Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

She had already fallen for Zong Xian.

His image haunted her dreams at night; he was tender and caring towards her, and they made love passionately, becoming entangled together.

Chu Lianyue had never experienced such a wonderful feeling before.

She still remembered her mission, but her heart had begun to waver.

Not wanting Su Qingyao to see through her, Chu Lianyue took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and her tone became calmer:

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing and won't act rashly. But as long as Ji Mingyi isn't eliminated, she'll continue to distract the Lord. How can we gain a foothold in the Imperial Clan and catch the Lord's eye then?"

Chu Lianyue concealed her personal motives and said coldly, "I was just thinking about the bigger picture."

Su Qingyao then stopped trying to persuade her.

...

Zong Xian lifted Mingyi's confinement, but she could not leave the manor at will, because the old lady Zong sent a nanny to teach her manners every day, which would take up most of the day.

She was just a concubine, not a wife, so there wasn't much for her to learn.

It was nothing more than repeatedly reciting "Rules for Women" and comprehending the rigid rules and regulations that bound women, such as the Three Obediences and Four Virtues.

Further refine your posture and demeanor, and learn a little about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to enhance your appearance.

Even how to serve one's husband well in bed is something Mingyi is required to learn, but he doesn't need to learn how to manage a household or read accounts.

Madam Zong was determined to properly train Ji Mingyi, and she even hired a nanny from the palace.

This nanny was very experienced, extremely strict, and had very high standards.

In her eyes, there wasn't a single thing about Ji Mingyi that was acceptable!

He's not good at any of the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; he can't even recognize all the characters. It's truly unbearable!

"Granny, I'm an orphan from a small town. My parents died early, and I was constantly on the move, so how could I have had the chance to go to a private school? It's normal that I can't read, isn't it?"

It's not that she's illiterate; it's just that seeing "Rules for Women" makes her dizzy and nauseous, and she just wants to get far away from it.

She didn't want to hear about these principles of being a concubine, let alone seriously learn them.

So, she decided to give up entirely, adopting a "what's the worst that can happen?" attitude, and even advised the old woman, "In the end, you're just a concubine. Winning the master's favor is enough. Why waste your time learning these useless things?"

The old woman had seen countless people and had a keen eye for talent; how could she not see that she was deliberately being perfunctory and had no real desire to learn?

With a "snap".

Without a word, the nanny pulled out a ruler and slammed it down on Mingyi's hand, ignoring the tears welling up in her eyes from the pain, and said coldly:

"The 'Rules for Women' are the foundation of a woman's conduct, rules and principles etched into her words and deeds, deeply ingrained in her very being, from which no one under heaven can escape! Yet, in your mouth, young lady, they've become useless? You dare not utter such blasphemous words again!"

Mingyi covered her red and burning hand, gritting her teeth in hatred.

"It's alright if the young lady can't read. She can copy it down and practice by imitation, right?"

The devil is always one step ahead of the saint; she refused to believe there was any girl she couldn't discipline. The old woman chuckled sinisterly, "If the young lady copies it eight hundred and ten times, she should be able to memorize it perfectly!"

That old witch!

Mingyi cursed inwardly.

The old woman's eyes were icy: "Copy it ten times today. I'll come back later to collect it and present it to the old lady. Hurry up and copy it, young lady!"

The old witch used Madam Zong to pressure her, so she naturally had no choice but to obey.

...

Zongying is back today.

She married far away to Jeju Island and rarely returned to the capital. This time, she returned alone, as her husband was not by her side. She planned to stay in the capital for a few days to celebrate the old lady's birthday before leaving.

Madam Zong was overjoyed to see her youngest daughter, and Madam Liu also made a special trip to Yongshou Hall to chat with her, creating a warm atmosphere.

During a brief pause in their conversation, Zong Ying looked around and couldn't help but ask, "Where's Mingyi? I can't find her anywhere."

Zong Ying was unaware that Ji Mingyi was going to become her second brother's concubine.

Her memory was still that Ji Mingyi was going to marry Xie Huaiyu and become the wife of the county magistrate.

The person who told her the truth was Liu.

Zong Ying was incredulous and jumped up: "What did you just say, sister-in-law? Mingyi wants to be Second Brother's concubine? How can that be!"

"Why not?" It was Madam Zong who spoke.

She said calmly, "She comes from a humble background. It's already an honor for her to be able to enter the manor as a concubine for your second brother. Being able to stay in the clan manor is an immense blessing for her."

Zong Ying has always treated Ji Mingyi with sincerity, regarding her as a sister, and has never looked down on her because of her background.

In her heart, Mingyi should be a wife in a grand and honorable way, just like her. How could she possibly be reduced to a concubine?

Moreover, she knew better than anyone else that Ji Mingyi was proud and would never agree to become a concubine.

Hearing the old lady's matter-of-fact and indifferent words, Zong Ying felt a tightness in her chest and an indescribable discomfort in her heart.

In the past, Mingyi would often carefully prepare medicinal meals to send to her mother as a sign of filial piety. She always thought that her mother cherished Mingyi, but she never expected that her mother would look down on her from the bottom of her heart.

Zong Ying remained silent for a long time, suppressing her turbulent emotions, and asked softly, "Why did Mingyi end up getting involved with Second Brother?"

Liu remained silent.

Madam Zong knew the inside story, but she couldn't say it. She was also feeling troubled, so she waved her hand and said, "If you want to know, go ask your second brother yourself."

Zong Xian was not in the manor at the moment, and Zong Ying was somewhat afraid of him, so she naturally did not dare to rush over to question him.

Zong Ying rushed straight to Shuangxu Garden.

Upon entering, one sees Mingyi bent over a desk, diligently copying something.

She went straight up and saw that it was "Rules for Women".

Before Mingyi could react, Zongying reached out and snatched it away, throwing it far away.

"What are you doing?" Zong Ying asked, both angry and confused. "You're copying this thing; are you really planning to make my second brother's concubine?"

Mingyi met Zong Ying's piercing gaze and smiled slightly, "You've come."

Zong Ying's eyes gradually reddened as she stared intently at her: "How could you not tell me about something so important?"

Mingyi stood up, slowly walked forward to pick up the "Rules for Women" from the ground, gently brushed the dust off the pages, turned around to look at Zongying, her expression indifferent.

"It's nothing serious, and it's not too late for you to know now. You've come at the perfect time; in a few days I'll be a concubine!"

Zong Ying was stunned for a moment when she saw her calm and composed demeanor.

On the way here, she wondered if her second brother had forced her to stay, leaving her with no other choice.

But looking at the situation before me, it seems that this is not the case.

Zong Ying took a deep breath, suppressing her turbulent emotions, and said, "Others say that you were greedy for wealth and actively seduced my second brother, but I just don't believe it. You would do such a thing, so I came here in person to find out what really happened. Did my second brother force you?"

Mingyi sat back down in the armchair, laid out the book "Rules for Women," dipped her brush in ink, and said softly with her eyes lowered, "No one forced me; I did it voluntarily."

"I don't believe it!"

Mingyi then countered, "If he really forced me, what could you do?"

Zong Ying blurted out, "I'll help you!"

Mingyi's fingers, which were holding the pen, paused slightly. She looked up and asked, "How can you help?"

"I'll go and beg my second brother to let you leave the manor!"