Meigetsuin.
Chen Mianmian returned happily, casually pulling a maid into the courtyard. She lay down on the soft couch, having the maid massage her aching muscles, while thinking—
I originally thought life in ancient times would be dull and boring, but now I find it quite interesting.
I used to practice calligraphy, I'll practice martial arts in the future.
He eats well and sleeps well every day, occasionally makes his presence known to his wife, plays mahjong with her, and spends the rest of his time practicing martial arts. It seems like his life is more fulfilling than hers in modern times.
In modern times, people might occasionally experience insomnia, but here, after a day of sweating, you fall asleep instantly at night—insomnia is practically nonexistent! Early to bed and early to rise, and not a single hair falls out.
Just as he was feeling quite pleased with himself, a servant came to report that the young mistress had arrived.
Shen Mianmian raised an eyebrow, roughly guessing why Jiang Yinjin had suddenly come. She then told the maid to stop, put on her clothes, and prepared to begin her performance.
Chen Mianmian went out to greet her, paid her respects to the young mistress, and then led her into the hall.
"Please have a seat, young mistress."
Jiang Yinjin nodded condescendingly and sat down in the seat of honor. "I heard that Madam went to the Princess's residence as a guest. Why didn't you go?"
Shen Mianmian replied docilely, "Young Madam, I am of lowly status and have no right to go to the Princess's residence."
"Isn't your wife with you?"
"Even if the lady brings it, she is not qualified."
Jiang Yinjin looked around and asked, "Where is your maid, Hanrong?"
"Hanrong went to the Princess's residence with the Madam."
"What is she going to do? Aren't there enough maids in the main courtyard to serve her?"
"Madam brought the mahjong set with her, intending to teach the princess how to play. Mahjong requires four players, so she brought Hanrong along to make up the numbers."
Jiang Yinjin was furious when she heard the word "mahjong"—her original idea was to help the Marquis's family manage their businesses, so that she would be valued and trusted by the madam, making it easier to instigate her in the future.
Who would have thought that Madam and Shen Mianmian would play mahjong every day!
She worked diligently, while the lady of the house played around. What did she become? A hardworking slave? A sucker who did all the work?
Whether it was because the lady was indulging in frivolous pursuits or something else, no matter how hard she tried, she still couldn't get close to the lady or enter her heart.
Jiang Yinjin grew angrier the more she thought about it. She knew she was gradually losing her temper, which was very abnormal, but she couldn't control herself.
What's next?
Calculating the time, Prince Jin will rebel in another six months, but she has not yet been able to meet Princess Ruian or gain the Lady's trust!
Without proper groundwork, she couldn't steer the conversation toward Prince Jin, especially since he was still in his fiefdom and hadn't returned to the capital.
If, out of the way, the lady were to secretly allow the Marquis of Anning to get close to the Prince of Jin, she would not only not listen, but would also become suspicious.
The lady is just simple-minded and lacks a strong sense of self, but she's not stupid!
Moreover, it is common knowledge that Marquis Anning does not participate in factional strife.
Her original plan was: Marquis Anning was disappointed with the heir apparent, and the lady was worried that Marquis Anning would completely abandon the heir apparent. So she took advantage of the lady's fear and had her take the heir apparent to seek refuge with Prince Jin behind Marquis Anning's back.
But now, the heir apparent has actually topped the county examination; it remains to be seen whether Marquis Anning will still be disappointed in him.
Given the current conditions, her plan should be impossible to implement, but... she is unwilling to give up!
Jiang Yinjin slowly raised her eyes, her gaze filled with ruthlessness. "Chen Mianmian, I ask you, was Princess Ruian's invitation only for Madam?"
"Reporting to Madam, Her Highness the Princess invited you and Madam, just the two of you." Shen Mianmian dared not conceal the truth, as there were quite a few people present at the time.
Besides, once Madam returns, Jiang Yinjin can easily get the information out of her by asking a few questions; there's no need for her to tell a lie that would definitely give her away.
Jiang Yinjin was both angry and confused. "Since you invited the two of us, why didn't Madam bring me? Did you say something to Madam?"
Chu Yu and Chu Xue, standing to the side, were secretly alarmed, because in their impression, the young mistress would not question them so angrily. Even if she did ask, she would do so tactfully and would not lose face.
They didn't understand why the young mistress was so angry today. Was it because the madam hadn't taken her to the princess's residence? But hadn't she alson't taken Concubine Shen?
Chen Mianmian thought for a moment—should she tell her the reason, or pretend she didn't know and feign ignorance?
Jiang Yinjin is so angry right now, who can guarantee she won't go berserk and confront the Madam in the main courtyard? What if that idiot Madam just sells her out and says it was her suggestion not to bring Jiang Yinjin along?
Is Jiang Yinjin here to tear her apart?
Actually, she wasn't afraid of a falling out, but she still believed that it was better to avoid a complete breakdown in relations, since there would be more opportunities to do so later.
Thinking of this, Shen Mianmian sighed empathetically, "Does the young mistress want to hear the truth?"
“You speak,” Jiang Yinjin said coldly.
Chen Mianmian spoke sincerely, “I don’t know the specific reason, but I heard that before you entered the Marquis’s mansion, you did not know Princess Ruian. In other words, the two became friends later because they shared similar interests.”
Our lady loves to have fun, and so does Princess Ruian. Most of their meetings are purely for enjoyment, not serious business. But to outsiders, our young mistress seems to dislike having fun. Knowing the purpose of our visit to the princess's residence, and yet bringing you, who doesn't enjoy having fun, aren't you worried the princess might be disappointed?"
Jiang Yinjin suddenly realized—that's right, she had been trying to please her, but she had forgotten what the lady's "pleasures" were!
If the lady is a proper mistress of the household, she will naturally gain trust by diligently managing the Marquis's mansion.
But what if the lady isn't a proper matriarch?
Did she put in all that effort in the wrong direction? Is she also going to... become obsessed with trivial pursuits and lose her ambition?
Thinking of the four women in the main courtyard—Madam, Granny Li, Chen Mianmian, and Hanrong—playing mahjong without any manners or decorum, Jiang Yinjin felt a surge of disgust.
She even considered giving up—instead of using Prince Jin to frame the Marquis of Anning's family, she would first focus on helping her brother attach himself to Prince Qin, and once Prince Qin became regent, she would divorce Bai Qingzhou and then devise a plan to frame the Marquis of Anning.
Jiang Yinjin took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down—that path was possible, but it was a way out!
We must not give up until the very last moment.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yinjin forced a stiff smile onto her dignified and aloof face. "Actually... I was quite interested in playing mahjong when I saw you playing before, but I had just taken over a few shops and didn't have the time. Recently, the shops have been running smoothly, so I have some free time. I wonder if Sister Chen would be willing to teach me how to play mahjong?"
Shen Mianmian was stunned, because she never expected that the female lead would actually condescend to learn mahjong.
Is even the original female protagonist's character starting to fall apart?
This is the leading lady in a reborn revenge novel, noble, aloof, and decisive!
But another problem arises—now that the female lead has learned mahjong, will she become a mahjong partner with the lady and Princess Ryan? And then persuade the lady to side with Princess Ryan?
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