Ding was stunned—Shen had actually agreed so easily? Why would she do this? What was Shen thinking? Was there some kind of conspiracy?
Ding, who prided himself on having lived for over thirty years and possessing ample experience, couldn't understand this teenage girl at all.
Bai Qingzhou blinked frantically at Chen Mianmian—No! You must refuse! I don't want to share a room with Jiang Yinjin!
Chen Mianmian didn't respond to Fengchu's gaze, but thought to herself—Big brother, can you take a good look at yourself? The female lead would let you sleep with her? What does she want from you? Your naivety? Your weakness? Why bother with such useless thoughts.
Ding was both puzzled and curious. "Then go now."
Shen Mianmian was taken aback. "Does Madam want me to go to the Peony Courtyard now to see the young mistress?"
"Yes, if it succeeds, I will reward you handsomely."
"Yes! I'll go right away."
Without saying a word, Chen Mianmian got up and left the main courtyard with Hanrong.
Bai Qingzhou stared blankly at the woman's departing figure, wanting to call her back but unable to, and could only feel secretly annoyed.
Looking at her son, Ding felt only disappointment and frustration.
...
After leaving the main courtyard, Chen Mianmian headed towards the Peony Courtyard.
Hanrong looked flustered and hesitated for a long time before asking in a low voice, "Auntie, are you really going?"
As she walked, Chen Mianmian casually remarked, "Yes, how could I disobey Madam's orders?"
“But…but you…” Hanrong bit her lip, stammering, unable to speak.
Chen Mianmian thought to herself, "Wake up! You're Jiang Yinjin's person. You should be happy for your master if you hear that Jiang Yinjin and the young master are getting back together. What's wrong? Are you going to betray us?"
Hanrong didn't say anything in the end, and Chen Mianmian ignored her completely.
The two soon arrived at the Peony Courtyard.
at this time,
Jiang Yinjin had finished her breakfast and was now reviewing the accounts—because of what happened last time, Ding had given her two more shops, which were larger than the three she had been given the first time, and the accounts were clearly in error.
She planned to report to the madam after reconciling the accounts.
I suppose the lady trusts her more.
Just then, Chu Yu came to report that Aunt Chen and her maid Han Rong had arrived.
Jiang Yinjin was taken aback. "Aunt Chen? What's she doing here?"
Chu Yu's eyes were wary. "This servant doesn't know either. This servant guesses it might be related to the young master. Young mistress, please be careful."
To outsiders, Shen Mianmian was a typical slut, all looks and no brains, with only the prince in her eyes.
Jiang Yinjin's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Interesting. I'd like to see what she has to say."
With that, he put down the account book, got up, and went to the main hall.
Inside the main hall, the servants had just brought the tea, and before Chen Mianmian could even take a sip, the young mistress came out.
She had originally wanted to try some of the good tea the female lead had, since she had the protagonist's halo and her food, clothing, and daily necessities must be different. Unfortunately, she probably wouldn't have the chance to try it today.
Chen Mianmian got up and greeted the young mistress respectfully.
"This servant greets the young mistress and pays respects to her."
Jiang Yinjin wore a friendly smile, but her eyes were cold as she said gently, "No need for formalities. What brings Sister Chen here today? Didn't she accompany the young master?"
Shen Mianmian got straight to the point, "It's like this, I came from the main courtyard, and the young master is still in the main courtyard talking with the madam."
Jiang Yinjin was taken aback. "You came from the main courtyard? Sit down and let's talk."
Chu Yu and Chu Xue secretly glanced at Han Rong, who nodded slightly to them.
“Yes, young mistress,” Chen Mianmian said as she sat down. “Last night, the young master took me to Qingfeng Courtyard. When I saw how many books he had, I casually joked, ‘With so many books, you could probably pass the imperial examinations.’ Little did I know, he took it to heart and actually listened.”
This morning, I went to the main courtyard to tell the lady about the imperial examination. Fearing a conflict between the young master and the lady, I hurriedly followed.
Jiang Yinjin was surprised, "The young master? Taking the imperial examination?"
In his past life, Bai Qingzhou didn't take the imperial examinations! He found a quiet job and that's how his life went by.
Why did I suddenly take the imperial examination? Why is it different from my previous life?
Jiang Yinjin thought fiercely to herself, but remained calm and composed on the surface. "Taking the imperial examination? That's a good thing. Then why did you come here?"
"That's right. After the young master decided to take the imperial examination, the madam asked him to come and discuss it with you, young madam, since the Jiang family has been a family of scholars for generations."
Chen Mianmian didn't hide anything and said whatever came to mind. After all, Hanrong was still around, and people might ask Hanrong about it.
Jiang Yinjin frowned slightly—helping scum? Heh, fine, she'll help him "well".
Chen Mianmian continued, "However, the Crown Prince refused."
"..." Jiang Yinjin, "Why?"
"He probably felt he wasn't very confident and was afraid of failing the exam and being laughed at by you all. Besides, he took the preliminary exam first, and then sought help from the young mistress's family to get the preliminary exam results, which is indeed a bit exaggerated."
Jiang Yinjin smiled faintly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "That's alright. Since it's an exam, one must keep a calm mind. Whether it's the preliminary exam or the palace exam, one must take it seriously. But since the Crown Prince has refused, what are you doing here?"
Chen Mianmian was a little embarrassed. "Ah, this... is... Madam hopes that the young master and the young mistress will reconcile, do you understand? Not a superficial reconciliation, but a reconciliation in a deeper sense, and she asked me to be the mediator."
"..." Jiang Yinjin.
Taking advantage of the other person's stunned state, Chen Mianmian hurriedly picked up the teacup, took two sips, tasted the flavor, and exclaimed in her heart—no wonder it tastes even better because it's tea that has the protagonist's halo.
As intelligent as Jiang Yinjin was, she naturally knew what Shen Mianmian was referring to, so she asked, "Does Sister Shen hope that we can make up?"
Chen Mianmian put down her teacup and affirmed, "Hope!"
However, she felt that the female lead probably wouldn't be interested in Feng Chu.
If you really like her... then just pretend she didn't say anything.
Jiang Yinjin gave her a deep look. "Besides this, is there anything else?"
"That's all, just this one thing." Chen Mianmian took two more sips of tea.
Jiang Yinjin nodded, "I understand. You can go back now. I'll go to the main courtyard to see Madam."
"Alright, then please continue with your work, young mistress. I'll take my leave now."
After that, he took Hanrong back to the main courtyard.
Just as they arrived at the main courtyard gate, a servant told them that the young master had returned and that Consort Shen did not need to enter the main courtyard but should go straight back.
Chenmianmian returned to Mingyue Courtyard.
Sure enough, there was Fengchu.
When Bai Qingzhou saw Shen Mianmian return, he asked anxiously, "Mianmian, did you really go and tell Jiang Yinjin?!"
Chen Mianmian nodded, "Yes, why?"
Bai Qingzhou nervously clenched her fingers, her exquisitely sculpted face filled with panic. "You...you must be angry, right?"
Chen Mianmian was completely confused. "No? What's wrong... huh?"
Before she could finish speaking, the boy hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry! Don't worry, I won't touch her!"
Shen Mianmian chuckled, "Your Highness, you're overthinking it. I'm just a concubine, and a slender horse with professional ethics at that. I would never be jealous or envious, and I would never hinder my master's pleasure."
It was quite obvious that the boy stiffened upon hearing the woman's words, and said defiantly, "Nonsense! A few days ago I wanted to spend the night at the Peony Courtyard, but you wouldn't let me. You even said that if I wanted to sleep with someone, I could only sleep with you, not her. Have you forgotten?"
Chen Mianmian was taken aback—had she said that?
Bai Qingzhou lowered his eyes, buried his face in the woman's warm neck and shoulder, and murmured, "I know what you're thinking. You don't need to say it. I understand."
"??????" Chen Mianmian—no! I'm telling you, Young Master Fengchu, stop making things up, okay?
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