Pei San stood to the side, his heart filled with indescribable sweetness and restlessness. However, what he didn’t know was that every time he stealthily glanced sideways, Xi Hongrui would let out a cold laugh inwardly.
Ever since she discovered she was nothing but a clown in a book, existing only to highlight the male and female leads’ devotion, wisdom, and nobility, she had developed an unspeakable disgust for them.
But ultimately, as a cannon fodder of her level, she couldn’t even touch the hem of the leads’ garments. Even her resentment felt vague and unfocused.
The deepest resentment lingering in her heart was actually the mockery from Pei San at the moment of her death.
She was such an ambitious person. Even after her beauty was ruined and she was sent to a brothel, becoming the lowest class of prostitute, she never gave up the will to live.
So when Pei San found her, wanting to reclaim his lost dignity through her, she fulfilled his wish.
She presented her most degraded self entirely to him. Finally satisfied, Pei San promised to take her away.
Just when she was overjoyed, weeping with happiness, and packed her belongings to leave with him, what greeted her was a group of clients covered in festering sores.
She comforted herself, thinking it was a misunderstanding, that Pei San would probably arrive soon.
Yet when she clutched her hidden dagger, covered in blood, and went to find him with a foolish smile, all she saw was him slightly raising an eyebrow.
Perhaps he was surprised that she was the one who survived.
Xi Hongrui lowered her head, an unconcealable smile flashing in her eyes.
Perhaps according to this world’s logic, as a maid, she shouldn’t harbor improper thoughts about the male and female leads.
But if she and Pei San were both equal servants, shouldn’t they possess equal self-respect? Heh.
…
Ning Lan maneuvered his wheelchair toward the inner chamber. Lin Wan initially thought to stop him, but then remembered that in ancient times, women followed their fathers at home, their husbands after marriage, and their sons after their husbands’ deaths. Since she was here now, she couldn’t escape these social norms, so she let him enter.
After Ning Lan went inside, he looked curiously at the strange objects on the table.
Picking up one piece and bringing it to his nose to smell, he exclaimed with admiration, “What is this? It’s so fragrant.”
Scented soap could be considered the simplest and most profitable “black technology” for a modern person transmigrating to ancient times.
As a professional history teacher, Lin Wan was reluctant to imitate protagonists in transmigration novels who immediately started producing salt or gunpowder. But scented soap was something she could actually make.
However, ancient women had little social status. If she controlled such a profitable industry, it would surely be taken from her. It would be better if she had the backing of the Heir of Rui Wang.
So Lin Wan tentatively asked, “This is scented soap I made in my spare time. It works very well, so I thought of opening a shop to sell it. Would the Prince be interested in partnering? I can offer you a fifty percent share.”
“Partner?” Ning Lan chuckled. “We are husband and wife, one entity. Why speak of partnership? If the Crown Princess Consort wishes to do this, then do it. As for shares, that’s even more unnecessary. Although I may not be a good man, I would never covet my wife’s dowry.”
Lin Wan was taken aback, slightly raising her head.
Ancient men all viewed women as appendages and blood-sucking parasites. Just like her current body’s father, who drained his official wife’s dowry dry, then took a beloved concubine and tormented the official wife’s daughter.The reason she had agreed to marry a crippled prince in the first place was to gain the power to confront her scoundrel of a father.
Even if their marriage turned out to be nothing more than a respectful partnership with no trace of affection, it wouldn’t matter. Since she had already ended up in this situation, marrying anyone was essentially the same.
Never in her wildest dreams did she expect that this crippled prince, once scorned by all the noble ladies in the city, would not only possess such striking looks but also such an enlightened mindset.
Since arriving in this ancient era, it was the first time she had felt a man’s genuine respect for a woman. Her ears grew warm again involuntarily.
Forcing herself to appear composed, she said, “Keeping the shop running will undoubtedly rely entirely on the prestige of the Rui Prince’s Residence. How could I let the Prince contribute his efforts for nothing?”
Seeing her insistence, Ning Lan sighed and stepped forward to take her hand.
Lin Wan instinctively wanted to pull away, but then she remembered they were husband and wife now, and such contact was perfectly normal. Gradually, she relaxed.
Ning Lan chuckled softly, enclosing her hand in his palm. “Since you’ve married me, you are the sole mistress of this residence. I dare not speak for the main Prince’s Manor, as that belongs entirely to my mother, but this Prince’s Residence—it all belongs to you, my lady.”
Looking into Ning Lan’s sincere eyes, Lin Wan felt a warmth in her heart. It suddenly struck her that the choice she had made out of desperation might not have been a bad one after all.
As a husband, Ning Lan’s qualities were beyond reproach. Perhaps it was time for her to try getting used to being his wife.
Imperceptibly, an indescribable change had taken place between them.
After holding hands for a long while, they slowly released each other. Ning Lan maneuvered his wheelchair to turn away, and Lin Wan stepped forward to push it for him.
After reminding her repeatedly to rest early, Ning Lan glanced at the table nearby, where Xi Hongrui had brought a mountain of walnut pastries that had now completely melted.
Ning Lan seemed somewhat regretful. “It seems I stayed too long.”
Lin Wan followed his gaze, feeling much more at ease than before. “It’s alright. They were too icy anyway, and I didn’t really feel like eating them.”
Ning Lan then smiled and said, “That young maid by your side is a bit too flighty and not very reliable. Would you like me to assign some more experienced servants to you?”
Lin Wan couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. If that girl were in the modern era, she could probably become a suggestive streamer—just softening her voice and acting cute would have countless “big brothers” rushing to shower her with gifts until the live stream exploded.
Ning Lan truly lived up to the discernment and composure cultivated by ancient nobility—completely unaffected, he remained exactly as he was.
But since she had resolved to live properly in this ancient time, she couldn’t rely on a man for everything. Handling a young maid was something she could manage just fine. So she smiled and replied, “There’s no need. Ning Meng is quite good. I can handle everything else.”
“Heh, that’s good then.”
Creak—
The door opened, and the two people who had been waiting outside finally perked up.
Pei San hurriedly took the wheelchair from the Crown Princess Consort’s hands and turned to take his leave.
After they had gone some distance, Ning Lan, seated in the wheelchair, suddenly looked up at him with amused eyes. “Earlier today, I heard you say that the Crown Princess Consort intended to match you with one of her maids—that girl in red, right? I think she suits you quite well. What do you think?”
Pei San’s movements froze instantly. After a long pause, he stammered, “What does it matter what I think? She already refused…”
Ning Lan laughed. “Oh? From the sound of it, you seem quite willing~”
“Prince!” Pei San exclaimed in frustration.”Forget it, forget it. I won’t interfere in your matters anymore. But after today, don’t keep hovering around me all the time. You should know whose side you ought to be on.”
Hearing the underlying meaning in his master’s words, Pei San’s face flushed red. He tried hard to maintain composure as he said, “Understood. This humble one should come running to the Crown Princess Consort’s side more often~”
“Tsk, nonsense!”
The two figures gradually walked further away. However, in the shadows, Ning Lan’s smile carried a hint of profound depth.
She really does seem like just a not-too-bright girl. And even if she really was someone arranged by the Right Minister, why would she need to disrupt Bai Lian’er’s plan to enter the palace?
It’s just puzzling how it happened so coincidentally – just when she happened to be gossiping with her companion, she was overheard by the Emperor. And then coincidentally, when she was upset about being arranged in marriage by her master and went to the garden to clear her mind, she happened to bump into the drowning Bai Lian’er.
Originally, after sending Bai Lian’er into the palace, he could not only stabilize the situation at home but also add another chess piece in the palace, all without losing the support of the Duke’s residence.
Now that it’s fallen through, any way he handles it will be troublesome.
Of course, he could offer that girl to the Emperor – at least it would please His Majesty.
But women aren’t like men. Women have no roots – when married into their husband’s family, they become part of that family. Even one’s own daughter can’t be guaranteed to completely side with her birth father. A maidservant from such humble origins – even if he controls her family, how much loyalty could he really cultivate?
Better to reward her to Pei San. If nothing else, Pei San is truly captivated by this little girl. Granting his wish will surely make him more loyal in the future.
As for Bai Lian’er, he needs to carefully consider his next move.
…
After the Heir left, Xi Hongrui entered the room timidly, looking pitifully at Lin Wan.
Lin Wan looked at her, but when her gaze fell on the hairpin in Xi Hongrui’s hair, her eyes narrowed: “Where did this hairpin come from?”
Xi Hongrui acted as if she had just noticed it, covering her head and stammering, “It was given by the young mistress… but only because I saved her, that’s why she gave it to me…”
Lin Wan: …
She knew about that delicate, pitiful Miss Bai. Drawing from years of reading harem intrigue novels, Lin Wan had immediately figured out what variety of “green tea” she was.
A young lady from the Duke’s residence, though born of a concubine, could still marry into a decent family. Who would have thought she would set her sights on becoming someone’s concubine.
Since she willingly lowered herself, then let her come if she wants.
Anyway, Lin Wan never dreamed that an ancient man would truly refuse to marry anyone but her. If the Heir of Rui Wang really wanted to take a concubine, she would smile and accept that cup of tea.
It’s just that from then on, she would only regard him as her lord husband, never again as her true husband.
But while she could accept her lord husband taking concubines, she couldn’t tolerate disloyalty among her personal maids.
Xi Hongrui was the one closest to her. She had been present every time that little white lotus challenged her, the principal wife. She knew exactly what kind of person Bai Lian’er was.
Knowing full well she shouldn’t accept such favors, yet still unable to resist the temptation – such a person absolutely cannot be kept. Otherwise, she would inevitably become a source of trouble.
But without a proper reason, directly dismissing her would make Lin Wan appear heartless and jealous, unable to tolerate even a single hairpin from the “young mistress.”
If Bai Lian’er used this to make an issue out of it and stir up trouble, it would just create unnecessary complications.
So Lin Wan spoke calmly: “Forget it, forget it. These are your own matters. Handle them as you see fit. I have other tasks for you now.”Seeing that the young lady wasn’t angry, Xi Hongrui immediately cheered up and asked eagerly, “What is it?”
Lin Wan replied calmly, “I’m planning to open several new shops soon. I don’t trust anyone else to oversee them, so I want you to go and manage them for me.”
This assignment was truly a lucrative opportunity. Xi Hongrui’s eyes lit up brighter than ever before, and she repeatedly expressed her gratitude.
However, she was unaware that after being away for some time, her position in the residence would gradually be taken over by others. When the time came to dismiss her, it would be done quietly and effortlessly.
Xi Hongrui listened attentively to her mistress’s various instructions, repeatedly assuring her of success. But once she stepped outside, she nearly burst out laughing!
How could she not know? After reading the entire book, she even knew how many moles the female lead had on her chest!
In the future, women would also be able to go out to study and work. This female lead was a highly respected, educated “teacher” who imparted knowledge and educated others.
As a female scholar, she read extensively but easily developed the same pretentious habits as men—constantly putting on airs, considering herself superior, and always talking about propriety and rules.
But humans are mortal beings who eat grains—how could they be without personal desires? The book always described Bai Lian’er as carefree and indifferent.
However, Xi Hongrui carefully savored the underlying meaning. Indifferent? Constantly thinking of herself as the wife and the other as a concubine, believing herself superior and frantically seeking psychological superiority—how could that be indifference? Hahaha!
She didn’t believe in such indifference. Sure enough, as soon as she wore that hairpin, the female lead exploded on the spot and directly sent her away.
The female lead was probably grumbling internally right now—how unruly she was, how she would surely come to no good end, blah blah blah.
But why should she care about having a good ending? Could a lifetime of hunching over, being stingy, speaking softly, and swallowing insults—only to buy a nice coffin in old age and erect a chastity monument—be considered a good life?
She was born with a cheap fate and didn’t care about what happened after death. As long as she could wear fine clothes, eat delicious food, and be surrounded by attendants, her life wouldn’t be lived in vain.
As for whether she would face mountains of knives or seas of fire, being boiled in cauldrons or fried in oil, or even being sliced into a thousand pieces—what did it matter!
An Imperial Concubine—she could become an Imperial Concubine!
Now that she had a chance to become an Imperial Concubine, what did a mere maid’s position in the Prince’s Residence matter?
Since the old emperor had played the “emperor disguised as a commoner” game with her, there would inevitably be a follow-up. She needed to prepare carefully.
To win the emperor’s favor, she would naturally need plenty of free time for activities. Of course, the female lead would want to kick her as far away as possible!
Earlier in the garden during the day, she had been full of confidence, believing that with her beauty and favorable start, she could surely win over the old emperor.
But after meeting the male lead, her heart suddenly sank.
What if her assumption that there would be a follow-up was nothing more than wishful thinking all along…