The young man had just tasted forbidden fruit for the first time. His mind was filled with desire, and he paid no attention at all to the woman’s distraction.
He even comforted himself: Mianmian was experiencing this for the first time. It was only natural for her to be shy and suppress her feelings. He needed to take more initiative so she wouldn’t feel embarrassed.
And so, he became even more enthusiastic.
As for Shen Mianmian, she had no real interest in doing anything with this brainless heir. While going through the motions and allowing him to fuss over her, she continued running her mental CPU at full speed, recalling the plot and gathering useful information.
According to the novel, this intelligence-lowered male supporting character, Bai Qingzhou, aside from possessing a face as beautiful as a white moonlight dream, was naive and foolish. One moment he would be deceived by one woman, the next moment manipulated by another. A classic sweet but stupid fool.
But that was actually good.
It would make him easier for her to fool.
She had read the novel and knew the plot and character settings. As long as she imitated the female supporting character and behaved like a proper ancient woman, she could pass unnoticed.
Staying here without being discovered wasn’t the problem.
The problem was—how was she supposed to leave this novel!?
Rumble!
A clap of thunder exploded.
Startled, Shen Mianmian hurriedly opened her eyes in embarrassment and looked at the young man whose face was full of desire. Seeing no change in his expression, she couldn’t tell whether he was too focused or simply hadn’t heard the thunder.
Rumble!
Another peal of thunder sounded.
The thunder rose and fell, large and small, as though forming a sentence:
“When everything is over, you will be able to leave.”
Shen Mianmian was shocked.
When everything is over?
What would be over?
This awkward bedroom affair? Or the entire novel’s plot?
And who was speaking?
The God of Thunder?
Since when did the God of Thunder handle transmigration into novels?
Yet when she listened more carefully, the thunder was gone.
Carefully, she asked, “Sorry, Young Master… um… I know it’s not a good time to interrupt you, but did you hear the thunder?”
The young man paused slightly.
“No.”
After saying that, he lowered his head and sealed her lips with his own.
Shen Mianmian thought, Fine then. No talking allowed? Then I won’t talk.
At the same time—
In another courtyard.
The room in Peony Courtyard was decorated in festive red, yet the atmosphere was gloomy and desolate.
Today was the wedding day of the heir of the Marquis of Anning’s household and his new wife.
Who could have imagined that instead of spending the wedding night with his noble-born wife, the heir would be fooling around with a lowly courtesan, leaving his wife alone in the bridal chamber?
The maids serving her felt miserable and had no idea how to comfort the young madam.
Yet the woman seated on the wedding bed lifted her own red bridal veil, revealing a stunningly beautiful face.
Describing her as peach-blossom beautiful would not be an exaggeration.
But the watery eyes that should have been sparkling with charm were frozen over with frost, devoid of warmth or emotion.
Jiang Yinjin curved her crimson lips slightly and let out a silent sneer before all traces of emotion disappeared.
“Chuxue, help me wash up.”
Only then did her dowry maid Chuxue come to her senses and begin assisting her.
Half an hour later, Jiang Yinjin had already changed out of her heavy wedding robes, removed her thick makeup, and settled beneath soft silk blankets.
Lowering her eyes, mockery flickered beneath her thick lashes.
“Tomorrow morning is the tea ceremony. In the afternoon, that courtesan should come pay her respects to me.”
A cold smile appeared.
“But she won’t come.”
“Heh. To live life a second time… how interesting.”
With that, she closed her eyes and went to sleep.
…
The next day.
Shen Mianmian slept until noon before finally getting up.
Because…
That idiot phoenix chick was far too energetic!
If he had been some tall, muscular hunk, she could have accepted it.
The problem was that Bai Qingzhou had delicate skin, red lips, white teeth, and eyes full of clear, innocent stupidity. Anyone would believe he was a pretty boy—or even a male courtesan.
So how did he have such ridiculous stamina?
How could he keep going like that?
Shen Mianmian couldn’t understand it.
She couldn’t even remember how many times it had happened throughout the night.
She only vaguely remembered that by the time everything was over and he held her while they slept, dawn had already begun to break.
She also remembered hearing maids enter during her sleep, softly urging the heir to accompany the young madam for the tea ceremony.
The heir ignored them.
So she had kicked Bai Qingzhou off the bed and told him to go.
Then she drifted back into a hazy sleep while thinking groggily.
The intimate encounter had ended, yet she still hadn’t returned to her original world.
That meant the “when everything is over” mentioned by the God of Thunder most likely referred to the end of the novel itself.
Of course, she wasn’t certain.
She even suspected the thunder had simply been a hallucination.
But…
Something was better than nothing.
As long as there was a sliver of hope, she had to hold onto it.
After sleeping a little longer, she finally sat up in bed and continued thinking.
According to the original story, this cannon-fodder character never went to offer tea to the female lead.
The cannon fodder hadn’t gone.
She would.
Because in the original novel, the female lead seized upon that mistake and launched a vicious campaign of household intrigue.
How could Shen Mianmian allow that to happen?
Naturally, she needed to extinguish the flames of domestic warfare before they even started.
Thinking this, she supported her aching waist and climbed out of bed.
The maid Hanrong stepped forward.
“Miss Shen, shall I prepare bathwater for you?”
Shen Mianmian gave Hanrong a long look.
At present, the girl hadn’t been bought off yet.
But soon her younger brother would fall gravely ill and need money. After the female lead rescued her, she would be won over.
“How much time is left before I should offer tea to the young madam?”
Hanrong froze in surprise.
“Miss intends to offer tea to the young madam?”
As she casually replied, Shen Mianmian walked toward the dressing table.
“Of course. She’s the young madam. How could I not go?”
She sat down before the vanity.
Then raised her eyes toward the bronze mirror.
Instantly, her eyes widened.
Reflected in the polished mirror was a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.
Yes.
A beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.
A beauty that could sink fish and shame flowers.
How could someone be this beautiful!?
It was the first time in her life she had seen a real person this gorgeous.
Even with photo editing software, she wouldn’t dare create a face like this.
The woman in the mirror had a perfectly shaped oval face, a full forehead, and picturesque features.
Her eyebrows had never been groomed, yet not a single stray hair could be found. Slightly curved and slanting upward, they possessed both feminine softness and a touch of heroic elegance.
Her eyes were large and perfectly shaped, with long, thick lashes.
It looked as though she had been born wearing eyeliner and false eyelashes.
But that wasn’t the most important part.
The most important part was her pupils—dark as ink and so large they looked like colored contacts.
Meanwhile, the whites of her eyes were as pure as flawless white jade.
The stark contrast between black and white made her eyes seem as innocent and clean as a child’s.
As for her nose, there was even less to say.
The bridge was straight and elegant, while the tip was small yet softly rounded.
If this nose existed in the modern world, it would instantly become the standard model used by cosmetic surgery clinics.
And then there were her lips.
She was certain she wasn’t wearing lipstick.
Yet her lips were plump, red, and moist, more beautiful than any luxury lipstick or gloss.
Even without any expression, the corners of her mouth naturally curved upward.
Her cupid’s bow protruded slightly, making it seem as though she were inviting others to taste her sweetness.
As for her long swan-like neck, her slender, delicate shoulders, and her alluring collarbones, she didn’t even want to describe them one by one.
Because she was numb.
Completely numb.
At last, she understood exactly how Fan Jin had felt after passing the imperial examination.
She felt like she was about to go crazy.
And she finally understood why that pretty-boy idiot could drag her through an entire night without rest.
With a face like this?
If it were her, she’d do the same!
Hanrong stepped forward worriedly.
“Miss, are you alright?”
Clutching her chest, Shen Mianmian took a deep breath.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry. You still haven’t told me the time. According to protocol, when exactly should I go offer tea to the young madam?”
“Half an hour from now.”
Shen Mianmian froze.
“Half an hour? Then forget the bath. Bring some water. I’ll wash my face, wipe myself down, get dressed, and we’ll leave.”
“Yes, Miss,” Hanrong replied respectfully.
Soon, Shen Mianmian finished freshening up. She picked out a simple, understated outfit and had Hanrong arrange her hair in the most modest style possible.
Aside from a single hairpin securing her bun, she wore no other accessories.
Dressed plainly and elegantly, she left the Bright Moon Courtyard where she lived.
Peony Courtyard.
When the servants announced that Miss Shen had arrived, Jiang Yinjin was stunned.
“Why is she here?”
Why was this different from her previous life!?