Shen Mianmian first sent Hanrong out of the room.
After all, Hanrong was Jiang Yinjin’s informant, and she worried the maid might sabotage something.
Once Hanrong was gone, Shen Mianmian pulled out every handkerchief and cloth she could find.
She selected several soft cloths and folded them neatly into squares.
Then she wrapped them in handkerchiefs and tied them securely around her knees.
After adding another layer to hold everything firmly in place and making sure they wouldn’t fall off while walking, she finally left the room and headed toward Peony Courtyard with Hanrong.
Along the way, Hanrong seemed to want to say something several times.
But in the end, she held back.
Shen Mianmian couldn’t help being impressed.
This place was many times larger than Bright Moon Courtyard.
Whether it was the gardens or the furnishings, everything radiated wealth and authority.
It was obviously the residence of the household’s mistress.
Carefully stepping over the high threshold, Shen Mianmian entered the main hall.
Seated in the place of honor was a dignified middle-aged woman.
Her skin was exceptionally fair, and her features remained beautiful despite the passage of time.
One could easily imagine how stunning she had been in her youth.
Shen Mianmian immediately recognized her.
This was Madam Ding, wife of the Marquis of Anning and Bai Qingzhou’s mother.
The resemblance between mother and son was striking.
Dropping to her knees, Shen Mianmian greeted respectfully,
“This servant greets Madam and pays her respects.”
While kneeling, she quickly surveyed the room.
Aside from Madam Ding, only several trusted matrons and maids were present.
The heir was nowhere to be seen.
Upon reflection, that made perfect sense.
No one understood a son better than his mother.
Madam Ding knew exactly how hopelessly lovestruck Bai Qingzhou was.
As long as he was present, she would never be able to discipline this audacious courtesan properly.
Madam Ding sat stiffly, glaring coldly at the beautiful young woman kneeling before her.
The mere thought that this woman was a courtesan who had bewitched her son into repeatedly defying his parents filled her with fury.
She deliberately remained silent.
Letting Shen Mianmian kneel was part of the punishment.
Meanwhile, Shen Mianmian lowered her head and thought:
Thank goodness I padded my knees.
Otherwise my kneecaps would be destroyed.
After what felt like an eternity, Madam Ding finally spoke.
“Do you know why I summoned you here?”
Shen Mianmian replied in the most respectful tone possible,
“This servant does not know. Please enlighten me, Madam.”
Madam Ding’s smile turned colder.
“You dare claim ignorance when the heir just came asking me to raise your rank?”
Now it was time to act.
Shen Mianmian immediately looked as though she’d been struck by lightning.
Her entire body trembled.
Then she raised her beautiful face in shock.
The small, delicate face had gone completely pale.
She suddenly lifted her right hand toward the heavens.
“Let Heaven bear witness!”
“I, Shen Mianmian, swear that I knew absolutely nothing about the heir coming to Madam on my behalf!”
“I know my status is lowly and would never dare covet a higher rank!”
“I am willing to remain a low-ranking concubine for the rest of my life!”
“If I speak even a single lie, may lightning strike me dead!”
“May I die a miserable death!”
“May I descend into the eighteen levels of hell after death, be fried in oil every day, and flayed alive for eternity!”
“Heaven, witness my sincerity!”
Everyone was stunned.
It was the first time they had ever seen someone skip straight past defending themselves and jump directly to a vicious oath.
Shen Mianmian’s logic was simple:
Ancient people believe this stuff.
I’m innocent.
Why shouldn’t I swear?
If suffering can be avoided, why waste time with formalities?
Madam is such an important person. Why make her worry?
Wouldn’t her time be better spent admiring flowers and feeding birds?
Madam Ding was equally surprised.
This reaction was completely outside her expectations.
She glanced at Nanny Li.
Nanny Li returned a similarly confused expression.
Then Nanny Li turned toward Shen Mianmian and snapped,
“You think a poisonous oath is enough to clear your name?”
Tears immediately appeared in Shen Mianmian’s eyes.
“We can draw up a contract!”
“I’ll put my thumbprint on it!”
“I swear I’ll remain a low-ranking concubine for life and never seek promotion!”
“Or perhaps Nanny can think of another method.”
“Anything is fine!”
“If I ever covet a higher position, punish me however you wish!”
“…”
Even Nanny Li didn’t know how to respond.
Shen Mianmian noticed an opportunity and continued,
“Or perhaps Madam could send me to a country estate.”
“I’d be willing to spend my entire life farming and weaving cloth.”
“I would gladly repay Madam and the heir for rescuing me from my previous life of suffering and bringing me to this blessed and compassionate household.”
“…”
Silence descended upon the hall.
Madam Ding and Nanny Li exchanged looks.
Leaning close to her mistress, Nanny Li whispered,
“Madam, this servant doesn’t think Concubine Shen is lying.”
Madam Ding frowned thoughtfully.
Sending her away?
Truthfully, she would love to.
But if Shen Mianmian were sent away, Bai Qingzhou would undoubtedly be heartbroken.
Damaging the relationship between mother and son over a concubine wasn’t worth it.
The woman had already been accepted into the household.
As long as she behaved herself, the estate could certainly afford to feed one more person.
Madam Ding slowly nodded.
Yes.
As long as she remained obedient.
That was enough.
Looking down at Shen Mianmian, she asked coldly,
“You guarantee the heir’s visit had nothing to do with you?”
“I guarantee it! Please judge wisely, Madam!”
“Very well.”
Madam Ding thought for a moment.
“I shall give you a chance to prove your sincerity.”
“Lately I’ve been feeling irritable.”
“I’ve heard that sincerely copying the Great Compassion Mantra can calm the mind.”
“Since you’re so sincere, you’ll copy it for me.”
Shen Mianmian was secretly delighted.
Copy scriptures?
Perfect!
She had been getting bored of playing cards.
She’d been wondering how to pass the time.
Now she could finally practice calligraphy.
Before transmigrating, she’d always wanted to learn.
Unexpectedly, she now had the opportunity.
Immediately she kowtowed respectfully.
“Thank you, Madam, for giving me this opportunity.”
“I will copy every character with utmost sincerity.”
“And I pray that Heaven will be moved by my devotion.”
“May the Marquis and Madam enjoy good health and long lives.”
“May the estate prosper and remain forever safe and peaceful.”
Everyone was impressed.
As expected of a professionally trained courtesan.
She really knew how to talk.
Meanwhile, Shen Mianmian thought:
Please.
Level Ten Master of Flattery speaking.
Don’t laugh.
Even Madam Ding softened slightly.
The hostility in her eyes diminished.
“Copy it nine hundred and ninety-nine times.”
Everyone sucked in a breath.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine copies?
That would take years!
Was Madam planning to keep her occupied for the rest of her life?
Shen Mianmian answered immediately,
“Yes, Madam. I will copy it diligently.”
Then she hesitated.
“However…”
Everyone thought:
There it is!
Now she’s finally going to object.
No one would willingly copy the Great Compassion Mantra nearly a thousand times.
Madam Ding smiled coldly.
“However what?”
“Speak.”
She wanted to see exactly how this courtesan planned to argue her way out of it.
Shen Mianmian looked utterly sincere.
“My handwriting is terrible.”
“But I promise I’ll practice diligently.”
“I’ll put my heart into every character.”
“…”
The room fell silent.
Madam Ding blinked.
“That’s what you wanted to say?”
“That your handwriting is ugly?”
Shen Mianmian nodded.
“Yes, Madam.”
“I’m afraid you’ll dislike it.”
Madam Ding looked puzzled.
“I thought courtesans were trained in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.”
A crafty gleam flashed through Shen Mianmian’s eyes, though her expression remained earnest.
“Please don’t laugh, Madam.”
“Our training academy follows a talent-based education system.”
“When girls are first purchased, they’re assessed.”
“Music, chess, calligraphy, painting—we test everything.”
“Once a talent is discovered, training focuses exclusively on that area.”
“It saves resources and allows specialization.”
“Unfortunately…”
She sighed.
“When I was tested, I failed every category.”
“I had no talent whatsoever.”
“So they never taught me music, chess, calligraphy, or painting.”
Look at that.
Perfect explanation for why I can’t do any of those things.
I’m a genius.
Everyone stared at her in astonishment.
Even Madam Ding forgot to be disdainful.
“They taught you none of it?”
“Then how exactly were you supposed to…” She coughed awkwardly. “Display your talents?”
Shen Mianmian answered proudly,
“Women like me specialize in standing out.”
“Besides being beautiful, we’re taught to talk about equality, freedom in marriage, and lifelong monogamy.”
“Our instructors said that powerful men see enough obedient noble ladies every day.”
“When they encounter a woman who says shocking things, they become fascinated immediately.”
There.
Another flawless explanation.
Shen Mianmian felt that if she wasn’t the number one genius in the room, nobody was.
Everyone was shocked again.
Madam Ding finally couldn’t help asking,
“So all that nonsense about one husband and one wife…”
“It was fake?”
Shen Mianmian nodded vigorously.
“Absolutely fake.”
“It’s just a technique.”
“Even a princess wouldn’t dare demand that her husband never take concubines.”
“How could someone like me dare?”
“I know exactly how much I’m worth.”
“So I absolutely refuse any promotion.”
“I am the most law-abiding, content, and well-behaved concubine imaginable!”