Quick Transmigration: The Control Group in Sweet Novels

Unexpectedly, after many twists and turns, that bowl of chicken soup ended up in Qi Yang's stomach.

After a hearty meal, Qi Yang rubbed his stomach discreetly, thinking to himself that having a good leader really makes a difference.

Meanwhile, Shen Hengzhi returned to prison.

Li Yao was sitting at the table when Shen Hengzhi glanced at him and then coldly looked away.

Li Yao picked up his teacup with a smile. "Hengzhi, I've never seen a maid like this by your side before. She looks unfamiliar to me, but she's quite beautiful."

Shen Hengzhi didn't reply, but sat down in front of him.

Li Yao didn't mind and leaned forward, saying, "I just remembered that my palace is short of maids. If Hengzhi is willing to part with one, I can exchange it for rare treasures. What do you say?"

The teasing tone in his voice was obvious, and besides, how could the dignified Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace lack an ordinary maid?

Shen Hengzhi picked up his teacup and said slowly, "Your Highness is short of people; you should go to the Imperial Household Department to ask."

"The people chosen by the Imperial Household Department can't compare to those around Hengzhi."

Shen Hengzhi raised his eyes, his gaze calm. "The people around me are all people I'm used to; it wouldn't feel right to replace them."

It means there's no room for negotiation.

Li Yao was taken aback, then laughed, "Alright, then I won't take what's mine."

These words were quite profound, but Shen Hengzhi did not reply and simply got up and left.

Li Yao watched his retreating figure, then shook his head with a smile. A eunuch beside him leaned closer and whispered, "Haven't seen him for years, this Young Master Shen is still the same old temperament."

Li Yao agreed with this statement.

The two grew up together. Shen Hengzhi appears to be gentle and refined, but he is actually quite stubborn. However, he is also a rare person who is loyal and righteous.

After Shen Hengzhi left the prison, he went to the courtyard where he usually rested. Qi Yang, who was waiting for him, was squatting under a tree playing with a stray cat. When she saw him come out, she quickly got up and dusted off her skirt. "My lord, you've dispersed so quickly?"

Shen Hengzhi looked down at her, his gaze falling on a small osmanthus petal that had somehow gotten stuck in her hair. He raised his hand and gently brushed it away.

"Hmm," he said, "It's nothing serious."

Shen Hengzhi withdrew his hand, regaining his usual gentle demeanor in front of her. "Let's go."

Qi Yang nodded repeatedly and followed him into the sedan chair to return to the mansion.

She took small steps, and as soon as she stepped into the sedan chair, she lost her footing and swayed violently, about to fall forward. A pair of strong hands caught her steadily, preventing her from suffering a terrible fall.

Qi Yang looked up and met a pair of dark eyes, which were filled with worry.

She was taken aback for a moment, then got up with Shen Hengzhi's help. He took her hand and gently pulled her inside.

Qi Yang lowered her head, her ears inexplicably burning, and her heart inexplicably racing. She glanced away and said in a muffled voice, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Shen Hengzhi calmly released her wrist and softly advised, "Be more careful next time."

Qi Yang lowered her head and hummed in agreement.

Shen Hengzhi is so gentle and handsome; he truly deserves to be the male lead.

After Shen Hengzhi withdrew his hand, his fingertips trembled slightly, and he clenched his fist with a hint of helplessness, placing it on his knee.

The carriage fell silent instantly, with only the sound of the coachman whipping the horse and the creaking of the wheels scraping the ground.

Shen Hengzhi rubbed his fingertips a few times uncomfortably. The delicate touch from before had disappeared. For some reason, he thought of Li Yao again and casually put his hand on her shoulder.

His expression turned indifferent, but it was unclear where his displeasure came from.

*

The next day, Qi Yang had just gotten up early and was getting ready to go on duty when she was greeted by Granny Li calling out to her, "A Yang, come here for a moment, someone is looking for you."

Qi Yang was puzzled upon hearing this. Who would be looking for her at this hour?

Following Li Mama's directions, Qi Yang went outside the mansion. Standing outside the gate was a young boy with a dark complexion and wearing coarse linen clothes. As soon as he saw Qi Yang's bright eyes, he immediately smiled and said, "Sister."

Qi Yang asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"

The boy in front of her was Qi He, the original owner's younger brother.

Qi He explained her purpose, "Sister, please come home with me."

Qi Yang's heart tightened, fearing that something had happened to the original owner's mother's health again. After she came to this world, the rice jar in her home was empty, and the house was full of poverty. Her mother was lame and her health had never been good. She had to be fed medicine every day. So the original owner sold herself to this Marquis's mansion as a rough maid.

She would send a portion of her monthly wages home.

Upon seeing Qi He, she immediately wondered if her mother's health had deteriorated again.

"No, no." Afraid that she would worry too much, Qi He quickly waved her hand, then stepped forward and grasped her hand. "Sister, don't ask so many questions. Come back with me first."

As she was about to pull him away, Qi Yang took a few steps before remembering something else. "Hey, wait a minute, I haven't asked for leave yet."

Morning light streamed through the window, casting a pale golden hue on the ground.

Shen Hengzhi has been awake for a while now.

He leaned against the headboard, his undergarment slightly open, holding a folding book he hadn't finished reading the day before.

At this time in the past, Qi Yang would have already pushed open the door and come in.

It's a bit later than usual today.

Just then, a sound came from outside the door, and someone pushed the door open and came in. She was carrying a copper basin, with a handkerchief draped over her shoulders. She walked to the bedside with her head down, curtsied, and said, "Young Master, this servant will help you change your clothes."

Shen Hengzhi's hand, which was turning over the folded paper, paused.

It was a new face.

"Where's A-Yang?" he asked.

The maid was taken aback for a moment, then replied, "Your Highness, Sister A-Yang has taken leave today and is not in the manor. Granny Li asked me to come and cover for her for the day."

Shen Hengzhi's grip on the folding book tightened slightly. His expression remained unchanged, but his tone deepened. "She asked for leave. What happened to her?"

"This servant doesn't know either," the maid replied. "I only heard that someone came from her hometown, and she went back with them. I don't know the specifics."

Hometown.

Shen Hengzhi had no idea where her hometown was. He remained silent for a moment before asking, "When are you coming back?"

The maid shook her head. "This... this servant really doesn't know. Granny Li only told me to take over for now, and didn't give any other instructions."

Shen Hengzhi didn't say anything more.

He closed the folded book and placed it aside. He lowered his eyes, his eyelashes casting a faint shadow under his eyes.

The maidservant cautiously looked up at him and asked, "Young Master, would you like to change your clothes?"

Shen Hengzhi regained his composure, slightly raised his head, and lowered his voice, but it remained gentle, "You can go now."

The maidservant was taken aback. "Young Master, I haven't helped you change your clothes yet."

Shen Heng waved his hand, "Let Cheng'an in."

The maid didn't ask any more questions, curtsied, and left.

The door closed gently, and the room fell silent again. After a while, Cheng'an entered and, seeing the prince rise, calmly said, "Help me change my clothes."