Training ground.
The two of them made a big show of it, but in reality, they both gave up after running two laps.
Of course, the training ground of the Marquis's mansion was much smaller than a modern sports field; a lap around it was only about 100 meters.
However, neither of them was strong and robust; one was a frail prince, and the other was a delicate, thin horse. They could take a walk without much trouble, but if they really ran, it would be fatal.
After two laps, the two squatted in a corner, panting heavily, completely unseemly.
Bai Qingzhou clutched his thin chest, "My throat and chest... hurt a lot."
Chen Mianmian, also panting heavily, nodded. "Because we're breathing incorrectly. Actually... we should inhale through our nose and exhale through our mouth. We can't just breathe through our mouth all the time, or it will hurt our throats."
As for the chest pain, it's because the degenerated lung capacity is being stimulated and is starting to expand rapidly. If we keep running for a few more days, we'll adapt.
Bai Qingzhou looked up in confusion, "Where did you learn all this?"
Chen Mianmian simply plopped down on the ground, "Didn't I say that our Thin Horse Training Club specializes in learning these kinds of things?"
"..." Bai Qingzhou couldn't convince herself to believe it no matter what.
Just then, Hanrong and Guanshui's voices came from not far away, "This servant greets Madam" and "This humble servant greets Madam".
The two hurriedly looked over and found that it was the lady who had arrived.
The lady arrived in a hurry, accompanied by Granny Li and the servants from the main courtyard.
Shen Mianmian cried out in her heart, "Oh no! Will Madam blame me for forcing you to run and hurting your body?"
Bai Qingzhou gently comforted her, "Don't worry, I will explain it to my mother properly."
"Don't! If Madam really blames me, you must not say a word! Remember? The more you argue with Madam for my sake, the more Madam will hate me. The best way is to let Madam scold you until she calms down."
Sleepyhead—this living father mustn't offend the madam and ruin her grand plan.
Bai Qingzhou pursed his lips, did not answer, but simply stood up and extended his hand to the woman.
Having regained her strength, Chen Mianmian was able to stand up on her own, but upon seeing the boy's hand, she inexplicably reached out and placed her hand on his.
The two had just stood up when they saw the lady leading a group of people rushing towards them.
Sleepyhead—I'm definitely going to get scolded. 123, get ready to kneel!
But she discovered that her hand was still being held tightly by the boy.
She hurriedly shook him off, trying to get rid of him.
The other party refused to let go, and Chen Mianmian became anxious, shouting in a very soft voice, "Let go! Don't make me a target!"
Bai Qingzhou pursed her pale lips and said softly, "If I pin all the blame on you, what will I become?"
Chen Mianmian was taken aback, as if she understood what he meant.
Before Chen Mianmian could think it through, Madam Ding rushed over, "Qingzhou, are you alright? Quick, come here and let your mother take a look."
Chen Mianmian struggled to break free, but Bai Qingzhou still held her hand tightly.
However, Madam Ding noticed their little actions and chuckled, "Don't be afraid, your mother won't blame you or Mianmian. As long as you two are alright, that's all that matters."
The two were taken aback.
This was the first time Lady Anning had addressed Shen Mianmian by her name.
Granny Li smiled and said, "Madam heard that you were training, so she came to see you. Madam approves. What are you standing there for? Pay your respects to Madam."
"..." Chen Mianmian—Granny Li is really talented. Even at this time, she still has to pay her respects?
However, the two of them still paid their respects to the madam as Li Mama had instructed, and the tense atmosphere eased.
Chen Mianmian squeezed the boy's hand tightly, but thankfully, he obediently let go of her.
Ding and Li Mama noticed the two men's little tricks, but pretended not to see them.
Ding asked, "What made you decide to come to the training ground today?"
Bai Qingzhou rubbed his stomach. "I ate too much for lunch, so it's hard to digest. I wanted to find a place to run around and help with digestion."
Madam Ding smiled and nodded, "Is your body able to handle it? I saw you were in a lot of pain just now. Should I call a doctor? Or find a martial arts master to keep an eye on you?"
Granny Li's eyes flickered secretly—she didn't know if the young master could understand the lady's implied meaning. The lady said that she wanted the master to keep an eye on things to prevent any accidents, but in reality, she hoped that the young master would try practicing martial arts again.
For a moment, Bai Qingzhou felt a darkness before her eyes and a suffocating tightness in her chest.
Because terrifying memories of the past swept in like dark clouds.
Shen Mianmian keenly noticed the boy's change and hurriedly searched her memory, but she couldn't recall that the novel mentioned the prince's background.
Yes, in a fast-paced, face-slapping novel, this kind of brainless cannon fodder doesn't deserve to waste the author's ink.
These cannon fodder are born to be sacrifices. They use their stupidity to provoke readers' disgust and incite their emotions. Through a satisfyingly tragic ending, they drive the story forward and become stepping stones for the great male and female protagonists.
Thinking of the boy's protection of her and his tragic end, Shen Mianmian couldn't help but sigh. Using their wide sleeves as cover, she secretly took the boy's slender fingers.
Meanwhile, Bai Qingzhou, who was about to be swallowed by the shadows of his memories, suddenly felt someone grab his hand and pull him out of the ever-out-of-control vortex.
Bai Qingzhou turned his head, his pure, dark eyes looking at the woman beside him.
Chen Mianmian, “…” No, Brother Fengchu! Your own mother is standing right in front of you, looking at your concubine with such affection?
Is it because your relationship with your mother-in-law is too harmonious that you've become arrogant?
Fortunately, the boy only glanced at her before looking away and replied earnestly, "Mother, we don't need a martial arts master for now. I'm just going for a run with Mianmian to digest our food. Besides, Mianmian has learned a lot about training before, so with her here, it'll be fine."
"??????"
Sleeping Phoenix Chick, don't you want to listen to what you're saying? What training or knowledge do I possess? Is bragging free? If you're going to brag, brag about yourself, not me!
Ding didn't expose her, but smiled as she looked at the training ground and sighed, "I haven't been here for a long time either. You two can train however you want. I'll just take a walk too."
With that, he called over Granny Li and they entered the training ground.
Chen Mianmian whispered, "I said, Phoenix... oh no, I mean, Your Highness, what do we do next?"
Bai Qingzhou looked at the spacious training ground and her mother walking and chatting with Granny Li. She felt inexplicably relaxed and cheerful. "Let's run three more laps. I feel much better after running just now."
Chen Mianmian asked curiously, "Is running popular here too?"
“Of course, whether it’s martial arts training or military camp, sprinting is a training program.” Bai Qingzhou looked at the woman’s rosy cheeks and felt happy. His voice became even gentler. “If you’re tired, you can rest over there. I’ll go run by myself.”
Chen Mianmian rolled her eyes. "Who do you think you are? Three laps? Let's go."
The two of them started running around the training ground again.
Ding and Li Mama stood in a corner of the training ground, watching the two trainees.
Li Mama sincerely said, "Madam, you can rest assured now that you've seen it. With more eating and exercise, the young master's health will improve in a couple of days. Plus, the two of them have a good relationship and are inseparable. Who knows, we might have good news in a couple of days."
The good news refers to the fact that Consort Shen is pregnant.
Ms. Ding nodded, unable to hide her smile.
Seeing that the madam enjoyed hearing this, Granny Li quickly added a few more words, "Madam, do you still remember last January when I accompanied you to Guanyin Mountain to draw lots? The lot said that you were destined to have many children and grandchildren. Look how happy Aunt Shen is; she might even give birth to twins at once."
Looking at the woman's figure in the distance, Madam Ding's eyes showed satisfaction. "If that's the case, she can be considered a meritorious person of our Marquis's mansion."
“Since you were born a slut, you might not have been so willing to be given the title of concubine in another family. It is only because the Marquis and his wife are so kind and generous that you will repay them well.”
Li Mama's words weren't entirely to flatter the Madam; she was also saying some good things about Consort Shen, since the young master liked Consort Shen.
.
But no one expected this.
In a corner not far away, three women kept a close eye on the movements in the training ground.
Chu Xue said indignantly, "This is so unfair! The young mistress works so hard for this family, why are these people playing around like this?"
Chu Yu hurriedly tugged at Chu Xue's sleeve to stop her from saying anything more, lest she displease the young mistress.
Jiang Yinjin's face was also ashen. "Heh, I thought it was a different person before, but now it seems that it's still the same person, still the cunning and slender woman. I didn't want to make things difficult for you, but now you've forced me to."
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