Shen Mianmian hadn’t forgotten her grand plan of destroying her own image.
Raising an eyebrow, she said,
“This servant was born poor, never entered refined society, never received a proper education. I’m vulgar to the core. Every other word out of my mouth is something crude.”
Bai Qingzhou sighed helplessly.
“Fine, fine. Say whatever you want.”
Then he added seriously,
“But only in front of me. Don’t say those things outside.”
Shen Mianmian immediately challenged him.
“And if I insist on saying them in front of other people?”
Bai Qingzhou thought about it carefully.
Then he answered,
“Then I’ll say them with you.”
That way, if his mother scolded someone, she’d scold him first.
Shen Mianmian pursed her lips thoughtfully.
“Don’t worry.”
“This servant still has some shame.”
“Then I’ll get back to writing.”
With that, she prepared to resume work.
Meanwhile, Bai Qingzhou picked up one of her practice sheets and walked to the opposite side of the table.
As he examined her handwriting, he casually ground some ink.
Then he dipped his brush and began writing.
Shen Mianmian looked up.
“Are you copying my handwriting?”
“Yes.”
The corner of her mouth twitched.
“Most people imitate famous calligraphers so their handwriting improves.”
She pointed at her own crooked characters.
“And you’re imitating this disaster?”
“Do you not want your writing to improve?”
Without looking up, Bai Qingzhou replied,
“What choice do I have?”
“Should I watch you write nine hundred and ninety-nine copies of the Great Compassion Mantra until the end of time?”
“Aren’t you worried Mother will discover the truth?”
“Don’t worry. I’m excellent at imitation. Nobody will notice.”
“No!”
Shen Mianmian immediately set down her brush.
For once, her expression became serious.
“A punishment given to me belongs to me.”
“Madam is both my superior and my elder.”
“I should respect her.”
Internally, however, she was screaming.
Are you kidding me?
She had finally found a productive way to pass the time.
How could she let him steal it?
Besides, if Jiang Yinjin ever tried to frame her or lure her somewhere, she now had the perfect excuse.
Sorry.
Busy copying scriptures.
If she lost that excuse, the Young Madam could summon her whenever she pleased.
Refusing would only hand her enemies ammunition.
No.
She absolutely had to stop this idiot.
Bai Qingzhou looked at her in surprise.
The breathtakingly beautiful face before him was filled with sincerity and conviction.
The expression was so earnest that it naturally inspired respect.
He knew it.
She wasn’t the vulgar woman she claimed to be.
She was always clear-minded.
Always unique.
Always guided by her own principles.
And somehow—
he admired her more and more.
Bai Qingzhou knew that “admiration” was an embarrassing word for a man to use regarding a woman.
Traditionally, women were supposed to admire men.
Not the other way around.
Yet at some point, admiration had quietly taken root in his heart.
It hadn’t existed when they first met.
Back then, he could clearly see that she was deliberately trying to seduce him.
She was unimaginably beautiful.
Beautiful enough to topple kingdoms.
Beautiful enough to bring disaster upon nations.
With a face like hers, she could have entered the Imperial Palace itself.
His friends had warned him.
Never get involved with a woman that beautiful.
A common man carrying a priceless treasure only invites disaster.
At first, he hadn’t intended to touch her.
But she had stubbornly clung to him.
She claimed they were destined.
She claimed she had felt fate the moment she saw him.
She claimed she would recognize only him for the rest of her life.
And somehow, he ended up bringing her back to the capital.
She told him fascinating stories.
She spoke of strange inventions and distant places.
Though he considered himself well-read, he still found himself captivated by every tale.
But admiration?
That feeling only seemed to appear after that night.
After that night—
she changed.
Shen Mianmian noticed him staring and immediately panicked.
Oh no.
Surely the idiot wasn’t planning to run off and fight with Madam Ding again?
This wasn’t a phoenix chick anymore.
This was a living ancestor.
What was she supposed to do?
How could she stop him from stealing her work while still giving him something to occupy himself with?
After a moment of thought, she stood.
Walked around the table.
And suddenly sat down on his lap.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned against him.
Then—
she shamelessly inhaled deeply.
Greedily enjoying the clean scent unique to him.
Bai Qingzhou’s cheeks reddened.
He put down his brush and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Why are you suddenly…”
She interrupted.
“Please answer a question first.”
“Why do you want to help me copy the Great Compassion Mantra?”
Bai Qingzhou didn’t understand why she was asking, but answered honestly.
“I already told you.”
“I’m the one who asked Mother to elevate your status.”
“You never requested it.”
“You never encouraged it.”
“This has nothing to do with you.”
“So if anyone should be punished, it’s me.”
Shen Mianmian nodded.
“Mhm.”
“Anything else?”
“…”
Bai Qingzhou blinked.
What else was there?
Then he heard her laugh.
The sound was clear and bright, like silver bells.
“There’s another reason.”
“You feel sorry for me.”
“You’re afraid my hand will fall off from writing.”
“That’s why you’re helping.”
Bai Qingzhou’s arm tightened around her slightly.
“…Yes.”
“Good.”
Shen Mianmian smiled.
“Then let’s discuss both reasons separately.”
“First.”
“You believe you’re the one who deserves punishment.”
“I won’t argue with that.”
“You acted impulsively.”
“You angered Madam.”
“And you dragged this innocent servant into the mess.”
“You deserve punishment.”
She nodded solemnly.
“As for me?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m young and healthy.”
“But what about Madam?”
Her tone softened.
“You told me your father’s secret.”
“Have you ever considered the pressure Madam lives under?”
“Do you think she’s had an easy life?”
“Have you heard of a condition called emotional stagnation?”
“What if she becomes ill?”
Bai Qingzhou’s face instantly turned pale.
The mere thought of his mother getting sick felt like all the blood had drained from his body.
Shen Mianmian continued.
“You already upset her once.”
“She misunderstood me.”
“But did she beat me?”
“No.”
“Did she scold me?”
“No.”
“She simply ordered me to copy the Great Compassion Mantra.”
“And she didn’t even give a deadline.”
“Does that really sound like punishment?”
She shook her head.
“I don’t think so.”
“I think it’s an opportunity.”
“An opportunity to learn.”
“An opportunity to cultivate myself.”
“By copying the scripture, I can calm my mind, improve my character, and think carefully about my future.”
“I’m happy doing it.”
“But now you’re trying to do it for me.”
“If Madam discovers that, won’t she be angry?”
“Put yourself in her position.”
“Wouldn’t you be angry?”
“Being angered once is one thing.”
“But twice?”
“Aren’t you worried she’ll become ill?”
Her voice remained gentle.
Yet every word landed like a blade.
Every sentence struck home.
Bai Qingzhou’s jade-like face turned bright red from the scolding.
Meanwhile, Shen Mianmian internally panicked.
Oops.
That came out harsher than intended.
Quick.
Damage control.
She immediately began tracing circles on his collar with a finger.
Flirting while patching things up.
“I know you’re worried about me.”
“I know all of that.”
“And I know you’re a responsible man.”
“A real gentleman.”
“You couldn’t bear seeing me punished for something that wasn’t my fault.”
“That’s why you’re insisting on helping.”
“They say men fear choosing the wrong profession and women fear marrying the wrong husband.”
She looked up at him sweetly.
“I knew there was nothing wrong with staying by your side.”
“I’m so happy~~”
At last, some of the stiffness left his body.
Shen Mianmian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The living ancestor had finally been calmed.
“So…”
She smiled.
“I’ve thought of a perfect solution.”
Bai Qingzhou blinked.
“What solution?”
Leaning out of his embrace, she looked at him with a grin.
“Madam didn’t punish you.”
“But you can punish yourself.”
“I’m copying the Great Compassion Mantra, right?”
“Then you can copy the Heart Sutra.”
“I remember hearing about one called… something-something Paramita Sutra?”
“The Heart Sutra of Prajñāpāramitā?”
“Yes! That one!”
“I only remember the first line.”
“Something about Avalokiteshvara?”
Bai Qingzhou automatically continued:
“When Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was practicing deeply the Prajñāpāramitā, he perceived that the five aggregates are all empty and was freed from all suffering and distress.”
Shen Mianmian nodded excitedly.
“Exactly! That’s it!”
“We can copy them together.”
Bai Qingzhou finally relaxed.
Though a trace of gloom still lingered.
Seeing him continue to purse his lips, Shen Mianmian was baffled.
Why was this kid so stubborn?
Was he born in the Year of the Donkey?
Forget it.
Time to unleash the ultimate trump card.