Training Ground.
The two of them had put on an impressive show before starting.
In reality, after only two laps, both were completely defeated.
Of course, the Marquis’s training ground was nothing like a modern athletic track. One lap was only about a hundred meters.
But one was a frail young heir, and the other a delicate courtesan.
Neither possessed any real physical strength.
Leisurely walks were manageable.
Actual running felt like a death sentence.
After two laps, they collapsed in a corner without a shred of dignity, gasping for breath.
Bai Qingzhou clutched his thin chest.
“My throat… and chest… really hurt.”
Shen Mianmian was panting just as hard.
“That’s because we’re breathing wrong.”
She took several breaths before continuing.
“We should inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.”
“If you keep breathing only through your mouth, you’ll hurt your throat.”
“As for your chest…”
“That’s because our lung capacity has completely deteriorated.”
“The exercise is forcing our lungs to expand rapidly.”
“If we keep running for a few days, we’ll adapt.”
Bai Qingzhou looked at her curiously.
“Where did you learn all that?”
Shen Mianmian simply dropped onto the ground.
“Haven’t I told you already?”
“Our Courtesan Training Club specializes in this kind of thing.”
“…”
Bai Qingzhou found it impossible to believe.
At that moment, greetings sounded from nearby.
“This servant greets Madam.”
“This humble one greets Madam.”
It was Hanrong and Guanshui.
The two immediately looked over.
To their surprise, Madam Ding had arrived.
Accompanied by Nurse Li and a group of servants, she appeared to have rushed over in haste.
Shen Mianmian immediately panicked.
Oh no.
Would Madam blame her for making the heir run around and damage his health?
Bai Qingzhou softly reassured her.
“Don’t worry.”
“I’ll explain everything properly.”
“Don’t you dare!”
Shen Mianmian nearly hissed.
“If Madam decides to blame me, don’t say a word.”
“Remember?”
“The more you argue with Madam on my behalf, the more she’ll hate me.”
“The best solution is to let her scold me until she calms down.”
Internally, she was screaming.
This living ancestor had better not ruin all her hard work.
Bai Qingzhou pressed his lips together but said nothing.
Instead, he stood and extended a hand toward her.
Shen Mianmian could have stood up on her own.
Yet after seeing his outstretched hand, she found herself placing her hand in his anyway.
Just as they rose, Madam Ding and her entourage arrived.
Shen Mianmian’s thoughts immediately shifted.
Well, here comes the scolding.
One, two, three—
prepare to kneel.
Then she realized something.
Her hand was still tightly clasped in Bai Qingzhou’s.
She hurriedly tried to shake him off.
He refused to let go.
Anxious, she whispered furiously,
“Let go!”
“Stop drawing aggro onto me!”
Bai Qingzhou’s lips had gone slightly pale.
His voice was quiet.
“If all the blame falls on you, then what kind of man does that make me?”
Shen Mianmian froze.
For a moment, she understood what he meant.
Before she could think further, Madam Ding had already arrived.
“Qingzhou!”
“Are you alright?”
“Come here and let Mother have a look.”
Shen Mianmian desperately tried to pull free.
Bai Qingzhou continued holding her hand stubbornly.
But Madam Ding noticed their little struggle.
Instead of becoming angry, she laughed.
“Don’t be afraid.”
“I won’t scold you.”
“And I won’t scold Mianmian either.”
“As long as the two of you are well.”
Both froze.
This was the first time Madam Ding had addressed Shen Mianmian by name.
Nurse Li smiled.
“Madam heard you were training and wanted to come see for herself.”
“She approves very much.”
“What are you standing there for?”
“Pay your respects.”
“…”
Shen Mianmian was speechless.
Even at a time like this, Nurse Li still insisted on proper etiquette.
Nevertheless, both obediently greeted Madam Ding.
The tension eased considerably.
Shen Mianmian secretly pinched Bai Qingzhou’s hand.
Thankfully, he finally released her.
Madam Ding and Nurse Li noticed the interaction.
They simply pretended not to.
Madam Ding asked,
“What made you come to the training ground today?”
Bai Qingzhou rubbed his stomach.
“I ate a little too much at lunch.”
“It was difficult to digest.”
“So I thought I’d run a bit.”
Madam Ding smiled and nodded.
“Can your body handle it?”
“Mother saw how uncomfortable you looked earlier.”
“Should we summon a physician?”
“Or perhaps find a martial arts instructor to supervise?”
Nurse Li’s eyes flickered.
She wondered whether the heir understood the hidden meaning.
On the surface, Madam Ding wanted someone to ensure his safety.
In reality…
she hoped he might try martial training again.
Immediately, Bai Qingzhou felt as if darkness swept across his vision.
His chest tightened painfully.
Old memories surged back like storm clouds.
Shen Mianmian immediately noticed the change.
She searched through her memories of the novel.
Nothing.
Of course.
A fast-paced revenge novel would never waste time exploring a cannon-fodder character’s background.
Characters like Bai Qingzhou existed solely to be sacrificed.
They were written as foolish so readers would dislike them.
Their tragic endings existed to elevate the protagonists.
Thinking of the way he had repeatedly protected her—
and remembering the horrible fate awaiting him—
Shen Mianmian couldn’t help sighing.
Using the cover of their wide sleeves, she quietly hooked a finger around his.
At the same time, Bai Qingzhou, who had been sinking into the darkness of old memories, suddenly felt a hand catch his.
Pulling him back.
Dragging him out of the spiral.
He turned.
His dark, pure eyes landed on the woman beside him.
Shen Mianmian nearly died of embarrassment.
Brother Phoenix Chick!
Your mother is standing right in front of you!
And you’re staring lovingly at your concubine?
Had harmonious family relations made him lose all sense?
Fortunately, he only glanced at her briefly before turning back.
“Mother.”
“For now, I don’t need an instructor.”
“Mianmian and I are simply running to aid digestion.”
“Besides…”
He said it with complete seriousness.
“Mianmian has studied many things related to physical training.”
“With her here, that’s enough.”
“??????”
Shen Mianmian nearly choked.
You idiot!
Do you hear yourself?
What training knowledge?
When did I become a fitness expert?
If you’re going to brag, brag about yourself!
Leave me out of it!
Madam Ding chose not to expose him.
Instead, she smiled and looked around the training ground.
“I haven’t come here in a long time.”
“You two continue however you like.”
“I’ll take a walk myself.”
With that, she entered the grounds with Nurse Li.
Shen Mianmian immediately whispered,
“Phoenix Chi—”
She corrected herself.
“I mean, Young Master.”
“What do we do now?”
Bai Qingzhou looked across the wide training ground.
His mother was strolling and chatting with Nurse Li.
For some reason, he felt lighter than he had in years.
“Let’s run three more laps.”
“After that last run, I actually feel much better.”
Shen Mianmian looked surprised.
“You people run too?”
“Of course.”
“Whether in martial training or military camps, sprinting is a standard exercise.”
Seeing her flushed cheeks, his voice softened.
“If you’re tired, rest here.”
“I can run alone.”
Shen Mianmian rolled her eyes.
“Who are you looking down on?”
“Three laps?”
“Let’s go.”
The two set off running again.
Meanwhile, Madam Ding and Nurse Li stopped in a corner and watched.
Nurse Li smiled warmly.
“Madam can finally rest easy.”
“At this rate, eating more and exercising more, the Young Master’s health will steadily improve.”
“And considering how inseparable the two of them are…”
She lowered her voice.
“Perhaps there’ll be good news soon.”
By “good news,” she naturally meant pregnancy.
Madam Ding nodded.
A smile spread across her face.
Seeing how pleased she looked, Nurse Li continued enthusiastically.
“Do you remember last year when we visited Guanyin Mountain and drew lots?”
“The fortune said Madam was destined for many children and grandchildren.”
She pointed toward Shen Mianmian.
“Look how lively Concubine Shen is.”
“Perhaps she’ll give birth to twins in one go.”
Madam Ding watched Shen Mianmian’s figure in the distance.
Her satisfaction deepened.
“If that happens, she’ll become a great contributor to this household.”
Nurse Li nodded.
“With her background as a courtesan, many families wouldn’t even grant her concubine status.”
“The Marquis and Madam have been extraordinarily generous.”
“I’m sure she’ll repay your kindness.”
Part of Nurse Li’s praise was intended for Madam Ding.
Part of it was genuinely for Shen Mianmian.
After all, the heir clearly adored her.
What none of them noticed—
was that three women stood hidden in a distant corner, watching everything.
Chuxue clenched her fists angrily.
“It’s so unfair!”
“Our Young Madam works tirelessly for this household.”
“Why do they get to play and laugh together?”
Chuyu immediately tugged at her sleeve, warning her not to say anything more.
She didn’t want to upset their mistress.
Jiang Yinjin’s face was equally dark.
“Heh.”
“At first, I thought she had changed.”
“But now I see.”
“She’s still the same person.”
“The same scheming courtesan.”
She stared at the pair running together.
Coldness filled her eyes.
“I never intended to make things difficult for you.”
“But now…”
A faint smile appeared.
“You’ve forced my hand.”