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

That scoundrel lived up to expectations.

His handsome face was as black as the bottom of a pot.

"Shen Ningzhu, it seems I have been too lenient with you lately, to the point that you have developed inappropriate thoughts. In that case, let's put the matter of entering the manor on hold for now."

Shen Ningzhu clenched her fists excitedly.

No way, she achieved her goal so easily? Soon enough, it turned out she was overthinking it.

Jiang Xuan Yan said, "Tomorrow I will select a qualified old nanny from the palace to personally come to your residence to teach you manners."

His face was grim as he slowly said:

"Shen Ningzhu, this is the last chance I'm giving you. Don't disappoint me. You'd better watch yourself."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Shen Ningzhu's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her anger rising rapidly. A chance? Who asked him for a chance?

What's wrong with this jerk?

Isn't he supposed to be aloof, abstinent, cold, and unapproachable? Why is he so persistent about her affairs?

One last chance?

Haha, she should thank his ancestors for eight generations.

"Boom boom boom——"

"Miss, may I come in and serve you?" Zhiyuan's voice rang out from outside.

Shen Ningzhu snapped out of her thoughts and said calmly, "Come in."

The door creaked open.

The kite was carrying a mahogany tray with a milky white porcelain bowl on it, and the bowl inside had a smiling, ingratiating expression.

"Miss, you must be thirsty after taking such a long hot bath. I specially went to the kitchen and got a bowl of chilled bird's nest soup. Would you like to try some to soothe your throat?"

As they spoke, the man knelt beside the bathtub, scooped up a spoonful of crystal-clear bird's nest, and presented it to her.

Shen Ningzhu hummed in agreement.

It is swallowed gracefully with a straight mouth opening. It has a light and refreshing taste, and a sweet aftertaste.

Seeing that her eyes crinkled into a smile, Zhiyuan figured that she must like it, so she cautiously began to recount what had just happened.

"Miss, Madam and Miss Xue'er have returned. It is said that they fell ill as soon as they returned. The doctor went to see them and said that they were depressed and could not get out of bed now."

"The Minister was furious and threatened to punish you according to family law. It was only after I mentioned His Highness the Crown Prince that he relented."

"Both young masters are frowning, and it seems they are also dissatisfied with you, but I can sense that they care about you as their younger sister."

"So, what do you think? Should you apologize to those people? That way, your days in the manor will be a little easier. What do you think?"

Shen Ningzhu turned her head slowly, her exquisite fox-like eyes narrowing alluringly. "Who can't get up?"

Paper Kite paused for a moment, then quickly replied, "It's Miss Xue'er."

Shen Ningzhu pursed her lips, and the corners of her lips slowly curved upwards.

Shen Ningxue is truly her divine helper, much more effective than Princess Qingyi. She has decided that, to be on the safe side, she will focus on exploiting Shen Ningxue as much as possible recently.

"Well, I see."

Paper Kite: "..."

What does "I understand" mean? Does it mean to apologize or not?

No, if Shen Ningzhu angers the Shen family and is kicked out, then as a peasant girl, she would be less noble than a maid like me.

How could His Highness the Crown Prince allow a lowly peasant girl to be his concubine?

How could she then use her position to enter the Crown Prince's residence and get close to His Highness? No, she would never allow such a thing to happen.

"Miss, please think it over carefully. You mustn't act impulsively, lest you anger someone..."

"Hiss... Let go."

"Miss, I...this servant..."

"I said let go, are you deaf?" Shen Ningzhu looked at her arm, which was red from being gripped, and her gaze toward Zhiyuan grew colder.

This was the first time the other person had seen her speak so sharply and aggressively, and as their reason returned, they hurriedly let go of her hand.

"What, you're not happy?"

"No, this servant...this servant knows her mistake. Miss is right to reprimand me. I was indeed impolite just now."

Shen Ningzhu's phoenix eyes were cold and indifferent. She glanced at her and suddenly reached out to pinch her chin.

The other person was clearly flustered and instinctively tried to dodge, but managed to hold back. Tears of humiliation welled up in their eyes and remained there, refusing to fall.

Shen Ningzhu was very satisfied with her performance.

He lifted her chin up slightly, "Look into my eyes."

Paper Kite trembled and looked at her timidly, "Miss... Miss..."

Shen Ningzhu said, "You're unwilling to accept this? Don't be so quick to deny it. Zhiyuan, I know exactly what you're thinking."

"The reason I didn't expose you and kept you by my side is because I tacitly approved of your idea."

The kite swayed suddenly, becoming somewhat unsteady.

She knew? How could she possibly know? She had hidden it so well, how could she have been exposed so easily?

No, it must be that cunning peasant girl deliberately tricking her to get information out of her.

She is a woman herself, so she naturally understands women.

She didn't believe anyone would willingly help a woman who coveted her man get close to him. Luckily, she reacted quickly enough and almost fell for her trick.

Paper Kite, believing she had seen through Shen Ningzhu's scheme, instantly lowered her eyes calmly and said in a light tone:

"What are you saying, Miss? I don't understand. My loyalty to you is as clear as day and night. I hope you can see the truth."

Shen Ningzhu was completely impressed by his calm and collected demeanor (like a dead pig not afraid of boiling water).