Quick Transmigration: The Control Group in Sweet Novels

The room was quiet, with only the flickering candlelight.

Shen Hengzhi had already woken up and was now leaning against the soft couch, his inner robe open, his dark hair casually falling over his shoulders, his eyes closed as if he were asleep.

Qi Yang unconsciously held her breath and took small steps to get the clothes hanging on the clothes rack.

She gave a slight curtsy and said in a soft voice, "Your Highness, let me help you change your clothes."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hengzhi opened his eyes and looked at her with slight surprise.

The maid's thin body shrank to one side, holding up his clothes in her hands, which were even larger than her whole body. She quietly lowered her head, revealing only her smooth forehead and small nose.

Shen Hengzhi asked, "Where is Cheng'an?"

Qi Yang's eyes darted around. Luckily, Granny Zhang had explained everything in detail yesterday. Now, the Cheng'an that Shen Hengzhi was talking about was the servant who had grown up with the young master since childhood.

She answered truthfully, "Your Highness, Young Master Cheng'an is waiting outside. Today, this servant will assist you in changing your clothes."

After saying that, she stepped forward, held up the clothes in her hand, and waited for Shen Heng to get dressed after getting out of bed.

Shen Hengzhi swallowed back the words he was about to blurt out, "Call Cheng'an over." The maid looked unfamiliar; she must be a new maid sent by his mother because she thought there were too few people in his courtyard.

He didn't want to make things difficult for her.

After the young man stood up, the height difference became even more obvious. Qi Yang subconsciously looked up, but her head only reached his shoulder. She timidly looked away, stepped forward respectfully, and draped her outer garment over his shoulders with difficulty, straightening his collar.

But she rarely served her master so closely, her movements were clumsy and slow, and her fingertips always touched his skin almost imperceptibly.

Each time she touched him, her heart leaped into her throat. She cautiously observed Shen Hengzhi's expression, and only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that his expression was indifferent, his eyelashes were slightly lowered, and he seemed not to have noticed anything.

But what followed were even more difficult challenges.

When tying the belt around her waist, she carefully went around his side and brought the belt from behind, a movement that made her almost wrap her arms around the man's entire waist.

Several times, her cheek even brushed against his collar, and the faint scent of bamboo on his body became clearer. Her ears burned without her noticing, and a blush spread down her neck.

Shen Hengzhi looked down at the head that was busily working in front of him.

The little maid had a round head, her hair was black and soft, and a few wisps of hair hung down in front of her forehead, swaying gently with her clumsy movements.

Her eyelashes were long and trembling slightly, and her eyes were focused intently on her waist, her small hands resting on it, tying a knot in her belt.

But she couldn't quite grasp the ribbon after it slipped between her fingers twice. In her anxiety, she leaned closer, a thin layer of sweat beading on her forehead.

Finally, Qi Yang fumbled and tied the belt around his waist, letting out a long breath as if he had won a battle.

He suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

Qi Yang, unaware of his thoughts, stepped back, carefully examined the item, and then said, "Your Highness, it's done."

Shen Hengzhi looked down at his fairly well-fitting outer robe, then looked up at the little maid in front of him, whose head was covered in sweat.

The candlelight illuminated her face, making it appear rosy.

Qi Yang's eyes met his, and she quickly lowered her gaze, feeling somewhat at a loss for some reason.

Shen Hengzhi's thin lips moved slightly, his voice gentle, "Yes, you can go now."

He then added, "Call Cheng'an here."

Qi Yang felt as if he had been granted a pardon, so he quickly knelt down to pay his respects and turned to leave.

Shen Hengzhi stared at the door that had been gently closed, then looked down at the few ties around his waist.

Each one was tied neatly and meticulously.

Aside from one of the ties being threaded through the wrong hole, causing the inner lining's hidden button to be fastened to the outer robe, Shen Hengzhi reached out and touched the mistied tie, remaining silent for a moment.

Soon, the door was opened again, and this time a young servant entered.

As Cheng Anfang walked in, he saw the prince personally untying and retying the sash around his waist. Then, he looked up and gave him a cold look, saying, "Tie up my hair."

Cheng'an was completely bewildered by the look, but subconsciously agreed.

After it was tied up, it suddenly dawned on me that the maid who had tied up my hair should have done it earlier.

*

The afternoon sun shone through the carved window lattice, casting dappled light and shadow on the mahogany round table.

Shen Hengzhi had not returned home for three years. In the past few days, apart from being summoned to the palace, he would dine with Lady Xie after the court assembly.

Sitting in the main seat, Madam Xie watched her son slowly sipping his soup and said with concern, "Eat more. I see you've been working so hard all these years, you've lost a lot of weight. Have the kitchen stew a chicken tomorrow to help you recover."

Shen Hengzhi said helplessly, "Mother, you should eat too. Don't just focus on me."

"I'm fine," Xie said, placing another chopstick of vegetables on his plate. "Have you seen your grandmother?"

Shen Hengzhi nodded slightly.

On the evening of his first day back, Shen Hengzhi took a bath to relieve his fatigue and then went to pay his respects to the old lady. The old lady was even more excited than Xie Shi. She leaned against the couch, held his hand, her eyes filled with tears, and talked to him for a long time.

They would just ask things like, "Are you doing well outside? Are you eating well? Are you sleeping well?"

Feeling at ease, Shen Hengzhi helped the old lady finish her meal before returning to his room.

When Xie was young, she married into the Marquis's family, and the old lady never mistreated her. Now that the old lady is ill, Xie felt bad and couldn't help but say, "When you have time, go and see her more often. She hasn't left the house since she fell ill, and she must be very bored. You should go and talk to her more."

Shen Hengzhi agreed, "Son understands."

Qi Yang stood aside serving the dishes. Her status was different now; she was Shen Hengzhi's personal maid. As long as he was in the Marquis's mansion, she had to serve him carefully.

After setting out the dishes, he waited beside Shen Hengzhi.

Halfway through the meal, Madam Xie suddenly spoke up: "By the way, your aunt sent word a few days ago that your cousin has come of age and has grown into a beautiful young woman. I remember you used to play with her often when you were little, do you remember?"

Shen Hengzhi picked up his teacup, took a sip, then put it down before answering unhurriedly, "I don't remember."

"Do you still remember your teacher's granddaughter? Last year's top scorer in the autumn imperial examination was her brother. You two even studied together."

"I don't remember."

Ms. Xie: "..."

She sighed inwardly.

Although Shen Hengzhi promised her that he would do whatever she asked, no matter how she inquired, he remained unmoved, which really troubled her.

Madam Xie opened her mouth, but ultimately did not ask any further questions.

This child has always been like this; if he doesn't want to talk, you can pry his mouth open with a brick, but it's no use.

When the tea was almost empty, Qi Yang quickly stepped forward to replace it. Suddenly, a slender figure appeared beside her, along with a faint fragrance that seemed to belong to a woman. Shen Hengzhi paused, his long eyelashes falling as his gaze swept over the woman's delicate, fair fingers as she replaced the teacup.