"Xiao Chen, good morning. You’re up so early to study. Come have breakfast. You work so hard at your studies; you should eat well."

The door was open, and Ye Zhi directly entered with her maid, bringing abalone and bird’s nest porridge, stir-fried river seafood, and water shield soup.

She placed them all on the round table.

Shen Chen just nodded lightly upon hearing her and didn’t immediately go over to eat.

Ye Zhi turned back to look at Shen Chen, waving for him to come over: "Come eat; it’ll taste bad if it gets cold."

On the round table, there were two sets of dishes and chopsticks, clearly meant for two people to eat together.

He didn’t come, nor did she urge him. She sat at the round table, resting her face in her hands, occasionally sneaking glances at the young man.

The abalone and bird’s nest porridge was still steaming hot, wafting a gentle fragrance, not afraid of cooling too soon.

Shen Chen was particularly sensitive to subtle emotional changes; Ah Zhi’s sneaky glances were so apparent that he couldn’t concentrate on his book any longer, getting up to have breakfast at the round table.

The usually chatty little girl was uncharacteristically silent today.

Moreover, was Shen Chen overthinking, or did Ah Zhi’s actions today carry a hint of affectedness?

She held a spoon, sitting properly and elegantly on the stool, sipping the porridge in small, delicate bites, just like a tender and noble peony flower.

Yes, hasn’t Ah Zhi always been a worldly flower of wealth?

She drank the last mouthful of porridge.

He wiped the corner of his mouth and asked mildly, "Have you been doing well with your embroidery lately?"

Ye Zhi was stunned, her usual gentle expression stiffening, lowering her head to take a sip of porridge, she mumbled, "Very well, I’ve been diligent in learning, and Aunt Xia even praised me."

Ming Yan, standing by the side, twitched her mouth and chose selective deafness.

Miss had been learning for over a month and hadn’t even managed to embroider a proper flower. Though Aunt Xia hadn’t said anything, the gloom in her eyes was quite terrifying.

After that, the room fell silent; no one spoke.

After finishing the meal, Ye Zhi knew how important the autumn exams were and understood the fierce competition. Even though Little Traitor was the author’s main character, there was still a possibility of failing, so she didn’t dare to stay long, afraid of disturbing his studies, and hurriedly left with her maid.

~

Huanhuan and Qinglian knew that Ah Zhi was confined by the Ye Family, spending her days in the mansion learning embroidery. Occasionally, they would bring pastries from the Furong Building to see her, but they didn’t stay long, exchanging a few words before leaving.

State Preceptor Pei Wanmu had recently returned to the Capital City, and Shen Chen also visited his mentor.

Qinglian was the happiest, constantly going to his mansion, not fearing any gossip.

The Thirteenth Princess had grown to be stunningly beautiful, and her frequent visits to the National Master Mansion left some of the servants awestruck, with many lewd comments about the princess being whispered in private.

One day, Pei Wanmu accidentally overheard, and directly had them sent to jail.

At the same time, reforms in the mansion ensued, leaving only a few honest and dutiful servants; the rest were sold off, with the young male servants being the primary focus.

The Little Princess later discovered this and asked, "Hey, State Preceptor, why are there fewer people in your mansion? There used to be so many, especially that servant called Xiao Lizi. He was quite talkative, always calling himself Xiao Lizi."

It was a bright morning, the sun lazily casting its light into the study.

In Pei Wanmu’s peach blossom eyes, there was a chill of winter as he glanced at the innocent Little Princess with her bright eyes and white teeth, replying mildly, "He had some matters to attend to back home and asked me for his indenture, which I granted."