Everyone was shocked once again!
Every time everyone thought they had accepted Aunt Shen's absurd remarks, she would come up with even more absurd ones!
One wave after another! Pushing everyone's shock to its peak.
Everyone was completely convinced—these "skinny horses" were specifically designed to shock the world, and they had not only shocked the prince but were now shocking them as well!
She is indeed different from the proper young ladies of noble families. No wonder the Jiangnan Slender Horses are so famous. They really have a way with it!
Disregarding her image, Madam Ding forced a smile. "...Fine, I'll believe you for now. Have you spoken to the young master about these things?"
Chen Mianmian looked completely honest and simple. "I've revealed some of it, but I haven't told you everything yet. I'm afraid that if I told you all at once, the young master wouldn't be able to handle the shock. So the young master hasn't seen me much lately. He's been in Qingfeng Courtyard, slowly digesting what's been said."
Suddenly, Madam Ding found everything ridiculous. "You knew exactly how to attract the Crown Prince, so why didn't you keep using those tactics? Why are you revealing your own conspiracy now?"
Chen Mianmian replied, "Madam, rhetoric is rhetoric, it can only attract attention for a short time, it won't last. The young master was initially attracted by my novelty, but the novelty will eventually wear off."
Rather than waiting for the prince to lose interest and tire of me, it's better to take the initiative and gradually reveal my vulgar and unbearable true self so that the prince can slowly accept me.
Furthermore, the Crown Prince is compassionate and kind, and considerate of me. Therefore, even if I offend Madam, I cannot stand by and watch Madam and the Crown Prince grow apart. To do such a thing would bring me retribution!
Look! She's got another one rounded up!
Now he's emphasizing his fear of retribution to affirm the value of his previous solemn oath.
She wanted to roar to the heavens: Genius, nothing more than this!
Madam Ding stared in disbelief for a while, then took a few deep breaths. "Alright, you can go back now. I'll have someone send you paper and pen in a bit." She needed to catch her breath.
"Yes, I'll take my leave now."
Chen Mianmian stopped spouting useless nonsense, got up, and respectfully left the main hall.
Leaving the main courtyard, I walked happily along the stone path.
The more she thought about it, the happier she became—by doing this, she had eliminated the Madam's hatred, and whether Jiang Yinjin wanted to torment the cannon fodder Phoenix or Phoenix's mother was no longer her concern.
She made her stance clear and even showed her fists a little, so she believed Jiang Yinjin was a smart person and wouldn't provoke her again.
She will live her life with these 999 copies of the Great Compassion Mantra from now on.
Copying for a lifetime.
999 isn't enough, so let's go with 9999. We're just idling around anyway.
Hanrong looked at the woman beside her with a puzzled expression, only to see that the woman's beautiful face was full of smiles, her amber eyes were sparkling like stars in the sky, and her bright red lips were curved into crescent moons.
Having served Consort Shen, she was aware of Consort Shen's beauty and accustomed to it, but at this moment, she was still captivated by Consort Shen and couldn't take her eyes off her.
At this moment, Aunt Shen was like the sun in the sky, dazzling and glaring, yet radiating intense joy. This joy seemed contagious, and she became happy as well.
...Although, she was merely an informant to monitor her aunt.
"Auntie, are you... very happy?" Hanrong asked softly.
Chen Mianmian nodded, "Yes."
"Why are you so happy?" Hanrong asked, then regretted it, fearing it would arouse Aunt Shen's suspicion.
"Because I'm safe now. I pledged my loyalty to the lady, and she has temporarily agreed. From now on, I just need to live a quiet life."
"..."
Hanrong felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
...
Main courtyard.
After everyone left, Madam Ding returned to her room with Granny Li.
With a single glance from Madam Ding, Granny Li dismissed all the maids, leaving only the mistress and her servant in the room.
Ding asked, "A-Yuan, do you think what Aunt Shen said today is true or false? How much of it is true and how much is false?"
Granny Li sighed, "I don't know either. I've been in the inner quarters for so many years and I pride myself on my ability to judge people, but I just can't see through Concubine Shen."
She paused, then said, "If you only look at Consort Shen's words and actions, I believe her. But if you take those words away and just consider Consort Shen's position, I simply cannot believe that such a young and beautiful woman wouldn't want to climb the social ladder."
The master and servant thought for a while longer, but still couldn't come up with a solution.
Ding raised her eyes, a shrewd glint in them. "Send someone to find out where the young master went and who he met before he came to the main courtyard. If necessary, find out his whereabouts over the past few days. Remember, do it secretly and don't alert outsiders."
"Yes, madam."
Upon receiving the order, Ding immediately dispatched people to carry it out.
Although Jiang Yinjin has the memories of being reborn and is quite capable, she has only been married into the Marquis's mansion for a few days in this life. Apart from Chu Xue and Chu Yu, who are loyal by her side, she has not yet completely won over the servants of the Marquis's mansion.
The Marquis's mansion is still dominated by the Lady.
Before long, the person sent by Granny Li returned with the message.
"Reporting to Madam, it is like this: The young mistress sent Chuxue to Mingyue Courtyard to invite Concubine Shen, only to learn that Concubine Shen had been confined to her quarters by the young master for ten days. Chuxue tried to persuade Concubine Shen, saying that the young master was just saying it in anger and hoped that Concubine Shen would go to Peony Courtyard, but Concubine Shen refused."
After Chuxue replied, the young mistress took Chuxue and Chuyu to Mingyue Courtyard and talked for a while. However, she couldn't find out what they talked about because, apart from the young mistress and Aunt Shen, only Chuxue, Chuyu, and Hanrong, who was beside Aunt Shen, were present.
When the young mistress left Mingyue Courtyard, her complexion wasn't exactly bad, but it wasn't good either. Immediately afterwards, Chuxue went to Qingfeng Courtyard to look for the young master, who hurriedly went to Mudan Courtyard. Then, the young master came to see the madam.
Having investigated this far, those well-versed in the inner workings of the household should be able to discern some of the underlying issues.
Ding's eyes turned cold. "It seems that I really have wronged Aunt Shen."
Granny Li asked softly, "Does Madam believe that the young master's attempt to help Consort Shen request a higher rank was the young mistress's idea? Why would the young mistress do such a thing?"
Ding said helplessly, "What else could it be? They didn't consummate their marriage on the wedding day, and she took a concubine just two days after the wedding. After that, the two of them rarely saw each other. How could Yin Jin not resent it? She wants to use me to get rid of Aunt Shen."
Granny Li nodded in agreement. "What does Madam think?"
Ding said, "Let's just pretend we didn't see it. Life goes on as usual. It's normal for Yin Jin to have resentment. If that Aunt Shen behaves herself, I'll turn a blind eye. If she doesn't behave, I'll bring her here and let Yin Jin vent her anger."
He paused, then changed his mind, "No, we can't touch Aunt Shen yet."
Granny Li asked, "Why?"
Ding's eyes were bitter. "The Anning Marquis's mansion is small, with only that good-for-nothing Qingzhou. I can't count on Qingzhou's generation. I can only hope that Qingzhou can have a few children soon."
The Marquis's intention was to find a few good children from the clan to adopt, but... I still can't bear to part with Qingzhou..."
As she spoke, Ding's voice choked with emotion, and her eyes reddened.
After all, she was her own flesh and blood; how could she not feel heartache?
With so many children in the clan, if a few good ones are chosen, wouldn't they completely outshine the heir apparent? The heir apparent would then have no place in the Marquis's mansion.
Having watched the young master grow up, Li Mama felt a pang of pain in her heart at the thought of this scene. She comforted him, saying, "Madam, don't be sad. In my opinion, the young master and Concubine Shen have such a good relationship that she will soon become pregnant. Then we can take in a few more concubines for the young master, and that will ensure the family line continues."
"Once the child is born, he will be raised by the young mistress. The Jiang family is a family of etiquette and scholarship that has been passed down for generations; the young mistress will surely be able to raise the child well."
Mrs. Ding sighed and nodded, "I hope so."
"Oh, by the way, Madam, there's one more thing."
"What?"
Granny Li frowned. "It seems that Hanrong, who serves Concubine Chen, has been bribed by the young mistress."
After that, he recounted how Hanrong's younger brother had been treated, and how the young mistress had gone to Mingyue Courtyard and Hanrong had let people in without informing them.
Ding's eyes showed a hint of wariness and resistance, but she quickly calmed down. "It's understandable that she did this. I believe Yin Jin knows how to act. Let her be."
...
Meigetsuin.
Looking at the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone that had been brought in, Chen Mianmian rubbed her hands excitedly. "This is wonderful! I'm going to start learning calligraphy! It would be even better if I could invite a master to teach me, a great calligrapher from ancient times! Modern people have to copy calligraphy to learn, but I can directly find a master to teach me. That's awesome!"
Just then, someone rushed in.
"Mianmian, are you alright?"
Looking at the handsome young man dressed in silver-white brocade robes, as pure as a fairy under the moon, Chen Mianmian sighed softly—why is he here again?
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