigrated into the book and never intended to change the plot or stop the female lead, nor had she ever thought of... protecting him, but he had always wanted to protect her.
A sudden pang of sadness gripped my heart...
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