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

Judging from their appearances, they bear a resemblance to Pei Yun Chu, so they must be Lord Pei and his wife.

Today, Pei Yun Chu was dressed in an exceptionally flamboyant manner, her black hair was meticulously combed, and she wore a jade crown.

His eyes lit up when he saw Liu Zhiyi, but he quickly realized something and resumed his serious demeanor.

Shen Ningzhu narrowed her eyes. "Heh, interesting."

The two men subtly withdrew their gazes and respectfully greeted the group.

Jiang Xuan Yan gestured for the two of them to stand up.

As soon as he straightened up, the dignified and elegant woman beside him put on a suitable smile and waved to Liu Zhiyi in an affectionate tone.

"Xiao Yi, it's been so long! My rascal has been talking about you every day. Your aunt has also missed you terribly. I'm so glad to see you today. Come on up here and let your aunt take a good look at you."

Liu Zhiyi gave a polite smile.

"Aunt, you are too kind."

But his feet didn't budge an inch, showing no intention of moving forward at all.

The woman's smile froze on the spot, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes, while the middle-aged man beside her immediately darkened his face.

Perhaps out of consideration for the Crown Prince, he did not lash out on the spot, but only let out a faint snort through his nose.

Upon seeing this, Pei Yunchu's expression also turned somewhat unpleasant.

He lowered his voice and tried to smooth things over.

"Xiaoyi, my parents came here today specifically to discuss your marriage. Stop fooling around, come over here and greet them."

Shen Ningzhu finally understood what was going on.

He walked straight up and stood in front of Liu Zhiyi.

"Brother Yan called me here just for this?"

Jiang Xuan Yan looked at Shen Ning Zhu, who was calm and collected, and felt a surge of anger.

He stormed off in a huff last night, but she wasn't worried at all and actually went to sleep on her own.

It was all for naught that he couldn't quell his anger all night.

He stood by the study window all night in the cold wind, until dawn, but she didn't give in or apologize.

I haven't come looking for him since today.

They didn't even try to appease me or admit their mistakes, let alone offer me a way out.

Now, he invited her to come to him. She, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened, as if nothing had occurred the night before.

Ha, Shen Ningzhu, she's something else.

But since there were outsiders present, he decided to save face for her and not argue with her for now. "Yes, the Pei family has expressed their willingness to provide forty-two loads of dowry to take Liu Zhiyi into their household. Therefore, I have specially summoned you two here to ask for your opinions."

Forty-two bearers—in today's parlance, this is equivalent to the standard for a wealthy family to marry a principal wife.

The Pei family is certainly willing to spend money.

Pei Yun Chu took over the conversation,

"Yes, Liu Zhiyi, I have already discussed it with my parents. We are willing to welcome you into our family with the respect due to a concubine, with a dowry of twenty chests. I will also prepare a dowry of twenty chests for you."

"In addition, Mother will make an exception and open her private treasury to give you two extra boxes of good things, making a total of forty-two boxes."

I'll also invite our relatives and friends to witness this. I guarantee it will be a grand and impressive affair, allowing you to enter the Pei residence with dignity.

Is that enough sincerity?

Shen Ningzhu closed her eyes, her fist clenching so tightly at the cuff of her gauze sleeve that it made a cracking sound.

Liu Zhiyi said,

"I am honored by the Marquis's wife's kind offer, but I am reluctant to take a concubine. Please forgive me."

Lady Hou looked displeased.

Lord Pei said, "I advise you, young lady, not to act rashly. With your status, being able to enter the Marquis's mansion is already the greatest fortune, not to mention that you are given the title of a concubine."

“My son is a renowned young talent in the capital. To be his concubine is the dream of countless noble ladies, let alone a mere maid like you. You’d better think this through.”

"Yes, Xiaoyi."

"To put it bluntly, Auntie, your affair with Chu'er was known not only to me, but to everyone in the household."

"It was only because your aunt ordered that this not be told to anyone, otherwise your reputation would have been ruined long ago."

Liu Zhiyi remained calm and composed.

"I don't care about reputation, but thank you anyway, Madam. However, I have no interest in Pei Yun Chu, so there's no need to bring up the matter of taking a concubine again."

"If you didn't want to enter the Marquis's mansion, then why did you..."

"For the purpose of exploitation."

Liu Zhiyi raised her eyelids, met the gaze of Lady Hou, and spoke frankly and openly.

“I want to stay by my master’s side, but I have no way to do so, so I can only turn to Pei Yun Chu, that’s all.”

"you--"

Lady Hou was so angry that she trembled with rage.

I never imagined the truth would be like this. "You're a woman, how could you... how could you..."

Her good education prevented her from saying anything too harsh; she was just so angry that her face turned red.

"What...what do you take my son for? How dare you?"

Lord Pei's stern face was now dark and sour.

He stepped forward and supported his wife's shoulders, letting her lean against him, before coldly looking at Liu Zhiyi.

"Madam, there is no need to be angry. As long as I am alive, this woman who has no morals, behaves in a dissolute manner and has no sense of shame will never be allowed to enter the gates of my manor."

Liu Zhiyi smiled, seemingly unconcerned.

"That would be best. I hope that General Pei will not cause any trouble in the future."

After all, seeing him and hearing the things he said really annoyed her, and she wanted to hit him.

Pei Yun Chu became anxious, "Father, Mother, it's not like that. Xiao Yi, shut up."

Shen Ningzhu gritted her teeth, gave a cold laugh, and said in a tone full of sarcasm,

"Wow, little general, what a majestic sight!"

"Who are you telling to shut up? Huh? My people, what right do you have to tell them what to do?"

"Didn't you say before that even if my Xiaoyi begged you, you wouldn't let her into your house? What, now you're the one begging my Xiaoyi to come in?"

Pei Yun Chu's face darkened.

"I... I was just saying that out of anger, I didn't mean it, Xiao Yi... I..."

"Who the hell are you calling your master? Huh? I'm a concubine of the Crown Prince, I'm still considered a member of the royal family. You call yourself 'master' to me? What, do you want to be the Emperor's father?"

"What a load of rubbish! Who cares about a concubine? Who wants to enter your Pei family? Does your Pei family have gold trim on your doors?"

"And all this, all this, with family and friends witnessing it? Witness what? Witness how my little Yi fell into such a lowly status, becoming a concubine that everyone despises?"

"You bastard, I'm giving you face."

"I'm putting this out there now: even if you offered yourself as my principal wife and came to ask for my Xiaoyi's hand in marriage, I would not agree to her marrying you, because you are not worthy."

"Now, immediately, right now, take these forty-two boxes of junk and get out of this Crown Prince's residence. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to beat you to a pulp."

Shen Ningzhu unleashed a torrent of abuse, thoroughly enjoying herself, leaving everyone around her stunned and frozen in place.

When they came to their senses, the three members of the Pei family were so angry that their chests heaved violently, and their faces turned red and blue.

"You...you shrew, you're so vulgar."