As Jiang Shu sat in the carriage returning to the Prince Ning's residence, her mind was in complete turmoil.
Yunyu's words lingered in her ears like a spell. Suddenly, Zheng Yu's gentle smile appeared in her mind, followed by another image: Zheng Yu's tender eyes and expression when he looked at Zheng Heyi.
A surge of resentment and jealousy welled up in Jiang Shu's heart. The carriage bumped along for a while before finally returning to the Prince Ning's residence.
Princess Ning sat upright. Seeing Jiang Shu enter, she slammed her hand on the table and angrily rebuked, "You went to see that Zheng Heyi again? How many times have I told you to stay away from her? Why won't you listen?!"
Jiang Shu silently lowered her head, obediently looking at the ground, not daring to speak for a moment.
Princess Ning was a strong-willed woman who cared a lot about Jiang Shu's every move. Since she didn't approve of Zheng Heyi, she naturally didn't want Jiang Shu to go there.
"Look at yourself! What kind of behavior do you have at home all day long!"
Princess Ning, in her old-fashioned manner, exclaimed, "I have already recommended Gao Dekai, the third-ranked scholar, to you. He is a handsome man from a distinguished family, a true nobleman. In what way is he inferior to that stepson Zheng Yu? Furthermore, I will not allow you to secretly go to see Zheng Heyi."
"Mother, this is an arranged marriage with your absolute power over everything. Shu'er will not marry!" Jiang Shu suddenly raised her head, her eyes showing a long-lost stubbornness. "I don't like any third-place scholar."
"You! You!" Princess Ning trembled all over, grabbing things as if she wanted to throw them at Jiang Shu, but she held back in the end. "Zheng Yu only has his sister in his heart, where is there any place for you? How can you compare to Zheng Heyi, what do you have to compare with?!"
"I……"
Jiang Shu couldn't hold back her tears. Princess Ning sighed. She wanted to say something to comfort her, but for a moment she didn't know what to say. Staring at Jiang Shu for a long time, she finally sneered, "From now on, you will stay in the manor and not go anywhere!"
After speaking, Princess Ning got up to leave.
But as soon as she stepped out the door, she turned back and gave Jiang Shu a warning look, "Granny Song, the county princess won't be eating tonight. She's going to the ancestral hall to reflect on her mistakes! She can come out when she's thought things through!"
[Princess Ning is so fierce! Turns out the female lead is so pitiful.]
[Speaking of which, our female lead is too willful. How can marriage be treated so lightly?]
[Judging from this plot development, Jiang Shu and Zheng Heyi are likely to turn against each other.]
[Hehe, looks like Jiang Shu is about to join the battle for men.]
Jiang Shu was forcibly taken to the ancestral hall by Yun Yu. Yun Yu couldn't bear it, but with the Princess Ning's decree, she could only follow the Princess Ning's wishes.
Now, Jiang Shu could only kneel on the cold floor, her eyes quickly blurred with tears. "Princess, you still need to stay away from her. This is all her fault."
At this moment, Jiang Shu remained silent.
But the images kept replaying in her mind, down to the details of Zheng Yuyan's cheerful smile and Zheng Heyi's pretty figure.
Immediately afterwards, the words Yunyu had reminded her of earlier echoed in her ears—"If you like someone, go for it!"
Yes, why not try? Thinking this through, Jiang Shu clenched her fists secretly.
Meanwhile, Zheng Heyi and Zheng Yu's carriage finally returned to the Princess's residence.
Seeing the mess in the courtyard, Zheng Heyi frowned. Granny Li hadn't expected Heyi to return at this time, so she hurriedly went to greet her and bowed.
Granny Li stammered, "Princess, you're finally back! The county princess came looking for you earlier, but she's already gone back."
"I understand." Zheng Heyi looked at Granny Li. Granny Li's eyes flickered, and she seemed a little uncomfortable. In fact, Zheng Heyi really wanted to criticize her at this moment, but after thinking about it carefully, she realized that she had just returned and there was no need to get so angry.
Secondly, she had told Granny Li with absolute certainty that the servants should not be treated too harshly.
Now things have turned sour, the backlash is coming. Looking at the mess in the courtyard and the lights that have been turned off, Zheng Heyi understands that she must properly handle the discipline of the inner courtyard.
But not now, let's observe further.
She suppressed her anger and calmly ordered, "Granny Li, have the maids come out and clean up the courtyard. Remember, this is a one-time exception. I brought you in to manage them. Since you are so thin-skinned, I'm afraid you can't do this job."
After saying that, Zheng Heyi dragged her tired legs lazily into the house. Zheng Yu followed behind her, wanting to say something, but hesitated.
“Brother,” Zheng Heyi said, turning to look at Zheng Yu after sitting down, “I know what you want to say. I know what I’m doing with my marriage, so don’t worry.”
Zheng Yu looked at He Yi and nodded slightly: "Okay! As long as you've thought it through, that's good. In short, marriage is not a game. You should follow your heart. I'll take care of your father. If Gu Minghe dares to make things difficult for you, I will not let it go."
[The male lead is still the most reliable! He'll always stand by the villainous female supporting character.]
[Heyi, quickly tell Zheng Yu what you're thinking; don't bear it all alone.]
[Upstairs, it seems Gu Minghe is about to cause trouble.]
[Where's Zheng Yutang? When will she appear? I'm so anxious!]
Hearing this, Zheng Heyi smiled wearily, but she knew better than anyone that the trouble had only just begun. Although she hadn't directly rejected Gu Minghe today, her attitude and Zheng Yu's confrontational demeanor had made it clear to the young master.
That night, Zheng Yu did not return to the Minister's residence, but stayed at the Princess's residence.
The next morning, Zheng Yu was about to leave when He Yi pointed outside and said, "Brother, look at them. These servants are so arrogant. It's already past noon, and they're still not up."
Zheng Yu was also furious about this and reminded He Yi, "This is, after all, the Princess's residence. There should be some rules. Otherwise, when important people come in the future, they will be disrespectful. You treat them well, but they don't know how they can be so ungrateful. They are really taking advantage of you because you are an honest person."
“So,” Zheng Heyi stood up, a calculating glint in her eyes, “today, brother, please help me check the accounts. As for the rest, I’ll need you to handle everything else.”
This was probably the first time Zheng Heyi had seriously asked him for help. Upon hearing this, Zheng Yu nodded, "I was planning to go back and report that I was safe, but it seems that's not necessary now. Never mind, let's deal with your matter first."
Zheng Yu had been in the Minister's mansion for many years and managed the household affairs very well. This was another reason why Madam Lin disliked him. With Zheng Yu around, Madam Lin hadn't been able to make any money off him for many years.
Since it was a rectification effort, Zheng Yu naturally devoted himself to it wholeheartedly.
Moreover, He Yi also said that this rectification would not be afraid of offending everyone.
[Warning: High-energy content ahead! It turns out to be the villainous female supporting character!]
[To be honest, it's all Li Mama's fault. She's too kind-hearted. Managing her like this is no different from letting her do whatever she wants.]
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