Zhou Miaoyin then "thoughtfully" helped Liu Xiangning up and took the opportunity to say to her, "Don't forget what I told you. If it succeeds, I will definitely promote you to the rank of concubine."
Liu Xiangning, "..."
Soon, the group headed to the training ground in a grand procession.
Even the ladies who strongly disapproved of women fighting dared not show their disgust in front of the princess, and had to pretend to be interested and willing to watch.
Upon arrival, everyone was surprised to find that a fighting arena had been set up in the center of the training ground.
"???" Shen Mianmian was completely dumbfounded—when she sparred with the female bodyguard yesterday, there was no arena in the training ground, so how come there is an arena today?
It's just a fight, why make such a fuss?
Tables, chairs, and sunshades had already been set up below the arena.
Some older ladies breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the gauze umbrellas—thankfully, they wouldn't have to stand in the sun, otherwise they would have fainted from the heat.
Princess Ryan gave the order, "Everyone, please take your seats."
Everyone obeyed and took their seats.
Chen Mianmian and Liu Xiangning went to change into training clothes that would make it easier for them to spar.
After changing their clothes, they were led to either side of the arena by servants.
A female official stood on the platform and announced loudly, "This match will be a best-of-three contest. No weapons will be used; only fists and feet will be used. Whoever wins the first two rounds will win the match. Please, both of you, step onto the platform."
Shen Mianmian and Liu Xiangning were led onto the arena.
Standing on the high platform, Chen Mianmian felt a little dizzy—this was unbelievable! After transmigrating into a book, she actually had the honor of competing in a tournament?
Liu Xiangning was also dizzy, and dark shadows flashed before her eyes—was she going to die here today?
The female officer shouted, "The competition begins!"
Instantly, a tense atmosphere filled the seats below the arena.
But this tense atmosphere didn't reach the arena.
The two men on the ring stood still, neither launching an attack.
Chen Mianmian was depressed—no, how come this guy's personality has changed so much in just a few days? If Liu Xiangning were still as arrogant as last time, she wouldn't hesitate to take action; the problem is, Liu Xiangning is suddenly so weak, how can she bring herself to do it?
Liu Xiangning also bit her lip, nervously clenching her hands to hide the powder under her fingernails—this powder was not something she did willingly, but something the young mistress forced her to do.
The crowd waited for a while, but neither of the two on the stage moved.
Princess Ryan lost her patience and said loudly, "Chen Mianmian, have you forgotten how you were beaten? Do you need me to help you remember?"
Chen Mianmian hurriedly said, "No, no, no, it's not necessary!"
Even a fool could guess that if she "forgot," the princess would definitely send someone to beat her up.
I just got beaten up a few days ago, and I don't want to get beaten up again.
Chen Mianmian rushed forward, "Miss Liu, please forgive me."
As she spoke, she punched Liu Xiangning in the eye—the same way Liu Xiangning had hit her in the same way back at the Minister's residence, right in her eye.
This punch completely stunned Liu Xiangning, yet she dared not not retaliate.
Because the princess wanted to see her defeated by Shen Mianmian, rather than seeing Shen Mianmian unilaterally beat her up.
Furthermore, even if she doesn't fight back, the young mistress won't let her off the hook when she returns to the Marquis's mansion.
Thinking about it, he was about to throw a punch, but he suddenly remembered the powder under his fingernails and quickly withdrew his fist, instead kicking instead.
The two started fighting.
Within two rounds, Liu Xiangning was pinned to the ground and beaten.
Chen Mianmian straddled Liu Xiangning, swinging her fists in wide circles, but the force landing on Liu Xiangning was reduced by at least two-thirds. She was just putting on a show for the princess, asking as she punched, "Wait, weren't you very arrogant? Why are you so weak today?"
Liu Xiangning felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. "Because... I... was beaten a few days ago."
Chen Mianmian was taken aback. "What did you say?"
The fists that landed on Liu Xiangning were less forceful.
Liu Xiangning gave a bitter smile. "It's a long story... so let's not talk about it. You... hit me as much as you want, just don't touch my nails, you can hit me anywhere."
"Why?"
"Because..." Before she could finish speaking, Liu Xiangning's vision went black, and she lost consciousness completely.
Shen Mianmian, who was riding on Liu Xiangning's back, froze, her eyes flashing—fingernails?
She realized the problem might lie with the Marquis of Xuanping's residence, so she used their positions as cover to turn Liu Xiangning's hand over, only to find that even when she was unconscious, her fist was clenched tightly.
Or, to put it another way, keep your nails very well protected.
She then pretended to hit the unconscious Liu Xiangning twice, and then took the opportunity to pry open Liu Xiangning's fist and found what appeared to be powder under her fingernails.
There's powder under my nails? Could it be...?
Shen Mianmian realized something and hurriedly placed her hand on the unconscious woman's forehead, finding it burning hot.
Chen Mianmian stood up. "Your Highness, Miss Liu has fainted. She seems to be unwell and has a fever."
"What? A fever?" Princess Ruian looked at Lady Xuanping with displeasure.
Feng Shi was unaware of what had happened in the second son's courtyard and questioned Zhou Miaoyin, "Zhou Shi, what's going on with Liu Xiangning?"
Seeing that Liu Xiangning hadn't scratched Hua Chenmianmian's face, Zhou Miaoyin felt extremely annoyed. Suppressing her resentment, she said, "Your Highness, Xiangning caught a cold a few days ago, so she has a fever."
Princess Ryan was speechless—she had painstakingly trained Shen Mianmian for so many days, and in the end, that woman had a fever? How disappointing!
But since the other party was a female relative of a court official, as a princess, she could not be too rude. She could only purse her lips and snort coldly, "So she was sick. Why didn't you say so before? If I had known she was sick, I wouldn't have arranged the competition. Now, it seems that I am being unreasonable."
"Princess, please forgive me. It is my duty, and it has nothing to do with you!" Madam Feng apologized while glaring fiercely at Zhou Miaoyin.
And so the exchange of ideas ended.
...
After the Lotus Banquet ended, Ding Shi and Shen Mianmian were finally released back to the Marquis of Anning's residence.
The two rode together in a carriage.
Along the way, Ding kept comforting Shen Mianmian and also helped explain to Shen Mianmian that although Princess Ruian was domineering, she was a good person who had helped her a lot in the past and would help Shen Mianmian in the future.
Chen Mianmian also expressed her understanding. After all, the person worked so hard when they were reincarnated and is now in a high position. There is no need for them to be cautious and empathize with those below them, to watch their expressions, or to consider their feelings.
That's just human nature.
Those in positions of power should be grateful if they don't harm others.
Shen Mianmian said this because she had seen too many accounts of the cruelty, tyranny, and insatiable greed of ancient nobles in historical records, while Ding believed that Shen Mianmian, having come from a humble background, understood the dark side of human nature.
Regardless of any misunderstandings between the two, they at least reached a consensus.
Suddenly, Ding slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "Oh no! This is terrible!"
Shen Mianmian was startled. "What? What happened? What's wrong?"
Madam Ding's face flushed red. "...The princess hosted the Lotus Banquet, and she actually forgot to send an invitation to the Marquis of Anning's residence, and forgot to invite Yin Jin..."
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