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

Jiang Xuan Yan laughed in anger.

"Shen Ningzhu, did I tell you to get up?"

"Furthermore, Plum Blossom Garden is right next door, yet you dared to make me wait for a full hour. What, are you a turtle, crawling all the way here?"

Two cowards who use others as shields and fig leaves, how dare they call her a turtle?

Nonsence--

Okay, take a deep breath, inhale, exhale.

Shen Ningzhu secretly told herself, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. That scumbag isn't worth it."

"What does Your Highness need me for?"

Jiang Xuan Yan didn't intend to argue with her, so he went along with her and changed the subject.

"I heard that you had a conflict with Princess Qingyi today. Is that true?"

So he was standing up for his white moonlight. Ha, he must have had a hard time. He was really quick.

"Correct."

"Do you have anything to say?"

"Nothing."

Jiang Xuan Yan frowned, feeling a bit annoyed by her nonchalant attitude. He sighed softly, rubbed his forehead, pursed his thin lips, and carefully considered his words.

"It's just a courtyard. There are several courtyards with the same layout in the Crown Prince's residence. Why bother..."

"I'm a sentimental person. The housekeeper told me that it was the courtyard that was allocated to me, and since it's so hot and I've already moved on, I don't want to move anymore."

Shen Ningzhu raised her head to meet his gaze, her eyes as bright and distant as the moonlight, carrying a hint of coldness.

Full of seriousness and stubbornness.

Jiang Xuan Yan was momentarily taken aback by her assertive demeanor, as this was the first time he had seen her like this.

"Does Your Highness have anything else to say? If not, I'll head back now," Shen Ningzhu said calmly.

That scumbag! No matter how handsome he is, it's useless. She finds it annoying to even look at him.

Having just moved to a new courtyard, she had to personally oversee the process and ensure everything was arranged to her liking.

Although she doesn't plan to stay long, life needs a sense of ritual, and even if it's just for one day, she hopes that everything can be done according to her preferences.

Since it's not her paying, there's no need to compromise.

Jiang Xuan Yan disliked her tone and attitude, and couldn't help but frown.

"No rush. I'd like to discuss your rank with you." We had already chosen an auspicious day last time, but something came up and we couldn't get it done.

The Shen family father and son were pressing him hard, so he had no choice but to bring the person into the mansion first and then look for other auspicious days.

Shen Ningzhu sneered inwardly.

Everyone says that His Highness the Crown Prince is virtuous and has never been close to women for many years.

So the reason he was not interested in women was simply because he was deeply in love with Jiang Qingyi. He did not marry, take concubines, or have any maids for many years, perhaps to preserve his chastity for her sake.

Now, in order to pave the way for Princess Qingyi, he is willing to humble himself and take her, the person he usually hates the most, into his mansion.

Such deep affection is truly touching.

A dignified crown prince and a newly widowed woman—it has to be said, these two are really playing a trick on each other.

But what does all of this have to do with her?

They were deeply in love, so why use an innocent person like her as a stepping stone?

She's already so unlucky as to have lost her innocence, and they still won't let her go. If you're going to fleece someone, don't just pick on one sheep at a time.

“Your Highness, I have said before that I, Shen Ningzhu, would rather die than become a concubine. But you can rest assured that I can stay in the manor to help you.”

Jiang Xuanyan:? ? ?

"Help...us?"

What does he need her help with?

"You? Who else is there besides him?" "What do you mean by that? Also, Shen Ningzhu, don't be ridiculous. No matter what, you need a formal title to establish yourself in this household."

"What kind of behavior is it for someone to follow me without any official title or status? I am not such an irresponsible person."

Shen Ningzhu quickly reached out her hand.

"Yes, yes, Your Highness is the most responsible, the most responsible in the world. It is I who am not responsible, it is I who find it troublesome, it is I who do not want a position, really."

Why bother with that extra procedure?

It can't be used as money, and it also hinders her pace and speed in her pursuit of freedom.

Jiang Xuanyan:......

After saying this, he curtsied to Jiang Xuan Yan again, then turned and left cleanly and decisively.

When they reached the door, they stopped again.

"Oh, by the way, during my stay at the manor, Your Highness shouldn't have shortchanged me on food, clothing, daily necessities, or my monthly allowance, right?"

After all, if you want a horse to run, you have to feed it. Even a minor slip of the finger by a prince like the crown prince is more egregious than this.

"Of course, I am not so poor that I cannot support a young woman like you."

His thin lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to tell her that he would do his best to arrange a formal relationship, but then he thought that since it was still uncertain, he should not tell her for now, lest he give her hope only to disappoint her later.

Shen Ningzhu breathed a sigh of relief; that was good.

"Don't worry, I will stay obediently in my own courtyard and not come out. As long as you keep your woman in check and prevent her from causing me trouble, I will not cause you any trouble. If possible, I only hope that you can set me free after you have accomplished your goal."

Jiang Xuan Yan didn't think much of the phrase "his woman," assuming she was referring to his future crown princess.

All he can think about now is that phrase, "set her free."

Is she throwing a tantrum because he can't offer her the title of Crown Princess? "Regarding the matter of rank, I actually..."

"No, you really don't need to worry about it. I really don't care and I don't want it. I have something to do, I'll go first."

This time they acted quickly, leaving without a backward glance.

The room fell silent. After a long while, Jiang Xuan Yan sat back down in his seat and stared blankly at the official documents in front of him.

"Jiang Yi."

"My subordinate is here."

Jiang Yi appeared quickly, kneeling on one knee to bow. Jiang Xuan Yan waved his hand casually, signaling him to rise, before frowning and saying:

"You saw what she just said, right?"

Jiang nodded. "Yes."

"Have you noticed that Shen Ningzhu's attitude towards me seems to have changed, become... strange?"

Jiang Yi continued to nod.

"Why?" Was it because the incident of pushing her into the water today that hurt her feelings?

But he had kicked her several times before, seriously injuring her, yet that didn't stop her from getting closer to him!

This is why he allowed Shen Ningzhu to pursue him for three years. She wouldn't listen to his scolding, he couldn't drive her away by beating, and killing her didn't warrant death.

Jiang Yi rolled her eyes inwardly. What else could it be? Naturally, it was because she couldn't become the Crown Princess, so she was throwing a tantrum.

“Your Highness, Miss Shen has always been proud and ambitious. She will definitely not be able to accept not being the principal wife.”

For some reason, Jiang Xuanyan felt irritable.

Although he knew in his heart that he would do his best to help her, seeing how much she cared made him feel uneasy, and he muttered to himself,

"Is the title of Crown Princess really that important?"

Wasn't it just that she said she loved me, was willing to give everything for me, and would be happy to be my slave as long as we could be together? Was she just lying to me all along?

Jiang Yi's lips twitched.

What's wrong with his wise and mighty Crown Prince? He's usually so intelligent he's almost supernatural, why is he acting like a fool today?