He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

The anger in the boy's eyes almost set Jiang Bingning ablaze.

Jiang Bingning was stunned for a moment.

The boy in front of her was about a year or two younger than her, and his handsome face was slightly distorted with extreme anger.

Seeing that she remained silent, the bloodshot veins in the boy's eyes became even more noticeable.

"Get out!"

He roared again, his voice hoarse and cracking.

"Who gave you permission to step into my mother's room!"

"roll!"

This angry shout was filled with the mournful cry of a young animal whose territory had been invaded.

Mother's room...

Jiang Bingning's mind raced.

In her mind, the image of Jiang Yuerong talking about gossip about the Prince Xin's mansion from her previous life instantly flashed into her mind.

"Let me tell you, the most dangerous person in the Prince Xin's mansion is not that smiling but treacherous Consort Lin, but that young master, Ji Chengyun."

"He has such a bad temper. I was just trying to please him by bringing him a bowl of soup, but the way he looked at me was like I was some kind of filthy thing."

"But thankfully, he doesn't really pay attention to me."

Jiang Bingning's gaze returned to the boy.

Prince Xin's heir, Ji Chengyun.

It was him.

In her previous life, Jiang Yuerong had never mentioned that Ji Chengyun was in such an out-of-control state.

perhaps……

It's because Jiang Yuerong lives in that cold and secluded Spring Courtyard.

But at this moment, he was in the former residence of the deceased princess, Jinse Courtyard.

Having figured this out, Jiang Bingning felt a sense of understanding.

She slowly withdrew her gaze and, facing the furious Ji Chengyun, respectfully curtsied.

His movements were composed, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Your Highness, please calm your anger."

Her voice was cold and aloof.

"Bing Ning did not trespass on purpose; she is here temporarily on the orders of the Empress Dowager."

She didn't look up, but her gaze subtly swept around her surroundings.

His gaze fell on the spotless seven-stringed zither on the zither table, then glided over the half-open poetry collection on the chaise lounge.

"This place is serene and spotless; it must be because someone has been diligently protecting it for many years."

"Your Highness, rest assured, once Bingning has taken up residence, we will cherish her even more and dare not defile her in the slightest."

Ji Chengyun's chest heaved violently, preparing to unleash a torrent of angry curses, but these words choked him back down.

Protect with all your heart?

Yes.

After his mother passed away, he personally wiped and maintained every plant, tree, table, and chair in Jinse Courtyard, never entrusting it to anyone else.

This is the only pure land in his heart.

The woman in front of me actually figured it out?

Seeing that Ji Chengyun's expression had softened, Jiang Bingning continued to speak.

"If the Crown Prince feels that it is inappropriate for Bing Ning to stay here, Bing Ning can personally go to the Empress Dowager to plead her case later."

"only……"

She changed the subject.

"Until the Empress Dowager changes her mind, this commoner dares not disobey the imperial decree."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the anger that Ji Chengyun had just suppressed.

His face, which had finally calmed down, flushed red again.

"Why should I?!"

"This is my mother's home! My mother passed away suddenly, and every blade of grass, every stitch, has remained untouched for over a decade!"

He pointed at Jiang Bingning, his finger trembling from the force.

"And who are you?!"

"Why is a woman of unknown origin allowed to move in?!"

Jiang Bingning listened quietly, and from his words, she sensed something unusual.

Mother left in a hurry...

She remembered Jiang Yuerong's words again.

"The servants in the manor are all saying that the princess's death seems rather suspicious."

"Therefore, the young master is particularly wary of the female relatives who later entered the manor, especially Consort Lin. Their relationship has deteriorated to the point of freezing, and they don't even exchange a single word when they meet."

Just as the two were at an impasse.

A slightly aged but steady voice rang out at the doorway.

"Young Master."

Granny Zhang strode in.

Ji Chengyun naturally recognized her.

His anger hadn't subsided, but he still forced out a curt "Granny Zhang."

Granny Zhang curtsied to Ji Chengyun before speaking slowly and deliberately.

"Please don't be offended, Your Highness. It was the Dowager Consort's wish that Miss Jiang move into Jinse Courtyard."

She glanced at Ji Chengyun's tense face and explained gently.

"The Empress Dowager said that Jinse Courtyard has been sealed off for many years. Although it is elegant, it has lost its vitality."

"When the Princess was alive, she loved lively gatherings and cherished elegant things the most."

Zhang Mama's gaze shifted to Jiang Bingning.

"If the princess were alive, she would surely be happy to have such a thoughtful and understanding child who understands her old things and can talk to them."

"If the young master is truly filial, he might as well do his duty as a host on behalf of your mother. It would be better than letting these crabapple and banana trees in the courtyard bloom and wither in vain."

His words were perfectly watertight.

This both made it clear that this was a decision that the Dowager Empress could not arbitrate, and gave Ji Chengyun a way out.

Ji Chengyun's face turned pale and then red.

He stared intently at Jiang Bingning, but in the end, he said nothing. He simply flicked his sleeve heavily.

"snort!"

After letting out a cold snort, he turned and strode away.

-----------------

at the same time.

In Consort Lin's courtyard.

A young maid was reporting on everything that had happened at Jinse Courtyard.

"...After Granny Zhang left, the young master turned and left."

Upon hearing the report, Consort Lin paused slightly as she was fiddling with the sandalwood incense in the incense burner using a silver pick.

She showed little surprise, only a mocking sneer curled at the corner of her mouth.

"Hmph, I never expected that little beast to be of any use."

She waved her hand.

"Since we can't get rid of them, let's try another method."

Her voice was cold and sinister, like the tongue of a venomous snake.

"Pass on my message."

"From today onwards, the food, clothing and daily necessities of Jinse Courtyard shall be provided according to the rations of the lowest-ranking maids in the manor."

"in addition……"

A glint of malice flashed in her eyes.

"Find a few gossipy old women and spread the word about me."

"Take that girl for example, she's restless and has a foxy face. She's always trying to get close to the young master, hoping to climb the social ladder and tarnish the reputation of the Prince's mansion!"

……

The Jinse Courtyard has finally returned to complete tranquility.

After seeing Zhang Mama off, Jiang Bingning stood alone in the empty main room, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

This Prince Xin's mansion is indeed a den of dragons and tigers, a place where every step is fraught with danger.

She slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, suppressing her chaotic thoughts.

The most urgent task is to first establish a firm foothold here.

She strolled into the study, her gaze casually sweeping over the bookshelves.

Suddenly, her gaze settled on one of the most unusual books.

That was a copy of the Book of Songs.

Among the shelves full of rare and unique books, this ordinary copy of the Book of Songs is inconspicuous.

But for some reason, Jiang Bingning felt something was off.

She reached out and took the book down.

It feels slightly heavy to the touch, and the pages are yellowed, bearing the marks of time.

She gently stroked the side of the book with her fingertips.

really.

Other books, even those that are frequently read, mostly show wear and tear on the corners.

However, this book has an extremely deep and unusual wear mark on its spine.

It was as if its owner wasn't reading, but rather repeatedly taking it out of the same spot on the bookshelf and putting it back in countless days and nights.