Best friends dressed up in ancient times to become mistresses? You run, I run too!

It took several hours to simmer the braising liquid, and then another hour to simmer the ingredients over low heat. By then, the sun had already set.

Shen Ningzhu kept the portion that she and Liu Zhiyi liked to eat, and let Chen Aniu keep some for himself. The rest were distributed to the workers on the estate.

Chen Aniu went to do it with a pained expression on his face.

The braised meat has a strong flavor.

Not only was the auntie who was cooking drooling with envy, but even the farmhands throughout the entire village were tormented by the rich aroma to the point of wishing they were dead.

They always knew meat was delicious, but they never imagined it could be this delicious.

If they could just taste this flavor, they would feel it was worth it even if it meant their immediate death.

However, to their surprise, the host family delivered meat to each of their households, and the amount was quite substantial.

For a moment, everyone was moved to tears.

Some even brought their entire families, knelt down in front of the room where Shen Ningzhu and the others were staying, and swore a solemn oath to be loyal to them for life.

As night falls, at this time of day, every household is usually shrouded in darkness.

Today, every household has luxuriously lit their lamps, and bursts of laughter can be heard from time to time. The air is also filled with the rich aroma of braised meat.

Shen Ningzhu and her best friend only ate simple farm-style dishes.

Liu Zhiyi packed the duck parts into earthenware jars and hung them in the well. They would taste better after soaking in the brine overnight.

It was completely dark when they arrived at their lodging, where a room for the two of them had already been prepared. They washed up and went back to their lodging.

For some reason, perhaps because she had slept too long during the day, Shen Ningzhu tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

I don't know how long I stayed up before I finally fell into a deep sleep.

In a daze, I felt one side of the bed suddenly sink a little.

Immediately afterwards, a cool body pressed against my back.

The man's crisp scent wafted over, his strong chest, his powerful heartbeat, and... that familiar yet rich ebony incense.

It's Jiang Yanche.

How did he end up here?

"How long is Zhuzhu going to keep pretending?"

As soon as she got into bed, half of Shen Ningzhu's body stiffened, and this subtle change did not escape Jiang Yanche's eyes.

Therefore, the man already knew she was awake.

Shen Ningzhu, her face sullen, tried to sit up, but the other person pressed her shoulder down. She simply turned over to face the man.

Bathed in the pale moonlight streaming through the window, he coldly glanced at his handsome, smiling face.

How did you know about this place?

"I have been keeping a close eye on Zhuzhu's movements, so I naturally came looking for her. What, is Zhuzhu not welcoming me and not wanting to see me?"

She welcomes him my foot! Nobody wants to see him.

It took a lot of effort to escape, but to my surprise, I was found that very night.

Even more unexpectedly, it wasn't Jiang Xuan Yan, Jiang Qing Yi, or Song Han Chuan who found her, but Jiang Yan Che.

So she just ran away for nothing?

Why is he getting involved in this mess?

"Enough with the nonsense, what exactly do you want?"

"When I think of you, I naturally come."

The other person lazily propped up their head, lying on their side with a smile. Their slender body moved with the grace of a startled swan, as fluid as a swimming dragon.

Even Shen Ningzhu had to admit that all the men in the Jiang family were attracted to beautiful women.

The emperor is a handsome older man, and Jiang Xuanyan and Jiang Yanche are even more outstanding.

Yes, she was absolutely stunning.

Even as men, they deserve this title. It's just a pity that they are all show and no substance.

Shen Ningzhu looked at him indifferently. Neither of them spoke. After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Yanche finally sighed and shook his head in resignation.

"Zhuzhu is really heartless!"

Shen Ningzhu said coldly, "Speak, what is your purpose in coming here?"

After a long while, Jiang Yanche chuckled.

"Zhuzhu, it's not a good thing for a woman to be too smart."

"Very well, I may tell you. I have come here today to take you back to the capital."

Shen Ningzhu: ? ? ?

"Are you sick?"

She finally escaped with great difficulty, why should she go back? Besides, what business is it of his where she is?

"Yes, lovesickness."

Shen Ningzhu's eyelids trembled, and her hands slowly clenched at her sides. Suddenly, she moved closer to the other person.

"is it?"

"Of course, who wouldn't cherish a beauty as stunning as you? But... Zhuzhu, do you know that you've all been gone for so long, yet the Crown Prince's residence hasn't made a single move? My brother, the Emperor, doesn't take you seriously at all."

"Three years of devotion, and you've been so scorned. Are you truly willing to accept this? Come back with me, and I will avenge you."

The man simply smiled at her deliberate attempt to get closer and test her, his expression remaining calm and composed, without any signs of a racing heart or nervousness.

Therefore, she was certain that he came to her only to use her, and that there was no romantic relationship between them.

Shen Ningzhu sneered.

See, this is his real purpose, isn't it?

But if the intention was to use her against Jiang Xuan Yan, why did they do those things that could be misunderstood before? Isn't that a contradiction?

Shen Ningzhu frowned slightly, her scrutinizing gaze fixed on Jiang Yanche.

Jiang Yanche's behavior was a bit strange.

It seemed like... a deliberate attempt to sabotage her relationship with Jiang Xuan Yan, or perhaps... an intentional effort to push her closer to Jiang Xuan Yan.

In short, it's not very easy to understand.

"What if I say no?"

The other person smiled and said confidently, "You wouldn't. After all... you wouldn't want that maid named Liu Zhiyi by your side to die, would you?"

Shen Ningzhu felt a tightness in her chest.

She suddenly smiled charmingly, softly snuggled into his arms, and said coquettishly, "Does Your Highness Prince Chen want to take me back to the capital to be your Prince Chen's consort?"

"Your Highness should have said so earlier, why make fun of my little maid?"

The other person also smiled affectionately.

He pulled Shen Ningzhu closer to his chest, gently patting her thin back, his tone slightly coaxing.

"This matter is not urgent. How about I help you avenge yourself first?"

Shen Ningzhu could see clearly that beneath his gentle smile, his captivating peach blossom eyes held a cold and unwavering depth.

He rolled his eyes inwardly, speechless.

Another Liu Xiahui (a legendary figure known for his chastity and integrity).

He remained unmoved even with a beauty in his arms, just like Jiang Xuan Yan at the beginning. No wonder the royal family produces such heartless, desireless, and twisted monsters.

"How does Prince Chen intend to help me? Your Highness may not know, but I dislike internal strife and only want to enjoy the present moment as much as possible."

As for Jiang Xuan Yan, hmph, he's not worth my time and effort to take revenge on.

In short, they just wouldn't go back to the city.

Jiang Yanche's expression turned indifferent, and he sighed with a hint of helplessness, "Zhuzhu, since you're not obedient, then I have no choice but to break off all pretense of civility."

As he spoke, he quickly glanced at her shoulder.

Shen Ningzhu cursed under her breath and then fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Liu Zhiyi got up early, took out the duck meat hanging from the well, helped her aunt prepare breakfast, set out the bowls and chopsticks, and then went into the house to call Shen Ningzhu.

But when they went inside, they found that the person was not there.

The bed was a mess, and long since cold and lifeless. Clearly, the person had left long ago.

Where will you go?

Liu Zhiyi paused for a moment, then went out to look for her in the courtyard. After searching for a long time, she still couldn't find her. Upon closer inspection, she discovered some damp dirt marks around the window.