《My Aloof Lord Ex-Husband Begs for Remarriage》 Chapter 1 - 1 1 A Miserable Life ?Chapter 1: Chapter 1 A Miserable Life? Chapter 1: Chapter 1 A Miserable Life? ¡°Ah!¡± A thick stick struck Chu Nanli¡¯s womb viciously, and a large pool of fresh blood flowed down her thighs. ¡°Concubine Lin Fuying is gravely ill and needs the fetus for medicine. Princess Consort, you¡¯d better cooperate with this old servant to suffer less!¡± Pinned down on the ground by a group of nannies and maids, Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t move. She lifted her head, looking in agony at the man in front of her dressed in a dark-colored brocade robe, exuding supreme dignity. This man was the War God Ye Yunting, commanding both respect and fear in the court; he was also the man she had loved for three years. ¡°Aye, can you really be so heartless?¡± ¡°Yingying¡¯s illness is critical,¡± Ye Yunting said with an indifferent expression, looking down at Chu Nanli with irritation. ¡°If you¡¯re sensible, just cooperate.¡± ¡°Ye Yunting, this is your child too! She¡¯s three months old and already has a heartbeat; how can you be so heartless!¡± Chu Nanli covered her stomach, her eyes filled with sorrow and despair. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Only Yingying can bear my child. Chu Nanli, your child does not deserve to live!¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s sinister gaze was almost murderous. ¡°Continue until the fetus is dislodged!¡± ¡°No!¡± Chu Nanli instinctively protected her abdomen, but the next moment, the vicious nanny Hua pried open her bloodied hands and struck her womb mercilessly with the heavy stick. Chu Nanli felt so much pain that her scalp went numb, yet it was nothing compared to the heartache. The vivid life inside her was slipping away¡­ Until a flesh-like clot of blood fell from between her legs, Ye Yunting glanced at the filthy object with disgust, ¡°Take it away, instruct the kitchen to prepare some tonic for the Princess Consort.¡± ¡°No, don¡¯t take away my child!¡± Chu Nanli was down to her last breath; she mustered all her strength, trying to crawl towards the direction Ye Yunting had gone, only to be held down by nanny Hua. ¡°Princess Consort, don¡¯t chase after him. Your child, just like you, is worthless! Even if it had lived, it would have had no good life. Better to contribute to the Concubine¡¯s illness,¡± nanny Hua mocked. Chu Nanli bit her lip so hard that regret mixed with tears and blood, spilling like a broken dam onto the ground. She regretted, that three years ago, just because of a promise from Ye Yunting, she had gone against her family¡¯s wishes, hiding her identity as the Goddess of Chu Kingdom and marrying far into Xia Kingdom. She hated, Ye Yunting betrayed his initial vows, treated her with cold disdain, and even personally caused the loss of their child for the sake of Concubine Lin Fuying. ¡°Child, it is your mother who has wronged you!¡± A single teardrop of blood slid down Chu Nanli¡¯s cheek. Now, all she could do was to bury her child, refusing to let its tiny body suffer the agony of decoction¡­ Enduring the intense pain all over, she tried to stand up desperately, only to be flipped onto the ground by a slap the next second. Nanny Hua held Chu Nanli down and slapped her several times in succession. ¡°Slut, on the brink of death and you still try to ruin the Concubine¡¯s good fortune!¡± As nanny Hua spoke, she pulled out a fire starter. ¡°Chu Yingyue, you are but a lowly commoner from Chu Kingdom, yet you didn¡¯t know your place and usurped the position of Princess Consort for so long. Our Concubine is the daughter of the Prime Minister, skilled in poetry and painting since childhood; why should she be beneath you?¡± ¡°I might as well tell you that Concubine Lin Fuying is not actually ill; your mistake was merely getting in her way¡ªso die!¡± Nanny Hua lit the curtain and left. Chu Yingyue¡¯s consciousness began to blur; she didn¡¯t hear clearly what nanny Hua had said, only remembering that sentence, Concubine Lin Fuying is not actually ill! She had been blind! Initially, she had brought Lin Fuying into the residence, treating her like a sister, even using her own dowry to treat her illness, only to end up with both herself and her child being sentenced to death! ¡°Cough¡ª¡± Overcome by hatred, Chu Nanli coughed out a mouthful of blood. Below the thick smoke, she felt like she was about to suffocate. In the second before her consciousness faded, she bit the tip of her tongue and using her blood, drew the ancient curse from the legends of Chu Kingdom. ¡°I, the Goddess of Chu Kingdom, Chu Nanli, today I summon the gods using my blood as the medium and my soul as the sacrifice, with my death as the appeal.¡± ¡°First wish: may my child rest in peace, find a better life in their next birth, and not encounter an incompetent mother like me.¡± ¡°Second wish: may those who harmed me suffer unbearably, with tears of heartache, and meet a bitter end!¡± ¡°Third wish¡­¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s lips curled into a bitter smile, ¡°Third wish, may Ye Yunting never obtain true love, may everything he desires elude him, living a life of gloomy despair!¡± Boom¡ª The sky suddenly cracked with several peals of thunder as the stars began to align¡­ ¡°Why has the weather suddenly changed¡­¡± ¡°Never mind that, let¡¯s hurry up and go!¡± Unnoticed by anyone, the seven stars began to form a special totem¡­ Chapter 2 - 2 2 The More You Live The More You Go Backwards ?Chapter 2: Chapter 2: The More You Live, The More You Go Backwards Chapter 2: Chapter 2: The More You Live, The More You Go Backwards ¡°Prince, it¡¯s terrible, there¡¯s a fire in the Princess Consort¡¯s courtyard!¡± Nanny Hua, flustered, led a group of maidservants as they knelt on the ground, scarcely daring to breathe. Ye Yunting¡¯s demeanor was gravely tense, his face cold and eyebrows furrowed. ¡°What game is she playing this time!¡± ¡°It¡¯s true, the Princess Consort refuses to come out, she¡¯s even threatening to commit suicide, please go quickly and see!¡± ¡°If you delay, the Princess Consort might already be reduced to ashes!¡± Nanny Hua hastily knocked her head on the floor, yet secretly hoped that Chu Nanli would be quickly reduced to ashes. ¡°Is she threatening me with death to force me to hand over the child?¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s face darkened frighteningly. The usually meek and compliant Chu Nanli was actually threatening him! ¡°Ha! Let her be, I want to see if she dares to actually die.¡± Nanny Hua was startled, thinking that the Prince must not ignore this, and was about to say something else when Lin Fuying, sobbing, tugged at Ye Yunting¡¯s robe. ¡°Prince, please still go and look after my sister!¡± ¡°Yingying, there¡¯s no need to be soft-hearted for that wicked woman, let her make a fuss!¡± Ye Yunting said sternly. ¡°But, Yingying is worried about her sister, Yingying fears she truly means to seek death. After all, having just lost her child, as a mother, she must be in unbearable pain.¡± In unbearable pain? Truly wishes to seek death? Ye Yunting furrowed his brows. ¡°Yingying being so considerate of others, truly benevolent, I shall see that wicked woman for the sake of Yingying¡¯s face!¡± ¡­ ¡°Hiss¡ªso hot!¡± Chu Nanli opened her eyes to see her sleeve on fire, almost burning her hair! By rolling and smothering the fire with her body, she extinguished it, only to find herself already surrounded by flames. Hadn¡¯t she died in a plane crash? How could she appear in the midst of dense smoke and flames? Moreover, the excruciating agony in her lower abdomen, what was that about? Along with dizziness, a stream of memories not her own flooded her mind. Chu Nanli, the revered Goddess of Chu Kingdom, who three years ago had concealed her identity and left her homeland to marry Ye Yunting, was abandoned by him like worn-out shoes, and was eventually forcefully induced to abort their child¡­ She didn¡¯t understand, it was clearly Ye Yunting who had saved her, proposed a marriage in return for her service, and even promised to solely be with her for life, why it turned out like this. The pain in her abdomen grew more intense, feeling a gush of fluid falling, Chu Nanli quickly sealed her acupuncture points and took out a pill from her space storage and consumed it forcefully. The space was basic equipment issued by the state in the year 2090, she hadn¡¯t expected it to also travel through time with her, which indeed was quite convenient. In the war-torn year 2090, as a highly trained military doctor cultivated by the state, Chu Nanli¡¯s duties were not only in medical fields but also in combat and intelligence gathering, thus her space equipment was extremely comprehensive, including fire extinguishers and fireproof suits, which are the basics. She put on a fireproof suit and planned to rush straight out of the inferno, but as she moved to the doorway, an invisible force halted her! ¡°First, I wish for my child to rest in peace, second, I wish for those who harmed me to suffer excruciating heartache and die miserably, third wish¡­¡± The original owner¡¯s dying curses and oaths to the gods still rang in her ears, forming a powerful force. Chu Nanli remembered, it was this force that had drawn her here. To sacrifice the soul, what deep obsession this was¡­ ¡°Rest assured, I will help you fulfill your wishes.¡± Chu Nanli caressed her abdomen, ¡°Besides, you didn¡¯t leave nothing behind in this world, there¡¯s actually a child in your womb!¡± The original body was pregnant with dizygotic twins, and despite all she had endured, one fetus had remarkably survived. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, due to the original owner¡¯s extreme emotional distress, that fetus had almost miscarried as well. Fortunately, she had sealed her acupoints in time and taken the medicine from her space, thereby saving the child. ¡°I will take good care of her, and will not let anyone hurt or humiliate us again, go in peace,¡± she said. As her words fell, the invisible force that had been lingering started to dissipate slowly¡­ Then, a pair of ice-cold, rough hands, gripped onto Chu Nanli¡¯s wrist tightly, causing her intense pain, as a fierce and angry voice sounded by her ear. ¡°Chu Nanli, don¡¯t you dare threaten me!¡± Chu Nanli was pulled out of the fire by a great force, and the next second, she was unexpectedly thrown out, and with a bang, she landed heavily on the ground. ¡°Merely over a fetus you haven¡¯t even given birth to yet, you dare threaten me with death, so oblivious to propriety, you¡¯re regressing the more you live!¡± Chapter 3 - 3 3 Blind in Eyes and Heart ?Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Blind in Eyes and Heart Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Blind in Eyes and Heart ¡°Are you all right?¡± Chu Nanli looked up at Ye Yunting, this man who was so blindly biased and heartlessly blind; he truly didn¡¯t deserve the original host¡¯s wholehearted devotion. What do you mean by ¡®just a fetus¡¯? What do you mean by ¡®doesn¡¯t see the big picture¡¯? Seeing the big picture means being willing to sacrifice one¡¯s own child for that scheming little lotus? And furthermore¡­ ¡°Who told you I was using death as a threat?¡± Chu Nanli pointed at Nanny Hua, ¡°It was this conniving wretch who deliberately set the fire to burn me to death!¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s eyebrows knitted together slightly, ¡°Chu Nanli, you fail to threaten and now you dare to lie?¡± Lie? Chu Nanli was somewhat surprised. Was this the kind of person the original host was in Ye Yunting¡¯s heart after three years of dedicated service at the Prince Residence? ¡°The truth will come out after an investigation.¡± Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t be bothered to argue with him; who actually started the fire with the firestarter would be known upon investigation. ¡°Sister, could there be some misunderstanding here¡­¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s face was pale as she spoke, ¡°Nanny Hua is my wet nurse, I am well aware of her temperament, she would never do such a thing as murder and arson¡­¡± Chu Nanli ignored her, staring straight at Ye Yunting, ¡°There must also be traces at the scene. Who set the fire will be known if we bring in a coroner to investigate.¡± ¡°Absolutely not! If word of this gets out, it would tarnish both sister¡¯s and the entire Prince Residence¡¯s reputation!¡± Lin Fuying bit her lip, looking aggrieved as she tugged at Ye Yunting, her eyes pitiful and innocent. ¡°Prince, I swear on my life that Nanny Hua would never harm my sister. There must be some misunderstanding. Might as well make a big issue small¡­ Besides, perhaps sister was afraid of punishment and became panicked, thinking it was Nanny Hua who set the fire¡­¡± sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her seemingly simple words appeared considerate, but in reality, they implied that Chu Nanli herself had started the fire and didn¡¯t dare to admit it, even framing a servant for this ¡°wickedness¡±. As expected, after hearing this, Ye Yunting¡¯s expression grew even darker, ¡°This matter ends here!¡± Having said this, he turned to leave. Nanny Hua kneeling on the ground looked at Chu Nanli with a sarcastic smile, her face full of a victor¡¯s pride. ¡°Wait, Ye Yunting, are you going to convict me without even investigating?¡± Chu Nanli stepped forward to block Ye Yunting, ¡°I am, after all, your Princess Consort. This conniving wretch deliberately set a fire to burn me alive. I demand an explanation today!¡± It made no sense for her to be wronged and still carry the blame; moreover, the original host had actually been killed! Ye Yunting was about to speak with furrowed brows when Lin Fuying, looking woefully wronged, tugged at him. ¡°Whimper¡­ Prince, since sister is so suspicious of my wet nurse, I have no choice but to die to prove my innocence!¡± Saying so, Lin Fuying cried and crashed against a pillar. ¡°Yingying!¡± Ye Yunting pushed Chu Nanli away and rushed towards Lin Fuying, hugging her tightly with great concern, his gaze turning frosty when he looked back at Chu Nanli. ¡°Chu Nanli! You know full well that Yingying is frail, yet you still provoke her so. You truly deserve to die!¡± The strong push sent Chu Nanli crashing to the ground, fresh blood spilling from her mouth once again. She clenched her teeth, ¡°Ye Yunting, you are truly blind!¡± Blind to such lousy acting! ¡°If Lin Fuying was not guilty, why wouldn¡¯t she agree to a direct investigation, instead resorting to tears, tantrums, and threats of suicide?¡± ¡°Enough, you still dare to talk back!¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s complexion grew even darker, especially seeing Chu Nanli¡¯s defiant and unruly behavior, kindling an inexplicable anger within him. ¡°Guards! The Princess Consort maliciously started a fire without showing repentance. Administer thirty strokes as punishment!¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s Hidden Guards were known for their lightning-fast efficiency, not allowing Chu Nanli time to react, quickly restraining her. Chu Nanli endured a painful beating before managing to take out an invisible riot protection suit from her space. The riot suit could minimize harm to some extent, but the pain was very real! Added to that was the severe pain in her abdomen from just losing a child, which intensified once more. ¡°Ye Yunting, I will remember today¡¯s humiliation!¡± Chapter 4 - 4 4 Return a Hundredfold ?Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Return a Hundredfold! Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Return a Hundredfold! She, Chu Nanli, the revered Ghost Hand military doctor of 2090, had never felt so humiliated. If she had to blame anything, it was her current weakness, which prevented her from directly confronting Ye Yunting. But when the day came that she spread her full wings, she would repay him a hundredfold! She took out a Fetal Protection Medicine from her space and swallowed it¡ªotherwise, after thirty lashes, the child would surely be lost¡­ Ye Yunting, you almost caused the loss of another one of your children. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. How ludicrous. ¡°Princess Consort, I have offended you!¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s Hidden Guard, having executed the punishment, left without helping her up. Chu Nanli lay on the ground in a dishevelled state, feeling dizzy wave after wave, but she could not fall, she had promised the original owner of the body to reclaim the child so it could rest in peace. However, the original owner¡¯s body was fundamentally weak, and after being mistreated so today, Chu Nanli eventually couldn¡¯t hold on any longer, and darkness enveloped her vision¡­ ¡­ Furong Academy. ¡°Wuu wuu¡­ I don¡¯t want to eat my sister¡¯s child!¡± ¡°If I had known earlier that my illness required the medicine catalyst of a three-month-old living fetus, I wouldn¡¯t have sought treatment! I¡¯d rather die than harm my sister, Yunting, can we give the child back to sister, please¡­¡± Lin Fuying, refusing to take her medicine, cried until her eyes were red, looking so pitiable to me. Ye Yunting hugged Lin Fuying, who could not stop crying, into his arms, ¡°Enough, stop crying. The child has already been dealt with. Just wait to take your medicine.¡± ¡°But, doing so will surely make my sister hate me to death¡­¡± ¡°Dare she! If she gives you trouble in the future, I will transfer her authority of the household to you,¡± Ye Yunting frowned, inexplicably irritated at the memory of Chu Nanli¡¯s defiance earlier. ¡°Prince, that must not happen. Sister is the rightful Princess Consort. Yingying does not seek anything else, just to be by your side is enough,¡± Lin Fuying said softly as she leaned gently into Ye Yunting¡¯s embrace, which eased his frown slightly. ¡°Yingying is always so understanding,¡± Ye Yunting remarked flatly. He favored Lin Fuying¡¯s gentleness and compliance, unlike Chu Nanli who, despite her outward respectfulness, carried an indescribable pride and nobility in her bones¡ªit was the same in the past, and even more so now. ¡°The Prince flatters me. I wouldn¡¯t dare covet my sister¡¯s things,¡± Lin Fuying said softly, her heart secretly triumphant. Chu Nanli, what does it matter that you are the rightful Princess Consort if you still lack the favor of a man. ¡°By the way, Prince, you should go see sister. She just lost her child and was lashed thirty times. Her body might not withstand it¡­¡± On hearing this, Ye Yunting¡¯s brow furrowed again. Thirty lashes seemed excessive for a woman who had never been on a campaign or to battle. However, the look Chu Nanli gave him earlier triggered his desire to temper her sharp spirit. He wondered whether the woman would now be willing to submit. If she asked him, he wouldn¡¯t mind adopting a child from a side branch for her in the future. With that thought, Ye Yunting took a step, ¡°I¡¯ll go see her.¡± Lin Fuying bit her lip as she watched his retreating figure, resentful. She only intended to demonstrate her own kindness and thoughtfulness, assuming the Prince had no desire to see that wretched woman. Yet, he really went to her. The gentle expression on her face disappeared, replaced by a fiercely contorted one. ¡°Nanny Hua, do you think the Prince still has feelings for sister?¡± She clearly saw Ye Yunting¡¯s expression change when she mentioned that Chu Nanli might not survive the thirty lashes. ¡°Your Highness shouldn¡¯t overthink it. The Prince has only you in his heart now. Surely he¡¯s seeing the Princess Consort for your sake,¡± Nanny Hua reassured her. ¡°I hope so¡­¡± Lin Fuying unclenched her tight fists, ¡°Well, it¡¯s good that he¡¯s left now; it spares me the pretense of taking the medicine. I¡¯m not ill at all. That fetal soup should be thrown away. I would never drink such a disgusting and ominous thing!¡± Chapter 5 - 5 5 The Child is Still Alive ?Chapter 5: Chapter 5 The Child is Still Alive Chapter 5: Chapter 5 The Child is Still Alive In a haze, Chu Nanli seemed to be lying in her own bedroom bed, she found a comfortable position and nestled into the arms of a stuffed toy rabbit nearby, intending to have a good sleep, but she felt a force tugging at her. Chu Nanli had no choice but to open her eyes, and what greeted her was an ancient-looking room. She felt a chill by the corner of her eye¡ªit seemed she had just been dreaming. Feeling a trace of liquid remaining at the corner of her mouth, she touched it with her finger¡ªit was medicine. Had someone come to treat her wounds just now? Chu Nanli immediately looked around and the next second, she saw a dark shadow flash by the window. ¡°Who is it?¡± She wanted to get up and chase after them, but she had no strength. The person probably meant her no harm, he could very well be the one who had administered the medicine. Although she couldn¡¯t make out who it was, she always felt that tall figure bore a hint of familiarity, seemingly somewhat similar to Ye Yunting. ¡°Bang¡ª¡± Subsequently, the door to the boudoir was pushed open and Ye Yunting walked in with a cold face. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Chu Nanli warily looked at Ye Yunting, the man was tall and straight, his presence noble and commanding, his cold face seemed as if it were meticulously sculpted, no wonder the original hostess had liked him so much. Unfortunately, Ye Yunting only had the looks, his heart was selfish and indifferent. Chu Nanli had just thought that the person who brought the medicine resembled Ye Yunting, but now she felt it would be impossible, he wouldn¡¯t be that kind-hearted. ¡°I came to see you,¡± Ye Yunting spoke indifferently, ¡°Seeing you this spirited, it seems those thirty lashes didn¡¯t hurt you much.¡± The tone made it sound like he was somewhat regretful that she wasn¡¯t hurt, truly a despicable man! Chu Nanli gritted her teeth, too lazy to talk nonsense, ¡°What about the child?¡± She hadn¡¯t forgotten the promise she had made to the original hostess, she wanted to ensure the child was laid to rest peacefully. Hearing her mention the child, Ye Yunting¡¯s expression turned icy, ¡°Chu Nanli, stop thinking about that child!¡± ¡°Why? Ye Yunting, that is your child too, are you going to kill your own flesh and blood?¡± ¡°Heh, I have never touched you, how could the child in your belly be mine?¡± Ye Yunting said darkly. ¡°You did not keep your chastity, I won¡¯t pursue this, but for giving the Evil Seed to the Concubine, consider it compensation for your faults.¡± ¡°Also, you better behave; if Yingying is harmed by your doing, prepare to accompany her in death as well!¡± After saying that, Ye Yunting left with a swirl of his sleeves and a dark face. Chu Nanli slightly furrowed her brows, confused. Three months ago, at Xingshan Temple, the original hostess had indeed spent the night with Ye Yunting. She remembered that Ye Yunting had accidentally taken the wrong medicine and was discovered by the original hostess who was there to pray. Thinking Ye Yunting was her rightful husband, she didn¡¯t adhere to formalities and spent the entire night with him. Suddenly, the scoundrel wouldn¡¯t recognize her after putting on his pants, nor would he acknowledge his own child, whom he forcibly terminated. Chu Nanli truly wished she could avenge the original hostess by chopping up that scoundrel, but her immediate concern was to find the discarded fetus. Checking the time, she had been unconscious for about fifteen minutes, and there should still be time left. She got up and directly rushed to the Medicinal Cuisine Room, and conveniently encountered a sneaky little maid in the backyard. The little maid was panicking, her steps unsteady, murmuring softly to herself. ¡°Those old Nannies are really bullies, why should they make me do such a disgusting task!¡± Chu Nanli quietly followed the little maid to the west city¡¯s Mass Burial Mound, where the maid, struggling to hold back her disgust, glanced at the bloody mess in her hands. ¡°Poor child, the client who harmed you is not me, rest in peace, and may you find a good family in your next life¡ªbut please don¡¯t look for me!¡± Having said that, she tossed it like a piece of garbage directly into the stinking Mass Burial Mound. After the maid left, Chu Nanli hurriedly stepped forward to check. She carefully picked up the fetus, and amazingly found a heartbeat when she touched it! This child, perhaps, could still live! S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli looked around cautiously, quickly found a secluded spot, and transported herself into a space, laying the fetus in the Breeding Box. It was the year 2090. Given the low natural fertility rates, the Medical College had developed this high-tech Breeding Box that simulates a real uterus, with a survival rate of over 90 percent. The little one had a weak heartbeat due to being separated from the body for some time, so Chu Nanli added a bunch of supplements to the Breeding Box. Whether he could survive depended on the child¡¯s fate now. After completing all this, Chu Nanli, exhausted, walked out of the space. She didn¡¯t notice that a black figure was concealed in an old tree at a distance. Chapter 6 - 6 6 Too Kind ?Chapter 6: Chapter 6 Too Kind Chapter 6: Chapter 6 Too Kind The man in black slowly descended from dozens of meters above, the mask lifted by the breeze, revealing a face of transcendent beauty, so exceptionally handsome as to take one¡¯s breath away, like that of a celestial exiled from paradise depicted in a painting. Moments later, he floated to the ground as smoothly as flowing water, and the mask once again secured itself tightly to his face. His gaze, with the might of a ruler, lightly surveyed the kneeling subjects below him, his picturesque eyes brimming with indifference. ¡°Continue to follow her.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡­ ¡°Prince, the Concubine almost cried herself into unconsciousness, what shall we do?¡± ¡°The Concubine¡¯s nature is too kind-hearted. After taking the medicine, she was overcome with guilt and fainted several times. Nanny gave her some sleeping pills, and after a great deal, she finally fell asleep,¡± Nanny said with an anxious face. Ye Yunting frowned slightly and turned to Bai Wuheng, ¡°With her emotions fluctuating like this, could it affect her health?¡± Bai Wuheng was the Divine Doctor of Xia Kingdom and Ye Yunting¡¯s former classmate; he had been treating Lin Fuying¡¯s illness all along. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Since she has taken the medicine, her illness is bound to heal,¡± Bai Wuheng answered confidently, then with a grin, looked at Ye Yunting, ¡°But Aye, you were quite ruthless, to go as far as to harm your own child.¡± It was his idea to use a living fetus of three months as a medicinal catalyst, but he never anticipated that Ye Yunting would consider using his own child. ¡°That is not my child!¡± Ye Yunting glared at him with a chilling gaze and said coldly. Bai Wuheng found it hard to believe, after all, Chu Nanli loved Ye Yunting so deeply, how could she possibly carry someone else¡¯s child? Nevertheless, he did not say much more. In the end, his dear Fuying was saved, and as for Chu Nanli, that woman, her life was insignificant. Whose child she bore did not concern him. ¡°Alright, alright, whatever you say,¡± Bai Wuheng spoke teasingly, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be on my way.¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Ye Yunting said in a grave tone, ¡°prepare some restorative medicine for the Princess Consort.¡± ¡°Sure thing.¡± Bai Wuheng cheerfully pulled out paper and pen. Requesting a prescription from him, the Divine Doctor, was quite expensive, but considering that Chu Nanli¡¯s woman had saved Yingying, he did not skimp on these matters. After writing down a few herbs, Bai Wuheng left Ye Yunting with a few more instructions. ¡°This woman has had an abortifacient which is akin to giving birth; she needs to observe a confinement period for a month. Make sure she doesn¡¯t knock into anything, and avoid any cold and raw food¡­¡± ¡°Avoid knocking into anything?¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s expression suddenly turned frightfully cold, ¡°I just ordered her to be flogged thirty times¡­¡± ¡°Flogged thirty times?!¡± Bai Wuheng gasped in shock. ¡°Do you realize how fragile a woman is during her confinement? Thirty lashes can easily lead to death! Aye, aren¡¯t you afraid that you might regret this one day?¡± As his old classmate, Bai Wuheng still couldn¡¯t help but issue a warning to Ye Yunting in the end. ¡°When the medicine is ready, bring it to her yourself. Don¡¯t be too ruthless; spare yourself the regret of not having a way out when the day comes.¡± Having spoken his piece, Bai Wuheng sighed and left. He shouldn¡¯t have said those things, as they were not in Fuying¡¯s favor, but he couldn¡¯t bear to see Ye Yunting go on like this. He would only give this one reminder, whether Ye Yunting grasped the implication was up to him. Regrets? Ye Yunting frowned. In his life, he had always been decisive in killing, never doing anything that he would later regret¡­ ¡°Ye Yi, have someone send the restorative medicine to the Princess Consort!¡± ¡°Yes, Prince!¡± ¡­ In the Medicinal Cuisine Room, Nanny was supervising the servants concocting the medicine when she received the order to prepare medicine for Chu Nanli. She took the herbs delivered by Ye Yi and stashed them away secretly. She carried a bowl of cheap herbal soup towards Chu Nanli¡¯s room, continuously spitting into the soup along the way. ¡°A mere commoner dares to drink such fine things?¡± she said with a face full of contempt and disdain. If it weren¡¯t for fear of arousing the Prince¡¯s suspicion, she would have wished to replace the medicinal soup with poison! Little did she expect that that lowly girl would have such a strong lease on life. She timed the call for help during the fire just right, yet, that little wretch didn¡¯t burn to death! The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and with one swift kick, she kicked open the door, and with a slap, placed the bowl of medicine on the table. ¡°Your Highness, it¡¯s time for your medicine!¡± Chapter 7 - 7 7 Administration of Medicine ?Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Administration of Medicine Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Administration of Medicine Chu Nanli was observing the condition of the fetus in the space when she sensed someone coming. As she exited the space, she noticed an additional bowl of poor-quality herbal medicine on the table, seemingly mixed with human saliva, which disgusted Chu Nanli. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°Princess Consort, this is the medicine the Prince ordered for you,¡± Nanny Hua said with a smile, covering her lips. ¡°Has the Prince become so poor that he has to use this kind of medicine?¡± Chu Nanli narrowed her eyes, ¡°Or is it medicine mixed with spit?¡± Nanny Hua did not expect Chu Nanli to notice, so she stopped pretending and disdainfully said, ¡°The Princess Consort really thinks highly of herself, doesn¡¯t she? Just a lowly commoner, and still, you should be grateful for having medicine to drink!¡± Chu Nanli, still busy taking care of the fetus, had no interest in dealing with them and frowned, ¡°Take the medicine away!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not up to you. Since the Prince has ordered it, you must drink it!¡± Nanny Hua said triumphantly, ¡°Someone, force the Princess Consort to drink!¡± As soon as the words fell, several maids behind Nanny Hua approached Chu Nanli. Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes suddenly turned cold, and she quickly flew out silver needles to immobilize the maids. When it came to Nanny Hua, Chu Nanli directly grabbed her neck. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Do you like spitting in it?¡± Chu Nanli gripped Nanny Hua¡¯s chin, ¡°Then eat your fill yourself!¡± With that, she picked up the bowl of medicine and forcibly poured it down her throat. Nanny Hua, unable to move, was forced to swallow several mouthfuls of the disgusting medicine and almost vomited her guts out. She was extremely resentful. ¡°You wench, just you wait!¡± She cursed as she led a group of maids out, heading straight for Ye Yunting¡¯s courtyard. ¡°Prince, the Princess Consort refused to take the medicine and even attacked the servants, spilling the medicine!¡± Nanny Hua knelt on the ground, crying and ¡°accusing,¡± causing Ye Yunting to furrow his brows. ¡°How long does she plan to make trouble!¡± Ye Yunting grew impatient. Just a bastard child, was it that important to her? Or did she resent him for not bringing the medicine in person? Recalling what Bai Wuheng had said, Ye Yunting finally ordered Ye Yi, ¡°Go get another bowl of medicine. I will deliver it myself!¡± A quarter of an hour later, Ye Yunting arrived at Wutong Academy, carrying the tonic. Chu Nanli was somewhat irritated; she had just sent away one group of people and was treating the fetus in the space when another unwelcome guest appeared. ¡°What are you doing here again?¡± Chu Nanli said irritably to the man in front of her. Ye Yunting¡¯s handsome face darkened as he tugged at the corner of his mouth and ordered sternly, ¡°Drink the medicine!¡± Chu Nanli looked at it, noticed there was no poison, took it, and drank it quickly. ¡°Are you satisfied now?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s dark face softened slightly, and he slowly sat on the table. ¡°If you had just drunk it earlier, there would have been no need to cause a fuss and make me come see you!¡± ¡°I caused a fuss to make you come?¡± Chu Nanli frowned slightly, puzzled as she looked towards Ye Yunting. ¡°Spilling the medicine and injuring Nanny Hua and the others wasn¡¯t to make me come see you?¡± Ye Yunting said sternly, ¡°Chu Nanli, using such childish tricks, you are really becoming more capable!¡± Chu Nanli frowned displeasedly, ¡°I spilled the medicine because it was tainted with spit, which has nothing to do with you. As for injuring Nanny Hua, she was forcing me to drink the saliva-laced medicine¡­¡± ¡°Enough! Chu Nanli, you should find a better excuse for lying! How could a servant like Nanny Hua dare to do such a thing?¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s face suddenly darkened. ¡°She dares to commit murder by arson, what wouldn¡¯t she dare?¡± Chu Nanli sneered, meeting his sinister face straight on, ¡°Ye Yunting, only a fool like you would believe a servant¡¯s word without investigating!¡± ¡°You! Chu Nanli! Your audacity grows, daring to insult me!¡± Ye Yunting gripped Chu Nanli¡¯s wrist tightly, his dark eyes swirling with towering anger, seemingly ready to tear Chu Nanli apart the next moment. ¡°Do you think this will get my attention? Let me tell you, stop using schemes to make me come see you, such behavior disgusts me!¡± Ye Yunting harshly flung his sleeves, his face darkened as he prepared to leave, but Chu Nanli called out from behind him. ¡°Ye Yunting, if you despise me so much, let¡¯s divorce!¡± Chu Nanli could no longer tolerate this brainless, temperamental man. Being entangled with such a person was simply a waste of life. ¡°Divorce?¡± Ye Yunting paused momentarily, then his face turned even more somber, ¡°Chu Nanli, what tricks are you playing now?¡± ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± Chu Nanli, fearing Ye Yunting wouldn¡¯t believe her, said earnestly, ¡°Ye Yunting, you¡¯ve long despised me. Dragging this out makes no one happy. It would be better if I stepped aside and let your Yingying become the official wife.¡± She thought the offer she made was tempting enough that Ye Yunting would agree, but instead, his face grew uglier, and he teetered on the edge of rage. ¡°Chu Nanli, don¡¯t even think about it! If I were to let you go, it would only be to divorce, do you think you are qualified for a separation?¡± Chapter 8 - 8 8 Unworthy of Divorce ?Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Unworthy of Divorce Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Unworthy of Divorce ¡°Fine, I¡¯m not entitled to a separation.¡± Chu Nanli hadn¡¯t expected Ye Yunting to be so petty as to not give her the last bit of dignity. ¡°Then divorce me.¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s eyes flashed with a hint of astonishment; he hadn¡¯t expected Chu Nanli to say that. Chu Nanli, however, was indifferent. As someone not from this era, she didn¡¯t care about titles. She just wanted to live happily on behalf of the original host and take good care of the child the host had left in this world. ¡°Chu Nanli, are you using retreat as advance?¡± Ye Yunting stared intensely at Chu Nanli, attempting to spot flaws on her face. Chu Nanli looked at Ye Yunting¡¯s expression and was bewildered instead. Considering Ye Yunting could sit in this position, he was absolutely not a fool, even should have mastered the arts of deception and trickery. Then why did he have doubts about her ¡°using retreat as advance¡± but never doubted his seemingly weak concubine? Chu Nanli scoffed coldly and didn¡¯t want to waste more words with such a despicable man. ¡°You pick a date then; there¡¯s no day like today ¨C let it be today.¡± Looking at Chu Nanli seriously preparing even paper and pen, Ye Yunting finally realized she was serious and suddenly felt an unprecedented rage swelling inside him. This woman, who had eagerly presented herself at the Prince Residence wanting to marry him, how could she now just decide to leave as she pleased! ¡°Chu Nanli, why should I listen to you! Even if it¡¯s a divorce, it should only happen when I say so!¡± Ye Yunting clenched his fists tightly, puzzled why he felt so suffocated, his mind involuntarily revisiting the day he first met Chu Nanli. That day, Chu Nanli entered the Prince Residence with a small bundle, her face flushed and naively smiling, ¡°Aye, didn¡¯t you say you would commit yourself to me? Here I am to marry you!¡± Before this, he had never met Chu Nanli nor had he ever promised to commit himself to anyone. He merely thought this woman was shy yet exceptionally bold, pursuing him in a novel way. At that time, he needed a Princess Consort of ¡°pure¡± descent, unaffiliated with any family powers, so he simply went with the flow and married her. Although they never shared marital intimacy, their relationship had been amicable before Yingying entered. Thinking of this, Ye Yunting¡¯s attitude softened somewhat. ¡°Take good rest. If you have any demands, just say so. But don¡¯t think about separation again!¡± Chu Nanli startled, unclear why Ye Yunting was suddenly unwilling to divorce, but his attitude appeared very firm. Chu Nanli¡¯s mind raced. Staying in the Prince Residence to nourish the fetus was not out of the question. During this period, she could cultivate her own power base, and it wouldn¡¯t be too late to leave once she was fully prepared. Having understood this, Chu Nanli spoke directly, ¡°No separation is fine, but I have a condition.¡± ¡°What condition?¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes turned cold, ¡°I want Nanny Hua¡¯s life.¡± This meddlesome servant had caused the death of the original host and had constantly framed her, helping Lin Fuying do evil deeds. Since she couldn¡¯t touch Lin Fuying yet, she would start by cutting down her servant. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After speaking, she looked at Ye Yunting, only to see his face darkening again. ¡°Impossible!¡± ¡°Why? Nanny Hua is just a servant. Don¡¯t I, as Princess Consort, even have the right to deal with her?¡± ¡°Nanny Hua is Yingying¡¯s personal nanny. Yingying would be heartbroken,¡± Ye Yunting said gravely. ¡°Choose another condition.¡± ¡°Tsk, you are quite considerate of others,¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s lip curled with a hint of sarcasm. ¡°Fine, don¡¯t kill her, but return all my dowry to me.¡± ¡°The Prince should know the amount of dowry I brought with me was considerable. Yet over the years, it¡¯s nearly all been spent on Lin Fuying¡¯s medical care.¡± Ye Yunting recalled that Chu Nanli did bring a half bundle of silver notes when she first entered the residence. At the time, she merely mentioned her father was a traveling merchant and therefore wasn¡¯t short of money. Seeing Ye Yunting furrowing his brows as if deep in thought, Chu Nanli hastily added, ¡°Prince, what are you hesitating for? You can¡¯t be unable to produce that, can you?¡± ¡°How could I not afford it!¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s expression darkened, ¡°Ye Yi, tally up ten thousand taels of gold for the concubine!¡± When Ye Yi received the order, he was so shocked that he was speechless. Was the Prince really opening his private treasury for the Princess Consort? Ten thousand taels of gold, only the private treasury held so much¡­ ¡°What are you standing around for, go quickly!¡± Ye Yunting ordered coldly. ¡°Yes!¡± After Ye Yi had gone, Ye Yunting turned a stern face to Chu Nanli, ¡°Are you satisfied now?¡± Chu Nanli nodded her head, satisfied, truly satisfied. Ten thousand taels of gold was at least several thousand more than her initial dowry. Actually, when she initially demanded Nanny Hua¡¯s life, it was strategic. First demanding an unacceptable condition, then pushing for an easier one regarding money¡ªYe Yunting was likely to agree. Only she hadn¡¯t expected him to agree so swiftly. Tsk, Nanny Hua¡¯s life indeed had its price. Ye Yunting would rather give her an extra few thousand taels of gold than bear to upset Lin Fuying, talk about ¡°blind love.¡± But well, money was now in hand. As for Nanny Hua¡¯s life¡­ She wanted that too! Chapter 9 - 9 9 Ye Yunting Gets Angry ?Chapter 9: Chapter 9 Ye Yunting Gets Angry Chapter 9: Chapter 9 Ye Yunting Gets Angry ¡°Why haven¡¯t you left yet?¡± Chu Nanli snapped out of it and saw Ye Yunting still in the room, looking at her with brooding eyes, and she felt an ominous sense of confusion. Why wasn¡¯t this man going to visit his beloved Yingying? Why was he still standing around here? Ye Yunting¡¯s face showed a coldness as he spoke with mocking tone, ¡°I want to see just how many faces you¡¯ve faked that I don¡¯t know about. Initially, to get close to me, you pretended to be so harmless, but inside you¡¯re so vulgar and lowly, it makes me want to vomit!¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s heart suddenly ached without warning, her complexion shifted, and she looked down with a sudden sourness in her heart. She felt it was unjust for the original soul. ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, for the sake of your delicate body, please leave.¡± Chu Nanli looked up, her gaze cold and filled with disgust. Ye Yunting, furious, stepped forward and grabbed the woman¡¯s slender neck, the veins on his hand standing out. ¡°Are you seeking death?!¡± Chu Nanli sneered, a single ¡®leave¡¯ was all it took to get under his skin¡­ ¡°Dare you use a word like ¡®delicate body¡¯ that¡¯s used to describe women on me? I am the War God of Xia Kingdom! Do you know how many enemies tremble at the mention of my name¡­¡± The enraged man was still speaking, but Chu Nanli was no longer listening, her mind filled with the absurdity. This? Not because of the word ¡®leave¡¯, but because of ¡®delicate body¡¯? Chu Nanli raised her hand straight towards Ye Yunting¡¯s palm, the silver needle flashing in her grasp. Ye Yunting, with quick reflexes, withdrew his hand and flipped her onto the bed. ¡°Bang!¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s head hit the bedpost, and her vision went dark. ¡°Was that move learned from that Evil Seed¡¯s biological father?¡± The man¡¯s voice sounded like a storm was brewing. Chu Nanli laughed angrily, calling her own flesh and blood an Evil Seed; this man was indeed continuously shattering her perceptions. Pushing herself up from the bed, Chu Nanli retorted with sarcasm, ¡°What did I say wrong by calling you a ¡®delicate body¡¯? You, a man over six feet tall, just by looking at me, you want to throw up. Yet, I, a mere woman, have been pregnant and feeling ill day and night, frequently unable to eat anything due to pregnancy sickness. But when I saw you, when did I ever show it?¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s face paused in anger, his brows furrowed deeply as he looked at her somberly. Chu Nanli voiced her sarcasm, ¡°That¡¯s because the former me always wanted to maintain the best image in front of you, even more afraid of worrying you. But what I didn¡¯t know was that you are nothing but a cold-hearted and ungrateful man.¡± So, he completely missed a woman¡¯s wholehearted devotion and instead held the false pure one close to his heart. The woman before him was pale, but her eyes were especially firm and indifferent, causing Ye Yunting to freeze momentarily, his mind remembering the once cozy moments they shared. But in the next moment, his indifference took over. ¡°What right do you have to my pity while carrying an Evil Seed?¡± With that, he turned and left coldly. Chu Nanli cursed quietly, ¡°Dog of a man,¡± took out a silver needle, and gave herself a few acupuncture treatments before she felt her blood and qi flow more smoothly. After Ye Yi brought the ten thousand taels of gold, Chu Nanli checked it and then left the courtyard. ¡­ ¡°Chu Nanli, you vile woman! If the fire didn¡¯t kill you, there are plenty of ways to do it later,¡± Nanny Hua, with a distorted face, stabbed a figurine labeled with Chu Nanli¡¯s name with needles. A cold voice came from behind her. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t have that chance.¡± Nanny Hua¡¯s complexion changed, and seeing Chu Nanli appear in her quarters, she was full of disbelief. The doors were locked, how did this vile woman get in? But even with her entrance, Nanny Hua wasn¡¯t scared. She didn¡¯t believe Chu Nanli would dare to do anything to her since she served the Prince¡¯s favorite Concubine. ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t this our Princess Consort who no man likes, who can¡¯t even protect her own child in her womb?¡± Nanny Hua, with a face like dried orange peel, piled on a mocking smile as she said in a shrill, contemptuous voice, ¡°I heard you want my life, but unfortunately, you, with a status lower than a dog¡¯s, don¡¯t have that ability¡­ I am the nanny to the Princess Consort, deeply loved by the Prince, and the Prince loves all related, willing to spend a thousand taels more to¡­¡± Her speech abruptly stopped. ¡°Noisy.¡± Chu Nanli retracted her hand that had sealed an acupoint, then dragged the person into the room. Nanny Hua was terrified, realizing she could neither move nor speak. Chu Nanli fetched paper and pen, pushed her to the desk, and unsealed an acupoint, ¡°Write what I say. Don¡¯t think you can fool me, I know you can read and write.¡± Nanny Hua twisted her head to run towards the door, but Chu Nanli dragged her back and slapped her across the face. ¡°I¡¯m not a nice person, nor do I have patience. If you don¡¯t write, I¡¯ll give you a cut to let some blood out until you¡¯re done. But your skin is so tough, my knife isn¡¯t sharp; I might have to slice a few more times.¡± Nanny Hua turned pale with fear, gave Chu Nanli a spiteful glance, and then picked up the pen to write a sentence. ¡°The Princess Consort will not let you off.¡± Chu Nanli didn¡¯t speak, stabbing the knife into her shoulder. Nanny Hua turned deathly pale, trembling like chaff. Chu Nanli tore up the paper and stuffed it into her mouth, making her swallow it before placing a new sheet on the desk. ¡°A letter of resignation¡­ Having harmed the Princess Consort¡¯s unborn child, my conscience is troubled. Last night I dreamt of divine punishment, so I request to retire and return home to pray and fast for the innocent unborn child, as atonement to the Princess Consort. I am willing to offer my personal belongings to the Princess Consort, and the servant who previously served me should also be transferred to serve the Princess Consort henceforth.¡± After Nanny Hua finished writing, Chu Nanli also made her press her handprint. Nanny Hua hung her head, full of resentment, envisioning a hundred different ways to torment Chu Nanli to death. However, the next moment, everything went dark, and she found herself in a strange place. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli appeared alongside her, and in the midst of Nanny Hua¡¯s extreme terror, severed her tendons in her hands and feet, speaking indifferently, ¡°From now on, enjoy your twilight years here.¡± After cleaning up any traces, Chu Nanli left quickly. Chapter 10 - 10 10 Speak Where is Nanny Hua ?Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Speak! Where is Nanny Hua? Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Speak! Where is Nanny Hua? The courtyard¡¯s breeze stirred softly as a man clad in a black robe dropped from the courtyard wall and entered the room. ¡°The wrath of the gods descended¡­ truly a clever one.¡± The man¡¯s entire face was hidden beneath a mask, only his eyes revealing a fleeting glimmer of admiration. ¡°Zero.¡± ¡°My lord.¡± The Hidden Guard appeared silently behind him. ¡°Find a brazier and burn some paper money,¡± the man instructed listlessly. ¡°Yes.¡± Zero did not inquire further, though his mind was full of doubts. He couldn¡¯t understand why his master was so concerned about the Princess Consort of the War God Residence, having one of his most trusted Hidden Guards follow her secretly and even help to ¡°stir the pot.¡± Zero disappeared in a flash, and the man raised his hand to remove the mask from his face, revealing an unquestionably divine and handsome visage, his brows like distant mountains and eyes as dark as ink, his expression noble yet merciless. ¡°Wearing the mask for too long is indeed somewhat uncomfortable.¡± A faint sigh dissolved into the air. As soon as Zero reached the door and heard this, his body trembled slightly. ¡­ Chu Nanli had a good night¡¯s sleep, undisturbed by any scheming servants or problems, which made for a peaceful rest. She even dreamed that she had returned to the year 2090. She was just starting to enjoy the dream when an annoying voice shattered it completely. ¡°Witch, get out here to me now!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± The huge sound of the door being kicked made the windows tremble thrice, and just as Chu Nanli was pulling away from her dreams, she was grabbed by the throat. ¡°Ye Yunting, have you lost your mind?!¡± Chu Nanli was also infuriated. She wasn¡¯t a person to wake up grumpy, but nobody could keep their cool if they were rudely awakened with a door kicked in and being choked. ¡°Sister, where have you hidden Nanny Hua? Even if you dislike me, Nanny Hua is innocent¡­¡± Lin Fuying, covering her chest, entered with tearful, reddened eyes, looking as if she might collapse at any moment. Chu Nanli instantly understood. So, this was about that cunning servant. ¡°Where is she?!¡± Seeing Chu Nanli remain silent, Ye Yunting tightened his grip slightly, his expression sinister, ¡°Chu Nanli, do not repeatedly test my limits!¡± ¡°And what, pray tell, are your limits?¡± Since they couldn¡¯t find the person, she would just play along with them. A trace of scorn flickered in Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes. ¡°Still playing dumb? Yesterday, you asked for money, and I gave it to you under the condition that you would not harm Yingying¡¯s nanny. And today, the nanny is gone. You have a lot of nerve, going against me right under my nose.¡± ¡°To correct you, what I wanted yesterday was my dowry. Secondly, you claim the concubine¡¯s nanny was hidden by me¡ªwhere is the evidence?¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s frail figure swayed slightly, her pale face distorted in unbearable grief as she looked at her sister. ¡°Sister, from the day Nanny began serving by my side, she was always early to attend to me, every day for many years without changing. I know you did it out of love for your child¡­ If you truly blame me for the harm to your unborn child, come at me instead. I am willing to endure your wrath for Nanny¡¯s sake.¡± With that, she knelt down with a thud, clearly manipulating the situation to her advantage. ¡°Concubine!¡± sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°You are too frail for this!¡± The attending servants scrambled in turmoil. ¡°I am fine, Prince. Do not be angry with my sister. She did not mean to hurt Nanny Hua; it was all my fault¡­¡± Seeing Lin Fuying still defending Chu Nanli under these circumstances, Ye Yunting¡¯s disgust and disappointment towards Chu Nanli deepened further. ¡°Where did she go! If you don¡¯t tell me, I¡¯ll have you killed!¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s face flushed instantly, her breathing was tight, and she felt like cursing. In her two lifetimes combined, this despicable man was the only one to have ever choked her. This grudge was undoubtedly one she would avenge! A silver needle flew out from beneath the bedding, aiming straight for Ye Yunting¡¯s neck. In that instant of crisis, Ye Yunting¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He swiftly released her and spun back, narrowly evading the needle. Ye Yunting looked at Chu Nanli, his gaze dark and menacing. While the silver needle wouldn¡¯t have killed him, he had to admit that Chu Nanli¡¯s foolish little trick had indeed caught his attention. Chapter 11 - 11 11 Shes Full of Lies ?Chapter 11: Chapter 11 She¡¯s Full of Lies Chapter 11: Chapter 11 She¡¯s Full of Lies ¡°Prince! Are you alright? Sister, how could you¡­¡± Lin Fuying hurriedly got up from the ground and threw herself onto Ye Yunting with worry. Chu Nanli had no interest in watching this couple¡¯s sickening display of affection in her room and said irritably, ¡°If Nanny Hua is missing, go look for her. What use is it to find me?¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s lips trembled, ¡°Sister, you¡­¡± Chu Nanli ignored her and turned to Ye Yunting, ¡°Have you sent someone to look for her?¡± Ye Yunting glared at her with a grim face and warned coldly, ¡°You¡¯d better truly have nothing to do with Nanny Hua¡¯s disappearance, or I promise you a life worse than death!¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Chu Nanli stood up, ¡°In that case, to prevent you from further suspicion, I¡¯ll join the search.¡± ¡°What tricks are you planning to play now?¡± ¡°I dare not, I merely want to prove my innocence.¡± Ye Yunting gave her a deep look and, with a snort, strode away. Chu Nanli leisurely straightened her clothes and followed behind the crowd. Upon reaching Nanny Hua¡¯s courtyard, a bodyguard came over with a resignation letter. ¡°Reporting! Prince, this was found in the room.¡± Ye Yunting took it and cast his eyes down to read. Lin Fuying hurriedly leaned over to look at it. After only reading a couple of lines, her face changed, and she started speaking anxiously. ¡°How could this be? This certainly wasn¡¯t left by Nanny.¡± Lin Fuying, holding the resignation letter, looked at Chu Nanli, her eyes filled with dark clouds. It must be this despicable woman¡¯s doing. To use such underhanded methods against her was clearly a slap in her face, wasn¡¯t it? ¡°Is this Nanny Hua¡¯s handwriting?¡± Ye Yunting asked. Lin Fuying lifted her head, her eyes brimming with tears, ¡°No¡­¡± Chu Nanli snatched the letter from her hands, glanced over it with a smirk, and interrupted, ¡°Concubine, you¡¯d better think carefully before you answer. You said that Nanny Hua served by your side for so many years, so naturally, this room cannot be lacking anything written by her. If the bodyguards find something later and it doesn¡¯t match what you¡¯ve said, wouldn¡¯t that be embarrassing?¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s eyes flashed with hatred, but her face remained extremely frail. ¡°I would certainly recognize Nanny¡¯s handwriting. It¡¯s just that, sister, why do you need to be so aggressive? Nanny is missing, and I don¡¯t want to believe this has anything to do with you, but your various reactions are truly disheartening.¡± S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli truly admired this white lotus for being able to twist any conversation to her favor while removing herself from the blame. There, Ye Yunting¡¯s gaze was becoming more unfriendly by the moment, as if he was about to devour her. ¡°Prince, let¡¯s judge by the evidence.¡± ¡°Prince, Yingying is really worried about Nanny¡­¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s tears threatened to spill over. Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes. Ye Yunting, having witnessed this, frowned deeply, ¡°Look at yourself now, where is the dignity befitting a Princess Consort?¡± Hearing this, Lin Fuying immediately added fuel to the fire, ¡°Prince, sister is just a commoner, and she probably didn¡¯t have the means to learn proper etiquette as a child. It¡¯s not her fault.¡± Chu Nanli responded indifferently, ¡°True, I don¡¯t have the wealth of the Prime Minister Family¡¯s daughter, needing to spend the primary wife¡¯s dowry for medical expenses, and having the Prince pay back the money.¡± ¡°Sister, I thought we were family¡­¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s face suddenly contorted, struggling to maintain her fa?ade of weakness. How had this little wench become so sharp-tongued? After narrowly escaping death, it was as if her tongue had been sharpened, her words mocking Lin Fuying¡¯s poverty and for being a concubine. ¡°Enough! Chu Nanli, how much longer will you continue throwing a tantrum?¡± Ye Yunting stared coldly at Chu Nanli. Chu Nanli, stunned by the rebuke, was about to retort when Ye Yunting warned, ¡°Don¡¯t provoke Yingying any further. I have already repaid your dowry with interest. Know when to stop.¡± Seeing the fragile figure beside him wavering, Ye Yunting affectionately drew her into his embrace. If it turned out that Chu Nanli had anything to do with Nanny Hua¡¯s disappearance, he certainly wouldn¡¯t let her off easily. Yingying had suffered enough in the Prime Minister Residence, he knew it all too well. That damned Chu Nanli even dared to use this incident to provoke Yingying, truly deserving of condemnation! Chu Nanli was unaware of what Ye Yunting was thinking, only feeling extremely irate. Had this dog of a man never heard the phrase ¡°the provocative one is the cheap one¡±? ¡°Prince, these are the other writings found in Nanny Hua¡¯s room. Additionally, the subordinate also found a brazier with a lot of burnt joss paper and Buddhist scriptures inside.¡± At the bodyguard¡¯s words, both Lin Fuying and Chu Nanli¡¯s expressions changed. Lin Fuying was full of uncertainty. Nanny really did believe in Buddhism, but this was not widely known in the Prince Residence. How had Chu Nanli found out? Could it be¡­ this was not Chu Nanli¡¯s doing after all, and Nanny had indeed left the Prince Residence to return to her hometown to retire? Chu Nanli also felt suspicious, looking at the brazier the bodyguard had presented. She hadn¡¯t set up a brazier, nor had she burnt anything. Who was behind this? Friend or foe? ¡°Yingying, it seems that Nanny Hua did indeed leave on her own.¡± Ye Yunting rubbed his temples, his emotions complex. It turned out it really wasn¡¯t the doing of Chu Nanli. No wonder he had wronged her, given that this woman was filled with lies and her nature was utterly despicable. ¡°Prince, Yingying doesn¡¯t believe it! Nanny is not that kind of person; she wouldn¡¯t abandon me and leave on her own.¡± Chapter 12 - 12 12 Its Your Own Fault ?Chapter 12: Chapter 12 It¡¯s Your Own Fault Chapter 12: Chapter 12 It¡¯s Your Own Fault ¡°What sort of person do you think Nanny Hua is in your eyes? Going home to pray for her child is an act of gratitude, isn¡¯t it? Or is what Nanny Hua did improper? Or is it that the Concubine, having enjoyed my child with the Prince, has even less gratitude than Nanny Hua?¡± Chu Nanli looked at her and asked coldly. Lin Fuying was rattled by her piercing dark eyes, feeling a moment of panic, and she looked at Ye Yunting for help. ¡°Prince, Yingying didn¡¯t mean that, Nanny has left, and Yingying feels so distressed, somewhat unwell¡­¡± While speaking, she clutched her chest and coughed weakly twice. Ye Yunting¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Yingying, where do you feel unwell?¡± Seeing Lin Fuying cough lightly, Ye Yunting glared fiercely at Chu Nanli. ¡°You better stop right there!¡± With that, he intended to lead Lin Fuying away. Lin Fuying leaned on Ye Yunting¡¯s chest and sneaked a peek at Chu Nanli with a dark look in her eyes. She would definitely investigate this matter secretly! Chu Nanli, that vile woman, broke her arm; she must make her pay! ¡°Hold on,¡± Chu Nanli called out. Ye Yunting paused in his steps. Chu Nanli met his dark gaze fearlessly. ¡°So you¡¯re just going to let this false accusation pass? The Prince decides a woman¡¯s guilt just by a few words from the Concubine, and then beats a woman who mis-carried and is recuperating from childbirth?¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s face turned frosty. ¡°You deserved it, brought it upon yourself! A woman who desperately wanted to marry me and is shamelessly unscrupulous, you should be thankful that I spared your life!¡± The man¡¯s voice was ice-cold, his black robe seemed to overshadow the light in the sky, casting only shadows. Chu Nanli¡¯s heart ached, and she felt her breathing tighten with rising anger. This scoundrel! Initially, it was he who demanded the original owner to commit herself to him. Poor original soul, such a foolish girl with genuine affection, misguided even though her spirit had left, yet her body still felt upset by Ye Yunting¡¯s harsh words. Seeing Ye Yunting about to leave, Chu Nanli gritted her teeth and swiftly stepped forward to block him. ¡°A revered War God of Xia Kingdom, held in high esteem by the common people, how fitting is it for you to wrongly accuse a young woman and refuse to explain, my prince?¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s eyes slightly narrowed, his expression inscrutable. Lin Fuying didn¡¯t dare to speak. After a moment, Ye Yunting said, ¡°What do you want?¡± Chu Nanli felt a slight relief in her heart, knowing well this scoundrel cared about his reputation. ¡°First, according to Nanny Hua¡¯s resignation letter, hand over her possessions to me, including Silver Coin and servants. Second, I request the Prince not to lay hands on me without discernment in the future, otherwise, if it¡¯s like today again, my body can¡¯t take it.¡± Ye Yunting snorted lightly, disdain and coldness clear in his eyes. ¡°I also feel it dirty my hands.¡± Chu Nanli felt her fists harden, but reason kept her calm. ¡°One last thing,¡± she said, looking at Ye Yunting with unwavering determination. ¡°I hope the Prince will forever remember today¡¯s words and never come to regret them.¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s heart inexplicably skipped a beat, bitterness and pain spreading, overwhelmed with irritability. However, he quickly suppressed these emotions and said sternly, ¡°I can promise you that, and I will never regret it.¡± To such a malicious woman, he felt he wasn¡¯t ruthless enough. With his assurance, Chu Nanli relaxed slightly and waited for Ye Yunting to send Nanny Hua¡¯s belongings to her quarters; she barely managed to hold herself from collapsing by grabbing onto a table. After taking a pill, it took a while for Chu Nanli to regain some strength, her mood quite unpleasant. Today, that despicable man Ye Yunting had exerted a good portion of his inner strength to choke her, truly intending to kill! She could no longer afford to wait passively under this hot-headed man. But she needed to investigate the origin of today¡¯s brazier, possibly the original owner¡¯s family had helped secretly? sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 13 - 13 13 Inquiring the Identity of the Original ?Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Inquiring the Identity of the Original Owner Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Inquiring the Identity of the Original Owner Nanny Hua really did have quite a stash. While Chu Nanli was sorting through it, she discovered items that her predecessor had once given away as rewards, and once again felt it was not worth it on behalf of the original. To be on the safe side, she put the ten thousand taels of gold that Ye Yunting had returned into her space, and casually ¡°visited¡± the half-dead Nanny Hua before planning to go out. Today¡¯s events made her deeply realize that in this society dominated by royal power, and being in such a position where she relied on others, going it alone just wouldn¡¯t do. The original had an identity token given by her mother, which could be used to contact people to serve her in critical times. Glancing at her clothes, Chu Nanli decided to change into casual attire to go out, which would also make it easier to get things done. Only when she opened the wardrobe, did she realize that the Princess Consort of the War God Residence had only outdated, old-fashioned clothes that were not worth much money. It truly was a case of ¡°spending money on others, but keeping the grievances for oneself.¡± With a sigh, Chu Nanli managed to find a green gossamer long skirt to change into, and loosely tied her blue-black hair up behind her head. Simple yet graceful, she resembled a high-mountain Snow Lotus, elegant and demure. ¡°This face is still too striking¡­¡± Chu Nanli examined the person with a delicate nose and cherry lips in the mirror and picked out a veil to wear, finally feeling satisfied. ¡°Princess Consort, are you going out?¡± The steward came in with a string of servants and saw Chu Nanli who was ready to go out, a hint of astonishment flashing in his eyes. Is this¡­ the Princess Consort? How long has it been since they had seen the Princess Consort looking so radiant? ¡°What is it?¡± Chu Nanli swept a faint glance. The steward snapped back to reality, feeling as if that glance had seen through to his heart, revealing all his little schemes, though he quickly dismissed it as his eyes playing tricks on him. ¡°The situation is like this, Princess Consort, Nanny Hua¡¯s people have all been sent over to you, and from now on they will be at your command. Do you have any instructions for them?¡± Chu Nanli, in a hurry to leave, said offhandedly, ¡°Just see to their arrangements yourself.¡± With that, she hurriedly departed. As soon as she left, everyone in the courtyard breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly looking lazy and relaxed. Some even started to grin and jest with the steward. ¡°Steward Wang, the Princess Consort doesn¡¯t bother with matters, so all of us still rely on your arrangements.¡± A group of people around him echoed repeatedly, making Steward Wang feel elated. Pretending to have a light cough, Steward Wang said, ¡°Since the Princess Consort doesn¡¯t have any special instructions, you all should just carry on with your work.¡± ¡°Steward Wang is wise!¡± After leaving the Prince Residence, Chu Nanli headed straight for Tianji Pavilion. Tianji Pavilion was known to everyone on this continent. It appeared suddenly ten years ago, first established a foothold in Xia Kingdom, and then rapidly expanded to all nations, spreading across the land. It was said that there was no information they could not find. The identity of the master of Tianji Pavilion was even more mysterious; no one had ever seen him in person, but there were many rumors about him. The most widely circulated version concerning his identity suggested that the master was over fifty years old. Thus, he must have been able to accumulate enough power, courage, connections, and skills to establish Tianji Pavilion and make it a formidable force throughout the continent. Chu Nanli was also curious about such a person. If there were a chance to meet the master of Tianji Pavilion in the future, they might even become close, regardless of the age difference. However, her pressing need was to buy information from Tianji Pavilion. ¡°Miss, what kind of information do you need? Of the past, present, or future?¡± As soon as she entered, the shop assistant greeted her with a beaming smile, a level of service that even surpassed that of the year 2090. ¡°What do you mean by information of the future?¡± Chu Nanli asked curiously. ¡°Ah, information about the future, for instance, if you ask when Zhang San will die, we will predict it based on his status, personal history, and his intended actions. Of course, this information doesn¡¯t come with an absolute guarantee of accuracy. Since we at Tianji Pavilion started this service, we have only about an eighty percent accuracy rate.¡± Chu Nanli was taken aback. An eighty percent accuracy rate¡­ Could she say this shop assistant was boasting extravagantly? ¡°I need to look into an identity token.¡± Chu Nanli took out her own waist token and showed it to the shop assistant. The shop assistant said, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen this token before, miss. Let me refer you to our shopkeeper.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Chu Nanli was led to a private room upstairs for distinguished guests, where the shopkeeper held the token in his hands, examining it carefully, his expression grave. ¡°This token you have here, its craftsmanship is exquisite and contains mysteries. I have never seen one like it before. Are you looking to find its origin, or¡­¡± ¡°I just need to find the people who have the same type of token. Just contact me once you find something.¡± The shopkeeper returned the token respectfully and said, ¡°We will take on this commission, but it will take some time.¡± S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli said, ¡°No problem.¡± The original had run away from Chu Kingdom, and the situation there was still unknown; she definitely couldn¡¯t openly say she was the daughter of a general from Chu Kingdom, nor could she reveal her mother¡¯s identity to avoid additional trouble. This token was given secretly by her mother. The existence of identical tokens must be extremely secretive, and she didn¡¯t expect to find out immediately. ¡°A deposit of one hundred taels is required, and if we find the clue you are looking for, there will be a corresponding transaction fee based on the importance of the information.¡± Chu Nanli nodded and said, ¡°No problem.¡± After paying the deposit, Chu Nanli left Tianji Pavilion. The shopkeeper saw her off, but when he returned to the private room, he was taken aback. Chapter 14 - 14 14 Why Help Her ?Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Why Help Her? Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Why Help Her? Wearing a mask, the tall man in black sat at the table, his dark eyes fleetingly glancing over at him. By his side stood a Hidden Guard with a cold expression. The manager¡¯s face tightened as he hurried to close the door, came in, and respectfully bowed. ¡°There¡¯s no need to be formal,¡± the masked man at the table said indifferently. The manager asked, ¡°What brings you here today?¡± Despite knowing him for many years, the manager still dared not look directly at the young man before him, feeling that the other was distinguished beyond the ordinary. ¡°What was that woman earlier looking into?¡± The manager was stunned once again but nevertheless he relayed the situation in full detail. ¡°Mobilize the elite of the Pavilion to help her find the holder of the same waist tag as soon as possible.¡± A jump shocked the manager¡¯s heart, and he couldn¡¯t help but lift his head, face a picture of surprise. The masked man¡¯s well-defined hand gently tapped on the table. It wasn¡¯t heavy, yet it made the manager immediately avert his gaze. ¡°Yes.¡± The manager accepted the order and left. The room fell into silence once again. Eyes on nose, nose on heart, yet his mind was whirling. Lately, his lord had been acting peculiarly, helping this woman named Chu Nanli time and again. Having followed his lord for so many years, it was the first time he saw him pay such attention to a woman. ¡­ Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After leaving the Tianji Pavilion, Chu Nanli found her way to the city¡¯s largest slave market. Usually, to buy slaves, one would go to such places. She couldn¡¯t contact the person her biological mother had arranged for a while and couldn¡¯t always be without servants, so she needed to pick a few suitable ones to train. ¡°Ouch! What¡¯s the matter with you, old lady? Scamming in broad daylight?¡± A loud shout successfully echoed through half the street. Chu Nanli, following the sound, looked through the crowd and faintly saw a person curled up on the ground, while a burly man holding a horse stood by, looking displeased. She hurried over and heard someone nearby say, ¡°What scam? You man, completely unreasonable! It was clearly you who bumped into the old lady with your horse, scaring her into fainting.¡± ¡°Yes! Aren¡¯t you going to take her to the medical center? If something serious happens to this poor old lady, you¡¯ll have blood on your hands!¡± The burly man¡¯s face turned a mix of purple and red, and infuriated, he said, ¡°Look at her shabby clothes; she¡¯s definitely a villager. My horse didn¡¯t even touch her, and she just fell to the ground. She must have been trying to scam me for Silver Coins! Move aside!¡± With that, he glared menacingly at the surrounding crowd. Seeing that he was big and fierce, the crowd hesitated to provoke him and parted to give him a way through. The burly man snorted coldly and left with his horse. Chu Nanli frowned, her silver needle twitching slightly in her hand. Before she could act, a pained groan was heard. Chu Nanli hurriedly looked over to see the old woman on the ground clutching her chest and convulsing. ¡°Oh dear, let¡¯s get her to the doctor quickly!¡± someone shouted unavoidably. Chu Nanli squatted down and, under the astonished eyes of the onlookers, turned the old woman over to check her condition. ¡°Miss, you better not mess around with this old lady; wait for the doctor to come,¡± ¡°Yes, if something happens to the elderly lady, be careful of facing a lawsuit,¡± people around kindly reminded. Just as Chu Nanli was about to mention her medical skills, a young girl pushed through the crowd with extremely sharp words. ¡°The man with the horse did nothing to the old lady just now, but with your rough handling, the old lady might really be in trouble. If something happens, you¡¯ll surely deny it was your fault, shifting the blame of a human life onto his head¡ªit would really be unjust for him.¡± With these words, an uproar arose among the surrounding people. Chapter 15 - 15 15 Stop Hurting Others ?Chapter 15: Chapter 15 Stop Hurting Others! Chapter 15: Chapter 15 Stop Hurting Others! Chu Nanli frowned, seeing a girl with sallow skin, emaciated, and disheveled, straw-yellow hair standing beside her, arms crossed, watching her. When their eyes met, the girl was not afraid; instead, she even scoffed provocatively. ¡°Oh, so now you know fear, huh? Too late, you¡¯ve already done the deed. It looked like the old lady was coughing just now, but after you messed with her, she¡¯s completely unresponsive.¡± Around them, a hush fell, followed swiftly by murmurs. ¡°What she said kind of makes sense. There¡¯s a distant relative in my family who works as a barefoot doctor, and he mentioned something a couple of years ago when I saw him. He said that if you come across someone who has collapsed, don¡¯t move them if you don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong. It could be fatal.¡± ¡°I told you this woman was reckless! So young and yet so ignorant of the gravity of things! Look what she¡¯s done, she¡¯s killed someone.¡± ¡°I think she must have a grudge against this old lady! Wishing the old woman dead, she used the opportunity to commit murder by proxy!¡± The surrounding chatter became more and more outrageous, the girl who had suddenly barged in taunted, ¡°Tsk tsk, what a vile woman.¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s brows knitted tightly, sensing something off about this seemingly righteous girl who had appeared out of nowhere. Nonetheless, the situation of the old lady lying on the ground couldn¡¯t be delayed. She couldn¡¯t just stand by listening to these people spout nonsense. ¡°I am a doctor. Based on my initial assessment, this elderly woman has suffered from palpitations leading to unconsciousness and breathing obstruction. Please step back and make some room, so I can treat her.¡± Her tone was resolute, without any hesitation. As she spoke, she took out her silver needles she always carried with her, ready to lay the old woman flat on the ground. ¡°Wait!¡± The self-appointed defender of justice grabbed Chu Nanli¡¯s wrist, her face fierce. ¡°Can¡¯t you understand human speech?¡± ¡°Let go,¡± Chu Nanli said. The girl sneered, ¡°I won¡¯t!¡± After speaking, she looked up at the people around and said, ¡°This woman claims she¡¯s a doctor, taking out a set of silver needles to put on a show, and you all believe her? If this old lady dies right before our eyes because of her, will any of you be able to sleep at night?¡± With this, the crowd¡¯s expressions changed again, and they began to accuse Chu Nanli with hostile faces. ¡°Foolish woman! Get out of the way! Stop harming people!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t leave, we¡¯ll report you to the authorities!¡± The girl looked on triumphantly at the scene unfolding. A united voice can penetrate gold. She had learned this phrase from an old storyteller in a teahouse, and it seemed to perfectly describe the situation the woman was in now. Without a doubt, this woman was going to be in trouble. But what did it have to do with her? She was just trying to make some money. With that thought, the girl¡¯s eyes darted about, ready to add fuel to the fire. In an instant, her other hand reached for the veil on Chu Nanli¡¯s face, ¡°Hiding your face, yet daring to call yourself a doctor¡­ Ah!¡± A cry of pain silenced the accusing and abusive voices around them. The crowd looked on in astonishment at the silver needle Chu Nanli had inserted in the girl¡¯s wrist. The girl still held the same posture, with her hand not yet touching Chu Nanli¡¯s veil, but she was already motionless. Chu Nanli looked up at the others, her revealed brow and eyes conveyed impatience, making her appear even more distant and unapproachable as the high moon. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, could you please keep quiet and step back a bit?¡± The few who had been shouting accusations swallowed hard and quietly stepped back. Chu Nanli shifted her gaze away, ignoring the paralyzed girl beside her, and quickly inserted a few silver needles into the old woman lying on the ground. Her movements were fluid and practiced. ¡°Hey! Wait a minute! Why are you just sticking needles in her? Isn¡¯t this nonsense?!¡± Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A series of hurried footsteps approached, accompanied by a voice filled with urgency and anger. Chu Nanli checked the pulse, ascertaining the old lady¡¯s condition had stabilized, before finally looking up. An elderly man in a scholar¡¯s hat, carrying a medical kit on his back, with white hair and beard, ran over, panting heavily. As he barged in, he shoved Chu Nanli aside. Having been squatting for a while and weakened by her frail body, she was pushed to the ground without any warning. However, the old man ignored her completely, put down his medical kit, and eagerly took the pulse of the old woman. Chapter 16 - 16 16 Admiring Medical Skills ?Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Admiring Medical Skills Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Admiring Medical Skills The air that had been stagnant for a long time around them finally began to circulate again, and those who had cursed Chu Nanli before but had been intimidated by her presence quickly spoke up. ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯ve arrived, Elder Wen. Just now, this woman insisted she was a physician and barged ahead to stick needles into the old lady without regard for anything. Please see if the old lady can still be saved. Don¡¯t let her be killed by those needles.¡± sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Crouching on the ground, Chu Nanli glanced at the man with a mocking look in her eyes when she heard his words. Making eye contact with Chu Nanli, the man immediately got more upset and raised his voice, ¡°What¡¯s with that look?! Wait till Elder Wen exposes you, you witch! Then wait to be arrested by the Official Residence¡­¡± ¡°Quiet! If you want to argue, go away and argue!¡± A curse-filled rebuke made the man¡¯s face stiffen, and realizing that it was Elder Wen who had spoken, his face turned red. He wanted to leave, but couldn¡¯t resist waiting to see Chu Nanli being humiliated. Chu Nanli was somewhat surprised to hear the old man scolding someone. Who would have thought, he had quite the temper. After taking the pulse for a while, Elder Wen¡¯s expression became more and more serious, causing diverse thoughts among the onlookers. Finally, he withdrew his hand and looked at the several acupoints where needles were inserted into the old woman¡¯s neck and head, his expression changing several times. In the end, his gaze turned to Chu Nanli with a hint of inquiry, ¡°Is she having heart palpitations?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Chu Nanli had noticed that the old man was experienced in medicine and did not hold the previous incident of being pushed against him. She nodded in acknowledgment. Elder Wen then asked, ¡°Did you administer these needles?¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± Elder Wen¡¯s face changed instantly, very seriously, ¡°If it¡¯s a symptom of heart palpitations and the main acupoint of the disease is in the chest cavity, may I ask why you would insert needles at acupoints above the neck instead of in the chest area?¡± Chu Nanli replied, ¡°Before the heart palpitations set in, this old lady was agitated, and her brain is still in a state of shock, causing her body to exhibit irregular convulsions. To treat such heart palpitations, it is fundamental to administer needles at the brain acupoints to alleviate the shock response.¡± Besides, in front of a large crowd, it would have been inappropriate for her to undress the old lady. Elder Wen¡¯s gaze towards Chu Nanli transformed completely, his face flush with excitement, ¡°My young friend, you are truly a medical prodigy! To be so skilled in medicine at such a young age is truly admirable to the old man! Earlier, I was impatient and offended you, I hope you can forgive me.¡± The crowd around them was astounded. The man who had wanted to see Chu Nanli embarrassed now looked unbelieving and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Elder Wen, does this woman really understand medicine!?¡± Elder Wen had none of the good temper he¡¯d shown Chu Nanli earlier and scoffed coldly. ¡°Ah, you¡¯re the noisy one disrupting my diagnosis.¡± The man¡¯s expression stiffened, full of embarrassment. Elder Wen snorted and when his gaze shifted back to Chu Nanli, he put on a different face. ¡°My young friend, when did you learn medicine? Your needle technique, as well as the accuracy with which you diagnose and treat, are beyond my reach.¡± A wave of amazement swept the crowd. If the common people had been skeptical about Chu Nanli¡¯s medical skills before, they were now left with only shock and admiration. Who is Elder Wen? Although it cannot be said that he is the best physician in the Capital City of Xia Kingdom, his reputation and credibility are absolutely very high. Elder Wen grew up poor and almost didn¡¯t survive an illness because his family couldn¡¯t afford treatment until a barefoot physician passing by saved his life. The barefoot physician stayed at his home for a while and, seeing his talent in identifying medicinal herbs, took him as an apprentice in training. Influenced by the barefoot physician, Elder Wen began to treat poor and kindhearted people after he started practicing medicine, with very low fees, which made him very beloved by the common people in the Capital City. Yet, because of this, he offended those profit-seeking medical houses and some minor nobles. Chu Nanli learned of all this from the discussions among the people around her and looked at the elder before her with even more respect. ¡°My young friend, I have patients waiting at my clinic, so I won¡¯t chat with you any longer. We should have a proper discussion about medicine when there¡¯s a chance. I fear there are many questions I must ask you about,¡± said Elder Wen with a candid expression, showing his eagerness to learn. Chu Nanli felt even more respect for him. ¡°You flatter me. I am just an ordinary physician.¡± ¡°You are too modest, my friend.¡± Elder Wen chuckled, looking meaningfully at the girl who was still immobilized before picking up his medical bag and standing up, ¡°If you want to find me, just go to Apricot Blossom Lane. The neighbors there all know me.¡± Chu Nanli nodded and earnestly agreed. After Elder Wen had left, the crowd looked at Chu Nanli with a new perspective, while the man who had repeatedly questioned her had already disappeared, most likely having slipped away unnoticed in embarrassment. Chu Nanli examined the old lady¡¯s condition and, ensuring that she would wake up soon, removed the silver needles that had sealed the girl¡¯s acupoints. The girl realized she could finally move and opened her mouth ready to curse, ¡°You¡­¡± Chapter 17 - 17 17 turn to become a daughter-in-law ?Chapter 17: 17, turn to become a daughter-in-law Chapter 17: 17, turn to become a daughter-in-law Chu Nanli waved the silver needle in her hand in front of her. Under the sunlight, the silver needle shimmered with a cold light. The girl shivered at the thought of the fear she felt when her body was out of her control and fell silent. Chu Nanli looked at her and said indifferently, ¡°What is your relationship with the man who collided with the old lady while leading the horse?¡± The girl¡¯s complexion changed, and then she widened her eyes and said stiffly, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about!¡± ¡°Did he send you here?¡± ¡°No!¡± ¡°You¡¯re very nervous, your breathing quickens, and your eyes glance in the direction where that man left from, plus you came from there as well,¡± Chu Nanli paused and slowly said, ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± Upon hearing this, the surrounding people looked at each other, recalling that they had been misled by this girl and had spoken ill of the Divine Doctor, and quickly shifted their target of attack. ¡°So you¡¯re in league with that brute! To the officials with her! Lock her up!¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°How can you be so vicious at such a young age? You almost had us wrong a good person.¡± The girl¡¯s face turned red and then pale, and she glared at Chu Nanli fiercely, ¡°You think you¡¯re so clever, knowing so much!¡± With those words, she took advantage of her small stature to slip away through the crowd and ran off in a flash. Some in the crowd felt embarrassed while others, seeing the excitement was over, dispersed. ¡°Cough cough!¡± The old lady on the ground began to cough again. Chu Nanli shifted her gaze back and removed all the silver needles, and within a few moments, the old lady woke up. Chu Nanli was about to explain the situation to her, but before she could, the old lady sat up with a quick movement and grabbed her hand, her eyes earnest. ¡°Girl, thank you for saving me.¡± Chu Nanli was surprised. The old lady explained, ¡°Even though I was unconscious, I was aware of what was happening around me; I just couldn¡¯t wake up and it felt terrible.¡± Chu Nanli understood and asked, ¡°Do you still feel uncomfortable anywhere now?¡± The old lady smiled and said, ¡°No discomfort at all, I feel much better. If it hadn¡¯t been for you today, I might have thought I was going to pass away. Ah, if I had passed away, what would my two sons have done without me to watch over them¡­¡± Chu Nanli was slightly puzzled. Watch over them? Could it be this old lady¡¯s sons would get into some kind of trouble? As she was thinking this, the old lady¡¯s eyes brightened and she said to her, ¡°Girl, you look quite young and probably aren¡¯t married yet, right? Since you¡¯ve saved my life, I have no way to repay you, why don¡¯t you become my daughter-in-law?¡± Chu Nanli was momentarily stunned, not quite able to react. Earlier there was Ye Yunting saving the infatuated girl whose original soul offered herself in gratitude, now it was her, Chu Nanli, who saved the old lady, and the old lady wanted her son to marry her as a way to express gratitude. So, does everyone in this world like to use marriage as a way to repay kindness? Seeing Chu Nanli¡¯s bewildered expression, the old lady misconstrued her thoughts, thinking that Chu Nanli was looking down on her family¡¯s poor condition. She immediately revealed her family¡¯s wealth, saying, ¡°Girl, don¡¯t mind that I¡¯m dressed in tatters; it¡¯s just a preference of mine. We¡¯re actually quite wealthy at home, and you¡¯d certainly live comfortably once you marry in. Although my sons are a bit peculiar, you are my lifesaver and they wouldn¡¯t dare to mistreat you.¡± Both¡­ a bit peculiar? Neither¡­ would dare to mistreat her? Chu Nanli¡¯s mind momentarily froze. So, exactly which son of the old lady was she supposed to marry? Or was it that she was meant to marry both brothers? Wait a minute! What sort of nonsense are you thinking about! Chu Nanli quickly stopped that train of thought and met the old woman¡¯s eager gaze, immediately declining. ¡°It was just a helping hand; there is no need for this.¡± The old lady became somewhat anxious, ¡°Girl, our family really is wealthy, I¡¯m not deceiving you. Also, I¡¯ve never felt such an affinity with a girl as I do with you. My son is very good-looking, you¡¯ll definitely like him once you see him. How about this, I¡¯ll take you to visit our home and arrange for you two to meet, what do you think?¡± Chu Nanli was for the first time experiencing this world¡¯s enthusiasm, even feeling it to be somewhat surreal. This old lady, despite her shabby clothing, clearly came from a well-off background, judging by the delicate state of her skin and the noble air in her movements and posture. So, when she said they were ¡°wealthy,¡± it was obviously true. However, she had no intention of marrying into their family, especially with Ye Yunting, that madman, around. ¡°You¡¯ve had a shock today and need some rest; you should hurry back and recover. I appreciate your kind offer, but I¡¯ve just lost my husband, so it really isn¡¯t appropriate for me to remarry right now.¡± The old lady paused, and by the time she came to her senses, the ¡°young widow¡± was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Ah, such a tough fate, to become a widow at such a young age.¡± At that moment, a figure hurried to the old lady¡¯s side, moving quickly yet lightly, the steps of someone with inner strength. ¡°It¡¯s time¡­¡± The old lady turned to him, commanding without anger. The person bowed his head and said, ¡°You should go back.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± said the old lady as she dusted off her clothes, her expression indifferent, nowhere near the smiley demeanor she had when talking with Chu Nanli. Chapter 18 - 18 18 I Wont Buy You ?Chapter 18: Chapter 18: I Won¡¯t Buy You Chapter 18: Chapter 18: I Won¡¯t Buy You Chu Nanli had not gone far, watching the old woman being safely picked up by someone before she emerged from hiding, more certain of her earlier speculation. This old lady was indeed either wealthy or noble, probably bored of being in a large residence and thus came out dressed up. If it were the year 2090, she would have been a punk grandmother. Chu Nanli gathered her thoughts and quickly headed towards the largest slave market in the Capital City. She had already delayed too much today and needed to hurry and finish her business and return to the Prince Residence, lest the rogue couple there brewed up more trouble. After crossing two streets and making a detour through an alley, Chu Nanli stopped and looked behind her. ¡°Come out.¡± There was no one around, only leaves swirling in the breeze on the ground. Chu Nanli continued, ¡°You have been following me since the street ahead, aren¡¯t you coming out?¡± Someone reluctantly emerged from jumping off a short wall. It was the girl who had stopped her from rescuing someone and deliberately misled the bystanders. The girl was chewing on a blade of grass and spat it out, asking Chu Nanli in a harsh tone, ¡°How did you know I was following you?¡± Chu Nanli lightly replied, ¡°Your skills are not enough.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± The girl, infuriated but embarrassed, seemed about to curse but restrained herself. ¡°You¡¯re going to the slave market, aren¡¯t you?¡± Chu Nanli didn¡¯t respond, nor was she surprised that the girl had guessed her destination. After this alley and another turn, they would reach the place. The girl had followed her for a street and knew where she was headed; it was almost certain she was bound for the slave market. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you speaking! Did you become mute?!¡± The girl couldn¡¯t help but curse, her eyes fixed on Chu Nanli, saying, ¡°That man leading the horse earlier offered me fifty coins to sabotage your attempt. I didn¡¯t realize you were really capable, and you managed to save the person.¡± She fell silent then. Chu Nanli prompted her, ¡°So?¡± The girl, trying to keep her composure, said, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to harm anyone, I just thought she was bound to die, so when that man offered money to shift the blame on you, I agreed. But he only gave me twenty-five coins, half of what he promised, and said the rest would be given after the deed. Since you saved the person, I didn¡¯t get the rest. You owe me compensation.¡± Chu Nanli burst into laughter. ¡°You think I would pay you? Rather than join hands with a villain taking lives lightly, I¡¯d rather report to the authorities.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so unreasonable! The person didn¡¯t die, right? How am I accused of taking a life? It is indeed you who ruined my deal, don¡¯t you owe me compensation?¡± As soon as she finished speaking, a series of loud ¡®gulp, gulp¡¯ sounds filled the air. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli paused, her gaze moving to the girl¡¯s belly, then resting on her sallow face and hair. The girl¡¯s face turned red: ¡°What are you looking at!¡± Nevertheless, Chu Nanli was moved by compassion and tossed a silver coin over to her. The girl awkwardly caught it, then her eyes widened. ¡°So much!¡± Chu Nanli watched her, ¡°Don¡¯t do such despicable acts again; even if you don¡¯t do good deeds, don¡¯t actively harm others.¡± With that, she turned and left. ¡°Hey, wait!¡± The girl quickly caught up to her, blocking Chu Nanli¡¯s path, clenched her teeth and said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to buy a slave? What about buying me instead? I¡¯ll be cheaper than those inside; I¡¯ll even sign a contract with you, whatever you tell me to do, I will do.¡± Chu Nanli was somewhat surprised but she didn¡¯t agree. ¡°I won¡¯t buy you.¡± ¡°Why?!¡± The girl found it unbelievable. ¡°I won¡¯t use someone who nearly caused a patient to die in front of me.¡± ¡°Do you think I¡¯m too bad?!¡± The girl glared at Chu Nanli, ¡°Then what about those in the slave market! Some of them might be murderers or traitors! Isn¡¯t it ridiculous to buy them?¡± Chu Nanli calmly stated, ¡°Whether their characters are good or bad, or whatever their backgrounds might be, I will discern for myself. But I am not a good person, I will not easily employ someone who treats human life trivially and maliciously incites the crowd to attack a stranger.¡± The girl glared at her, her eyes turning red, like a little wolf baring its fangs. ¡°I need the money! Besides! I told you! I didn¡¯t know you could save her. I thought she was already dying. What difference does it make if she died sooner rather than later!¡± Her words were sharp, and her tone even carried malice. A shade of darkness passed through Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes, ¡°The biggest reason I do not want to buy you is that you still have not truly regretted your actions.¡± The girl was taken aback. Chu Nanli turned and walked away. She stood there, her grip on the silver increasingly tight, her lips pursed tightly, and her expression obscure and hard to read. Chapter 19 - 19 19 Voluntary Servitude ?Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Voluntary Servitude Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Voluntary Servitude The slave market was bustling with noise, slaves knelt on the ground bound in chains, surrounded by the sounds of whipping, spitting, and cursing, as well as cries pleading for mercy. The air smelled bad, rich with the odors of blood and decay. Chu Nanli pinched her delicate willow-shaped eyebrows and surveyed the environment. Seeing her exceptional demeanor, a supervisor holding a whip hurried over to serve her. ¡°Miss, are you here to buy a slave or to seek pleasure?¡± Before she came, Chu Nanli had already learned about the general situation of the slave market. To seek pleasure meant that some elites would often come here to pay to abuse slaves¡ªso long as they neither killed nor maimed them, they could do as they pleased. And the slaves used for this purpose were the lowest of the low in the slave market, some of whom had been sold down to lower and lower statuses, others who had offended the wrong people and ended up here, and so on. Chu Nanli spoke with a somewhat indifferent tone, ¡°I¡¯m buying a slave.¡± The supervisor, who knew how to read the room, saw that Chu Nanli didn¡¯t want to talk much and realized she wasn¡¯t interested in those dark, dirty games. Although he felt slightly regretful that he couldn¡¯t make a bigger profit, he didn¡¯t show it on his face. ¡°What kind are you looking for? Let me recommend some for you.¡± ¡°Obedient, sharp.¡± Chu Nanli spoke two words coolly and then started walking further in, ¡°I¡¯ll look around myself.¡± ¡°Alright then.¡± The supervisor agreed, but did not leave. Instead, he followed behind her, continuing to talk. ¡°Miss, I see that you have an extraordinary air about you; ordinary slaves aren¡¯t fit to serve you. Our highest class of slaves have studied in private schools and come from clean family backgrounds. They are here voluntarily because their families have fallen on hard times and they have no other way to make a living. They come here hoping to one day catch the eye of someone important and rise again.¡± At these words, Chu Nanli showed a flicker of interest, more accurately, she was surprised. ¡°Voluntary servitude?¡± Seeing her reaction, the supervisor beamed, ¡°Yes, miss, is this your first time buying a slave here?¡± Chu Nanli did not hide her inexperience and nodded. ¡°That¡¯s why,¡± the supervisor said, ¡°this is the largest slave market in the Capital City, so many officials and nobles come here to pick slaves. The ages of the slaves range from a few years old to several decades, and we have all kinds with various skills. If the officials and nobles come to pick someone themselves, they choose this kind. Either they take them for direct use, handy¡­¡± He used the words one might use to describe a tool, gave Chu Nanli a knowing look, and continued, ¡°Or they can keep them close to raise and turn into trusted aides. This is why so many are willing to come here and become slaves voluntarily. They¡¯re betting on a chance, banking on success to skyrocket in status. If they fail, they end up being less than pigs and dogs, subject to anyone¡¯s abuse.¡± Clearly, he had seen this kind of thing often. Having listened, Chu Nanli felt a mix of emotions but had to admit that it¡¯s not something just anyone could do with such resignation. ¡°Miss,¡± the supervisor glanced at her expression and probed, ¡°Would you like to take a look? These higher-class slaves are very easy to command.¡± Chu Nanli indeed wanted someone sharp and capable of helping her with her work, not just an ordinary maid. Hearing this, she was about to nod. But at that moment, a decisive voice came from nearby. ¡°Could the miss buy me?¡± Chu Nanli was slightly startled and stopped to turn and look. Among a group of kneeling slaves, a woman raised her head and looked straight at her. Her hair was disheveled and her face bore injuries, but her back was ramrod straight, and her face showed no sign of fear. The supervisor, who did not expect someone to jump out and steal his business, especially a slave, was taken aback. Seeing the ¡°prisoner¡± character on her clothing, he grew even unhappier and lashed out with his whip in his hand. The woman didn¡¯t dodge. She was hit solidly by the whip, grunted in pain, and her face paled considerably. ¡°This is none of your business! You official slaves who have been implicated by a family crime are the lowest of the low, the filthy discards,¡± the supervisor spat out disdainfully, ¡°What does it matter if your family once had a higher status? When someone in your household commits a capital crime, all of you must suffer together. You should be grateful that you haven¡¯t been sent to Goulan Academy yet.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The woman clenched her hands, bound by chains, until veins bulged on the backs of her hands, yet she looked at Chu Nanli again and said, ¡°Please, miss, buy me¡­ This slave, this slave has been studying with a master since I was young, I can read and write¡­¡± ¡°When did a lowly wench like you get to speak!¡± The supervisor¡¯s face was filled with displeasure as he raised his whip again, aiming straight for the woman¡¯s face. A flash of indignation and humiliation crossed the woman¡¯s eyes, but she did not move. The whip was caught in mid-air. The woman sighed with relief and looked towards Chu Nanli, knowing she had bet correctly. The supervisor was stunned for a moment before fretting, ¡°Miss, your hand¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± With that, she released the whip and said, ¡°Let her continue.¡± This was her warning to him not to cause trouble. The supervisor had an embarrassed look on his face. Although he was angry that this official slave did not know her place, he did not dare to obstruct any further. Chapter 20 - 20 20 A Chance for Rebirth ?Chapter 20: Chapter 20: A Chance for Rebirth Chapter 20: Chapter 20: A Chance for Rebirth ¡°Thank you, Miss, for giving me this opportunity.¡± The woman bent her waist and gave a curtsey to Chu Nanli. Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t help but nod inwardly. Cunning and prideful, yet willing to forsake her past dignity. ¡°I can also keep accounts and do embroidery. I once embroidered a ¡®Hundred Flowers Picture¡¯ that a clothing store bought to use as a pattern for clothes. Whether you need a slave to relieve your boredom, or someone to help you manage your business, I am capable of both. In terms of abilities, I am no less than those high-class slaves, and moreover, I come cheaper.¡± The final remark made the steward feel as if he had swallowed a fly. Wanting to erupt in anger yet restrained by the presence of Chu Nanli, the customer, he forcibly held it back. Chu Nanli sized her up for a moment and asked, ¡°Since you were previously an Official Family daughter, it must have been difficult for you to have any dealings with such worldly objects as an abacus. So how did you learn accounting?¡± In this world, people of the Official Family generally scorned associating with businessmen and naturally did not let their children learn related skills, especially not the daughters secluded within their grand courtyards. The woman didn¡¯t hesitate and earnestly replied, ¡°People always say there are ranks among humans, those who dine with the Official Family are of the highest rank, the petty traders and foot soldiers are lower, and merchants are ridiculed by scholars for smelling of copper. Yet these scholars fail to realize that if it weren¡¯t for the merchants who built tea houses and spent money inviting them to compete, how could they gather to discuss and boast among themselves? They might not even have enough money to buy ink, paper, and brushes.¡± Hearing this, Chu Nanli was genuinely surprised. In such a feudal society, it was genuinely remarkable for this woman to have such insights. The steward by her side sneered coldly, ¡°You¡¯re not even on the level of petty traders and foot soldiers now. How dare you mock those scholars?¡± The woman ignored him and carefully chose her words before saying to Chu Nanli, ¡°So, I never really believed that my status as a daughter of the Official Family made me superior to others. Additionally, I admired those women who could conduct business. Because of them, I realized that this world is not only for men to scheme and trade; women can do the same. I¡­ I wanted to be someone who controlled my own money, who steered my own life, so I sought out our family accountant and learned some business knowledge from him.¡± By the end of her statement, the woman appeared somewhat embarrassed and uneasy, clearly aware of the humble appearances of the surrounding slaves and realizing that she too was part of the slave community. ¡°Sorry, Miss. I spoke out of turn,¡± she apologized. The woman lowered her eyes, but her head did not bow. Chu Nanli felt compassion for her. It truly wasn¡¯t easy for a woman to awaken in such a feudal society. If she were from her own world, her own time, she would undoubtedly lead a remarkable life. However, having met her now was not too late. It just so happened that she needed someone skilled in business. ¡°Come with me; I¡¯ll give you a chance to prove yourself,¡± Chu Nanli decided without much hesitation. Both the steward and the woman were momentarily stunned; soon after, the steward¡¯s expression worsened, but the woman was overjoyed. Chu Nanli looked around at the other slaves kneeling on the ground and asked the steward, ¡°Are these all Official Slaves?¡± She still needed to buy two bodyguards, one to follow her and one to ensure this young woman¡¯s safety. At that moment, the steward¡¯s expression sagged briefly, realizing that today¡¯s patron was set on making a deal for Official Slaves. After realizing this, the frustration in her heart dissipated quite a bit, and she introduced diligently, ¡°Yes, here are the ladies, and there are some distant relatives of the great families. These people were once daughters of wealthy families and young masters.¡± He quietly reminded Chu Nanli, ¡°Miss, when you buy these people, be careful of their rebellious streak.¡± Chu Nanli nodded in acknowledgment. The steward¡¯s warning was not without reason. These people, once wealthy and noble, were now forced to serve as maids and servant boys, and their self-esteem was hard to bear. She feared that while some might outwardly comply, they would secretly seek to harm her. As Chu Nanli observed, the official slaves kneeling on the ground all had their heads lowered. Some were motionless, seemingly numb, while others clenched their fists, visibly stiff, clearly still unwilling to accept their current situation. When Chu Nanli¡¯s gaze fell upon one of them, he suddenly looked up but then quickly lowered his head again. Chu Nanli was startled and raised her eyebrows, ¡°A martial family¡¯s son?¡± The man with his head down hummed a response. ¡°Lift up your head,¡± Chu Nanli said. The man complied, lifting his head. There was not a trace of reluctance on his face, nor any unease, just calm and resignation. His was a steadfast face, and from his build, it was apparent he had long practiced martial arts. ¡°Can you protect someone?¡± Chu Nanli decided internally. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The man hummed a response again. Chu Nanli nodded and told the steward, ¡°I will take these two. Please get the indenture of servitude, and if there are no issues, I will pay and take them with me.¡± The two kneeling could not help but look towards her, their hearts stirred by her decisiveness and resolve. Years later, they still remembered this scene, remembered a woman in a blue silk dress who nonchalantly pulled them out of the mud and redeemed their lives. While the steward went to fetch the indenture of servitude, a new batch of slaves arrived. Chu Nanli glanced at the woman beside her whose chains had yet to be unlocked, subtly moved, and picked another slave to serve as a bodyguard. Soon, Chu Nanli left with the three, found a nearby teahouse, selected a private room, and had the server fetch three sets of clothes. While waiting, Chu Nanli looked at the three who remained silent, heads bowed in contemplation, and asked, ¡°What are your names?¡± ¡°Slaves need new names from their new master,¡± the woman said plainly, looking at Chu Nanli. Chu Nanli thoughtfully said, ¡°Your previous names indeed seem inappropriate.¡± The woman¡¯s expression dimmed as she responded, but then heard Chu Nanli say, ¡°Using your original names might easily bring trouble upon you. How about this? Today is the day of your rebirth; why not choose your own favorite names? Moreover, you need not use demeaning titles while with me.¡± All three were taken aback, their eyes fixed on her, seemingly unable to grasp the concept. They had never heard of slaves having the right to choose their own names; they had thought that as slaves, they would be less than livestock. Chapter 21 - 21 21 Start a Brothel ?Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Start a Brothel Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Start a Brothel ¡°How is it?¡± Chu Nanli raised an eyebrow. The woman¡¯s nose tingled slightly, ¡°Very well, thank you, Master.¡± The word ¡°Master¡± was uttered from the bottom of her heart. In the end, all three of them had chosen their new names. The woman used to be a young lady from a prominent family, but now she is called Xinlian. She hoped that after experiencing the turmoil of having her family raided and being sent off as a slave, she would still emerge unsoiled like a lotus reborn from the mud. The first man Chu Nanli had chosen used to be a foster son in a small official¡¯s family at the Hanlin Academy and now took the name Chu Yi. When Chu Nanli asked him why he chose this name, he was very serious. ¡°Since the master has granted me a new life, I dare to borrow the master¡¯s surname. Yi signifies that my loyalty to the master will always be unwavering.¡± Chu Nanli was genuinely surprised. Initially, he indeed felt that this man was steady and reliable, but he hadn¡¯t expected him to let go of everything from the past and quickly adapt to his new identity. However, whether he was truly reliable still remained to be seen. The other man had previously worked as a bodyguard, and due to his good skills, had also helped his former master train new bodyguards. After running into a great fire to save the little daughter of his former master, his face was burned. His former master felt his disfigured appearance was an eyesore and sold him off to the slave market. He too was a pitiable person. Now renamed ¡°Xiangyang,¡± this was his original name. While working as a bodyguard for his previous master, he was ¡°gifted¡± a new name and had to abandon his own. ¡°Guest, the three sets of clothes you requested have been purchased by me,¡± came the eager voice of the waiter outside the private room. Chu Yi stood up and brought the clothes in. ¡°Go ahead and change into the clothes,¡± Chu Nanli told the three. In this private room, there were several cubicles, shielded by screens, which conveniently allowed the three to change their clothes. Soon, Xinlian and the others came from behind the screen, and Chu Nanli looked over, his eyes lighting up. Xinlian was tall and slender. Dressed in a proper gown and with her hair tied up, her beautiful face was completely revealed. Each movement she made carried the elegance and spirit of a noblewoman. Chu Yi, dressed in plain black attire, exuded both scholarly and masculine qualities. His well-arranged features also made him quite the handsome man. Although Xiangyang¡¯s face was more ordinary with scars from burns, the muscles in his body strained against his clothes, giving a strong sense of security. Chu Nanli looked at the three of them, growing more and more satisfied. The three opposite, however, felt quite uncomfortable under his gaze. ¡°Master, is there something inappropriate?¡± Xinlian asked. Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes and lips curved in a smile, ¡°No, everything is very appropriate.¡± The three exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat puzzled. Chu Nanli covered his mouth and coughed lightly, then said solemnly, ¡°All right, from now on, I hope you will completely forget your past identities. Do not engage further with people or events from the past. I do not like unnecessary troubles coming our way.¡± The three responded solemnly. Either they had long had no family, or their closest kin had perished in the raid that took their families, leaving them with nothing to cling to. Chu Nanli surveyed the three, having plans for them in his mind. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Xinlian, can you manage a brothel for me?¡± ¡°Brothel?¡± Xinlian paused, doubting she had heard correctly. Chapter 22 - 22 22 It Turns Out to be the Princess Consort ?Chapter 22: Chapter 22: It Turns Out to be the Princess Consort Chapter 22: Chapter 22: It Turns Out to be the Princess Consort Chu Yi and Xiangyang both looked at Chu Nanli with some astonishment. It was no wonder they were shocked. Although Chu Nanli was wearing a veil, her demeanor was clearly that of a high-born lady from a noble family. It was entirely unexpected when she suddenly spoke of opening a brothel. Though there were indeed noble daughters in the Capital City who clamored about starting a brothel, they were typically brash and whimsical, always looking to undertake what the world saw as rebellious acts. Clearly, Chu Nanli did not fit that mold. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve arranged for Xiangyang to work with you, so the two of you can look after each other.¡± She wasn¡¯t worried about Xinlian getting bullied, considering a brothel was not easy to establish. However, in this world, if a brothel could be successfully launched, it was certainly the quickest business to bring in money, and it was also a good way to gather information. Thus, she had to open this brothel. Xinlian finally believed that Chu Nanli was serious about opening a brothel, and her expression grew solemn. ¡°I will handle this matter thoroughly. Whether it¡¯s music, chess, calligraphy, painting, or embroidery, I can teach all of these so that the girls in the brothel will have a skill,¡± she declared. Chu Nanli saw the eager look on her face and the ambitious spark in her eyes, and felt once again that she hadn¡¯t chosen the wrong person. If this were the year 2090, she would surely be a top-tier employee. ¡°Here are three thousand silver coins, you can use them. By the way, I¡¯m currently residing at the War God Residence, and if there is anything important, it¡¯s best not to look for me there. Let¡¯s keep our next meeting location here. I¡¯ll reserve this private room for a few more days. If there¡¯s any news, leave a clue here until you¡¯ve finalized the location of the brothel,¡± she instructed. Thinking of Ye Yunting only brought bad luck, which only strengthened her resolve to grow her own power base and leave the War God Residence as soon as possible. Xinlian and the others looked at each other with shocked expressions, then cautiously asked, ¡°My lady, you are¡­?¡± ¡°For the time being, I am still the Princess Consort of the War God Residence.¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s expression darkened, feeling her mood sour just thinking about that insufferable title. Xinlian and the others were both shocked and confused, exchanging looks again and again, ultimately deciding not to pry further, but their minds were in turmoil. Their master was the famous Princess Consort of the War God in Xia Kingdom! The War God was a role model for many men in Xia Kingdom and the most desirable partner for many women. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, the public opinion about the Princess Consort was not very favorable. The most common talk they heard was that she was a commoner who had used some scheme to marry the War God, and even¡­ shamelessly disrupted the relationship between the War God and the Concubine. Though they had been skeptical at first, knowing now that their master was the Princess Consort, they felt those rumors were utterly unbelievable. ¡°Chu Yi.¡± Chu Yi was suddenly called upon. Awakened from their reflections on the unjust treatment of Chu Nanli, they responded. ¡°My lady, your command?¡± ¡°From now on, you will stay by my side to protect me,¡± she stated. Upon hearing this, Chu Yi¡¯s gaze fell on Chu Nanli¡¯s graceful and elegant features, his eyelashes quivering slightly as he replied, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Alright, that¡¯s all for today.¡± Xinlian carefully stowed the silver coins and earnestly said, ¡°I will record every expense for the brothel in the account.¡± Chu Nanli nodded, glanced at her face, and remembering something she had forgotten, she immediately took out a medicine bottle. ¡°The brown medicine inside is to be taken orally to clear internal blockages, and the red medicine is to be mixed with water and applied to wounds, it will not leave scars.¡± She had been using this medicine these past few days thanks to that despicable man, Ye Yunting, as she had many wounds on her body. Xinlian and the others were moved and could not help but grow intensely curious about Chu Nanli. Xinlian knew better than the two men next to her just how rare it was for a medicine for external injuries to leave no scars. The fact that their master could offer such a precious medicine nonchalantly for their use, was she really that un-favored Princess Consort from the War God Residence as the rumors suggested? ¡°My lady, I must be bold in saying this. Such precious items should not be taken out lightly in the future, lest they catch the eye of the wrong people,¡± she advised. Chu Nanli, hearing Xinlian¡¯s caution, glanced over the three of them, feeling a warmth in her heart. ¡°I am well aware.¡± After separating from Xinlian and Xiangyang, Chu Nanli asked Chu Yi to go and buy some medicinal herbs. She was considering whether to ask the shop¡¯s server for pen and paper to make a list, but Chu Yi had an especially good memory; she mentioned it once, and he remembered everything. Once Chu Yi had left, Chu Nanli strolled leisurely down the street by herself. It was still early, so she could buy a few beautiful dresses before returning to the residence. In her previous life, she was a military doctor who spent most of her time on missions, rarely wearing her own clothes, and now she finally had the opportunity. Moreover, the original owner¡¯s wardrobe was filled with outdated dresses, not fitting her status as the Princess Consort. Now that she had her money back, why should she deprive herself and let others mock her? Chu Nanli was very clear about this; though she was currently reliant on others, she must at least not allow herself to suffer. Stepping into a ready-to-wear shop on the street, Chu Nanli noticed that both the styles and materials of the shop were quite good, so she picked out two outfits. Just as she was about to pay the shopkeeper, a soft voice called out nearby. ¡°Sister?¡± Chapter 23 - 23 23 Snatching Clothes ?Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Snatching Clothes Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Snatching Clothes Chu Nanli¡¯s originally bright mood was instantly shrouded in dark clouds. Misfortune. She turned her head and saw Lin Fuying¡¯s delicate, pale face. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°What a coincidence, sister, when did you leave the residence?¡± Despite wearing a veil, Lin Fuying still recognized her at a glance. Surrounded by a few maids, Lin Fuying, seeing Chu Nanli alone, felt a sense of satisfaction, but she couldn¡¯t help scanning Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes, jealousy brewing inside her. Those alluring eyes, I wanted to gouge them out the first time I saw them! ¡°Shopkeeper, how much?¡± Chu Nanli didn¡¯t intend to pay attention to Lin Fuying. If there were any disputes, that despicable man Ye Yunting would come looking for trouble again. However, she wanted to avoid trouble, but trouble wouldn¡¯t let her. ¡°Sister, I also like these two outfits, had set my heart on them early, but didn¡¯t bring enough money, so I was thinking I¡¯d come back another time to buy them, and didn¡¯t expect sister to take them.¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s gaze slowly turned cold, a sneer playing at her lips. Quite the innocent little white flower with an overwhelming tea fragrance. It was clearly she who chose the clothes first, but in Lin Fuying¡¯s mouth, she had snatched them away. ¡°Is that so?¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s gaze flicked toward the shop door. Someone had already recognized Lin Fuying and was casting a hostile look at her. Chu Nanli sneered inwardly, whispered to Lin Fuying, ¡°I hope you can wear them out.¡± Her gaze heavily lingered on Lin Fuying¡¯s chest. Lin Fuying had long been following the frail beauty routine, plus her natural endowments were lacking, hardly a trace of flesh on her chest. The two outfits she had just picked up required some figure to carry off. ¡°You¡­¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s face turned a mix of red and white. Chu Nanli put down the clothes, turned around, and entered another shop. However, as soon as she picked up another garment, Lin Fuying followed her in. ¡°Sister, I had also previously set my heart on this outfit.¡± Chu Nanli now understood completely, Lin Fuying was just trying to provoke her, to compete with her. If that was the case, then she would fulfill this white lotus. Her eyes swept around the shop and landed on a row of dresses made from exceptionally fine material. Chu Nanli casually reached for the first dress. A hand quickly stretched out from the side and took the dress away. Chu Nanli looked up and saw Lin Fuying¡¯s maid holding the dress, giving her a provocative smile. Lin Fuying once again spoke softly and weakly, ¡°Sister, Yingying knows you also like this outfit, but¡­¡± Chu Nanli sneered sardonically, ¡°Since you like it, let¡¯s give it to you then. After all, who says I¡¯m not generous?¡± Lin Fuying vaguely felt that something was off in those words but couldn¡¯t pinpoint what it was immediately, so she still followed her inner desire, each time she saw Chu Nanli interested in a dress, she signaled her maid to snatch it. Chu Nanli¡¯s expression grew increasingly ¡°dark,¡± which made Lin Fuying feel extremely satisfied inside. Just then, Chu Nanli turned to look at her:¡±With so many dresses held by the maid, it seems you are determined to buy them?¡± Without thinking, Lin Fuying, obsessed with suppressing Chu Nanli, replied, ¡°Of course. Chu Nanli crossed her arms, her eyes coldly on her. ¡°Then go ahead and buy them.¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s mind raced, guessing that Chu Nanli might not have given up yet, which made her even more delighted. She immediately said, ¡°Since sister is urging Yingying so much, Yingying will have to hurry up and buy¡­ Shopkeeper, how much in total for the silver?¡± The shopkeeper, looking at the bunch of dresses the maids were holding, smiled broadly. A major customer indeed! These two guests from the War God Residence were indeed her gods of wealth. ¡°A total of eight hundred ninety-nine silver, I¡¯ll round off the change for you, you only need to pay eight hundred ninety silver,¡± the shopkeeper calculated quickly. Lin Fuying, however, stiffened:¡±How much!?¡± Her voice faltered. Thinking she hadn¡¯t heard clearly, the shopkeeper, believing the War God Residence¡¯s Concubine to be frail indeed, even weak of hearing, respectfully repeated the price. Lin Fuying turned pale, glancing at the amused Chu Nanli beside her, and instantly confirmed that Chu Nanli had done it on purpose. Knowing she couldn¡¯t afford it, she had deliberately put her in an embarrassing situation. What a vicious mind! If that was the case, then she just knew to let Chu Nanli pay for her. Lin Fuying¡¯s expression softened slightly, just about to speak weakly, when Chu Nanli spoke up. ¡°Oh dear, could it be that the Concubine can¡¯t afford it?¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s face stiffened, that vile woman, why mention her status at this moment! Outside, there were still some who were unclear about Lin Fuying¡¯s status, but upon hearing ¡°Concubine,¡± they understood. With a willowy figure and a face like a lotus emerging from water, her misty eyes instantly evoked pity. Amon Lin Concubine, only the War God Residence¡¯s Concubine looked like this. However, the lady in front of her did not appear as crude as the rumors said about the Princess Consort; rather, she exuded an untouchable, noble aura. ¡°How could that be?¡± Lin Fuying vaguely heard the whispering around her, her expression growing uglier. Even more absurdly, she even heard someone speculating whether the Divine Doctor who had recently cured an old lady could be Chu Nanli. How could it be possible, utterly ridiculous! Chapter 24 - 24 24 Losing Face ?Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Losing Face Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Losing Face ¡°Why doesn¡¯t the Concubine pay and just keep the shopkeeper waiting? That¡¯s not very nice, is it?¡± Chu Nanli said leisurely. The shopkeeper was indeed anxious but dared not show it. Hearing Chu Nanli¡¯s words, he felt grateful and feigned nonchalance, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not urgent, haha, not urgent.¡± Chu Nanli then turned to look at the maid behind Lin Fuying. The people around Lin Fuying used to be quite arrogant in front of the original body, mocking her for being out of favor along with Nanny Hua. With a stern look, Chu Nanli said, ¡°What are you still standing there for? Do you want your Concubine to pay herself?¡± The two maids looked at each other, wanting to get angry but mindful that they were not in the Prince Residence, they were at a loss for a moment and looked toward Lin Fuying, ¡°Concubine, we¡­¡± Upon hearing this address, Lin Fuying¡¯s eyes darkened, and she glared at the maid, then suddenly cried out, and took two steps back. ¡°I think I¡¯m allergic, Xiaoyun, get the clothes away from me.¡± The shopkeeper¡¯s expression changed, ¡°That¡¯s impossible, our materials are all¡­¡± Before he could finish, he suddenly realized Lin Fuying¡¯s identity, and thinking of what had just transpired, there was nothing he couldn¡¯t understand, yet he could only grit his teeth and swallow this loss. ¡°Give it here; it might be the fabric, caught some pollen or something.¡± Chu Nanli watched the chaos in the shop and once again witnessed the prowess of playing the victim to perfection. It seems today¡¯s drama ends here, to avoid making it difficult for the shopkeeper. Chu Nanli said to the immensely relieved shopkeeper, ¡°The Concubine is very delicate, and once she¡¯s out of the Prince Residence, she¡¯s plagued with illnesses and can¡¯t touch anything. I¡¯ll buy this dress; I¡¯m not so delicate as the Concubine and won¡¯t have an allergic reaction.¡± The shopkeeper immediately looked at her gratefully. Lin Fuying, infuriated, watched as Chu Nanli actually pulled out a silver note to pay, and thinking of her own hesitancy before, felt even more embarrassed. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted from anger. Chu Nanli watched the entire drama unfold, seeing Lin Fuying¡¯s maids screaming and calling for the bodyguard to carry her off; she felt disinterested, took the clothes, and left. The garment shop was still in disarray, and although the spectators were shooed away, they didn¡¯t move far. Seeing a woman in a light green chiffon dress walking out of the chaos, they felt as if a saintly halo enveloped her. No matter the surrounding turmoil, she remained pristine, like a high mountain flower untouched by dust. The crowd instinctively made way, watching her figure walk away. After strolling the streets, Chu Nanli went to meet up with Chu Yi and then planned to return to the Prince Residence. However, after some consideration, she decided not to have Chu Yi accompany her. ¡°You should stay at Xinlian¡¯s place for now; the Brothel is gearing up and needs all the manpower and resources it can get. You help her out there for the time being.¡± Chu Yi hesitated, ¡°What about you, Master¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t have any trouble in the Prince Residence.¡± Chu Yi, not having been at the garment shop, did not know the kind of people Chu Nanli was dealing with at the Prince Residence. Thinking of her calmness and decisiveness, he didn¡¯t hesitate any further. ¡°Yes, please take care, Master.¡± Chu Nanli nodded. ¡­ Chu Nanli didn¡¯t know, but a storm awaited her at the Prince Residence. ¡°Prince, you have no idea how outrageous the Princess Consort was today! She snatched the dress the Concubine liked and flaunted money in front of her, and worst of all, she made the Concubine faint from anger!¡± ¡°Yes, she knows well the Concubine is frail! Prince, you must stand up for the Concubine.¡± The two maids beside Lin Fuying went back and forth, no need for Lin Fuying herself to speak, they had already pinned the ¡°crimes¡± on Chu Nanli. Lin Fuying lay on the bed, feigning weakness. Seeing Ye Yunting¡¯s face darken, she pretended to be upset and spoke up to stop them. ¡°Xiaoyun, Dong Yue!¡± Far from stopping, the two maids became even more outraged. ¡°Your Grace, you¡¯re just too kind-hearted, and that¡¯s why she dares to bully you like this, with so many people watching.¡± Had she not mentioned it, Lin Fuying might have forgotten how she had been humiliated in public. She felt upset that the maid was tactless, and naturally, her hatred for Chu Nanli grew. ¡°Prince, Yingying is actually fine, and doesn¡¯t feel too wronged. After all, the Princess Consort is the primary wife, and Yingying caused her to lose her child, so it¡¯s only right for her to vent her anger on Yingying. However, Yingying is worried that her actions outside might tarnish the reputation of the War God Residence and become a laughingstock to outsiders.¡± This statement portrayed her as kind and generous, concerned for the honor of the Prince Residence. With each word she spoke, Ye Yunting¡¯s expression turned darker, and he ultimately slammed the teacup down. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Has that woman returned yet?¡± At this, the Prince¡¯s steward hurried in from outside to report, ¡°Not yet, shall I send someone to find the Princess Consort?¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s tone was dark, ¡°As soon as she returns, have her come to me immediately.¡± The man¡¯s eyes harbored a fierce look. This wicked woman not only hurt Yingying but also shamed herself publicly; indeed, she must have the guts of a bear and the heart of a leopard! Chapter 25 - 25 25 Raising an Army to Redress Wrongs ?Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Raising an Army to Redress Wrongs Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Raising an Army to Redress Wrongs After returning to the Prince Residence, Chu Nanli had just reached the courtyard entrance when she noticed something was amiss. It was just as messy as when she had left. Weeds were untouched, brooms were tossed aside, and some were even sitting inside chatting, with bursts of laughter floating out. Chu Nanli¡¯s expression darkened slightly as she walked in. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Princess Consort?¡± someone noticed her return, their face transitioning from relaxed to tense as they quickly picked up a broom from the ground, holding it awkwardly and smiling, ¡°We just took a little break from the tiring work.¡± The others also heard the commotion, stopped chatting, stopped sleeping, and one by one picked up nearby tools and pretended to work. Chu Nanli laughed in irritation. One could say these people didn¡¯t see her as their master, for they knew to pretend when they saw her return. And yet one could also say they did see her that way, but their pretense was half-hearted, with ¡°perfunctory¡± written all over their faces. Did they really think she was a soft touch? A glint of coldness flashed in Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes just as she was about to speak, but then she heard a not-too-friendly voice. ¡°Princess Consort, the Prince has summoned you for questioning!¡± Chu Nanli frowned, looking over to see the Prince¡¯s steward, out of breath and looking frenzied. Without much thought, Chu Nanli knew Lin Fuying, that white lotus, must have complained to Ye Yunting. Although she was not afraid, she didn¡¯t want to deal with that despicable man. Chu Nanli was somewhat annoyed. ¡°Princess Consort, what are you waiting for? Do you need the Prince to come here personally?¡± Seeing that Chu Nanli had not moved, the steward grew displeased and urged her on. Chu Nanli looked up, spotting a crowd of servants in the courtyard snickering at the scene, but she calculated her next move and remained unaffected. She glanced at the steward with a faint, mocking smile, ¡°Since you wish for your Prince to come here personally, go ahead and call him over.¡± Having said that, she carried the things she had bought and walked into the house. The steward, caught off guard by her words, did not realize what Chu Nanli had said until she was out of sight, panicking and hurrying inside. ¡°Princess Consort!¡± Chu Nanli just sat down and poured herself a cup of tea to soothe her throat. Seeing that she had no intention of going anywhere, the steward was infuriated, yet dared not force her, nor could he simply return without fulfilling his mission. ¡°Princess Consort, I spoke in haste just now; please do not hold it against me. The Prince indeed urgently wishes to speak with you, please go to him at once.¡± Chu Nanli finished her tea, feeling she had taught enough of a lesson, and rose. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± After all, she did not want to give Ye Yunting another reason to trouble her. The steward finally calmed down but muttered under his breath as he hurriedly followed Chu Nanli. In the courtyard, the servants who had hoped to see Chu Nanli humiliated were stunned. Seeing their steward, who they needed to suck up to, outmaneuvered by Chu Nanli, they momentarily stopped gloating and focused intently on their tasks. ¡°Princess Consort, we¡¯ve arrived. The Prince and the Concubine are both inside,¡± the steward said as he brought her to the back, his voice heavier with reluctance as he emphasized the last part. Chu Nanli was unconcerned. She wasn¡¯t the original person, and had no love for Ye Yunting, that despicable man, so it didn¡¯t matter whether it was one Lin Fuying or ten women inside with Ye Yunting¡ªher emotions remained stable. Moreover, by the time of the original¡¯s departure, there was only disappointment and hatred left in her heart for Ye Yunting¡­ ¡°Sister has arrived.¡± As soon as Chu Nanli entered the room, she saw Lin Fuying softly leaning against Ye Yunting, almost off her chair despite there being chairs for both. Ugh, that hurts the eyes. ¡°Vile woman, kneel down!¡± Ye Yunting shouted sharply. Several question marks appeared over Chu Nanli¡¯s head. ¡°May I ask, Prince, what crime has Your Consort committed that warrants kneeling and punishment?¡± ¡°Sharp-tongued,¡± Ye Yunting looked at her, pulled Lin Fuying closer into his arms, and coldly demanded, ¡°In the dress shop, why did you snatch the dress Yingying had her eye on? Are you so despicable that you must snatch things from others?¡± Chapter 26 - 26 26 Scold Her for Being Shabby ?Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Scold Her for Being Shabby Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Scold Her for Being Shabby Chu Nanli, fuming with anger, her expression grew cold as she looked towards Lin Fuying, ¡°So, I¡¯m accused of snatching clothes that the concubine favored? Is that what the concubine has told the Prince?¡± Lin Fuying spoke softly and weakly, ¡°Prince, it¡¯s not sister¡¯s fault, it¡¯s Yingying who couldn¡¯t secure the clothes she liked.¡± Hearing this, Ye Yunting frowned upon realizing that Lin Fuying was blaming herself, and he reassured her, ¡°It¡¯s not your fault; you¡¯re just too generous.¡± Then, he vented his anger on Chu Nanli. ¡°A pheasant can never become a phoenix, even if I made an exception to allow you into the Prince Residence, you still can¡¯t shed your low-class demeanor! Humility, kindness¡ªthese virtues, I¡¯ve never seen in you.¡± ¡°In my opinion, even if you were to dress in fine silks, you still wouldn¡¯t radiate an ounce of nobility!¡± Chu Nanli was practically seething with rage. How heartbroken the original owner of this body must have been upon hearing these words. It was this despicable man who had first proposed ¡°offering himself in marriage,¡± and now it had turned into him ¡°making an exception for her to enter his household.¡± How cruel it was to a woman who offered her whole heart. ¡°The Prince has never even seen me dressed in fine silk, how would you know whether or not I can exhibit nobility?¡± Was the original identity of this body not more distinguished than the daughter born to a concubine of the Prime Minister Residence? Probably, in the entire Xia Kingdom, there were few whose status surpassed that of her original self. Ye Yunting¡¯s dark gaze fell on the woman standing in the center of the room, catching the sharpness that flickered from the corner of her eyes when she looked up coldly. Through the woman before him, he seemed to recall the vibrant girl he had married. Ye Yunting¡¯s gaze grew darker, this venomous woman was truly ignorant of the ways of the world. ¡°Chu Nanli, you¡¯re like a beggar who suddenly struck it rich, spending money ostentatiously. What right do you have to discuss ¡®nobility¡¯ with me?¡± Lin Fuying listened with satisfaction as the man of noble stature beside her thoroughly denigrated Chu Nanli, a hint of triumph flashing in her eyes. Chu Nanli was truly about to burst into laughter at this man¡¯s outrageous comments. Now she understood why Ye Yunting couldn¡¯t see through Lin Fuying¡¯s true colors¡ªit turns out they were cut from the same cloth! ¡°I¡¯m considered a beggar by the Prince for bringing several thousand silver coin as my dowry, then what does that make Concubine Lin, who comfortably uses my silver to treat her illness? Isn¡¯t she less than a beggar?¡± Chu Nanli lashed out, her words sharp and incisive, ¡°Moreover, it is because of her that I am in such a dire state. You don¡¯t appreciate my generosity, and after I¡¯ve made sacrifices, you turn around and belittle me, oh what high morals indeed.¡± She threw back at him the insults he had hurled at her earlier, and after venting, she felt refreshed. Especially seeing the disgraced expressions on the faces of the man and woman, she almost wanted to applaud. ¡°Sister, scolding me is one thing, but why include the Prince as well?¡± Lin Fuying saw that the situation was turning against her and pretended to defend Ye Yunting¡¯s honor, protesting. Chu Nanli sneered inwardly. She was waiting for this ¡®white lotus¡¯ to say just that. ¡°The concubine¡¯s skill at turning things upside down is as formidable as ever, painting black as white, and the villain who steals clothes plays the victim,¡± she retorted with biting sarcasm, turning Lin Fuying¡¯s face ashen. Chu Nanli turned towards Ye Yunting and said sternly, ¡°Today at the clothing store, how the concubine repeatedly snatched the clothes I was interested in is something many people in the street saw clearly. If the Prince does not believe me, he can send someone to investigate.¡± S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Sister, Yingying just happened to like those clothes as well¡­ and in the end, it was sister who bought them all. How can you say Yingying stole your clothes?¡± Lin Fuying said with tears welling up in her eyes. Chu Nanli scoffed. She knew she would desperately try to justify herself. ¡°Please do enlighten me, Concubine Lin, each and every piece was first favored by me. You insisted I give them up, and afterward, you couldn¡¯t pay for them and claimed an allergy to avoid taking them, so I ended up purchasing them. How does that translate to me stealing your clothes?¡± Chu Nanli mimicked her tone, drawing out the inflection at the end deliberately, delighting in seeing Lin Fuying¡¯s constipated expression. ¡°Prince.¡± Seeing that Chu Nanli, this despicable woman, was about to expose her completely, Lin Fuying hastily looked towards Ye Yunting with tears streaming down her face, starting to sob her complaint. ¡°Indeed, Yingying didn¡¯t really have an allergy, it¡¯s just that Yingying saw sister was really unwilling to part with the clothes for Yingying, so she lied about having an allergy. Actually, Yingying was planning to buy them and then gift a few to sister. But sister¡¯s expression at the time made Yingying both scared and sad.¡± Upon finishing, she buried herself in Ye Yunting¡¯s arms and started sobbing. Chapter 27 - 27 27 Youre Not as Good as Yingying ?Chapter 27: Chapter 27 You¡¯re Not as Good as Yingying Chapter 27: Chapter 27 You¡¯re Not as Good as Yingying Ye Yunting¡¯s investigative expression faded from his face in an instant, overwhelmed with pity. He no longer cared to delve into the details and found Chu Nanli increasingly repulsive. ¡°Chu Nanli,¡± he said, ¡°you¡¯re the official wife, yet your heart and capacity are nothing compared to Yingying! She considers you in every way, yet you, with your narrow-mindedness, believe Yingying is stealing your clothes, behaving like an intractable shrew!¡± Chu Nanli felt incredibly tired all of a sudden. She was foolish to reason with such a despicable man. The moment the white lotus cried, the despicable man¡¯s heart completely turned away. ¡°I do not wish to bear this stigma. I will go to the streets to find a witness.¡± Having said that, she was about to leave. ¡°Bang!¡± Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A teacup was hurled toward her. Chu Nanli¡¯s mind was startled, and she quickly stepped aside. Only then did she narrowly avoid it. The teacup shattered on the ground, and splashes of tea leaves and stains marred her skirt and shoes, leaving her somewhat disheveled. Chu Nanli felt anger bubbling up inside her. Just as she turned around, she heard a sentence void of any emotion. ¡°Even if they were chosen by you, what harm is there to let Yingying have a few?¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes widened noticeably. Ye Yunting looked at her expression with disdain in his eyes, which grew darker. ¡°Just as I thought, the generosity you once showed was just an act for me to see. Now, a mere few clothes have revealed your true nature.¡± Chu Nanli felt so angry that she was choked up, unable to get the breath out or swallow it down. This despicable man said she had a sharp tongue; she saw that he was no better! Taking a deep breath, Chu Nanli turned towards Lin Fuying. ¡°Do you really want the clothes I bought today?¡± Lin Fuying, with tears in her eyes, said, ¡°Yingying would not covet what sister loves¡­¡± Chu Nanli impatiently interrupted her, ¡°I¡¯m telling you to covet them.¡± Lin Fuying: ¡°¡­¡± Chu Nanli turned to Ye Yunting and said, ¡°Since the Prince cherishes the Concubine so much, and the Concubine likes those clothes so much, then the Prince should pay double their price and buy them from me for the Concubine.¡± Ye Yunting looked at Chu Nanli with contempt in his eyes. ¡°Someone come.¡± ¡°What would the Prince command?¡± A servant hurried in from outside. ¡°Bring a thousand taels of silver from the treasury for Yingying, and send someone to get the clothes the Princess Consort bought today, so Yingying can pick her favorites.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lin Fuying was immediately overjoyed, leaning into Ye Yunting¡¯s embrace, looking triumphantly at Chu Nanli. Seeing the Prince¡¯s affection for her, this wretched woman must have miscalculated, right? Indeed, Chu Nanli was momentarily taken aback. She had intended to play tit for tat and annoy Ye Yunting, but the despicable man did not play by the rules. Fine, the love between this despicable man and woman was so profound it moved heaven and earth; it was her miscalculation. ¡°Prince, there¡¯s no need, Yingying still has clothes to wear,¡± Lin Fuying pretended to refuse. Ye Yunting tenderly wiped away tears from the corner of her eyes, saying, ¡°Yingying is someone I hold dear to my heart. Of course, she must dress beautifully. Buying more clothes for her is never too much.¡± Chu Nanli coldly watched the couple¡¯s affection, but what struck her was that there were only two chairs in the room. They sat flaunting their love, with Lin Fuying almost fully reclined into Ye Yunting¡¯s embrace, essentially wasting one chair. On the other hand, there she stood, someone who could sit firmly without a man, without a chair, just standing in the middle of the room and watching. At that thought, Chu Nanli turned and walked away. ¡°Stop!¡± A stern shout came from behind her. Chu Nanli stopped, at a loss for words. Was he toxic? Flaunting his love while still keeping an eye on her movements. ¡°What do you want, Prince?¡± Chu Nanli turned around. ¡°You are not allowed to go anywhere before the clothes arrive and Yingying picks what she likes!¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s expression grew unpleasant. ¡°I was just going to move a chair to sit. I just had an abortion, my body is weak, and I cannot stand for too long.¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s gaze hardened slightly as he watched her walk out of the room, this time, not stopping her. Chapter 28 - 28 28 Scolding Her for Being a Smart Aleck ?Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Scolding Her for Being a Smart Aleck Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Scolding Her for Being a Smart Aleck ¡°¡®Self-reliance¡¯ is indeed a good phrase,¡± Chu Nanli sighed contentedly in her heart, pondering the thought. Having moved a stool to sit down, Chu Nanli felt the full extent of her exhaustion. The frailty of the original body was real; she hadn¡¯t rested after going out today, and now her energy and physical strength felt utterly depleted. She needed to take good care of herself. Fortunately, she had money on hand. She had bought quite a few medicinal ingredients today, including some that could treat weakness and eliminate the lingering damage from an abortifacient, as well as others for strengthening the body. ¡°Prince, sister seems a bit forlorn¡­¡± Lin Fuying hesitated, ¡°Perhaps, we should forget about the clothes, Yingying doesn¡¯t want to take what others enjoy.¡± Chu Nanli snapped back to attention, catching a faceful of insincere flattery. Before she could even open her mouth, she heard Ye Yunting say, ¡°I¡¯ve spent the silver, she should be more than happy.¡± His tone was flat, as though stating a matter of fact. Chu Nanli wanted to curse, but she simply pretended not to hear and disregarded the two to avoid giving them a stage for their act. As expected, when Lin Fuying hit a dead end, she reluctantly quieted down. ¡°Prince, the clothes and the silver have been retrieved,¡± Two maids, followed by other servants, quickly entered, both giving Chu Nanli a disdainful sneer as they passed by her. Chu Nanli clearly saw their faces; they were the same two who had accompanied Lin Fuying out of the residence today. Yet, Chu Nanli didn¡¯t get angry. Instead, the sight of the silver brought her considerable relief. Although the clothes were a loss, the extra silver she gained was a good consolation. With this thought, Chu Nanli¡¯s mindset calmed down. She watched indifferently as one maid after another stood around the room holding clothes, leaving Lin Fuying to pick and choose at her leisure. Lin Fuying deliberately took her time, praising each piece of clothing she touched. ¡°This fabric must be fine Cloud Brocade, so soft to the touch. It must look very good on,¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, Concubine. Wearing it, you would certainly exude an untouchable elegance,¡± Xiaoyun quickly chimed in, vigorously lavishing praise. ¡°This one is nice too. Although it¡¯s not Cloud Brocade, this gauze is extremely delicate, and the cascading layers of the skirt are remarkably beautiful.¡± ¡°Concubine, in it, you would surely look as if lotuses bloom with every step,¡± Dong Yue added competitively. The mistress and her two maids even found moments to sneak peeks at Chu Nanli. Chu Nanli¡¯s lips twitched slightly, as if she felt like she had watched a monkey show at the zoo. Alas, this body is still so weak. So tired. With this thought, sleepiness began to creep over her uncontrollably, and Chu Nanli lifted her sleeve to cover her mouth as she yawned. Lin Fuying only saw her lift her hand to cover her face and, recalling how Chu Nanli had once been infatuated with the Prince, immediately thought she discovered the truth. A smile seeped across her lips, and she struggled to suppress it. ¡°Sister, have you been crying?¡± Chu Nanli dropped her sleeve and looked over with a puzzled face. Why would she be crying? The woman had just yawned, and her face still sported a hint of the lingering sleepiness, while the tips of her long lashes glistened with a watery sheen. Ye Yunting¡¯s eyes darkened, his gaze lingering on her, his expression unreadable. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Sister really has been crying!¡± Lin Fuying exclaimed, thrilled inside, but feigning innocence outwardly, ¡°Prince, Yingying doesn¡¯t really like these clothes either. Yingying thinks sister is more suited to them¡­ ¡± The words were spoken generously, but the logic in her speech made the listener weary. Ye Yunting¡¯s gaze grew colder as he looked at Chu Nanli and warned, ¡°I do not like women who are too cunning. Do not think that by putting on an act and shedding a few tears, I will indulge you.¡± Chapter 29 - 29 29 Your Money is Not Enough ?Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Your Money is Not Enough Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Your Money is Not Enough Chu Nanli listened in utter bewilderment as the two of them played their parts in tandem, and just as she grasped what was happening, she was accused of being clever by half, leaving her speechless. Did this despicable man think she was faking tears to soften his heart? What a confident assertion! Moreover, did he really not see the huge leaking bucket right beside him? Chu Nanli pulled at the corners of her mouth expressionlessly, ¡°This palace is merely tired.¡± However, neither of the two believed her words. Lin Fuying sneered to herself. Still putting on a brave front. Since that was the case, she would pick a few more dresses later to see if this wretched woman would still pretend. Thinking thus, Lin Fuying purposely continued along Chu Nanli¡¯s line, ¡°So that¡¯s how it is. Since sister is not upset, Yingying can pick at ease.¡± Having said that, she lifted her delicate fingers: ¡°This one, this one, and this one¡­ and that crossed-collar dress, bring that over too.¡± Before long, only two dresses were left unpicked. Lin Fuying looked at Chu Nanli with an apologetic expression and spoke softly, ¡°Sister, Yingying truly adores these dresses and couldn¡¯t control herself, but I will definitely pay double the price to Sister. It¡¯s unfortunate that Sister came all this way and hardly any dresses remain for her to wear.¡± S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As she finished speaking, she turned to Ye Yunting with an embarrassed bite of her lip, ¡°Prince, Yingying wishes to compensate Sister, but finds herself short of funds. Could I trouble the Prince to provide some additional silver coins as compensation?¡± Upon hearing this, Chu Nanli¡¯s gaze deepened slightly. So she was being taken for an errand runner? The pure-as-the-driven-snow act was truly fitting for a concubine, knowing just how to use her status to maximally humiliate the principal wife. If it had been the original person, she would surely have been provoked to anger or left in chagrin. ¡°Very well, as Yingying wishes,¡± Ye Yunting glanced indifferently at Chu Nanli, the contempt and coldness in his eyes enough to pierce one¡¯s heart, ¡°Calculate the amount, and I will also add a hundred silver coins on Yingying¡¯s behalf.¡± A hundred silver coins? Chu Nanli was not pained at all upon hearing this number. Ye Yunting saw her bright eyes and felt an unprovoked irritation rising within him. This woman was thoroughly disappointing! She could be pleased over such a trivial advantage; indeed she was not fit for high society. Compared to Yingying, one was the moon while the other was a mud-stained, withered flower. Thinking this, a hint of malice appeared in Ye Yunting¡¯s eyes as he suddenly said, ¡°Should I discover you¡¯ve inflated the prices, for every extra silver coin, I will penalize you with one lash.¡± The smile in Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes gradually faded, and she looked up at Ye Yunting, meeting his imperious face. The retort was already on her lips, but she forcefully swallowed it down. Subject to another¡¯s authority, she must endure. Chu Nanli silently repeated this to herself, calming her tumultuous emotions bit by bit. ¡°Who would dare?¡± Chu Nanli forced a smile, ¡°If the Prince does not trust this palace, just send someone to verify it directly; this palace has a clear conscience. However, I also hope the Prince would not delegate this task and must personally arrange someone trusted to investigate. After all, this palace also has her concerns.¡± She did not say whom she distrusted, but Lin Fuying understood, turning visibly darker, wishing to burst out but having no grounds to do so. ¡°Prince¡­¡± Lin Fuying could only call out to Ye Yunting weakly, hoping he would decide for her. ¡°That would be a total of one thousand three hundred silver coins, plus the Prince¡¯s one hundred coins as compensation, making it one thousand four hundred silver coins in total. Prince, it seems your amount is insufficient,¡± Chu Nanli quickly said. As soon as her words fell, both Ye Yunting and Lin Fuying¡¯s expressions soured. Chapter 30 - 30 30 Making Her Life a Living Hell ?Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Making Her Life a Living Hell Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Making Her Life a Living Hell Ye Yunting¡¯s gaze heavily fixed on Chu Nanli, but Chu Nanli showed no fear and stared right back. ¡°Hmph!¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s face grew even more annoyed, and he harshly commanded, ¡°Go get another thousand taels of silver. Give the rest to the Concubine.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Fuying¡¯s expression instantly improved. Initially, she was displeased that Chu Nanli had easily earned so much silver, but now the Prince was being even nicer to her, making her feel like she had gotten her revenge. ¡°Prince, you are so kind to Yingying.¡± Feeling the warm and tender embrace, Ye Yunting¡¯s expression softened, and he said warmly, ¡°Silly Yingying, you just don¡¯t know how to fight for yourself.¡± Chu Nanli felt like she was being subtly insulted again. However, with more than a thousand taels of silver soon in hand, she decided not to care about these things. Chu Nanli planned to take the silver and leave as soon as possible to avoid watching this nauseating couple, and rose to fetch the remaining two garments. ¡°Yingying doesn¡¯t like these two outfits?¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s voice suddenly intruded. Chu Nanli immediately felt like she had swallowed a fly, feeling incredibly uncomfortable, yet she had no choice but to retract her hand and look toward the couple, saying politely while holding her temper, ¡°If Concubine Lin is also interested in these two sets, then take them along. The servants will deliver the silver in a while.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Fuying displayed a hesitant expression. ¡°Sister, really, these two dresses are pitch-black, the colors too thick and profound, and they don¡¯t look good when worn. Although Yingying thinks Sister¡¯s looks are splendid, pure black dresses are very demanding. Ah, Yingying is not saying Sister has poor demeanor, just¡­¡± ¡°Yingying¡¯s not good with words, and I¡¯ve misspoken and angered Sister again,¡± Lin Fuying said flusteredly, looking towards Ye Yunting with a somewhat anxious tone. Chu Nanli was genuinely annoyed, and she scoffed internally. One sentence set three traps for her. First, it covertly criticized her taste, then ambiguously criticized her lack of grace, and finally tried to label her as petty. Chu Nanli¡¯s lips twitched coldly, ¡°Indeed, I am quite angry.¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s face froze, staring at her dumbfoundedly, even forgetting what she was supposed to say next. Ye Yunting¡¯s expression turned very gloomy; this woman was indeed hard to change! ¡°In the clothing store, you snatched the first dress from me, one of these two black ones. Concubine Lin really has a poor memory, it must be tiring for the Prince to communicate with you regularly.¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s pretty face turned pale, and being seen by the servants in the room, she felt utterly embarrassed and tears immediately fell. ¡°Why does Sister insist on dwelling on the matter of the clothing store?¡± ¡°Chu Nanli, get out!¡± Ye Yunting shouted angrily, frightening the servants to their knees. Being cursed also angered Chu Nanli. Holding the two black dresses to her chest, she said, ¡°Once the silver is here, I will leave.¡± After speaking, she picked up a stool, turned around, and left the room, then sat down in the courtyard. Watching this scene, Ye Yunting felt an irrational fury burning brighter within him, wishing he could strangle the woman. The servant fetching the silver returned promptly, breaking the frozen atmosphere. Chu Nanli didn¡¯t wait for him to speak, counted out the four hundred taels of silver, fetched the previously mentioned thousand taels from inside, and left saying a single sentence. ¡°Thank you for your generosity, Prince.¡± The servants inside shivered. Why did they feel, after the un-favored princess consort left, the Prince became even angrier? ¡°Prince?¡± Not just them, Lin Fuying also felt uneasy inside, particularly worried about Ye Yunting¡¯s continued interest in Chu Nanli. ¡°If you have something to say to Sister, then you should go. Sister likes you so much, seeing you would surely delight her; it¡¯s just that she¡¯s too proud to say it outright,¡± Lin Fuying ventured. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°A despicable woman who sees nothing but money, allowing her to stay in the Prince¡¯s residence is the utmost mercy! Hmph! Dreaming of my affection, she also needs to see if she¡¯s worthy!¡± Chapter 31 - 31 31 Chu Yi Blushing ?Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Chu Yi Blushing Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Chu Yi Blushing With those words, he flicked his sleeves agitatedly and left. Lin Fuying had not expected him to really go. Her pretty face stiffened for a few moments before returning to normal, inwardly comforting herself, ¡°It¡¯s good as long as the Prince doesn¡¯t go to that wretched woman.¡± ¡­ Chu Nanli had not gone far when she sensed a rustling sound of robes approaching from behind. The next instant, a strong force grabbed her wrist. Chu Nanli met a pair of gloomy eyes. ¡°Chu Nanli, you¡¯d better behave yourself, or this king will make your life worse than death!¡± he threatened. With those words, he fiercely flung her away and strode off without any mercy. Chu Nanli fell to the ground, silver scattering everywhere. Her palm was scraped raw, and she couldn¡¯t help but curse Ye Yunting for being insane in her heart. Lin Fuying truly was the darling of this despicable man; a couple of tears from her, and he wanted to make her life a living hell. Picking up the silver that had fallen to the ground, Chu Nanli finally felt somewhat relieved. Forget it, there¡¯s no point in arguing with a blind and delusional fool. Putting aside the facts, the despicable man was quite generous. If such opportunities arose again in the future, she would make a fortune by wholesale. ¡­ When she returned to the small courtyard, Chu Nanli saw Chu Yi. Previously, when they had separated, Chu Nanli, after careful consideration, had given her identity token from the Prince Residence to Chu Yi. This allowed Chu Yi to enter and exit the Prince Residence smoothly when needed to find her and also to convey messages between her and Xinlian. Moreover, she had other considerations in mind. Firstly, it could test whether Chu Yi was loyal. Secondly, as a Princess Consort without power or favor, the identity token wasn¡¯t of much value to her. ¡°My lord,¡± Chu Yi greeted respectfully. ¡°No need for such formalities,¡± Chu Nanli said as she glanced at the half-closed door. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go in?¡± Chu Yi replied, ¡°Without the master¡¯s permission, I dare not enter freely, fearing it might trouble you.¡± Chu Nanli keenly noticed something unnatural in his expression. Her mind whirled, and she vaguely understood, sending him a knowing look. The two of them walked aside a few steps before Chu Nanli asked, ¡°How did you know I wasn¡¯t in the courtyard?¡± Chu Yi¡¯s expression faltered, his lips pursed, and he said in a low voice, ¡°I overheard the servants inside speaking ill of you, mentioning your¡­ departure.¡± Chu Nanli thought to herself, as expected. Moreover, those servants¡¯ words were probably unbecoming, likely mocking her for being summoned to Ye Yunting to be punished. ¡°What brings you here this time?¡± Chu Nanli gathered her thoughts and asked with a composed expression. Chu Yi raised his eyes, quickly gauging her expression, then lowered his head again, and took something out from his chest to hand over. ¡°Xinlian asked me to bring you this secret letter.¡± Chu Nanli looked at it and saw that it was a wax-sealed letter, nodding inwardly at Xinlian¡¯s meticulous work. From another perspective, Xinlian also wanted to garner favor with her. After all, since Chu Yi and Xinlian were together in Xiangyang, Chu Yi would inevitably be fully aware of the progress of Xinlian¡¯s affairs, and a direct verbal message from Chu Yi would suffice. Chu Nanli broke open the wax seal and took out the letter inside. [Master, the Brothel address has been carefully selected at 43 Apricot Blossom Street. Although it¡¯s not as prosperous as the Capital City Center, it¡¯s free from the control of the influential, which facilitates growth. Plus, the place is a mix of all sorts of people who know a lot of the inside scoop, which is critical for doing business.] The more Chu Nanli looked at it, the more she liked Xinlian. She handed the letter to Chu Yi to destroy, and asked, ¡°Have you come up with a good name?¡± S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Not yet, Xinlian left it to you to name.¡± Chu Nanli: ¡°¡­¡± Her newbie subordinate might not understand that she was terrible at naming things. In her past life, after she became famous and created medicines, the military never let her name them for fear of embarrassing them. Since she hadn¡¯t unlocked the naming skill, she would just name things after whatever she saw. For instance, in her past life, she had a life-saving medicine she just called Meat Bun, because at the moment of its development, a subordinate had brought her a bag of hot meat buns. Later, as the medicine proved miraculously effective against genetic diseases in the year 2090, she gained tremendous fame and was absorbed into the military; from then on, she lost the right to name her creations because the names she chose often sounded like cheap market knock-offs. Thinking about all this was really a handful of bitter tears. ¡°Master, have you thought of a good name?¡± Seeing her expression change, Chu Yi quietly asked again. Chu Nanli admitted, ¡°The names I come up with aren¡¯t good.¡± Chu Yi, however, thought she was being modest. Even though they hadn¡¯t been in contact for long, the master excelled at everything and her decisiveness was palpable in her speech; surely any name she chose would be stunning. ¡°Master, Xinlian, Xiangyang, and I all hope that you will bestow a name upon this brothel. To us, it will be our future refuge, the place where our new lives begin. It was you who pulled the three of us out of the mire, so we also hope that you will grace this new beginning with a name.¡± Chu Nanli, swayed by his speech, found herself with no reason to refuse and silently lamented her misjudgment. Previously, when choosing her people, she thought he was the silent type. Little did she expect him to be so eloquent. ¡°Then call it¡­¡± Chu Yi looked at her, his expression earnest. Chu Nanli scanned her surroundings, intending to name it after a flower, but after a full circle, she saw nothing but weeds, confirming once again her status as a disregarded Princess Consort. With a sigh, Chu Nanli retracted her gaze and was about to say something when she noticed the silver in her embrace. Her mind suddenly flooded with inspiration. ¡°Let¡¯s call it Laiyin Building.¡± Chu Yi was taken aback, then a strange expression crossed his face, a mix of shock and embarrassment. ¡°Lai¡­ Laiyin House?¡± ¡°Right, Laiyin Building.¡± Chu Nanli grew more convinced of the name, finding it catchy and memorable, filled with meaning and significance. She was finally able to clear her reputation as a naming failure. ¡°Ma¡­ Master.¡± Chu Yi¡¯s face was burning as if on fire, and he could no longer meet Chu Nanli¡¯s gaze. Bowing his head, he stammered, ¡°I¡­ I personally feel¡­ this name might be¡­ might be a bit inappropriate.¡± Chu Yi lowered his head even more, his ears red, still trying to persuade Chu Nanli to reconsider. ¡°I boldly advise that although the name does fit nicely¡­it might not be tolerated by society.¡± Chu Nanli was stunned. ¡°Not tolerated by society? Does everyone really regard money as mere dirt? What¡¯s wrong with Laiyin Building? Don¡¯t they use money for food?¡± Chu Yi was startled, then stiffly raised his head. Chapter 32 - 32 32 Cunning Servants Downfall ?Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Cunning Servant¡¯s Downfall Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Cunning Servant¡¯s Downfall ¡°Master, are you referring to ¡®silver¡¯ as in silver coins?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Chu Nanli nodded in confirmation before she realized something was amiss and glanced at him with suspicion, ¡°What character did you think it was just now?¡± Chu Yi¡¯s face turned beet red in an instant, his eyes darting away as he stiffened. Unaccustomed to lying, he was so embarrassed that he couldn¡¯t utter a word for a long time. Chu Nanli scrutinized his expression, her mind racing swiftly, and she mentally flipped through dozens of characters with the same pronunciation, her expression growing increasingly bizarre. ¡°Forget it, that name isn¡¯t very auspicious anyway. Let¡¯s change it.¡± A grown-up¡¯s dignity involves seeing through things without pointing them out, giving others¡­ahem, primarily oneself, some face. Chu Nanli kept a composed appearance, but internally, she felt the awkward urge to scratch a wall. Indeed, she just wasn¡¯t cut out for naming. Realizing that Chu Nanli had guessed the character, Chu Yi wished he could dig a hole and crawl inside. This was the first time he had felt such strong emotions since the misfortune in his family. ¡°Master, I deserve to die.¡± As he spoke, he attempted to kneel down. Chu Nanli hurriedly stopped him, feeling tired, ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, but from now on, none of you should ask me to name anything.¡± After this incident, Chu Yi took it upon himself to handle the task of naming; Xinlian and Xiangyang were naturally curious as to why Chu Nanli didn¡¯t choose the names herself, but of course, they couldn¡¯t get anything out of Chu Yi. Of course, that is a story for another time. ¡°How about ¡®Bright Moon Building¡¯ for your consideration, Master?¡± ¡°Not bad, quite good,¡± Chu Nanli nodded, as long as she didn¡¯t have to pick names, whatever it was called was fine by her. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Yi silently let out a sigh of relief, his face cooling off a bit, as he respectfully asked, ¡°Does the Master have any other instructions?¡± ¡°Nothing else, you may go back. Oh, right, ask Xinlian to pick out a few sets of fitting clothes for me.¡± Chu Nanli suddenly remembered this and thus instructed him. Disturbed by Ye Yunting and Lin Fuying, she no longer had the mood to choose clothes herself, so she might as well leave it to Xinlian, incidentally evaluating Xinlian¡¯s taste. If Xinlian passed this test, there were other matters she intended to entrust her with later. ¡°Understood.¡± Chu Yi responded, and after bowing respectfully with a fist in hand, he left. Chu Nanli watched his receding figure and sighed silently. Now Chu Yi should understand why she had opted not to name them in the past. Touching the tip of her nose, Chu Nanli pushed open the courtyard door and stepped in, glancing around casually. The courtyard was basically as she had left it; nothing had changed. If they couldn¡¯t even manage the facade, there was no hope for the state of affairs inside the house. The servants, upon seeing Chu Nanli return, put away their lazy dispositions and greeted her with scattered bows, calling out ¡°Princess Consort.¡± Their attitude was not only disrespectful but even more perfunctory than when Chu Nanli had seen them before. Chu Nanli¡¯s gaze swept over each of them, and without a word, she took her things and entered the house. Behind her, the servants exchanged glances, each seeing the ¡°as expected¡± look in the others¡¯ eyes. They were Nanny¡¯s servants after all; a Princess Consort who was not favored dared not to give them orders. When Chu Nanli was out of sight, the group even started whispering among themselves. ¡°Hilarious, I thought she was going to be stern with us when she came in with that stone face.¡± ¡°Indeed, earlier when the Prince¡¯s steward called her to see the Prince, she even had an attitude. I saw the steward bending over backwards to please her, afraid that she might take it out on us afterwards, turns out it was a false alarm.¡± ¡°She must have been punished by the Prince, in this house, the Prince¡¯s word is law.¡± ¡°Alas, poor us, originally we belonged to Nanny, which by extension means serving close to the Concubine, we could have had a chance at rising high, but this wicked woman has stirred up trouble!¡± A series of voices, deliberately lowered but intending to be overheard, reached Chu Nanli¡¯s ears, her gaze turning slightly cold. ¡°Ouch!¡± Someone, head lowered, emerged from the inner chamber, nearly bumping into Chu Nanli. Chapter 33 - 33 33 No Future in Following Her ?Chapter 33: Chapter 33: No Future in Following Her Chapter 33: Chapter 33: No Future in Following Her Chu Nanli regained her composure and saw a somewhat familiar face. The maidservant caught sight of Chu Nanli, immediately became shocked and quickly knelt down, ¡°This servant has seen the Princess Consort, I accidentally bumped into you, please punish me.¡± Chu Nanli was stunned for a moment, she took a closer look at the maidservant, saw her head bowed down, her body trembling slightly, and she seemed to still be holding a rag in her hand. Seeing this, Chu Nanli looked towards the inner chamber with her gaze. She now resided in the western side room of the courtyard; previously, a fire broke out in the courtyard, severely damaging the eastern side room and making it unfit for habitation, so she moved over here. However, due to the impact of the fire, a lot of dust had drifted into the western room. Now, the few pieces of furniture in the room were clean, with no trace of dust in sight. Chu Nanli came to understand and lowered her eyes to look at the maidservant, asking, ¡°Were you just cleaning the room?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the maidservant replied in a very soft voice, seeming still worried about being punished. Chu Nanli felt somewhat complicated inside. The servants of War God Residence had a strange attitude towards her. On one hand, they scolded her as a poisonous woman, firmly believing she was narrow-minded, jealous, and vicious. Yet at the same time, they also thought she was fallible and could easily be bullied since she was out of favor. But this maidservant before her was an exception, after all, she looked genuinely afraid of her. ¡°Stand up,¡± Chu Nanli said. ¡°Yes,¡± the maidservant stood up, still bowing her head. ¡°Lift your head.¡± As told, the maidservant lifted her head, revealing a round apple-like face that still held some babyish features, probably around fourteen or fifteen, younger than her. Chu Nanli suddenly remembered. It was her. When she had just returned from outside before, there was not a single person working in the courtyard, only a shadowy figure sweeping on the corridor of the eastern side room, showing only a side profile, and she happened to glance at it. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s tone softened a bit. ¡°This servant¡¯s name is Yanyan.¡± Chu Nanli nodded, ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard, you may go now.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Yanyan responded, bowed her head, and walked briskly downstairs, her rapid heartbeat gradually calming down. The Princess Consort was clearly a very kind person and also very beautiful; she thought the Princess Consort was much prettier than the Concubine. Why did they all say the Princess Consort was an unsightly shrew? Yanyan felt somewhat indignant inside. After leaving the room, she saw the others gathered together but didn¡¯t go over, opting instead to wash the rag by the well. The others whispered and muttered to each other. ¡°You see that fool, pretending to be diligent.¡± ¡°Trying to please this one, of course.¡± ¡°Hahaha, isn¡¯t that a laughing stock? With her brains, not knowing how to read the room, what future could she possibly have by following this one?¡± Derisive remarks reached Yanyan¡¯s ears; she wanted to argue with them, but they were many and strong, and she didn¡¯t dare. After defending the Princess Consort a few times before, her bedding had been doused with water. It was at this moment that Chu Nanli walked out. The laughter in the courtyard abruptly ceased, the servants looking at each other, none of them moving or even pretending to continue their chores. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Someone¡¯s eyes shifted, wanting to further test Chu Nanli¡¯s limits, and boldly pushed the person next to them, leading the way to leave. As one person took the lead, the others lost their inhibitions, and they all made their way towards the Servant Quarters in pairs and threes. ¡°Stop,¡± Chu Nanli coldly called out. The group of servants stopped in their tracks, then proceeded without a care. Chu Nanli¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile, and a silver needle flew from her hand. ¡°Ahh!¡± A scream followed by a ¡°thud¡± sound. The others started in alarm and looked around in confusion. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They saw the leading servant clutching his leg lying on the ground wailing, a silver needle embedded in his kneecap. Someone immediately tried to remove it, but as soon as they touched the needle, the person screamed again, and no one else dared to act. Yanyan stood by the well, stunned by the scene, and then her gaze shifted to Chu Nanli. So¡­ so formidable, she had just seen the Princess Consort making a slight hand gesture. The others also came to their senses, turning around and looking towards Chu Nanli with a mix of shock and uncertainty. ¡°Not leaving anymore?¡± Chu Nanli asked calmly. Now, the servants¡¯ suspicions were confirmed, their expressions filled with both shock and panic, with no shortage of resentment. ¡°Oh, sister, what¡¯s going on here? Why is it a bit scary?¡± Just then, a surprised shout came from outside the gate. Chapter 34 - 34 34 All Servants Turn Against ?Chapter 34: Chapter 34 All Servants Turn Against Chapter 34: Chapter 34 All Servants Turn Against Chu Nanli¡¯s eyebrows twisted, a trace of impatience flashing in her eyes. This white lotus had indeed come at the right time, ruining her plans. ¡°Concubine Consort!¡± ¡°This servant has seen the Concubine Consort!¡± ¡°This servant has seen the Concubine Consort!¡± The servants¡¯ faces were full of joy as they greeted her one after another, and except for the person lying on the ground, all were eagerly paying their respects to Lin Fuying. Lin Fuying sashayed in from outside, her face showing a flicker of triumph at the scene. ¡°Everyone, rise.¡± Chu Nanli looked up and saw the Cloud Brocade outfit she wore, extravagantly luxurious, with birds embroidered on the hem that seemed as though they might take flight at any moment, except the front sagged, failing to fill out Lin Fuying¡¯s figure. Clearly, the white lotus was not aware of this, still full of pride. Although Chu Nanli was displeased to see her wearing the clothes she had chosen, seeing Lin Fuying fail to pull it off still provided her some satisfaction. ¡°Sister, it seems you are not too pleased to see Yingying coming to visit you.¡± Lin Fuying walked over to Chu Nanli, asking deliberately. Chu Nanli retorted, ¡°Of course, after all, it¡¯s not expected that the Concubine has such a lack of self-awareness to wear the clothes I picked out so unattractively.¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s face changed instantly. The last thing a woman wants is for her rival to comment that today¡¯s outfit looks unattractive, especially with the mocking look Chu Nanli had as she focused on her chest area, making her even more uncomfortable. Just then, a sycophantic voice suddenly interjected. ¡°Princess Consort, your words seem misleading. The Concubine Consort wearing this dress looks as beautiful as a celestial being, it had me utterly captivated.¡± Lin Fuying paused briefly at these words, seeing they were spoken by a maid from Chu Nanli¡¯s courtyard, her expression swiftly brightened. After a quick thought, she feigned sadness, ¡°Ah, sister says it looks unattractive, don¡¯t try to sweet-talk me.¡± At this, the servants, already reluctant to follow Chu Nanli, immediately gathered around her, incessantly flattering her and even demeaning Chu Nanli to cheer Lin Fuying up. ¡°It¡¯s not flattery; this is genuinely from the heart. If I speak even half a lie, may lightning strike me down.¡± ¡°I can testify that she speaks the truth. Concubine Consort, you are the precious jewel in the Prince¡¯s heart, imposingly distinguished. Only you can make such lavish clothing look good.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, some people have never worn clothes this fine, they¡¯re just jealous of you.¡± ¡°Even if a commoner was dressed in silk and satin, she couldn¡¯t turn into a phoenix. But you, Concubine Consort, were born a phoenix.¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s smile deepened upon hearing the last sentence. She was not born a phoenix; she became one only after ascending with Ye Yunting. However¡­ Since these words demeaned Chu Nanli, she didn¡¯t mind at all. She wanted Chu Nanli to know that, even though she occupied the position of the Principal Wife, in the great War God Residence, she was cherished by the Prince, admired by the servants, and fawned upon by everyone. She was the true mistress here! ¡°Alright, alright, you¡¯re being indiscreet with your words, sister might get unhappy,¡± Lin Fuying finally spoke up leisurely, putting a stop to it. Chu Nanli remained expressionless. She was indeed very unhappy, currently even desiring to take revenge against this treacherous couple. ¡°This servant obeys the Concubine Consort.¡± ¡°We all obey the Concubine Consort.¡± The servants one after another pledged their loyalty. ¡°Concubine Consort, please save me.¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The man lying on the ground rolled and crawled to Lin Fuying¡¯s feet, begging aloud. ¡°What happened to you?¡± Lin Fuying feigned surprise, although she had seen him already and remained silent on purpose, waiting for him to seek her out to make Chu Nanli more embarrassed. Chapter 35 - 35 35 Then Sell to the Brothel ?Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Then Sell to the Brothel Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Then Sell to the Brothel ¡°Princess Consort, the Princess Consort is going to kill me!¡± The man was sweating profusely from the pain, crying and wailing in a complaint, looking utterly disheveled. Lin Fuying¡¯s eyes flashed with disdain as she imperceptibly stepped backward and then leaned forward slightly, asking with concern, ¡°You can¡¯t get up?¡± The man, sniffling and weeping, clutched one leg and said with difficulty, ¡°The Princess Consort stabbed a needle into my knee. I¡¯m in so much pain, I could die, and the Princess Consort doesn¡¯t care at all whether I live or die.¡± Chu Nanli snickered inwardly upon hearing these words. He still had the energy to play the white lotus and tattle on her. It seemed the needle she stabbed wasn¡¯t deep enough last time; she should have used one needle per leg. At that moment, Lin Fuying stood up and looked over. ¡°Sister, if Yingying remembers correctly, this is the person you specifically requested from the nanny. Now, not only is the nanny missing, but you also mistreat her people like this. How am I to explain to the Prince that the nanny¡¯s sudden disappearance has nothing to do with you?¡± Chu Nanli watched her pretending to suppress her sorrow and disappointment, forcing a strong front without any expression. True to the form of a white lotus, her speech was an artful performance. But she was not one to indulge such behavior. ¡°My memory serves me that it was you who told the Prince that the nanny¡¯s departure was related to me.¡± Lin Fuying, looking distressed, said, ¡°Sister, Yingying had her suspicions about you, but in the end, she chose to trust you. She even persuaded the Prince to trust you. However, seeing how you abuse the nanny¡¯s people in the courtyard today, Yingying doesn¡¯t know whether she should still trust you.¡± ¡°How beautifully put,¡± Chu Nanli scoffed. She glanced coldly at the surrounding servants who were reveling in misfortune and said, ¡°Besides, when have I ever mistreated them? I was merely disciplining the disobedient ones.¡± The servants¡¯ faces turned a mixture of green and white from the scolding. The man on the ground immediately begged Lin Fuying, ¡°Concubine, I am willing to be your ox and horse, please give me a chance to work in your courtyard.¡± The other servants¡¯ eyes lit up at this statement. Indeed, what future could they have with the chief wife? Serving the favored concubine was the way to rise to prominence. Besides, the concubine was so gentle and kind; serving her had to be more comfortable than attending to Chu Nanli, the jealous and venomous woman. Thus, they followed suit. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Concubine, this servant also wishes to serve you.¡± ¡°This servant as well!¡± In an instant, the courtyard was filled with kneeling figures. Lin Fuying felt an extreme sense of triumph within, gearing up to secretly ridicule Chu Nanli. She thought if she could provoke Chu Nanli into rage, it would be even better, but at that moment, she saw a standing figure, and her eyes immediately dimmed. Yanyan hadn¡¯t expected the concubine to suddenly look her way, and she stiffened, unsure whether to bow or what to do. Chu Nanli followed Lin Fuying¡¯s gaze and saw Yanyan, also momentarily startled. She hadn¡¯t expected there to be a maid in the courtyard who was loyal to her. She couldn¡¯t let the white lotus scare her away. With this thought, Chu Nanli said indifferently, ¡°You all want to go with the concubine?¡± Hearing this, Lin Fuying withdrew her gaze and looked at Chu Nanli leisurely. Today she would let this lowlife know how powerless she was. The kneeling servants did not disappoint her, repeatedly saying, ¡°Yes, we wish to work in the concubine¡¯s courtyard.¡± Lin Fuying softly began, ¡°Sister, since that¡¯s the case, then¡­¡± ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, just sell them to the brothel,¡± Chu Nanli said with a faint smile. Her brothel had just started operating, and there was a need for people. Lin Fuying¡¯s expression froze, the rest of her sentence stuck in her throat. The servants on the ground looked up in panic. With a carefree tone, Chu Nanli said, ¡°Sell the maids to attract clients, the men to be pimps. Make your choice. After all, I won¡¯t keep disloyal people here.¡± The servants, terrified, did not dare to utter a word, instead looking imploringly towards Lin Fuying. Chapter 36 - 36 36 Will the Concubine Be Willing to Save Him ?Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Will the Concubine Be Willing to Save Him? Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Will the Concubine Be Willing to Save Him? Lin Fuying was also startled before settling down. She frowned and said, ¡°How did sister come to know such vulgar words? Although sister did come from the marketplace¡­¡± Chu Nanli interrupted her mid-spell, ¡°Oh, I almost forgot that Lin Concubine is such a good person.¡± Lin Fuying felt a bad premonition in her heart and before she could speak, she heard Chu Nanli say, ¡°How about this? I know Lin Concubine cares about them, so if Lin Concubine is willing to pay one thousand taels of silver to buy them from my hands, then I won¡¯t sell them to the brothel.¡± One thousand taels?! The expression on Lin Fuying¡¯s face was almost impossible to maintain. She currently had only six hundred taels of silver on hand, and this despicable woman was obviously jealous of how generous the Prince was to her, so she contrived to take back the money the Prince had given her. ¡°Sister, these servants are innocent. How can you¡­¡± ¡°It seems the Concubine is not at all willing to spend the money,¡± Chu Nanli interrupted her, saying to the kneeling servants, ¡°Go, beg Lin Concubine and see if she is willing to save you.¡± Lin Fuying clenched her teeth. Of course, she didn¡¯t want to spend such undeserved money! Especially on these worthless servants. They didn¡¯t deserve it! However, those servants didn¡¯t know what she was thinking. Upon hearing Chu Nanli¡¯s words, they completely saw her as a Bodhisattva. ¡°Concubine, please save us!¡± ¡°Concubine, you have the kindest heart in the house. The maid once saw you accidentally step on an ant and you cried for a long time. I believe you would never stand by and watch someone die.¡± Lin Fuying was put in an awkward position by everyone¡¯s words, unable to refuse nor willing to agree, and her face gradually lost its composure. Chu Nanli watched calmly from the side and added fuel to the fire. ¡°Lin Concubine¡¯s face looks a bit unpleasant. Could it be that you are not happy to help?¡± Lin Fuying could not admit that, she said through gritted teeth, ¡°Of course not, it¡¯s just¡­ sister is asking for one thousand taels of silver, which is surely asking too much.¡± Seeing their mistress speak up, Xiaoyun and Dong Yue, the two lapdogs, quickly chimed in. ¡°Exactly, the Princess Consort doesn¡¯t want to let these servants go, just say it. There¡¯s no need to make things difficult for our lady.¡± Upon hearing this, the faces of the servants changed, obviously transferring all their anger and resentment onto Chu Nanli. Chu Nanli could hardly fail to notice their mood and promptly met their tactics with her sarcasm. ¡°Tsk, I didn¡¯t expect that a Concubine so favored by the Prince, who just got six hundred taels of silver from the Prince as pocket money today, on top of previous rewards, would be so wealthy yet refuse to spare some silver to save people. Does this not prove that you, Concubine, don¡¯t truly want to save anyone?¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s face turned pale. Chu Nanli then said to the servants, ¡°You show disrespect towards me, and I have the right to sell you. However, I still have a shred of mercy in my heart, so I give you a way out. The outcome rests in your hands.¡± After saying that, she pulled over a chair and casually sat down, leaning lazily to watch the drama unfold. As she expected, this group of servants now clung to the only escape she had offered them, not caring to harbor hatred toward her, and all rushed toward Lin Fuying like starving wolves. ¡°Concubine, one thousand taels of silver is just a small amount for you, but it could save our lives. Please, show us your mercy.¡± Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Yes, I will work like an ox or horse for you in the future to repay you!¡± Surrounded by a crowd of servants, Lin Fuying¡¯s complexion turned from green to white, the anger in her eyes about to materialize. Wanting to lash out but considering the image she had painstakingly curated, she forcibly held back. Overwhelmed by anger and wishing to escape the situation, she quickly touched her forehead, showing a pained expression, and said, ¡°Sister, how can you take the lives of the servants so lightly? You¡¯ve greatly disappointed Yingying.¡± After finishing, she slumped down as if she had fainted from Chu Nanli¡¯s anger. ¡°My lady!¡± Xiaoyun and Dong Yue looked terribly alarmed as they quickly held her up, then fiercely warned Chu Nanli, ¡°Princess Consort, when the Prince learns you¡¯ve bullied our lady like this, he will not let you off!¡± Finished speaking, one of them put Lin Fuying¡¯s arm around her shoulder, and since they were small and not very strong, they practically half-dragged her away. Chu Nanli, with a keen eye, saw Lin Fuying¡¯s feet being dragged on the ground lift up slightly and said to the kneeling servants, ¡°Oh look, the Concubine can still lift her feet even after she has fainted.¡± The three who had already left the courtyard probably did not hear this, but all the servants inside heard it and hurriedly glanced over, just in time to see Lin Fuying¡¯s agile and strong feet. Their faces instantly each became more spectacular than the next. In the courtyard, only Yanyan was trying to hold back her laughter. Chapter 37 - 37 37 This Palace is Not a Pushover ?Chapter 37: Chapter 37: This Palace is Not a Pushover Chapter 37: Chapter 37: This Palace is Not a Pushover Chu Nanli looked at the servants with a mocking gaze, her clear and piercing eyes causing the group to lower their heads in shame and embarrassment. At this point, what could they fail to understand? The ¡°sincerity¡± they had devoted to Concubine Lin was but a joke to her as she saw them as fools. She had appeared concerned only to use them to provoke the Princess Consort. And themselves? They had naively believed that she was kind-hearted and would save them from peril. Once they came to their senses, one by one they began to kowtow, begging for mercy. ¡°Princess Consort, we were blind and foolish, please, we beg you to forgive our ignorance and spare us!¡± At that moment, the courtyard was filled with their pleas for mercy. Yanyan watched the scene with astonishment, her eyes round with admiration for Chu Nanli. Chu Nanli¡¯s expression did not waver as she walked over and stopped in front of the man she had pricked with a silver needle. ¡°Do you realize your wrongdoing?¡± The man was consumed with shameful rage and nodded frantically, ¡°I know I am wrong! I deserve to die!¡± Chu Nanli bent down and pulled out the silver needle from his knee. The man instinctively shrank back, then realized the needle was removed, and his knee felt completely unharmed, as if everything before was an illusion. ¡°Thank you, Princess Consort!¡± Snapping back to reality, he quickly turned over and knelt to kowtow. Chu Nanli¡¯s gaze swept over them, her tone indifferent yet revealing a commanding presence. ¡°I am not one to be trifled with, so do not test me. Today, I will let you off, but should there be a next time, it won¡¯t be as simple as just selling you off to a brothel.¡± The servants had anticipated certain doom and were taken aback by Chu Nanli¡¯s leniency. They were elated and echoed their agreement. Chu Nanli commanded, ¡°Attend to your duties well.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Rest assured, Princess Consort, we will work diligently!¡± They each expressed their loyalty in turn. After Chu Nanli entered the house, they all sincerely breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like they had survived a catastrophe. However, thinking of Lin Fuying¡¯s actions made them feel cold inside, and they no longer held onto their previous naive thoughts. Having returned to her room, a shadow crossed Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes. Today, she might have thwarted the white lotus, but given the white lotus¡¯s vengeful nature, she was sure to provoke Ye Yunting to trouble her. Nevertheless, it had been impossible for her to swallow her anger just then. If she had shown weakness before the white lotus today, allowing herself to be ridiculed, her future in the Prince Residence would become even more difficult, with servants gossiping behind her back and disregarding her outright. So, in consideration of the long-term strategy, her retaliation was justified. Exhaling a breath of turbid air, Chu Nanli called for Yanyan to come in. Yanyan still remembered Chu Nanli¡¯s fierce display in the courtyard and approached with trepidation. She did her curtsy and asked, ¡°What are your orders, Princess Consort?¡± ¡°Do not fear, I¡¯ve called you here to ask if you¡¯re willing to become my chief maid?¡± Yanyan was taken aback, her wide eyes looking at her as she stumbled over her words, ¡°I am willing¡­ but I¡¯m concerned about not being up to the task. I have never been a chief maid.¡± She seemed restless. Chu Nanli saw the sincerity in her heart and stated earnestly, ¡°I have only one requirement.¡± Yanyan, suppressing her nervousness, replied, ¡°Please tell me.¡± ¡°Remain loyal to me.¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yanyan paused, looking at the serious and calm face before her. The unease in her heart gradually settled. Clenching her fists, she mustered her courage and said, ¡°Please be assured, Princess Consort, I will be loyal to you without any reservation. Although I don¡¯t quite understand what a chief maid should do, I will try my best not to disappoint you.¡± Her promise lacked exaggeration and servility, but it was her truthfulness in every word that made her sincerity all the more palpable. It was rare for Chu Nanli to show a relaxed smile, and she winked at her: ¡°From now on, we are allies.¡± Yanyan seemed a bit overwhelmed by the Princess Consort¡¯s sudden playfulness, her hands fidgeting, her face gradually blushing. ¡°Alright¡­ alright.¡± Chu Nanli then gave her first task, ¡°Monitor those outside and ensure they do their work without disturbing me.¡± Yanyan nodded quickly, ¡°Yes.¡± After Yanyan had left, Chu Nanli¡¯s thoughts shifted, and she entered her private space. Chapter 38 - 38 38 You witch ?Chapter 38: Chapter 38: You witch! Chapter 38: Chapter 38: You witch! In the room, Nanny had more trouble breathing out than in, but upon hearing the sudden noise, her eyes snapped open very quickly. Seeing Chu Nanli, she trembled in horror and stammered, ¡°Sorceress! Sorceress! What kind of sorcery have you used to trap me?¡± Chu Nanli sneered, ¡°You can still speak, it seems I haven¡¯t been harsh enough.¡± At these words, a flicker of fear passed through Nanny¡¯s eyes. Chu Nanli glanced at the bloodstains she had crawled out from and, with some disdain, threw a bottle of medicine her way. ¡°Eat it.¡± Nanny dodged the medicine that was thrown at her, terrified, ¡°You sorceress, what are you planning to use to torment me this time?¡± Chu Nanli scoffed, ¡°I had intended to give you a way out, but since you seek death, I won¡¯t stop you. Once you breathe your last, I¡¯ll just burn your body to ash, saving the trouble of it taking up space.¡± Her space wasn¡¯t infinitely large; having a body inside would inevitably be visible, which was rather disturbing. Nanny¡¯s aged face trembled as she looked doubtfully at Chu Nanli. Eventually, the desire to live made her grab the bottle, carefully pouring out a pill and stuffing it into her mouth. After eating it, the piercing pain from her wounds eased in a matter of moments. Her eyes widened in disbelief, almost bulging out. ¡°This, this, this¡­¡± She immediately started pouring the bottle¡¯s contents directly into her mouth. Chu Nanli coldly said, ¡°Fool.¡± Nanny halted in her actions, a pill just entering her mouth got stuck in her throat, causing her eyes to roll back as she choked. Chu Nanli watched coldly from the side, not making a move to help. She had given a bottle of pills merely because the old woman still had some utility, but if the latter was foolish enough to hasten her own end, there was no need to intervene. ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­¡± Nanny scraped at her throat desperately and finally managed to eject the pill, gasping for air like a dying fish. Only then did Chu Nanli slowly speak, ¡°If you want to live, just one pill a day will do; taking more is just hastening your own end.¡± Having just narrowly escaped death, Nanny¡¯s face was pale. No longer daring to act foolishly, she clutched the pill bottle closely, watching Chu Nanli with a mixture of confusion and horror. Such a miraculous medicine that could stop pain so quickly was something even Bai Wuheng, the Divine Doctor, could not produce; who exactly was this sorceress? Ever since that fire, Chu Nanli seemed to have become a different person. Had she been hiding her abilities before, or was she now possessed by some demon? How could she manage to relay a message to the Concubine? Nanny¡¯s mind raced with thoughts. ¡°You can¡¯t get out of here, so stop concocting futile plans,¡± Chu Nanli could see what was on her mind and warned sharply, ¡°It¡¯d be best to behave, or I have ways to make death quite unpleasant for you.¡± Intimidated by the coldness in her eyes and recalling the pain she had suffered before, Nanny shivered uncontrollably. Chu Nanli showed her briefly how to use the faucet and toilet in the house, and these beyond-understanding items staggered Nanny from shock to blank bewilderment. Before leaving, Chu Nanli said indifferently, ¡°Clean up all the blood in the house. I don¡¯t want to see it the next time I come here.¡± With those words, she walked out and securely shut the door of the small house behind her. Chu Nanli went to the adjacent room and took out the Breeding Box. Seeing that the fetus was doing well inside, she felt relieved. She had her reasons for keeping Nanny around. This fetus was one she had secretly kept. Before she could successfully leave the Prince Residence, it would likely have to remain hidden in this space. Even with a breeding box, she wasn¡¯t completely at ease. If something unforeseen happened to the fetus, she might not realize it in time while outside. If Nanny could serve her, at least she would be useful for caregiving within the space. Moreover, with the Breeding Box, the fetus wouldn¡¯t need to develop for ten months to begin feeding and growing like a normally born infant. Eventually, constant care would be necessary. But right now, Nanny was not yet usable. She needed to be confined a while longer to let her accept the reality of her inescapable situation. Given Nanny¡¯s fear of death, she would eventually be willing to work for her. Gathering her thoughts, Chu Nanli took out a nutrient injection and administered it into the Breeding Box. My dear child, eat well and grow healthy. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes filled with tenderness. As for Nanny, let her starve. Chapter 39 - 39 39 Deciding for the Concubine ?Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Deciding for the Concubine Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Deciding for the Concubine In the evening, the courtyard was quiet, with servants each attending to their tasks, and those who had finished stayed in their designated areas, free from the daytime tumult. Not only that, the eastern chamber that had burned was also cleaned up, though it still looked a bit dilapidated. Chu Nanli ate a peaceful supper prepared by the servants, and, having been exhausted from the day¡¯s affairs, went to bed early. The next morning, when sunlight streamed through the window, Chu Nanli woke up. After calling Yanyan to inquire about the time, she began to wonder. That shouldn¡¯t be right. Logically, after Ye Yunting returned last night, Lin Fuying would undoubtedly have gone to complain to him. Even if she couldn¡¯t bother her last night, surely after an overnight of pillow talk, she should have come looking for trouble early in the morning. Why had no one appeared? ¡°Where is Ye Yunting?¡± Upon hearing Chu Nanli directly say his name, Yanyan couldn¡¯t help but be startled, but then she remembered how the Prince treated the Princess Consort and understood. ¡°To answer the Princess Consort, the Prince was at the Imperial Palace accompanying Yang Shu yesterday and did not return to the mansion.¡± Hearing this, Chu Nanli recalled the corresponding memories of the person. This Yang Shu, Ye Yunting¡¯s mother and a concubine. The Yang family had a distinguished reputation in Xia Kingdom, producing grand chancellors for two dynasties, and even the Emperor showed deference to the Yang family. With such maternal family status, Yang Shu¡¯s position in the Imperial Palace naturally soared, proud and haughty. Moreover, her son was the renowned War God of Xia Kingdom, so Yang Shu looked down on Chu Nanli¡¯s common background. The few times Chu Nanli had entered the palace, she had faced numerous difficulties. Thinking this, Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly. Poor original host, your marriage was not to happiness but to a family of ruthless beasts. ¡°Princess Consort, breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat now?¡± Yanyan reminded her softly. Chu Nanli came to her senses, got out of bed, dressed, and said, ¡°Yes, let me wash up first.¡± ¡­ After returning from the palace, Ye Yunting strode confidently towards the main courtyard while inquiring about the mansion¡¯s situation from the butler. ¡°How is she?¡± sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Assuming he was asking about the concubine, the butler immediately said, ¡°The Concubine, she¡­¡± Ye Yunting furrowed his brow and interrupted impatiently, ¡°I was asking about Chu Nanli.¡± The butler was taken aback, a cold sweat sliding down his back, both from misunderstanding and Ye Yunting¡¯s sudden interest in Chu Nanli. He chose his words carefully, not daring to elaborate further: ¡°The Princess Consort is doing quite well.¡± Ha, how could she not be? She had even caused Fuying, the concubine, to faint from anger just yesterday. The butler had intended to sell Fuying out, to exaggerate her ¡°misdeeds¡± in front of the Prince. But since the Prince¡¯s first inquiry was about the Princess Consort upon his return, the butler could no longer gauge the Prince¡¯s thoughts. The butler¡¯s mind raced, and he dared not show any unusual expression. Ye Yunting gave a nonchalant grunt, his face inscrutable. Just then, a maid ran over. The butler looked closely¡ªit was Xiaoyun, from Fuying¡¯s side. It appeared there would be drama. ¡°Prince, you¡¯ve finally returned. Please do something for the Concubine!¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s eyebrows knitted together: ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Yesterday, the Concubine kindly went to see the Princess Consort and found her mistreating a servant. When she tried to intervene, the Princess Consort wouldn¡¯t listen and even insulted the Concubine, saying she looked ugly in Cloud Brocade. The Concubine, already in poor health, was so aggrieved that she fainted and hasn¡¯t eaten since last night and this morning,¡± As she spoke, Ye Yunting¡¯s expression grew darker, and by the end, his face was thunderous. ¡°Insolence!¡± The butler and Xiaoyun were both startled. Xiaoyun lowered her gaze, concealing the schadenfreude in her eyes, and continued: ¡°Prince, please persuade the Concubine not to harm her health by fasting. She didn¡¯t want us to tell you, but I couldn¡¯t stand by and watch anymore.¡± Ye Yunting flung his sleeves, turned, and strode toward Furong Academy, leaving a statement in his wake. ¡°No need to send any more medicine to Chu Nanli.¡± The butler, following behind, realized this referred to the medicinal tonic for Chu Nanli¡¯s health, and instinctively said, ¡°Today¡¯s dose is already prepared.¡± ¡°Dispose of it!¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s voice was chilling. The butler trembled and hurriedly replied, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll see to it right away!¡± Chapter 40 - 40 40 Scolding Her as a Born Bad Seed ?Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Scolding Her as a Born Bad Seed Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Scolding Her as a Born Bad Seed Furong Academy. ¡°Cough cough cough¡­¡± ¡°Concubine, why put yourself through this? For such a person, hurting your own body is not worth it. Please eat something, or drink your medicine first.¡± As soon as Ye Yunting entered the courtyard, he smelled a strong scent of herbal medicine, accompanied by the earnest persuasions of a maid and the soft coughing of a woman, which immediately changed his expression and quickened his pace. After entering the room, Dong Yue was the first to spot him and was overjoyed, hastily paying her respects. ¡°Slave has seen the Prince.¡± ¡°Prince.¡± Lin Fuying also struggled to get off the bed. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing her pale face, Ye Yunting quickly stepped forward and held her shoulders. ¡°If you¡¯re not feeling well, just lie down. I¡¯ve told you many times before, Yingying, you don¡¯t need to be so formal when you see me.¡± ¡°One must not discard propriety,¡± Lin Fuying said weakly, covering her mouth as she coughed lightly. Ye Yunting sat down beside her bed, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and gently patting her back, ¡°Did Chu Nanli that poisonous woman bully you again?¡± Lin Fuying heard the undertone in Chu Nanli¡¯s voice and secretly laughed, but she pretended to be upset and glared at Xiaoyun. ¡°You girl, spilling everything!¡± Xiaoyun retorted, ¡°You suffer in silence, and I can¡¯t stand to watch.¡± Ye Yunting said, ¡°Give me the medicine.¡± Upon hearing this, Dong Yue quickly handed over the bowl of medicine she had in her hand. Ye Yunting raised his hand to take it, saying, ¡°You all go out, I¡¯ll be enough here.¡± Dong Yue and Xiaoyun complied, and as they exited, they exchanged glances, both smiling proudly. Indeed, the Prince always cares most for their Concubine. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take better care of your body?¡± Ye Yunting said as he prepared to feed Lin Fuying the medicine. Lin Fuying would not really let him feed her medicine. As her mother had said, a woman should neither demand too much from a man nor do everything according to his wishes, even if he wanted to take care of her. ¡°Prince, Yingying is heartbroken, not physically ill; drinking this medicine will be useless,¡± Lin Fuying gently pushed away Ye Yunting¡¯s hand holding the spoon, her face covered with sorrow. Ye Yunting pursed his lips and placed the medicine bowl on the table beside him. Lin Fuying opportune said, ¡°Yesterday, after Yingying wore the dress selected by my sister, I really liked it. I intended to specially thank her for her good taste, but just as I entered, I heard a servant wailing. After inquiring, I learned that my sister had stabbed the servant¡¯s knee with a needle, maybe because they were Nanny¡¯s people, sister¡­¡± Speaking of which, Lin Fuying burst into tears. Ye Yunting¡¯s face darkened with stormy clouds. Yingying didn¡¯t mention a word about Chu Nanli, that poisonous woman, calling her ugly; she only cared about the servant. How could Chu Nanli not have even half of Yingying¡¯s kindness? Meanwhile, Yang Shu¡¯s words echoed in his mind. ¡°Yunting, when will you divorce Chu Nanli? That coarse woman, how could she be worthy of your noble status as the War God of Xia Kingdom?¡± ¡°Mother, I have my own judgment in mind.¡± ¡°Yunting, tell your mother the truth, you haven¡¯t fallen for that coarse woman, have you?¡± ¡°Never.¡± As his thoughts returned, a wave of irritation surged in Ye Yunting¡¯s heart, and his expression grew even uglier. ¡°So the obedient nature was pretense! A natural-born bad seed, the vices in the bones are hard to change!¡± Lin Fuying feigned to advise, ¡°Prince, please don¡¯t speak so harshly of my sister; perhaps she behaves this way because you favor Yingying and she has lost her child. She must be distressed. Alas, her temperament has greatly altered these past few days, causing Yingying much guilt too. But those servants are also people; she shouldn¡¯t vent her anger on them, and even talks of selling them to the brothel.¡± ¡°Yingying also wants to help those pitiful people, but sister says she will only release them for a thousand taels of silver ¨C it¡¯s Yingying¡¯s incompetence.¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s face darkened further. That poisonous woman, her so-called change of temperament, was just a way to capture his attention. Seeing that being obediently behaved no longer worked, she revealed her true nature, escalating her harm to Yingying and domineering over the servants! Humph! If that¡¯s the case, then he would satisfy her! Ye Yunting suppressed the fierce look in his eyes, patiently coaxed Lin Fuying to drink her medicine, instructed the maids to feed her breakfast, and then he left. As soon as he left, a maid secretly followed him out of the courtyard. Shortly, she hurried back and reported, ¡°My lady, the Prince went to Chu Nanli¡¯s courtyard.¡± Lin Fuying, leaning lazily against the headboard, her complexion much improved, said, ¡°I¡¯m tired and would like to sleep for a while. Except for the Prince visiting, do not disturb me for anything else.¡± To appear convincingly weak this morning, she had endured through the night with hardly any sleep. Now, seeing that the Prince had gone to trouble Chu Nanli, she could rest easy. The maid complied respectfully and withdrew from the room, closing the door behind her. Chapter 41 - 41 41 Forcing Her to Kneel and Apologize ?Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Forcing Her to Kneel and Apologize Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Forcing Her to Kneel and Apologize Chu Nanli had just finished breakfast and was satisfyingly patting her stomach when she heard a sharp, accusatory voice. ¡°Did you bully Yingying again yesterday?!¡± The voice arrived before the person did. The servants in the courtyard were trembling and kneeling all over the ground. Chu Nanli¡¯s good mood was thoroughly spoiled. When she looked up, a shadow fell in front of her. The man¡¯s tall figure stepped into the main hall, his presence oppressive. The wind caused by his robes as he walked carried a chill. Chu Nanli did not get up but looked up at him and said, ¡°If the Prince is referring to Concubine Lin deliberately wearing the clothes chosen by this palace to show off here, then indeed, I did scold her.¡± ¡°You dare admit it?!¡± S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli said, ¡°Under such circumstances, wouldn¡¯t anyone feel displeased? Has the Prince never heard of the saying, ¡®The instigator is despicable¡¯?¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s face looked even more unpleasant. ¡°All you speak are vulgar words, is this your upbringing?¡± Chu Nanli found it very uncomfortable to keep looking up, so she stood up. Even with the height difference, it was still much better than looking up at Ye Yunting. ¡°Yet the Prince starts by questioning me, refusing to listen to a single word about the facts I¡¯ve stated; is that right?¡± Ye Yunting sneered, ¡°With your mouth full of lies, how can I believe you? Moreover, I know very well what kind of person Yingying is. I won¡¯t allow you to turn things around here!¡± Chu Nanli laughed in frustration but knew that although she wanted the servants in the courtyard to testify for her, they dared not confront Ye Yunting. Just then, Ye Yunting looked towards the courtyard, glanced at the servants, and upon recalling what Lin Fuying had said about the mistreatment, his look darkened and he said, ¡°From now on, you all will serve in Yingying¡¯s courtyard.¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s gaze slightly dimmed. As expected, Lin Fuying complained about every detail. The servants in the courtyard were stunned and knelt there trembling, none daring to speak first. What they had tried hard to achieve yesterday had so easily come to fruition today; by all logic, they should be happy. However, having sensed that Concubine Lin was not as kind as rumored, they were reluctant to go. After all, the other party had pretended to faint yesterday just to avoid having them serve her; they had to be watchful about whether their master would harm them even if they were eager to serve like dogs. The atmosphere in the courtyard grew tense. Chu Nanli was somewhat surprised. These people actually weren¡¯t grateful? ¡°Are you not willing?¡± Ye Yunting sensed something was off and his expression turned sour. The servants trembled, ¡°We will follow the Prince¡¯s orders.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Ye Yunting flicked his sleeve, his expression inscrutable. Chu Nanli indeed kept things well hidden! In such a short time, she had won over the servants who had been maltreated. If he did not teach her a lesson now, she might overturn the heavens in the future. In his War God Residence, he could not afford to have such an unrestrained Princess Consort! Thinking this, Ye Yunting said coldly, ¡°Since you are willing to stay here, then stay here.¡± Upon hearing this, the servants actually felt some joy. Ye Yunting withdrew his gaze, turned towards Chu Nanli, and said coldly, ¡°Do you realize your mistake from yesterday?¡± Chu Nanli calmly said, ¡°I have already made it very clear to the Prince, yesterday it was Concubine Lin who provoked first, showing no respect for my position as the Princess Consort. It was only then that I retorted.¡± ¡°Nothing but sophistry!¡± Running out of patience, Ye Yunting shouted, ¡°Kneel down!¡± The servants in the courtyard were startled and glanced towards the direction of the room. Chu Nanli frowned and held back her displeasure, ¡°May I ask the Prince, why must I kneel?¡± ¡°To admit your mistake!¡± Chu Nanli was about to laugh in anger, ¡°What fault have I committed?¡± Ye Yunting stared at her with a dark gaze, ¡°Unrepentant! I will not indulge you!¡± With that, he harshly grabbed Chu Nanli¡¯s arm. Chu Nanli didn¡¯t dodge, and he forcefully pulled her by the shoulder from behind the table. Her shoulder hurt, and before she could speak, a strong force pushed down on her shoulder, forcing her knees to bend. ¡°Bang,¡± Chu Nanli felt as if her knees were about to shatter, the pain turning her complexion pale instantly. The incident happened so suddenly, she hadn¡¯t had the chance to take out the invisible cushion from her space, and this kneeling was firm and real. Chapter 42 - 42 42 Yanyan Grows Up ?Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Yanyan Grows Up Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Yanyan Grows Up Ye Yunting looked down at her from his high seat and said coldly, ¡°Starting today, the number of maids attending to Yingying will double. Moreover, all the household expenses in your court will be halved; the money saved will be used to improve the living conditions of the servants at Furong Academy until you truly and sincerely apologize before me.¡± The servants in the court were in uproar. The meaning of the Prince¡¯s words was clear: from now on, the servants of Furong Academy would live better than the Princess Consort herself. In that instant, they somewhat regretted not having joined Furong Academy. However, the regret was fleeting, and there was even more pity for Chu Nanli. Being the legal wife was such a miserable affair; they didn¡¯t know how the rumors of her wicked and domineering nature had started. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Ye Yunting, how cruel you are!¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s forehead broke into cold sweat from the pain, but more than that, she was angry for the original soul. She felt that such humiliation was unbearable; how could the one who had devoted her heart to him endure it? Ye Yunting turned a deaf ear, withdrew his hand, took a handkerchief from his bosom to wipe it, and then threw it away and left with big strides. The sunlight shone on him as he left, but in Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes, there was still not a hint of warmth to be felt. As Ye Yunting¡¯s figure disappeared from the doorway, the servants in the courtyard still didn¡¯t dare to rise, all bowing their heads as if pretending to be quails. Only Yanyan rushed over to Chu Nanli. Seeing her pale face, Yanyan was so worried she was nearly in tears. ¡°Princess Consort, are you alright?¡± Chu Nanli suppressed the rage in her heart and said, ¡°Help me up.¡± With Yanyan¡¯s assistance, she managed to stand, but the sharp pain in her knee made her sit back down. Yanyan saw her discomfort and, thinking back to her own petrified state earlier, couldn¡¯t help but blame herself, ¡°This slave did not fulfill the duty of a head maid, for not stopping the Prince earlier.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. No one can stop him when he goes mad.¡± The servants in the courtyard shivered and kept their eyes and thoughts to themselves, pretending not to hear. Chu Nanli¡¯s gaze turned to them, ¡°What are you still kneeling for?¡± Someone immediately voiced their loyalty. ¡°Princess Consort, I truly wish to serve in your courtyard.¡± Upon hearing this, the others also awkwardly expressed their agreement. ¡°This slave does too.¡± ¡°This one too.¡± ¡°This slave would never tell the Prince about what happens here, you may rest as you please.¡± Some, even cleverer, boldly went to close the courtyard doors to prevent outsiders from eavesdropping on the situation inside. Chu Nanli watched coldly as they busied themselves around her, saying nothing about whether she trusted them or not, and simply instructed Yanyan, ¡°Help me into the room.¡± Yanyan quickly complied, ¡°Yes.¡± Back in the room, Chu Nanli had Yanyan roll up her trousers to reveal the startlingly swollen bruise on her knee. Yanyan wanted to apply medicine, but then remembered no medical supplies had been sent to the Princess Consort¡¯s yard. It was only after Chu Nanli informed her that she had bought medicine from outside that Yanyan wasn¡¯t so at a loss. After the medicine was applied, Yanyan brought some good tea and then left the room on tiptoe. Upon returning to the courtyard, the rest of the servants kept throwing probing glances at her. Yanyan, trying to suppress her nervousness, took a deep breath and said, ¡°I am now the head maid beside the Princess Consort. Even though I know you won¡¯t accept me in your hearts, I still hope that from now on, everyone will work together attentively in serving the Princess Consort. Don¡¯t be careless! The most important thing is that everyone in the Princess Consort¡¯s courtyard must remain loyal!¡± She had expected to be ignored after her speech, but¡­ ¡°Clap, clap, clap!¡± Applause broke out. ¡°Lady Yanyan is right! We all serve the Princess Consort and must be loyal!¡± ¡°Yes! Can¡¯t Lady Yanyan see our sincerity?¡± Yanyan looked at the faces around her, each with a ¡°sincere¡± smile, and felt so astonished it seemed almost unreal. Just yesterday, these people hadn¡¯t acted like this. They mocked the Princess Consort behind her back and laughed at her for being a fool, but today¡­ Yanyan clenched her fist and gradually calmed down. Yes, all this change was because of the Princess Consort. Although she couldn¡¯t tell if these people¡¯s loyalty was genuine or feigned, the change was a complete turnaround from before. In the future, their courtyard would definitely be better. Yanyan sincerely smiled, then deliberately put on a stern face and said seriously, ¡°Then everyone, get back to work. Keep it down, and don¡¯t disturb the Princess Consort¡¯s rest.¡± ¡°Yes, we¡¯ll all listen to Lady Yanyan.¡± The group of servants slowly dispersed. Chu Nanli stood behind the door of a side room. Originally, she had no intention to lie down and wanted to go out to get some fresh air, but she ended up overhearing the conversation. What surprised her most was Yanyan¡¯s performance. The young girl was rather introverted and a bit timid, yet on her second day as the head maid, she took the most difficult first step and showed remarkable growth. The irritation in Chu Nanli¡¯s heart healed gradually, and she returned to her room to meditate. Chapter 43 - 43 43 For Concubines Use Only ?Chapter 43: Chapter 43 For Concubine¡¯s Use Only Chapter 43: Chapter 43 For Concubine¡¯s Use Only ¡°Hahaha, really? She knelt down?¡± Dong Yue¡¯s voice rang out, delighted by the disaster. ¡°Exactly, the Prince didn¡¯t indulge her at all, he firmly pushed her shoulders down to kneel. I saw it clearly from outside the courtyard gate, her face even turned pale.¡± ¡°Hahahaha, I¡¯m dying of laughter, it¡¯s so satisfying, letting her bully our Princess Consort.¡± Lin Fuying, listening from behind a screen, imagined Chu Nanli¡¯s embarrassing scene, and her heart suddenly felt much relieved. She glided out of the room and said, ¡°Dong Yue, prepare the bathing supplies, I want to take a rose bath tonight before meeting the Prince.¡± Upon hearing this, Dong Yue chuckled and said, ¡°Rest assured, my lady. I will prepare the best rose petals and fragrances in the mansion to ensure you and the Prince have a delightful evening.¡± Lin Fuying frowned slightly at her and scolded, ¡°You girl, make sure not to talk too much.¡± However, she didn¡¯t deny that she was going to the Imperial Attendant. ¡°My lady is truly the apple of the Prince¡¯s eye, there¡¯s nothing I shouldn¡¯t say. Even in front of that Princess Consort, I dare to speak this way.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Lin Fuying feigned displeasure and curtly chided her. Dong Yue then fell silent, and along with another maid, left the area. Once the two figures disappeared from the doorway, Lin Fuying¡¯s gaze gradually darkened, her face shadowed with gloom. It was fortunate that the vile child in Chu Nanli¡¯s womb had miscarried. Otherwise, even if the Prince didn¡¯t acknowledge the child now, when the child grew up¡­ it might become a big problem for her. ¡­ Night fell quickly, and Chu Nanli decided to bathe, learning that there was a bathing pool in the mansion where she could clean herself more thoroughly, so she took some clothes and planned to head there. Yanyan, aware of her intent, immediately gathered the few soapberries they had in their courtyard to guide Chu Nanli. However, they were stopped by the Prince¡¯s steward upon reaching the bathhouse courtyard. ¡°What is this for, Princess Consort?¡± The steward saw the clothes Yanyan was carrying but pretended not to know. Chu Nanli felt a sinking feeling, sensing trouble on the way. ¡°The Princess Consort is here to bathe,¡± Yanyan answered. ¡°Oh,¡­¡± The steward¡¯s face displayed exaggerated surprise, his voice rising slightly, ¡°Princess Consort, didn¡¯t you know? The Prince has ordered that your standard of living in the mansion cannot compare with before, and this bathing pool, it is now reserved solely for Concubine Lin.¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes darkened. Just as expected. She then signaled to Yanyan to leave. The steward, still smiling, said, ¡°Princess Consort, how about this? Although the bathing pool is now reserved for Concubine Lin, since she and you are as close as sisters, I am sure if you ask her, she would be willing to let you use it.¡± Indeed, of the two women in the mansion, it was Concubine Lin who had the skills and enjoyed the Prince¡¯s favor the most; by siding with Concubine Lin, he could keep his position as steward smoothly. Chu Nanli could clearly hear the underlying mockery in the steward¡¯s voice, and seeing Yanyan about to confront him, she pulled her back and coldly said, ¡°I see, the steward is being such a lackey for Concubine Lin that he might speak more effectively on my behalf with her than I, so why not you ask her for me?¡± The steward¡¯s face stiffened. Disgusted, Chu Nanli withdrew her gaze and said to Yanyan, ¡°Let¡¯s go back.¡± Yanyan nodded and immediately followed behind her. Watching the master and servant leave, the steward¡¯s face turned various shades of red and white, finally spitting softly once they were out of sight. ¡°Put on airs all you want, I¡¯m just waiting for the day you become deposed.¡± Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Back at her chambers, Yanyan suggested letting the kitchen heat some water for her bath and had a tub carried into her room, which was then enclosed by screens. However, Chu Nanli wasn¡¯t accustomed to the small bath tub, so she dismissed her attendants and went to her own quarters to bathe. Chapter 44 - 44 44 Uninvited Guest ?Chapter 44: Chapter 44 Uninvited Guest Chapter 44: Chapter 44 Uninvited Guest Chu Nanli first checked on Nanny Flower upon entering the space, confirming she was still breathing. She tossed two steamed buns beside her and then left her alone. In the neighboring room, the fetus lay peacefully in the Breeding Box. Although it was breathing, the data indicated it wasn¡¯t truly surviving yet; she couldn¡¯t afford to be careless. Chu Nanli also conducted a physical examination on herself; her health situation was not optimistic either. The fetal image was unstable, and the fetus in her womb had a very weak heartbeat. Moreover, her body was weak and deficient in energy. The simple exertions she had just made caused a faint pain in her lower abdomen. If she didn¡¯t take the time to recuperate soon, the sequelae from the forced abortion could affect her body for a lifetime. Chu Nanli sighed softly and went to another room in the empty space to take a medicinal bath. She had just finished washing when she heard Yanyan calling from outside. ¡°Princess Consort.¡± S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli realized she had been in the space for too long and hurriedly got up to leave the space. After returning to her room, she finally spoke. ¡°Come in.¡± From the outer room, Yanyan asked, ¡°Princess Consort, have you finished your bath?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Chu Nanli walked out from behind the screen. Yanyan came in holding a tray, on which was a small pot. Chu Nanli¡¯s gaze fell on the small pot, and she asked with curiosity, ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± It surely wasn¡¯t mealtime yet, was it? Yanyan, feeling a bit guilty, said, ¡°I went to the pharmacy to get some medicine to replenish your health, but the manager wouldn¡¯t let me. I had to make some sugar water with red dates and goji berries to nourish you instead.¡± The young girl¡¯s head dipped lower as she spoke. Chu Nanli sighed, ¡°You¡¯ve had a hard time.¡± Yanyan shook her head like a rattle-drum and replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t do well.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, you have been wronged following me. Bring it here.¡± Chu Nanli didn¡¯t mention that she had stored all her medicines in the space, but next time, she could take Yanyan with her to buy them. Yanyan stepped forward, handing over the small pot, and said, ¡°I think it¡¯s good to follow you; I don¡¯t feel wronged.¡± A warmth crossed Chu Nanli¡¯s heart, and she jokingly said to her, ¡°When the day comes for me to break free, I will take you with me, so you can enjoy the finer things in life with me.¡± Yanyan didn¡¯t know about Chu Nanli¡¯s plan to leave the Prince Residence but nodded anyway. After finishing the sugar water, feeling a gentle warmth, Chu Nanli felt quite comfortable and decided to sit in the courtyard to watch the unpolluted starry sky of this era. Fearing she might catch cold, Yanyan prepared a small blanket to wrap around her and brought out a lounge chair. Chu Nanli lay there, the brilliant and beautiful starry sky overhead, the trees in the courtyard rustling in the wind¡ªtruly pleasant. Then, drifted by pollen made her nose itch, and she sneezed suddenly. The movement was a bit too much, pulling at her abdomen and causing a faint pain. Chu Nanli hurriedly placed her hand on her lower abdomen, gently rubbing it, and silently marveled at the resilience of this child, having escaped a calamity from her own father. She hoped that once born, the baby would not resemble Ye Yunting in temperament or appearance but rather take after her. ¡°What are you doing touching your stomach?¡± Suddenly, a voice sounded, startling Chu Nanli. Only to hear the maids and servants cry out, ¡°Young Master Bai.¡± Young Master Bai? Chu Nanli squinted, adjusting to the light while surreptitiously covering the cold look in her eyes. The only ¡°Young Master Bai¡± who could move freely in the War God Residence was Xia Kingdom¡¯s Divine Doctor, Bai Wuheng. Heh, it must have been this despicable doctor¡¯s vile idea to say a fetus could be used in medicine to treat Lin Fuying¡¯s illness. It was said that he, Ye Yunting, and Lin Fuying were childhood friends, which explained the cruelty they had in common, which left the original body horribly marred. Chapter 45 - 45 45 There is a Normal Heartbeat Now ?Chapter 45: Chapter 45: There is a Normal Heartbeat Now! Chapter 45: Chapter 45: There is a Normal Heartbeat Now! ¡°Fallen ill?¡± Bai Wuheng looked at the woman who kept silent, his mind inevitably recalling the screams he had heard when Ye Yunting sent people to induce the abortion. He ultimately felt a surge of compassion. After all, he was the one who prescribed the medicine. Although he disliked this woman who had harmed Yingying, he had ultimately harmed an innocent child. Chu Nanli looked up and saw Bai Wuheng approaching, clearly observing his features. Dressed in a white robe, with a jade crown holding back his hair, he had a handsome face. His expression toward her combined the pride of a noble family¡¯s son with a touch of complexity. Truly, a noble and unreachable divine doctor. Unfortunately, his heart was black. Chu Nanli did not stand up, her tone indifferent, ¡°What brings Divine Doctor Bai to this humble abode of mine?¡± Her expression was unchanged, but her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that this man knew about the two children in her womb and was now targeting the other child? Bai Wuheng pursed his lips. Originally, he had not planned to come in. Passing by, he heard a sneeze and subconsciously glanced into the courtyard. The remnants of a great fire were still shocking in the night, and somehow, he found himself walking inside impulsively. ¡°I¡¯ll take your pulse.¡± Upon hearing this, Chu Nanli instantly became alert. Take her pulse? Was this an attempt to probe, or was it a fleck of worthless compassion in the heart of this divine doctor? She could not take that risk. Chu Nanli immediately stood up, even taking a couple of steps back. ¡°No need, I wouldn¡¯t want to trouble Divine Doctor Bai.¡± Upon hearing her response, Bai Wuheng paused, chuckled at his meddling, and without another word, turned to leave. Chu Nanli watched him disappear at the courtyard gate before she finally breathed a sigh of relief, yet her heart felt heavy. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With Bai Wuheng in the residence, it wasn¡¯t just a matter of leaving the War God Residence before showing signs of pregnancy. If she started showing signs of morning sickness soon, it would likely be impossible to keep it hidden. She needed to leave the War God Residence as soon as possible, so making money was of the utmost urgency. ¡­ The next day, Chu Nanli received some good news. The fetus in the Breeding Box had a healthy heartbeat! ¡°My precious little one, you truly have come back to life.¡± Chu Nanli immediately took out the medicine she had sorted the day before, divided it into two parts, measured it accordingly, and started brewing one part. While waiting, she took the opportunity to plant the other part in a vacant spot in the space. When she had bought them, there were not only dry herbs processed through sun-drying but also many that could be used as seeds, and some were fresh plants. The space had a preservation function, so keeping them for a few days was not a problem. After busying herself for half an hour and looking at the green plants before her, Chu Nanli felt extremely relieved. Indeed, for a doctor, herbs are emotional healers. However, these were still too few, and she had to instruct Chu Yi to continue purchasing more. When Chu Nanli left the space, she also took with her the list of medicines she had written the day before. ¡°Princess Consort.¡± Just as she stepped outside, she heard Yanyan calling from outside. ¡°What is it?¡± Yanyan then came in and said, ¡°There is someone named Chu Yi looking for you.¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes lit up. Speaking of the devil, and he shall appear. ¡°In the courtyard?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Let him come in.¡± Just as he entered the main hall, Chu Yi came in as well. ¡°My lord, these are the herbs and clothes Xinlian picked for you.¡± Yanyan looked at him in surprise, clearly writing her thoughts on her face. Did the Princess Consort hire others to work outside? The Princess Consort really is both intelligent and formidable! She knows that those wavering servants in the residence can¡¯t be trusted! Chu Nanli inspected the herbs once and confirmed they were correct, smiling in praise, ¡°Well done.¡± She then took out the list of herbs and handed it over. ¡°I must trouble you to gather more for me.¡± Chu Yi hurriedly replied, ¡°My lord is too polite, this is just part of my duty.¡± Chu Nanli then opened the clothes and checked them. There were seven outfits in total, not only were the styles to her liking, but she also had two sets of men¡¯s clothes prepared, which was perfect. Chu Nanli¡¯s pleasure was evident on her face, and Chu Yi¡¯s expression softened somewhat, then he added, ¡°My lord, Xinlian¡¯s shop has opened, would you like to have a look?¡± ¡°So soon?¡± Chu Nanli was genuinely surprised; it had only been a few days¡­ Indeed, Xinlian was talented, with both insight and the ability to handle matters effectively. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Chu Nanli asked Yanyan to take the items to the room and discussed the situation with Chu Yi. After Yanyan came out, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll take you out of the residence for a walk.¡± This statement also indirectly treated Yanyan as one of her own. Yanyan was flattered and blushed, nodding repeatedly, ¡°Thank you, Princess Consort.¡± Chapter 46 - 46 46 It Only Disgusts Me ?Chapter 46: Chapter 46: It Only Disgusts Me Chapter 46: Chapter 46: It Only Disgusts Me Before leaving, Chu Nanli thought about convenience and had Yanyan bring a set of men¡¯s clothing for her. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°By the way, Yanyan, do you have any men¡¯s clothes?¡± Chu Nanli actually wanted Yanyan to wear her clothes, but Yanyan was petite, and her clothes didn¡¯t fit well. Fortunately, Yanyan actually had some of her own. ¡°Yes.¡± Seeing Chu Nanli¡¯s curiosity, Yanyan explained softly, ¡°Previously, I worked as a kitchen maid in the grand kitchen, where the women¡¯s and men¡¯s clothing styles are the same¡ªa gray color, very dirt-resistant.¡± Hearing this, Chu Nanli asked Yanyan to fetch the clothes. Soon, the master and servants set off. Yanyan followed behind Chu Nanli with undisguisable anticipation and joy on her face. When Chu Nanli turned around and saw this, she asked, ¡°Yanyan, how long has it been since you last left the estate?¡± Yanyan was somewhat embarrassed, ¡°The last time I left the estate was last year.¡± ¡°A year ago?¡± Chu Nanli understood, no wonder she was so happy, ¡°If you like, in the future I will take you out more often.¡± Upon hearing this, Yanyan was touched and hurriedly said, ¡°Princess Consort, there¡¯s no need, I¡­¡± ¡°Bad luck,¡± Chu Nanli said. Yanyan was startled. Chu Nanli changed direction and spoke softly, ¡°Walk quickly, I¡¯ve spotted the source of the bad luck.¡± Yanyan and Chu Yi looked up and saw two figures sitting in the pavilion ahead. One elegant like the flowing wind, the other of imposing stature. They seemed to match very well. Yanyan and Chu Yi understood and, without a word, followed Chu Nanli, heads bowed. The distance was only about two or three meters, Ye Yunting couldn¡¯t possibly have failed to notice the three of them. The man¡¯s gaze, heavy and probing, fell on Chu Nanli, a flicker of scrutiny passing through his eyes. Was this¡­ that venomous woman? Under the sun, the woman¡¯s face, usually pale and thin, now bore a bit of color, her hair no longer wild like a madwoman¡¯s, but half-upswept with a green hairpin, her profile delicate, looking somewhat gentle and graceful. Moments ago¡­ if he hadn¡¯t seen incorrectly, it was clear that Chu Nanli had changed her path after seeing him, playing some sort of hard-to-get game? ¡°Prince?¡± Lin Fuying, after feeding the fish, called out to Ye Yunting twice without getting a response, followed the man¡¯s gaze, and saw the three figures of Chu Nanli walking on the garden¡¯s stone path. Immediately, her glance turned cold. ¡°Prince, Yingying saw that sister seemed hurried as if there was some urgent matter. Yingying is quite worried and wants to ask sister to come and talk.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Lin Fuying clenched her handkerchief tight. Does the Prince truly still harbor feelings for that wretched woman?! ¡°Sister.¡± Lin Fuying swallowed her displeasure, her voice sweetly rolling as she called out. Chu Nanli and her servants all shuddered. Chu Nanli pretended not to hear. ¡°Prince, does sister not want to deal with Yingying?¡± Lin Fuying looked at Ye Yunting with a face full of grievance. ¡°Stop.¡± Ye Yunting spoke coldly. A surge of frustration rose in Chu Nanli¡¯s chest, unable to rise or settle. In the span of a moment, her mind raced through hundreds of thoughts before she ultimately turned around. One must bow under the eaves, no need to be angry! ¡°Prince? Did you just call me?¡± Chu Nanli feigned surprise and did not move forward after Yanyan and Chu Yi retreated behind her again. ¡°Yingying called you earlier, didn¡¯t you hear?¡± Across the small flower garden, Ye Yunting¡¯s forbidding gaze was clearly visible. Chu Nanli¡¯s expression of surprise deepened. ¡°Concubine Lin called me earlier? Oh, I am truly sorry, I heard some noise just now and thought it was the buzzing of mosquitoes.¡± As expected, upon seeing Lin Fuying¡¯s livid face, Chu Nanli knew that the next move would be tattling, so naturally, she needed to strike first. ¡°Perhaps Concubine Lin¡¯s voice is too soft, only suitable for whispering to the Prince. I certainly did not pretend not to hear, especially since the Prince had just called me with such a strong voice, didn¡¯t I hear it then?¡± This statement held a biting irony; those present could not only hear the strength in her voice but could even sense the strong threat behind it. Ye Yunting, unable to erupt, retorted coldly, ¡°You, that venomous woman, always resort to tricks to catch my attention, your methods are clumsy, and I see them very clearly.¡± Chu Nanli subtly twitched the corner of her mouth. This man is really full of himself. Ye Yunting pulled Lin Fuying into his arms and said, ¡°In my heart, no matter what you do, it cannot compare to Yingying, you only make me feel disdain!¡± ¡°Prince!¡± Lin Fuying lightly punched his chest with her fist. Watching, Chu Nanli felt her eyes hurt, her face expressionless, she said, ¡°Prince, knowing I¡¯m a thorn in your sight, I will leave now.¡± With that, she turned and walked away quickly with her people without waiting for Ye Yunting¡¯s reply. Just as Ye Yunting wanted to say something else, the master and servants were nowhere to be seen. The man¡¯s face turned livid. Lin Fuying, not having vented on Chu Nanli and feeling displeased, suddenly turned her eyes and said, ¡°Prince, just now Yingying noticed that the male bodyguard behind sister looked quite appealing, dependable and stable. Do we truly have such a character in our household?¡± What seemed like an innocent query was enough to cloud Ye Yunting¡¯s face instantly, the emotion in his eyes terrifyingly intense. Chapter 47 - 47 47 The Dismembered Corpse by Five Horses ?Chapter 47: Chapter 47: The Dismembered Corpse by Five Horses Chapter 47: Chapter 47: The Dismembered Corpse by Five Horses After leaving the War God Residence, Chu Nanli and Yanyan found a ready-made clothing shop, paid a Silver Coin, and borrowed two changing rooms. Chu Yi waited outside silently, his handsome features attracting the glances of many girls passing by the clothing shop, yet he remained indifferent. ¡°How does it look?¡± It wasn¡¯t until a familiar voice reached him that he looked up. At the sight of Chu Nanli, a hint of surprise crossed his eyes. Despite being slender, Chu Nanli stood with a straight back, her spirit of character firm like bamboo, her white jade-like features exquisite and noble. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She truly looked like a distinguished and elegant young master. Chu Nanli raised her hand to pinch the hair tied up on top of her head, making sure it was secure, and then she withdrew her hand. ¡°You cannot be recognized as a woman at all,¡± Chu Yi honestly stated. Chu Nanli had controlled her demeanor so well that one could not see any feminine traits, instead, one could see the heroic and distinguished air of a man. ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Chu Nanli controlled her voice, and suddenly her speech was indistinguishable from that of a young master. Yanyan also changed into men¡¯s clothing and had her hair done like an Attendant Student. Because she was young and had a round face, her real gender was also not recognizable. ¡°Chu Yi, you go buy medicine.¡± Upon coming out of the clothing shop, Chu Nanli arranged, ¡°I¡¯ll take Yanyan¡­¡± She hadn¡¯t finished her sentence when Chu Nanli suddenly realized she had overlooked something in today¡¯s arrangement. ¡­Yanyan was just a fourteen or fifteen-year-old child, innocent indeed. Was it inappropriate to take her brazenly to a Brothel? Realizing this, Chu Nanli felt secretly annoyed and changed her instructions, ¡°Yanyan, didn¡¯t you previously want to go to the pharmacy to get me some medicine to replenish my body? Now I have Chu Yi buy the medicine, you can have Chu Yi take you to buy some nourishing ingredients, and we will take them back to the residence together.¡± Yanyan¡¯s eyes lit up, and she promptly responded, ¡°Okay.¡± Chu Yi was somewhat worried about Chu Nanli¡¯s safety, ¡°Master, would you like me to escort you there first?¡± ¡°No need, I still have the capability to protect myself.¡± Hearing this, Chu Yi no longer insisted. He took the silver note from Chu Nanli and left with Yanyan. ¡°Apricot Blossom Street, number 43.¡± Chu Nanli recalled this address, bought a box of pastries by the roadside, casually asked the vendor for directions, and then went on her way. The streets of the Capital City were still bustling, with constant hawking on both sides and many people chatting about gossip. Chu Nanli was very sensitive to some keywords, and she stopped when she heard them. ¡°Wang Xi was killed, did you know that?¡± ¡°The Wang Xi who raised a fierce horse?¡± ¡°Yes, someone found his and the horse¡¯s corpses in the suburbs yesterday. Guess how he died? He was torn into five parts! The horse, however, was left intact.¡± ¡°Yikes! That brutal? It must be a revenge.¡± ¡°May I ask my friends, did this Wang Xi ride recklessly through the street a few days ago?¡± The people chatting were taken aback, turned their heads, and saw a handsome young master. Catching a glimpse of his extraordinary demeanor, they cautiously replied, ¡°Young brother is¡­?¡± Chu Nanli bowed as a greeting and made up a name on the spot, ¡°I am Jin Nan. A few days ago, I saw a burly man knocking down an elderly lady, so when I heard your conversation, I also became curious.¡± Seeing his sincere manner of speaking, they gradually let down their guard. One of them replied, ¡°The one who hit the old lady was Wang Xi.¡± ¡°Young brother, could it be that you think the old lady¡¯s identity is extraordinary?¡± Chu Nanli smiled helplessly, saying, ¡°That day, I did not get a close look at the old lady, so I can¡¯t make a clear judgment. However, given that burly man¡¯s irritable nature, it¡¯s easy to offend people.¡± This remark indeed led the people¡¯s thoughts in a new direction. ¡°True, Wang Xi had a hateful and despised character; he must have offended countless people over the years, and it¡¯s really unclear who struck the blow.¡± Chu Nanli chatted with them a bit more about insignificant matters and then tactfully excused herself. Walking towards Apricot Blossom Street, Chu Nanli was deep in thought. The death of Wang Xi was very likely connected to the old lady she had saved that day, who indeed turned out to be of no ordinary status. Just now, she stopped others from jumping to conclusions, as she didn¡¯t want to involve them in trouble, as disaster quite often springs from careless talk. Chu Nanli thought of the girl who had been in cahoots with Wang Xi that day, her gaze slightly darkening. She wondered if the girl had been retaliated against. However, as the saying goes, what you sow is what you reap. Chapter 48 - 48 48 Going to the Brothel to Undermine ?Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Going to the Brothel to Undermine Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Going to the Brothel to Undermine ¡°Ah, such a handsome young master, coming here alone to play? Do you have an acquaintance among the ladies?¡± The moment Chu Nanli arrived at the doorstep of the brothel, a flamboyantly dressed madam twisted her waist to welcome him. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Mhm, alone. This young master will just stroll around by himself,¡± Chu Nanli, aside from being momentarily choked by the strong scent of the madam¡¯s powder, felt no discomfort. Instead, he appeared as if he were in his element, even managing to awe the madam. This young master appeared quite young and handsome, with a gentle and clever look about him. Could he be a seasoned profligate well-versed in the ways of the Land of Smoke and Willows? Chu Nanli paid her no heed and walked boldly inside, looking around. The first floor was a large hall with many tables and chairs, where guests sat around the tables, drinking wine and enjoying snacks, while watching the girls perform on the central stage. The second floor housed private rooms. Chu Nanli glanced up and saw several men dressed in skimpy clothes embracing and kissing the girls. Quite an eyesore. Chu Nanli averted her gaze and found a corner seat, paid for a pot of tea, ordered some snacks, and quietly watched the performances. Each girl had an elegant figure, occasionally revealing fair, snow-white thighs as they danced, and the thin gauze slipping off their shoulders, eliciting applause and approval from the men below. So, this is the brothel of this world? It¡¯s pretty much what she had imagined. Originally she planned to go to the Bright Moon Building, but on the way, she decided to investigate other brothels on a whim. ¡°What a stunning young master.¡± A pleasant female voice resonated beside him. Turning to look, Chu Nanli saw a girl sit down next to him and pour him a cup of tea. ¡°This young master did not request the company of a lady.¡± The message was clear: I haven¡¯t paid for this, so why are you here? The girl giggled sweetly and said, ¡°This one is Mei Yi. Seeing the young master looking different from those repulsive men, I took the initiative to come here, without asking for your money.¡± Chu Nanli inquired, ¡°The madam won¡¯t scold you?¡± Mei Yi¡¯s expression paused for a moment, then she smiled anew, ¡°She¡¯s busy pleasing the new Oiran in the building. She wouldn¡¯t dare offend me. Does the young master know why?¡± Chu Nanli was there to gather information about the brothel and thus played along, ¡°I do not know.¡± ¡°I used to be the top Oiran of this place, and there are still many disgusting men who want to spend the night with me. That madam is a cunning one, afraid that I might steal the new Oiran¡¯s guests. If that happens, the cash tree she has painstakingly lured here might walk out on her,¡± Mei Yi explained. As an attentive listener, Chu Nanli showed an expression of sudden realization, complementing, ¡°The lady¡¯s beauty is indeed exceptional.¡± This remark caused Mei Yi to laugh uproariously, her face flushed with color, astonishing even Chu Nanli, a woman herself. Mei Yi was the kind of woman whose eyebrows and smile were enchanting, with a beauty profound enough to make one¡¯s heart itch. Suddenly, Chu Nanli was struck by the idea of poaching her. They needed attractive women at the Bright Moon Building as well. Therefore, after chatting for the duration of a cup of tea, and confirming that the girl¡¯s character and talents were satisfactory, Chu Nanli extended an invitation. ¡°Has Lady Mei Yi ever considered seeking greater opportunities?¡± Without showing surprise at Chu Nanli¡¯s question, Mei Yi replied with a smile, ¡°Is the young master proposing I come work at your residence?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chu Nanli was embarrassed but explained, ¡°Not at all. I too have a brothel called the Bright Moon Building, newly established, and we are in need of staff. The ladies of the Bright Moon Building sell their arts, not their bodies, and do not entertain clients in that manner. We also regularly arrange for specialized teachers to cultivate the ladies¡¯ talents. Does Lady Mei Yi find this interesting?¡± Mei Yi was taken aback, looking at Chu Nanli with a puzzled gaze, as if she were about to ask if he was alright. Chu Nanli did not hurry her, instead, he poured her another cup of tea and waited for her to digest the information. After a while, Mei Yi finally regained her composure, her face losing the previously contrived smile, and said, ¡°If what the young master says is true, of course, Mei Yi is interested. Not only that, but I am also willing to pay my own Silver Coins to redeem my Indenture of Servitude from this brothel.¡± Seeing Chu Nanli¡¯s surprised look, she smiled and added, ¡°I have saved up quite a bit over the years. If the young master could let me escape this wretched place and return to a life of respectability, how could I have the heart to have you pay the ransom?¡± Chu Nanli felt a touch moved upon hearing these words, feeling empathy for the fate of women fallen into the Land of Smoke and Willows. She nodded and assured, ¡°I can guarantee the truth of my words. If Lady Mei Yi is willing to go to the Bright Moon Building, then seek out Lady Xinlian at number 43 on Apricot Blossom Street, and mention the name Jin Nan; she will understand.¡± Chu Nanli decided to mention this alias ¡°Jin Nan¡± to Xinlian when she saw her later. After giving a respectful tea salute to Chu Nanli, Mei Yi said, ¡°If Mei Yi decides to go to the Bright Moon Building, may I bring along some friends I am close to?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Chu Nanli replied. Mei Yi¡¯s heart settled, and she silently resolved to inquire about the Bright Moon Building and make her decision as soon as possible. She did not wish to stay in this noxious place any longer. Chapter 49 - 49 49 A Big Misunderstanding ?Chapter 49: Chapter 49: A Big Misunderstanding Chapter 49: Chapter 49: A Big Misunderstanding Chu Nanli bid Mei Yi farewell and left the brothel. ¡°Take a turn up ahead and walk two steps forward, it¡¯s number 43 on Apricot Blossom Street.¡± An elderly lady selling malt sugar kindly directed Chu Nanli. Chu Nanli bought a good amount of malt sugar, expressed her thanks, and with a heart full of anticipation, turned the corner to see a large three-story building. Standing at the entrance, a rare look of confusion appeared on Chu Nanli¡¯s face. This is number 43 on Apricot Blossom Street, but where is the signboard for Bright Moon Building? Um¡­ and there are no customers. Even the doors are closed. Chu Nanli took two steps back to confirm she had seen the street sign correctly before stepping forward to knock on the door. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± A familiar voice came from inside; it was Xinlian¡¯s. Chu Nanli heaved a sigh of relief; she hadn¡¯t gone to the wrong place. Full of confusion, Chu Nanli saw Xinlian and Xiangyang. It had been several days, and Xiangyang¡¯s face now bore a half-mask, covering the scars. When Xinlian saw Chu Nanli, a flash of astonishment crossed her eyes, along with a bit of suspicion, as she clearly wasn¡¯t sure if it really was Chu Nanli. ¡°Young master, are you here looking for someone?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Chu Nanli replied in her own voice. Xinlian and Xiangyang both let out a sigh of relief. They almost thought their master had a twin brother. A quarter hour later, Chu Nanli sat in an elegant private room, awkwardly sipping tea, finally understanding that she had made a blunder. It turns out that in this world, the opening of a shop does not only mean starting business. After taking over a shop and conducting an initial inventory of the facilities and cleaning it, inviting the owner to inspect it also qualifies as opening. Chu Nanli felt she had truly been foolish for three years during her pregnancy. How could she not have thought that in just a few days, three people could have properly opened a brothel? Luckily, she hadn¡¯t let Xinlian and the others know her thoughts. ¡°Ahem, Xinlian, what stage are we at now?¡± ¡°I have ordered a batch of fabrics and visited the manager of a clothing workshop to discuss a few dozen styles of dresses. These are the drawings, copies of the impressions left at the workshop, for you to review,¡± Xinlian replied. Xinlian opened a box, revealing a stack of drawings inside. Chu Nanli silently admired her thoroughness and began examining the drawings one by one, growing more astounded with each one. These designs were beautiful and original. Each dress had something unique about it, ensuring that anyone in the Capital City wearing them would stand out. After some inquiry, Chu Nanli confirmed that it was indeed Xinlian who had a hand in these designs, even leading in the design work. Should the brothel stabilize, she could consider starting a boutique clothing store, headed by Xinlian for design, and the ladies of the brothel could even become models promoting the clothes of the boutique. An entirely new concept for the brothel took shape in Chu Nanli¡¯s mind. Initially, considering the urgency of time, she had only intended to open a regular brothel with some innovative ideas. Now, she felt she could be bolder. ¡°Xinlian, I have a novel concept that could completely differentiate Bright Moon Building from other brothels,¡± Chu Nanli stated. Xinlian was intrigued. ¡°Please, tell me,¡± she responded. Their master¡¯s ideas were always extraordinary. Like how before, he declared that all the ladies of Bright Moon Building would only sell their artistic skills and not their bodies and that the ladies must be proficient in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, as well as martial arts. These scenarios would be nearly impossible in any other brothel. Chu Nanli spent a full half hour explaining to Xinlian and Xiangyang. They started with surprise, then admiration, and ended up with respect, which was clearly reflected on their faces. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Alright, if you understand, then implement it. We need to move faster; I need money,¡± Chu Nanli transparently declared her intention. Xinlian and Xiangyang both nodded in agreement. Chu Nanli placed the silver notes she had brought on the table. ¡°Decorations, publicity, recruiting girls¡ªall of these require money. Take this for expenses. If it¡¯s not enough, let Chu Yi send me a message,¡± she instructed. ¡°Yes, we assure you that every coin will be spent wisely,¡± Xinlian guaranteed. Chapter 50 - 50 50 How Come Its a Disability ?Chapter 50: Chapter 50: How Come It¡¯s a Disability? Chapter 50: Chapter 50: How Come It¡¯s a Disability? Chu Nanli changed back into women¡¯s clothes, then instructed, ¡°If Chu Yi comes later with others looking for me, let them wait here for a moment, I¡¯ll take a walk around to find a doctor for you.¡± ¡°A doctor?¡± Xinlian was startled, seeing Chu Nanli about to leave, she exchanged a glance with Xiangyang and quickly said, ¡°Master, the injuries on this subordinate have all healed; the ointment you provided earlier was extremely effective.¡± Chu Nanli waved her hand, explaining, ¡°I mean to find a doctor specifically for our Bright Moon Building, so if any of you have ailments like headaches or fevers in the future, you can directly seek this doctor. He¡¯s also on Apricot Blossom Street, quite close by which makes it convenient.¡± Hearing this, Xinlian was visibly touched, her mind becoming more lively, ¡°Master, I know a few sisters who, due to family changes, have been sold to the brothel as singing and dancing girls. I wish to bring them to our Bright Moon Building, what are your thoughts on this?¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes brightened. Since they were once ladies of the Official Family, their demeanor would certainly stand out from the average brothel girls. Right away, Chu Nanli saw no reason not to agree. ¡°Of course, you make the arrangements. However, one thing, their character must not be poor.¡± Xinlian¡¯s face lit up with joy as she hastily said, ¡°Thank you, Master, I will ensure they are suitable.¡± Chu Nanli nodded, then turned and left the Bright Moon Building. She remembered that the Doctor Wen whose clinic she had encountered before was on Apricot Blossom Street. Chu Nanli casually asked a passing old lady, ¡°Granny, is there a doctor nearby called Doctor Wen?¡± The old lady, initially wary at the sight of a stranger, warmed up instantly upon hearing it was about Doctor Wen and said, ¡°Yes, Doctor Wen is a well-known old doctor around here, with a very kind heart.¡± After praising him, she then remembered Chu Nanli¡¯s question, ¡°Young girl, are you looking for Doctor Wen?¡± Chu Nanli smiled, ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve met Doctor Wen before, and he mentioned that I could visit him on Apricot Blossom Street whenever I had the time.¡± Hearing this, the old lady immediately understood. ¡°You don¡¯t know the way, do you?¡± Chu Nanli nodded and smiled sheepishly, ¡°I¡¯d be grateful if you could kindly point me in the right direction.¡± The old lady was very helpful, not only giving directions but also personally led Chu Nanli through two shortcuts, ¡°There are many alleys around here, twisting and turning. It¡¯s easy to take a wrong turn. If you get lost, it can take quite some effort to find your way back. Just continue straight from here for about a hundred meters, and you¡¯ll be there.¡± Chu Nanli thanked her, and soon enough, she saw Doctor Wen¡¯s clinic. The clinic was a bit worn, with a signboard hanging over the front gate that read ¡°Wen Family Clinic.¡± Seeing that the gate was open and there were quite a few people inside, presumably patients, she walked in as well. Just as she entered, she heard people talking, ¡°Did Doctor Wen just take in a new attendant? Why is the child disabled?¡± Chu Nanli looked instinctively in the direction they were gazing, and saw someone sitting in a wheelchair. The person was facing away from them, so she couldn¡¯t see their face, but she could tell they were young and currently occupied with drying herbs in silence. ¡°You don¡¯t know? This young girl showed up early in the morning the day before yesterday at the entrance of Doctor Wen¡¯s clinic. Her legs were twisted out of shape, and she was crawling on the ground. As soon as Doctor Wen opened the door, she prostrated herself several times, begging him to save her.¡± ¡°I know about that. It seemed like Doctor Wen recognized her; he asked, ¡®Is it you?¡¯ Hesitated for a moment, but when the young girl clung to his trouser leg, Doctor Wen finally brought her inside. In the past two days, not only has he been teaching her to recognize herbs, but he¡¯s also been teaching her the ¡®Three Character Classic¡¯, treating her as if she were his own child.¡± A flicker crossed Chu Nanli¡¯s eyes. She had a guess about who it might be. When the young girl turned around, Chu Nanli saw her face. Indeed, it was that girl who had been bought by Wang Xi previously. Doctor Wen was too kind-hearted, not only saving her but also taking her in, hoping to teach her to be a good person. She admired such people but knew she could not become one. ¡°Luo Yu, is there any more Kudzu Root?¡± Doctor Wen called out as he emerged from a room. Luo Yu maneuvered the wheelchair around and tersely replied, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Bring some to me.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Seeing this, Chu Nanli hurried over, ¡°Doctor Wen.¡± Her voice, clear and melodious, caused everyone in the courtyard to look in her direction. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Luo Yu¡¯s expression subtly changed, then she bowed her head, continuing to fill a dustpan with herbs as if nothing was amiss. Doctor Wen also recognized Chu Nanli, his face lighting up with joy. Chu Nanli said, ¡°Doctor Wen, let¡¯s talk inside.¡± Once inside, Chu Nanli got straight to the point, mentioning that a ¡°friend¡¯s brothel needed a doctor.¡± Doctor Wen readily agreed to her request and told her that ¡°patients are equal regardless of their social status,¡± and as long as they did no evil, he would treat them. Chu Nanli thanked him, discreetly left behind a few silver notes, and then returned to the Bright Moon Building. Chu Yi and Yanyan were there. ¡°Master, I was unable to procure all the medicinal ingredients on your list,¡± Chu Yi said apologetically. Chu Nanli said, ¡°Some medicinal ingredients are rather precious and may require extra effort to find. Don¡¯t take it to heart that you couldn¡¯t acquire them this time. Pay more attention in the future.¡± Chu Yi affirmed, ¡°Yes.¡± Chu Nanli continued, ¡°When I came earlier, I bought some pastries and maltose for you all; I¡¯ve placed them in the upper rooms. Make sure to eat them. Also, I¡¯ve settled the doctor¡¯s matter; remember the name Wen Family Clinic.¡± Xinlian was moved and surprised again, expressing her thanks for the doctor again, before asking, ¡°Master, did you specifically bring pastries for us?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t go out of my way, I just happened to see them and bought them on impulse.¡± After saying this, Chu Nanli took Yanyan to change clothes before leaving. Xinlian and the two others watched her walk away until her figure disappeared from their sight, then silently withdrew their gazes. ¡°The master is truly kind,¡± Xinlian said. Unbeknownst to the others, she had felt an urge to cry just then. It had been so long since she felt cared for by someone. ¡°Mhm,¡± Xiangyang replied, often silent but speaking with a firm expression, his attitude said it all. Chu Yi, however, paused before saying, ¡°The master has had a harder time at the Prince Residence than we imagined. We must speed up our efforts to complete the tasks she¡¯s given us.¡± At those words, both Xinlian and Xiangyang were startled. Seeing that Chu Yi wasn¡¯t inclined to elaborate, they didn¡¯t pry, but a sense of urgency weighed heavier in their hearts. Chapter 51 - 51 51 The Princess Consort is Too Awesome ?Chapter 51: Chapter 51: The Princess Consort is Too Awesome! Chapter 51: Chapter 51: The Princess Consort is Too Awesome! Chu Nanli, accompanied by Yanyan, walked on the way back to the Prince Residence and asked, ¡°Do you know what that place was just now?¡± Yanyan nodded obediently, ¡°I know, it¡¯s a brothel. When Big Brother Chu Yi took this servant over there earlier, this servant curiously asked where we were going, and Brother Chu Yi told me.¡± Chu Nanli didn¡¯t plan to keep it a secret from Yanyan forever, since the girl was now one of her own. She said, ¡°That brothel is run by my male alter ego. You can call me Mr. Jin Nan. But, within the Prince Residence, you must help me keep this a secret.¡± Hearing this, Yanyan nodded fiercely, her little face was seriously full of assurance, ¡°This servant will definitely not speak of it to others.¡± While saying so, she secretly glanced at Chu Nanli, full of admiration in her heart. The Princess Consort is truly amazing! In her view, it was the first time she heard of a woman running a brothel as a boss. However, if Consort Lin from the residence found out, she would definitely complain, and then the Prince would surely trouble the Princess Consort. Thus, she must keep her mouth tightly shut. ¡°What do you think about me running a brothel?¡± Chu Nanli still wanted to hear what the little maid thought, as if the girl was put off by it, she wouldn¡¯t take her to the Bright Moon Building anymore. ¡°This servant thinks the Princess Consort is very powerful!¡± said Yanyan earnestly. Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t help but laugh. When the master and servant returned to the Prince Residence, Chu Nanli instructed Yanyan to place the medicinal materials bought by Chu Yi in her room. After Yanyan had left, Chu Nanli moved some of the medicinal materials into the space, then replaced them with some everyday health tonic materials to avoid Yanyan noticing anything amiss. After handling this, Chu Nanli went to the outer room to give instructions to Yanyan. ¡°From now on, you will be in charge of the medicinal materials in my room. They are all pre-measured doses, to be brewed once in the morning and once at night, each time for an hour. It will be hard work for you.¡± Yanyan accepted the order and said, ¡°This servant bought quite a lot of ingredients for nourishing the body today, so I will prepare them for the Princess Consort daily to help your body recover quickly.¡± Although young, Yanyan also understood how much damage an abortifacient could do to a woman¡¯s body. Seeing how well-behaved Yanyan was, Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t help but raise her hand and pinch the small tuft on her head, causing Yanyan¡¯s face to blush with nervousness and shyness. ¡°Alright, go about your tasks. I¡¯m going to rest in my room for a while; I¡¯m a bit tired.¡± Yanyan bowed her head, her face still red, and responded softly. ¡°This servant will stew a nourishing soup for you.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Chu Nanli returned to her room, closed the door, and then went into the space. First, she planted the medicinal materials that needed to be cultivated, then she went to check on the child. As the fetus inside the Breeding Box slowly grew, the nutrients required correspondingly became more and more substantial¡ªit was truly a four-legged gold-swallowing beast. Chu Nanli boiled the expensive medicinal materials she had purchased, dividing them into several portions for preservation, so she could use them directly when it was time to add new nutrient solutions. Just as she had finished these tasks, she heard Nanny Hua¡¯s hoarse voice coming from next door. ¡°Princess Consort! Princess Consort, have you come? Please spare this old servant, I don¡¯t want to die.¡± sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli raised a delicate eyebrow, but she didn¡¯t hurry to respond and methodically administered a few acupuncture needles to herself to regulate her energy and blood before proceeding. When Chu Nanli entered the room, Nanny Hua was lying motionless on the ground. If not for seeing her chest rise and fall slightly, Chu Nanli would have thought she had died. After feeling her pulse and finding it weak, Chu Nanli concluded she had fainted from hunger. Then, Chu Nanli took out silver needles and gave Nanny Hua a few punctures, each one at a painful spot but also precisely an acupoint. With a feeble cry, Nanny Hua woke up. Seeing Chu Nanli upon awaking, she broke into a cold sweat from fear. ¡°Princess Consort, please spare this old servant! This old servant was blind and failed to recognize a deity with immense mana like you, thus offending you. It¡¯s all this old servant¡¯s fault.¡± Chu Nanli saw her strong desire to live and, with a thought, responded coldly, ¡°Write down all the evils you¡¯ve helped the Concubine commit over the years. Once it¡¯s written, then you can eat.¡± After speaking, she placed the prepared paper and pen in front of Nanny Hua. Chapter 52 - 52 52 They Have Not Consummated the Marriage ?Chapter 52: Chapter 52: They Have Not Consummated the Marriage Chapter 52: Chapter 52: They Have Not Consummated the Marriage Nanny Hua¡¯s expression immediately stiffened. Chu Nanli mocked, ¡°You can continue to be Lin Fuying¡¯s lapdog, as long as you¡¯re not afraid of dying.¡± The last sentence made Nanny Hua shiver and, without any hesitation, she quickly said, ¡°This old servant will write! This old servant will definitely write it well!¡± ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ just that Concubine Lin didn¡¯t let this old servant handle many things, nor did she tell me everything, so I¡¯m not clear on all matters.¡± Chu Nanli indifferently said, ¡°Just write down what you do know.¡± About half an hour later, Nanny Hua had finished writing. Chu Nanli went over to look and was impressed to find several pages filled with writing, confirming Lin Fuying¡¯s many wicked deeds. However, the incidents listed were not sufficient to be used as leverage against Lin Fuying. According to Nanny Hua, Lin Fuying wasn¡¯t favored in the Prime Minister Residence and acted very cautiously. After arriving at the Prince Residence, Lin Fuying, not wanting to lose her hard-won good life, was also very cautious. She only indirectly caused harm to the original body, and most of the time, she seemed to behave decently on the surface. Chu Nanli felt somewhat disappointed but still collected the pages. Then, she turned to Nanny Hua and asked, ¡°Was it Bai Wuheng¡¯s idea to use my child for medicinal purposes?¡± She believed that Lin Fuying was the one in control, as ultimately, the one who benefited most from the destruction of the original body¡¯s child was Lin Fuying herself. Nanny Hua didn¡¯t dare to hide anything and hesitantly said, ¡°It was¡­ It was Concubine Lin who casually mentioned to Young Master Bai that some ancient prescriptions used fetuses as medicine, which led him¡­ led him to think of the child in your womb. The next day, when Concubine Lin feigned a worsening of her health condition, Young Master Bai then prescribed that medicinal formula to the Prince.¡± After hearing this, waves of rage surged in Chu Nanli¡¯s heart. Just as she thought! Just as she thought, Lin Fuying was a black-hearted white lotus! How could she, who always acted like a saint, have the heart to harm an innocent fetus? Nanny Hua, seeing Chu Nanli¡¯s simmering anger and trembling even more violently, hurriedly brought up another matter. ¡°This old servant knows of one more thing.¡± Chu Nanli looked over, her anger still apparent. Nanny Hua said, ¡°Concubine Lin has not consummated her marriage with the Prince.¡± What? Chu Nanli was stunned, suspecting she had heard wrong. ¡°Lin Fuying and Ye Yunting don¡¯t have as good a relationship as it appears on the surface? Or is it because of Lin Fuying¡¯s health?¡± S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nanny Hua answered, ¡°It should be due to Concubine Lin¡¯s health, at least¡­¡± She looked up at Chu Nanli, not daring to continue. Chu Nanli sneered, ¡°Speak your mind, I have no interest in Ye Yunting.¡± Nanny Hua, startled and confused by this response, hurriedly answered truthfully, ¡°Concubine Lin and the Prince grew up together. It was initially determined by the Prime Minister¡¯s wife that Concubine Lin should marry a nobility¡¯s son who had a lame leg for the sake of an alliance, but the Prince couldn¡¯t bear it and brought her into the Prince Residence instead. After that, he has always taken great care of Concubine Lin.¡± Chu Nanli listened without expression. She was already aware of this fact, but the original body was foolish, thinking that Ye Yunting regarded Lin Fuying only as a sister, and she herself also took great pains to care for her, not knowing Ye Yunting saw Lin Fuying as a paramour. ¡°How did you come to know about the non-consummation?¡± If Lin Fuying kept a lot of things from Nanny Hua, her wet nurse, then it wouldn¡¯t make sense for such an important matter to be known to Nanny Hua. Nanny Hua, seeing Chu Nanli doubted her and fearing for her life, quickly explained, ¡°Once, this old servant accompanied Concubine Lin back to the Prime Minister Residence and accidentally overheard Concubine Lin whispering with her maternal aunt about this matter. However, this was over a month ago, and this old servant does not know whether the two have consummated the marriage by now.¡± Chu Nanli nodded, asking no further questions. She then went outside, took a steamed bun, threw it to her, and locked the door before leaving. Though Nanny Hua was pliable yet resistant to pressure, she also had a rebellious streak. Therefore, until that rebellious streak was crushed, Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t fully trust her to do tasks in the chamber. Chapter 53 - 53 53 A Night of Blazing Firewood ?Chapter 53: Chapter 53 A Night of Blazing Firewood Chapter 53: Chapter 53 A Night of Blazing Firewood Chu Nanli contemplated that she could refine some poison pills and feed them to Nanny Hua in advance when she needed her to do things for her in the future. With the deterrent power of the poison pills, Nanny Hua would not dare to play any small tricks so easily. ¡°This plan is feasible.¡± Chu Nanli immediately compiled a prescription and found that she was missing a few herbs which were not in her space and also not on the list she gave to Chu Yi, it looked like she would have to spend money to buy them. Chu Nanli went to count her money bags and to her surprise, found that she had spent more than half of it with all the back and forth these days. ¡°Sigh, I still need to earn more money, there are many more expenses to come.¡± Besides the management of the Bright Moon Building, the Breeding Box also burned money, and there was another one in her belly; she had to have enough capital to survive before showing her pregnancy and leave the Prince Residence. Otherwise, by the time she was pregnant and seen by Ye Yunting, with his mad-dog temperament, he might say the child belonged to another man and would likely take a sword to her belly and kill the child himself. Thinking of this, Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t help thinking of what Nanny Hua had just mentioned about the un-consummated marriage. Considering Lin Fuying¡¯s physical condition and Ye Yunting¡¯s level of concern for her, the reason for not consummating the marriage seemed obvious¡ªhe cherished Lin Fuying¡¯s body. ¡°Scumbag!¡± Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t help but grit her teeth. If there was such a beloved childhood sweetheart, why did the original soul even agree to give herself to this man?! The original soul had traveled thousands of miles to entrust herself to this man to repay a life-saving debt, but what did she encounter?! This dog of a man, Ye Yunting, cherished the white lotus¡¯s body and abstained from his lust, but what about the original soul? Chu Nanli recalled the day she went to Xingshan Temple, when the original soul encountered Ye Yunting being ambushed. After she saved him and treated his wounds, she immediately realized something was off with Ye Yunting. Later on, Ye Yunting pinned her down¡­ The original soul thought since they were husband and wife, she did not resist. Besides, she secretly wished that since they had not shared a room yet, after this night they would truly be husband and wife, so she cooperated afterwards as well. As a result, Ye Yunting tormented her all night, demanding her several times over. Not long after returning from Xingshan Temple, the original soul was found to be pregnant, and Ye Yunting¡¯s ashen face when he heard the news was still vivid in her memory. Chu Nanli furrowed her brows, deeply puzzled. The child that was conceived in such a ¡°fiery embrace¡±, Ye Yunting actually refused to acknowledge it as his own, she wondered what madness had possessed him. Or was it¡­ ¡°Could it be a loss of this memory?¡± Of course, she couldn¡¯t rule out the possibility that this dog of a man simply found the child with another woman disgusting and only desired a child of his own with the white lotus, hence he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to put a green hat on his own head. ¡°Still, I need to find an opportunity to test him,¡± Chu Nanli silently decided. ¡°Princess Consort, this servant has prepared the nourishing soup,¡± Yanyan¡¯s voice came from outside the space. Chu Nanli then left the space. Yanyan¡¯s nourishing soup was very tasty, the tremella melted in the mouth, and the flavors of goji berries and red dates had completely infused, along with the sweetness of the snow pear. ¡°Yanyan, your cooking skills are truly remarkable,¡± Chu Nanli complimented with a smile. Yanyan¡¯s face immediately flushed with a blush as she said, ¡°This servant will stew it for you every day.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Hearing Chu Nanli¡¯s agreement, Yanyan was somewhat delighted, her eyes shining brightly as she said, ¡°Princess Consort, can this servant massage your shoulders?¡± She had specifically learned how to do so. Chu Nanli was just feeling a bit tired from her labor and agreed. Just then, two maids arrived at the door, not daring to come in rashly, they simply performed a curtsy at the entrance and asked with trepidation, ¡°Princess Consort, the two of us know how to massage as well, may we give you a massage on your legs and feet?¡± Chu Nanli looked over and saw they were indeed faces from her courtyard, and her eyebrows raised slightly. It seemed these people had made progress, knowing to take the initiative to come to her; they wanted to stay and serve in this courtyard. A free massage wasn¡¯t to be turned down. Chu Nanli spoke leisurely, ¡°Come in.¡± The two maids were overjoyed, and with proper etiquette, they performed another curtsy, thanking the Princess Consort for her trust before entering the room. ¡­ ¡°Seems like someone is enjoying the good life, that¡¯s good,¡± a nearly inaudible chuckle arose from a big tree outside the courtyard, and a glimpse of a black robe and a half-mask could be seen flashing by. A few leaves slowly drifted down, and then there was no one left on the tree. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 54 - 54 54 Becoming a Foot-Washing Maid for Yingying ?Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Becoming a Foot-Washing Maid for Yingying Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Becoming a Foot-Washing Maid for Yingying ¡°Oh, the Princess Consort is really enjoying herself, isn¡¯t she?¡± A rather sardonic voice sounded. Chu Nanli had just finished her nourishing soup and closed her eyes to rest when she was disturbed by this voice. Annoyed, she opened her eyes and saw the Prince¡¯s steward walk in. In the room, the two maids saw the newcomer and stopped massaging Chu Nanli¡¯s legs. They glanced at Chu Nanli, feeling somewhat embarrassed, unsure if they should continue. ¡°Continue.¡± Chu Nanli said indifferently. The two maids immediately acted as if they had taken a reassuring pill, earnestly resumed massaging, no longer caring that they used to fawn over the Prince¡¯s steward. The Prince¡¯s steward¡¯s face didn¡¯t look good. He felt that Chu Nanli was trying to put him in his place while also thinking that Chu Nanli was ¡°an upstart¡±. Suppressing his anger, his tone became even more sarcastic. ¡°Princess Consort, the Prince is looking for you. Although this old servant does not know what happened, it¡¯s apparent that the Prince is in a very bad mood. You better pray for your own good.¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s brows furrowed. The dog of a man is in a bad mood again? Wasn¡¯t he just being lovey-dovey with Lin Fuying a moment ago? Why is he summoning her now? The more she thought about it, the more Chu Nanli felt that Ye Yunting was being petty, and she wasn¡¯t too eager to go. ¡°Must I go?¡± The Prince¡¯s steward thought he heard wrong and paused for a moment. Seeing that Chu Nanli was still seated, her posture as languid as a pampered concubine, she seemed very unhappy to have her peace disturbed. His mouth twitched, feeling it was somewhat ridiculous. This Chu woman is nothing but a vulgar wife from the market, where does she get such airs? Ah, spit spit spit! The point is, this vulgar woman actually dares to ignore the Prince¡¯s summons. The Prince¡¯s steward said with a sycophantic yet insincere smile, ¡°Of course, the Princess Consort must go. Otherwise, if the Prince blames you, you might not be able to bear the consequences.¡± Chu Nanli cursed Ye Yunting under her breath and reluctantly got up to follow the Prince¡¯s steward to see Ye Yunting. Upon arriving at Ye Yunting¡¯s courtyard, the Prince¡¯s steward announced at the door, ¡°Prince, the Princess Consort has arrived.¡± ¡°Let her come in.¡± A voice with an unclear tone came from inside. The Prince¡¯s steward looked at Chu Nanli with a Schadenfreude gaze. ¡°Please, Princess Consort.¡± Chu Nanli ignored his bullying demeanor and walked in unhurriedly. As soon as she entered, she locked eyes with Ye Yunting¡¯s dark and heavy gaze, and it scared her for a solid moment. After coming to her senses, she almost yelled at someone. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Prince?¡± Chu Nanli forced a smile. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to explain yourself to me?¡± ¡°?¡± Chu Nanli¡¯s mind slowly conjured a question mark, but seeing that Ye Yunting wasn¡¯t acting without cause, she started thinking quickly. Did he find out about her running a brothel? Torn between shock and doubt, Chu Nanli decided to be direct. ¡°I would ask the Prince to speak plainly.¡± sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ye Yunting said coldly, ¡°Who is this Chu Yi? When did a strange man have free reign to come and go from the War God Residence, using the Princess Consort¡¯s identity token to move about freely?¡± So that was it. Chu Nanli¡¯s previously suspended heart relaxed. The existence of Chu Yi was easier to explain than her secretly running a brothel. ¡°He¡¯s a bodyguard I hired,¡± Chu Nanli said with a clear conscience. However, Ye Yunting was not convinced, scoffed, and seemed to find her words ludicrous. ¡°With so many servants in the vast War God Residence, you still need to find a man outside to be your bodyguard? Chu Nanli, don¡¯t make me remind you of your status! Such shamelessness, flirtatious, downright promiscuous!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± The teacup on the desk was swiped down by his sleeve and fell to the floor, shattering into pieces. The atmosphere in the room became tense, and Chu Nanli¡¯s expression slowly changed from calm to cold. ¡°Does the Prince enjoy wronging people so much?¡± When she spoke out, she held back a little, not directly accusing Ye Yunting of enjoying slandering her with infidelity. ¡°Wronged? Explain to me how I have wronged you. If you don¡¯t give me a satisfactory explanation today, you¡¯ll receive thirty lashes and spend a month as a foot-washing maid at Furong Academy serving Yingying!¡± At this point, Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t help but lose her temper. ¡°Prince, if you want to entertain Concubine Lin at my expense, just say it directly. Don¡¯t beat around the bush.¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s face became even colder. Chu Nanli, unfazed, continued in a cool tone, ¡°It¡¯s laughable. In such a large Prince Residence, as the rightful Princess Consort, I have fewer servants at my command than the Concubine. Not only that, but I even have less than Nanny Hua, a mere nurse. Only after Nanny Hua generously opened her purse did I have a few people to order around, and even then, I could only have them do chores inside the walls of my courtyard.¡± ¡°I cherish my life. When I go out of the residence, I also want to be protected like a proper Princess Consort. So, I spent my own money to hire a bodyguard for myself. Who would¡¯ve thought I¡¯d end up being insulted by the Prince like this.¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s expression was unchanged, his gaze still without a trace of warmth looking at her. ¡°Since he¡¯s a bodyguard, why isn¡¯t he staying in the Prince Residence? What exactly are you plotting?¡± Chu Nanli retorted, ¡°I¡¯ve already said, I greatly value my life. Chu Yi is gathering medicinal herbs for me outside the residence, so I can recover from this frail body sooner and not end up exhausted just from walking from my courtyard to the Prince¡¯s.¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s dark gaze fell upon the woman¡¯s face. Her temples were damp with sweat, her complexion and lips faintly pale. Ye Yunting warned coldly, ¡°The things you said today better all be true.¡± Chapter 55 - 55 55 The Herbs Were Stolen ?Chapter 55: Chapter 55: The Herbs Were Stolen Chapter 55: Chapter 55: The Herbs Were Stolen Originally, on her way to the War God Residence, Chu Nanli had been thinking about how she could test Ye Yunting on why he didn¡¯t recognize their child. However, looking at the situation now, she feared that questioning the man might only drive him further into madness. Chu Nanli returned to the courtyard with a grim face, and Yanyan looked at her nervously. ¡°Princess Consort, are you alright?¡± While speaking, her gaze uncontrollably swept over her. A warm stream crossed Chu Nanli¡¯s heart, and her complexion gradually improved as she said, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Don¡¯t worry, your Princess Consort wasn¡¯t beaten.¡± Upon having her thoughts exposed, Yanyan felt somewhat uneasy. Chu Nanli didn¡¯t mind and called the two maidservants who had massaged her legs before, instructing, ¡°Give me another massage.¡± Angered by that dog of a man, she felt even more deserving of indulgence. The maidservants hurriedly complied, and seeing this, Yanyan wisely went to wash some fruits and prepare scented tea. Chu Nanli lazily leaned back in the chair, her mood finally starting to recover to some extent. sunlight spilled into the courtyard, an image of peaceful times. But this peace was shattered in the afternoon. Chu Yi came in haste, explaining the purpose of his visit. ¡°Master, there¡¯s a large auction in the Capital City this afternoon. After learning of it, I rushed there immediately and saw the medicinal herb Su Lanling that you need, so I quickly bid for it, but it was snatched away by someone with a VIP identity token.¡± sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The buyer who snatched the herb had the Auction House staff inform me to come to their private room for a transaction. Knowing the herb¡¯s value and not wanting to delay your matter, I asked the Auction House staff to stall for time, and then I rushed to notify you.¡± Su Lanling was an herb not easily found; its efficacy in preserving the fetus was excellent, with no easy substitutes available. Upon hearing this, Chu Nanli couldn¡¯t stay put any longer. She scanned the room, wanting to call Yanyan to go with her but didn¡¯t see her, then she remembered Yanyan was preparing her fetus-preserving medicine. Due to the urgency, she didn¡¯t delay any further. ¡°Let¡¯s go now.¡± The master and servant left the War God Residence in a hurry to rush to the Auction House. Chu Yi was reliable in his tasks, having specially rented a carriage to pick them up. The carriage was fast, and it didn¡¯t take long to arrive at the destination. The auction had yet to end. Chu Yi led Chu Nanli inside, hurrying towards the private room. He whispered, ¡°The other party is in the Sky Number private room. Those who can enter the Sky Number are either rich or noble, and there are no more than ten people in the entire Xia Kingdom with such status.¡± Hearing this, Chu Nanli felt the situation was thorny. If the opponent could snatch away the medicinal herb she had bid on, they were clearly neither reasonable nor easy to deal with. Moreover, they might even recognize her, the unfavored ¡°Princess Consort of the War God Residence.¡± She pondered whether she could leverage Ye Yunting¡¯s name somehow¡­ While thinking so, she was suddenly reminded by Chu Yi, ¡°Master, they are coming out.¡± The next instant, Chu Yi¡¯s expression changed. Chu Nanli looked up just in time to see a striking couple coming out of the nearby private room. The man was tall with a chilling gaze, his presence alone commanding respect without anger. The woman was petite, prettily clinging to the man, seemingly boneless as she nestled in his embrace. Chu Nanli¡¯s expression cooled. It was that pair of despicable lovers! ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s the people from that private room?¡± Hearing the murderous undertone in her voice, Chu Yi internally regretted not handling things better: ¡°Yes, the War God is holding a box that contains Su Lanling.¡± Chu Nanli cursed her luck silently and strode forward. ¡°Oh, sister. What brings you here?¡± Lin Fuying, with her sharp eyes, was the first to spot Chu Nanli. Then, after a cursory glance at Chu Yi, she casually said, ¡°Sister has come to browse the Auction House with her newly acquired bodyguard? But it seems Yanyan isn¡¯t with you.¡± Chapter 56 - 56 56 This Medicine is Forbidden by the Palace ?Chapter 56: Chapter 56: This Medicine is Forbidden by the Palace! Chapter 56: Chapter 56: This Medicine is Forbidden by the Palace! Ye Yunting¡¯s face darkened, and his sharp gaze fell on Chu Nanli and Chu Yi, halting his steps. From a distance, Chu Nanli heard Lin Fuying¡¯s words and also smelled the strong scent of tea. ¡°Prince, isn¡¯t it inappropriate to forcibly take medicinal herbs someone else has already bought?¡± Chu Nanli quickly walked over and pointed at the box in his hand. Ye Yunting¡¯s expression paused, then he furrowed his brows. Chu Yi bowed and said, ¡°Greetings to the Prince, these Su Lanling herbs were purchased on behalf of the Princess Consort.¡± In just a few words, he clarified why Chu Nanli was there. Lin Fuying¡¯s complexion changed, fearing Chu Nanli would take the herbs, she pitifully said, ¡°So it was sister who bought these herbs, but these are for fetal protection, sister¡¯s child¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Yingying shouldn¡¯t bring up sister¡¯s sorrow.¡± As she spoke, she dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief before continuing. ¡°Sister can scold Yingying afterward all you want, but these herbs were specifically bought for Yingying¡¯s mother, who has just conceived and is frail, needing these herbs for fetal protection.¡± ¡°Yingying, you don¡¯t need to be so humble.¡± Ye Yunting frowned, seeming displeased, and said to Chu Nanli, ¡°I will compensate at the market rate, let Yingying have these herbs.¡± Lin Fuying bit her lip, said no more, and felt inwardly delighted. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli, however, was infuriated, unable to maintain her composure any longer. ¡°Prince, how can you rightfully snatch something from someone else?¡± ¡°Presumptuous!¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s face suddenly turned cold, his dark eyes full of oppressive force. Chu Nanli was not afraid at all, her eyes also fiery: ¡°The Auction House has its rules, whoever wins the bid owns the item. Prince, intercepting after the auction ends, how is that different from a robber¡¯s actions?¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s face remained stern, displeased: ¡°If it weren¡¯t for arriving a step too late and missing the auction, I would have directly bid for these herbs myself, there would be no need to buy them from you.¡± He paused, then added, ¡°Yingying¡¯s mother is overlooked by the Prime Minister in the Prime Minister Residence, and this time, there¡¯s a great possibility that it could be a boy in her womb. Should he be born safely, Yingying¡¯s mother¡¯s status in the Prime Minister Residence would significantly rise, benefitting Yingying thereafter.¡± Upon hearing this, Chu Nanli did indeed falter for a moment. She then coldly twitched her lips, her tone somewhat sarcastic, ¡°The Prince truly knows how to be sympathetic.¡± Then why never show sympathy to her original self? After snatching her medicine, he even had the audacity to speak of how hard it is for Lin Fuying and her mother in the Prime Minister Residence. How ironic, once causing the main wife¡¯s miscarriage for a concubine, and now snatching the main wife¡¯s medicine for someone else¡¯s concubine, truly moving heaven and earth. ¡°I will have the house steward send you the money when I return,¡± he said. Ye Yunting felt that Chu Nanli had become much harder to deal with and disliked the way she looked at him, convinced that this was Chu Nanli¡¯s new trick to catch his attention, and his attitude became even colder. Chu Nanli took a step forward, blocking the path of him and Lin Fuying, and coldly said, ¡°This medicine, I will not allow it.¡± Chu Yi silently stood behind her, assuming a protective stance. He had no right to speak here, but his actions clearly showed where he stood. Ye Yunting¡¯s expression turned utterly somber, just as Lin Fuying sobbed beside him. ¡°Sister, you don¡¯t need this medicine, can¡¯t you let someone who needs it have it? Even if Yingying is not your favorite, her mother is innocent. Sister, do you really have the heart to watch Yingying¡¯s mother suffer?¡± Her words were strategically poignant, not mentioning how she managed to make Chu Nanli dislike her, cleverly absolving herself of all blame, leaving Chu Nanli to carry all the burdens. In her accusation, Chu Nanli was made out to be someone narrow-minded and devoid of compassion. Just as Chu Nanli was about to retort, she was interrupted by Ye Yunting¡¯s dark warning tone. ¡°Chu Nanli, don¡¯t be too malicious. You have no use for this Fetal Protection Medicine, but giving it to Yingying¡¯s mother would let you accumulate some virtue.¡± Really? What kind of perplexing statement is that? Snatching her medicine and then advising her to accumulate virtue? If it weren¡¯t for knowing that the child in her womb is innocent, Chu Nanli would truly want to wait until the child is born, then have him know the foolish words his father spoke! Chapter 57 - 57 57 Dont Let Her Be Treated Unfairly ?Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Don¡¯t Let Her Be Treated Unfairly Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Don¡¯t Let Her Be Treated Unfairly ¡°Tsk, quite the spectacle, indeed.¡± In an elegant room upstairs, with the window half-open, one could see the quarreling scene below clear as day, and much of the conversation also floated in. Across the table, the man wearing a mask watched the drama below, a hint of darkness flashing in his eyes as he said indifferently, ¡°Zhuang Lin, go help that girl.¡± Zhuang Lin¡¯s hand trembled holding his teacup, no longer interested in the commotion, he turned his incredulous gaze upon the masked man. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°You must be kidding, right? You¡¯re not one to meddle in others¡¯ affairs. Moreover, that person is your¡­¡± He stopped abruptly, mid-sentence. He was one of the few who knew the true identity of the man before him. The masked man didn¡¯t respond to his curiosity, simply stating, ¡°Originally, whoever won the bid for the medicine should have rightly obtained it, and any interference is against the rules. That girl is now in a difficult situation, facing such trouble; ultimately, it¡¯s the negligence of your auction house.¡± Zhuang Lin felt somewhat guilty, raised his hand to touch his nose, and couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°As the great Zhuang Lin, owner of the Xuanbao Pavilion, the largest auction house in Xia Kingdom, everyone praises my name. Only you criticize me like this, and yet I can¡¯t even retort.¡± The man paid no attention to his complaint and simply said, ¡°You can go help now that you¡¯ve finished speaking.¡± Zhuang Lin choked, giving him an irritated look, and said, ¡°That¡¯s the War God. You really are my good brother. You never seek my help for anything easy, and the one time you do, you throw such a difficult problem at me.¡± ¡°For the next month, go to Tianji Pavilion and gather information, and I won¡¯t take a penny from you.¡± Zhuang Lin wasn¡¯t genuinely reluctant to help; he was just considering what benefits it would be appropriate to ask from a real God of Wealth when he suddenly heard this sentence, causing his eyes to widen in shock. ¡°Really? For a whole month?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Zhuang Lin¡¯s face immediately lit up with joy. Fearing the man in black would change his mind, he placed his teacup down and quickly got up to leave. ¡°Wait, Zhuang guarantees that your matter will be handled perfectly.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let that girl suffer any loss.¡± Zhuang Lin had reached the door when he heard this and stumbled, murmuring in his heart. What exactly is the relationship between this high and mighty figure and the War God Princess Consort? Knowing him for so many years, it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen him take such an interest in a woman. But right now, the matter at hand is more pressing. Without turning back to ask, Zhuang Lin hurried to the second floor. Seeing the two sides on the verge of conflict, and the War God¡¯s eyes cold enough to flay the girl alive, he immediately felt a headache coming on. ¡°Oh my, the War God gracing us with his presence has truly brought glory to Xuanbao Pavilion.¡± Zhuang Lin walked over quickly, his face plastered with a courtesy smile. The tense atmosphere broke when they turned their attention to him. ¡°It¡¯s the owner of the Auction House, Zhuang Lin.¡± Chu Yi spoke in a low voice behind Chu Nanli. Chu Nanli, looking at this man with a healthy wheat-colored complexion, smiling warmly and seemingly easy to ingratiate himself with others, furrowed her brows slightly. I hope he¡¯s not here to side with Ye Yunting. ¡°Mr. Zhuang,¡± Ye Yunting greeted indifferently. In the Capital City, there weren¡¯t many powerful figures who didn¡¯t know Zhuang Lin. He had extensive connections in business, always managed to find excellent items, and people were willing to show him face. Zhuang Lin continued to smile, ¡°Prince, I am aware of the dispute between you and the¡­ Princess Consort. The Su Lanling indeed was bid on by the Princess Consort first. According to the rules of the Auction House, this medicine should belong to the Princess Consort.¡± As he spoke, he saw Ye Yunting¡¯s expression turning increasingly grim, and he finished speaking as if with great difficulty. Chu Nanli and Chu Yi both quietly breathed a sigh of relief. They hadn¡¯t expected the owner of the Auction House to be quite so decent. However, Lin Fuying¡¯s mood had instantly soured, cursing Zhuang Lin in her heart for taking Chu Nanli¡¯s side. Chapter 58 - 58 58 As Long As Its Three Times the Price ?Chapter 58: Chapter 58: As Long As It¡¯s Three Times the Price Chapter 58: Chapter 58: As Long As It¡¯s Three Times the Price ¡°Is the proprietor Zhuang suggesting that this Prince should yield the medicinal herb to Chu Nanli?¡± Ye Yunting coldly spoke. Zhuang Lin was slightly surprised; in front of others, Ye Yunting didn¡¯t seem to have any intention of saving face for his Princess Consort. However, this was someone else¡¯s family matter, and Zhuang Lin didn¡¯t think it appropriate to interfere, let alone speak too much. Right now, he just wanted to properly settle this matter so he could report back to the person upstairs. ¡°To put it bluntly, that is indeed the case. However, an incident like this happening at my Auction House, causing both esteemed guests displeasure, is something I deeply regret. To show my sincerity, I¡¯ve had two modest gifts prepared, which will be sent to the War God Residence later. What do you say to that, Prince?¡± Ye Yunting snorted coldly, obviously not buying it. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°What does Proprietor Zhuang take me for? So easily fooled?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare.¡± Zhuang Lin smiled outwardly while inwardly cursing, wishing this War God would never come to his Auction House again; he didn¡¯t lack this one big customer. Ye Yunting chillingly declared, ¡°This medicinal herb is mine today!¡± Lin Fuying also interjected with an apologetic expression, ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry, Proprietor Zhuang, but Yingying truly needs this Su Lanling plant, so I can only ask you to painfully part with it.¡± Hearing this, Zhuang Lin inwardly cursed, ¡°Damn it!¡± What a white lotus! The herb¡¯s current owner wasn¡¯t even him, so why should he be the one to painfully let go? Shouldn¡¯t it be Chu Nanli who needed to do that? However, seeing the War God¡¯s biased favoritism, it¡¯s no wonder that a mere concubine could trample over the Princess Consort and act so haughtily. Sigh! Zhuang Lin internally sympathized with Chu Nanli for a moment, but still made an effort to fight for her once more. ¡°Prince, after all, the Princess Consort was the first¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t finish his sentence before being interrupted by Ye Yunting¡¯s grim voice. ¡°I was unaware Proprietor Zhuang held such great power and influence in the Capital City, to the extent of not even considering this Prince.¡± Zhuang Lin: ¡°¡­¡± He wanted to curse, he really did. Turning his head, he saw Chu Nanli adopting a posture as if she were about to confront Ye Yunting head-on, so he hurriedly gestured with his eyes to stop her, then mouthed: ¡°Forget it, I will give you a Bai Ruo plant.¡± Zhuang Lin was also sweating it, fearing that Chu Nanli hadn¡¯t understood or hadn¡¯t realized the significance of the herb¡ªif that was the case, he would have bungled this matter. Fortunately, Chu Nanli understood. Bai Ruo, this was an herb even rarer and more effective as a Fetal Protection Medicine than Su Lanling. She had no reason to refuse. Chu Nanli then turned to Ye Yunting, saying, ¡°If the Prince insists on having this herb, he can. I am well aware of my lack of power and influence in the Capital City, and I can¡¯t contend with the Prince.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Fuying¡¯s face instantly brightened with joy, and she gently, feebly said, aiming to wound Chu Nanli further, ¡°Thank you, elder sister, for being willing to part with it. The Prince is simply showing his concern for Yingying, that¡¯s why¡­¡± ¡°I understand the extent of the Prince¡¯s concern. Therefore, should the Prince wish to purchase the herb from me, he merely needs to pay three times the price,¡± Chu Nanli replied. The subtle smile on Lin Fuying¡¯s face froze. Ye Yunting¡¯s expression turned cold once more as he looked at Chu Nanli with annoyance. Zhuang Lin held back a laugh, internally praising Chu Nanli¡¯s cleverness, and voiced support: ¡°Proprietor Zhuang finds the Princess Consort¡¯s suggestion quite reasonable, with no losses on either side.¡± He didn¡¯t want to offend Ye Yunting too badly, so he chose his words less harshly, but outright lying was very real. Ye Yunting¡¯s gaze swept from Zhuang Lin to Chu Nanli, with a streak of viciousness flashing through his eyes. ¡°The Princess Consort claims to have no power or influence; I think not. Even the venerable Proprietor Zhuang of Xuanbao Pavilion speaks on her behalf, the Princess Consort¡¯s abilities are no small feat.¡± Chapter 59 - 59 59 The Silver Note Slapped on Her Face ?Chapter 59: Chapter 59: The Silver Note Slapped on Her Face Chapter 59: Chapter 59: The Silver Note Slapped on Her Face Zhuang Lin¡¯s expression changed slightly. Chu Nanli¡¯s face darkened as she said bluntly, ¡°I¡¯d trouble the Prince not to pin such accusations on me, for I cannot bear them.¡± Ye Yunting¡¯s expression turned ominously dark, the storm swirling in his black eyes seemed ready to engulf Chu Nanli. ¡°Sister, how can you make such an exorbitant demand? From the last time, you have already obtained clothes from the Prince¡­¡± Chu Nanli, uninterested in hearing her out, sneered, ¡°Then how can you be so brazen and self-righteous when snatching things?¡± Lin Fuying¡¯s face turned a sickly pale green and white. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chu Nanli knew she wasn¡¯t the one to take the money and no longer paid her any attention, her gaze fixed directly on Ye Yunting. ¡°Prince, may I inquire whether you wish to make this deal or not?¡± After asking, she smiled and added a few sentences, ¡°I trust, with the Prince¡¯s wealth and generosity, such a small sum wouldn¡¯t be of concern, right? And for me to give up Su Lanling, it¡¯s a painful sacrifice indeed. To buy one¡¯s favorite, paying triple the price isn¡¯t expensive.¡± Ye Yunting was almost amused to anger. ¡°I never knew you to be so quick-witted before!¡± Chu Nanli said carelessly, ¡°Perhaps the Prince has never really understood me.¡± Ye Yunting, laughing out of sheer anger, cast a contemptuous glance at her and Zhuang Lin, saying sarcastically, ¡°A woman who only sees money, narrow-minded and malicious does not deserve my understanding!¡± Chu Nanli felt a twinge of pain in her heart. For the original sincere-hearted self, such words were indeed cruel. A bundle of silver notes was thrown at her, striking her face. Caught off guard, Chu Nanli did not manage to dodge in time; with things happening so suddenly, Chu Yi, behind her, couldn¡¯t intervene, and Zhuang Lin hadn¡¯t expected Ye Yunting to strike. Chu Nanli¡¯s face stung from the impact as she stepped back, nearly falling over. Ye Yunting looked coldly at her disarray, his tone icy, ¡°This should be sufficient.¡± As Lin Fuying leaned softly into his embrace and they departed, she whispered, ¡°Sister, next time, don¡¯t make the Prince so angry.¡± After the two left, Chu Nanli cursed inwardly, ¡°A pair of dogs.¡± ¡°My lord, are you alright?¡± Chu Yi asked guiltily, intending to apologize. Chu Nanli rubbed the sore spot on her face, replying, ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s good that you didn¡¯t confront him head-on, he might not kill me, but he would certainly have vented his anger on you.¡± After all, a mere bodyguard was dispensable in Ye Yunting¡¯s eyes, to be casually beaten or killed. Chu Yi pressed his lips together, a flurry of thoughts crossing his mind as he recalled the scene, gathering the silver notes in silence. ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine, we¡¯ve made some money. Triple the price, huh? Zhuang Lin has been in business for many years but has never seen Su Lanling fetch such a price. Today, thanks to the Princess Consort, I¡¯ve also opened my eyes,¡± Zhuang Lin teased, trying to comfort Chu Nanli as he respectfully bowed. Chu Nanli let out a breath of stale air, saying, ¡°Right, at least we made some money. But Ye Yunting, the scoundrel, clearly had the money on him, yet he said he¡¯d go back and let the steward pay me for the herbs earlier¡ªdoesn¡¯t want to pay, in my opinion.¡± Zhuang Lin nodded his head in agreement, also considering Ye Yunting to lack magnanimity, to do such a thing as flinging money at his own Princess Consort¡¯s face. He glanced discreetly upstairs. He wondered what the person up there thought about the scene that had just unfolded. ¡°Thank you, Boss Zhuang, for stepping in,¡± Chu Nanli gathered her emotions and, accepting the silver notes from Chu Yi, thanked Zhuang Lin. ¡°At the end of the day, it¡¯s the Auction House¡¯s negligence that led to this undeserved disaster for the Princess Consort,¡± Zhuang Lin waved his hands, expressing his apology, then promptly asked with interest, ¡°Your Highness is knowledgeable about herbs? I was also nervous when you mentioned Bai Ruo earlier.¡± Upon hearing this, Chu Nanli suddenly had a new idea.