The best way to expose a lie is to take it seriously.
Wasn’t she insisting that a trained courtesan could become a lawful wife?
Then Shen Mianmian was determined to get to the bottom of it. Which county? Which scholar? What was his name? Which courtesan had he married?
She hadn’t wanted to make things so awkward.
But that was only if everyone knew when to stop.
If someone insisted on harming her right in front of her face and tried to fool her with something that contradicted five thousand years of common sense and history—
then she wasn’t going to play along.
An awkward look flashed through Jiang Yinjin’s eyes.
Pressing her lips together, she said, “Very well. I’ll ask my friend.”
Seeing her back down, Shen Mianmian wisely let the matter drop and changed the subject.
“Hanrong, the Young Madam is here. Why haven’t you prepared tea?”
Only then did Hanrong realize her mistake.
She had been so focused on the unfolding conversation that she had forgotten basic etiquette.
“This servant has erred. I’ll prepare tea immediately.”
“No need.”
Jiang Yinjin’s tone cooled slightly.
“I still have matters to attend to. I’ll be leaving.”
Shen Mianmian didn’t expose her embarrassment.
“The Young Madam took time out of her busy schedule to visit this humble servant. I am truly honored. Once my ten-day confinement ends, I will immediately come pay my respects and offer tea.”
Jiang Yinjin forced a brief smile before departing.
This time, she did not address her as “sister.”
Soon, silence returned to the room.
Hanrong felt somewhat uneasy.
She had allowed the Young Madam inside without announcing her arrival, failing in her duties as a maid.
Shen Mianmian sat back down before the dressing table.
“Next time someone visits, prepare tea immediately. If you’re busy, have one of the maids outside do it. Don’t neglect a guest.”
“Yes, Concubine. This servant will remember.”
“Good. Go get some rest.”
“Yes. This servant will remain in the outer room. If Concubine needs anything, just call.”
With that, Hanrong withdrew.
Sitting outside, she felt increasingly uneasy.
Something felt wrong.
The Young Madam had claimed that courtesans could become lawful wives.
Even Hanrong could tell she had been trying to stir Concubine Shen’s fighting spirit and encourage her to compete.
Yet Concubine Shen hadn’t argued about whether courtesans could become wives.
Instead, she had simply asked for the scholar’s name.
The lie had immediately collapsed.
From that alone, Hanrong could tell that Concubine Shen was quite clever.
But then why hadn’t she questioned Hanrong for letting the Young Madam enter without announcing her?
Normally, even if someone forced their way in, a maid should still shout a warning from outside the room.
Sometimes Concubine Shen seemed incredibly shrewd.
Other times…
not quite shrewd enough.
…
Outside Bright Moon Courtyard.
Jiang Yinjin walked slowly with a cold expression.
Chuxue couldn’t hold back her frustration.
“Young Madam, that Shen courtesan doesn’t know what’s good for her! You were clearly trying to help her, yet she kept pressing you.”
What Chuxue didn’t say aloud was that Shen Mianmian’s relentless questioning had embarrassed the Young Madam.
Thinking back to the exchange, Jiang Yinjin’s expression darkened further.
“I don’t understand.”
Chuyu asked,
“What don’t you understand?”
“I don’t understand why she’s suddenly behaving herself.”
Jiang Yinjin frowned.
“How can a person change so drastically? What is she trying to accomplish?”
Naturally, both maids wanted to help solve their mistress’s concerns.
Chuxue cautiously suggested,
“Could it be exactly as Concubine Shen says? Maybe she truly doesn’t want to compete.”
Jiang Yinjin didn’t answer.
Instead, she shook her head.
If she didn’t possess memories from her previous life, she might actually have believed it.
But she knew exactly who Shen Mianmian was.
After some thought, Chuyu said,
“Perhaps she’s pretending. I’ve heard courtesans are full of tricks.”
Understanding dawned on Chuxue’s face.
“That makes sense.”
Chuyu sneered.
“But a rabbit’s tail can’t stay hidden forever. Let’s wait and see. Sooner or later she’ll expose herself.”
“Exactly!” Chuxue agreed.
Jiang Yinjin heard the conversation, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
She couldn’t wait any longer.
She didn’t care why Shen Mianmian had changed.
She didn’t care whether Shen Mianmian wanted to compete or not.
She needed Shen Mianmian and Bai Qingzhou to cause trouble.
She needed them to clash with Madam Ding.
A cold smile curved her lips.
If Shen Mianmian couldn’t be manipulated…
wasn’t there still someone else?
Why not start with the heir instead?
“Chuxue.”
“Go find the heir. If he’s in the residence, tell him to come to Peony Courtyard immediately. Tell him I have urgent business.”
“If he’s not here, have the gatekeepers keep watch. The moment he returns, bring him to me.”
“Yes, Young Madam.”
Chuxue immediately left.
At the same time—
Bright Moon Courtyard.
Shen Mianmian sat before her dressing table, admiring her unrivaled beauty while reviewing recent events.
According to the novel, the story was divided into two parts.
The first part was household intrigue.
After her rebirth, the female lead used countless small incidents to deepen the conflict between the transmigrated heroine and the heir.
The already-not-too-bright transmigrator gradually became increasingly hysterical.
The heir grew more disappointed.
Their relationship deteriorated.
At the same time, every mess the transmigrator created required the heir to clean up afterward.
This steadily increased Madam Ding’s dissatisfaction with her son.
The more disappointed Madam Ding became in the heir and the more she hated the transmigrator, the more she appreciated the dignified and sensible female lead.
Eventually, she trusted her completely.
After gaining Madam Ding’s trust, the female lead met Princess Rui’an through her and eventually came into contact with Prince Jin before his rebellion.
From there, she gradually persuaded the Marquis and Madam Ding to support Prince Jin.
The second part focused on romance.
While encouraging the Marquis’s household to support Prince Jin, the female lead secretly established contact with Prince Qin.
Using her knowledge of the future, she continuously provided valuable information.
With her help, Prince Qin successfully suppressed the rebellion.
Although Prince Jin failed, he managed to perish together with the Emperor.
Prince Qin then assisted the young Crown Prince in ascending the throne and became Regent Prince himself.
The female lead became the Regent Princess.
Staring at the beautiful face in the bronze mirror—particularly the adorable expression of herself deep in thought—Shen Mianmian arrived at a conclusion.
Jiang Yinjin had probably given up, for the time being, on driving a wedge between the idiot pair of Bai Qingzhou and herself.
Instead, she would likely move directly against Madam Ding.
No wonder she had repeatedly hinted that Shen Mianmian’s status was too low and that she should seek more favor from Madam Ding.
And that nonsense about some legendary courtesan becoming a Jiangnan scholar’s lawful wife?
Please.
Then Shen Mianmian suddenly paused.
Wait.
If Jiang Yinjin couldn’t manipulate her…
wouldn’t she turn her attention to Bai Qingzhou instead?
That’s bad.
She needed to stop it.
Jumping to her feet, she was about to call someone when she remembered that Hanrong worked for Jiang Yinjin.
If she asked Hanrong to find the heir, Hanrong would definitely report everything to Jiang Yinjin first.
Not only would Bai Qingzhou never arrive, but Shen Mianmian would expose herself.
She sighed.
“Forget it, forget it.”
“Man proposes, Heaven disposes.”
“Whatever happens, happens.”
With that, she sat back down before the dressing table.
Resting her delicate chin in her hand, her round eyes curved into crescents.
“How can a little girl be this pretty?”
“No matter how long I look, it’s never enough.”
…
Bai Qingzhou had not gone out.
Instead, he was reading in his study.
Outsiders always claimed he spent all his time fooling around with Concubine Shen.
In truth, even when they were inseparable, Bai Qingzhou loved reading.
He simply disliked dry academic texts.
What interested him were miscellaneous works—agriculture, engineering, and even military strategy.
In the past, Shen Mianmian had often told him stories about a mysterious country called China.
She had spoken of The Art of War, the Thirty-Six Stratagems, Wang Anshi’s reforms, the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, and many other things.
Lately, however, their relationship had become strained.
That was one reason he had returned to Qingfeng Courtyard.
There were also some personal reasons.
The weather today was beautiful.
Sunlight streamed through the windows.
Bai Qingzhou sat at a desk near the window.
One elbow rested on the tabletop, supporting his jade-like face.
His other hand held a page of a book.
His gaze was unfocused.
He hadn’t turned a page in a very long time.
Clearly, his mind was elsewhere.
Suddenly, his personal servant Guanshui entered.
Seeing his master lost in thought, the servant spoke softly.
“Young Master? Young Master…”
Bai Qingzhou returned to his senses.
“What is it?”
Guanshui replied,
“The Young Madam has invited you to Peony Courtyard. She says she has urgent business.”
Understanding immediately, Bai Qingzhou closed his book and stood.
“Let’s go.”
After all, he had gone to Peony Courtyard that night, disturbed Jiang Yinjin, and then fled midway through the encounter.
No matter what, he felt somewhat guilty toward her.
An hour later—
Bright Moon Courtyard.
Hanrong hurried inside.
“Concubine! Someone from the main courtyard has arrived. Madam requests your presence.”
Shen Mianmian looked up from the cards she was using to pass the time.
“Oh. I understand.”
Setting the cards aside, she stood and straightened her clothes.
Hanrong looked as though she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Shen Mianmian glanced at her and thought:
No need to hesitate.
I already know I’m about to have terrible luck.
Who knows how Madam Ding intends to punish me?
Then inspiration suddenly struck.
Since she already knew punishment was coming…
Shouldn’t she take some precautions?
For example, tying something around her knees?
Excellent idea.
Let’s do it immediately.