Keep your voice down. Are you trying to look glamorous dressed as a forced lover?

Li Qingyan turned to look at the palace maid, who had previously been so obedient and followed orders without a word. Now it seemed she was quite perceptive.

You can't judge a book by its cover. She has an ordinary appearance and looks honest, but she says surprising things.

"Not for now."

Ropes are exciting, but now is not the time to get on them.

She doesn't have many people under her command right now, so it would be best to improve Song Qinian and the others' impression of her and then make use of their people.

"Huai Xu, you're right to remind me."

Li Qingyan praised her and remembered her name; this little novel needed a palace maid like her.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness." Huai Xu's eyes lit up, and he unconsciously straightened his chest, full of enthusiasm.

As night deepened, by the time Li Qingyan arrived, Ninghui Palace was about to close.

"Your Highness..."

The palace servants saw her and were stunned for a moment before quickly bowing and announcing that someone should come to greet her.

"Need not."

Li Qingyan was too lazy to make a fuss and walked towards the bedroom as if she knew the way well.

The palace maid was so anxious that she was sweating profusely but dared not say anything.

So, Li Qingyan discreetly made his way to the entrance of the bedchamber.

"Your...Your Highness." Song Qinian's attendant was stunned to see her, his nervousness visibly evident: "Your Highness, the young master is taking a bath."

"Take a bath?"

Li Qingyan raised an eyebrow; her timing was perfect.

"Your Highness, please wait a moment, the young master will be out soon..."

"No need, I'll just say a few words to your young master and then leave."

Song Qinian was resting with his eyes closed when he heard that Li Qingyan had arrived. His expression changed slightly, and he stood up and was about to get out of the bath when he heard footsteps.

He was startled and sat down again, still clutching his bathrobe in his hand.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty."

Although she tried her best to remain calm, her voice still trembled.

She actually... she actually came in like this. Does she want to consummate their marriage again?

Song Qinian clenched his fists tightly, then loosened them, all in vain.

Fortunately, the figure did not barge in maliciously, but simply stood outside the screen.

"I didn't expect that Consort Song was taking a bath. I just came to see if you were alright."

A carved black jade screen separated the two people, and warm mist rose from behind the screen, mixed with a light fragrance.

The candlelight flickered, casting a hazy, graceful figure on the screen, making one want to see more clearly.

Song Qinian took a deep breath and stared intently at her figure: "She's much better now."

"That's good. I'll retrieve the memorials that need to be processed from the Secretariat tomorrow, and then I'll come to see you again."

Wasn't Song Qinian the successor groomed by the Song family? It's said that he was taken in by the Left Prime Minister Song from a young age and had the bearing of a prime minister, so it would be perfect to teach him how to handle official business.

Song Qinian was astonished; at this moment, she was actually talking about official business.

"Does Your Highness need to learn how to handle official duties?"

He had heard plenty of stories about the Second Princess being uneducated and incompetent, and after entering the palace, he found it to be true.

She had never cared about official business before, but it seems that the lesson she learned from the Prince today has made her change.

But can she do it?

"Well, I lack experience right now, Consort Song, will you help me?"

In the original owner's memories, the emperor did try to cultivate her properly, but unfortunately, she had a very poor memory and would fall asleep whenever she touched a book, or even fall into a coma.

Every time she touched it, it was the same. She didn't know if it was the power of the plot, but she couldn't let it go on like this.

Song Qinian was tempted, but refused, saying, "The empress dowager must not interfere in politics."

The founding emperor once said that men with great ambitions are restless and that interference in politics by the harem will inevitably lead to chaos in the court, so he prevented the harem from interfering in politics.

"I'm not asking you to interfere in politics, just treat me as your teacher. I'll make my own judgment."

Finding another teacher is too late now; she needs a more decisive and faster crash course, and Song Qinian is just right.

She could learn, increase intimacy, and indirectly win over the Song family—why not?

Previously, because she had schemed against Song Qinian, the Song family treated her coldly. Even after Song Qinian entered her household, they did not go to great lengths to help her because of her incompetence.

But now, she needs their help.

She needs their reinvestment, she needs the attention of all officials, she needs to steal the spotlight and change her previous reputation.

That way, she can survive.

"It's settled then."

After finishing her business, Li Qingyan left directly without trying to increase their intimacy further, nor did she look at anything else. The current situation was just right.

She didn't want to do such a low-level thing.

She didn't like it; it was a low-quality, shoddy piece of writing. Many people didn't like it either.

Li Qingyan's sudden arrival and hasty departure relieved Song Qinian, but also made him frown.

He thought he had long understood the Second Princess and foreseen his own future.

But she changed again.

If she's telling the truth, will his future also change?

And why did she barge in and then politely stop? It's so contradictory.

Then he heard a servant report: "Young master, His Highness has left Ninghui Palace and gone to Zhenxing Pavilion."

Pillow Star Pavilion? That Attendant Wen?

Did she go there at this time because she wanted to consummate their marriage?

But Wen Shijun's status is too low; it would be better for her to be with General Ji...

But he couldn't make the decision himself, and it was even more difficult for him to persuade others.

Song Qinian's thoughts froze for a moment before he realized the water was getting cold.

at the same time.

Li Qingyan was also thinking about her fourth husband, Wen Sheng, who was her only husband.

Although he was extremely wealthy in the Eastern Palace, he was just a merchant, so he had the lowest rank and was the most low-key. Compared to Sannoye, who was equally low-key but had a strong presence due to his mystery, this attendant was almost invisible.

It seems the original owner previously married a mountain of gold, essentially becoming his ATM.

There are many rumors about this Wen Sheng. Because of his stunning good looks, he is known as the most handsome man in the capital. He has captivated many girls who are willing to die for him and marry no one else. He is also known as a playboy.

Others include being greedy for money, having money as their only concern, and being ruthless.

As Li Qingyan sorted through Wen Sheng's information, she wasn't sure if he was ruthless, but as soon as she got near Zhenxing Pavilion, she smelled a scent that smelled like milk tea with walnuts.

"What's that fragrance? Is it coming from Pillow Star Pavilion?"

Li Qingyan hadn't eaten well for dinner, but the aroma suddenly made her hungry and tempted.

"Yes." Huai Xu nodded.

Li Qingyan quickened her pace immediately and soon arrived by following the scent.

Unlike the elegant and refined courtyard of Ninghui Palace, which reveals the family's heritage in every detail, Zhenxing Pavilion is incredibly lively and brightly lit as soon as you step into it, as if you have stepped into another familiar world - the world of cattle and horses.

Perhaps the Pillow Star Pavilion is too small; not only inside the building, but also in the courtyard, there are quite a few people working overtime.

Account books, shop samples, and exhausted workers with dull expressions and dark circles under their eyes—all gathered together made Li Qingyan dizzy. She forgot all about the aroma and just wanted to turn around and leave.

The world of cattle and horses is terrifying.

But she had barely turned to the side when she was stopped by a greeting.

"Your Highness?"

A low, husky male voice rang out; it was just ordinary conversation, yet it was inexplicably alluring.

Li Qingyan turned around and saw the man walking towards her under the light.

Even though there were many people around, when I saw him, it felt like all the people and sounds around me disappeared, and my eyes could only see him.

With delicate eyebrows and eyes, a beautiful face, and a hint of allure in the corners of her eyes, she wore a black dress, yet possessed an undeniable charm.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need for formalities."

This is Wen Sheng.