Chen Mianmian hadn't forgotten her grand plan to ruin her image. She raised an eyebrow and said, "I come from a poor family. I have never been to a high-class place or acquired profound knowledge. I am just so vulgar and unbearable, always spouting nonsense."
Bai Qingzhou sighed helplessly, "Alright, alright, say whatever you want, but only in front of me, don't say it outside."
"What if I say it in front of outsiders?" Chen Mianmian provoked.
Bai Qingzhou thought about it seriously, "Then I'll talk to you."
That way, even if his mother scolds him, he can scold her first.
Chen Mianmian seemed to be deep in thought, then pursed her lips and said, "Don't worry, I have my pride. I'll start writing now."
As they were talking, they prepared to start work.
Bai Qingzhou took a page of Chen Mianmian's calligraphy practice paper, walked to the other side of the table, carefully examined the characters on the paper, casually ground ink, then dipped his brush in the ink and began to write on the paper.
Chen Mianmian looked up and asked, "Are you imitating my handwriting?"
"yes."
Shen Mianmian's lips twitched. "I'm telling you, everyone else copies the works of famous artists, and that's how they get better and better at writing. You're trying to learn my crooked and broken style, don't you want to learn properly?"
Bai Qingzhou didn't look up. "Then what should we do? Watch you write the Great Compassion Mantra nine hundred and ninety-nine times, until the end of time? Aren't you afraid of being discovered by your mother? Don't worry, I have an excellent ability to imitate, so I won't be discovered."
"No!" Shen Mianmian put down her pen and said seriously, "What is punished is punished. Madam is both my mistress and my elder. I must have reverence for her!"
She thought to herself, "Are you kidding me? She finally found a job to kill some time, how can she let him take it away?"
Moreover, if Jiang Yinjin were to frame her, cause her trouble, or lure her out, she would have ample reason not to go.
If she didn't have this excuse, and the young mistress ordered her to do something, wouldn't she be giving others a handle to use against her if she didn't go?
No, she has to stop Fengchu no matter what.
Bai Qingzhou looked over in astonishment, only to see that the girl's beautiful face was full of piety and seriousness.
This devout expression inspires respect in everyone.
He knew that she was not as vulgar and despicable as she claimed; she was always clear-headed, unique, and had her own principles and convictions.
He...admired her more and more.
Bai Qingzhou knew that it was shameful to use the word "admire" to describe a man's feelings for a woman; it should be the woman who admires and worships the man.
But at some point, he developed a feeling of admiration for Mianmian.
This feeling wasn't there when we first met; it wasn't there then.
When they first met, he could tell that she was deliberately seducing him.
She was so beautiful that she could topple kingdoms and bring ruin to the country. Her beauty didn't even need to be confined to the common people; with that face alone, she could easily have entered the palace.
His friend advised him not to get involved with such a beautiful woman, saying that "a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime," and that he would face endless trouble in the future.
At first, he didn't want to touch her, but the woman kept pestering him, saying that the two of them were destined to be together, and that she felt a sense of destiny from the first time she saw him, and that she would only recognize him as her life partner.
So, as if possessed, he brought her back to the capital.
She told him many new and interesting things, and many stories. He prided himself on being well-read, but he was still captivated by the stories she told him.
However, it seems that the real "admiration" began from that night.
After that night, she seemed like a different person.
Seeing the boy's tense face, Chen Mianmian screamed inwardly—No way? Is Fengchu going to run off and argue with Madam again? This isn't Fengchu, he's clearly a living father!
What should we do?
How can I ensure that Fengchu doesn't steal my work, but still has work to do?
Chen Mianmian got up and went to the boy's side.
After thinking for a moment, she turned around and sat directly on his lap.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaned against him, and took a deep sniff.
I greedily inhaled his clean scent.
Bai Qingzhou's cheeks flushed slightly. He put down his pen, reached out and put his arm around her, "Why did you suddenly..."
Chen Mianmian interrupted him, saying, "Please answer my question. Why did you help me copy the Great Compassion Mantra?"
Bai Qingzhou was puzzled as to why she asked this question, so she replied, "I just said that it was I who went to Mother to ask for the position of concubine. It was not you who asked for it or instigated it. This matter has nothing to do with you, so I should be the one to suffer the punishment."
Chen Mianmian: "Hmm, is there anything else?"
"..." Bai Qingzhou was puzzled. What else?
But then the woman chuckled softly, her clear voice like the melodious sound of silver bells, "Also, it's because the young master felt sorry for me and was afraid I'd break my hands from exhaustion, that's why he came to help."
Bai Qingzhou tightened his grip on the woman's arm slightly, and said, "Mmm."
"Okay, then we will discuss these two points separately."
First, Your Highness, you believe that you should be punished, and I will not disagree. Your impulsive actions have angered the Madam and implicated an innocent servant like myself; you deserve to be punished!
I don't care how I am, since I'm young and strong, but what about you, Madam?
"You told me the Marquis's secret, but have you considered the pressure your wife is under? Is she living a happy life? Do you know that there's a kind of illness called 'depression in the heart'? Do you want your wife to be sick?"
Bai Qingzhou's face turned pale instantly. The thought of her mother's illness made her feel as if all the blood had been drained from her body.
Chen Mianmian said, "You angered Madam before, but she misunderstood me. She didn't hit or scold me; she just asked me to copy the Great Compassion Mantra and didn't set a deadline."
Is this what you call punishment?
I don't think so. I think this is an opportunity to learn and to gain experience. By copying the Great Compassion Mantra, I can cultivate my character and temperament, and also gain enlightenment and wisdom, allowing me to carefully consider my future life.
I'm so happy, and you want me to copy this for you? If the madam sees this, won't she be angry? Put yourself in her shoes, if you were the madam, wouldn't you be angry?
"Getting angry once is one thing, but getting angry twice in a row, aren't you afraid your wife will fall ill?"
The woman's tone was soft, but every word was like a sharp blade, every word a gem!
Bai Qingzhou was scolded, and her jade-like face turned bright red.
Sleepyhead—Oh no! I didn't control my emotions and seem to have scolded you a bit too harshly. Quick, quick, quick! Think of a way to coax her.
As she imagined her fingers gently tracing circles on the young man's clothes, she both seduced him and smoothed things over, saying, "I know, Your Highness, you care about me, I know all that."
I know that Your Highness is a responsible and honorable man. He felt bad seeing me being punished after being wronged, so he insisted on helping me with the copying.
People say that men fear choosing the wrong career and women fear marrying the wrong man. I know that following the prince is the right thing to do. I am so happy!
The boy's stiff posture finally relaxed a bit, and Shen Mianmian knew that her father had managed to persuade him, so she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Therefore, I have come up with a solution that satisfies both sides."
Bai Qingzhou was taken aback. "What method?"
Chen Mianmian peeked out from the boy's arms and smiled at him, "Although Madam did not punish you, you can punish yourself. Wasn't I copying the Great Compassion Mantra? You should copy the Heart Sutra. I heard before that there is a Heart Sutra called something like something-something-honey-something-sutra."
"The Heart Sutra?"
"Yes, that's it. I only remember the first sentence was something like Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva."
Bai Qingzhou continued, "When practicing the profound Prajnaparamita, one sees that the five aggregates are empty, and thus transcends all suffering and distress?"
Shen Mianmian nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, that's it! We can copy it together."
Bai Qingzhou felt relieved, but still felt a bit down.
Chenmianmian saw the boy pursing his lips tightly—why is this child so stubborn? Is he born in the Year of the Donkey?
Alright, alright, watch as your sister pulls out her trump card!
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